Leicester City: Dirty Dozen or Harvard Case Study?
April 27, 2016 5:08 AM Subscribe
With three matches to go, Leicester stands seven points clear at the top of the Premier League. If I had bet on Leicester, I would need to keep the ticket in a bank vault: it will be worth 100,000 pounds if the team wins just one of its remaining three games (and Leicester may not even need to do that if the second-placed team, Tottenham Hotspur, slips up). Earlier this month, fearful bookmakers started offering Leicester fans the chance to cash in their betting slips early for around 75 percent of their potential value.
Former England captain and Leicester City striker is worried: Gary Lineker having second thoughts about Match of the Day pants promise as Leicester City close in on title.
Former England captain and Leicester City striker is worried: Gary Lineker having second thoughts about Match of the Day pants promise as Leicester City close in on title.
As an ex-Islingtonian who started out thinking that yes, this is finally Arsenal's year, turns out I couldn't be happier for Leicester: the triumph of skill and mathematics over money and ego, and the hope it must bring to every struggling team and its supporters.
posted by Flashman at 5:24 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Flashman at 5:24 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
What I'm looking forward to most is Gary Lineker having to present Match Of The Day in his underwear, as he said he would if Leicester won.
And good luck to Leicester - great for their fans, great for the league that one of the usual suspects hasn't won yet again, and good for the game because for once big money has not prevailed.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 5:32 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
And good luck to Leicester - great for their fans, great for the league that one of the usual suspects hasn't won yet again, and good for the game because for once big money has not prevailed.
posted by GallonOfAlan at 5:32 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Very much like Porto winning the Champions League back in 2004, Leicester is taking advantage of a number of teams shifting gears or underperforming, presenting a team built solidly all around without top 10 World transfers and superstars.
Next year might be different: Spurs (unless they sell a key player) will have the benefit of continued work and experience, City with Guardiola will have one of the best coaches (although it will be his first true challenge), Liverpool with Klopp (if he has transfer money). Chelsea and Man Utd need a lot of work done. Arsene's Arsenal will probably do some things better, other things worse, and limp to third or fourth again.
But for this season? An impressive effort that will stay in history.
posted by lmfsilva at 5:33 AM on April 27, 2016
Next year might be different: Spurs (unless they sell a key player) will have the benefit of continued work and experience, City with Guardiola will have one of the best coaches (although it will be his first true challenge), Liverpool with Klopp (if he has transfer money). Chelsea and Man Utd need a lot of work done. Arsene's Arsenal will probably do some things better, other things worse, and limp to third or fourth again.
But for this season? An impressive effort that will stay in history.
posted by lmfsilva at 5:33 AM on April 27, 2016
Dirty Dozen or Harvard Case Study?
Or the King Power of Dick 3?
posted by Segundus at 5:34 AM on April 27, 2016
Or the King Power of Dick 3?
posted by Segundus at 5:34 AM on April 27, 2016
“I certainly never said anywhere in that tweet that I would do the whole show," he said.
Not anywhere in that tweet. Don't look for it, it's not hidden somewhere in the sub-clauses or the parentheticals.
posted by Etrigan at 5:45 AM on April 27, 2016
Not anywhere in that tweet. Don't look for it, it's not hidden somewhere in the sub-clauses or the parentheticals.
posted by Etrigan at 5:45 AM on April 27, 2016
I can't believe anyone is saying that big money isn't involved here - there is nothing in Premier League football that doesn't involve obscene sums of money beyond the comprehension of most ordinary working people.
Perhaps, but they're not playing against ordinary working people, they're playing against the rest of the Premier League. In a competition, what matters is how much you're spending relatively to your competitors (there aren't teams in the Premier League that aren't spending lots of money for ordinary people) and here, they're spending a lot less and probably going to win the league; it's impressive.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 5:51 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
Perhaps, but they're not playing against ordinary working people, they're playing against the rest of the Premier League. In a competition, what matters is how much you're spending relatively to your competitors (there aren't teams in the Premier League that aren't spending lots of money for ordinary people) and here, they're spending a lot less and probably going to win the league; it's impressive.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 5:51 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
It'd be interesting to see if Leicester manages to hold on to their star players for the next season. More probable, of course, that Chelsea or some other will buy the likes of Vardy and Mahrez for 50 million and will finally let them go on free transfer. These kind of big transfers seem often to be just about ruining the other team and not improving one's own. It's business, after all. Well, let's see.
Anyhow - GO LEICESTER!
posted by sapagan at 6:04 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Anyhow - GO LEICESTER!
posted by sapagan at 6:04 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah, good luck Leicester! It's been an unbelievable run, that started in the 2014-15 season to escape relegation. I think pretty much everyone wants them to win.
posted by carter at 6:17 AM on April 27, 2016
posted by carter at 6:17 AM on April 27, 2016
The combination of the Fenway Sports Group purchasing Liverpool and the stellar job NBC has done with Premier League coverage in the US has turned me into quite the fan of the league over the past few years. While I have thoroughly embraced my Merseyside brethren in never walking alone, I have been absolutely enthralled by the Foxes' run. I actually hope they do not win this weekend at Old Trafford, so they can clinch the title next week at home. I can't imagine being the author of the Bloomberg piece who stopped betting on Leicester to win the league THIS YEAR.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:23 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 6:23 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is almost certainly the greatest Cinderella story in team sports history - even more so than the "Miracle on Ice" or anything I can recall happening in the big four American sports leagues.
Yes, Jamie Vardy might be a racist and the club had to sack a few players for a really shameful incident in Thailand in the offseason (and maybe Robert Huth kicks puppies and maybe Jeffrey Schlupp votes UKIP - who knows?), but I can think Vardy is probably an asshole in real life and still believe this club is living a charmed life this season all at the same time. If you're going to let one or both of these things diminish the other, you're really missing something amazing that we might not ever see again in our lifetimes out on the pitch.
posted by GamblingBlues at 6:42 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yes, Jamie Vardy might be a racist and the club had to sack a few players for a really shameful incident in Thailand in the offseason (and maybe Robert Huth kicks puppies and maybe Jeffrey Schlupp votes UKIP - who knows?), but I can think Vardy is probably an asshole in real life and still believe this club is living a charmed life this season all at the same time. If you're going to let one or both of these things diminish the other, you're really missing something amazing that we might not ever see again in our lifetimes out on the pitch.
posted by GamblingBlues at 6:42 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
anything I can recall happening in the big four American sports leagues
Given the lack of relegation/promotion in the US sports leagues, it's hard to explain to even casual soccer fans just what an achievement this is. The closest American parallel might be the Miracle Mets (World Series champs in 1969 after languishing in the depths of the NL for all 7 of their previous seasons).
posted by Rock Steady at 6:56 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Given the lack of relegation/promotion in the US sports leagues, it's hard to explain to even casual soccer fans just what an achievement this is. The closest American parallel might be the Miracle Mets (World Series champs in 1969 after languishing in the depths of the NL for all 7 of their previous seasons).
posted by Rock Steady at 6:56 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Now that Swansea City looks safe from relegation (and set to become sister-clubs with my favorite MLS team) I can focus more clearly on being excited for Leicester in what has to be one of the best sports stories in recent memory.
Early on in the season, I was in the basement at Legends in midtown when Leicester first landed in the #1 spot, and the surprisingly large contingent of Liecester supporters there were awesome. Usually other teams' fanbases are obnoxious at best, but they were great. So, like most people, I'm unabashedly cheering on the Foxes now. The only people I feel at all bad for are Spurs fans, really.
posted by Navelgazer at 7:03 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Early on in the season, I was in the basement at Legends in midtown when Leicester first landed in the #1 spot, and the surprisingly large contingent of Liecester supporters there were awesome. Usually other teams' fanbases are obnoxious at best, but they were great. So, like most people, I'm unabashedly cheering on the Foxes now. The only people I feel at all bad for are Spurs fans, really.
posted by Navelgazer at 7:03 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
It feels like supporting a corporation, not a team - come on, Bet 365! - the players are increasingly obscenely rich millionaire journeymen with little connection to Stoke who'd move tomorrow if they got a bigger contract offer
always good to see someone on Metafilter sticking up for the capitalists. We need it.
Footballers have never been a beacon of moral guardianship, nor are they expected to be, but since they all became gazillionaires the sense of entitlement and the behaviour has got worse and worse.
or maybe, just maybe its that media has realized selling those hot takes is about the only thing that works these days.
posted by JPD at 7:04 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
always good to see someone on Metafilter sticking up for the capitalists. We need it.
Footballers have never been a beacon of moral guardianship, nor are they expected to be, but since they all became gazillionaires the sense of entitlement and the behaviour has got worse and worse.
or maybe, just maybe its that media has realized selling those hot takes is about the only thing that works these days.
posted by JPD at 7:04 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
maybe its that media has realized selling those hot takes is about the only thing that works these days.
Read enough about what it was like to be a beat writer for an MLB team in the 50s and 60s and you realize right away how much those writers protected the players from unpleasant press. Times have certainly changed...
posted by GamblingBlues at 7:06 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Read enough about what it was like to be a beat writer for an MLB team in the 50s and 60s and you realize right away how much those writers protected the players from unpleasant press. Times have certainly changed...
posted by GamblingBlues at 7:06 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
right - the idea that pro athletes have only become entitled pricks with the advent the internet and 24/7 sports media seems silly.
posted by JPD at 7:08 AM on April 27, 2016
posted by JPD at 7:08 AM on April 27, 2016
Navelgazer: "The only people I feel at all bad for are Spurs fans, really."Oh, there's no need for that. It looks like there will be no St Totteringham's Day this year for the first time since 1995.
posted by brokkr at 7:11 AM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
anything I can recall happening in the big four American sports leagues
That, plus a dash of Lin-sanity from a few years ago. This isn't just an unexpected team doing well. This came out of nowhere and has been absolutely dominant in a league and sport not known for parity.
