Monday 28 May 2012

Euro 2012 Preview

The 2012 European Championships are just 11 days away and, naturally, fans of the 16 participating nations are biting their nails in anticipation. What will the summer hold for their team? Who will triumph in the Kiev final on July 1st? Who will suffer the ignominy of an early exit? Ponder no more friends, because I am about to cast my well-trained eye over every team that finds themselves on the road to Poland and Ukraine, forecasting their fate with the precision of a Bastian Schweinsteiger penalty kick. Enjoy...

GROUP A

 

POLAND



The co-hosts are participating in only their second European Championships, having endured a swift exit last time around. However, Poland have lost just two (to France and Italy respectively) of their last 11 friendlies, meaning they head into the tournament in good form. Take into account also the benefits of home support and their placement in the tournament's least menacing group and you would be forgiven for thinking that the Poles have a real chance of reaching the quarter-finals. In Wojciech Szczesny they have a goalkeeper of real quality and further up the field Jakub Blaszczykowski and Robert Lewandowski have enjoyed successful seasons with Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund. Whilst their qualification from the group is far from assured, Poland have a real opportunity to make home advantage account and a positive start against Greece should assure that.

RUSSIA  



Russia enjoyed a very successful tournament in 2008, reaching the semi-finals courtesy of an attractive, expansive brand of football orchestrated on the field by Andrey Arshavin and off the field by manager Guus Hiddink. Much has changed in four years, however, with Arshavin suffering a loss of form which has cost him his place in the Arsenal team (he is currently on loan at former club Zenit St Petersburg) and Hiddink long since replaced by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat. The latest Dutch incumbent of the hotseat is much more pragmatic than his predecessor, evidenced by the Russians impressive concession of just four goals in ten qualifying matches. Indeed, the only thing that hasn't changed an awful lot from 2008 is the spine of the team, which still relies heavily on the same core of players, though youngster Alan Dzagoev offers some hope for the future. On paper, qualification for the knockout stages shouldn't be beyond the Russians but if the old guard fail to perform when it counts then they could well become the first big name casualties of the tournament.

GREECE

It seems an age since Greece's triumph in this competition back in 2004, and it's fair to say a similar outcome on July 1st is unlikely. That's not to say, however, that Greece will be there just to make up the numbers in what is a very open Group A. Following an early exit from the 2010 World Cup, the orchestrator of this nation's finest sporting moment, Otto Rehhagel, made way for Portugese coach Fernando Santos. Having enjoyed success in the country's domestic league, Santos is a good fit for the national side and has made them difficult to beat, guiding them through qualification without defeat. Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Ioannis Fetfazidis are exciting prospects whilst veterans Giorgos Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis provide a link to the squad that triumphed over the odds in Portugal. If Russia stutter, then the Greeks could take advantage, but much depends on how they start against Poland on June 8th.

CZECH REPUBLIC


The Czechs will approach the tournament thankful that they have been pitted in a group that presents them with the opportunity of qualifying, but they will have to work hard to assure that they do. They qualified for the tournament unconvincingly but recovered in ample time to sweep aside Montenegro in their play-off decider. Coach Michal Bilek will be under pressure from the off if they do not secure a positive result against Russia, and that might make for an uncomfortable tournament for his players. However, Tomas Rosicky's revival at Arsenal and Milan Baros's form for Galatasaray provides some hope, as does the defensive strength offered by goalkeeper Petr Cech and centre-back pairing Roman Hubnik and Tomas Sivok. Still, I fear it's a case of quarter-finals at best for the Czechs, given they are unlikely to top the group.

PREDICTION

1. Poland
2. Russia
3. Greece
4. Czech Republic



GROUP B

 

HOLLAND

 

The Oranje are one of the pre-tournament favourites and considering they reached the 2010 World Cup final and were the highest scorers in qualifying, they have every right to be considered as such. They are blessed with remarkable strength in attack, with both Robin Van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar in stellar form for their clubs this season. Arjen Robben also endured a fine campaign for Bayern Munich and despite a difficult term with Inter, Wesley Sneijder remains one of the premiere midfielders on the continent. However, life is not a complete bed of roses for the Dutch, as defensive deficiencies and off-the-field disputes about the style of play (sparked by that performance in the aforementioned final) threaten to derail the ambitions for this summer. Bert van Marwijk has altered his system to accommodate a more attractive style, but that may be at the risk of exposing a defence that does not measure up to that of their major tournament rivals. Johnny Heitinga has enjoyed a fine season for Everton but regular partner Joris Mathijsen has struggled at Malaga, whilst doubts remain over left back Eric Pieters. Nonetheless, Holland should still escape Group B, especially considering their first match pits them against potential whipping boys Denmark. The semi-finals are then a real possibility, where the exploits in South Africa may prove decisive in deciding whether the Dutch can make it two major tournament finals in a row.

GERMANY

Runners-up in 2008 and beaten semi-finalists in the World Cup, Germany are largely expected to make it third time lucky and win the European Championships this summer. The reasons why are clear to see; they boast a young and vibrant team that has grown together under coach Joachim Low over the past four years. Mesut Ozil is very much the engine of the side, as he proved so devastatingly against England and Argentina during Germany's World Cup campaign. Thomas Muller is still very much the key goal threat alongside veteran Miroslav Klose, whilst the Germans also possess great strength in depth with exciting talents such as Mario Gotze and Toni Kroos in reserve. However, one emerging fear for the Germans is the psychological damage that may have been inflicted on their Bayern Munich contingent (8 in total, including key players Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Muller and Schweinsteiger) as a result of their Champions League final defeat. Many will cast their mind back to the Bayer Leverkusen side of 2002 that endured three near-misses in club competitions, coinciding with the national team's comfortable defeat to Brazil in the World Cup final. This may yet prove to be trivial, however, and there is no doubt the Germans are serious contenders to lift the trophy come the end of the tournament.


PORTUGAL

Portugal will be looking to channel the spirit of Euro 2000, when they got out of a group containing both England and Germany. The chances of qualification at the expense of the latter may be a lot less likely this time around, but the Portugese should not be entirely discounted. Manager Paulo Bento, the youngest coach at the tournament, is inexperienced in comparison to his adversaries but has done much to repair the damage done by Carlos Queiroz's dour reign as manager. Key players, namely Cristiano Ronaldo, have bought into his methods and qualification was assured (eventually) by a thumping 6-2 triumph over Bosnia & Herzegovina. The spine of the side has also endured considerable success over the past two seasons, with several Real Madrid players involved as well as players from former treble winners Porto. The high level of Bento's former charges at Sporting Lisbon also mean the squad will approach the tournament in a state of unity, which counts for much in these type of tournaments. However, this does not lessen the challenge they face in finishing ahead of either Holland or Germany, a feat which will require Ronaldo to be in his most devastating form.


