The Premier League final day was a bit of a let-down.
We knew Manchester City had won the league, knew who was going down and who was going to represent England in next year’s Champions League.
Of course, there was the crazy notion of a 10-goal turnaround for Swansea to stand a chance of staying up and Liverpool losing at home to Brighton to give Chelsea a chance for fourth.
But neither of those scenarios were likely to happen.
So yeah, a bit boring for everyone except me Well, me and anyone who considers themselves a Chelsea fan.
The worst performance of the season (Chelsea’s v City) a few months ago was eclipsed last week by Manchester United’s terrible showing at Brighton.
But what we witnessed at Newcastle was more than pathetic.
CRITIC CRUSHER: Mo Salah scored his 32nd goal. Photo: AP
I was again embarrassed to be a Chelsea fan as I watched a patched together team including unfit and fringe players stroll around like they’d just eaten Sunday lunch.
We all know strange things happen at the end of the season and as long as there’s a chance, however slight, surely you do your utmost to try and make it happen?
You fight to the last minute, it’s the Chelsea way, it’s the English way but certainly not that of Antonio Conte.
I hate fans and the press bashing coaches, but that little f*** has really lost the huge respect I and I imagine most Chelsea fans had for him.
How dare he drop the likes of Willian, Pedro, Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger, while we’re still in with a chance for a fourth place finish?
Yes, the players must hold their hands up, but it’s his job, to select and MOTIVATE the squad for every game.
It just feels like, before his probable departure, that he wants a trophy to sign out with, so he chucked the fight for Europe down the toilet.
I resent that. Getting back into the Champions League should have been the prime focus and not his personal trophy ambitions.
The club obviously needs to be active in the transfer market off-season and many top-end players demand top European exposure when considering a move.
Anyway, onto next Saturday and the hope is that Conte has saved his best for last, the Blues will regroup this week, give each other a steel toe-capped boot up the behind and get out and punish United.
TIME TO PACK YOUR BAGS: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. Photo: FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA
On the brighter side big up to Pep Guardiola, he smashed it this year, reaching a record 100 league points to cap a more-than-well- deserved Championship.
And well done to Mo Salah, he’s confounded the critics (including me) fully deserving the Golden Boot with a 32-goal record in a 38-game season.
Couple of other mentions for stand-out work have to go to Sean Dyche for incredible results given the resources at Burnley, West Brom caretaker Darren Moore who showed Conte what motivation can achieve (despite getting relegated).
And, of course, Arsene Wenger who, over a couple of decades helped raise the level of the English game.
Anyone wanting to bet against blue ribbons adorning the FA Cup next Saturday afternoon, give me a shout on Twitter: @thehonestnick