As the English Premier League rolls into 2008, things predominantly looks good. There is a straight three, possibly four-way chase for the title involving the usual candidates, though much respect must be paid to Everton and Manchester City for making life particularly troublesome for the top four.
There are arguably six clubs at the bottom end all battling against the dreaded drop of which only three can escape. With the Transfer Window in full swing, there appears to be lots of twists and turns to be excited about as we come towards the business end of the season.
However, there are always parts of the game to complain about, and with them reasons to be annoyed. Even though the Premier League is in good shape, there are many things that fans would like to change in the game. Here are 10 EPL issues that annoy fans, in no particular order.
1) Premier League Chairmen/Chairmen in general
Chairmen will always be a pain in the proverbial for fans. Take those clubs struggling currently in the EPL: Middlesbrough, Fulham, Sunderland, Derby, Birmingham, and Wigan. And Newcastle's tricky-looking next few fixtures coupled with an uncertain boardroom and managerial future means that their disgruntled fans may get an uncomfortable dose of 'squeaky bum time' earlier than they should.
Four of those teams have already changed their managers this term and at least one other, Newcastle's Sam Allardyce, is under immense pressure to achieve as soon as possible.
Well done then to Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson for giving Gareth Southgate time during a difficult season after the moderate success of Steve McClaren. When all other boards appear to be discussing managerial futures amid their winter of discontent, Gibson has kept quiet and never for a second questioned or doubted his manager.
It's amazing how a good chairman can positively affect a football club. The key word is stability. Gibson realizes it is no good making knee-jerk reactions when in precarious positions since the long term future is more important. As Sir Alex Ferguson often says, managers need to be given time.
Take note: Dave Whelan, David Gold, Mohammed Al-Fayed, and Adam Pearson.
Credit must also go to Niall Quinn, who has already stated that Roy Keane's job is safe even if the Black Cats get relegated this season. This leaves Keane to purely concentrate his attention on the job at hand—keeping Sunderland in the Premier League—and more immediate matters like the melting pot of the January Transfer Window. Keane is one of the few who has money readily available, but perhaps those chairmen who have hastily sacked their club's boss only a few months into their tenure don't deserve to improve in the short term if they can't look out for the long term.
2) The mentality "You don't know as you haven't played the game"
1 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete