Sheer lack of spirit our most galling trait

I WAS almost feeling envious of all those fans of the five clubs going into the final game of the season, balancing on the perilous precipice of Premiership relegation.

So much so that I was half-tempted to stop at home and watch all the excitement unfold live on the box. If our last away outing had involved anything more than a brief hop across the capital on my motorbike, to the Cottagers’ picturesque riverside locale, I’m not sure I’d have mustered sufficient enthusiasm to make it there.

Still, even as the gleam of Gooner silverware fades ever deeper into the sadly, increasingly inaccessible recesses of my decrepit grey matter, I imagine the fans of at least 16 (current & former!) Premiership outfits would give their eye-teeth to be supporting a club whose manager has achieved the top four finish that’s guaranteed the Gunners Champions League footie for 14 consecutive seasons. Surely Birmingham fans would bite the hand off that offered to swap their Carling Cup triumph for just one more crack at the domestic big time?