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January 7, 2010

The 'Big Freeze' is snow joke

Posted by Jon Champion on 07/01/2010

According to our overworked weather forecasters, we are now in the midst of Britain’s coldest spell of weather for nearly 30 years. Another week or so of this and the comparison will be with the ‘Big Freeze’ of 1963 when, so my ageing relatives tell me, the nation had to do without football for a full six weeks.

Inactivity led to innovation. Leicester tried - and failed - to protect Filbert Street with a tent, Chelsea used a tar-burner, whilst Blackpool employed a flame-thrower.

These days, pitches have better heating systems than most houses, and the majority of postponements at our well-appointed stadiums come about because the surrounding roads and pavements have yet to enjoy similar luxurious treatment.

All of which is a roundabout way of saying that any blog looking ahead to this weekend’s football may be rendered redundant by an army of Health and Safety officials - and that would be a pity because ESPN’s two live games have plenty to commend them.

Saturday teatime sees Manchester United visiting St Andrew’s to face a Birmingham City team defying expectation. A run of 11 Premier League games without defeat is Blues’ best in the top division since 1908…12 would be a club record - and if Alex McLeish names an unchanged team for a ninth consecutive match, that would be a first in the history of the Barclays Premier League.

By contrast, Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to ignore the attraction of saying “same again” for the 100th time in a row, although given the dreadful nature of their FA Cup exit against Leeds, perhaps that’s not a shock.

What is surprising is the way all the leading teams are passing up the chance to seize the title baton and run with it. Arsene Wenger reckons the Premier League could be won with as few as 78 points this year, and that is unheard of.

Two weeks ago, Birmingham would have beaten Chelsea but for a dubious offside call against Christian Benitez. Manchester United have every reason to feel concerned over what awaits them in Bordesley Green.

Then on Monday it’s off to Eastlands for ESPN’s other live fixture. Manchester City versus Blackburn could be a foretaste of the Carling Cup Final.

Roberto Mancini couldn’t have asked for a more accommodating sequence of games with which to ease himself into the manager’s chair. Blackburn have gone eight matches without a league victory - too long for comfort - but they showed at Old Trafford earlier in the season that they can be obdurate, and Sam Allardyce will have them well prepared.

City’s list of injured and absent will also be a factor, although reinforcements would seem to be on the way, quite possibly led by Patrick Vieira.

The club’s reporting of an annual loss of £92 million passed without rigorous comment this week, but it appears recruitment will continue apace. At this stage of the Abu Dhabi ‘project’, the balance sheet is immaterial. It’s to be hoped the beating heart of a unique club remains strong amidst the cascade of cash.

Comments

Posted by Raaj Sangani on 09/01/2010

Message for Jon Champion: When hysterically accusing our manager of influencing the 4th official over the amount of added time (if an opposing manager did this in an interview they'd be looking at a disrepute charge) maybe you should remember that the Birmingham players spent a good 90 seconds disputing a perfectly legitimate goal with the referee (not helped by the linesman sticking his flag up).

I usually like Jon Champion, but you seem far too keen to impose your own opinions on the viewer when your supposed to be neutral (usually when commentating on Man Utd).