DENMARK

Like Portugal, Denmark will seek to summon the spirit of past triumphs (1992) to achieve success in this group, but it is doubtful that even the likes of Schmeichel and co could do much to alter the Dane's fate. They are by no means a bad side, quite the contrary in fact. Coach Morten Olsen has been in the job for an impressive 12 years and has recently overseen a change in midfield, with more experienced players making way for the likes of William Kvist and Niki Zimling, adding more steel in the centre of the pitch. Christian Eriksen also offers them prodigious attacking talent and the general consensus is that he is ready to make an impact this summer, with the previous World Cup probably coming too soon for him. However, the squad lacks depth and is overly reliant on the inconsistent Nicklas Bendtner, with the attacking reserve providing little optimism. If defeat to Holland can be avoided in the opening game then the Danish support can dare to dream, but even then they will still have to hold their nerve against Portugal and Germany. Best of luck...




PREDICTION

1. Germany
2. Holland
3. Portugal
4. Denmark

 

GROUP C

 

SPAIN


Spain are on the cusp of greatness as they prepare to defend the European Championship, which they captured so gloriously in 2008. That success was of course followed by a first World Cup triumph, meaning that La Roja have an opportunity to make history in Poland and Ukraine by becoming the first team to successfully capture three international trophies in succession. Despite their obvious quality, doubts have arisen as to whether they can manage this most daunting of tasks. Key players such as Carlos Puyol and David Villa have been ruled out, whilst other significant figures (Gerard Pique, Pedro, Fernando Torres) are heading into the tournament out of sorts. Many of Spain's first team have also just endured gruelling domestic seasons in which they have played close to 60 games, particularly the Barcelona contingent. These reservations, however, mask the reality that new players have come to the fore since the triumph in South Africa. Players like Santi Cazorla, Fernando Llorente, Thiago, Javi Martinez will seek to establish themselves in the absence of the more senior figures, whilst the previously overlooked Juan Mata and David Silva will seek to finally gain recognition on the international stage. All this points to the Spanish once again being the team to beat, though they will have to be sure to be wary of the perils of finishing behind Italy in their group.


ITALY


Cesare Prandelli deserves much credit for his work thus far as Italy manager, doing much to banish the memory of their dismal effort at the World Cup. Younger players are beginning to become the basis of a country that has previously been over reliant on older heads, with the likes of Antonio Nocerino and Mario Balotelli establishing themselves as key components of the team. The senior figures that remain have been largely reinvigorated, with Andrea Pirlo having enjoyed a fine season for Juventus and Antonio Cassano enjoying a new lease of life at Milan, despite a health scare in November. The chances of an early exit akin to the one experienced in South Africa is unlikely as the team is generally more united now and has improved considerably in key areas such as ball retention and defensive organisation (they boasted the meanest defence in qualifying, conceding only two goals in ten games). Whilst they are unlikely to be contenders to win the tournament, Prandelli will hope to be competitive and reach the knockout stages as he seeks to mould the team into becoming an international force once again.


CROATIA

Croatia were desperately unlucky not to reach the semi-finals of the last European Championships, but their chances of bettering their quarter-final berth of four years ago look slim. Since the defeat to Turkey in 2008, the side has been on somewhat of a downward spiral and after six years at the helm, influential manager Slaven Bilic will leave his post at the end of the tournament. Whilst they still possess undoubted quality (Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar, Mario Madzukic, Ivica Olic etc) they are now more vulnerable in defence due to the loss of anchorman Niko Kovac. Some of their top stars are also enduring poor seasons, with Kranjcar and Olic not even regulars at their club sides. The Croats will have to get off to a winning start against the Republic of Ireland and then hope they can match Italy if they are to escape the group, but few will fancy their chances.


REPUBLIC OF IRELAND



Giovanni Trapattoni is somewhat of a polarising figure amongst the Irish public, given his penchant for results-based football, but there is no denying the Italian deserves much credit for guiding the Republic to their first European Championships since 1988. Trapattoni seemed quick to realise the limited ability of the pool of players at his disposal, and thus was quick to go about the task of organising them into a unit that was hard to beat. They were not always convincing in qualifying, but made short work of Estonia in the deciding play-off game. The spine of their team is strong, with goalkeeper Shay Given and Richard Dunne key factors in the strength of their defence, whilst the attacking options are reasonably strong and variable, with Robbie Keane the undisputed starter. The inclusion of youngster James McClean shows that Trapattoni may be willing to take more risks than usual as he seeks to plot an escape out of a difficult group. A positive start against Croatia would create confidence and belief within the squad, but it cannot be denied that the Irish have been presented with a tough task.


PREDICTION

1. Spain
2. Italy
3. Republic of Ireland
4. Croatia


GROUP D

 

UKRAINE

As the joint hosts, Ukraine will also be hoping that home advantage can prove decisive in their quest to reach the knockout stages. However, their chances look slim at best, with the team looking average at best and without competitive football in two years. Coach Oleg Blokhin is an experienced figure who will ensure that Ukraine are at least organised, but he is their third coach in two years which points to an unstable infrastructure which may hinder their chances of on-the-field success. Andriy Shevchenko remains their attacking spearhead and midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk remains a key figure also which suggests, with both players well over 30, a lack of development. Andriy Yarmolenko is a highly rated 22 year old but it is doubtful he will be decisive in the fate of his country; an early exit beckons.


ENGLAND




England begin a new era under Roy Hodgson at the European Championships and may well thrive in the absence of pre-tournament expectation. After the devastating World Cup defeat to Germany, confidence is low despite an impressive qualifying campaign under the now departed Fabio Capello. Hodgson has picked up the reigns in the quietest of fashions and has already demonstrated his pragmatism by showing his willingness to return to a basic 4-4-2 formation, with an emphasis on organisation and direct, purposeful attacking play. Whilst this may not wet the appetite of the Three Lions support, it is a necessary measure given the drop in quality the national team has endured over the past several years. Wayne Rooney is arguably the one remaining world-class talent, and with him suspended for the first two group games the aim will be to avoid defeat against France and Sweden and then seek to beat Ukraine in the final game. Defeat in the opening fixture could make things difficult but England have enough about them to ensure they qualify without too much trouble, which would leave them in the great unknown of the knockout phases. What happens then is anyone's guess...


FRANCE

Much has changed within the French national team set-up since the World Cup, and that's ignoring the dodgy choice of kit! Laurent Blanc was quick to make his mark on the team, dropping all 23 of the squad that was selected for South Africa, paving the way for a crop of younger players who have since established themselves as key components of the new-look Les Bleus. Though some of the banished players have returned (Franck Ribery, Patrice Evra etc) they are now sharing the dressing room with the likes of Adil Rami, Yann M'Villa and Karim Benzema. Blanc has done well to unite a team that was previously tore apart by egos, with the team now possessing the necessary blend of unity and quality. Benzema in particular looks set to enjoy a good tournament, having arrived off the back of a breakthrough season under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. They should top Group D, though reservations remain over their defence and the long term future of Blanc. If they progress beyond the quarter-finals then the French may sense that the time has come for them to triumph against the odds. How ironic that would be after the chaos of 2010...

