The (Alternative) Team of the Year

So, it's that time of the year again, when the legions of football experts compile their team of the season and the rest of us all complain and disagree. Whilst I'm sure there's plenty of debate to be had about the merits of this year's PFA Team of the Season, there's little point in me adding to the grumbles of discontent. Rather, I've decided to tip my hat to the unsung heroes of this Premier League campaign, the type of player who slips under the radar despite their overall consistency. Here goes...

Ali-Al Habsi, David De Gea, Shay Given, Tim Krul, John Ruddy...there are plenty of goalkeepers currently plying their trade in the Premier League who produce consistently for their club without getting the recognition they deserve, but none more so than Wayne Hennessey. The 25-year old has had to contend with the 'protection' of one of the worst back fours in the country and has yet managed to endure an overall good seasons. He's had plenty of saves to make (Wolves are the most attacked club in the Premier League) and despite being involved in many a heavy defeat, very few Wolves supporters would lay any of the blame at the Welshmen's feet. Cruelly sidelined with a knee injury for the next 6 months, it looks as if Hennessey will have to work his way back up to the top flight with Wolves as he'd have surely attracted suiters this summer had he managed to stay fit.

Kyle Walker has received almost universal praise for his displays at right back this season, and rightly so, but he's not the only young English player deserving of praise for his efforts this season. Danny Simpson has become a mainstay of a remarkably successful Newcastle United team, starting all of their Premier League fixtures this term. After being discared (perhaps rather rashly) by Manchester United, he has proved himself to be a more than competent top-flight defender, and were it not for the performances of Walker and Micah Richards this season, as well as the continued popularity of Glen Johnson amongst England coaches, he'd surely be in contention for Euro 2012.



  

Some would argue that the inclusion of Jonny Evans in an alternative Team of the Season is contradictory, given the praise he has received for his performances in the latter half of the season. But I imagine that many who read this post will still chuckle at the inclusion of a player who is still derided by many. When Manchester United crushed Wolves 5-0 at Molineux (a game I attended) many casual or opposing fans reacted with incredulity at the fact that Evans managed to score past us, it being deemed hilarious that a player deemed so bad after his poor start to the campaign managed to bag a goal against us. But this is an incredibly short-sighted view...Evans is maturing into a calm, composed and deceptively strong defender who could yet become a permanent fixture in United's back four, considering that the legs of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are continuing to creak.

Most would agree that Ashley Williams has enjoyed a fine debut campaign in the Premier League, yet he has garnered little praise from the press. The 27 year old Welshman has played in all but one of Swansea's Premier League fixtures this season, a campaign in which they have impressed particularly at home, where they have conceded only 14 goals (the joint second best in the division). Having caught the Swans several times on the box, it became apparent to me that Williams sees an awful lot of the ball, such is his team's tendency to recycle possession around the park. This means he is often a key component when starting attacking moves, making him a key player at both ends of the field. If he could add more goals to his repertoire (only 2 this term) then he would arguably be a much more coveted player. Still, there's no doubt that Williams is a class act.

John Arne Riise has always struck me as being a 'fashionable' player, by which I mean people seem to rate him without actually having any idea of whether he's any good or not. I've always presumed this is because he possesses that most fashionable of skills...a decent shot. However, since he returned to the Premier League with Fulham he has shown himself to be a more than competent defender, starting all but 3 of their league fixtures, whilst also providing 3 assists. He appears to have bedded in well to a Fulham side that has in my opinion become more expansive under the tutelage of Martin Jol, evidenced by the fact they have scored a considerable 34 goals at home. Riise's unpredictable play down the left, where he can both overlap and shoot effectively, has played a big part in this change of style.

The choice of a player who has 22 caps for England may throw many of you, but hear me out. Walcott is an under-valued player...if I can refer to another anecdote from a recent experience at Molineux, then you might understand my point a little more clearly. During Arsenal's (relatively) routine 0-3 defeat of Wolves, the home support constantly abused Walcott, suggesting that if he was good enough to play for his country, then so were they. I found myself baffled by this; firstly, because Walcott is an England international, and I have never understood the logic of abusing a player that has been asked to represent your country. Secondly, I have always rated Walcott...he is a modern, dynamic winger who is more often than not a real handful for defenders. What he lacks in his decision-making, he often makes up for in goals or assists, evidenced by his tally of 8 goals and 8 assists this season. Indeed, when presented with his PFA Player of the Year award, Robin Van Persie thanked the efforts of his team mates, particularly Walcott, for creating so many goal-scoring chances for him. If he's good enough for a guy that's scored 27 goals this season, he's good enough for me.

