What’s the real race in England? And I don’t mean (Real) Madrid trying to get Ronaldo. I’m talking about the Championship or what many still think of as the 1st Division.
With the EPL race all but over the season has become a waltz to another title for SAF and the American carpetbaggers that took over Man United (the Glazers). Remember all the big crocodile tears and the whaling about the impending fall from grace when that happened? Sometimes the safest bet is to laugh at the so-called "experts" and prognosticators.
That said, the real race this season is in that 2nd tier where we see 4 of the teams relegated from the EPL in the last two seasons in the top six. The Wolves (Wolverhampton) sit 8th but are only 5 points behind 1st placed Birmingham City (64pts) with 11 games to go.
For those that haven’t been watching Roy Keane’s efforts at Sunderland have seen them rise from 16th to their current place in 4th, only four points behind Birmingham.
West Brom (2nd) and Derby County are tied on points (63). Cardiff, who set the pace early, have fallen to 6th with 59 points which has them tied with Preston, Southampton and Wolves. If Preston hangs around to enter the playoff it will be their third consecutive season to do so. Will the third time be the charm?
In case you need a refresher about how things work in this league the top two sides earn automatic promotion. Those that finish 3-6 enter a knockout tournament to determine the 3rd promoted side.
The Story of the Year in England
Tottenham’s failure? Well, disappointing as it is, it is also pretty much in line with their history. No, thats not it.
Liverpool’s slow start means another season where the best they can do is 3rd. No, thats not it either.
Arsenal not winning any silverware? Since it brings a smile to my face its welcome but its surely not the top tale of the season. I’m just happy whenever Wenger loses. It’s doubly satisfying that the Gunners win nothing in their first season after building the Emirates Stadium. Since it was my Blackburn Rovers that knocked them out of the FA Cup that makes it even more satisfying but its still not "the story" of the season.
Newcastle’s revival, after battling with the one of the longest injury lists in recent memory? Inspirational for sure, but no, thats not it either.
The story of the year is the Reading Royals. Steve Coppel will be nominated for manager of the year and I’d say he deserves to win it for the job he’s done with this club in their first ever run in the top flight.
Remember what I said above about how the promotion business gets settled? Well, just to be totally accurate, Reading is the only club to have finished second in the Championship (it was the 1st Division at the time) and NOT earn promotion back in the first season of the EPL. In that year only 1 team was automatically promoted and Reading had to go to a playoff with Bolton Wanderers which they lost after going to a 2-0 lead in that pivotal match.
The Royals earned an FA Cup 5th Round Replay with Man United and despite going down 3-0 in six minutes continued to press United and only a ball off the crossbar separated them from extra time in a spirited loss 3-2. They not only earned their spurs in that one they likely won over a lot of new fans in England and around the world too for that matter. They showed their current position of 6th in the league table is for real.
In the more than a decade since that playoff loss they earned their shot and are making it a season to savor. Kudos to the Royals!
The Best of Europe
Inter Milan. A team on a mission. After being handed the Scudetto last year due to the scandal in Italy and the resulting penalties to Juventus and AC Milan, Inter entered this season with a goal in mind. To prove they deserved it and that they aimed to keep it.
A record 17 match winning streak in league play has them 14 points above their nearest competition AS Roma. That streak came to an end with a 1-1 draw but Inter remains the only major team across Europe that has not lost in league play this season.
There aren’t any better in Europe than Inter Milan. Not this season.
Bundesliga
I hestiate to say anything for fear of jinxing them but Schalke are leading the league. This team has historically discovered the most bizarre ways to not win the title, so fear of the jinx is very real.
I’ll never forget watching them celebrate the title prematurely after a draw in their final match with Bayern Munich still in action at Herta. As it played out Bayern scored a goal in the 5th minute of what was supposed to be 3 minutes of injury time which resulted in Munich winning the title on goal difference if you can believe that. Its true. It really happened.
So if you’re a soccer fan keep an eye on the Bundesliga, just don’t say anything. Yet.