SWEDEN





Neither France nor England will have been pleased to be drawn in the same group as perennial banana skin Sweden, and Erik Hamren's side will seek to disrupt the balance in Group D in their final two group games. Considering they start against Ukraine, victory against either England or France could see them spring a surprise and qualify for the quarter finals, a feat last achieved in 2004. If they are to do so, much will depend on which Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns up. The striker is undoubtedly one of the most talented players on the planet but he often elects not to showcase his talents on the big stage. However, a recent tactical shuffle by Hamren has seen him occupy a more withdrawn role, allowing him to make the most of his vision and skill. Sweden have subsequently become a much more fluent side, especially with youngsters such as Ola Toivonen and Rasmus Elm becoming permanent fixtures in the squad. However, the team is as prone to inconsistencies as their mercurial captain Zlatan is, and they will have to be on form to escape a difficult group.


PREDICTION

1. France
2. England
3. Sweden
4. Ukraine


So there you have it, each team analysed in the most (un)thorough of manners. Surely there's nothing more you need to know? No...all that's left is to (try to) enjoy the football! I'll be posting my predictions for the knockout phases once the group stage is done and dusted. 









 

Thursday 24 May 2012

Liverpool: What Next?



John W. Henry is clearly a man who has no trouble with the ladies, as the picture above demonstrates. Hardly surprising, given that his personal fortune was once estimated as being a staggering $1.1 billion. Indeed, Henry represents the quintessential modern day success story, given the nature of his rags to riches life, in which he went from a farm boy upbringing to becoming one of the most successful men in contemporary America. However, all is not so rosy at one of Henry's primary assets, namely Liverpool F.C, and subsequently his reputation amongst English audiences finds itself in the most delicate of predicaments. After rescuing the club from the clutches of the deplorable Tom Hicks and George Gillet, Henry endeared himself to club supporters further by returning Kenny Dalglish to the club as manager, providing him with significant backing in the transfer market all the while. The role of knight in shining armour was being played with aplomb and yet the halo has slipped from Henry's head somewhat drastically in recent months, namely due to the ruthless sacking of Dalglish just 16 months after his popular re-reinstatement. The departure of King Kenny also co-incided with the removal of several key figures in the boardroom, meaning Liverpool's end to the 2011/2012 season was conducted in a more than frantic manner.

Since then, two of the disposed executives have been replaced in a hushed fashion, the news having been broke through short statements via the club's official website. The identification of Dalglish's replacement has proved less straightforward, though, with the club allegedly suffering the ignominy of two rebuffs from potential candidates (namely Brendan Rodgers of Swansea and Frank De Boer of Ajax). This has thus far left the club with only Roberto Martinez as a recognised candidate for the post, despite speculation regarding more left-field names such as Andre Villas Boas and Louis Van Gaal. This appears to be symbolic of the damage done to Liverpool's reputation over the past decade or so, something which FSG vowed to repair upon their purchase of the club. This much cherished English club has gone from being (along with Manchester United) the dominant force in the country to nothing more than a wounded giant, who picks itself up every now and then to enjoy a day in the sun, by which I mean the occasional cup triumph.

I am not for one minute disparaging Liverpool's achievements over the past decade; their 2005 miracle in the Champions League is one of the greatest cup finals of all time, and their 2006 FA Cup win over West Ham was similarly enthralling. Yet it is true that the Reds are no longer either a domestic force or a continental one, a truth which is supported by their 8th placed finish this year. Hell, some would even say that they are no longer even the best team on Merseyside anymore. This may all sound cynical, and to an extent it is, but it is all necessary when evaluating the recent history of a club that still holds the second most title wins in the country, as well as the most European triumphs of any English side. The reasons for this necessity bring us back to the subject of Henry and his Fenway Sports Group; what are their ambitions for Liverpool?

Upon their arrival in October 2010, the message delivered to the press was a simple one; 'We're here to win'. Though admittedly vague, this sentiment was one which would have struck a chord with the fan base as it is one that complies with the DNA of the club, that being an unnerving desire to triumph on all fronts. This perhaps explains the eagerness of the new board to dispose of then manager Roy Hodgson, who at that point had the team languishing in 12th place, having won only seven of his 20 league games at the helm. The choice of Dalglish, then, seemed symbolic given his remarkable haul of 8 league titles and 3 European Cups as both a player and a manager; FSG were intent on restoring the club to its presumed rightful place. The replacement of an ailing Fernando Torres, though controversial, with the younger pair of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez also seemed to signify this intention.

Yet, it soon became clear that the revival of Liverpool was not going to be a mere 'cut and paste job'. Despite a strong end to the 2010/2011 season, there remained reservations about Dalglish's suitability to the rigours of the modern game. Often, he seemed in a permanent state between stoicism and unrequited rage when dealing with accusations from the press. When things were good, they were very very good and when things were bad...well, you know the rest. Nonetheless, after further heavy investment in the summer of 2011 the Reds endured a largely drab start to the new campaign, with expensive new recruits such as Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson looking particularly out of sorts. The struggles of the Carroll/Suarez partnership also meant that serious questions were beginning to be asked of Dalglish and Director of Football Damien Comolli (who was to later pay for his shortcomings with his job).

The delivery of the Carling Cup, the first trophy won by the club since 2006, seemed to allay the pressure but an FA Cup Final defeat and the aforementioned final place in the table saw Dalglish removed in auspicious circumstances last week. Was this because the board felt he was not capable of achieving the level of success they desire? Or does it suggest a re-thinking of the previous strategy? The approach for Martinez, and indeed the mention of Villas Boas, suggest that Henry and co may have re-evaluated their plans for the club, having realised the lack of quality the team possesses when in comparison with some of the more potent forces in the Premier League. Perhaps they are now looking for somebody who can nurture the team over a long period than what would have been expected of the more senior Dalglish, who was seemingly given free reign to revamp the side overnight.

If this is the case, then FSG should be persevered with by Liverpool fans, as they are demonstrating a realisation that the name of the club does not necessarily constitute immediate success. Their major investment in the States (the Boston Red Sox) happened to end a long trophy drought shortly after FSG's purchase and, though speculative, this may explain the eagerness of Henry to plough money into his English acquisition early on into his reign. With a younger, more pragmatic coach at the helm, the Reds will be able to be steadily revamped over time, with the aim eventually being for them to re-enter the Champions League via a place in the top four, something which has recently been described as the board as being a 'necessity'. This would represent a more realistic approach from a club that has recently appeared to wear its reputation like a noose, allowing it to cripple their actual progress on the field.

However, if this is not Henry's aim and the removal of Dalglish was merely a result of dissatisfaction with a poor league placing, then one can only fear for the future of this famous old club. What Liverpool need is not emblematic of what they have once achieved, rather they are in drastic need of a structural and psychological makeover. Immediate success is no longer an option for them, and that has been demonstrated by their gradual descent from the upper echelons of the Premier League, as well as their struggles in Europe. If Henry recognises this, then there can be genuine hope of a brighter future for the Reds. If he doesn't, then he may find himself joining Gillet and Hicks in darker corners of the club's history sooner than he thinks. Let's hope for the former, eh?