Admittedly, the choice of Marouane Fellaini is not purely down to this season's performances alone, but that doesn't detract from the fact that the Belgian midfielder deserves more recognition than he receives. Since Everton signed him for £15 million, an eyebrow-raising fee at the time, he has become a key component of their midfield. This season he has only managed to make 27 league appearances, but played in all 6 of their FA Cup games, a competition in which they reached the semi-finals. Were it not for the doubts about his overall fitness, I think he would attract far more interest from clubs around Europe. Indeed, I have often thought him to be the type of midfield enforcer that Manchester United have missed since the retirement of Roy Keane and the sad decline of Darren Fletcher. Nonetheless, his goal at Old Trafford on Sunday showed how key a player he is for the Toffees, as it inspired a comeback from two goals down, demonstrating that this is a player that deserves more recognition than he receives.

When compiling this team, I told myself that I would try not to include more than one player from the same club. However, the cases of Alex Song and Theo Walcott are ones I believe to be similiar in that they are both criminally under-valued. Song has taken time to establish himself in Arsenal's midfield, gathering interest for his hairstyles more than he has his football. However, over the past couple of seasons there is no doubt that he has become one of the most improved players in the league, so much so that I believe him to be deserving of a place on the Player of the Year shortlist. This season alone has provided 9 assists, and has been involved in all but four of Arsenal's league fixtures. His range of passing is very impressive, evidenced by the gorgeous lobs he layed on for Robin Van Persie when the Dutchman scored remarkable volleys against Everton and Blackburn. His physical stature also means that he is more than capable of dominating most midfield duels, something which he has done frequently this year. Were Arsenal to further invest in the centre of the field, they would surely be capable of challenging for greater honours than they have over the past few seasons. Regardless, there is no doubt that Song has now established himself as being, along with Van Persie and Vermaelen, one of their most important players.

It is almost astounding (but sadly not surprising) that the PFA managed to conspire to ignore both Victor Moses and Scott Sinclair when compiling their Young Player of the Year shortlist. The inclusion of Sergio Aguero and Gareth Bale, both established players, suggests that whoever was responsible for the selection of the final six had very little idea about the level of young talent currently plying their trade in this country. Indeed, the choice between Sinclair (scorer of 8 goals this year) and Moses (scorer of 4) was a difficult one. The decision to plump for the Wigan starlet was based on age (he is, at 21, two years younger than Sinclair) and the fact that his employers are mired in a relegation dog-fight, which means that his recent performance,  and indeed those from now until the end of the season, are of paramount importance. Moses is a thoroughly exciting talent, a player that is capable of creating something out of nothing due to his combination of power and pace. He is also something of an entertainer, his drag-back past Bacary Sagna in Wigan's 1-2 defeat of Arsenal being evidence of his taste for flair. If his club do manage to beat the drop, it is paramount to their chances of future success that they manage to tie him down to a new deal. Don't be surprised if he has plenty of high-profile suitors this summer though.

Considering that at one point this season, Marc Antoine-Fortune was plying his trade at now relegated Doncaster Rovers and that he may not even be a West Bromwich Albion player next season, his story is more than a little impressive. After a relatively in-auspicious second spell at the club, Fortune was loaned to Donny by manager Roy Hodgson, presumably with a view to a permanent move away from the club. However, after an injury crisis forced Hodgson's hand, Fortune was back at the club and in the starting eleven to face Stoke City. The French forward put in a virtuoso performance, leading the line with aplomb and guding his side to a rare win over the Potters. He repeated his heroics in their 1-5 mauling of Black Country rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, and was a key component in a run of form that has seen them steer themselves away from relegation trouble and into the top half. A true unsung hero.

