Ian Ladyman: Top Four In the Balance, A Special One Return




Beyond The Pitch show

Summary: Joining us to discuss another key juncture at the end of the Premier League season is Ian Ladyman of The Daily Mail to help us examine the fallout from the QPR relegation, a Newcastle United team seemingly caught in free-all at precisely the wrong time and emerging rumours of a Jose Mourinho return to Stamford Bridge and what that could mean to the superpower and second-tier clubs in England. Also in focus here is what club would find itself most under threat with a second appearance by The Special One as both the commercial realities and price for success in the top flight have been drastically altered since Mourinho last departed the Premier League, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea becoming the serious annual contenders with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham confronted with business challenges leaving each as just outside that landscape. We examine the situation at Arsenal where the gulf between top slot and its position in the top four seems to create an increasingly wider gulf year upon year and whether an open PSG job might attract Wenger to greener pastures at last. We also discuss the FA punishment of Luis Suarez, whether the Chelsea-Tottenham match on 8 May 2013 will settle the top four and where Sir Alex will look to strengthen the team sheet in his attempt to defend a Premier League title and ensure deeper progress in the Champions League for 2013-14.