Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has stated that he is desperate to win a trophy, has one eye on the FA Cup and would even potentially prioritise a victory at Wembley over a top four finish.
With the Manchester clubs eliminated from this year’s competition The Gunners are one of the frontrunners, and the England international is eager to be victorious.
“A winner’s medal in the one thing I would like more than anything. When I’m older, I want to look back on my career at the trophies I’ve won – and there are none yet,” he confessed to Mirror Football.
“I haven’t even got anywhere set aside at home for when I do win some medals.
“But the FA Cup is a great opportunity for us this year because some big teams have gone out of the competition early.
“It’s tough to choose between finishing in the top four or winning a trophy – ideally I would like Arsenal to finish fourth, or higher if possible, but we need to win a trophy if we can,” he concluded.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Parachute payments are designed to help clubs that get relegated from the Premier League and into the Championship. However, there is an argument that certain clubs are more in need of these payments than others and that any time who receive parachute payments has an unfair advantage over the other teams in the Championship.
The gulf in finance between the Championship and the Premier League is extremely evident but in a lot of ways it is the own clubs stupidity that got them into trouble into the first place – so why should they be bailed out? Take the example of West Ham that has been paying out some huge wages on some very average players – which was proved by their relegation. However, despite all this it is clear to see why there is a need for parachute payments in this case – especially if West Ham fails to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
However, not all teams who fall out of the Premier League need any significant adjustment to life in the Championship; mainly because they haven’t taken a significant gamble in staying in the Premier League. Usually these are teams that have spent a solitary season in the top flight and have spent comparable little on transfer fees and wages.
Perhaps the best recent example is Blackpool and under the guidance of Ian Holloway they stubbornly refused to spend big. Holloway constantly suggested that no player would be paid over £10,000 per week; Blackpool spent just over £3.5m on new players – despite receiving over £40m on Premier League TV revenue alone. The squad hasn’t had many changes made since the last time they were in the Championship – so adjustment to Championship football should not be hard. This would be especially the case if the club receives a large transfer fee for Charlie Adam – with the star linked with a move to Liverpool again; other Blackpool players may also be in demand.
Blackpool is now in a much improved financial state than they were prior to their season in the Premier League. Effectively they have pocketed the cash that they received through promotion to the Premier League – which will give them more to play with in the summer transfer market. But it should also be kept in mind that Blackpool already has a decent squad to play with that should be competitive in the Championship. However, even so in the Premier League eyes they need additional help and will receive £48m over the next four seasons.
Blackpool could perhaps take the view that this is their reward for taking a cautious approach to Premier League survival. Certainly they look fairly stable at the moment and should not encounter further relegations or financial hardship in the seasons ahead. There will be a number of teams receiving the revised higher parachute payments next seasons comprising of the teams relegated last season and the season before. Previously parachute payments were a package of £32m paid over two seasons.
However, surely this will give an unfair advantage to teams that do receive parachute payments over other teams in the Championship next season. The Championship tends to be a very competitive division and it would be shame if it became somewhat anti-competitive; due to certain teams having more money than others. That was the fantastic thing about Blackpool winning promotion – the fact that no one expected it and it was just a fantastic story.
The same goes for Swansea gaining promotion into the Premier League last season and it certainly would be a shame if we lost this sort of magic in football. There is also the view that there should be a level of incentive for teams to go for it in the Premier League. With the amount of money that is around in the Premier League and the level of debt in the football league – it may be tempting to take the money without spending much of it. However, is there scope to modify the current parachute payment system to only reward teams that have been in the Premier League for a certain period of time or teams that have gambled somewhat to stay there?
Therefore, the parachute payment could be changed so it only teams that have been in the Premier League for a significant period of time would receive the pay-out. The logic to this seems sound considering the longer a team has been in the Premier League – the more likely they will have adapted to Premier League wages. A period of three or more seasons seems fair.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Another possible change would be to allow a team that has spent a lot in their first season to receive parachute payments. However, critics would argue that just rewards teams that have perhaps been reckless in their spending. However, statistically speaks I suspect the teams that spend money in their first season would typically survive the drop. Therefore, such a change probably would not be necessary.