In a fair world, Yakubu Aiyegbeni would be a much more respected centre forward than he is. A consistent goal-scorer at Premier League level, he has never really been given the opportunity to shine on a bigger stage. Indeed, this time last season it looked like his time as a top-flight player was drawing to a close. Farmed out on loan to struggling Leicester City, his goals steered the club away from a perilous position and towards the top half of the Championship table. How the Foxes wish they could have held on to the Nigerian. Instead, he moved to Blackburn Rovers and has since been on a one-man mission to fire the club to safety, scoring an impressive 16 goals in 27 games, almost half of their overall tally for the season. Still only 29, you have to believe (or perhaps hope) that one or two more established clubs are preparing to parachute Yakubu out of Ewood Park should Rovers find themselves relegated at the end of the season.

So there it is, folks. An attempt at a tip of the hat to the players that won't be making the end of season teams of the year. Feel free to harass me on Twitter (@benrasmin) if I've missed anyone out!



















Everybody's New Favourite Team

First of all, congratulations to Wigan Athletic for their victory over Arsenal on Monday night. They played with the sort of determination and enthusiasm that supporters of some of their relegation rivals (namely Blackburn and Wolves) can only dream of. More importantly, they have put together a run of form that should ensure their safety for yet another season. Why, though, are we surprised by this?

Whilst watching the game on Sky Sports 1, I couldn't help but be annoyed by some of the patronising comments made by the coverage team, in particular the usually likeable Niall Quinn. He spoke of the game as if it were a cup tie, and his co-commentator (whose name evaded me) remarked consistently that it was a game that Wigan supporters 'would never forget'. Whilst this is probably true, these remarks seemed to bear no acknowledgment of the fact that Wigan had enjoyed similarily impressive victories over Liverpool and Manchester United recently. Was there victory over Arsenal any more astounding than those triumphs? Probably not.

I am not criticising the commentary on Monday night specifically, more so the English media as a whole. They cannot help but continually patronise clubs like Wigan, despite the fact that this is there seventh consecutive season in the top flight. I wonder if Sunderland, for example, would have been treated in a similar vein had they secured three points at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night? The answer is of course no, because Sunderland are a much more fashionable club than Wigan, probably because of the considerable cost of their current squad, the size of their stadium and other such paraphernalia. And that is what is wrong with the current coverage of English football...this continued undermining of clubs who operate on a shoe-string budget, or who don't (or rather, can't) regularly fill their stadium.

This is, admittedly, a delicate matter, but one that struck me as needing adressing after the fallout from Monday's result. I guarantee that when you tune in to Gillette Soccer Saturday or Match of the Day (both fine shows I might add) on Saturday, then the talk will be of how Wigan have 'defied the odds' over the past few weeks, and how remarkable a job Roberto Martinez has done there. All true. But just a matter of weeks ago, the same shows will have been speculating about the future of Martinez when Wigan were mired at the foot of the table. This is not a slight on those involved with either show, or any such programme, but it does demonstrate an innate sloppiness within the coverage of the beautiful game. The same argument can be applied to tabloid newspapers...though I would argue that they are more guilty of zealous over-reaction than (most) television shows.

As my profile will tell you, I am an aspiring sports journalist, and what I am trying to say by means of this post is that there are things that can be changed about the way football is covered. For example, my interpretation of Monday's night game is simply as follows...Wigan beat Arsenal because they were the better side. Martinez tactically out-manouevred his counterpart, Arsene Wenger, who subsequently reacted badly to his side's defeat. The result, in itself, is not that much of a shock, considering that Arsenal lost recently to QPR, a side currently undergoing their first season back in the top flight (was that result treated to such fervour???). These are basic, accurate points that I think are worth more than nonsensical talk such as 'Oh, didn't Wigan play well?' or 'Since when were Wigan this good?', just some of the ridiculous comments I read on Twitter after the game.

I must point out that there are some fantastic football pundits and writers currently working in the game, some of which who are involved in the programmes I previously namechecked. But they are good at what they do because they avoid the cliched 'David v Goliath' plot outline that we are so used to (and bored of). When talking of Norwich or Swansea this season, they have discussed how they have adjusted so well to the top flight, not how much of a shock it is that they have. If Newcastle is the assigned topic, they will point to statistics that show just how savvy they have been in the transfer market, not merely point out that Papiss Demba Cisse is a good finisher (most genuine followers of the game will have known this before he arrived). When discussing the struggles of Blackburn and Wolves, they will note that their failures are not purely down to the fact that they controversially changed manager, but more to do with the shortcomings of their squad. These are the finer points to the game's talking points, and ones which should be observed more dilligently than they are.

