Big Four can be caught – O’Neill

May 8 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

KEVIN Keegan’s assertion that top-flight English football is in danger of becoming boring due to the absolute dominance of the top four has been shot down by Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore as the comment of a frustrated losing manager – with Martin O’Neill also insisting the league remains competitive.

The Newcastle boss sparked controversy with his comments after the Chelsea defeat on Monday in which he claimed it would be impossible for him to lead United into the top four over the three years he is contracted to the Magpies, claiming fifth place is the best his team can hope for.

His comments have been backed by supporter groups and praised by United chairman Mort for providing a realistic target for the club next season, but they do present a bleak picture of the competitiveness of English football.

And it is not a perception shared by Villa boss O’Neill, one of Keegan’s chief rivals as he looks to loosen the grip of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool on the lucrative Champions League spots that guarantee millions of pounds and increases the desirability of clubs to potential transfer targets.

The Villa Park chief insists Keegan should not be lowering his sights below the top four, and is refusing to agree with his North East managerial colleague.

“I know what Kevin Keegan has said about Newcastle not being able to compete. Maybe that’s a genuine picture and I just refuse to look at it,” he said. “If he thinks Newcastle can’t compete for the next few years, and they average 54,000 people and pay big salaries to players, then it must be exceptionally difficult. But it should never stop you trying.”

Keegan’s comments drew a predictably robust rebuttal from Scudamore. He claimed the amount of interest in the Premier League from around the world proves it is exciting, and put Keegan’s comments down to a sense of deflation that United had just lost to Chelsea. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind seriously thinks it is boring,” he said.

“Kevin had just come off the pitch and lost 2-0, probably thinking ‘how do I get to that level over the summer’.

“It was just after the heat of the battle. The reality is there is no one who is interested in football who thinks the Premier League is boring. I don’t believe it for one minute. Why is it the most watched? The numbers tell you it is the most exciting league in the world.”

Scudamore also argued that four teams battling for the Champions League places is better than the situation on the Continent – and stated his belief that other teams will break into the top four.

“I heard someone say there are four teams that monopolise – my definition of monopoly is when one does,” Scudamore said. “There is no other league in the world that has four teams that capable or that strong at the top.

“It is possible for others to break in and it will happen. If I sit here for another five years, it won’t be that the same four teams finish in the top four. Is it good or bad? It can’t be bad to achieve the level of success we have in Europe.”

With the title race going to the wire and two English teams in the Champions League final, it has been seen as a time of celebration for the Premier League.

“Having two teams in the Champions League final is one measure,” added Scudamore.

“We measure a lot of things, a last-day decider is the most important thing for us. The relegation issues are not yet decided. Attendances are up again.

“It’s a fantastic end to the season, last year was too. The truth is that it was unbelievable in many respects.”