Seeing what they do in Champions' League will be VERY interesting.
posted by Navelgazer at 7:11 AM on April 27, 2016
That, plus a dash of Lin-sanity from a few years ago. This isn't just an unexpected team doing well. This came out of nowhere and has been absolutely dominant in a league and sport not known for parity.
Seeing what they do in Champions' League will be VERY interesting.
posted by Navelgazer at 7:11 AM on April 27, 2016
Could you imagine the firestorm if the "Mickey Mantle getting BJ's in the bullpen during a game" story hit today. Mother of God.
Anywhoo back to the topic. As a Chelsea fan I have barely enough non-blackness left in my heart to enjoy the Leicester story. Its great and I'm happy for their fans in a way I couldn't be for nearly anyone else.
That said, that story about betting is a bit questionable given they weren't in the Premiership for many years.
posted by JPD at 7:12 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Anywhoo back to the topic. As a Chelsea fan I have barely enough non-blackness left in my heart to enjoy the Leicester story. Its great and I'm happy for their fans in a way I couldn't be for nearly anyone else.
That said, that story about betting is a bit questionable given they weren't in the Premiership for many years.
posted by JPD at 7:12 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
The only people I feel at all bad for are Spurs fans, really.
I ain't even mad. Kane is the best striker in the league. Delli Alli has all the looks of a future world class player. Hugo is in his prime. Alderweireld is a top defender in the league and hasn't picked up a single yellow card all season. Arsenal fans are calling for Wenger's head
Leicester deserves this season, we'll take the next 5.
posted by cmfletcher at 7:31 AM on April 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
I ain't even mad. Kane is the best striker in the league. Delli Alli has all the looks of a future world class player. Hugo is in his prime. Alderweireld is a top defender in the league and hasn't picked up a single yellow card all season. Arsenal fans are calling for Wenger's head
Leicester deserves this season, we'll take the next 5.
posted by cmfletcher at 7:31 AM on April 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
cmfletcher: "Delli Alli has all the looks of a future world class player."I've heard he's considered switching to MMA fighting, though.
posted by brokkr at 7:34 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
I haven't been watching these games, but that bit at the end of the lead post article about the counter-attack.. that sounds like games that are fun to watch on top of being effective. I'm reminded of learning foil fencing in college. At first the sport seems to be all about protecting yourself and the lunge, wait for the right moment and then strike. But, if you can master the parry and riposte you generally have a stronger position.
An amazing story.
posted by meinvt at 7:34 AM on April 27, 2016
An amazing story.
posted by meinvt at 7:34 AM on April 27, 2016
Spurs finally have the best team in the league and they finish second. Bwahahahahahahaha.
posted by chaz at 7:54 AM on April 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by chaz at 7:54 AM on April 27, 2016 [3 favorites]
The only people I feel at all bad for are Spurs fans, really.
I ain't even mad. Kane is the best striker in the league. Delli Alli has all the looks of a future world class player. Hugo is in his prime. Alderweireld is a top defender in the league and hasn't picked up a single yellow card all season. Arsenal fans are calling for Wenger's head
Leicester deserves this season, we'll take the next 5.
This. I'd be pissed if this was with one of those teams that were kinda good but not top contenders, but this team is loaded with young talent and surely doesn't feel like a "2016 or bust" moment.
Sure, Spurs might not win a title in the future - Arsenal has been on a "sure Wenger year" every odd year for the past decade, and the closest they were to the title were four points. It's also possible than A ENIC sees a Utd bid for Kane and other from Real for Eriksen for £100M each and decide "who needs silverware anyway?"
posted by lmfsilva at 8:09 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
I ain't even mad. Kane is the best striker in the league. Delli Alli has all the looks of a future world class player. Hugo is in his prime. Alderweireld is a top defender in the league and hasn't picked up a single yellow card all season. Arsenal fans are calling for Wenger's head
Leicester deserves this season, we'll take the next 5.
This. I'd be pissed if this was with one of those teams that were kinda good but not top contenders, but this team is loaded with young talent and surely doesn't feel like a "2016 or bust" moment.
Sure, Spurs might not win a title in the future - Arsenal has been on a "sure Wenger year" every odd year for the past decade, and the closest they were to the title were four points. It's also possible than A ENIC sees a Utd bid for Kane and other from Real for Eriksen for £100M each and decide "who needs silverware anyway?"
posted by lmfsilva at 8:09 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
fearful bookmakers started offering Leicester fans the chance to cash in their betting slips early for around 75 percent of their potential value.
