When did the BPL become the NFL?

By: timmyg | November 9th, 2008

Three points separate 10th place (us) from 20th place (West Brom).

In Germany, 3 points separate 16th from 18th. In Spain, its 17th to 20th. Same in Italy. France ups the ante to just 16th to 20th. I could go on, but who cares about the other leagues.

So its little surprise that after today’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle, Fulham moved up 8 places, thanks to their stellar goal difference.

Sure, the Toon Army’s shocking defense had a great hand in that. But it more goes to show that parity is here and isn’t going to leave anytime soon.

Much like in the NFL where a team can start off horrid, go on a run, be cooled yet still remain in the hunt (read: entire AFC East), clubs outside the ‘Big Four’, Aston Villa, Everton, and kinda, sorta, Hull, all are just barely breathing while simultaneiously keeping their heads above the water.

Think about this:

Wigan have won one game since Sept. 28, yet aren’t in the drop zone. West Ham haven’t won any since Sept. 27, yet no one is beginning to worry at Upton Park (well, not about football anyway). Even Sunderland, who everyone expected big things from, have scored one goal since mid-October while conceding nine are 19th, and no one in their right mind is (nor should) writing them off just yet.

And then there’s us. At one time goalless from open play for almost 7 hours (which nearly reaches nine if you count that dross at Burnley in the Carling Cup). Not using substitutes for two straight matches, then only using the same 3, yet still not making them before the 80th minute. Bullard regressing, Gera inexplicably playing and missing sitters, and Dempsey playing 15 minutes harder than anyone else on the pitch — relatively speaking.

And we’re 10th in the league. Playing good defensive, but ultimately toothless football. And uber-happy to be in the top half of the table.

But then again, this is the ~~NFL~~ BPL.

And we even have the Paul Ince face to match the Art Shell/Peyton Manning/Dan Marino/ et al faces in the NFL.