2969: Blackburn Rovers – Dark Horses

by : Kieran McHugh

Blackburn Rovers continue their unlikely quest for Champions League football next season by taking on another of the 2005/06 Premiership’s overachievers Wigan Athletic at Ewood Park. Having won 5 of their last 6 Premiership games, they are hitting form just when it counts. Their only defeat, at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, hurt not only because they are rivals for 4th spot, but also because most neutrals had them as the better team on the day.

Wigan themselves will be hoping to end the season by putting some patchy form behind them, and pushing as far up the table as they can. The defeat at home to West Ham might have put paid to any lingering hopes that they could snatch the last Champions League place, but Paul Jewell will not have given up on a berth in next season’s UEFA Cup. The best chance of that though may have gone west in Cardiff in the Carling Cup final. Since their grand day out, Wigan have reacted more or less as Jewell will have wanted, despite the loss to the Hammers.

Craig Bellamy has scored 11 times this season and 6 times in the last 6 games. If Rovers are to clinch 4th spot, games at home against Wigan will have to be won, and Bellamy is the key. His pace and movement up front will cause problems to any defence and his eye for a chance should mean no rest for De Zeeuw and Scharner should they again form the central defensive partnership. Across midfield, Emerton, Savage, Reid and Pederson offer competitiveness and no shortage of attacking impetus. Wigan’s midfield has a workmanlike look which has been never let them down this season, although it’s worth noting that they have struggled against the top teams.

Chimbonda down Wigan’s right hand side has dealt fairly effectively with anything thrown at him this season, but Pederson has been instrumental for Blackburn all season. With the lack of an effective target man to aid Bellamy in the goalscoring stakes he has chipped in 9 times. He also tops Blackburn’s assists chart. Whether he can be dealt with effectively could be key to Wigan’s chances. Shefki Kuqi and Paul Dickov can also be called upon should Blackburn need a goal late on.

Wigan though will cause problems the longer the game goes on without a goal. The pace of Roberts and the trickery of Henri Camara will ensure that any chance to break could lead to a goal. Away from the JJB Wigan have thrived in their first season in the top flight. With 8 wins on the road only Chelsea and Manchester United can boast better records. Wigan are unbeaten in 5 away and have recorded wins against Middlesborough, Sunderland and Manchester City of late. Score draws at the Reebok and White Hart Lane will sound a warning to Blackburn.

Mark Hughes appears to have the grit of his former manager, the man management skills and also the tactical nous. Having performed a rare league “double” over United, we can assume that he also has Ferguson’s eye for detail. Rovers will not take Wigan lightly. Hughes’ men are likely to be the hungrier of the two sets of players with a genuine chance to end the season with the “glory” of 4th place.

However, Paul Jewell has performed miracles in two stints in the Premiership, first with Bradford and now with Wigan. These feats have not been achieved by packing up early. It will have a proper North West derby edge to it and neither manager will ask or give an inch.

Prediction: Blackburn 2 – 1 Wigan

2970: Jermain Defoe – World Cup Boun

by : Kieran McHugh

The World Cup in Germany is almost upon us. National team managers had lobbied for an extension to the deadline to name playing squads, but FIFA remained unmoved. Eriksson has stated that he will name 26 players including 3 players on standby on May 8th. The 23 man England squad to travel to Germany will be named on 15th May.

According to the England manager, “everyone will know who are the 23 and who are the extra three. It’s not going to be a competition. The extra three will probably a defender, a midfielder and a striker. But we'll see." Sven it seems is not keen to let anyone know for sure whether he’ll be taking 4 or 5 strikers to the World Cup. With so many league and cup, as well European, games left to play, it may well come down to which players are fit and in form at the end of another hard season.

If fit, Wayne Rooney is a definite for the 23, quite possibly the most important element in Sven’s plan. After sustaining injury in the Euro 2004 quarter final against Portugal, England palpably ran out of ideas. It is also near certain that one Peter Crouch will be guaranteed a seat on the plane, hopefully one with plenty of legroom.

It is a truism that Sven likes to pick his side almost exclusively from those that are competing at the highest level in European competition. That Crouch has played for Liverpool in the Champions League seems to have sealed it for him. Although he offers “something different”, it is likely that Crouch will be a valuable squad player rather than the main foil to Rooney’s dynamic creativity.

We also know that Sven is prepared to wait for Michael Owen. Having been out since 31st December with a broken metatarsal, Owen’s lack of games does not appear to be a problem for Eriksson. Unless there is another major breakdown, (he had to undergo further surgery on Friday 24th March), Owen will also make the trip, despite having only 3 competitive matches to prove his fitness.

This leaves 1 or possibly 2 striking places and plenty of candidates trying to stake a claim. Until recently Jermain Defoe’s place amongst the England 23 would have been taken pretty much for granted. Recently though his lack of games has pushed him down the pecking order. Amongst others Darren Bent, Dean Ashton and James Beattie have given Sven and Tord Grip plenty to think about.

Pundits are queuing up to tell the average punter that, as a striker, Defoe needs to be playing regular first team football at Spurs to maintain his match sharpness. Without football week in week out, we are told that Defoe’s place is now in jeopardy. On further examination, Defoe’s problem appears to be quite different.

Whilst Michael Owen is allowed the luxury of 3 matches to return from nearly 5 months off, Defoe is under pressure despite having played 1,652 minutes so far this season. This total is comparable to both Joe Cole and Gary Neville, both of whom appear to have first team places sewn up. Defoe appears to have been marked down due to not having picked up an injury, as well as not being able to pin down regular football.

Further to this none other than Marco van Basten has announced that Manchester United’s Dutch striker is assured of a place in the Holland squad despite his recent lack of games. Van Basten is widely regarded as one of the finest strikers the modern game has produced. If anyone should know about strikers, he should. Interestingly, the reason he gave for guaranteeing van Nistelrooy a berth is the exact opposite forwarded by Defoe’s detractors. Van Basten believes that strikers can miss a few games as they rely more on natural instinct and less on fitness than midfielders and defenders.

Defoe has also benefited in the same way that Joe Cole has from selective appearances in the first team. Cole has matured immeasurably under Mourinho. Defoe has plainly been unhappy on the bench at Spurs but has chosen to knuckle down rather than sulk. His contribution has recently earned Spurs two goals that could have rich reward at the end of the season.

First, his reluctance to allow Birmingham’s Mario Melchiot an easy way out allowed Aaron Lennon the chance to score the first in a 2-0 win. Then his persistence and eye for the main chance gained Tottenham a match winning penalty against West Brom.

Barring injury Jermain Defoe will go to the World Cup. He is the striker that most closely resembles Owen in playing style. He has played, and scored, for Eriksson before and is hitting form for Tottenham just as the season reaches the sharp end.

2972: Drogba: Ban him for diving - n

by : Fred Tarow

If the FA take any action against Didier Drogba based on his "admission" to diving over the weekend, then it will be the most damning indictment to date of their inability to run the game in England. Disciplinary action against the Chelsea man, on the basis of that confession, will illustrate clearly the FA's warped sense of justice.

In the real world if you confess to a crime, it carries some sway when your case goes to trial. Not so in English football. Regardless of how blatant the evidence is, you can get away with diving (or simulation to give it its convoluted name) as long as you aren't silly enough to admit it.

Whether Didier Drogba says he dives or not doesn't alter the fact that he frequently and blatantly does. His collapsing to the ground on Saturday, under fire from a sniper on the grassy knoll in front of the Matthew Harding Stand, startled even Danny Mills who, at first glance, appeared to have caused the Ivorian to wail like a schoolgirl and hit the turf at warp speed. Richard Dunne was later left in the same state of perplexity as his team-mate. It's not a new practice from Drogba. Against West Brom on March 4th he swan-laked under a nothing Jonathan Greening challenge. The video evidence is absolutely conclusive; Didier Drogba cheated and continues to cheat.

Do the FA hint that they will take action based on that? Not on your life. They wait for the former Marseille man to fumble his way through an interview where he inadvertently admitted what is obvious to those of us not afflicted by severely impaired vision. It beggars belief that they may now take action based on that. What sort of message are they sending out? That diving is not breaking the rules, but admitting it is.

This problem goes way beyond Drogba. He is just public enemy number one right now. El-Hadji Diouf, Ruud van Nistlerooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Pires all have that particular t-shirt. And, despite the jingoistic perception, it isn't just the foreigners who indulge in throwing themselves to the floor under the slightest contact. Joe Cole, Damian Duff, Michael Owen, Robbie Savage and Shaun Wright Phillips are regular contributors to the "Pantomimic Moment of the Season" competition. In fact, few players haven't at one stage or another gone down under contact that would fail to trouble a feeble octogenarian, let alone supposedly strong young men.

So widespread is the practice now, that it would be foolhardy to suppose that instructions aren't coming from Premiership managers to win free-kicks and penalties at any cost. If managers truly despised play-acting then they would drop, or at least reprimand, the players concerned. However, because of the pressure cooker environment in which they operate, where the necessity for victory far outweighs that of morality, cheating will be okay as long as they can get away with it. Ideally, sportsmanship should triumph over gamesmanship but the practice of conning refs is so rampant now that only utopian stupidity could lead one to expect the players and managers to stamp out the practice without stern prompting from the governing bodies of the "beautiful game".

The FA cannot hide behind the referees on this issue. The officials' job is exceptionally difficult as it is without being held accountable for their failure to spot every dive and play act. Drogba and his sort have been practicing spaghetti westernism for so long now that, more often then not, their cheating cannot be identified without the benefit of an action replay.

This is where the FA should come in. It is their duty to punish the offenders if they deem the practice to be blighting the game. That is part of the reason for their very existence. There is nothing to stop retrospective punishments for blatant diving except for the apparent absence of a collective spine amongst the English game's governing body. If the FA shirk their responsibility to impose punishments for diving then they can expect it to become more widespread, and the deterioration of the game as a spectacle will ultimately continue unabated. By all means ban Didier Drogba and the rest of the play-actors, but do it because they break and manipulate the rules, not because of their less than earth shattering and dubious admissions.

