With 6 games left in the Premier League, tensions are mounting as clubs try to surpass each other in hopes of hoisting the elusive trophy. The Reds and Blues are making a strong bid for the trophy, but Manchester United seems to be too much for either club to overcome. Last week, Man Utd robbed Aston Villa in the last 10 minutes by scoring 2 times to secure 3 points. Earlier today, Manchester United used some of their magic again to clinch a victory against Sunderland in the 76th minute. Currently, the Red Devils are 1 point above Liverpool and 4 points ahead of Chelsea. However, Manchester United still has a game in hand over these two clubs.
Another spotlight in the Premier League is on the last 7 ranked clubs: West Bromwich, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Sunderland, Blackburn, Hull City, and Portsmouth. The last 3 clubs in the Premier League will be relegated to the Coca Cola League Championship. The top 3 teams in the League Championship get promoted to the Premier League. Wolverhampton is the current leader of the League Championship and has almost clinched a certain spot in the Premiership, while Birmingham, Sheffield United, Cardiff City, Reading, and Burnley are fighting for the other 2 promotion spots.
As you can imagine, promotion or relegation can seriously impact a club. Promotion not only draws more attention to the club, it also allows the club to have access to better players, more fans, more sponsorships, more televised games, more exposure, and more gate revenue (charge higher premiums). Stoke City, one of the three clubs promoted last season, netted 10 players in the summer, while Hull City was able to acquire 14 players. Access to these markets is critical to a club’s success.
Relegation has more negative consequences. West Bromwich, the club that lead the League Championship last season, boasts a 6-19-7 record for a whooping 25 points. This club will be back in the League Championship next season, but will the fans? Fans can be disconnected to their club for multiple reasons including mismanagement, poor performances, and lack of star power. Many big name stars refuse to go down with the club and look for other opportunities. Portsmouth’s Peter Crouch, a huge transfer from Liverpool last season, may not want to associate with the cub if they fall into relegation. Regardless of what club it is, new management and players are usually brought in to attempt to restore the club back to its previous league. Derby County learned this last year f as they fell toward the bottom half of the League Championship after being relegated from the Premiership last season.
As some clubs are reaching for the stars, other clubs are hanging on for the ride of their life. It would be nice to welcome Birmingham and Reading back into the Premier League after being relegated last season along with Derby County.
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