Why the PL big clubs MUST earn their spurs

Disappointment Runs True For Those Who Can't Hold Onto A Lead

Titles have been won on a series of 1 – 0 wins before; Arsenal have done it, Manchester United have done it, and Chelsea have done it. The difference in class between the top teams and teams lower down the table has been lessened somewhat by the input of big money into smaller teams though and nowadays the bigger teams are learning that a 1 – 0 lead isn’t good enough. It’s often discussed as to whether a team leading 1 – 0 should sit back and cling on for dear life or push for a second to kill off the game. Whilst this is a valid question for most clubs the big teams who are expected to win games should always look to score as many as possible just in case – because shocks are happening.

Obviously the problem with flowing forward attacking constantly is that you leave yourself open to be scored against but the big teams should be good enough to do this. The problem is that leading gritty games 1 – 0 in the closing stages is often proving to be a danger as any club can nick the ball and score a last gasp goal. The big team may have dominated and deserved the win but they are denied by an odd chance – these clubs must take their chances and ensure there’s daylight between them and their opponents.

This isn’t about the fact that fans appreciate beautiful football with goals galore, it’s as simple as that failing to get a good lead can cost you points – look at Arsenal at West Ham for a good example of allowing a team a route back in. Chelsea have managed to dominate more games than they used to but they still occasionally fail to make the most of their chances – despite dominating the early stages at Man City they could just manage one goal and then sat back, they were promptly beaten. They’re deadly going forward due to the likes of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard but their defence hasn’t been convincing and has given teams hope of stealing something against them. And then there’s Manchester United – the club most in danger of suffering due to their own carelessness.

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo many people were asking where the goals will come from for the champions, particularly since Alex Ferguson refused to sign a new big money signing. United are just 2 points below Chelsea at the top of the league table which would indicate they’re doing well but Man United are living on the edge. Narrow wins have been the story of the season with the odd mauling in there, like at Upton Park last weekend, and United will be relieved that teams like Birmingham who’ve remained just one goal behind haven’t made the most of one of the few chances they create to steal an undeserved point. More emphasis has been put on Wayne Rooney to lead United forward but they have no player who can constantly be relied on to smash them to victory like Ronaldo did – in fact their season would look a lot worse if it hadn’t been for a lucky last gasp goal in the derby against Man City where Michael Owen saved them from blushes at a failure to defend a lead.

If United had been further in front coming in to the end of the game then they wouldn’t have needed Owen to save them and you’d expect a title challenger to be able to kill off opposition, even those like Man City who are looking to bridge the gap to the top teams. United can’t seem to kill off games; Chelsea are always wasteful and Arsenal are famous for being profligates although they’ve shown they are getting over this with a few thumpings of other clubs this season.

All clubs are aware of carelessness but the usual way to deal with it is simply to shut up shop and defend in the closing stages if you’re only leading by a solitary goal. United and their fellow big teams should take note of the likes of Tottenham who’ve been going all out and destroying opponents throughout this season – when was the last time one of the big teams gave us a 9 – 1 win? A long time ago because they don’t see the need of so many goals – entertainment doesn’t matter to them, nor the ability to finish a game early, they do it the hard way instead. Obviously they’re not always going to get results but accepting a 1 goal lead as early as the 70th minute and dwelling on it has already proved costly for all of the top sides – it’s about time they showed why they’re considered the best England has to offer.