Fred Tarow
28 March 2006

2968: Premiership; Can The Baggies

by : Stephen Orford

One of the abiding memories of last season in the Premiership was the sight of West Bromwich Albion fans, players and manager Bryan Robson celebrating their survival in the top flight.

Their safety was secured on an emotional and enthralling last day, when victory over Portsmouth coupled with Norwich City’s 6-0 hammering at the hands of Fulham sent the Canaries down. Almost a year on, Robson and his Baggies charges are staring another relegation battle full in the face after Monday night’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane (March 27).

Many observers felt that the Hawthorns side deserved something from the encounter with Martin Jol’s men. Only a late blunder by Albion’s Polish goalkeeper Thomas Kuszczak prevented Robson’s men from hanging on for what would have been a crucial point in their bid to avoid the drop this time around. Robbie Keane’s penalty may yet prove to be a pivotal moment in West Brom’s season, with only seven games now remaining in which to preserve their Premiership status.

The optimistic Albion fans will still have their men down as favourites for that now coveted 17th spot in the table achieved so dramatically last term. They are the team in possession, after all, and the recent failings of Midlands rivals Birmingham City are offering more than a helping hand. However, Portsmouth’s recent resurgence could ensure that both West Brom and Birmingham are playing Championship football next term.

Albion’s next opponents in the Premiership are Liverpool. Rafa Benitez’s men are a side in form at the moment, having smashed 18 goals past their last four opponents in all competitions, including a 7-0 romp over hapless Birmingham in the FA Cup. They are still just about in the hunt for second place in the table which brings with it automatic qualification to the group stage of the Champions League, and their experiences in qualifying this season will no doubt persuade them that this is a significant carrot. They cannot afford any slips if they are to catch Manchester United for that honour, and any points for Robson’s side in that one will be considered an unexpected bonus.

An altogether more gentle task awaits on April 9 when the Baggies boing boing across to Villa Park to take on a currently comatose Aston Villa. David O’Leary’s men appear to have clocked off for the season and should be ripe for the taking for a side in such desperate need. Failure to pick up all three points could be an ominous sign for West Brom, as much tougher opponents lie in wait thereafter.

Falling into that category are Arsenal, who host West Brom on April 15. The Gunners European form has been scintillating, but they are themselves embroiled in a desperate scrap for points if they are to qualify for the Champions League through their league placing. They have returned to form recently in the Premiership after a decidedly shaky spell and Baggies fans will be expecting very little from the visit to Highbury.

Home games with UEFA Cup hopefuls Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United are situated either side of a visit to Newcastle United. All three matches are winnable, particularly the clash with the Hammers who have the FA Cup still very much at the top of their list of priorities. Bolton may just have hit the wall with the news that seventh place will probably not be good enough for European qualification, while Newcastle are still prone to bouts of abject inadequacy despite an initial revival under caretaker manager Glenn Roeder.

Whether they come through that period unscathed or not will determine whether the Albion still have a chance of survival going into the final round of games on May 7. If Robson and his players are looking for an easy opponent in replicating their final day heroics of last season they can forget it. A trip to Goodison Park to face Everton has been thrown up by the fixture computer. The Toffeemen have won every game on home turf since the turn of the year, a statistic which does not bode well for West Brom fans.

The good news is that Birmingham City’s incompetence is almost certain to make it a straight fight between the Baggies and Pompey for survival. Robson’s side currently hold a three-point advantage over Harry Redknapp’s hastily assembled squad, and a figure of around 35 points should be good enough to see yet more celebrations down at The Hawthorns.

At present West Brom have 27. A further eight points from seven games? Possible, but not entirely probable with Liverpool, Arsenal, Bolton and Everton on the schedule between now and season’s end.

By Stephen Orford

29 March 2006

2967: Bolton Wanderers – Staying Ahe

by : Kieran McHugh

Ask the average Premiership football fan to name the side that has thrown away most points from winning positions in this years’ competition, and the answer you are most likely to hear is, in my estimation, Tottenham Hotspur. Having drawn 4 times when a goal up, Spurs total of 8 points tossed away is good enough only for a mid table place in this particular table. Sunderland are at the foot of this table too, although maybe a little surprisingly, as their season has been so poor it’s difficult to believe they’ve ever taken the lead.

Amongst the others at the wrong end, the Fulham’s and the Portsmouth’s there is perhaps one significant and rather surprising name. For a potential England manager, especially one who likes to project a hard exterior and whose team is supposedly uncompromisingly physical, any perception of a soft underbelly is not likely to be too popular. Having thrown away 18 points once ahead, Sam Allardyce’s Bolton will be all too aware of what could have been had they been able to hold on.

Against Middlesborough on Sunday, (March 26th), Bolton lost out after going ahead in the 3rd minute. The game finished 4-3 in a goalfest and Wanderers were ultimately a touch unfortunate not to claim a point after being two goals down. The fighting qualities of Allardyce’s men should also not be called into question when being hammered 5-1 by Chelsea after having the temerity to take the lead at Stamford Bridge. The devil is in the detail though, and the six times Bolton have been pegged back for a point after leading says more about how far Big Sam can really take this Bolton team.

On two occasions the renowned never say die street fighters that are 2005/06’s Aston Villa have claimed a point when behind against Bolton. The first time was on a hectic opening day where Bolton first were behind, then lead, before Villa drew level, all inside the first 10 minutes. More disturbing for Big Sam will have been the surrender of two points at the Reebok after taking the lead in the 82nd minute in the return.

In ten days and three games in February Bolton led three times only to draw all three games 1-1. At Fratton Park an 85th minute equaliser denied Bolton 3 points. Three days later Wigan snatched a point from the Reebok with a 77th minute leveller and the misery was compounded by Gilberto Silva’s 90th minute goal to deny Allardyce another win against Arsenal the following week. Bolton also lead against Liverpool at home in a game that drew attention more for Bolton’s rugged style than for the point Liverpool gained through Luis Garcia’s 82nd minute strike.

Add in Bolton’s exit in the UEFA Cup in Marseille after they had lead, with an away goal in the Stade Velodrome and there appears a chink in a Bolton team that appear to have the best PR team in the league. Whereas Tottenham’s “fancy dans” have in fact come from behind to earn 16 points thus far this season, (including 3 after the breathless 2-1 win over West Brom on Monday night), the perception of Bolton as tireless fighters to the end doesn’t bear close scrutiny.

Whilst some would have you believe Bolton are genuine contenders for the last Champions League place, and Big Sam is the people’s choice for the England job, there are still a few tests for Allardyce to overcome. With a Champions League place still in their grasp, Bolton cannot allow more points to slip through their fingers.

2971: Chelsea: Can Didier Drogba be

by : Simon Cole

Rumours are circulating that Didier Drogba has insisted that if he continues to get insults and abuse from football fans – including his own supporters at Chelsea – he might leave. But the way to stop the abuse is simple – stop diving.

It is difficult to feel sympathy towards a man who doesn’t just take the occasional tumble, but goes down like he’s been shot every time someone has the audacity to tackle him.

But while it is Drogba himself that has brought about the barrage of abuse he is receiving, he isn’t the man behind the influx of diving. He does however, typify the problem by the extremes to which he has taken it to. If there is a positive to come from this, it is the possibility that people – and hopefully the people that can make a difference – take notice.

So is it time for the ‘Dubious Dives Panel’? We already have the Dubious Goal Panel, and which is more important: deciding who gets credited with the last touch on the ball in an incident that has no impact on the result, or deciding if someone has deliberately cheated to deceive the ref, gain an advantage for his team, and get an opponent into trouble? No contest.

“It’s hard to implement,” the FA and Premier League will claim. But surely not so difficult as to continue to allow this problem to ruin the game.

The solution really is simple. In a full fixture list, there are a total of 46 fixtures in English league football. (10 Premiership, 12 each in the Championship, League 1 and League 2.) With cameras at all of these games, the FA’s job is simple. Employ 50 staff so that one can watch each game throughout on TV. If anything looks even slightly like a dive, take it to the fellow members of the “Dubious Dives Panel” for that division and decide if any action needs to be taken.

If it is decided that someone has deliberately dived, then a set penalty should be given, be it a fine or a ban. This would obviously increase on every occasion that a culprit is caught. 50 people may seem like a lot to employ, but for a company that can afford to pay Sven Goran Eriksson £5million a year and a hapless building company hundreds of millions to make a hash of building a stadium, this extra money is bread and butter. In fact, they needn’t employ many more staff - just use the Dubious Goals Panel, they can’t exactly be flooded with work.

Diving is finally getting the negative publicity that it deserves, as it has ridiculously become part and parcel of the game. Now is the time for the powers that be to come down hard on the perpetrators to try and stamp it out altogether. It’s time for the Dubious Dives Panel.

Simon Cole
29 March 2006

2963: Leeds losing momentum in push

by : David Hulott

Having managed to claw their way back to within touching distance of Sheffield United in the race for automatic promotion alongside Reading, the signs were that Leeds United had built up the momentum to overhaul their faltering Yorkshire rivals in the quest for a top two finish.

Now though that gap, that might have been down to a solitary point had they beaten Crystal Palace last Tuesday, has widened to six-points following results at the weekend. Not an insurmountable total, but with just six matches remaining it does mean that Kevin Blackwell will now be returning to Bramall Lane for the clash with his former club on 18 April knowing that victory there is almost imperative if Leeds are to have any realistic hopes of avoiding the near lottery of the play-offs.

Despite having scored just one goal in their last three games (and even that being a penalty), Leeds certainly possess both the creativity and finishing prowess in the likes of Liam Miller, Eddie Lewis, Rob Hulse, David Healy and Robbie Blake to take advantage of any further lapses from those currently in pole position, but that recent run of just three points from four matches does leave them with precious little room for manoeuvre in their remaining games (Hull City (A); Plymouth Argyle (H); Reading (H); Sheffield United (A); Crewe Alexandra (H); Preston North End (A)).

