Stand up for the little guys

Now here's a football trivia question for y'all: "who scored the fastest ever goal in an FA Cup final in the old Wembley stadium?" The 42 second man - Roberto di Matteo. Back then, in 1997, Chelsea who he played for were the little guys. Finishing 6th in the league was a major achievement.

Roberto hung his football boots a few years ago and last year was appointed Manager of West Bromwich Albion, newly demoted to the Championship. And, within a year, Roberto took them back the to Premier League. As most of you will know, life is not easy in the Premier League. Especially so for newly promoted teams who come with small budgets and even less experience to compete with the big boys. Most of them get relegated straight away.

Not the Albion. 9 games into the season and they are . . . . 4th! Just so you don't think it is a mistake, as if I were writing a cheque: fourth. That's a Champions League spot. Now, you are probably thinking, well, they must have had an easy run of games. Well, you be the judge of that. They opened the season away to Chelsea the double holders, where they lost 6:0. Then away to Liverpool, back when they were considered Champions League certainty. Home to Tottenham, Champions League qualifiers. Away to Arsenal where they won and away to Manchester United where they drew. Not the easiest run I'd say. Actually, I cannot think of a more difficult draw. And if you thought they are playing negative football, you got that wrong too - they are scoring more than 2 a game.

So, at the risk of sounding patronising, as WBA sit above Arsenal in the table, stand up for the little guys from the Hawthorns who are bringing the romance back to the Premier League.

PS 860km down. 140km to go.