Monday 21 May 2012

Munich: The Aftermath


Remarkable. Logic-defying. Emotional...there really aren't enough superlatives to truly capture the essence of Chelsea's conquest in Munich this past Saturday night. After a roller-coaster 9 months,just a fraction of what has been a 9 year pursual, the Blues finally lifted the most coveted prize in club football; the Champions League trophy. Quite how they managed it will be keenly debated for years to come. A glance here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18132980) will give you some insight as to just how impressive this victory was, yet there is only so much statistics can tell you in instances such as these. This was essentially the sort of game that sums up why football is the most cherished of all sporting past-times, the sort of game where anything can happen, where the chaos of months past is put to one side, and where sheer determination and unity triumphs over all else. But where do Chelsea go from here?

Several months ago, I described the Chelsea job as a poisoned chalice in the wake of the ruthless sacking of Andre Villas Boas, who was quickly cast aside by owner Roman Abramovich despite the significant cost of his acquisition from Porto. The young Portugese had fallen on his sword just a matter of months into what he had described as a three year plan for the club, in which he sought to establish them as a major force both domestically and in Europe. Having made the initial implementation of his master-lan a little too radical for most of the senior players liking, AVB was shown the door, following a long line of coaches (8 in total) who had failed to live up to the expectations of Abramovich. Roberto Di Matteo was ushered in, asked to oversee the final three months of a campaign that had unravelled almost as soon as it had begun. With Chelsea out of contention in both the Premier League title race and the League Cup, the unassuming Italian's mandate was merely to avoid similar catastrophe in the FA Cup and the Champions League. Indeed, there was little pressure on the new interim manager as nobody seemed to think he had any chance of being given the job on a permanent basis, an assumption that at the time was completely logical.

That has been the beauty of Chelsea's end to the season; logic has quite literally gone out of the window. Di Matteo was quick to unite the dressing room and subsequently galvanise the players efforts on the pitch. First came the astounding comeback against Napoli, a 4-1 victory at Stamford Bridge overturning the 3-1 deficit suffered in the first leg. Benfica were then swept aside with relative ease, setting up a semi-final tie with Barcelona, a game which many (myself included) expected to be a mere formality for the Catalonians. Instead, a combination of good fortune and an incredible defensive effort, not to mention potent counter-attacking play, saw Chelsea overcome the oft-labelled 'greatest team in the world' and reach their second Champions League final. By this point, Di Matteo had gone from rank outsider for the job to firm favourite. The FA Cup triumph over Liverpool only strenghtened the almost universal clamour for him to be offered the post permanently, and yet Abramovich relented, continuing his silence on the matter.

Amidst this frenetic end to the season, 34 year old Didier Drogba was enjoying the most stunning of on-field revivals. After enduring a sluggish start to the campaign, where he continually vied with the out-of-sorts Fernando Torres for a starting place, the Ivorian suddenly became Chelsea's key player once again, scoring key goals in the triumphs over Napoli and Barcelona. On Saturday, the striker came full circle by scoring his side's decisive equaliser against Bayern Munich, before cooly scoring the penalty that delivered the club their first ever Champions League trophy. Such accolades are impressive in any context, but the fact that Drogba has scaled such heights whilst his future remains so uncertain make his exploits all the more significant.

Indeed, it was quite fitting to see Di Matteo and Drogba embrace so eagerly at the scene of their collective and individual triumphs, both men having overcome the auspices of an uncertain summer to aid the club in this most unlikely of victories. Such endeavour and humility is a rare sight in football nowadays and one can only sense that the future of these two men represent a significant footnote in Chelsea's history. Will Abramovich reward them for delivering the trophy that he has sought for almost a decade? Or will he keep with tradition and coldly cast them aside, making way for new, more fashionable faces? One can only hope that in this instance, logic will prevail and the Russian will go with the former.

But there are other sub-plots to this most riveting of tales; for example, the future of Fernando Torres. The man who holds the title of most expensive British transfer ever was quick to go on record in voicing his displeasure at starting the final on the bench, whilst he also made the point that he needs reassurances from the clubs board regarding his future role in the team. Were it not for the £50 million fee paid to bring Torres to Chelsea, it is hard to see him being able to substantiate such claims. With just 11 goals to his name this season, the Spaniard did not cover himself in glory when called upon, despite his strong end to the campaign. At 28 years of age, however, he still has time to make a lasting contribution to the Blues future, whereas Drogba has perhaps a maximum of two to three years left to add to his already glistening Stamford Bridge CV. Is it possible to keep both men at the club? Can Torres step out of the shadow of his colleague? And will the presence of such considerable reputations hinder the progress of the younger strikers at the club, such as Romelu Lukaku and Daniel Sturridge?

Similar questions could be raised about the futures of Michael Essien, Paulo Ferreira, Florent Malouda and, to a lesser extent, John Terry and Frank Lampard. These players have contributed significantly to Chelsea's rise to the zenith of European football, but how long their contribution can continue is an issue that needs to be considered carefully by Abramovich. When the backbone of the current Chelsea team retire, what will be left? It would seem that it would be wise for Chelsea to look to this summer to begin a gradual rebuilding process that will protect the long-term future of the club, rather than continue to trade on both past and present glories. Whether Abramovich and his trusted team of delegates choose to apply such foresight remains to be seen.

One thing is for certain, though, and that is that Roberto Di Matteo indisputably deserves the opportunity to continue his sterling work of the past three months, regardless of the risk it provides to his legacy at the club. He has provedthat he can balance the egos of the dressing room with optimum skill and can also organise the team against the most accomplished of foes. After being discarded at West Bromwich Albion, it is clear that Di Matteo has taken stock of his mistakes and has grown significantly as a coach, developing a thick skin as a result (something which is more than necessary for any employee of Abramovich). The way in which he conducted himself in the wake of victory on Saturday was highly impressive, and I along with many others sincerely wish to see him rewarded for his accomplishments. Any other outcome will cast a serious shadow over Chelsea's glorious triumph.


Thursday 17 May 2012

What's All The Fuss About?



Since I started this blog, much has altered in the setup of the England national team. Fabio Capello departed the job despite his lush £6 million salary, prompting fevered speculation that Harry Redknapp would be asked to take the reins, a choice that would supposedly wet the appetite of the nation. We now know, of course, that England will not be led out at Euro 2012 and beyond by Redknapp, but instead by Roy Hodgson, a man that has undergone a remarkable revival in the past 16 months or so. After being discarded so ruthlessly by Liverpool, Hodgson underwent the task of steadily establishing West Bromwich Albion as a Premier League side, a job he did to considerable but not altogether rapturous appraisal. The parallels to the task awaiting Hodgson as coach of the Three Lions and the repair job he did at The Hawthorns, however, are more apparent than some may think.