So, for the record, Wigan have always tried to play good football under their current manager (and they have often succeeded) and their 2-1 victory is no more a shock than other such side's victories over Arsenal were. Please, let's acknowledge, not patronize. 

Big Eck's Big Gamble

On 17 June 2011, Alex McLeish will have been Aston Villa manager for 12 months. Usually, such anniversaries are celebrated by manager and supporter alike. However, it's almost certain that next to none of the claret and blue faithful will be raising a glass to toast their current gaffer, and I'm not entirely sure whether Big Eck himself will be opening a glass of the good stuff to mark the occasion. This has surely been the most difficult period in the Scotsman's coaching career, as he had to constantly fan the flames both on and off the pitch. It's unlikely that he would have expected any different, though, considering the controversial nature of his switch from St Andrews, home of rivals Birmingham City, to Villa Park. But does McLeish deserve the antagonism from the clubs supporters that he has received throughout this Premier League campaign? The answer, in my opinion, is not as clear cut as most Villa fans would tell you it is.

Whilst it takes a man of considerable gall to make the move across the Second City, McLeish is not the most brazen of characters. Rather, he has always struck me as a quiet, methodical figure and I have heard no reports to the contrary from those that have met him. In fact, a friend of mine who has just finished a week's placement with BBC WM informed that he was told by one of the chief sports reporters there that McLeish is one of the nicest gaffers currently working in the Midlands. Now, nice guys don't always come first, granted, but this does suggest that the Villa manager is not the sort of disrespectful character that he has been portrayed as by large sections of Birmingham City supporters. Take into account the reality of McLeish's situation last summer and suddenly his move to Villa does not seem as outrageous as it did when the news first broke.

The Birmingham hierachy, we are led to believe, made it clear that in no uncertain terms the club had to be promoted at the first attempt or McLeish would find himself out of work. Considering the club later underwent a fire-sale of the squad assembled by Big Eck over four years in the job and were also preparing to undergo a season in which they would be competing in four competitions, the ultimatum delivered by the powers that be was a particularly daunting one, and is further proof of the credit deserving of McLeish's replacement, Chris Hughton, for managing such a task. However, Hughton was a manager out of work and in need of a job, whereas McLeish was a coach who was offered a better job (if only marginally) in a higher division, so comparisons between the two are somewhat short-sighted.

The mandate at Villa Park wasn't entirely dissimilar to the one being left behind at St Andrews, but the deciding factor (presumably) was the offer of Premier League football and assurances that, providing there were no disasters, there was no threat of dismissal at the end of the season. To McLeish's credit, there have been few disasters in his first year in charge. Yes, it has been turbulent, but when you inherit a squad that sold it's two best players and released ten others during the summer, struggles of some sort are to be expected. Villa, though not safe yet, are likely to secure another season of Premier League football, despite having to navigate the final throes of the season with a considerable injuries to an already threadbare squad.

As well as this, a promising crop of academy graduates have been eased into the first-team squad, with some looking as if they could play a big part in the club's future. It is my belief that with a considerable degree of investment from their elusive owner, Randy Lerner, Villa could well be a side capable of finishing in the top half of the table again next season. McLeish was allowed to invest in his two years as a Premier League manager at Birmingham, and in the first of those campaigns he guided them to an unlikely top half finish. If he hadn't have been so unlucky with injuries in the following campaign (and, admittedly, been a bit more adventurous tactically) it is unlikely that the club would have been relegated. This to me suggests that the future at Villa is not as bleak as their attendance figures would suggest, that is presuming that Lerner remains as committed as he was in the early stages of his chairmanship.

Why Moyes Should Stay Put

Everton are a club seemingly in limbo...each season, they appear to stand in between European qualification and mid-table mediocrity. The reasons for this are because, if you believe what you read, they are desperately short of money. Their chairman Bill Kenwright has had the club up for sale for several years now, but no (suitable) offer has been forthcoming. Why? Nobody, other than presumably Kenwright, knows. But this eternal stalemate has raised very serious questions about the future of the club's outstanding manager, David Moyes.

