I WONDER whether the Midlands is taking over from the North East when it comes to the most passionate fans in the land.

For years, we’ve been told that places such as Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough are a hotbed of football.

But I wonder whether events this season have shown the balance has tilted more towards this neck of the woods.

Two of the big three up there could well go down this season, and I think whichever one or two survive will be very lucky.

It’s not just the results that have gone wrong up north, but also the level of performance and effort.

You can never get away without passion and commitment, no matter who you are and how good you think you are. Those qualities have been sadly lacking in those three clubs and that has got through to the fans.

How often on Match Of The Day this season have we seen Sunderland fans, for instance, filing out of the stadium well before the end because they’ve given up on their players.

With money as tight as it’s ever been, the least supporters can expect is their players giving 100 per cent for the fantastic wages they are earning ... sorry, being paid.

There has also been a drip-feed of negative issues driving a further wedge between the fans and the players up there.

I can’t imagine Newcastle supporters being too chuffed to read that Michael Owen might get a new deal worth £110,000-a-week or whatever after so many months on the treatment table.

And isn’t it strange how Mark Viduka is suddenly busting a gut for the cause now his contract is approaching an end?

What a contrast to what many football clubs in the Midlands are experiencing at the moment.

We all know Stoke fans have been a credit to their club and their city this season as they have responded to the efforts of their players.

I still remember that day at Anfield when Stoke took a bit of a battering off Liverpool, but the players never abandoned their trenches and were rewarded with a 0-0 draw.

That kind of spirit has been returned in bucket loads from the stands as Stoke fans have shown themselves to be among the very noisiest and most passionate around.

Even West Brom fans, who haven’t exactly had the most successful season in the world, were right behind their players on the day they went down on Sunday.

Albion have approached the Premier League differently to Stoke and I’ve been critical of that, but fair play to their fans for never getting on the backs of their players.

And with both Birmingham and Wolves coming up, possibly replacing two North East clubs, the balance of power really is swinging towards this region at the moment.

Other Stoke City stories online today:
Ab’s simply fab
Lou Macari: Character is key to City's summer signings
Lou Macari: Midlands fans finally have something to shout about
Fans honoured for their Premier performances