Liverpool’s Managing Director Ian Ayre has attracted widespread criticism for his outlandish proposal for each club to sell their foreign TV rights individually. As Man Utd and Chelsea have looked to distance themselves, Ayre looks to be well short of the required 14 clubs needed to start his rights revolution. Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan has rightly lambasted the plan hinting that if it were to go ahead, it could open up a future that saw the Premier League fall by the wayside, instead giving way to a European Super League.
The vocal Whelan stated: “I have just read his (Ayre’s) comments and I find them diabolical – I just can’t believe what he has been saying. It is the ‘American Dream’ this, they are thinking ‘how can we get more money?’You won’t get more money by killing the heart and soul of the Premier League and killing the heart and soul of football in England.
We invented the game and we have still got the finest league in the whole world and some of the finest supporters in the whole world and they want to rip the whole thing up. It is absolutely scandalous. It would kill Wigan Athletic. It would kill Blackburn.”
It’s hard to argue against Whelan’s argument to be honest. The current overseas TV rights deal is worth £1.4bn and comes to an end in 2013. At the moment it works out as roughly £18m per team each season and is in stark contrast to what happens in Spain, whereby Barcelona and Real Madrid take away 60% of the revenue between them, leaving the other 18 sides to divvy up the remaining 40% between them.
Unsurprisingly, this has left La Liga uncompetitive. Stoke Chairman Peter Coates had this to say on the matter: “I think what we’ve got is a pretty good system that works well and is probably a model for European countries to follow. I don’t think what Spain has done has done anything for Spanish football. As I understand it, their own clubs and supporters and everyone connected with the game in Spain is pretty depressed with what has happened there.
Furthermore, both those clubs [Barcelona and Real Madrid] have got huge debts and that’s with all the money they get. I think things are structured very well here and to change that would be very much a step in the wrong direction. I think we’ve got it about right and I’m disappointed that Liverpool think differently. But hopefully the majority of clubs will recognise we’ve got a system that works well.”
In order for any proposed deal to go through, 14 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs need to vote in favour of change. It really is like turkey’s voting for Christmas. Whelan’s rage is entirely understandable as it would initially leave the top flight as a two-tiered division.
The likes of Wigan, Stoke and Bolton hardly have a global following. The only benefactors from such a deal would be Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City due to the fact that each of their respective clubs can now be considered a global brand. Name recognition of Wigan Athletic in Beijing is most likely to be met with a dumbfounded and blank stare.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]
Ayre argues: “Is it right that the international rights are shared equally between all the clubs? Some people will say: ‘Well you’ve got to all be in it to make it happen.’ But isn’t it really about where the revenue is coming from, which is the broadcaster, and isn’t it really about who people want to watch on that channel? We know it is us. And others. At some point we feel there has to be some rebalance on that, because what we are actually doing is disadvantaging ourselves against other big European clubs.”
It’s crucial to keep Man Utd and Chelsea on side in this debate rather than falling in line with Liverpool. Chelsea released a statement confirming that they remain “Supportive of the Premier League on this and want to continue with the way they sell [TV rights] collectively.”
Man Utd’s position is less clear cut, with mixed messages coming from manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Chief Executive David Gill. Ferguson decried last month that: “When you shake hands with the devil you have to pay the price. Television is God at the moment” before later tacitly agreeing with something similar to Ayre’s proposal with “There is a negotiation to be had there next time around. [Individual rights] is the big issue in Spain at the moment but I’ve no great feelings about that. We’d love to have our own but I don’t think it should happen that way. It’s quite fair to have all equal shares.”
David Gill told a parliamentary inquiry last season that: “The collective selling of the television rights has clearly been a success and it has made things more competitive.”