Moyes has received almost universial credit for the job he has done at Everton, where he persistently squeezes blood out of a stone year after year, ensuring the Toffees consistently finish in the top ten, despite having one of the thinnest squads in the division. He does this through shrewd acquisitions in the transfer market and tactical acuteness (34 goals conceded this season). Naturally, it is fair to presume that his work at Goodison Park over the past 10 years will have caught the eye of one or two Premier League chairmen. There has been speculation that Moyes is of some interest to Tottenham Hotspur and possibly even Chelsea, two clubs that can offer far greater financial windfall than he will be afforded at his current club.

However, to presume that a lack of money is a sufficient reason for Moyes turning his back on a club where he has built his reputation is short-sighted, especially considering that Everton, as previously stated, are a club in limbo. They are not down and out, they sit 7th in the Premier League table (above their wealthier neighbours) and will this Saturday partake in an FA Cup semi-final, 3 years after they took on Chelsea in the final. If they were teetering on the brink of relegation, then perhaps there would be more reason to believe that Moyes was in need of a move elsewhere. But they aren't, rather, they're doing this season what they do everywhere...over-performing. It's plausible to believe that this will be the case next season, and the season after that.

As you will have noted in my previous posts, I am a big believer in hindsight. It is a trait rarely applied to football, mainly because of the omnipresence of money in the game and, of course, the irrational nature of football supporters (myself included). Take the 'Blue Army' protests at Everton this season, for example. The aim of this movement is to force Bill Kenwright to relinquish control of the club, presumably to the highest bidder. Considering it was not long ago that George Gillet and Tom Hicks were almost single-handingly destroying Liverpool, a club situated the other side of Stanley Park, you'd think the blue half of the Mersey would have more sense. The transfer of ownership of a Premier League club is a delicate matter, one that, more often that not, ends in disaster. Just take a trip to Fratton Park for proof.

Kenwright seems to be committed to selling the club to somebody who fits his ideal of an Everton owner...someone who has the club's long-term interest at heart, and not somebody who is determined to make a quick buck off the back of irrational promises and high-profile signings. He should be applauded for that, not lambasted. I would wager that one of the main reasons Moyes has stayed put as long as he has is due to the relationship he has with his chairman, though of course I may be wrong. But let us indulge in some fantasy football for just a second...

What if Everton were bought out, by a wealthy investor who is determined to implement a long-term strategy, a la Manchester City, to make them a dominate Premier League force? What if the new board retain the previous owner's devout trust in Moyes, and give him the transfer kitty he has desired for so long? What if the manager is then able to add top-class international players to play alongside the ones he already has? Suddenly, things don't look so bleak...Everton would be the force they have threatened to be for so long.

Obviously, this is pure guesswork...the club may not be sold for some time, and Moyes may well choose to end his tenure this summer. But there is certainly a convincing argument for him to stay, just a little while longer. After all, nobody knows what the future may bring...

Bayern to Upset the Odds...Briefly

It's that time of year again, the Champions League is drawing to its conclusion and once again, everybody is expecting Barcelona to breeze it. One key difference this year is, however, the prospect of their great rivals Real Madrid joining them in this years final. Can anyone stop El Classico from taking over Europe's premier competition? I think so...here are my predictions for the quarter-finals, semis and the Munich final.

(I am prepared for mockery if I get this wrong!)

 QUARTER-FINALS

APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid



The mother of all mismatches...APOEL, hailing from the utopia of football that is Cyprus, take on the Champions League's most successful team. On their shock route to the quarter finals, everybody's favourite underdog have mustered a modest 7 goals, averaging 0.88 goals a game. Madrid on the otherhand? 24 goals and an average of 3 a game. As much as I'm sure we'd all love to see the Cyprians conquer Los Blancos, it's safe to say that it's not going to happen.

FORECAST: Madrid win













Benfica v Chelsea



A slightly more intriguing tie than the latter, this game could hold the key to Roberto di Matteo's chances of being named Chelsea's new, full-time manager. Most of the British press seem to see this as a game that favours Di Matteo's side, but I'm not so sure. Chelsea made hard work of their Round of 16 tie with Napoli, and I can't see them being any more efficient against Benfica. The Portuguese outfit are a young, energetic side that possess quality in key areas of the field, particularly in midfield. Oscar Cardozo has four goals in the competition (Didier Drogba is the only Chelsea player who can equal that tally) and Nicolas Gaitain is joint-top of the assists chart. Both sides are, however, relatively leaky at the back, with The Eagles having conceded 7 CL goals and Chelsea 8. With this in mind, I can see this fixture being akin to Chelsea's last European endeavour...unpredictable to the end, with fortune probably favouring John Terry and co.

