Wednesday, 11 April 2012

Bum Not So Squeaky

Yet another season is about to end with Man Utd cantering its way to yet another EPL title. And they are doing so without even moving out of 2nd gear all season. Or having a proper central midfielder.

As recent as up to a month ago, City appeared the only team capable of taking the fight against the Devils right down to the wire. They had power, grit, attacking verve and a host of international superstars molded together by a willy Italian. But they also had Ballotelli. And Carlos Tevez. The rest, as we are witnessing, is history. 

Whether it is due to the aforementioned duo's off-field problems or natural ability to attract controversy like a Catholic priest to choirboys, whether it is the inexperience of Mancini in a proper English title fight, whether it is untimely injuries, whether it is fatigue or whether it is the lack of squad depth ... whatever the cause, it is clearly having a destructive effect on a team who is now chasing a seemingly impossible 8-point gap with United. 

Never before have we seen a front-runner's season unravel and derail so spectacularly as City's since Newcastle circa 1995 (who famously led United by 12 points at Christmas but conspired to throw away the league and hand United the title come May). 

So once again, we find ourselves in familiar territory with United looking all but certain of landing title No.20 during the period of a season which Sir Alex once famously called 'squeaky bum time'. 

As much as I hate to say it, United still are the team to beat and emulate. They've got 'champions' ingrained and embedded in their DNA and football culture so deep that they have the natural instinct to never know when they've been beaten. Whilst their performances have been anything but impressive, their fighting spirit and work ethic has been first-class. Once again, Sir Alex shows just why he's probably the greatest manager of all time.

I wish the same could be said about Chelsea though. Yes, we're still in with a shout to 4th place (and hopefully qualification for Champs League next season) and yes we're in the last 4 of both the FA Cup and Champs League at the moment ... but we have certainly lost the swagger, style or conviction to pull off the impossible. We are still without a firm and strong visionary to lead and manage the team in the long term. We are still without able replacements for the Old Guard. We are still a team in transition and this transition has taken inextricably too long, no thanks to the constant rotation of managers which invariably brings with it change of style, philosophy and backroom staff. 

Whatever happens this season, if Chelsea is serious in mounting a better challenge than City against United next season, we need to bring stability back to the club. We need shrewd recruitment and we need to instill a sense of hope and trust throughout the squad. 

But that is all still a long way to go. End of season this is NOT yet, and Chelsea need to bring back some feel good to the Bridge by going as far as they can in all 3 campaigns. 

Come on now Blues! 

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