The temptation to give in must be great. The current domestic TV rights deal is worth £2.1bn over three years, but when both sets of deals are next up for renewal in 2013, the overseas deals have the potential to dwarf the domestic rights package. While Liverpool would undoubtedly benefit, no-one would more so than Man Utd.
And therein lies the real worry – could the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea potentially breakaway and form their own Super League?
If they’ve negotiated their own TV rights deal, what is to stop them negotiating their own individual league deal in the future. It could include the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrird and Bayern Munich too. All the best clubs in the world in one terribly boring league getting richer and richer by the second.
The Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules mean that clubs are now looking for other ways to maximise their profits. The age of the mega-rich owners is coming to an end; Man City and PSG managed to sneak in there just in time.
It does seem somewhat strange that Ayre has been hung out to dry quite as much as he has been, though. He surely, in private, must have canvassed opinion around other clubs before publicly expressing his owns intentions. However, the likelihood of such a proposal coming to fruition is slim to none. But still, the warning signs do set a precedent of what the future holds for the game further down the line.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Whereas once upon a time the idea of a European Super League would be laughed out of the halls of power, there is a creeping suspicion that it would now be welcomed with open arms in a manoeuvre that would be mutually financially beneficial. Michel Platini’s FFP rules are entirely admirable in their aims, but in practice, they could simply force clubs to find other ways to make their money.
The Frenchman’s influence at UEFA would quash any idea at present, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, and with the dollar signs flashing in every big club’s eyes at the prospect, they’ll patiently bide their time for now, even if Ayre’s move does seem a tad premature side.
The theme of this summer’s transfer market has been to spend near £20million for the Premier League’s top talents whether they are really worth that or not. Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson have made the move to Liverpool for that amount whilst Everton reportedly value defender Phil Jagielka at the same amount to keep Arsenal at bay. There is no doubt that all enjoyed impressive seasons but one of the star performers of last year was Wigan Athletic’s Charles N’Zogbia.
N’Zogbia has been subject to intense speculation and now looks to be close to a move to Aston Villa. Both clubs have reportedly agreed a fee for the player but that fee is thought to be only £9.5million. With £20million being thrown around with so much ease, shouldn’t Wigan be holding out for a bigger fee for their best player?
Unfortunately for Wigan fans N’Zogbia’s exit looks to be almost inevitable. He has played a massive role for Wigan over the last few seasons, especially last year when his form and goals helped them stay in the Premier League by the narrowest of margins. He scored a total of ten goals in all competitions last season and made eight assists (making him top of both Wigan’s scoring and assisting charts). A move to Villa would be a step up for the winger but as Wigan look set to lose their talisman, why are they not asking for more money from a team obviously very keen on his signature and with transfer funds to spend?
Villa had a £9million bid rejected but seem to now have been successful with a slightly improved offer of £9.5million. But Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has previously stated that he would not accept any less than £10million for N’Zogbia and that a number of clubs are “desperate” to sign him. The willingness to invest by the Liverpool owners may have added a couple of million onto the deals for Henderson and Downing but if both are worth £20million, there is no doubt that Wigan are losing out in selling N’Zogbia for less than half that amount.
N’Zogbia was one of the most effective wingers in the Premier League last season, willing to take players on and score crucial goals in Wigan’s survival campaign. Putting a price tag on a player’s head has been increasingly difficult in this inflated transfer market but if Wigan are keen to get a direct replacement for N’Zogbia then they should look to hold out for more money.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
But maybe Wigan are just playing it safe in selling N’Zogbia for under £10million? He only has a year left on his contract when Wigan would then face the threat of losing him for free. For a small team £9.5million would also go a reasonable way in the transfer market. Wigan unfortunately also don’t have the bargaining power of the bigger clubs and if they did hold out for a bigger sum then they risk other teams losing interest in a deal and N’Zogbia himself becoming unhappy at the DW Stadium.
