Everyone has a comfy chair. You know, that spot in the house where you feel most comfortable; the most relaxed; the most at home. I wonder if 21st in the Premier League is that spot for Norwich City?
I enjoy the Championship, I really do.
The quality is a couple of notches lower than the Premier League; there are more mistakes, more chances; the games are more frequent and more unpredictable. It’s a really interesting and entertaining division. All things which don’t usually apply to the division above – although this year has been an exception as the Premier League has been, well, interesting (although ultimately still just a case of which multi-billionaire wins.)
But back to City. I’m quite happy in my comfortable spot – 21st in the Premier League.
I feel warm and snug with only the odd minor draught now and again to remind me not to take it too much for granted. In fact, I’m so comfortable I don’t really want to move.
I don’t want to slide down the table where it’s all rough and uncomfortable. And I definitely don’t want to go up. Certainly not to be used as a slop-bucket by a bunch of bloated treasure-hoarding dragons who never recognise you and whose only concern is where the next pile of gold bricks is coming from.
Yep, I’m comfortable here…
But, hold on, surely that’s not right. That’s no way to be. That’s not living. Does it really have to be like this?
Shouldn’t we be stamping on Complacency’s foot and watch him dance around the boardroom bumping into furniture and knocking down the worthless trophies of Low Self Esteem and Ooh, Not For Us? Shouldn’t we?
Why can’t we rip the rug from under a few fancy designer-laced football boots? Metaphorically smear some egg into some heavily-sponsored, smug, entitled faces? Puff out a feathery yellow chest for a change?
Wouldn’t it be nice to be considered as equals? Respected. Appreciated even.
Not for thirty years since the days we could go to Old Trafford, White Hart Lane, and Stamford Bridge with the realistic expectation of winning has that been the case. I want a bit of that back…
Bring it on.
I’m ready.
I’ve put me cocoa down. I’ll even take me slippers off…
OTBC
Hi Chris
Where did you get those slippers from? All the charity shops are shut just now.
Please tell me they’re not your own!
Another good original read.
Cheers Martin. Ditto.
The slippers are indeed mine. In these straitened times our only driver for replacing old items of apparel is when they become completely worn out. Other considerations like changes in fashion, etc don’t get a look in. You should see the jumper I’m wearing…
You shouldn’t be comfortable. From 1972-1995 we were a staple of the top flight and enjoyed regular success – 3 Wembley finals, one as victors, 2 FA Cup Semi-Finals, repeated European qualification, though mainly denied by the actions of some drunk Scousers, finishing in the top 6 on a few occasions and producing England internationals. And every time we went down we went straight back up. What have we achieved since then? I see no reason why 21st of anything is something to aspire to. This is especially true given that our gates are now much higher than for much of that era and we have the demand for even bigger attendances. We should be in an stronger position to succeed than the 80s and 90s, not a weaker one!
Thanks Tony, I agree. We should be able to not only compete but prosper.
Gate receipts are immaterial to most clubs in the Premier League. What counts is the wealth of the owner and how they can get around the financial fair play rules with creative accounting. The resources available to clubs was more equal up to the early 2000s. Getting promotion and staying in the Premier League for more than one season would be a major achievement. The gap between the bottom of the Premier League and the Championship gets wider every season.
Agreed Colin. We can but hope things turn our way eventually.
I couldn’t agree more. Norwich can’t compete at the top of the Premier league. Ever. Leicester stand out specifically BECAUSE they’re such an exception. And mid-table nothingness, scrabbling to make a semi-final or reach the giddy heights of 8th or 9th – what sort of an existence is that?
We have the best of both worlds. Every few years, we get a big injection of cash in return for 9 months of humiliation interspersed with occasional incredible moments. Then we get an exciting, dynamic promotion battle in the most exciting league in the world. Occasionally we actually win a trophy. Then some money, some humiliation and back again.
Happy days. 21st place sounds perfect to me.