FORECAST: (narrow) Chelsea win














Marseille v Bayern Munich

This is arguably as much of a mismatch as the APOEL/Madrid tie, though you'd be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Marseille are one of the most reputable names in French football and subsequently their name carries a considerable amount of prestige. However, this current outfit is undeniably poor. At the time of writing, they occupy 9th place in the Ligue 1 table whilst they were also fortuitous to eliminate Inter Milan in the Round of 16, Brandao's dramatic late goal in the second leg securing their progress. I am fairly confident their luck will run out here...they are coming up against a Bayern Munich side that have scored 20 goals in their last four fixtures, conceding only 1. Whilst Didier Deschamps has made Marseille relatively hard to penetrate in the Champions League (they have only conceded 6) they are coming up against a Bayern side high on confidence and with plenty of goals in them, and that should make for a relatively one-sided tie.

FORECAST: (comfortable) Bayern win













A.C. Milan v Barcelona

Milan were exposed by Arsenal in the second leg of their Round of 16 clash as a relatively ordinary side. Having brushed aside the Gunners with ease in the first leg, they laboured to an aggregate victory at the Emirates, shipping three goals on the way. They were so close to blowing their four goal advantage, and that should alert coach Massimiliano Allegri as he attempts to mastermind a victory over the best side in club football. His cause is not helped by the fact that Barcelona are in good shape heading into this clash, having cut Real Madrid's advantage in La Liga to just six points. Milan managed to hold Barcelona to a draw in the Nou Camp earlier on in the Champions League campaign, but it is hard to see them really troubling Pep Guardiola's side. It would take a gargantuan effort in the first leg to give them any chance of progressing, but even then their ropey away form in this years competition (they were held by both BATE and Victoria Plzen) is likely to see them disposed of with ease by Barca's fearsome attack. I can see only one winner.

FORECAST: Barcelona win

SEMI-FINALS



Real Madrid v Bayern Munich

It's here that I'm prepared to put my neck on the block (proverbially) and go against the general consensus and say that Bayern will deny us all the final that we yearn for. And, no, this prediction is not based on the fact that they are German and like to spoil everybody elses fun...well, not solely anyway. Real have breezed through the Champions League this year, barely breaking a sweat as they vanquish all mediocre opposition put in their path. Now, I'm not suggesting that they'll approach this final in a blase manner, because they won't...they're a Jose Mourinho side and will subsequently be well drilled and organised. But I do think that Madrid's players (not management) will be surprised by the quality of their opponents. Bayern's side is littered with quality...in Mario Gomez they have the competitions second deadliest finisher (10 goals) and in Franck Ribery they have a stylish playmaker who has already laid on 4 goals for his teammates. Also, Jupp Heyncke's side will be desperate to contest the Munich final, and their home advantage in the second leg could be the difference maker. With that being said, Bayern are going to have to play out of their skins if they're going to beat this Madrid side...

FORECAST: Bayern win (I think)

Chelsea v Barcelona

Simply put, if Chelsea do navigate their way past Benfica...they won't stick a chance against Barcelona. It will have been a gallant effort from Di Matteo's (or whoever really is in charge at Stamford Bridge) side to get so far despite being so distinctly ordinary, but this will be the end of their European adventure. Over the years, this fixture has provided us with some of the Champions Leagues greatest moments...the dramatic triumph of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2005, the narrow victory by Barcelona in 2009...but I am not hopeful of such euphoria this time around. Simply put, Barcelona should stroll into this years final.

FORECAST: Barcelona win

THE FINAL

Bayern Munich v Barcelona

Call me strange, but this potential final excites me more than one between Barcelona and Madrid does...why you ask? Because the El Classico fixture has become somewhat of a nuisance over recent years...people bill it as the meeting of footballs two supreme sides, and it is, but very rarely does the football reflect this truth. Instead, both teams act like the football equivalent of squabbling children in a playground of thousands...there is play-acting, malicious fouls, fights, complaints from both parents (the managers) and the outcome is always the same...Barca win. Maybe, given the magnitude of the occasion, we would actually get a match that lives up to its hype, but I seriously doubt it. I would much rather see Bayern line up against Barcelona in Allianz Arena, because then at least there would be an air of uncertainty with regards to the final result, albeit a very slight one. But seriously, think about some of the potential duels to be awaited in this clash...