The signs had been there for a while prior to the Palace defeat that the charge towards second spot was beginning to lose some of its impetus, with late goals having been required to salvage points at home to Norwich City and away to Coventry City in the two previous games. The defeat at home to The Eagles and the subsequent stalemate at home to Stoke City, coupled with Sheffield United returning to winning ways against Southampton at the weekend ensures that the advantage is now firmly back with Neil Warnock’s men (especially with Watford and Crystal Palace both losing on Saturday).

Even if Leeds are ultimately unsuccessful in their pursuit of The Blades, it’s important that they rediscover the winning habit prior to the play-offs to rid themselves of the jitters that have started to appear and to maintain the self-belief that will be vital at that stage.

There may well be a few twists and turns to come yet, but whatever transpires over the remainder of the campaign, this season has already been one in which Leeds has finally started moving in the right direction again. Blackwell, with the backing of Ken Bates, deserves huge praise for having steered the club back from the brink. Returning to the Premiership ahead of schedule would be a fitting tribute to the club’s progress under the pair. It’s looking increasingly as if the play-offs may have to be negotiated first though.

David Hulott
27 March 2006

2965: Real Madrid – A Match Made in

by : Kieran McHugh

Real Madrid took the unusual step on Tuesday, (March 28th), of announcing the seven names on their managerial shortlist. In a veritable Who’s Who of managerial talent Real appear determined to mark an end to the hire and fire madness of the Florentino Perez presidency. In a move designed to show that Real are looking to rejoin the ranks of serious contenders, the big hitters from the English and Italians leagues have been lined up for scrutiny. Benitez, Mourinho and Wenger from the English Premiership, Ancelotti, Capello and Lippi from Serie A join outgoing England manager Sven Goran Eriksson on the Madristas list.

Benitez has been linked with a return to Spain, and more specifically a move to the Spanish Capital with Real ever since that night in Istanbul. If there is one thing guaranteed to impress the powers that be at the Bernabeu it’s winning the Champions League. Benitez has fallen short of declaring that he has no interest in the job, currently occupied by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, but has signed a new contract at Anfield. It is this new commitment to Liverpool that rules out Benitez. As with many other successful continental managers, they see out their contracts as a matter of honour and Benitez will do just that.

It is for this reason, and the strong bond he has formed with the club over 10 years, that also rules out Arsene Wenger. Although still in the Champions League, he is overseeing a transitional period at Arsenal and will be keen to see that through. It is unlikely he’ll set aside the work undertaken in regard to Ashburton Grove, despite the lure of Real Madrid. There is no doubt though, that Wenger is held in high regard.

As with so much about the Special One, Mourinho’s position is far harder to pin down. Having achieved so much at Porto, he left with barely a backward glance after the European Cup win. With one Championship bagged and chasing a Double this season, there are arguments that Mourinho might feel it is time for him to move on. There are rumours of behind the scenes disputes between Mourinho and Peter Kenyon, Mourinho and Frank Arnesen and Mourinho and the Stamford Bridge tea lady.

Having upset Barcelona so much over the past 2 seasons there are certainly those in the Spanish capital that would welcome Mourinho. The fact remains though that Mourinho is certain to regard his time at Chelsea as a failure should he not land the Champions League at least once. The fit between club and manager in West London appears as good as they are likely to find and for these reasons, the Portuguese is unlikely to jump ship.

The Italian football manager is in many ways, a territorial beast. Very few have achieved great things outside their native shores. One could argue that Claudio Ranieri and Gianluca Vialli found success at Chelsea, but in truth the Italian game is not littered with successful managerial exports. One anomaly is Fabio Capello’s season in the Madrid sun. He knows the territory, is said to have submitted his transfer wish list already, and is perhaps the only name from Serie A to be taken with any degree of seriousness. Ancelotti has ruled it out and Lippi is too steeped in the Italian game.

This leaves the intriguing prospect of Sven Goran Eriksson. The Football Association and Eriksson have already agreed to a parting of the ways after the World Cup. Sven will surely be keen to test himself at the highest level of club management, and will only consider offers from a select few clubs. After his run ins with the British press it is unlikely he’ll countenance a job at an English club, even if Aston Villa are taken over by a mystery benefactor.

The Spanish capital would hold many attractions too. Not least the prospect of a large salary, the sort of prestige he has become used to and the chance to link up at club level with England captain David Beckham. Add to this the likelihood that this “new” Madrid will be keen to offer the new manager some sort of stability, and Eriksson may find he is given time to organise a squad.

The prospect of leading Madrid back to glory in Spain and ultimately in Europe will be too much for someone to resist. Madrid would like us to believe that one of these seven men will be the next given the honour of the Bernabeu hot seat. After the “Impossible Job” of managing England, Sven Goran Eriksson might find it relatively straightforward. Of the candidates he is the best fit at this time. After Germany, Sven could be packing his bags for Spain.

2962: Leicester City: Kelly’s heroes

by : David Hulott

Interest in Saturday’s game between Leicester City and Reading at the Walkers Stadium was, quite rightly, largely focused around the visitors and the confirmation of their long anticipated elevation to the top-flight. Even so, not only did Leicester do their best to spoil the promotion party, but in drawing 1:1 with the Champions-elect, they also gave further indication of better things to come next season.

Craig Levein came to the club in November 2004 as a highly-regarded manager north of the border, yet never seemed to get to grips with the demands of the English game in his 15-months in charge. When dismissed as manager back in January, he left with the club languishing in the bottom three of the Coca-Cola Championship. Numerous names were linked with the job following the dismissal of the Scot, including Mike Newell, Martin Allen, Ian Holloway, Steve Cotterill, Billy Davies and Gudjon Thordarson, but following an almost immediate upturn in form, the board opted to stick with caretaker-manager Rob Kelly until the end of the season.

It has to be said that Levein was working under difficult circumstances given the club’s financial predicament and he did make major changes to the playing staff in a bid to slash the wage bill, significantly bringing down the average age of the squad in doing so. Perhaps his biggest failing was his over-reliance in signing players he knew from his time in the SPL, but overall his permanent successor should certainly benefit from inheriting a relatively young squad with great potential. The Foxes certainly have two of the most promising attacking prospects outside the Premiership in Matty Fryatt and Iain Hume, with the pair already beginning to form a good understanding.

Kelly is now seemingly in pole position to take the job on a long-term basis (confirmation could apparently come within the next week), given the improvement in results with virtually the same squad (Rufus Brevett and Andy Welsh have since joined on loan deals) as that available to his predecessor. The players do seem to be behind Kelly and they now appear to be showing the work ethic, motivation and spirit that were evidently missing during Levein’s tenure. It probably helps that Kelly’s line-ups have also had a more settled look about them.

Current form of just one defeat in their last 10 Championship matches is that of promotion candidates and with perhaps one or two additions to the squad over the summer, Leicester City could prove to be a team worth keeping an eye on in the race for the Premiership next season.

David Hulott
27 March 2006

2961: Arsenal Hold Upper Hand.

by : Sam Cullen

Aside from Barcelona, many people thought Juventus were the toughest opponents Arsenal could have drawn in the Champions League quarter finals. Therefore as the home leg came first it was vital the Gunners did as much as possible to put themselves in a strong position for the 2nd leg in Turin.

Thanks to goals from Henry and the excellent Fabregas, Arsenal have a solid 2-0 advantage to take into the next game. Aside from being a numerical advantage this is also a great psychologist boost to a side which has seen more than its fair share of critics over the past season.

What has added to this victory is the disciplinary situation Juventus now find themselves in. Both Zebina and Camoranesi were red carded late into the match and Patrick Vieira will also be suspended after picking up a booking. Losing these three players arguably helps to further unsettle Juve’s preparations for the second leg and further shift the pendulum in Arsenal’s favour.

Success in Turin will depend on Arsenal’s defence which came in for high profile criticisms at earlier points of the season. It will really be a key point to see whether the likes of Eboue and Senderos have successfully taken on the mantle previously held by Lauren and Campbell. It will also be interesting to see if Jens Lehmann turns in one of his “reformed” performances or if he has any trademark rushes of blood to the head. It is also crucial Fabregas continues to show maturity beyond his years as he was an inspirational figure at Highbury.

With every passing game Arsenal and their fans’ self belief must be rising slightly and with good reason. That said, even with all their advances in recent weeks, Barcelona do appear too strong for them and would possess that extra edge of class and experience should the sides meet, which would seem inevitable if Arsenal were to progress to the final.

Arsenal certainly appeared to be one of the underdogs in the last 8, especially if you took into account domestic form and previous Champions League experiences. In recent seasons however the underdogs seem to have prospered as any Porto or Liverpool fan will tell you. From a rational perspective you wouldn’t think Arsenal would win it, but in football, that doesn’t make it any less likely!

Sam Cullen
28 March 2006

2958: He Should Do Well: Scott Carso

by : Paul Grech

This time last year, Scott Carson was getting ready to face Juventus in the Champions League quarter final. With both Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland out injured, the 19 year old – signed by Liverpool just weeks earlier from Leeds for £750,000 – was unexpectedly thrust in the spotlight and he didn’t disappoint. He may have been at fault when Juventus scored through Fabio Cannavaro but made two point blank saves that kept Liverpool in the tie and underlined his potential.

Being English and having shown some talent, he was promptly labelled as a future England number 1 and was even called up to form part of the squad. But once Dudek got back to full fitness, it was understandably back to the sidelines for Carson.

This year he’s had to make do with the occasional opportunity – most notably the epic 5-3 win in the FA Cup against Luton – but for the majority of the season he’s had to watch patiently with Pepe Reina as the regular keeper and Jerzy Dudek as his back-up.