N’Zogbia’s time at Wigan and the transfer speculation surrounding him may soon be coming to an end as a deal with Villa looks close. Wigan will make a profit on a player who joined the club two years ago but the loss of their star player to Villa, who will pay only half of what they received for Downing, means this deal is definitely better business for Villa than it is Wigan.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If you want to read more of my bite size, 160 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5
FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam has rejected allegations the organisation is corrupt.FIFA’s executive was again thrown into the spotlight this week when former English Football Association chief Lord Triesman accused several members, including vice-president Jack Warner, of seeking bribes in exchange for votes in the World Cup bidding process.
President Sepp Blatter, who Bin Hammam is challenging in an election in June, has announced FIFA will launch an investigation into the claims, but Bin Hammam defended the organisation.
“I will happily and unreservedly restate that I firmly believe FIFA, as a decision-making body and as an organisation, is not corrupt,” Bin Hammam said.
“However it is impossible to deny that its reputation has been sullied beyond compare. It’s time for that to change.”
“A new atmosphere needs to descend upon FIFA; there needs to be an opportunity for new ideas to take hold and for the organisation to take a new direction.”
Bin Hammam also criticised Blatter for donating funds to Interpol match-fixing investigations.
FIFA announced on Monday they would be donating 20 million euros in a 10-year commitment to assist the international police organisation in their efforts to fight match-fixing.
The move is apparently part of Blatter’s stated program of reform in FIFA as the Swiss 75-year-old seeks to retain the office he has held since 1998.
But his Qatari rival has rejected the move, with Bin Hammam describing the donation as ‘arbitrary.’
“Currently, the President has taken on too much of an Executive role, as evidenced by the recently announced initiative to donate 20 million dollars to Interpol. Imagine FIFA financing Interpol’s activities,” Bin Hammam said via Twitter.
“This decision was taken arbitrarily by the FIFA President and was not discussed with the Executive Committee.”
“It is just another example of the current regime choosing to run football how it sees fit, rather than doing so in a manner that is consistent with the governing body’s proper procedures. How on earth can we convince people of FIFA’s innocence?”
Sir Alex Ferguson has described Chelsea’s £50million acquisition of Fernando Torres as an attempt by Roman Abramovich to satisfy his obsession with winning the Champions’ League. Unfortunately for the Russian, his passion will remain unfulfilled for at least another year, having seen his Chelsea side fall at the hands of United in last week’s quarter-final.
What’s more, his expensive addition to the squad still hasn’t scored in his twelve appearances so far for his new team nor has shown anywhere near the ability required to warrant such an extortionate transfer value. Torres still has a chance to prove his move to Stamford Bridge was worth while, having secured a five-and-a-half year contract in January, but he is just one of a number of players who made a move to the Premier League and failed to justify their price tag, which begs the question; why do fans always agitate for new signings when they never guarantee immediate improvement?
There are a number of benefits a club can enjoy by making big signings, and not all of them encourage an instant leap up the League table. Of course signing players of a certain calibre improves the average quality of a squad, which can affect and alter a team’s style of play, and this prevents teams from going stale and predictable which in turn allows the fans to reap the most out of their expensive season tickets. Fans always expect a progressive level of advancement and are never shy in expressing their ambitions, which are usually realistic to what their club could achieve.
[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]
Most fans advocate specific transfer targets that they believe will assist their current squad. For example, most Blackpool fans don’t expect Ian Holloway to announce a summer bid for Kaka, and last year a large number campaigned to sign DJ Campbell permanently. Several Blackpool fans felt that making Campbell’s loan deal permanent would be an advantage going in to their maiden Premier League season, and have been proved right in thinking so seeing as he is currently their top scorer with ten goals this season.