Arjen Robben v Dani Alves

Mario Gomez v Gerard Pique

Franck Ribery v Sergio Busquets

Lionel Messi v Holger Badstuber...

Okay, Barcelona are going to win the Champions League...probably comfortably. But surely you can forgive me for trying to inject some unpredictability into this most predictable of affairs.

FORECAST...







Carroll and Suarez...The Unlikely Lads

Firsts first, Liverpool were impressive last night. They moved the ball around well and their transition from defence to attack was more impressive than it has been throughout the season. Granted, they were aided by the fact Everton deployed the toothless pairing of Victor Anichebe and Dennis Stracqualursi up front, but this was one of the most impressive displays served to the Anfield faithful in a season that has been mixed to say the very least. Steven Gerrard was imperial in the centre of midfield, grabbing the second hattrick of his career, a feat that was achieved largely due to the sterling work of Luis Suarez up front. The Uruguayan was not a constant menace to Everton's well drilled back four, but when he did manage to evade his (numerous) markers, it was to devastating effect, as he laid on two of Gerrard's goals. This prompted the captain to speculate about the potential of an attacking trio involving himself, Suarez and Liverpool's other expensive striker, Andy Carroll.

Feasibly, these three undoubtedly talented players do possess complimentary attributes that could see them form the sort of forward line that Liverpool fans have dreamt of for some time. Carroll, at his best, is a devastatingly imposing target man, capable of being the sort of focal point that players of Gerrard and Suarez's ilk love playing off. Such potential was on show last night, with the £35 million striker occasionally flicking the ball into the path of the oncoming duo, and the noted contribution of the Uruguayan in the build up to Gerrard's final two strikes. However, these signs came infrequently and should not mask a problem that has dogged Liverpool throughout this season, that problem being that they have not scored enough goals.

It has been well documented that the Reds have the lowest chance conversion rate in the division, a surely disturbing figure to supporters of the club, especially when considering that Kenny Dalglish lavished almost £60 million on Carroll and Suarez alone. Neither player has contributed regularly enough in front of goal, the former contributing a paltry three league goals and the latter an only marginally better six. This would suggest, to me at least, that neither player are suited to playing alongside one another, and last nights performance did little to convince me otherwise.

Carroll is at his best when he is the focal point of the attack, his goalscoring record for Newcastle in the 2010-11 season shows that (11 goals in 19 league appearances). However, at Liverpool he has thus far been asked to mostly act as the foil for Suarez, who in turn has been asked to play off the shoulder of the last defender. This is an unnatural role for both players, and has subsequently hindered their contribution to the team in front of goal. Previously, Carroll has been most effective when playing as a lone striker, with a box-to-box midfielder (such as Gerrard) playing off him and quick, direct wingers supplying crosses to him from out wide. Suarez, meanwhile, has been at his most menacing for Liverpool when given licence to roam up front. His most impressive moments last night was when he was allowed to run at Everton's back four, and so it would seem that to ask him to play in tandem with a striker of such different styling is to the detriment of the team.

This would appear to leave Dalglish with a dilemma heading in to next season, that being whether to persist in his dogged stance that the Carroll/Suarez partnership will pay off, or to offload one of them, which is likely to be to the detriment of his reputation. Currently, Liverpool play a style of football that is focused on getting the ball into dangerous pockets of space in the final third whilst keeping things compact in defence and midfield. Both Carroll and Suarez could be accommodated in this system, though it's my belief that the former would require greater service from the wide areas, with neither Dirk Kuyt or Jordan Henderson being natural wide outlets. There has been speculation (speculation being the key word) that Suarez may seek a move in the summer after the outcry from the race row between he and Patrice Evra earlier in the season, so King Kenny's hand may be forced anyway. If the 2010 World Cup semi-finalist were to leave Liverpool in the close season, he is unlikely to be missed by anyone other than Liverpool fans, despite the fact that he has at times illuminated what has been a drab league campaign at Anfield. Were this to happen, it would give Carroll the opportunity that you sense he craves to show he is not an expensive flop, rather a player being deployed alongside an unnatural bedfellow. My suspicion that a parting of the ways with one of these lavish signings, coupled with one or two first-team recruits, could elevate Liverpool to the top-four status that Dalglish's transfer outlay should bring.