This always makes me laugh. The bookies are all about the gamble .... right up to the point it's actually them starting to feel risk. Then they'll throw all these offers out to try and get out from it that they'd never offer their customers if positions were reversed. You always hear some story about the bookies starting to whine about how much money they'll lose if scenario a or b actually comes off.
posted by Brockles at 8:40 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
This always makes me laugh. The bookies are all about the gamble .... right up to the point it's actually them starting to feel risk. Then they'll throw all these offers out to try and get out from it that they'd never offer their customers if positions were reversed. You always hear some story about the bookies starting to whine about how much money they'll lose if scenario a or b actually comes off.
posted by Brockles at 8:40 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
As an American and the other kind of football fan (NY Giants), hockey fan (NY Islanders), and baseball fan (NY Yankees), I have previously been following the Premiere League in passing, but this story caught my fancy a few months ago and it is a great feel good story.
(If Tom Hanks can actually cash that bet, I will go to work in my underwear.)
posted by AugustWest at 8:54 AM on April 27, 2016
(If Tom Hanks can actually cash that bet, I will go to work in my underwear.)
posted by AugustWest at 8:54 AM on April 27, 2016
If he cashes that bet, he should invest it an buy Villa from Lerner.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:09 AM on April 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 9:09 AM on April 27, 2016 [5 favorites]
Good luck to Lie-sesster Square in the British Soccer League! Here's hoping they win the England Super Bowl grand final! Go you Squareheads!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 9:41 AM on April 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 9:41 AM on April 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
I sincerely hope they do a goal. Twice.
posted by comealongpole at 9:45 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by comealongpole at 9:45 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Manager Ranieri's win bonus negotiation was fun as well. Before the season started he signed a contract with the club that viewed staying out of the relegation zone as its main aim. Accordingly, he gets an additional 100k (at least; some say it's more) for every place they finish above 17th.
posted by colie at 10:19 AM on April 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by colie at 10:19 AM on April 27, 2016 [6 favorites]
Go Foxes. The season belongs to you no matter the outcome.
posted by grounded at 10:21 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by grounded at 10:21 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Maybe the 2004 Detroit pistons are an analogy?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:44 AM on April 27, 2016
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:44 AM on April 27, 2016
Maybe the 2004 Detroit pistons are an analogy?
Well, Detroit was the 1 seed in the East in the 2003 NBA playoffs so it couldn't have been wildly unexpected to see them contending again the following year.
posted by GamblingBlues at 10:58 AM on April 27, 2016
Well, Detroit was the 1 seed in the East in the 2003 NBA playoffs so it couldn't have been wildly unexpected to see them contending again the following year.
posted by GamblingBlues at 10:58 AM on April 27, 2016
An american equivalent would be the Cleveland Browns going 19-0 to win the Super Bowl.
That will never happen in any of our lifetimes.
posted by 81818181818181818181 at 11:04 AM on April 27, 2016
That will never happen in any of our lifetimes.
posted by 81818181818181818181 at 11:04 AM on April 27, 2016
and if the Browns picked up their number 1 wide receiver playing for the Carver Mobb while working nights at a Chrysler plant.
posted by cmfletcher at 11:11 AM on April 27, 2016
posted by cmfletcher at 11:11 AM on April 27, 2016
From a 2012 article (slideshow, ugh) discussing the biggest Cinderella stories in (mostly American) sports, there don't seem to be any great comparisons to Leicester.
I'm discounting the 99 Rams due to bringing in Marshall Faulk and being better prepared to take advantage of the new pass-friendly NFL officiating.
I'll discount any of the tournament-winning teams like 83 NC State basketball, 2011 Japan women's soccer or 54 Milan HS (Hoosiers) due to only needing to be great for a limited amount of time.
The only one I can really see as being close from that list is the 2001 New England Patriots. 5-11 previous year, lose Bledsoe, ride a wave of brilliant coaching and second-tier talent used in optimal ways to a championship in one of the most competitive top-tier sports leagues in the world.
(Pains me to do this as I'm not a Pats guy at all)
I still think the Leicester story is greater than the 01 Pats in every possible way.
Bonus: Vardy's volley goal vs Liverpool, just because
posted by GamblingBlues at 11:18 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm discounting the 99 Rams due to bringing in Marshall Faulk and being better prepared to take advantage of the new pass-friendly NFL officiating.
I'll discount any of the tournament-winning teams like 83 NC State basketball, 2011 Japan women's soccer or 54 Milan HS (Hoosiers) due to only needing to be great for a limited amount of time.
