Irrespective of what happens between now and mid-May the greatest legacy that Leicester City will give after this season has finished is hope to all the teams that are promoted to the PL in future. The phrase 'second season syndrome' will be replaced with 'Leicester City syndrome' or 'Doing a Leicester' I genuinely hope you win it as it will give back to the game a little bit of romance that has been lost since the domination of big money. Fingers crossed for ya'
There's a strong possibility that only two of the top 7 from the first Premier League season (winners Man Utd and 6th placed Liverpool) will be in the Premier League in 2016/17. Things were far more fluid in those days - the richest clubs were even more fallible than they have been this season.
I still don't think you can say the "Top 6 have all been bad this season", because the top 6 is actually around about 8 teams (yeah I know, shhhh). Man U has been ****e since Fergie left, Liverpool have also been ****e. Man C blow hot and cold, and the Arse are always the bridesmaid, apart from the past 2 years FA Cups. All our teams have been **** in Europe in recent years too. Due to the money, and many other factors tbh, the playing field is leveling a little in some areas too. Leicester have been the most consistent team all season so far, and long may that continue. If they lose, they win their next game, they don't go on a losing streak. The entire team plays well together, and for each other. As much as I despise the **** with the drum, the Walkers is always rocking. There's such a good aura around the club both on and off the field, I find it a little insulting to suggest they're just lucky with a terrible PL Season. It's also slightly funny to say this is Arsenals best chance to win it, as that misses the point entirely. Leicester winning the PL and us doing the double this season would be a good achievement for the underdogs. Or Foxes. Or Tigers.
Combined points per game of the "big 6" regular contenders (Man Utd, Hunter, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs): 2011/12: 1.90 2012/13: 1.96 2013/14: 2.04 2014/15: 1.92 2015/16: 1.67 A remarkable drop. Part of that is no doubt down to the improvement of the smaller teams, but failings on the part of the big clubs are surely a much bigger factor.
I hope they win it. I have no love at all for any of the London teams so Spurs and Arsenal can **** right off. Man City I've never had a problem with so meh but it would be great if Leicester go all the way.
They have though. Use Chelsea as an example - Last season all conquering, this season until Mourino left they were a genuine relegation contender. 87 points from 38 games @ 2.29 points per game last season and PL champions. To this season 40 points from 29 games @ 1.38 points per game. For a team with world class players and no noticeable change in personnel - if that isn't a collapse then I don't know what is. I'm sure the other established top teams will give a similar result, but probably less dramatic. It's not being disrespectful to Leicester, it's just stating a fact. I'm sure next season normal service will be resumed where money generally dictates placings.
Those teams do have some world class players I agree. But not world class teams. Leicester has maybe lesser world class players but their players are playing better as a team. I genuinely don't get why people buy into the entitlement to win stuff the so called top 6 expect. Leicester will be loaded next season but its it just always about the money. As this season is proving.
The Chelsea example is important though. They didn't change much if anything from last season to this, so what has cause them to drop by almost an average of a point a game? That is one unbelievable swing. The top 6 or 'Establishment' is part of the reason I love and loathe the Premier League, you want to be a part of it, but almost every season you can predict accurately who will finish in the top 3 or 4 places, that is how it is. This season is the one rarity that happens every blue moon. All the top 4 teams seem to be going through some sort of identity crisis with key player injuries and loss of form. This season is unprecedented.
A trivia question: when did a team from outside the "big 6" I mentioned earlier finish within 10 points of the winners?
Yep - the "LUV IT" 1996/97 season. Edit: sorry, the last time it happened was 96-97, but the "Luv it" season was the year before, when they finished closer.
Of course Newcastle were a big team themselves for a few seasons back then. It wasn't exactly shocking, their high finishes. They appeared to be breaking up the cartel. Or rather, joining it.
Leeds got within 12 points I think in two seasons after that, but never within ten. For me the difference now is that everyone has money, not just the few who make the champions league. In years past, Everton would've had no option but to accept the offer from Chelsea for Stones, but now they get that much in tv revenue they can turn round and say get to f***. Similarly you've got teams able to splash the cash on big name players (like Stoke) as they can compete financially with most clubs in europe. Hopefully it'll long continue and the PL will level out after years of being a closed shop
Honestly can't believe it mate. I seriously do believe that we have the best owners in the world. Been looking at flights to Stockholm and LA to watch Leicester play Barcelona and PSG but wondering if I should save up for the Champions League Absolutely crazy and it makes me want to rub this tweet in Dietmar Hamann's face even more...
There for the money - they'll fill grounds with their scummy fans wherever they're playing in the world.