Benitez had probably planned to give Carson more opportunities as Dudek was widely expected to be sold last summer. With the Pole still at the club and eager to ensure his presence at the next World Cup, he was always going to be first choice when Reina couldn’t play.

Which left Liverpool with something of a problem. Having signed Carson as one for the future, they realised that he wasn’t going to develop without playing regularly so they agreed to let him join Sheffield Wednesday where he could play at a good enough level with the added bonus that, with Wednesday involved in a relegation battle, they could also gauge how he would handle the pressure.

If that was the test underlying his move, so far he’s done terrifically well. His best game came in the away trip to Wolves where he pulled off a series of saves so much that even the home fans applauded him at the end. Sheffield Wednesday won 3-1 but, as one regular put it, without Carson they could easily have lost 4-3.

In truth, however, he’s made equally good saves every time he’s played for Wednesday during his current one month loan. So much that they’re eager to try and keep him for longer: with him in goal their attempts to avoid relegation would be greatly enhanced.

The keeper himself would also like to stay, given the lack of opportunities at Liverpool. Next season Dudek probably won’t be there so Carson should step up as the number two keeper after Reina. And whilst the Spanish keeper is a formidable barrier, Benitez’s rotational policy should ensure that he gets more of a look-in. But with Dudek also blocking his way it is unlikely that he would make the bench in any one of Liverpool’s remaining matches.

For all his recent brilliance, Carson is still developing and there are many aspects of his game which he needs to improve not least when to come off his line. That sort of decision can’t be coached but is learned through experience.

At Wednesday he may not be facing Juventus as he was last year but at least he’s playing every week, gaining in confidence and learning more with each game.

And, with the third goalkeeping spot for the World Cup still up for grabs, it might even be enough to grant Carson an unexpected trip to Germany.

2959: Manchester United v West Ham

by : Stephen Orford

Manchester United look to cement second place in the Premiership when West Ham United are the visitors to Old Trafford on Wednesday (March 29).

The Red Devils are two points above third placed Liverpool having played two games less, and know that three points here will give them the inside rail for the second automatic Champions League qualification slot.

Thoughts of catching runaway leaders Chelsea are still far-fetched, but United are the Premiership’s form team at present. Victory over the Hammers would be their seventh straight, with their last failure to pick up all three points in the league coming all the way back on February 1 when they were defeated 4-3 at Blackburn Rovers.

Yet they go in to the clash with Alan Pardew’s men with a couple of key injury worries. Wes Brown again misses out with a groin problem, while another England World Cup hopeful Kieran Richardson damaged a foot in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Birmingham City (March 26). In their absences, youngsters Markus Neumayr, Darron Gibson and Richie Jones have all been added to Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad and could gain valuable Premiership experience.

A lot of the pre-match talk centres around whether Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to the starting line-up. The Dutch hit-man has had to settle for a place on the bench since the Carling Cup final win over Wigan Athletic, with in-form striker Luis Saha earning rave reviews alongside Wayne Rooney. However, with United facing the second in a spell of three games in seven days Ferguson has hinted that now may be the right time to shuffle the pack up front, allowing the former PSV man a chance to regain his starting berth.

There will be no return to Old Trafford for West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll who continues to suffer from a back injury, while former Derby County and Blackburn Rovers man Christian Dailly suffered a hamstring injury in the recent FA Cup win over Manchester City. Anton Ferdinand may not face up to brother Rio in this one, as the back problem which forced him to miss the City clash and Saturday’s Premiership win over Wigan Athletic (March 25) makes him doubtful once more.

The Upton Park club are still just about in contention for a European berth via their league positioning, sitting 9th in the standings at present. Victory here would lift them on to 48 points, the same as 7th placed Bolton Wanderers. However, the FA Cup draw has decreed that one of either Charlton Athletic, Middlesbrough or the Hammers themselves will reach the final, thus removing the UEFA Cup berth for the team finishing seventh in the league. With this in mind, Pardew is likely to consider the FA Cup semi-final with the Addicks or Boro on April 23 the top priority, meaning that league form may dip a little before then.

History is heavily on Manchester Unite’s side, as they have emerged victorious in 44 of the 101 league clashes with West Ham, who have won 34 with 23 games drawn. At Old Trafford the home side are even more dominant, having won 33 times to West Ham’s 11 and only six games drawn. In addition, West Ham have won only once in the Premiership against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, when a Jermain Defoe goal helped them to all three points at Old Trafford in December 2001.

With eyes fixed firmly on the FA Cup and taking Manchester United’s recent form into account, West Ham are unlikely to improve on that record here. Van Nistelrooy will be keen to get back among the goals in his pursuit of Thierry Henry at the top of the Premiership goalscoring charts, and a comfortable win for the home side should materialise.

Verdict; Manchester United 3 West Ham United 1

By Stephen Orford

28 March 2006

2957: Spurs:Still on Course for 4th

by : Sam Cullen

Last night saw Spurs win 2-1 over West Brom to consolidate their hold on 4th and move up to 55 points so far this season, already eclipsing last seasons tally. Yet the manner of their victory was far from convincing.

West Brom arrived at White Hart Lane and immediately appeared ready and eager to take the game to Spurs and in the 21st minute they took the lead deservedly through Curtis Davies. To give them credit, going a goal behind did spur them into action and they had a succession of chances towards the end of the first half.

The 2nd half saw Spurs increase the pressure but as the match wore on, they appeared to lack that decisive cutting edge. West Brom to give them their dues, also appeared dangerous when attacking Spurs on the break. Finally in the 68th minute Robbie Keane broke the dogged Albion resistance down and levelled the match at 1-1. the game then became really open as both sides were throwing caution to the wind in order to secure 3 precious points.

It was probably harsh in a way that West Brom did go away with nothing and especially harsh that the culprit for this was Thomas Kuszczak, their keeper who had previously been in excellent form, who brought down Jermaine Defoe in 88th minute. Robbie Keane duly converted the penalty for his 13th league goal and the 3 points were Spurs.

Critically speaking, Spurs did appear somewhat below par but while that could cause concern, it could also symbolise a reason for hope 4th will be theirs. It may be a tired old clich but football is full of them, winning when playing badly is the sign of a good team. Plus, in the past, games like this would have been exactly the sort Spurs would have dropped points.

Arsenal may have 1 game in hand but Spurs have the all important points in the bag and in my opinion still should be favourites to clinch it.. The neutral would love it to be still as open as it is now when they come for their final North London derby at Highbury. Oh how it would be a perfect setting for the script writers, the final derby at Highbury with so much money riding on it. Roy of the rovers stuff!

Giving an assessment to Bryan Robson’s men wouldn’t be based with doom and gloom either. Turn in more performances like they did last night and they will surely stay up with Kuszczak playing just a crucial role as he did last year.

Sam Cullen
27 March 2006

2956: Arsenal v Juventus; Gunners L

by : Stephen Orford

Arsenal go into Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter final first leg tie with Juventus at Highbury (March 28) as the only English representatives remaining in the competition.

The Gunners are as yet unbeaten in this season’s competition, emerging from a first round group containing Ajax, Sparta Prague and FC Thun before overcoming the more celebrated Real Madrid in the last 16. The Serie A champions currently represent an altogether tougher challenge for Arsene Wenger’s men than the Spaniards, but hopes remain high of progression.

This is due largely to the return to form of the north London side in recent weeks. While qualification for the Champions League for next season is far from assured at this stage, Arsenal seem to have put their patchy form of mid-season behind them. A thumping 4-0 win at Fulham on March 4 immediately preceded the goalless draw which took them past Real Madrid on March 8, while home wins over Liverpool on March 12 and Charlton Athletic on March 18 have kept them in touch with the Premiership’s top four.

Meanwhile Juventus still hold an eight point lead at the top of the Italian championship, that despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Roma in Turin on Saturday (March 25). In Europe they sailed through a group containing Bayern Munich, Club Brugge and Rapid Vienna, but are still somewhat fortunate to have reached this stage. On the verge of elimination during their second round clash with Werder Bremen of Germany, the Italians benefited from a glaring goalkeeping error in the final moments of the second leg to keep their hopes alive.

The postponement of Arsenal’s weekend date with Portsmouth due to a waterlogged Fratton Park pitch may help Wenger’s side. Having had over a week to prepare for the visit of The Old Lady, the Highbury club may be the fresher of the two sides. However, both have their fair share of absentees for the clash with injuries and suspensions taking their usual toll.

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira returns to the club with which he made his name, but fellow superstar Pavel Nedved is ruled out due to suspension. Also missing out is long-time Juve and Italy talisman Allesandro Del Piero, who is suffering from a thigh injury. David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic look set to start in attack, ensuring a busy night for Arsenal’s improving but inexperienced back-line.

Sol Campbell will again be missing from that unit. Having recovered from an ankle injury the former Tottenham Hotspur defender now has a bruised toe and will not feature. This should see Phillipe Senderos and Kolo Toure continue their central defensive partnership, with the Ivorian one booking away from a suspension ahead of the return fixture in Turin next week. Emmanuel Eboue and Matthieu Flamini should continue in the full-back roles in the continued absence of Lauren and Ashley Cole.

The problems in the Arsenal team are not limited to defence, with the experienced Freddie Ljunberg ruled out with a calf problem, and a hamstring strain making Jose Antonio Reyes doubtful. Alexander Hleb may start in place of Ljungberg, while Robert Pires could deputise for Reyes if he fails to prove his fitness in time. On the positive side, Robin van Persie is fit again after a troublesome broken toe which has kept him out of action for long spells this season.

The tie at Highbury will mark the fifth occasion that these two sides have met in European competition. The English side emerged victorious from the 1980 Cup Winners Cup semi-final over two legs, drawing 1-1 on home soil before a single goal triumph in Italy. The clubs also met in the second group stage of the 2002 Champions League competition, with Arsenal winning 3-1 at home but losing 1-0 in the Stadio Delle Alpi.