The only one I can really see as being close from that list is the 2001 New England Patriots. 5-11 previous year, lose Bledsoe, ride a wave of brilliant coaching and second-tier talent used in optimal ways to a championship in one of the most competitive top-tier sports leagues in the world.
(Pains me to do this as I'm not a Pats guy at all)
I still think the Leicester story is greater than the 01 Pats in every possible way.
Bonus: Vardy's volley goal vs Liverpool, just because
posted by GamblingBlues at 11:18 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
Brawn GP winning the 2009 World Driver's Championship as well as the World Constructor's Championship is a fairly decent comparison.
posted by gyc at 12:18 PM on April 27, 2016
posted by gyc at 12:18 PM on April 27, 2016
Good luck to Lie-sesster Square in the British Soccer League! Here's hoping they win the England Super Bowl grand final! Go you Squareheads!
Uh-oh, usasoccerguy is leaking onto Metafilter.
And as a London Soccer Chickens fan, it is really tough to watch Leicester have this season this season. But the future is bright.
posted by mbd1mbd1 at 12:31 PM on April 27, 2016
Uh-oh, usasoccerguy is leaking onto Metafilter.
And as a London Soccer Chickens fan, it is really tough to watch Leicester have this season this season. But the future is bright.
posted by mbd1mbd1 at 12:31 PM on April 27, 2016
Coach Ted Lasso set Tottenham back years.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:36 PM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Rock Steady at 12:36 PM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
Two Things, as this story is like consuming my weekends. I've never wanted anything to happen more in the world of sports than this.
First - the best analogy that can be made for non-football fans is something like this...for whatever reason, an AA/Double A baseball team goes up through AAA and then gets a shot in the Major League, which no longer has any salary cap or limitations. The Yankees and Red Sox can offer $100m to every player they want, and thus the only teams that can win the MLB for decades are the Yankees, Sox, and Dodgers. Nobody else has since the 80s.
Said AA team, with the same squad they've been using sans a few journeyman nobodies and a guy that they found playing in a beer league - and a payroll 1/20th of the "big" teams - finishes the season with 100+ wins and convincingly sweeps their way through the majors, taking out the Yankees and Sox along the way (or whoever).
TL;DR on the analogy....it's not just that it's a massive upset; it's a FULL SEASON of convincing ass-kicking in a league they shouldn't been to begin with, including walking the playoffs. 19-0 browns with my uncle as quarterback is not bad either.
Second Part - I have to agree with winterhill's sentiment...the PL has quickly (like, within the last 2 years quickly) become something I barely recognize and am struggling to retain the same passion for that I've had for the last 15 years or so.
FWIW, I support a team that is well-hated for reason both valid and not. Despite the jokes about their "rent-boy" status and rich owner, there was a core group of players on the team that made it CHELSEA.....Lampard, Drogba, Terry, Cech, Essein, Cole, etc. Yes - we have bought ridiculous flair players for stupid amounts, with more failure than success, but that core team - the players that defined the modern era for the club - made us who we were. All of the shit talked at us throughout the years didn't mean a thing to me when I saw those core players and believed in them.
While watching Chelsea fucking fall apart in absolute contrast to Leiceister coming up, at some point I was watching a match and just went "Who the fuck are we even? What has the team even become?"
Chelsea has become the soulless, vapid piece of shit that our haters always claimed we already were. What's worse - a lot of other teams with better history and more character have done the same, and I fucking hate it. Stoke is just one of maybe a half-dozen who succumbed to this within the last few years.
All that said, the only reason I'm still watching is because of Leiceister doing the impossible. It's just perfect in every way, and better than any story you could write.
P.S. - does anybody else besides me pick up on the comedic value of Leiceister's squad? Their got like 3 no-name English journeyman, a chav they picked up from Sunday League, a big scary German who kicks dudes, a token Asian guy, a wannabe thug, a playboy Algerian guy, a raver goalkeeper, and an African guy who excels at running. Managed by a kindly grandfather figure who likely was on his last chance to prove to the world he could do better than his handful of 2nd place bests.
Let's av it lads, the title is yours - can't wait.
posted by GreyboxHero at 12:46 PM on April 27, 2016 [7 favorites]
First - the best analogy that can be made for non-football fans is something like this...for whatever reason, an AA/Double A baseball team goes up through AAA and then gets a shot in the Major League, which no longer has any salary cap or limitations. The Yankees and Red Sox can offer $100m to every player they want, and thus the only teams that can win the MLB for decades are the Yankees, Sox, and Dodgers. Nobody else has since the 80s.
Said AA team, with the same squad they've been using sans a few journeyman nobodies and a guy that they found playing in a beer league - and a payroll 1/20th of the "big" teams - finishes the season with 100+ wins and convincingly sweeps their way through the majors, taking out the Yankees and Sox along the way (or whoever).
