The men who have shouldered the blame this season

On matchday, Premier League football fans need three things to sustain their interest in the beautiful game: an overpriced ticket for a flimsy plastic seat, a weak pint (to be consumed away from the playing surface, Mr Ashley) and a good scapegoat on which to blame the entire team’s shortcomings.

Here’s the top ten players and managers who have been made to bear the brunt of their club’s collective sins in 2008/09 thus far…

Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal)
The Spoiler’s Arsenal correspondent claims that Bendtner has overtaken Emmanuel Eboue in the Emirates scapegoat stakes, being vilified to such an extent on Saturday that Emmanuel Adebayor received a hero’s reception when he was brought off the bench to offer some firepower.

Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham)
Heurelho Gomes has put in a sturdy challenge in recent weeks but he still has a fair way to go before toppling Jenas, who has been the main subject of clenched fists and growling at White Hart Lane for a few years now.

Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Apparently being the midfielder who has provided the most assists in the Premier League this season isn’t enough to save you from abuse when you occasionally misplace a pass or have the audacity to have a shot saved.

Luis Boa Morte (West Ham)
Holds the dubious honour of being one of the only players in the world

No one guilty of passing the buck at White Hart Lane

Yesterday, Juande Ramos showed his willingness to take full responsibility for Tottenham’s current rubbishness, claiming the attitude of his players is still very good, and he is working hard to turn things around.

Today, however, Jonathan Woodgate threw a curveball into the arena of blame, by claiming it’s nothing to do with the Spaniard and everything to do with the players:

“The buck stops with the players.

“We’re bottom of the Premiership and it’s not nice at all. We’re hurting inside but we have to stand up and get ourselves out of this mess that we’ve got ourselves into.”

It’s great to see the players support the under-fire manager, although The Spoiler can’t help thinking they could do a lot more to support him on the pitch.

So, will we see Daniel Levy complete the circle of blame by accepting responsibility in tomorrow’s press?

Not bloody likely.