Once upon a time the second tier ofEnglish football was the inferior cousin of the Premier League; not even a rebrand and swish new Championship title did much to alter perceptions of the home of long ball football. The dreaded drop was often as worrisome as a marriage proposal from Henry VIII and the thought of spending even one season outside the top division was simply inconceivable.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano leaving for Spain has no doubt weakened the top flight, but it is still one of the most competitive divisions in the world and still with the ability to attract Europe’s top names.
It’s this quality that has seen the surplus Premier League players taking a step down and strengthening the league below- let’s face it who could have imagined the likes of Craig Bellamy and David James doing just this a couple of seasons ago.
Undoubtedly the economic climate has had an effect on top team’s transfer kitties and the deprivation has led to a fairer playing field and the emergence of the so called less fashionable sides.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano leaving for Spain has no doubt weakened the top flight, but it is still one of the most competitive divisions in the world and still with the ability to attract Europe’s top names.
It’s this quality that has seen the surplus Premier League players taking a step down and strengthening the league below- let’s face it who could have imagined the likes of Craig Bellamy and David James doing just this a couple of seasons ago.
Undoubtedly the economic climate has had an effect on top team’s transfer kitties and the deprivation has led to a fairer playing field and the emergence of the so called less fashionable sides.
So whether it’s down to the reining in of funds from Premier League sides or the fact the 17 of the 24 teams in the Championship have played a league higher, the gap appears to be closing between the two and Sport.uk takes a look at why.
Stepping Up
If assumptions are to be believed then the margin between the divisions is beyond the reach of many a player in the Championship. However, looking at this season, three of the golden performers were plying their trade in the second tier in the previous campaign. The goals of both DJ Campbell (9) and Kevin Nolan (11) see the pair in the top 10 of the Premier league goals scoring charts, with the latter sitting fourth overall; despite the impressive return, the duo have undoubtedly been over-shadowed by Andy Carroll who himself sits on 11 goals in spite of not kicking a ball since December.
The Geordie striker’s form and subsequent record breaking move to Liverpool is a key indicator into the squeezing of the gap as he was not even considered a first team regular at the start of last season and yet 18 months down the line commands the title of Britain’s most expensive footballer. Comparably, Charlie Adam was subject to bids from both Tottenham &Liverpool on deadline day and wouldn’t have looked out of place in either side.
Sceptics dispute that this is simply the footballing cycle and there’s
always players who are good enough to make the grade; although this may have a hint of truth, success stories have been amplified in recent years and a simple perusal through squad list highlights the likes of Matt Jarvis, Jonathan Walters and Leon Best- all of whom are now impressing at a higher level.
England Calling
There have been a few examples over the years of players outside the top flight in the England squad; Steve Bull in 1990, Michael Gray in 1999 and more recently David Nugent in 2007. However it’s over the last couple of years that Championship has exerted a larger influence on the Three Lions as many of the players have made the transition from the division to the national side with relative ease.
Adam Johnson was in the squad only months after his £7million move from Championship Middlesbrough to ManCity; both Jagielka and Lescott won caps after moving to Everton from lower league outfits. After impressive Championship campaigns last year, Andy Carroll and Kyle Walker have been involved this season, along with current Championship occupants Jay Bothroyd and Scott Loach. It could well be a reflection on the dearth of ability in the country right now, but there’s talent out there more than capable of performing on the international stage.
Birmingham Way
One of those players, who shamefully is constantly overlooked, is Roger Johnson- the commanding centre half and his formidable sidekick( Scott Dann) have been key to the Blues’ successful return to the Prem, and the former Wycombe man was at the heart of the defence last Sunday as Birmingham lifted their first trophy since 1963. Now although this side did have a sprinkling of premium signings, namely Zigic and Foster, the solid core of the team is that of the promotion winning side of 2009. Admittedly squads will have to strengthen if they are to achieve their goal of survival and try and match the remarkable feat of City- but as last Sunday proved it won’t require wholesale changes.
Will the gap ever close?