Another reason fans encourage their club’s owners to spend money on players is perhaps a little more subtle than wanting a higher number of goals, tackles and saves than the previous season. Supporters are the majority representatives of any football club even if they are not necessarily the most powerful, and are therefore constantly challenged to defend their team’s performances, staff, stadium, form and history by fans of other clubs. Behind trophies and league positions, a big signing characterises and enhances a club’s prestige and stature as they demonstrate how a team is perceived and respected on a wider, and sometimes universal, scale.
When Tottenham signed Gareth Bale in 2007 he had already been subjected to widespread interest from ‘bigger’ clubs, most notably Manchester United, who appeared to be best placed to snare the teenager from Southampton. When the youngster turned down Old Trafford in favour of a move to London, all Spurs fans enjoyed a sense of moral victory over a club which has dominated English football for the past two decades. Tottenham’s ability to convince Bale to sign a four-year contract at White Hart Lane reassured the supporters of the club’s ambitions and not only increased the Lilywhites’ status, but also provided their fans with a heightened impression of the team’s standing compared to other clubs.
Fans attend their clubs’ games up to three times every week, and without being able to directly influence their team’s performances, they require reasons to support their side in times of adversity or when their clubs’ values are being scrutinised. Signings have proved to be an important indicator of a clubs intentions and desire which offers every fan the reassurance they need in order to maintain faith. Chelsea were able to sign a player with a profile as high as Torres’ at a time when they were evidently declining, and despite his slow start, the psychological impact he has made implies that the club are heading in the right direction. Although his impact in terms of goals is yet to be determined, Chelsea supporters are comforted by the owner’s craving to improve the playing staff, as well as the club’s capacity to attract the best talent.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If you think Torres will score this season follow me on Twitter
Kevin Bond has admitted that Tottenham are prepared to sell Luka Modric if their valuation is met according to the Daily Mail.
The Spurs assistant manager made the startling revelation despite chairman Daniel Levy insisting that Modric was not for sale ‘at any price.’
It comes in the wake of Chelsea preparing a third offer for the Croatian midfielder who they have been trailing all summer.
Bond has now opened the door for a switch to Stamford Bridge conceding that Spurs could sell if the price is right.
He said: “We desperately don’t want to lose him, but everyone has a price.
“If somebody came along and the money turns your head and he did go – although the chairman is adamant he doesn’t want to sell him – then we’d have to get on with it.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Modric is keen to leave White Hart Lane after Levy reportedly went back on a gentleman’s agreement to sell him if a bid from Chelsea came in.
He still has five-years remaining on the deal he signed last summer and Spurs are unwilling to sell below the £40 million asking price.
Gabriel Agbonlahor has admitted that he came close to quitting Aston Villa under Gerard Houiller, and stated that he is much more content with new boss Alex McLeish at the helm.
The attacker found first team opportunities limited under the French coach last term, and has spoken of his frustration.
“At one stage I did think about leaving,” the forward told The Telegraph.
“I thought if this is how it is going to stay and the manager is going to stay here, with this formation, then I would have to leave. It hurt more as a Villa fan and local boy. Luckily the manager left and (Gary) McAllister left as well.
“It killed me a lot. It did not help me with England. The manager had his formations and he was not going to change that. Gerard was not much of a talker. It was more McAllister, but he was not very good to be honest. I did not really get on with him,” Agbonlahor stated.
The sprightly striker has stated that he did not agree with Houiller’s rotation system, and that other Villa players were unhappy also.
“I don’t think a lot of the players were happy with he way he set up things. There was too much rotation. You look at who was left out. [Stephen] Warnock, [Stephen] Ireland and [Richard] Dunne. It was a crazy season,” he continued.
The Midlands club appointed McLeish from cross-town rivals Birmingham in a controversial move in the summer, but Agbonlahor feels this has been positive, and may help his international chances.
“It feels happier and more organised. Everyone is enjoying the training more and there is a better atmosphere around the place.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“Euro 2012 is still a target. I would be excited to go to those championships, but England have really good players,” he concluded.