*A quick aside...anyone that was doubting Steven Gerrard's ability and fitness going into this summers European Championships got a rude awakening last night. He was outstanding from start to finish and could well flourish for his country in the right formation.

Chelsea job a poisoned chalice

Originally, I wasn't going to blog about Roman Abramovich's dismissal of his eight manager at Chelsea since he bought the club in 2003. However, the speculation regarding Andre Villas-Boas's replacement has become so hysterical and so devoid of any semblance of reality, it is almost an unavoidable topic.
Who in their right mind would want to take the Chelsea job???
Granted, they still have one of the strongest squads in the Premier League, despite their shortcomings thus far this season, and are one of the biggest clubs in the league, but stature is no substitute for the sound footing that any club needs to succeed. Roman Abramovich and his entourage of advisers have no strategy in place to ensure either Chelsea's short term or long term success. And this is sure to be a serious turn-off to any manager that takes his reputation seriously.
Villas-Boas arrived at the club with a growing reputation in European football. He had just completed a remarkable treble with Porto and had previously been highly regarded by both Sir Bobby Robson and Jose Mourinho. On face value, he seemed like an ambitious appointment by a club that had previously turned to experienced campaigners with considerably long CVs. The plan, we were told, was for Villas-Boas to re-build the club over three years whilst maintaining their success in the short term, with the ultimate aim being for Chelsea to be able to compete with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in Europe. This obviously now looks ridiculous, so tumultuous was AVB's reign, but at the time it seemed to be at least slightly plausible.
Regardless of the mistakes made by Chelsea's now ex-manager, the fact that he has been dismissed just six months into this 'three year plan' sums up everything that is wrong at the football club at the moment. Abramovich has become too trigger-happy; he dismissed 'Phil' Scolari in similar circumstances, cast aside Avram Grant for losing the Champions League final (on penalties!!!) and then undermined Carlo Ancelotti before duly giving him his marching orders.
Some may argue that, as the owner of the club, Abramovich is entitled to appoint and dismiss managers as he chooses. He has, after all, invested significant amounts of money into a club that before his arrival were little more than a mid-table club, who participated in the odd cup final every now and then. His endless supplies of money has seen a complete revolution in the clubs image and, indeed, their success. Three Premier League trophies, three FA Cups and two League Cups have arrived at Stamford Bridge since the Russian billionaire took charge of the club. Much of this success was of course down to the efficiency of Chelsea's coaching and playing staff, but it is an unavoidable truth that performers of such capabilities would not have been at the club were it not for the presence of Abramovich and, more significantly, his money. Therefore, there is a slightly warped argument to be made that suggests a chairman has the right to act in a completely illogical manner, providing he invests heavily in the club and oversees some success on the field of play.
The flip-side of this argument is, of course, that this philosophy will eventually damage the clubs reputation both domestically and throughout Europe. Since the removing of Villas-Boas as manager, some of Europe's most feted coaches have been touted as his replacement, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho being the two most noteworthy names. These are not completely unfeasible suggestions; Guardiola's contract at Barcelona expires at the end of this season and Mourinho has well-documented connections with the club, as well as a very stormy relationship with current employers Real Madrid. However, the idea that either of these two will be keen to leave Europe's two most eminent clubs for the soap opera that is Chelsea is wildly unrealistic, particularly in the case of Guardiola. Barcelona are a club built on heritage and a sound, long-term strategy, therefore making them the complete opposite to what Chelsea have become, a home to wildly inflated egoes and uncomfortable managers.
The identity of Chelsea's new manager is likely to hinder on whether they can qualify for the Champions League at the end of the season; failure to do so will be a complete disaster for a club that have invested so heavily in their playing staff in recent years. If they manage to pip Arsenal to fourth place then they may be able to entice a coach with a strong pedigree (though I seriously doubt he will be either of the aforementioned), but if they don't then they are facing a very uncertain future in which they will no longer be able to attract top players or indeed top managers. And that will be a crisis of Abramovich's own doing.