TL;DR on the analogy....it's not just that it's a massive upset; it's a FULL SEASON of convincing ass-kicking in a league they shouldn't been to begin with, including walking the playoffs. 19-0 browns with my uncle as quarterback is not bad either.
Second Part - I have to agree with winterhill's sentiment...the PL has quickly (like, within the last 2 years quickly) become something I barely recognize and am struggling to retain the same passion for that I've had for the last 15 years or so.
FWIW, I support a team that is well-hated for reason both valid and not. Despite the jokes about their "rent-boy" status and rich owner, there was a core group of players on the team that made it CHELSEA.....Lampard, Drogba, Terry, Cech, Essein, Cole, etc. Yes - we have bought ridiculous flair players for stupid amounts, with more failure than success, but that core team - the players that defined the modern era for the club - made us who we were. All of the shit talked at us throughout the years didn't mean a thing to me when I saw those core players and believed in them.
While watching Chelsea fucking fall apart in absolute contrast to Leiceister coming up, at some point I was watching a match and just went "Who the fuck are we even? What has the team even become?"
Chelsea has become the soulless, vapid piece of shit that our haters always claimed we already were. What's worse - a lot of other teams with better history and more character have done the same, and I fucking hate it. Stoke is just one of maybe a half-dozen who succumbed to this within the last few years.
All that said, the only reason I'm still watching is because of Leiceister doing the impossible. It's just perfect in every way, and better than any story you could write.
P.S. - does anybody else besides me pick up on the comedic value of Leiceister's squad? Their got like 3 no-name English journeyman, a chav they picked up from Sunday League, a big scary German who kicks dudes, a token Asian guy, a wannabe thug, a playboy Algerian guy, a raver goalkeeper, and an African guy who excels at running. Managed by a kindly grandfather figure who likely was on his last chance to prove to the world he could do better than his handful of 2nd place bests.
Let's av it lads, the title is yours - can't wait.
posted by GreyboxHero at 12:46 PM on April 27, 2016 [7 favorites]
While watching Chelsea fucking fall apart in absolute contrast to Leiceister coming up, at some point I was watching a match and just went "Who the fuck are we even? What has the team even become?"
You're free to send us back Matt Miazga (we'll keep the $5M bucks) any time.
signed,
disheartened Red Bulls fan
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:01 PM on April 27, 2016
You're free to send us back Matt Miazga (we'll keep the $5M bucks) any time.
signed,
disheartened Red Bulls fan
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 1:01 PM on April 27, 2016
Good luck to Lie-sesster Square in the British Soccer League! Here's hoping they win the England Super Bowl grand final! Go you Squareheads!Chat Shit Get Banged.
posted by fullerine at 1:37 PM on April 27, 2016 [4 favorites]
I was just thinking the other day about how far we've come from Chat Shit Get Banged (tm) "Yo Jap" Jamie Vardy. Do you think CSGB will appear in the upcoming Vardy: Night Shift to Title Lift movie, directed by Ron Howard? With Leiceister clinching the title, that movie is for sure getting made now.
If the Leiceister City/Vardy movie comes out as a modern-era Revenge of the Nerds style comedy that focuses on the cliche makeup of their rag-tag squad, I could give up football forever and die fulfilled.
Also, Matt Mizaga was the first signing I've ever just immediately felt bad for as a person. One of his former teammates even tweeted something to the degree of "he's a nice guy, but dumb as a brick and likely doesn't understand that he won't be playing for Chelsea" - or something to that degree. The implication was that he wasn't bright enough to understand the true nature of his move there, and it bummed me out.
posted by GreyboxHero at 2:03 PM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
If the Leiceister City/Vardy movie comes out as a modern-era Revenge of the Nerds style comedy that focuses on the cliche makeup of their rag-tag squad, I could give up football forever and die fulfilled.
Also, Matt Mizaga was the first signing I've ever just immediately felt bad for as a person. One of his former teammates even tweeted something to the degree of "he's a nice guy, but dumb as a brick and likely doesn't understand that he won't be playing for Chelsea" - or something to that degree. The implication was that he wasn't bright enough to understand the true nature of his move there, and it bummed me out.
posted by GreyboxHero at 2:03 PM on April 27, 2016 [2 favorites]
Chelsea has become the soulless, vapid piece of shit that our haters always claimed we already were
*sighs with happiness* YNWA
I do understand what you are saying, though.
BBC: ten things bookies thought more likely than LCFC wining the league.
Spuds pretty much blew it with a draw against a weak West Brom on a poor run of form, which was an amazing result. Sorta want LCFC to beat the manc cause I hate the manc, but it would be nice for them to win it at home.
posted by marienbad at 5:33 PM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
*sighs with happiness* YNWA
I do understand what you are saying, though.
BBC: ten things bookies thought more likely than LCFC wining the league.
