Parker wins Footballer of the Year

Had to stop in and make a post about this: West Ham's Scott Parker has been given the award for Football Writers' Footballer of the Year (not to be confused with PFA Player of the Year: will touch on that distinction in a minute).

Scottie Parker has been in tremendous form, totally putting this downtrodden Hammers team on his back through what has been an extremely difficult season. With the absence of a vocal leader in Avram Grant, Parker has stepped up and been a lion for this team. His performances and leadership have been so superb that he's earned an England call up from Capello after years in the international wilderness, and he was probably the best player on the pitch in the friendly he played in, sharing holding midfield duties with Jack Wilshere.

Hats off to the FWA for this one. England is too conservative with regard to footballing belief, whether that means team selection for the Three Lions or personal accolades, and this was a bold and fitting selection.

{A note about the award: the FWA Player of the Year is voted on by strictly the 'best' football writers in England. The PFA Player of the Year--which Gareth Bale won a few days ago-- is voted on by the players. As such, some players regard the PFA Player of the Year in higher regard, because it's always nice to be revered by your peers. With that said, I do think that sometimes the FWA make braver choices, this year as a prime example.}

Title Race Reopened?

A very interesting round of midweek Prem matches has the football world number-crunching: with 5 games left to play, Chelsea have pulled themselves into second place, leapfrogging Arsenal on goal difference. Both London clubs are on 64 points, 6 back of United. What's more: United must play both clubs-- Arsenal away, Chelsea at Old Trafford. If you can't do the math, I'll help: if United lose both of those games, that's six points dropped.

Still, even the most romantic Gunners or Blues fan would have to admit it is United's title to lose, which is something Fergie doesn't do. United very rarely lose in the final months of the season, particularly when they are in pole position. One could make the argument that this United team is considerably weaker than the Red Devils historically have been, particularly on the road. Check out this statistic to demonstrate that point:

MAN. UNITED
HOME: 15 W, 1 D, 0 L: 46/48 Possible points.

AWAY: 5 W, 9 D, 3 L: 24/51 Possible points.

Chelsea have the best form at the moment, with Arsenal pulling a-- well, an Arsenal-- and coughing up the lead THREE TIMES against Spurs yesterday in a fantastic London Derby. With all these factors, will United cough up the lead in the final five games? And if so, to who?

Let's look at their run-ins, in reverse order (for suspense)..

Arsenal:

Bolton (A), Sunday 24 April
Man Utd (H), Sunday 1 May
Stoke (A), Sunday 8 May
Aston Villa (H), Sunday 15 May
Fulham (A), Sunday 22 May

The Stoke and Bolton away fixtures are the games that Arsenal ALWAYS struggle with, and I don't see that changing in a squad with a completely deflated mentality. I think they'll draw at home against United, and lose to Stoke away. Draw at struggling Bolton, squeaking out wins against Fulham and Villa. TOTAL: 8 pts.

Chelsea:

West Ham (H), Saturday 23 April
Tottenham (H), Saturday 30 April
Man Utd (A), Sunday 8 May
Newcastle (H), Sunday 15 May
Everton (A), Sunday 22 May

Chelsea are hitting form at the pivotal moment, and their run in is the easiest. They'll have a big win against West Ham and crucially win at home against Spurs. I think they'll show up charged for the United game, but it won't be enough, only ending in a draw. A win against Newcastle, and a draw against Everton away to round out a relatively disappointing season. TOTAL: 11 pts.

Manchester United:

Everton (H), Saturday 23 April
Arsenal (A), Sunday 1 May
Chelsea (H), Sunday 8 May
Blackburn (A), Saturday 14 May
Blackpool (H), Sunday 22 May

The Arsenal and Chelsea fixtures will be difficult, but Ferguson will scrape draws in both. Everton will fight hard but lose at Old Trafford. The two relegation threatened teams at the end of the fixture list will be tough, but not tough enough. Two wins. TOTAL: 11 pts. So..

FINAL TABLE

1) Man United: 81 points

2) Chelsea: 75 points

3) Arsenal: 72 points

And just for fun:

4) Man City

5) Tottenham

There you have it: the end of an exciting season, as I see it. We'll see how it all shakes down. Props to Jose Mourinho on the Copa del Rey crown, who one day will rightfully own the title of the best football coach ever. And to Gareth Bale, who took home the PFA Player of the Year despite fading in recent months.

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