Hodgson's mandate over the ensuing months will be to make England competitive on the international stage once again, certainly after the debacle that occurred in South Africa two years ago. Post Euro 2012, he will be asked to undergo a steady but significant overhaul of the structure of the national team, with a strong emphasis based on the development of young talent, with the great hope being that by the 2014 World Cup the makeup the squad will be considerably different to that of previous tournaments. As admirable a policy as this is (and it is one that I fully endorse) it has also ensured that Hodgson is to undergo an unnecessarily difficult start to his tenure. For evidence of this, look no further than the reaction to the announcement of his first squad yesterday.

Whilst some sections of the press have reacted favourably to Hodgson's choice of players, there is an undercurrent of dissent from the media and public alike. Take, for example, the comments of former England manager Terry Venables, who has suggested that the squad for Euro 2012 looks 'naked' in the absence of Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. Or simply view some of the more general responses on Facebook or Twitter yesterday, where many people have voiced concern at a seeming lack of quality within the 23 man pool that is to represent the country in Poland and Ukraine. This is obviously part of the territory for any England manager, but it certainly illuminates the size of the task awaiting the new man next month, where he will be expected to guide England to the quarter finals at the very least.

But is Hodgson's squad really deserving of criticism?

Stewart Downing aside, the squad is pretty much the same as had been fore-casted prior to yesterday's confirmation. Statistics (4 assists in his last 5 for England) would also argue that the inclusion of the maligned Liverpool winger is not as illogical as his club form may suggest. Many of those chosen have been involved heavily in England's qualification campaign for Euro 2012, a hint that Hodgson is set to persevere with the 4-3-2-1 system that Capello deployed to considerable success in many of the post-World Cup fixtures. This strikes me as being a wise tactic to employ, as it enables the players to continue to perform in a system that they have become suited to over the past 2 years. Gareth Barry and Scott Parker have become very efficient at shielding the back four, and the tendency of the new manager to deploy wingers with a knack of cutting in will be of great benefit to the likes of Ashley Young and rookie Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Wayne Rooney will also be able to slot in comfortably after he has served his two-game suspension, with Andy Carroll or Danny Welbeck a capable foil for the Manchester United star to play off.

The much debated exile of Ferdinand at first seemed like a major surprise, but when you consider his international input pre and post South Africa you can begin to understand better the logic deployed by Hodgson. Ferdinand has played just once since the World Cup, a tournament which he missed entirely due to injury. Though he has recovered admirably from a poor start to the season with Manchester United, it is an indisputable truth that Ferdinand is now a fitness liability, and with that in mind it is hard to argue against his omission. The inclusion of the controversial John Terry is admittedly a big call, especially considering the moral implications it harbours after the early season race row between the Chelsea captain and Anton Ferdinand. However, Hodgson will feel that the ex-England captain is a sufficient influence in the dressing room and will have been encouraged by early signs of promise in his partnership with club team-mate Gary Cahill.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's selection is a bold and imaginative one, and the Arsenal midfielder will no doubt inspire much optimisim amongst supporters. He is a rare talent, the sort that can lift you off your seat with a mere touch of the ball, and many defences will be ill-suited to his style of play, meaning he has all the attributes of that most rare type of England player; a wild card. John Ruddy's involvement is admittedly more of a formality but a demonstration that Hodgson is not afraid to reward lesser known quantities if they are capable of showing consistency at the highest level. Some might argue this claim, especially considering the overlooking of Ruddy's team-mate Grant Holt, but it would have been a major gamble to take a forward that has spent just one season in the Premier League, regardless of how well he has performed. Andy Carroll, in my opinion, is a much more sensible option as he has already proved, though fleetingly, that he is capable of unsettling any defence, such is the raw nature of his talent.

Indeed, the England squad is not a spectacular one, but that is merely indicative of the pool of talent that Hodgson has had to cast his eye over. It is worth noting that the new man has also been deprived of the likes of Ben Foster, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes, who have opted to withdraw their services to their nation for a myriad of reasons. Rather, we will head into this summer's competition with a group of players that are familiar with one another and are capable of, at the very least, qualifying from their group. Hodgson will in the coming weeks attempt to organise his starting eleven to ensure they are, like much of his club sides, difficult to break down, a necessary measure given the nature of our performances in the World Cup.

So whilst some may be up in arms about Roy's choice of player, the reality is that he has picked what is available to him and has had the foresight not to attempt to break up a group of players that have, at the very least, managed to avoid the disaster of 2008, when we failed to qualify for the European Championship. The squad selected should be cause for cautious optimism, but even if success does not come our way (and by success, I mean a quarter or semi final birth) then it is likely that Hodgson will begin the desired revamp of his team when business is concluded this summer. Only then will we be able to truly judge the latest inheritant of the most difficult job in football... 








Tuesday 15 May 2012

Season Review

There is no doubt that the 2011/2012 Premier League season will be remembered as one of the most entertaining, as well as one of the most unpredictable. Never before has England's top flight been contested in such an open and inconsistent manner, and though we might bemoan the drop in the quality of the defending on display, we can only marvel at the giddy heights attacking play has reached. Naturally, the tendency of each set of fans to either laud or rue such offensive proficiency varies according to each clubs league position, with some acting as the exhibitors of such play and others finding themselves on the receiving end of it. Thus, we come to the purpose of this blog...to cast an eye over all 20 Premier League clubs, to review their season and see what the 2012/2013 campaign may have in stall for them...





Another year, another trophy-less campaign for Arsenal. But should we be surprised? The club allowed its two prized assets to depart the club last summer, seemingly in the name of financial prudence. I have taken to this blog before to applaud the work of the Arsenal board in their attempts to keep the club financially solvent, despite the apparent need to provide radical investment in the first team, the quality of which is well below par when compared to past Gunners sides. It would seem, at least according to recent financial figures, that this summer may be the time for such an investment, with the club's house seemingly in order. They have shown signs this year that they could potentially challenge the Manchester clubs, though these have admittedly being all but too fleeting. If they can persuade the indispensable Robin Van Persie to renew his contract, as well as add one or two new recruitments (preferably in defence and midfield), then I really do think Arsene Wenger may be able to deliver a trophy to the club after seven years of waiting. If they fail to do this, however, then I really do fear for their future as Champions League regulars.




What a wretched ordeal this campaign has been for Aston Villa fans. The club has just embarked on its worst season for some time, and manager Alex McLeish has subsequently paid the price, the Scotsman being dismissed yesterday after just 11 months at the helm. Supporters of the club greeted the news with rapturous appraisal, and you can see why...McLeish oversaw just 7 league wins all season, 4 of which were at Villa Park, as well as a mammoth 16 draws. However, to blame the former Birmingham City manager solely for Villa's shortcomings this season would be naive to say the least. Villa have been on a downward spiral ever since Martin O'Neill was allowed to leave the club on the eve of the 2010/2011 campaign. Investment has halted (Darren Bent's £18 million transfer aside) and stability has receded, with two managers falling on their sword in the space of just two years. So to say that the next appointment is crucial is an understatement...it will possibly determine the long-term future of the club as a whole. Deliver a capable coach with long-term ambitions for the club and Randy Lerner is back on course, fail to do so and Villa could find themselves spiralling down to the Championship next season.