Spuds pretty much blew it with a draw against a weak West Brom on a poor run of form, which was an amazing result. Sorta want LCFC to beat the manc cause I hate the manc, but it would be nice for them to win it at home.
posted by marienbad at 5:33 PM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]
I just became a fan of PL last fall, and somehow ended up a Saints fan. So of course the LCFC run is giving me a totally irrational hope that if they can do it, why not Southampton? I grew up a Red Sox / Patriots fan, although my interest in the NFL is pretty much zero these days, and my passion for baseball ain't what it used to be. Apparently I can't be happy winning.
posted by COD at 7:11 PM on April 27, 2016
posted by COD at 7:11 PM on April 27, 2016
Even as a Chelsea supporter, the likely guard of honor for Ranieri's lads on the final day at Stamford Bridge will be a sight to see.
TBH - I think that regardless of what happens at Old Trafford, Chelsea will get it done on Spurs and Leiceister arrives for their final home match confirmed champions.
Ranieri is such a good fucking dude I couldn't be happier for the guy. It's often forgotten that he led us to 2nd place in 2004 and handed over what became Mourinho's definitive Chelsea in prime standing.
Hazard even said something this week that implied that the motivation to keep Spurs from winning the title is the only thing driving the squad at this point.
posted by GreyboxHero at 10:05 PM on April 27, 2016
TBH - I think that regardless of what happens at Old Trafford, Chelsea will get it done on Spurs and Leiceister arrives for their final home match confirmed champions.
Ranieri is such a good fucking dude I couldn't be happier for the guy. It's often forgotten that he led us to 2nd place in 2004 and handed over what became Mourinho's definitive Chelsea in prime standing.
Hazard even said something this week that implied that the motivation to keep Spurs from winning the title is the only thing driving the squad at this point.
posted by GreyboxHero at 10:05 PM on April 27, 2016
From a 2012 article (slideshow, ugh) discussing the biggest Cinderella stories in (mostly American) sports, there don't seem to be any great comparisons to Leicester.
Late to the party here, but I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Spurs' first championship in 1951. The previous year they'd won the old Second division, and as recently as 1948 had finshed eighth in the second tier.
(Spurs fan here, pretty much accepted a Leicester title, fair play the Foxes. Not convinced we've nailed down second yet, as I could see the Gooners picking up all nine remaining - Norwich, Villa, and maybe a City side banged up after their Real match. We need four from Chels [away], Soton [home], and a Newcastle side presumedly still alive and desperate to avoid the drop, so this one's going to the final day.)
posted by hangashore at 8:55 AM on April 28, 2016
Late to the party here, but I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Spurs' first championship in 1951. The previous year they'd won the old Second division, and as recently as 1948 had finshed eighth in the second tier.
(Spurs fan here, pretty much accepted a Leicester title, fair play the Foxes. Not convinced we've nailed down second yet, as I could see the Gooners picking up all nine remaining - Norwich, Villa, and maybe a City side banged up after their Real match. We need four from Chels [away], Soton [home], and a Newcastle side presumedly still alive and desperate to avoid the drop, so this one's going to the final day.)
posted by hangashore at 8:55 AM on April 28, 2016
anybody else besides me pick up on the comedic value of Leiceister's squad?
Their captain is called Wes Morgan, making him Captain Morgan. I think Diageo has tried to take its rum brand upmarket, but I remember the days when a 25cl bottle of it was a popular choice for any 14 year-old bunking off school to get pissed.
posted by colie at 9:23 AM on April 28, 2016
Their captain is called Wes Morgan, making him Captain Morgan. I think Diageo has tried to take its rum brand upmarket, but I remember the days when a 25cl bottle of it was a popular choice for any 14 year-old bunking off school to get pissed.
posted by colie at 9:23 AM on April 28, 2016
Well, Leicester are potentially a couple of hours away from winning the title if they can beat United at Old Trafford. It won't be easy, United still have plenty to play for with an outside chance of making the top four.
As a United fan, when I realised that Leicester would play us late in the season, I was prepared to cheer for them. I didn't expect United to have anything to play for and I'd rather see Leicester win the title than anyone else. It's a measure of how bizarre this season has been that we've reached this point with Leicester so far ahead that they don't need to win today, so I can cheer for United with a good conscience.
It does set up a potential damp squib for the end of the season, though. If United win, or it's a draw, then Leicester win the title if Spurs don't win at Chelsea. It seems somewhat disappointing for Leicester to win the title without playing, on a Monday night, with no opportunity to celebrate. So hopefully Spurs take it into another week and Leicester win the title at home by smashing Everton.
posted by Pink Frost at 12:47 AM on May 1, 2016
As a United fan, when I realised that Leicester would play us late in the season, I was prepared to cheer for them. I didn't expect United to have anything to play for and I'd rather see Leicester win the title than anyone else. It's a measure of how bizarre this season has been that we've reached this point with Leicester so far ahead that they don't need to win today, so I can cheer for United with a good conscience.
