Premier League 2008-09: Over as a Competition, but Why?

This is it. The end. Finale. Fin.

As a competition, the Barclays Premier League is over. Although this could have been confirmed a long time, I stalled, and stalled, hoping for a sudden slip-up and a dramatic turn-around.

However, no such thing occurred. Manchester United keep winning, and winning, and winning.

Although myself being not a strong Manchester fan, I am willing to admit that they, currently, are the best team in England, if not Europe.

In the league, they are seven points ahead with a game in hand.

I think a couple things set them apart from the other big 3—extreme squad depth, an amazing manager, but most of all, consistency.

I'm not going to go deeply into all of those, but I will touch lightly on them.

Squad depth—almost glaringly lacking at Chelsea and Liverpool. Chelsea's subs are simply not good enough to compete day in and day out. Kalou, Malouda, Franco di Santo, Belleti, Ivanovic. They are all either too bad, too old, or too young to play for a Premier League contesting side.

Liverpool on the other hand—without Torres and Gerrard, Liverpool trip. Not a slight trip, but a full-out flat on your face, trip.

Although they have been able to carve out results without these magicians, it is obvious they need them. Gerrard is the creative driving force. Torres is the scorer. Liverpool rely on that pair a lot, sometimes even too much, and that is costly. 

Manager—I'm not insulting anything about the other managers, but Alex Ferguson has something they don't.

A manager should be able to keep together a locker room, something Scolari didn't do.

A manager should know when to field an inexperienced side vs. an experienced one. Hinting at Wenger here.

Finally, a manager should know how to create a squad in which players fight for the starting spot, and don't assume they will be rotated in. Benitez, this is for you.

Consistency—last, but surely not least. This is vital for a side that aims to win the Barclays Premier League Trophy, as I'm sure you're well aware.

This year, no side can claim they have been as consistent as Manchester United. Liverpool drop points against sides they shouldnt—Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Fulham, West Ham, etc.

So do Chelsea—Newcastle, Fulham, Everton, Hull have all robbed the Blues.

I won't even go into details about Arsenal—Sunderland, Fulham, West Ham have all carved out draws.

While researching that information, I noticed one interesting fact—Fulham has tied Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal.

Today, Manchester United scored four against them for a 4-0 victory.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the difference.

Congratulations Red Devils, and until next year.