If this season was painful for Villa fans, then one can only imagine the agony Blackburn Rovers supporters find themselves in at the moment. Their club has seemingly descended into disarray over the past 18 months, namely the time elapsing since the purchase of the club by Venky's. The arrival of these poultry experts has resulted in the undoing of everything that was once good at Blackburn, most significantly their Premier League status. The appointment of Steve Kean now appears more absurd than ever, though credit should be given to him for contending with such vitriolic opposition to his appointment in the manner in which he has. However, Kean's dignity in the face of adversity does not mask the fact that he has been exposed as a woefully inept manager, a truth which was exposed by Rover's late season capitulation after they had seemingly hauled themselves away from trouble. With the finances of the club supposedly bleak, and with a likely player exodus on the horizon, an immediate return to the top flight looks increasingly unlikely. Especially if Venky's and Kean are allowed to stick around.



Bolton Wanderer's relegation is one of the more perplexing ones in recent times. Last season, they looked a technically efficient and vibrant side and, despite a late dip in form, they finished the season in a safe position. Whether the psychological effects of their 5-0 FA Cup mauling at the hands of Stoke were ever shaken off is debatable, but it would seem to me that they have been hampered this season more so by the loss of key players to horrific injuries. They have not managed to get influential midfielder Stuart Holden on the pitch all year, and winger Chung-Yong Lee only managed to return in the final throes of the campaign. Take into account also the shocking loss of Fabrice Muamba, whose services they were deprived of in the most unfathomable of circumstances, and you can see why Bolton found themselves entrenched in a dogfight all year. However, such misfortune cannot be allowed to mask the reality that they finished the season with the second worst goal difference in the league, shipping an almighty 77 goals. Owen Coyle is a capable enough manager to orchestrate a fightback next season, but their is a real need for Bolton to return to the top flight at the first time of asking, such is the gravity of their current financial situation.



Surely, this is the most bizarre Chelsea season in recent years, if not ever? They began the season full of optimism following the ambitious appointment of 33 year old Andre Villas Boas, and yet they end the season relying on an unlikely Champions League triumph to ensure themselves of a place in next season's premier European competition. Failure to achieve this will leave Chelsea and their owner Roman Abramovich in an unfamiliar position, one in which their endless supplies of cash won't be as decisive as they have been so often in the past. Villas Boas must be saddled with much of the blame for Chelsea's disastrous league campaign; the former Porto manager was too quick to ostracise key men in an attempt to stamp his authority, and perhaps his image, on the club. Roberto Di Matteo has performed admirably in his role as interim manager, returning balance to a Chelsea dressing room that is notorious for the amount of egos it contains. Having overseen an FA Cup triumph and on the cusp of delivering the one trophy that Abramovich has sought since his purchase of the club, it's fair to say that the former West Bromwich Albion chief deserves an opportunity to continue in the job full-time. Defeat to Bayern Munich, however, will ensure that he has the toughest possible start to next season.



David Moyes continues to ensure Everton roll with the punches in the Premier League, guiding them to a thoroughly impressive 7th placed finish, and a first finish above Liverpool since the 2004/2005 campaign. The January acquisitions of Steven Piennar and Nikica Jelavic proved to be invaluable, the latter finishing remarkably as the club's top goalscorer and the former adding creativity to a midfield that up until the turn of the year looked more than a little rusty. The contributions of key men such as Phil Jagielka, Johnny Heitinga, Marouane Fellaini etc once again were decisive in the Toffee's strong end to the campaign, and much optimism can be carried into the 2012/2013 campaign. Harry Redknapp's failure to land the England job will also dispel rumours of Moyes's departure for at least another year, and the Blues supporters can only hope that chairman Bill Kenwright, subject of unwarranted abuse this year, can find a suitable buyer for the club in that time. Inability to do so will mean continued short-termism for the club and ongoing speculation about its key players, both on and off the field.


A highly impressive debut season for new manager Martin Jol saw Fulham ensure a second consecutive top half finish, though supporters will perhaps be more satisfied with the football on display this term than they were with Mark Hughes's offering in the previous campaign. Clint Dempsey, in particular, has enjoyed a highly impressive campaign, finishing the season with a remarkable 23 goals, a statistic which is sure to make him the subject of much transfer speculation this summer. However, Jol will feel confident that unless an offer from a significant European force is forthcoming that he can keep hold of his key assets and build for next season, when qualification for the Europa League is likely to be the ambition. Having unearthed a number of young prospects this term as well as raising the game of some of the senior players at the club, Jol can feel very satisfied with his work this season and indeed the prospects for next.



One can only scratch their head at the nature of Liverpool's season. They began the term as potential Champions League candidates, only to be brutally exposed as being some way off being suitable to line up alongside the best Europe has to offer. Subsequently, they have ended the season in the most disorderly of fashions; an FA Cup final defeat, a poor league finish (not least below their neighbours Everton) and with several key executive figures being relinquished of their duties. The shuffle in the boardroom seems to suggest that FSG are far from content with what they have seen on the field this year, and some would say after an investment of well over £100 million last summer that they have every right to be. But this is ignoring the fact that Liverpool are becoming an increasingly difficult club to judge. There seems to be no clear strategy in place, something which is evidenced by their bizarre acquisitions in the transfer market since Kenny Dalglish was restored to the position of manager. Alongside the now departed Damian Comolli, Dalglish put together a squad that can only be described as being thoroughly average, with only Luis Suarez really justifying his lavish price-tag (and let's not forget the controversy Suarez brought upon the club earlier in the season). The season concluded with question marks hanging over the head of Liverpool's manager, but relieving him of his duties is unlikely to solve all the club's problems. They are no longer a consistent European competitor, and so their appeal to prospective managers has been significantly diminished. It would seem more prudent to allow Dalglish to attempt to restore the club to a top four finish and then identify a long-term successor, though there is no guarantee that King Kenny is up to that task. Whatever happens, I anticipate another season of uncertainty at Anfield next term.


Much of the aforementioned unpredictability of this season was down to the topsy-turvy nature of Manchester City's title triumph. Having started the season in startling fashion, they appeared to self-implode and hand the initiative to their old rivals across the road, allowing United to amass a seemingly insurmountable 8 point lead. Yet they still managed to claw back the deficit, capturing the title on the final day in the most memorable of circumstances. Only a staunch United loyalist would dispute that City were deserving of their first title victory in 44 years, especially considering that they thoroughly outplayed the Red Devils on three occasions this season, two of which resulted in a first league double in some time. It would seem now that the sky is the limit for City, with many anticipating a period of domination for the blue half of Manchester, though I see this as being slightly wide of the mark. City still remain under pressure to organise their finances, considering the impending implementation of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations, something which could jeopardise the club's ambitions in the Champions League. However, the current City board seem fully aware of this and you would presume that measures will be taken over the next two seasons to trim the wage bill, with some of the excess of Mark Hughes tenure at the club being allowed to move to pastures new. Indeed, City are probably only two or three players short of being major contenders in Europe, and unless significant measures are taken by their ousted rivals then it would seem that next season's league title is their for the taking. Nonetheless, I sincerely hope that City's recent success does not usher in an era of reckless excess.


