Side Splitting!

Yes the big day is almost upon us, one more game must be played by all clubs and then the big 'split' will take place. When matches resume after a two week lay-off (whose brilliant idea that was I wonder?), contrary to reports the world will not have altered it's course, there will be no fanfare of trumpets and we'll still be watching the same conclusion to our league as we have for the past decade or so. The Gibson cup which is the trophy presented to the Irish league winners is destined for either Windsor Park or the Oval. That is no different this year than it is any year, okay there have been the odd exceptional years, but they are unusual and are nothing to do with the league set-up. The 'big two' have a 12 point cushion over 3rd placed Crusaders and even though there are 18 points at stake over the next 6 games, I can't see the title going anywhere but to one of the big two. The bottom of the league isn't just as cut and dried as there are 'mathematically speaking' four teams involved in the battle to avoid a possible play-off game, but in reality it's probably only 3. Bangor and Institute are out of that equation, Bangor are already relegated and Institute can be caught, but only just. Ballymena, whose record against the bottom 3 is far from good, should also be able to claw themselves to safety in the next 6 games, so the battle is between, Dungannon, Newry and Glenavon and depending on what happens in the 1st division it may not matter anyway. The only battle still to be decided is for who's going to finish in the top six and that will take time to unfold, but at the end of the day it won't matter a jot. New league, new start, you're having a laugh!

Said So!

I apologise for being one of those annoying people who says, 'I told you so'. But try as I might I find myself secretly 'gloating' and so I've said it. Just three short weeks ago I wrote in my weekly 'letting off of steam', about the utter farce of the punishment meted out to Linfield and Glentoran over the Boxing Day riot. On that occasion I wrote: (The I.F.A. is trying once more to pull the 'wool over our eyes', by ludicrously suggesting that Linfield and Glentoran will not be allowed to play each other on a Public holiday again. They've also been fined the ridiculously low sum of £1,000 each, in other words chicken feed to either of these two clubs. The two clubs are of course going to appeal against these terrible sanctions and we all know what the outcome will be. The fine will be reduced to £500 each and the football ban will be lifted. This is after all just a 'paper' exercise, the I.F.A. (who are to all intents and purposes Linfield anyway), are just trying to look like the mighty overlords that they should be). The playing ban was rescinded today but the fine remains, but at the end of the day Linfield will merely be paying themselves anyway and it 'was' Glens fans who caused the fracas anyway so maybe for that reason the fine stays in place. The mindless minority have won once more, they have been 'slapped on the wrist' and told not to do it again. This fine or threat of further sanctions will have no effect on the 'morons' who follow the 'big two', violence is second nature to them. 90% of those causing the rioting were caught on camera and could've been dealt with by the courts and by their respective clubs, but at the end of the day they're not stupid enough to 'bite the hands that feed them'. So now we just bury our heads in 'the sand' until the next time and believe you me, there will be a next time!

Tightening Noose!

With most teams only having two games left to play before the 'split', things are starting to tighten up at the top of the Premier table, but in some other cases a clearer picture is emerging. Glentoran's win over Linfield last night signified little about the destination of the Gibson cup, but the results the previous evening had a direct bearing on the final place up for grabs in the top six. Cliftonville's win virtually takes them out of the reach of Ballymena whose best possible points tally (winning their three remaining games), would only bring them level with the North Belfast Reds but their inferioir goal difference -10 compared to Cliftonville's + 7 would require a bit of overhauling. Cliftonville can't sit on their laurels just the same as Institute are only 5 points adrift with a game in hand but with a -10 goal difference also. The relegation picture isn't as clearly defined as yet, but Ballymena can give themselves some breathing space with victory over Glenavon this Saturday, whereas a defeat or a draw, although not deciding anything, would 'keep the pot boiling' but dash any hopes of a top 6 finish for the Sky Blues. This Saturday 6 of the top 7 clubs are involved in the Irish cup quarter finals and maybe they will take their 'eye off the ball' due to this distraction. Barring any major cock-ups the league title looks destined for either Windsor Park or the Oval, but the battle for third place has only a spread of 8 points and looks destined to go down to the wire. Even though the table has a familiar look, the 'big two' at the top, the remaining places are not so clearly defined and there's still plenty to play for. Let's hope the fans see it that way and turn out in their numbers, otherwise it'll all be change for change sake!