115 Verdict Coming Tomorrow..

[Paul68]

Interesting take from the MEN for a change!
adverts etc. cut out

Boring, boring Manchester City. Nobody wants them to win the Premier League and nobody cares when they do win it.
Those have been among the accusations thrown at the Blues over the past few years as their domination of the top flight under Pep Guardiola has brought disgruntled noise from plenty looking to play down their success. It must be easier for people to cope about City winning titles if they can pretend people aren't watching.

It hasn't helped City that Richard Scudamore called for rivals to close the gap when he was still chief executive of the Premier League in 2018. "I'd like someone to get a little bit closer to Manchester City," he said after their Centurions win. "Clearly, given the way they played last season, they look like the team to beat."
You could see his point and the position of the league, given they want the most drama and excitement possible. It's just one of those things that shouldn't be said out loud from somebody in that role, and the decision from his successor Richard Masters not to be at the Etihad last season as they won their fourth title in a row - with no resolution on the charges - added to the sense that City wins are not that popular with the authorities.

It is somewhat awkward for the league though that, seven years since Scudamore's comments, the only four seasons that have had a close title race have all been won by City. As well as the off-field drama that they have created, the majority of their wins have been thrilling - in contrast to Liverpool's strolls in 2020 and 2025.

Last season brought disappointment for City on a sporting level that will have had consequences for their appeal as a team. Having been the most watched team in world football for the previous two years on account of their success in so many competitions, they will have taken a hit after an early Champions League exit and disappointing Premier League campaign.
However, if English football could enjoy toasting a new winner after four years of City dominance, the lack of competition that Liverpool faced does not seem to have gripped neutrals or interested parties.

The Times reports that Sky Sports viewing numbers were down 10 per cent - back to the levels of the 2021/22 season - with a particular drop in the final six weeks when the title and relegation was boxed off.
Ironically, the only jeopardy in the final weeks of the season came in determining which clubs would qualify for the Champions League - with deposed champions City in the middle of that fight.
For all the mud thrown their way, it looks like Guardiola's side are more watchable than many would like to admit.

[Im_Spartacus]

The suggestion generally in the media is that the neutrals switched off because of a lack of competition at the top and bottom - but the argument about neutrals makes no sense - for Neutrals, the back end of this season was possibly the most competetive and entertaining in the last 20 or 30 years.

It potentially shows the impact of glory hunters more than anything, we lost the rags, spurs early doors, then later in the year Arsenal capitulated again while Liverpool won early. Doubtless some of our own hangers-on dropped off also.

Since the CL final I've really dropped off watching matches, I don't like how we've played the last 2 years, and I find watching us to be dull as dishwater so rarely made the effort. That said, I actually got really engaged and watched more matches not just ours, but other teams at the end of this season than I have in years as I found the race for places 2-5 absolutely brilliant, the best competition in years, and it was a real shame 2 clubs had to miss out.

I was rooting for all sorts of different teams in the last few weeks, Newcastle vs Arsenal, Newcastle vs Chelsea, Chelsea vs Liverpool, Forest vs Villa, Forest vs Chelsea - there were so many games for the neutral in the last 6 weeks of the season, more than I can ever remember.