After their first season without a trophy in 7 years, Manchester United's immediate prospects do not look entirely appealing. Though they remain one of the most recognisable brands in the world, it has been well documented that the Glazer's tenure at the club has saddled them with a debt that is going to prove hard to shake, and has subsequently hindered development on the field. Though Sir Alex Ferguson has been able to strengthen his squad consistently, this season has shown that such improvements have been marginal. United remain dependent on their senior pro's, particularly in the most decisive points of a league campaign. Youngsters like Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Javier Hernandez and so forth have shown flashes of real potential, but have not produced consistently enough to deliver the title to Old Trafford. This summer may well be the most decisive for United in a long time, such is the need to reinvigorate the squad, particularly in midfield. This is not to say that the Red Devils are not capable of challenging next season, because any Sir Alex Ferguson team is capable of a title challenge, even against foes as formidable as City. Let's not forge that United took this year's title chase down to the last day, something which many would not have thought possible at the beginning of the campaign. However, if United wish to restore themselves to the zenith of the Premier League and also if they wish to re-establish themselves in the upper echelons of the Champions League, they are going to have to rely on their controversial owners to back their man when the transfer market opens once again.


Newcastle United continue to be the most unpredictable club in the Premier League, having rubbished pre-season predictions of a year-long struggle by finishing four points shy of a (potential) Champions League place. This has been largely down to the colossal effort of their players, the finest to wear the club's colours for some time, and the work of their initially unfavoured manager Alan Pardew. Indeed, Pardew's triumph has been one of the more rewarding stories of the season, such was the opposition to his appointment in December 2010. Since then he has gone about his job quietly and diligently and, with the help of chief scout Graham Carr, has assembled a very efficient squad that has this year punched above its weight in a manner befitting of the most unfancied of underdogs. Credit must also go to Mike Ashley, who after years of mismanagement seems to have found the knack of what it takes to be a successful Premier League chairman, applying a smart business strategy to ensure that the recklessness of previous seasons has been undone. When the likes of Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton were sold this summer, eyebrows were raised. But none would question the wisdom shown by Ashley, Pardew and co now that players of Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote's ilk are pulling the strings in midfield. With a fine goalkeeper in Tim Krul as well as the menacing strike-force of Demba Ba and the magnificent Papiss Cisse, one can only envisage further success for the Magpies next term. That is, if they manage to keep the squad together...


It would be disparaging to Norwich City's efforts this season to fill this review with speculation about the future of their manager Paul Lambert, but the subject is undeniably crucial to the club's future prospects as a Premier League club. Lambert has continued the sterling work which saw the Canaries enjoy two consecutive promotions this year by keeping them in the top flight comfortably, playing a brand of football that is easy on the eye and highly productive all the while. The squad is probably one of the fittest in the league (a crucial factor to their success) and was assembled on a tight budget, all of which means it is inevitable that Lambert will be linked with a move elsewhere this summer, particularly now the Aston Villa job is vacant. If the former Celtic captain rejects any overtures from elsewhere, then Norwich can head into next season feeling relatively confident of another comfortable campaign. If the opposite occurs, and Norwich head into the summer in search of a new manager, then you have to fear for their future as a Premier League club.


QPR ensured Premier League survival in a manner that was perhaps befitting of the club's recent history: thoroughly dramatic. Anybody who managed to see the fly-on-the-wall documentary 'The Four Year Plan' will know that the club has travelled the most bizarre route to to the top flight possible, and this season proved to be no time to break the habit. Tony Fernandes's late arrival as owner saw a flurry of spending towards the end of the transfer window, and when results failed to match the investment Neil Warnock was ruthlessly dispensed with. Mark Hughes arrived, presumably with the mandate to comfortably guide the club away from the drop zone, with the aid of a considerable transfer war chest in the January window. What ensued was quite the opposite. A number of high profile players arrived, but they did not gel quickly enough to ensure a comfortable second half to the season. Rather, the R's had to rely on Stoke City to ensure another season of football at the highest level. What awaits Hughes now is a key summer in which he must, along with new chief executive Mike Brigg, address the state of the Rangers squad, which is almost 40 people strong. Vital decisions must be made on the future of Joey Barton, who has consistently dragged the club into disrepute this year, and the identity of back four when the new season gets underway, so ill-equipped have the current crop been this campaign. Thankfully, Hughes has a well-earned reputation for being a tough task-master and for organising football sides, so the 2012/13 campaign should be a slightly less stressful one for fans of the club. But don't bet on it...


Stoke ended the season in worrying fashion, registering only one win in their last 10 fixtures. However, it is easy to forget that they have navigated more fixtures this term than many other Premier League clubs, due to their involvement in the Europa League and their decent run in the FA Cup. Whilst Tony Pulis's squad would be expected to deal with such an effort, considering its size, it is still difficult to judge the physical implications such a run of games can have on a player, and it is perhaps understandable that the Potters faded in the final throes of their league campaign. Having said this, it is still commendable that Pulis has engineered another campaign that has seen his side finish 9 points clear of the drop zone. Once again, the Welshman showed a shrewd nature in the transfer market, the acquisition of Peter Crouch in particular proving an excellent bit of business. But I do feel as if this season could be a significant side for Stoke; their goal difference was uncharacteristically poor this term (-17), and they scored the lowest amount of goals in the division. This would suggest that the club's fringe players either need to be moved on or raise their game, and with the team now out of Europe it may prove difficult to attract adequate replacements. Perhaps next year could be the year that Pulis finds himself in a relegation battle...only a brave man would bank on it though.

Sunderland fans must be counting their blessings, because were it not for the decision to replace the hapless Steve Bruce with Martin O'Neill in December, their club would probably be contemplating life in the Championship now. Whilst their is undoubted talent in the current squad, it was consistently undermined prior to O'Neill's arrival by a series of poor performances, usually at the hands of average players and poor tactics. However, after navigating them away from trouble, O'Neill will now feel he can look forward to next season with a degree of optimism, though the size of the task at hand should not be taken  for granted. The current Black Cats team is in need of a revamp, and this can only be achieved via further financial investment from chairman Ellis Short, who has already dug deep since his arrival at the club. If such a financial injection is forthcoming, then Sunderland have every chance of establishing themselves in the top half next season. If the chairman keeps his hands out of his pocket, however, then the club will have to rely on O'Neill to continue to work his magic and keep their heads above water.

