Seasiders should make the most of their big days out

Last week I wrote of the emancipating quality of the opening weekend of the Premier League football season: a time when all men are equal and the strong stench of unfounded optimism fills the air.

Come Saturday morning, I was confidence personified. Not only were West Ham going to comfortably beat a chaotic Aston Villa team, but they were odds-on to enjoy a fine season that would see them finish in the top half of the table. Who knows, perhaps even a little trip to Wembley might be on the cards?

By 4.45 pm, things had changed somewhat. Dramatically in fact. West Ham had been beaten 3-0 by a far from chaotic Villa team, and match reports suggested the fact that the hosts’ goal tally amounted only to three was the only positive element to West Ham’s afternoon. Our hapless young centre half, James Tomkins, was once again, well, hapless. Our former England goalkeeper, Robert Green, continued where he left off in South Africa with a nervy display. And our attack, so toothless in our dreadful season last time out, was once again all gums.

So in succumbing to the allure of a new football season and believing once again that this year might be “our” year, I forgot the first rule of football: that more often than not, this game will let you down. Oh what it must feel like to be a Blackpool fan this week? A 4-0 away win on their maiden voyage into the choppy waters of the Premier League means the Seasiders are flying high in the embryonic (ok, utterly pointless) league table, and are already dreaming of mid-table mediocrity.

But as the old adage goes, the season is a marathon and not a sprint. Blackpool will play far better teams than Wigan this season, and both goals and points will be a lot more difficult to come by. Yes, it’s possible that they will even play teams that look like they have played professional football once or twice before, and have a goalkeeper that makes the odd attempt at keeping the ball out of his goal, rather than simply chucking it in the net whenever the thing comes near him - a la Chris Kirkland.

So as uplifting as that result at the DW must have been on Saturday, Blackpool fans will do well to exert a little caution in their hopes for the season. At the moment, they are an unknown quantity whose players are completely off the radar to the average Premier League fan. They will be able to bring that element of surprise to their first dozen fixtures, and bigger names than Wigan may well fall victim to their sheer enthusiasm.

But as Hull Cityfound two seasons ago, and many others before them, the honeymoon period doesn’t last forever. Teams will soon be prepared for their work ethic, and will be wise to their set piece routines. Journeymen footballers enjoying Indian summers at the start of the season, will return to their erratic selves come the winter and 4-0 away victories may seem as far in the past as Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen. And then if they do manage to stay up, there’s the daunting prospect of falling foul of second season syndrome. Oh what’s the point of all this Premier League nonsense?!

Sometimes I genuinely think life would be easier being a fan of a non-league team. Where expectations are low and so are the entrance fees. Ok so perhaps not as low as the standard of football, but maybe we’d get used to it? We’d be able to stand on the terraces and enjoy a pint with the players in the bar after the game. We’d be able to call ourselves “real football fans” and say it without any hint of a grimace.

But tempting as it may be to dust down those old rose tinted spectacles; however disappointing the first game of the season may have been, or daunting the next 10, this season’s Premier League season really is shaping up to be the most competitive yet.

The “season of austerity” has seen - with the exception of Manchester City - even the biggest of big boys tighten their considerable belts. Money is scarce and with the 25 man squad restrictions soon coming in to force, there is a levelling of the playing field for the first time in many a season.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchesters City and United and even Spurs are all in the hunt for top spot - giving us perhaps the closest Premier League title race in years. And for the first time in living memory, the three promoted sides are not dead certs for relegation.

So whilst coalition cuts are hitting pockets hard across the nation, football may be one of the few, and unlikeliest of beneficiaries. Just remember though, whether you are Chelsea, Blackpool or anyone inbetween, the only table that really matters is the one at the end of May after the 38th game has been played. Before then, we just have the small matter of 37 matches of pure agony to get through. Seasiders be warned: no-one said this was going to be fun.