It does set up a potential damp squib for the end of the season, though. If United win, or it's a draw, then Leicester win the title if Spurs don't win at Chelsea. It seems somewhat disappointing for Leicester to win the title without playing, on a Monday night, with no opportunity to celebrate. So hopefully Spurs take it into another week and Leicester win the title at home by smashing Everton.
posted by Pink Frost at 12:47 AM on May 1, 2016
If you are able to watch, the Leicester City - Man U match is already a fabulous one. 1-1 in the 19th minute with excellent attacking by Man U and dramatic counters by Leicester.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:30 AM on May 1, 2016
posted by Rock Steady at 6:30 AM on May 1, 2016
Monday: Chelsea, this is the most support for a game that you will ever have. Enjoy!
posted by carter at 12:34 PM on May 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by carter at 12:34 PM on May 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
4 - No team has lost more Premier League games when leading by 2+ goals at half-time than Spurs (4, same as West Ham). Marathon.
Don't give up hope,Leicester Chelsea.
posted by Etrigan at 12:58 PM on May 2, 2016
Don't give up hope,
posted by Etrigan at 12:58 PM on May 2, 2016
Alternatively, Chelsea have apparently never won a PL game from 2 down at HT, which I thought was a remarkable stat.
Bloody hell though, 2-2.
posted by biffa at 1:48 PM on May 2, 2016
Bloody hell though, 2-2.
posted by biffa at 1:48 PM on May 2, 2016
Leicester Champions bloody hell.
posted by fullerine at 1:56 PM on May 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by fullerine at 1:56 PM on May 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
Hooray!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 1:58 PM on May 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 1:58 PM on May 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Woooooooow. Wow wow wow.I'd rather have seen them win it on the field this weekend (couldn't watch today's match at work), but I'm sure the fans don't care how they did it. I suspect it will be quite the scene at the King Power.
posted by Rock Steady at 2:00 PM on May 2, 2016
posted by Rock Steady at 2:00 PM on May 2, 2016
I, for one, welcome our new Fox overlords.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:01 PM on May 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by robocop is bleeding at 2:01 PM on May 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Wow, what a game, what an event! Hooray for the Foxes!
posted by languagehat at 2:05 PM on May 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by languagehat at 2:05 PM on May 2, 2016 [1 favorite]
Leicester Champions bloody hell.
Football eh?
And the more you think about it, the weirder it gets: Ranieri, fired from the Greece job after leading the 2004 European champions to defeat at the hands of the Faroe Islands. Ranieri, the guy nicknamed Tinkerman because he never stopped changing his team, winning the league by basically playing the same players in the same formation every single game. Leicester winning the league playing 4-4-2, like it was 1983 or something.
Just fantastic. (At least two Man Utd players and a Schmeical get their hands on a trophy this season...)
posted by Pink Frost at 2:06 PM on May 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
Football eh?
And the more you think about it, the weirder it gets: Ranieri, fired from the Greece job after leading the 2004 European champions to defeat at the hands of the Faroe Islands. Ranieri, the guy nicknamed Tinkerman because he never stopped changing his team, winning the league by basically playing the same players in the same formation every single game. Leicester winning the league playing 4-4-2, like it was 1983 or something.
Just fantastic. (At least two Man Utd players and a Schmeical get their hands on a trophy this season...)
posted by Pink Frost at 2:06 PM on May 2, 2016 [3 favorites]
The Leicester Supremacy – a triumph that was never supposed to happen.
Title-winners are worthy champions, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
From Gary's ex: Hope they're whiter than white
posted by veedubya at 2:30 PM on May 2, 2016
Title-winners are worthy champions, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
From Gary's ex: Hope they're whiter than white
posted by veedubya at 2:30 PM on May 2, 2016
I'm hoping with the new TV money coming in that this kind of thing will be more common, but whether this is the new way forward or a blip on endless Big 4 (or 6) monotony I'm really pleased that Leicester and Renieri were able to win it this year. That being said, now that the title would have been theirs anyway, I'd much rather if they had lost yesterday.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:54 PM on May 2, 2016
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 2:54 PM on May 2, 2016
Here a nice article from ESPN. "Some ended up at Leicester's King Power Stadium. Others stayed in the city centre and danced by the clock tower at the top of Gallowtree Gate. With a name like that, you suspect this wasn't the first crowd that had ever gathered on the site. But it might be the happiest."
posted by Rock Steady at 5:53 AM on May 3, 2016
posted by Rock Steady at 5:53 AM on May 3, 2016
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posted by Sonny Jim at 5:15 AM on April 27, 2016 [1 favorite]