Looking a little wider Juventus’ record in England is a poor one. Last year’s 2-1 defeat to eventual Champions League winners Liverpool at Anfield was one four defeats in a row on English turf, having been beaten by Manchester United and Newcastle United aswell as Arsenal in recent years. In additon, Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have both knocked the Turin giants out of European competition in their illustrious history.

Much of the spotlight is likely to be on Vieira on his return. He is likely to receive a warm reception from the faithful before the game, but expect the Highbury crowd to turn on him once the action gets under way. Key absentees on both sides make it difficult to predict what will happen, but it is imperative that the Arsenal rearguard continue their recent progress and shut out an outfit which still contains an array of sparkling talent.

Van Persie could be an X-factor for the home side, and so with an optimistic hat placed firmly atop my head and with one eye on Juventus’ poor record on these shores, a narrow Gunners win may just be the likeliest outcome.

Verdict; Arsenal 1 Juventus 0

By Stephen Orford

27 March 2006

2952: Matthaus the man for Hearts?

by : Sam Cullen

On Saturday, Hearts showed the off the field turmoil wasn’t affecting them on the pitch as they won 2-1 away at Falkirk. This result also left them 6 points ahead of Rangers with 7 games left to play in the chase for the 2nd Champions League spot. However it is inevitable that speculation over who will take over the managerial hot seat is to continue regardless of the on the field fortunes.

Many have been quick to label the job a no go zone due to the influence that majority shareholder Vladmir Romanov wishes to exert over team matters. Despite this one man has come forward and said he would like the job, the world cup winning former German captain Lothar Matthaus, who has been out of work since leaving the Hungary job at the end of the 2006 world cup qualifying campaign.

The sceptics may claim what would a German know about the SPL and point to the last notable German in Scottish management, Berti Vogts as national team coach, as how dire the results can be. Yet Matthaus could bring many positive attributes and qualities to Hearts. Firstly he is a well known and respected footballing figure, appointing him would indicate the growing return to prominence of Hearts. Secondly, being well known in the football world could help him should he need to rein back Romanovs ideas.

A problem with Graham Rix was he was very indebted to Romanov, his managerial career was in suspended animation until he got the Hearts job. Another plus point the German would bring is should Hearts qualify for the Champions League he would bring an awareness and understanding of the tactics deployed on the continent. He would also have much better links for scouting potential new signings and therefore avoid Hearts signing any more Oxford United players!

Despite the off the field soap opera, Hearts still have a very strong squad with good Scottish talent such as Paul Hartley and complimented by effective foreign imports such as Rudi Skacel and Roman Bednar. Appointing Matthaus would be an excellent move by Romanov. If Hearts hold onto 2nd and win the Scottish Cup it would help appease the fans after the backroom upheavals over the last 12 months. Bringing in Matthaus would help them advance that one stage further and bring stability to the club.

Sam Cullen
26 March 2006

2954: What Arsenal Must Do to Beat J

by : Paul Grech

It is by far the most testing game for Arsenal this season and, looking at the two clubs’ domestic form, Juventus are the clear favourites. But, for all their youth, Arsenal have already shown this season that they can be a match for anyone and having seen how the Italians struggled against Werder Bremen they should be reasonably confident that the task is within their reach.

Arsene Wenger won’t need anyone telling him what his side should do to overcome this challenge. Just in case, here are our tips on how best to beat Juventus.

Show Vieira What He’s Missing
It might be hard to comprehend just how much Italians are in awe of English supporters: the noise that they can generate and their closeness to the pitch is not something that they’re used to and it can make them nervous. Last year’s experience at Anfield – where for all their experience Juventus froze for the first half hour allowing Liverpool to establish a two goal lead – is still a fresh memory for them and this is one occasion where the fans can truly be Arsenal’s twelfth man.

It is also the ideal opportunity to show Patrick Vieira what he’s been missing. In Italy he looks set to win another league title but the experience at the Stadio Delle Alpi is often an anaesthetised one. The huge stadium is rarely filled up to its 75,000 capacity (there were just over 250 fans for a recent Coppa Italia match) whilst the athletics track that surrounds the pitch rather detaches the fans from the players. It is another reason why Arsenal shouldn’t be afraid of the upcoming trip to Italy.

Stretch Their Midfield
With a midfield partnership of Emerson and Patrick Vieira, it will be tough for Arsenal to get any joy through the centre even if Cesc Fabregas will be eager to show that he is every bit as good as his predecessor. So Arsenal will have to rely on their wingers to create most of the danger. Hleb and Pires have been in fine form lately, which is encouraging but they will still have to be at their best to contain the likes of Zambrotta whose ability to send in dangerous crosses should not be underestimated.

Beware Pavel Nedved
The Czech’s star may be slightly waning but he is still a fantastic player and one who is constantly dangerous. As always, he has been contributing a fair share of goals this season either from set pieces – his late runs in the box and ability to run into space can cause a lot of damage – or else with strong shots from outside the area.

But Nedved is also dangerous for another reason: free-kicks. In their recent game, Inter’s Roberto Mancini accused him of going down to easily outside the penalty box in order to get his side free-kicks from dangerous positions. Arsenal have been warned.

Fortunately, Nedved is suspended for the first leg of the tie.

Keep Your Focus
It might seem like a clich but Juventus is truly a team against whom you can’t drop your guard for one instant. Arsenal will have to keep their concentration for the full 180 minutes, which, with such a young squad can sometimes be a problem. Against Real Madrid, they lapsed a bit late on but the Spanish side’s forward were unable to exploit those mistakes. No one should count on Juventus doing likewise.

Hit Them Fast, Hit Them Hard
As with Real Madrid, Arsenal have to respect Juventus but not fear them. At home, they should push them from the start without allowing them any time to settle. It is the tactic that worked so well for Liverpool last year and for Werder in the last round. If they allow Juventus to get into their rhythm, they will struggle to get the ball off them but put them under pressure and they will start to see gaps.

Paul Grech
27 March 2006

2950: Premiership: North-West and So

by : Hugh Larkin

The outstanding story of the Premiership season has been the way newcomers Wigan have taken to the top flight with such aplomb but perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised given the stature of teams from the North West in the competition. When Paul Jewell brought his team up they became the seventh team from that region in the division and Preston nearly made it eight through the play offs.

The Premiership table on 24th March makes for astonishing reading. Every one of the top 11 places is filled by a club from either the North West or London, which almost takes the League back to its origins in 1888 when all 12 clubs were either Lancastrian or from the Midlands.

In recent seasons whole areas of the country that have traditionally provided top division clubs have been left without representation at the highest level. East Anglia’s Norwich and Ipswich are both in the Championship and unlikely to get out this year; the sudden decline of Leeds left Yorkshire without a Premiership club for the first time two seasons ago.

Most striking of all, the East Midlands has seen all of its ‘Big Three’ sides relegated and Nottingham Forest have even fallen to League One. Derby and Leicester still could join them. Coventry City, who sit somewhere between West and East Midlands, are also long-term residents of the second tier now.

Down on the South Coast, Southampton lost their proud record of continuous Premiership membership last season and there is every chance that Portsmouth will join them at the close of this campaign. Aston Villa are the only member of the West Midlands main quartet to play every season- it’s almost inevitable that one of West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham will join Wolves back in the Championship.

In their place has come the rise of the North West and London. As well as the 7 from up North the traditional powers of Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea share the Premiership limelight with West Ham, Charlton and Fulham, Reading will make a 7th representative from the South-East next year.

Yorkshire might make a comeback through either Leeds or Sheffield United but there’s a good chance Watford, Crystal Palace and Preston could sneak in. The Premiership in 2007 could even have 16 sides from the two regions with just the North-East pair and two from the West Midlands conurbation making up the numbers.

It would be easy to blame the Premiership for this situation but all of the East Midlands clubs were outside the new division when it started and gained promotion to it- the likes of Wolves, Ipswich and Norwich have all got back in since 1992 and exited again.

The clubs in the South East and the North West just seem to be running their affairs better than the others. In no sense are Bolton, Wigan, Charlton and Fulham bigger clubs than Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves , Ipswich, Southampton and the soon to be demoted Sunderland. Derby, Leicester and Coventry have all moved to brand new stadiums in the past few years so there’s no lack of ambition there.

Does it matter? These things do tend to be cyclical and what Bolton, Wigan or Charlton achieve shouldn’t be impossible for others. Granted, a provincial side probably won’t ever win the title but there’s no reason why a well run club with talent can’t survive in the Premiership.

Without denigrating the achievements of the clubs who are there, it would be nice if the Premiership did look like a national competition and provided easier access to matches for supporters in some of the neglected areas. But if some of the provincial heavyweights don’t start to put their house in order they might suffer a fate like Wolves and be condemned to a whole generation without top flight football.

Hugh Larkin
26 March 2006

2951: Why There Won’t Be a European

by : Hugh Larkin

The rumours have been flying around in the past few weeks about the self styled G-14 clubs forming breakaway European competition. Chief Executives David Gill and Rick Parry have both stepped in to categorically deny the intention and there’s no reason to doubt them. Why would they bother when they can get everything they want anyway?

There are some compelling reasons why the 18 clubs who make up G14 (presumably they keep the name because someone ordered huge amounts of stationary) don’t want to form a breakaway League.

Someone Has To Finish Bottom

The G14 clubs aren’t teams who have anything but a passing acquaintance with the bottom end of a division. Yet if they broke away, one of them- or two if they have Conferences- is going to have to prop up the rest and this simply doesn’t fit with the self-image of these clubs.

Imagine trying to engage in global marketing on the strength of being 18th of 18 in the world’s top competition. Try justifying ever-soaring wages to the fans when you’ve been proved to be the worst side in the league. Much better to continue to be rewarded for finishing 4th in your current division.

Meaningless Games

This is football, not the Harlem Globetrotters. Without relegation and minus the push for European qualification, very soon into a season most teams are going to be playing simply for position and effectively money. Football fans are rarely drawn to games on the promise of seeing shootout for 11th and 12th position and an extra million in prize money.