Agbonlahor has bagged two goals in the first four games of the season for Villa, who take on Newcastle at home on Saturday.
Harry Redknapp has praised Roman Pavlyuchenko after the substitute scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday, and admits that he does not want to lose the Russian in the upcoming transfer window.
Pavlyuchenko replaced the injured Aaron Lennon at White Hart Lane and converted a Rafael van der Vaart pass to give Spurs the three points in a close encounter.
The attacker has found first team opportunities hard to come by due to the form of Emmanuel Adebayor, and has been linked with a transfer in the new year, but Redknapp wants to keep him in North London.
“He’s a fantastic player. He’s got real talent. He’s got great ability, I think. He’s got a good left foot, a good right foot and is a great finisher,” Redknapp told Sky Sports after the game.
“He’s top drawer, but he’s just been unlucky. He didn’t start the season great. He hasn’t really shown the form that he’s capable of so he’s slipped down the pecking order a bit.
“It’s difficult. Some people are going to be upset they’re not in the team.
“Today I lost a wide man, but I thought I’d change it and if you want someone to score he’s always likely to. I want to keep all four (strikers). You need them all,” he concluded.
Tottenham take on Chelsea next at White Hart Lane on Thursday.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Next season could see the English Premier League host six teams from the capital with the likely promotion of Queens Park Rangers from the Championship and if West Ham United are able to avoid relegation. Could the number of games between London clubs have an effect on results?
In the past, London derbies were usually much tighter games than they are today. Whilst some of the fixtures are fiercer than others (like Arsenal vs Tottenham), there is certainly an added atmosphere and tension to the games between London sides.
Growing up, I remember London derbies being tight games, often unpredictable or ending in both teams cancelling each other out. Perhaps this was because at the time, no sides from the capital were finishing in the top 4 of the EPL unlike today. However, the last three seasons with the current one included, the EPL has seen the same five teams from the capital competing in the Premier League and based on results between all five clubs, they’ve had interesting out comes.
In the 2008-2009 season, Tottenham Hotspur finished top of the London Derbies table, with 13 points that included 3 wins, 4 draws and only 1 defeat with Chelsea close behind them on 12 points. The theory about these London games being tight are supported by this seasons stats with all teams recording at least 3 or 2 wins over each other.
[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]
The following season in 2009-2010 was very different. Chelsea finished on top with 19 points, that included 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss with Tottenham and Arsenal behind them on 16 and 13 points. However, Fulham and West Ham both suffered 5 defeats in London derbies during this season, with West Ham failing to win any!
Up to date with the current season and Arsenal are top on 12 points closely followed by their rivals Spurs on 11 but this could all change after the game on Wednesday evening. West Ham have improved on their previous seasons form by winning 2 derbies so far and have a chance to make it 3 when they play Chelsea at the weekend. Fulham however, are bottom without a win including 5 defeats and with only 1 fixture remaining against a London club on the last game of the season at home to Arsenal.
So, if West Ham do survive relegation this season and QPR secure promotion to the EPL, it will certainly make the London Derby table and interesting spectacle from fans in the capital for next season. There is also an outside chance that Millwall can still qualify for the play-offs, which would make it seven teams in total and certainly provide an interesting fixture against rivals West Ham.
Queens Park Rangers on the other hand will enjoy competing in league competition against West London neighbours Chelsea and Fulham which they have not met in the English Premier League since 1996 (Chelsea), whilst the last league fixture against Fulham came in Division One (Championship) in 2000-2001 season, that saw Fulham promoted and Rangers relegated.
As a QPR fan myself, I will certainly be embracing the London fixtures next season if we secure promotion over the next coming weeks. The last time we were in the Premier League, we caused a few upsets and we’ve got a new generation of supporters in the capital to make a name for ourselves once again.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
In conclusion, has the London derby lost its edge in the top flight of football these days? Or are they still an atmospheric battle like I witnessed in the early nineties? Comment below and let me know.