Avoiding the Drop

I found myself thinking the other day during the second leg of Spurs-Real Madrid that this particular campaign, 2010-11, has been rather mundane and by the books.

Underwhelming, I guess, is the best word for it.  Now, I’m sure that supporters of Manchester United and Barcelona are probably over the moon with this season, probably banging their pots and pans together, shouting from the rooftops.  They should be.  They are the two best club sides in Europe and probably will meet, much to UEFA’s delight, at Wembley to decide who is THE best side in about six weeks or so.  God bless them and I hope it’s a fantastic finale (if that’s how it turns out).

I’m sure the fine people who are associated with Queens Park Rangers in West London are thrilled and happy about their soon-to-happen ascension to the Barclay’s Premier League.  Rangers have really been entertaining in the second division this season and deserve all their accolades.  The same should be true for folks who support Dortmund in Germany, AC Milan in Italy and Lille in France.  All are doing very well despite pre-season expectations.

My problem is that I don’t support any of those clubs and the club I do support is a never-ending source of disappointment.  One could say that about a lot of clubs in the league I care about most, the English top flight, the Barclay’s Premier League.  Arsenal are in second place by default, really.  No one in their right minds thinks they can actually overtake United for the title.  They haven’t defeated United since 2008 and do not appear to have the mental makeup or inner strength that United have in spades.  Chelsea, in third, have had a stop-start-stop season for the ages and will return to summer vacation without a trophy and probably needing a new manager.  Manchester City, in fourth, are a toxic bunch of egos who occasionally act like they like each other.  They certainly enjoy their hefty paychecks, it would appear.

Spurs have been inconsistent and listless at times and now must struggle again to try to finish fourth.  They are hardly as formidable as last season, regardless of the similarity in points.  Liverpool in sixth?  Happy with that prospect?  I never thought I would see the day.  Of course, it’s been a rough campaign with a managerial change, an ownership change and a brand-new strike partnership in January, so at least their supporters can point to all the chaos as their excuse.

From seventh on down it’s a complete mess.  Yes, I’ve extolled the virtues of Bolton Wanderers a few weeks back, and I’m not taking any of that back.  I think highly of Owen Coyle and the way he prepares.  He would get my vote for manager of the year, quite frankly.  Look at the table, though.  Somehow Everton has managed to climb up to seventh, despite a horrendous offense and a barely-there defense.  At times, David Moyes has looked more like a drive-by victim than a manager.  It’s sad that they are in seventh, not for their rabid supporters, but the fact that they are basically a horrendously shabby collection of players at this point.

From 10th position on down, West Bromwich Albion all the way through to Wigan Athletic, it’s a wasteland.  Side after comically inept side, joke after joke.  It’s virtually impossible to pick one that could break out and win from week to week, I have no idea how the punters are making any money this season, not that it matters but it’s still important.  My enthusiasm is waning at this point in the season, and here’s a shocker for you.  I’m more enthused about MLS right now than just about any of the European leagues.

Understand this:  The top flight in England will continue on whether my enthusiasm is good or not, and they will continue to be a spectacle.  The problem is that they ask people to pay obscene amounts of money to see a large amount of less-than-desirable matches.  It is easier to see matches in America and around the world than it is in England.  There is constant racial abuse in the stands.  The players are a lot of immature, overpaid dunderheads.  The quality of the football has suffered over time to the point now where if I had to pick out the memorable matches this season, I would have a tough time coming up with more than three (Wolves-United, Arsenal-Newcastle and Everton-Liverpool).

I want more quality and I want less chatter about off-the-pitch shenanigans.  I want better sides up and down the table and less talk about money.  I want the top players to behave as adult professionals.  I want the FA to start actually enforcing real penalties when they deliver them.  I want the media to get some scruples and try to act as if they weren’t constantly seeking the lowest common denominator.  I want this to be better.

Here is today’s television listings, all times Eastern.

England, West Brom-Chelsea 10 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel
England, West Ham-Aston Villa 10 a.m. FSP
Germany, Hamburg-Hanover 10 a.m. ESPN Deportes
England FA Cup, Manchester City-Manchester United noon FSC
Italy, Roma-Palermo noon FSP
Spain, Malaga-Mallorca noon DirecTV (477)
Spain, Getafe-Sevilla noon ESPN Deportes
Spain, Almeria-Valencia 2 p.m. DirecTV (478)
England, Birmingham-Sunderland 2 p.m. FSP
Italy, AC Milan-Sampdoria 2:30 p.m. FSC
Spain, Real Madrid-Barcelona 4 p.m. GolTV, ESPN Deportes
MLS, Philadelphia-Seattle 4 p.m. Direct Kick
Italy, Parma-Inter Milan 5 p.m. FSC
Mexico, Monterrey-Morelia 6 p.m. Telemundo
Mexico, Jaguares-Tigres 6 p.m. ESPN Deportes
MLS, Toronto-D.C. United 7 p.m. FSC
MLS, Vancouver-Chivas USA 7 p.m. Direct Kick
MLS, Columbus-Kansas City 7:30 p.m. Direct Kick
MLS, New York-San Jose 7:30 p.m. Direct Kick
Mexico, Pachuca-Atlas 8 p.m. Galavision
Mexico, Chivas-Santos Laguna 8 p.m. Telemundo
Mexico, Puebla-Cruz Azul 8 p.m. Fox Deportes, Azteca America
England, Everton-Blackburn 9:30 p.m. FSC
Mexico, Atlante-Necaxa 10 p.m. Galavision
Mexico, San Luis-Toluca 10 p.m. Telefutura

ESPN3‘s listings.

As always, thanks for your clicks and comments.  Enjoy the matches today.