Alternatively, they could set up an endless system of play offs which would mean almost everyone being in the hunt to the end but would render many games equally meaningless, in that nothing would be settled in them.

Finding Sponsors

Without UEFA’s help, the new elite would have to organise their own sponsors. Clearly they would be able to do that but why go through all the hassle when UEFA have been providing huge piles of cash anyway? In addition, many of the shirt sponsors want their names across shirts that get the maximum possible domestic audience. At the moment, backing a serial Champions League side gets a major company the best of both worlds.

Problems With FIFA

FIFA wouldn’t take a breakaway lying down and they could cause awful problems for players who wanted to represent their country at international level. While some footballers may have become truly blas about international soccer, there are many- especially in emerging countries- who would find the thought of not turning out for the national side a step too far.

G14 Have What They Want

G-14 already have system that gives them a virtuous circle. Money from the Champions League gives them the income and prestige to buy the best and dominate their own Leagues, thus ensuring a return to the competition, maintaining the cycle.

Many of their own fans would view with suspicion a decision to vacate their domestic League- after all, part of supporting an elite club is to enjoy lording it over your lesser rivals. It would be nowhere near as much fun if those clubs are ignoring you because they operate in a different league. Plus, how many away fans are going to come travelling across Europe? Are they going to fill the empty seats with soccer tourists from the Far East?

G-14 will flex their muscles to get more seeding and more money out of UEFA but why upset a good thing? They are on nice little earner and there’s no need to rock the boat too much.

Hugh Larkin
26 March 2006

2949: Gretna’s Glee

by : Sam Cullen

Its been an amazing few years for Gretna. Back in 2002 they were still playing sides such as Kendal Town in the lower reaches of the English non league pyramid. Now by March 2006 they have won back to back championships in Scotland, 3rd and 2nd division, and have a place in the Scottish Cup Semi Finals.

However the best could be yet to come. Should they overcome Dundee in the Cup semi final and reach the Scottish Cup Final, they could be assured a place in Europe. This is due to the fact it is possible their opponents, either Hearts or Hibernian, will have already secured a passage into Europe via their league placing.

Yet even if they are defeated at the Semi Final stage, playing at Hampden Park when as stated previously, only 4 years ago they were a non-league side, would be a phenomenal achievement. Should they get to the final though, it would be easily the biggest day in their history and one of the most memorable in Scottish football for many years/

Their owner, millionaire philanthropist Brooks Mileson pledged to get the side into the SPL. Initially this seemed a wildly over confident piece of hyperbole. Yet as they stand 90 minutes away from the Scottish Cup Final and newly crowned 2nd Division Champions, it doesn’t seem so outlandish at all. Manager Rowan Alexander claims his side doesn’t fear anyone, after their incredible league form in the past two years which has seen them defeated only 4 times in the past two seasons. They also sent out two 1st division opponents, Clyde and St Johnson, on their route to the semi finals.

Should they achieve what would be the entirely possible outcome of European qualification, then it would bring yet more publicity, interest and money to the rising club. It could also give the team the confidence to really attack the Scottish first division and show everyone Mileson knew exactly what he was talking about.

Of course the stumbling block remains of their ground, which can hold only 2,200. but if their success continues at this pace it will be inevitable they will be able to find a 6,000 seater new home. In their 5th round tie against St Mirren, they pulled 2,850 fans, a commendable achievement for a 2nd division club.

Gretna really appear to be on the up and up breathing fresh life into Scottish football. Should they meet Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final, then Mileson can show Romanov how a millionaire chairman should behave! I may be setting myself up for a fall here, but I really don’t see any reason why Gretna won’t be at the top end of the 1st division table this time in a year. They seem to have the momentum behind them to take them to new heights. I hope they reach them!

Sam Cullen
25 March 2006

2955: Chelsea: Didier Drogba – thank

by : Antony Melvin

You may be unaware of this, but Chelsea have been getting some bad publicity recently. As a result the Chelsea management team is increasingly unhappy with dealing with what they think is a media obsessed with finding fault with them. After another league match that was riven with incident (whereas what we all want are monochrome matches) Chelsea struggled to find anyone willing to face the press.

But if the manager and his assistant are indisposed, the club captain attempting to fill a small receptacle behind a screen and the other English players tongue-tied then who better to deal with the media than Didier Drogba. Drogba may be a fluent English speaker but he is a man who has not grasped all the subtle nuances of the English language.

Specifically after having opposition fans scream various conjugations of the verb ‘to dive’ at him – usually with some anglo-saxon relish he seems to have the word on his mind. Although for footballers ‘dive’ is no longer a verb, it’s a noun. Not something one does – rather it’s something that is.

Didier Drogba was interviewed on Saturday after the match to say that when challenged he sometimes went down and that he sometimes stayed on his feet – unfortunately the wrong words came out. As a result his actual quote that he sometimes dived and sometimes didn’t sounds significantly more damning. Well that clearly wasn’t his intention given his quick reverse-tack.

On a second point as to whether he handled before scoring the critical second he admitted that the ball hit him in the arm – but basically pointed out that it was up to the referee and his assistant to find fault with that. As there was no foul given – then clearly there was no problem.

I’m paraphrasing because it seems pretty pointless to do otherwise, because if there is anyone reading this (is there?) who speaks a ‘foreign’ language perhaps they would know how easy it is to use words of a similar meaning – often with hilarious results.

There are plenty of instances where Drogba has gone down a little too easily – and these cases are well documented and need no repeating. But all he did of note on Saturday was to score a couple of goals when he should have got four or five.

There are plenty of instances where Chelsea seem just a little too easily upset. But this is not one of them. If every well intentioned interview – where Drogba made honest comments about difficult issues – is analysed like it was a budget speech then where are we going?

Not everything about the current Chelsea set-up is easy on the eye – but Didier Drogba should be applauded for standing up and honestly answering questions.

Antony Melvin
27 March 2006

2947: Seating Room Only? – The campa

by : Sam Cullen

We are living in an all seater stadia generation. Following the recommendations of the Taylor Report in 1989, all Premiership grounds have been forced into becoming all seater, with the vast majority of Championship grounds also all seater. On paper it seems great that our stadia have been refurbished, remodelled or rebuilt for the 21st century. However many fans do still have the urge to stand and argue that the all seater stadiums are leading to flat atmospheres and rising ticket prices. Lord Taylor even said in his report “seating is not intrinsically unsafe” and it has been argued that terracing has been unfairly associated with the problem of hooliganism.

As a Brighton supporter, I know that on away trips, vast majorities of the crowd do stand. The club has been threatened with reduced allocations due to this, a fate which has befallen Cardiff City, Manchester United and Leeds United amongst others. I decided to interview the current head of the safe standing campaign “Stand Up, Sit Down”, Amanda Matthews.

What inspired the campaign:

“SUSD was started by Peter Caton who realised that a better approach to the standing issue would be to manage it rather than try and make people sit.
Separate areas would mean those who wanted to sit but were made to stand would be happy, as would the standers. We don't advocate standing in upper tiers but since supporters have stood in front of their seats - mostly behind the goal - since all seater stadiums were introduced it just seems sensible to manage the "problem" rather than enforce the regulations ever more draconically. Unfortunately the authorities don't agree with us and their relentless drive to make us sit continues with increasing
zeal.”

What is fundamentally wrong with all seater stadia?

“Absolutely nothing and many of the changes made were well overdue from a
health and safety point of view. Lord Taylor said in his report "that we
would soon get used to sitting". We clearly haven't, supporters are turning their backs on the game associating all seater stadiums with lack of atmosphere, higher ticket prices etc*. If standing areas were introduced, then we'd all be happy. We have some 5,000 members, the vast majority of them directly link standing to good atmosphere and from
personal experience I'd have to agree.”

What makes you think terracing can be safe?

“A simple answer - the Germans have it for domestic games. They have a
style of seating called Kombi and which convert to seating for international games. Many World Cup games will be hosted in such stadiums although of course they will be converted as the games are international.”

Finally I asked if she thought the campaign would be successful.

“Yes, I do. The fact that supporters have continued to demonstrate their desire to stand since all seater stadiums were introduced surely shouldn't be ignored. Plus surveys prove many fans want to stand.”

If you want to find out more details about the campaign or join, visit http://www.standupsitdown.co.uk. Personally I think Amanda has put forward and cohesive and rational explanation to why we can have safe standing in this country and I’m fully in favour of it. Now if they could get rid of playing music after teams score, then football really would be in a golden age!

Sam Cullen
23 March 2006

2948: Reading: Royal Prerogative

by : Sam Cullen

The champagne will be flowing in Reading after the weekends results finally confirmed their place in next seasons Premiership. History was made as this will be the first time Reading take their place in the top tier of English League football, mirroring Wigan’s promotion last season. They have lost only 2 times all season and have scored over 80 goals with a goal difference of 56.

It has seemed a foregone conclusion for the majority of the season that Reading would get promoted, they have been in the automatic promotion slots since their 5-0 drubbing of Millwall on 20th August, and top since mid November. Despite this, it has been inevitable that Reading fans probably haven’t wished to believe it possible until the official confirmation today. After all, they were a whisker away from the top flight in 1995. They finished 2nd but due to league reorganisation, had to enter the play offs. They then reached the final, where after leading 2-0 at half time eventually lost 4-3 in extra time to Bolton.

Of course, the inevitable question that gets asked once a team gets promoted is, will they survive in the premiership? At a glance, there seems no reason why not. They have a relatively new stadium and good training facilities with strong backroom support. The chairman is wealthy and has showed he is prepared to invest wisely and the existing squad has shown it has significant potential which could still be realised in the Premiership too, especially players such as Steve Sidwell.

