English football 2012-13

The quality of the Premier League declined in 2012-13, breaking its promise of improving English players who learn from the best in the world, having systematically undermined the England team in every other way in the pursuit of money (something that, as Arsenal fans will tell you, isn't all there is).  The price of everything and the value of nothing comes to mind. This was coupled with a title campaign that Manchesters United and City killed off between them (United's virtuosity, City's lack of hunger) by February, making it as uninspired as the heading to this piece.

The fall in class  reflects badly on Newcastle United, who had a precipitous drop from fifth top last season to fifth bottom this (but at least finished above the Great Unwashed of their neighbours).  All talk of a five-year plan is out of the window.  After exceeding expectations in finishing fifth when tenth was the target and then drastically missing the target of eighth this season, sixth should have been the aim for 2013-14.  But no, tenth is acceptable again.  Given that West Bromwich Albion concluded their campaign on a miserly 49 points – still, their best Premier League points total and position – in normal circumstances a top ten place should be eminently achievable (appointing boorish football directors is not normal).  With the bumper television deal, all the other clubs will be wanting the same thing.

It is incredible that the top three English sides all changed manager at the season’s close.  José Mourinho’s marriage of convenience with Roman Abramovich, which was on the cards since December was I think the tilt factor for Sir Alex Ferguson (although officially he left for family reasons), prompting him to say that Mourinho would win the league if he returned before he had divulged his own retirement plans.  To remember a caustic banner from 1989, “Ta ra Fergie.”  Roberto Mancini was sacked for his customary failure in Europe and inability to defend the Premier League.  Not meeting these pre-agreed aims meant that his (hidden from public sight) abrasive personality, like Mourinho at Madrid, made his position untenable.  Everton also had a vacancy, having lost David Moyes to Man Utd (how glad Moyes must be that Spurs turned him down last year).  As a result, top tier watchers will see the return of the immaculate tailoring and less than immaculate morals of Roberto Martinez. .Massadio Haidara still waiting for the promised apology from Wigan Athletic for the horror tackle by Callum McManaman that could have ended the French Magpie’s career.  The brass neck of Wigan meant, instead of punishing their wayward charge (who had forced another player off on a stretcher in pre-season) sung his praises, condemned a ‘witch hunt’  and played him all the games he should have been banned (with him scoring the second goal in the FA Cup semi-final).  I don’t believe in Karma but Wigan’s relegation and Callum McManaman’s ankle injury ruling him out for several months on the day he had been selected for his first England Under-21 cap speaks to poetic justice.  Back to the internally shabby Martinez, finishing above Liverpool for a third time would be a tall order, giving that to do so twice consecutively was not achieved by Everton since the 1930s.  Liverpool will come strong next season as Brendan Rogers is combining quality with a siege mentality, albeit the latter wrong-headed over the legitimate punishment meted out to their number 10 and his cannibalistic proclivities.  As a city, Liverpool has had some historic injustices handed to it in the 1980s, with the Hillsborough conspiracy lasting more than twenty years.  But the persecution complex of the club has reached proportions where they no longer can tell wrong from right.  They have forfeited the honour of being the neutrals’ favourite club.

Repeating the trick of 2012, Arsenal have overhauled a considerable points deficit  to their derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur to finish above them again.  Given their disappointment last season, it was surprising to hear Spurs fans counting their chickens.

I had badly misjudged West Brom.  Steve Clarke wasn’t the born number two I imagined.  Retaining the organisation of the Hodgson reign and adding the goals of Romelu Lukaku made them the best of the rest though they sagged badly (as did Swansea) with nothing left to play for with seven or eight games remaining.

West Ham and Southampton did better than I expected, Aston Villa and QPR worse, though Reading failed to defy my prediction of relegation (their run from mid-table to win the Championship was a feat that could not be replicated at a higher level to save them from the drop).  I was glad of Norwich’s safety though they left it late.  Fulham’s conclusion to the season might leave them treading water the next.  Stoke City’s sacking of Tony Pulis was a shock but I remember reading a preview a few seasons back that commented that Stoke were in a race against time, each year their one-dimensionality increasingly found out by opponents.  A change of manager to herald a change of directions was the board’s antidote – handing Mark Hughes a chance to rebuild his reputation after QPR could be inspired or disastrous.

The elevation of Cardiff City to the Premier League for the first time and Hull City’s return should make things interesting but not as much as Ian Holloway.  I am delighted at Crystal Palace’s play-off victory (“I was told that I had lost the dressing room.  I’d never lost it.  It’s down the corridor on the left..”), not just for Holloway, with him putting icecubes down the vest of terror and like, but also having been an occasional guest at Selhurst Park in the last few seasons.  I am joyful for my friends’ joy.