The success of smaller clubs this season has partially vindicated the strategies of Mr Hulsizer, Mr Harris and Mr Blitzer. Between them, Leicester, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Watford and Stoke have 157 points — two more than the big five of Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. Now that even the smallest club is guaranteed enough TV money to lure a deadly striker and help fend off approaches for their best talent, the bigger teams can no longer count on one-sided matches.