In Steve Coppell they have one of footballs most unconventional managers. Far from your average touch line ranter, Coppell is quiet, calm and composed, characteristics many opposing fans prefer to associate with dourness. He has proved his top flight credentials before when he lead Crystal Palace to their best ever league finish of 3rd in the Old First Division back in 1990-91. He too must be relishing the opportunities next season could provide, seeing as many people wrote off his managerial career following his 33 day disaster at Manchester City nearly 10 years ago.

In an age where many people lambast the growing staleness and predictability of football, it has been refreshing that two first timers to the top tier have been promoted in consecutive seasons. The general thought now may be, will Reading do a Wigan? Anyone who has seen the style they have romped the Championship this season wouldn’t rule it out at all.

Sam Cullen
25 March 2006

2944: G14 – Short Sighted Vision Eur

by : Kieran McHugh

So once again the division of football from its roots is to be waged in the law courts on the Continent. Ever since Jean-Marc Bosman decided to fight for his and every players’ right to “freedom of movement” in 1996, a time bomb has been ticking for the football authorities. The case effectively marked them as a paper tiger, unable to enforce laws made specifically for football clubs, and thus ensured two things. First their eventual demise. Second, and far more damaging for football, the rise of a new power elite.

In September 2000 the G14 group of elite clubs was formed. Initially containing 14 clubs, in 2002 the membership was expanded. Since then to use, not unintentionally, parlance more connected with the Mafia, the books have been closed. Even Chelsea, the plaything of a Russian billionaire, richer in supposed available transfer funds than the whole of the G14 added together cannot gain entry. There are now 18 “made” clubs and for the most part, that’s how they want it to stay.

Throughout history one of the first things a ruling power elite does on gaining control is to make it impossible for others to join. In football this has been done by the formation of a group of clubs bent on nothing save the furtherance of their own ambition. For ambition, read money for that is the motivation behind the G14 no matter what anyone involved will try to tell you.

Their stated aims are simple. To promote the cooperation, amicable relations and unity of the member clubs. To promote and improve professional football in all its aspects and safeguard the general interests of the member clubs. All very well if you’re a member club, all very worrying if you’re not. The implied threat is reminiscent of the protection rackets of mobsters.

So what exactly do the G14 want? Currently they want two things. Firstly they are backing the Belgian club Charleroi in bringing a case against the Moroccan FA after one of their players returned home from an international injured. G14 stepped in when agreement could not be reached between FIFA and the club over compensation. Make no mistake, G14 care little about Charleroi, Morocco or Abdelmajid Oulmers, the player involved. They have seen an opportunity to force a test case using a small club that no one, outside of Charleroi at least, cares about. The G14 have opened a can of worms that could have ramifications for the whole world of football. Another case using one of their own, Lyon, is in the pipeline. It is estimated that one in eight people around the world will watch some part of the World Cup in Germany this summer. By the time the finals are held in Africa in 2010, many African Football Associations may well find it impossible to put teams out at all.

Secondly, G14 is attempting to ensure that their 18 members clubs have guaranteed entry to the Champions League irrespective of their league positions. Effectively a European league. The thinking behind this from the G14 members is clear. It insulates member clubs from the need to worry about finances. One bad season will not lead to ruin and the need for players to be sold and teams to be rebuilt. It is a cartel. Its chief ambition is to thwart competition. It is the single biggest threat to the future development of the club game in the world today.

The G14 clubs are on the verge of cutting themselves. The past players and fans of these teams, never mind those excluded, did not play and pay in order that some men in grey suits could wipe their achievements from history. Those administrators currently drawing up their plans for the death of the game, have no right to exercise such power. The game is not theirs to toy with and they will one day discover this.

Should G14 make good on their ambitions and accomplish divine right of entry to the Champions League, the remaining clubs will have little alternative. They will be forced to bite the bullet and boycott matches against G14 members or scramble to join the top table. As has rightly been highlighted many times in the past, the novelty of matches against such a small pool of clubs will soon wear off. Liverpool against Everton, Manchester United against City and Arsenal against Tottenham would be removed from the fixture lists. In many countries in Europe there is no culture of supporting away from home. How many Leverkusen fans, for example would travel to see their team?

Make no mistake, the G14 are a threat to the game and they must be stopped. They hold the future of the game in their hands, but have attained this position by the toil of others and with the tacit implication that those at the top will serve the good of the game. This power is in danger of being abused for the good of a few clubs at the top of the game at an arbitrary point in the games history.

Much like the ownership of guns, anyone wishing to become a member of the G14 group of clubs should be automatically excluded from doing so. Much like politics being far too important to be left to politicians, the running of the world game is far too important to be left in the incapable hands of football administrators or the greedy, grasping hands of the elite group of clubs that hide behind the G14 moniker.

In mafia folklore law enforcement agencies would often have trouble identifying the guilty parties when gangsters were gunned down. The best way they came up with could also be prescient for football. When football finally is declared dead, and the G14 carve up their competitions amongst themselves for a disinterested public someone, somewhere will ask, “Who killed football?” For the answer I can offer only one piece of advice. Follow the money.

Kieran McHugh
22 March 2006

2946: Liverpool v Everton; Resurgen

by : Stephen Orford

The suddenly free-scoring Liverpool continue their push for the Premiership’s runners-up spot when they welcome Everton to Anfield for the Merseyside derby on Saturday lunchtime (March 25).

The Reds have hit a whopping 15 goals in their last three outings in all competitions, culminating in the 7-0 FA Cup quarter final shellacking of Birmingham City on Tuesday (March 21). The goal glut follows a seemingly interminable period in which Rafa Benitez’s strikers seemed incapable of hitting the net, inviting criticism from all quarters.

Returning to boost the striking options is Robbie Fowler, who was cup-tied for the St.Andrews goal fest. The Toxteth-born boyhood Evertonian has some pedigree in Merseyside derby matches, having netted six goals in the fixture during his previous spell at Anfield. The fixture also provided one of the more notorious moments of the Fowler career when he celebrated scoring by pretending to snort the goal-line. If the former England international can concentrate on the football this time, it would surprise nobody to see him add to the one goal he has managed since returning to Liverpool in January.

Benitez’s only potential absentee, aside from long term injury victim Bolo Zenden, is defender Djimi Traore. The left-back, who was linked with a move to Goodison Park shortly after Benitez arrived at Anfield, picked up a thigh injury in the Birmingham win so the left-back berth could be between Stephen Warnock and Jon Arne Riise once more. Harry Kewell, Didi Hamann and Fernando Morientes are also in contention for starting roles after missing out on the final eleven on Tuesday.

Everton also have an iconic striking hero returning to the fold, as Duncan Ferguson becomes available again after a seven-game suspension. Yet the recent form of James’s Beattie and McFadden is likely to keep the controversial Scot out of the starting line-up. Beattie’s form has provoked many into nominating him for an England call-up, while McFadden appears to be enjoying a new lease of life alongside the former Southampton man, scoring some spectacular goals.

Everton’s main injury concern is Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard is doubtful with a back problem and his loss would be a massive blow to an Everton midfield that is starting to show the steel of last season. Now firmly implanted in the top half of the table once more, Everton look far more like the team of a year ago, thanks largely to the skilful endeavours of Arteta and the return to goalscoring form of the ever threatening Tim Cahill.

Defensively, Nuno Valente is hoping to be fit after a recent thigh injury.

If Liverpool are chasing second spot then Everton need the points for their own reasons. Toffees fans have not yet given up on hope of a UEFA Cup qualification place after seven straight wins at Goodison Park have put them back into contention. They’re still a long shot to achieve that aim, but manager David Moyes will be looking for at least a point from this one and to ensure a strong finish to a troubled season for his charges.

This will be the 203rd Merseyside derby, the 174th in the league. Liverpool have come out on top in 64 of those clashes, with Everton winning 55 and 54 games drawn. At Anfield the Reds have a similar edge, having won 36 times against the Tofeemen on home soil, with Everton winning 23 times and 27 drawn games. Everton’s last league win at Anfield came in September 1999 when Kevin Campbell scored the only goal of the game.

It is likely to be tight this time around too, with Liverpool’s home advantage and recent return to form perhaps making them a slight favourite. The presence of Arteta or otherwise is key to the visitors chances, and Benitez’s men could just sneak a narrow win in his absence.

Verdict; Liverpool 2 Everton 1

By Stephen Orford

24 March 2006

2940: Championship attendances: Norw

by : Alex Wolstenholme

As an exciting promotion race nears its finale in the Championship, the average attendances in the competition make for interesting reading.

Despite the presence of a number of those who are seen as 'big' clubs in the English game, such as Leeds, Sheffield United and Wolves in and around the top six, it is Norwich who have the biggest average attendance, with 24,912 at the time of writing.

The Canaries' crowds have also been remarkably consistent, with a difference of only 1,500 between their highest and lowest gates.

Both Sheffield United and Leeds are outside the top six, with Leeds pulling in an average of only 22,446 at the time of writing.

The figures show that as the game changes, clubs can no longer rely merely on their history or status in the game to attract supporters through the door, particularly outside of the Premiership.

Ask any football fan who is the 'bigger' club out of Leeds and Norwich and the Elland Road side will get the vote 99 times out of 100.

But, the mismanagement that has been rife under previous regimes at Leeds in recent years, together with some hefty price rises at the start of the current campaign, mean that only 24,507 for example turned up for the recent game against Crystal Palace, one that could have seen Leeds go within one point of Sheffield United.

Last season, the Whites were the best-supported club in the Championship with an average of 29,207 and although those in charge at Elland Road have pointed to the axing of a lot of 'freebies' that surely cannot totally explain a drop of nearly 7,000 in a season when Leeds are doing a lot better on the pitch.

There are clearly thousands of people, in the city itself and all over the country, who are Leeds fans but who are unable, or unwilling to go to games on a regular basis at the moment.

Although a return to the Premiership would undoubtedly see a lot of these fans returning, the danger is that people will get into the habit of not going to games, or of going elsewhere if more attractive prices are on offer.