Lauded by many a pundit for their expansive style this season, Swansea, like Norwich, deserve much credit for the way they approached their debut Premier League campaign. Brendan Rodgers is an admirable coach who has looked to Europe, namely Spain, so as to devise a fresh means of tackling the 'big boys', a plan that has paid off handsomely, with the Swans finishing 11 points clear of the drop zone. Such was the ease with which they avoided relegation, many of the club's supporters attended the final home game against Liverpool in Elvis outfits after one 'expert' had suggested at the beginning of the season that there was more chance of Elvis being alive than Rodger's sides beating the drop. Michel Vorm, Ashley Williams, Danny Graham, Scott Sinclair and pretty much the entire midfield have looked at home amongst the glitz and glamour of the Premier League, and most will expect them to continue to cope with the demands of top flight football next season. However, much depends on their ability to keep their key players, as well as the answer to the question regarding where loan star Gylfi Sigurrdson's future lies. Let's not forget also the importance of keeping Rodgers, who is sure to have his suitors amongst many a Premier League chairman. Swansea are, however, a progressive football club and have coped with change in the past, so should be able to continue their good work next season.


Tottenham Hotspur initially evaded my attention when first putting this post together, which is perhaps fitting given the way their season petered out after such a promising start. There is no denying that Harry Redknapp has assembled a highly talented team at White Hart Lane, and this was clear for all to see as they threatened to break the duopoly of the Manchester clubs in race to become Premier League champions. However, off-the-field issues and the loss of form of one or two key players (not to mention a spate of unfortunate injuries) coincided with a slide down the table for 'Arry's men, meaning the climax of their season involved a race to merely obtain fourth place. This would suggest that Spurs are in need of investement this summer, especially considering they are unlikely to acquire the full-time services of influential spearhead Emmanuel Adebayor. However, speculation is rife that chairman Daniel Levy is not all together enamoured with the current incumbent of the manager's job, which could possibly lead to a difficult 2012-2013. I for one, hope that I am wrong as Spurs are a fine club and their presence in the top five has been nothing more than refreshing over the past 3 seasons.


Jeremy Peace, West Bromwich Albion's chairman, deserves much credit for the Baggie's ascension to the Premier League. After years of being patronised by the 'yo-yo club' tag, they have stabilised themselves in the top division and the future looks rosy, despite the departure of Roy Hodgson to the England manager's job. Hodgson has done a remarkable, understated job in organising what was previously a very gung-ho Albion team, evidenced by their decent goal difference this term (-7). He has got the best out of players such as Jonas Olsson and Youssuf Mulumbu, who are not perhaps blessed with bags of natural ability yet have found a level of consistency that has seen them become key players for their club. It will be interesting to see who Albion move for in the wake of Hodgson's departure, but the decision is unlikely to risk any of , the sound, long-term planning that Peace and technical director Dan Ashworth had been putting in place long before the club's return to the Premier League. Indeed, the new incumbent to the Albion hot seat is likely to be a coach capable of continuing to build on the foundations lad down by not just Hodgson, but Roberto Di Matteo and Tony Mowbray before him. Considering the club's financial stability and comfortable final placing (10th), the job is likely to attract many suitors, and that in itself is evidence of the excellent work being done behind the scenes at this club.


Some of you will recall a previous blog post of mine written in response to Wigan's 'shock' win over Arsenal at the Emirates, achieved in the midst of an impressive revival that saw them claw away from relegation trouble. The general gist of my argument was that the media portray Wigan, and clubs of a similar stature, in a very patronising way i.e. as the constant underdog whose ability to survive in the Premier League is a mystery to us all. Hopefully, the exploits of Roberto Martinez's team this year will have exposed this view as a fallacy. Wigan survive as a result of astute management by the impressive Martinez and the commitment of their chairman Dave Whelan, the former of which has built a relatively young, vibrant team that is probably the best to grace the DW Stadium in some time. The attacking talent of Victor Moses has been a joy to watch throughout the season, and players such as Franco Di Santo have shown real potential, particularly in the final embers of the season. If Martinez continues to demonstrate the loyalty he did last summer, when he rejected Aston Villa's advances, then Wigan have a real chance of shedding their tag of relegation favourites. Poor match-day revenue may continue to cripple their ambition, though survival alone will continue to be regarded as an achievement of the highest order, though hopefully for the right reasons from now on.



Earlier I spoke of Aston Villa's struggles this season but perhaps the one saving grace for fans of the Villains is that they are not supporters of Wolverhampton Wanderers, who have endured one of the most miserable seasons in the club's history. Everything that could have went wrong for Wolves this season did exactly that and they have duly finished bottom of the Premier League, a miserable 12 points from safety. Their league position owes much to their astounding ability to ship 82 goals in the Premier League, which makes their defence arguably one of the most inefficient in the country, let alone the top flight. But whilst the team's rearguard has much to answer for on-the-field, mismanagement off the field also played a big part in the demise of the old gold and black this year. Mick McCarthy's decision to hand the captaincy to Roger Johnson at the expense of lifelong Wolves fan Karl Henry caused clear divisions in the dressing room and undermined McCarthy's position. The hesitation of the board to dispense with their manager was also fatal; rather than make a change earlier in the campaign when things could have been turned around by a fresh face, they opted to wait until after the humiliating 1-5 home defeat by West Brom, by which time players and supporters knew it was a matter of time before the former Republic of Ireland manager was dismissed. The decision to sack McCarthy was undoubtedly harsh, considering his stellar work in returning the club to the top flight, but it was clearly a necessary measure too; Wolves had become all to predictable and many players had been exposed as being woefully ill-equipped for top flight football. Terry Connor was given the miserable task of overseeing the inevitable, but was thankfully spared any riposte from the supporters, who instead turned their bile towards chairman Steve Morgan and Jez Moxey. Both men will hope that new boss Stale Solbakken is able to re-invigorate the club this summer and return them to the Premier League at the firs time of asking, a task that should not be beyond the Norwegian, given the club's strong financial position.


AND FINALLY...


A quick run through my awards for the season...


MANAGER OF THE SEASON: 1. Alan Pardew 2. Roberto Mancini 3. Roberto Martinez


PLAYER OF THE SEASON: 1. Robin Van Persie 2. Vincent Kompany 3. Wayne Rooney


SIGNING OF THE SEASON: 1. Sergio Aguero 2. Yohan Cabaye 3. Mikel Arteta


WORST SIGNING OF THE SEASON: 1. Joey Barton 2. Roger Johnson 3. Jordan Henderson


GAME OF THE SEASON: 1. Manchester United 1 Manchester City 6


GOAL OF THE SEASON. 1. Robin Van Persie v Everton 2. Papiss Cisse v Chelsea 3. Hatem Ben Arfa v Bolton


TEAM OF THE SEASON: Joe Hart; Kyle Walker, Fabricio Colloccini, Vincent Kompany, Leighton Baines; Antonio Valencia, Yohan Cabaye, Yaya Toure, Juan Mata; Wayne Rooney Sergio Aguero


(Feel free to disagree...; )