Usually, the last weekend of the Premiership season throws up a couple of colossal fixtures. Sadly, this year is different.
The last weekend has always been one of those events whereby anticipation levels rise and the sales pitch of the Sky television team reaches such a high level that even dogs begin to quiver uncontrollably when the advertisements are run.
In the past the armchair supporter has even been treated to three games on three different channels. There?s always been a mix between title clinching fixtures and relegation deciding games. Unfortunately, this year, the title and the three relegation places have already been decided.
Indeed, with Blackburn?s win over us, on Tuesday night, there isn?t even the thrill of seeing who will claim that final UEFA Cup lace to contemplate. Instead, there is every chance that we?ll be treated to the dispute about who will claim that elusive fourth Champions League spot.
Unfortunately, this in itself isn?t a foregone conclusion. Whilst Spurs may well beat a West Ham United side that will clearly have eyes on the FA Cup Final, those from N17 know that an Arsenal win in the Champions League Final, against Barcelona in Paris, will see those dreams wrecked and Spurs dumped in the UEFA Cup.
Therefore, there may be a tendency to focus on the battle for second place in the Premiership seeing as it features two of Sky?s favourites, Manchester United and Liverpool. However, it?s hardly a battle. United will take on a Charlton side that, despite being the only team to deprive Chelsea of maximum points at Stamford Bridge, are poor travellers. I guess SW6 is a lot closer to home than anywhere else apart form Upton Park!
Liverpool on the other hand, like West Ham, will have one eye on the FA Cup Final when they travel to Fratton Park to play a rejuvenated Portsmouth side. Being a point behind, it is unlikely that the current situation regarding Liverpool and United will change. United are hardly like to slip up at home for a third consecutive game after enduring 0-0 draws against both Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Therefore, in an ideal world you?d perhaps hope that Chelsea could make an appearance, however after having their last seven matches televised, it would probably be hoping for too much.
Perhaps the fact that a lot of the mystique surrounding the clash has unfortunately evaporated. With Alan Shearer not fit enough to bid a fond Premiership farewell to the Gallowgate legions and Newcastle having no chance of sneaking that final UEFA Cup place, the home interest has slightly subsided. Also, with Chelsea likely to field a ?scratch? side devoid of the star names the captive television audience may well be inclined to switch off or indeed over.
For Sky to find themselves in this situation may well be welcomed by those who dismay at the way the company has mucked around with kick-off times for years without any real consideration for the true supporters. However, it shouldn?t be forgotten that Sky has been responsible for some innovative coverage of football since it came to the forefront, its money has also been invaluable to numerous clubs.
In times when coverage of live football packages is up for grabs and there is the distinct possibility that a mobile phone network could deprive the armchair supporters of a percentage of their normal expectant levels of Premiership action, there may be a case for looking for a scapegoat.
No doubt, amongst all the other accusations that head our way, Chelsea could well be accused of wrapping up proceedings too early without any due consideration for others. After all, isn?t it on a par with calling the most prolific scoring side in the Premiership boring?
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