Don't know why it is "about time" you wouldn't be saying that if we were there.
Anyway, I think it has been in a slump for a number of years, half empty stadiums all over the league,
Blackburn (previous champions),
Sunderland (football's massive on Tyne & Wear)
Fulham (in the nations capital)
Bolton (after so many years in the top flight, only ever sold the ground out once)
Everton (tickets unsold most games),
Villa (the same)
Man City (ha, the richest half empty stadium in the world)
So apart from the top 4, the Premier League is already alienating the fans. I guess there is still a desire for a pure European league, and the rest of us can lump it.