Because of the sums of money involved with Premiership football, it’s difficult to imagine the gap ever fully closing; equally we are probably unlikely to ever again see a Derby County type story where a team wins consecutive titles in the second and first divisions. But there is certainly the opportunity for any club in the Championship to attain promotion and then establish themselves as a Premier League side. Blackpool have proved this season that having a go at the big teams can bring success and it would be a victory for football were Ian Holloway’s men able to retain their Premiership status.
The difference between the bottom half of the Prem and top of the Championship is negligible and there’s no doubting that the likes of Adel Taarabt, Jay Bothroyd and Max Gradel could do a job for the majority of teams. Some will argue that shrinking margins are down to the deteriorating Premiership, yet this is undervaluing just how far the Championship and all of the lower leagues have come. Only in England could we have such competition between the leagues and if we want to remain the most competitive country in the world- then it’s imperative that gaps between all leagues continue to close.
Stepping Up
If assumptions are to be believed then the margin between the divisions is beyond the reach of many a player in the Championship. However, looking at this season, three of the golden performers were plying their trade in the second tier in the previous campaign. The goals of both DJ Campbell (9) and Kevin Nolan (11) see the pair in the top 10 of the Premier league goals scoring charts, with the latter sitting fourth overall; despite the impressive return, the duo have undoubtedly been over-shadowed by Andy Carroll who himself sits on 11 goals in spite of not kicking a ball since December.
The Geordie striker’s form and subsequent record breaking move to Liverpool is a key indicator into the squeezing of the gap as he was not even considered a first team regular at the start of last season and yet 18 months down the line commands the title of Britain’s most expensive footballer. Comparably, Charlie Adam was subject to bids from both Tottenham &Liverpool on deadline day and wouldn’t have looked out of place in either side.
Sceptics dispute that this is simply the footballing cycle and there’s
always players who are good enough to make the grade; although this may have a hint of truth, success stories have been amplified in recent years and a simple perusal through squad list highlights the likes of Matt Jarvis, Jonathan Walters and Leon Best- all of whom are now impressing at a higher level.
England Calling
There have been a few examples over the years of players outside the top flight in the England squad; Steve Bull in 1990, Michael Gray in 1999 and more recently David Nugent in 2007. However it’s over the last couple of years that Championship has exerted a larger influence on the Three Lions as many of the players have made the transition from the division to the national side with relative ease.
Adam Johnson was in the squad only months after his £7million move from Championship Middlesbrough to ManCity; both Jagielka and Lescott won caps after moving to Everton from lower league outfits. After impressive Championship campaigns last year, Andy Carroll and Kyle Walker have been involved this season, along with current Championship occupants Jay Bothroyd and Scott Loach. It could well be a reflection on the dearth of ability in the country right now, but there’s talent out there more than capable of performing on the international stage.
Birmingham Way
One of those players, who shamefully is constantly overlooked, is Roger Johnson- the commanding centre half and his formidable sidekick( Scott Dann) have been key to the Blues’ successful return to the Prem, and the former Wycombe man was at the heart of the defence last Sunday as Birmingham lifted their first trophy since 1963. Now although this side did have a sprinkling of premium signings, namely Zigic and Foster, the solid core of the team is that of the promotion winning side of 2009. Admittedly squads will have to strengthen if they are to achieve their goal of survival and try and match the remarkable feat of City- but as last Sunday proved it won’t require wholesale changes.
Will the gap ever close?
Because of the sums of money involved with Premiership football, it’s difficult to imagine the gap ever fully closing; equally we are probably unlikely to ever again see a Derby County type story where a team wins consecutive titles in the second and first divisions. But there is certainly the opportunity for any club in the Championship to attain promotion and then establish themselves as a Premier League side. Blackpool have proved this season that having a go at the big teams can bring success and it would be a victory for football were Ian Holloway’s men able to retain their Premiership status.
The difference between the bottom half of the Prem and top of the Championship is negligible and there’s no doubting that the likes of Adel Taarabt, Jay Bothroyd and Max Gradel could do a job for the majority of teams. Some will argue that shrinking margins are down to the deteriorating Premiership, yet this is undervaluing just how far the Championship and all of the lower leagues have come. Only in England could we have such competition between the leagues and if we want to remain the most competitive country in the world- then it’s imperative that gaps between all leagues continue to close.
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