It may not fit into our traditional ideas of what being a football supporter is all about but for a parent, who is a diehard Leeds fans and can no longer afford to go to Elland Road, another club may offer a cheaper alternative, with the result that those children could be lost to the cause.

Norwich have already sold 15,500 season tickets for next season, despite a campaign on the pitch that has not lived up to expectations, and has seen calls for manager Nigel Worthington to quit the club.

It could be the case that among those making Carrow Road the best-attended ground in the Premiership are people whose allegiance lies elsewhere, say to Manchester United or Liverpoo, but who have been attracted by sensible ticket prices and are bringing their children along.

Those kids are far more likely to become Norwich supporter and to keep going to games themselves when they become adults.

At Coventry City ,the club I support, average crowds have risen sharply this season, partly due to the new stadium effect after the move to the Ricoh Arena but also because the club has re-engaged with its fans after years of taking them for granted.

Tickets have been sensibly priced and concerns and ideas have (in the main) been listened to.

The changing demographics of the country as a whole means that loyal supporters of a club may now live hundreds of miles away compared to the previous generation who lived on the doorstep.

Equally, a club's old catchment area may now have a number of people who are fans of other clubs but who could be persuaded to go and watch the local team if it was attractively priced to do so.

Leeds is an example of such a club, as the city itself continues to enjoy an economic boom and attract people from all over the country who are relocating to jobs there.

Clubs who ignore these changes do so at their peril.

2945: FA Cup: West Ham handed golden

by : Chris Sherrard

Ignore the detractors who seek to diminish the impact of the FA Cup.

It has always been, and remains, the most sought-after domestic cup competition in the world.

The present is little different to the past. Little boys still dream of scoring the winning goal for the club in the Cup Final.

When you mention ‘the’ Cup Final, everyone knows which competition is being spoke of.

It’s the stuff of dreams and for four clubs it remains so this season.

The draw for the semi-finals at lunchtime hammered home – pun fully intended, thanks very much – for West Ham United fans that their rebirth is almost complete.

The FA Cup semi-final draw this lunchtime couldn’t have been kinder.

They’ve avoided the two big guns in Liverpool and Chelsea and are faced with a comfortable barrier in the form of Middlesbrough or Charlton in the last four.

This time last season they weren’t even confirmed in the Championship play-offs.

But give Alan Pardew his dews, he has created a strong team unit, playing at times excellent football with a swagger and an attractiveness which nods to West Ham teams of yesteryear.

What is more, he has developed his squad around young British and English players who all want to play for the club.

And a place in the Cup Final is now far from out of reach.

Chelsea remain hefty favourites to clinch a league and cup double and few would back against them finishing on top in the Millennium Stadium in May.

Although everyone at the London club will be scratching their heads and realising that they are going to have to do it the hard way this season.

After seeing off Newcastle United in the last round, Liverpool lie in wait now. And a dangerous Liverpool it is too.

Winning the FA Cup this season, and adding it to the inevitable Premiership success, would mark a further progression in Jose Mourinho’s masterplan for the club.

What of Liverpool? Well they have run into a vein of goalscoring form at the very time when everyone was pointing and laughing at their inability to find the back of the net.

That’s the sign of a good team – the capacity to raise their game when people say they can’t.

The 7-0 win over Birmingham City in the previous round wasn’t an anomaly, but rather a fair result in a desperately one-sided clash.

Can they go all the way and clinch the FA Cup this season? It’s going to be tricky now that they’ve got Chelsea in the last four.

Whoever wins that one will fancy their chances of securing the cup this season.

As for the other two left in the competition, I’d rank whoever gets through as outsiders to lift the cup.

The fact that they are both weaker than the other three teams left in the competition is born out by one glance at the league table.

Have Boro been forced to play too much cup football this season to be a force in this event? Probably. Their chances are better positioned in Europe where they don’t have any sides of the quality of Liverpool or Chelsea to get the better of.

As for Charlton, it would be a lovely story if Curbishley could achieve some silverware with the club he has served so resolutely – particularly if he is set to scuttle off to the England post at the end of this season.

But he has got his work cut out. Firstly, Charlton have to overcome a long trip to Middlesbrough, and then it will be West Ham.

Overall, contrary to convential wisdom which points to Stamford Bridge, I think this season’s FA Cup could be won by Liverpool.

Like Chelsea, they have their own continental managerial superpower in Rafa Benitez and he has developed this blood thirst for trophies.

His players will provide him with one more in Cardiff at the end of this season. I think.

But then again, West Ham should be in that final and, history shows, anything goes at that stage.

Chris Sherrard
24 March 2006

2942: Arsenal: Edu - under-rated

by : Sam Cullen

There have been many different theories abounded over Arsenal’s decline this season. Of course many return to the issue of the hole left in the centre of midfield following the summer sale of Patrick Vieira to Juventus. This has arguably resulted in more pressure being placed upon Gilberto and the general fan consensus has been that he has been found sorely lacking in many tough games this season. Yet many people, myself included, were pointing to Gilberto’s long absence during 2004/05 as one of the reasons Arsenal were unable to retain the Premiership.

It then appears that the missing link is his fellow countrymen Edu, who departed for Valencia last summer. Like Gilberto, Edu spent the majority of 2004/05 on the sidelines due to recurrent injuries so it is understandable losing his services seemed less significant to the Arsenal fans, as it seemed a fair time ago he was a regular first teamer. His move was obviously soon over shadowed by the Vieira transfer.

Initially Edu was far from a respected player at Highbury. His transfer had been acrimonious due to passport issues and he got injured 17 minutes into his debut. He spent most of the 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons as a peripheral figure, having the odd spell in the team and chipping in the occasional goal, but doing little to unsettle the Vieira/Parlour and later Gilberto partnership.

Following the near customary early season injury to Vieira, Edu had a solid run in the side and played and scored during the famous 5-1 victory at the San Siro in November 2003. His most notable contribution however came in the key month of February 2004. Man Utd were beginning to wobble after Ferdinand’s suspension so it was vital Arsenal didn’t drop any points. Edu was a tireless performer during this spell and scored the decisive winning goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Just 3 days later he turned it on in the Champions League with a brace against Celta Vigo, one of which was a peach of a goal. This period was essential to Arsenal’s 2004 title and Edu’s contribution during this time mustn’t be overlooked.

In a way Edu’s downfall at Arsenal came from his own success. He was called up for Brazil in the close season and took part in 6 Copa America matches over July. This therefore delayed his pre season and he was unable to ever get into the rhythm of the season due to the sporadic nature of his appearances. After a dispute over his new contract, Edu left Arsenal on a free transfer at the end of May 2005.

The spectre of Vieira’s departure appears to have obscured other key performers from recognition. He may be gone, but Arsenal fans shouldn’t forget Edu, and perhaps even question what it might have meant if he had he been back in full fitness and a regular performer this season.

Sam Cullen
23 March 2006

2941: Newcastle United; Counting Th

by : Stephen Orford

Alan Shearer is today making headlines (March 23) by complaining about the sending off of Newcastle United defender Robbie Elliot in the last minute of Newcastle United’s FA Cup defeat at Chelsea.

The former England captain may have a point. It is clear that Elliot barely grazed Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, and that the player took a ridiculous, embarrassing dive. Wright-Phillips turned in an ineffectual performance for Chelsea after arriving as a substitute for Damien Duff, wasting a glorious opportunity to extend the one-goal lead given to his side early by John Terry.

All of this followed the indignity suffered by Wright-Phillips of being withdrawn within 25 minutes of the Premiership loss to Fulham on Sunday (March 19) alongside Joe Cole. The man generally regarded as David Beckham’s England understudy on the right of midfield appears to be losing his way since moving from Manchester City, and his profligacy in front of goal and subsequent last-minute amateur dramatics will not have enhanced his reputation.

Yet all of these problems pale into insignificance when measured against the reality which faces Shearer following the cup exit. Rather than berating opponents or referees for incidents and decisions which probably would not have affected the outcome in any case, perhaps the former Southampton and Blackburn Rovers striker should reflect on his last chance at silverware with the Magpies slipping meekly through his fingers. Shearer is set to retire at the end of the season (again) and the manner of the defeat to the champions was doubly disappointing with that in mind.

Fulham showed at the weekend how the Chelsea back four can be exposed. With good movement from midfield, particularly in wide areas, the Cottagers created several opportunities to inflict more damage on the champions, albeit on the counter attack for the most part. The need to keep defensive shape is understandable when taking on Mourinho’s men, but having fallen behind after only four minutes Glenn Roeder’s side desperately needed to open up to give themselves a realistic opportunity to equalise. They palpably failed to do so, and as a result only Lee Bowyer’s 16th minute drive caused any real alarm in the Chelsea rearguard.

All of which shows Newcastle’s current limitations in comparison to the Premiership’s genuine movers and shakers. For all the romanticism about his impending retirement, it was never going to be Alan Shearer’s year in the FA Cup any more than it will be Tim Henman’s year at Wimbledon. For not only does the Magpies squad lack the necessary creative midfield quality to trouble the big boys on a consistent basis, in Shearer they continue to rely on a man who has been well past his best for two years or more.

The Toon faithful’s obsession with their local hero has become detrimental to their hopes of putting together a team capable of truly challenging for major honours. Only when Graeme Souness made the bold addition of Michael Owen to the squad did Newcastle possess a striker of genuine and present world class. The sentiment afforded Shearer in his pursuit of silverware and of Jackie Milburn’s all-time club goalscoring record has ensured that they have not yet found a suitable partner for the former Liverpool and Real Madrid goal-machine.

Alan Shearer is a legend. At the peak of his powers, this was a man who could be bracketed among the greatest English strikers of all time. His performances for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United aswell as England prove this beyond doubt. Early retirement from the international game prevents Shearer from appearing alongside the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker at the very top of the England goalscoring charts, but for several years during the 1990’s there was no one more dominant and devastating in the centre forward position anywhere in the world. Yet none of this will compensate him or his adoring Newcastle fans as they contemplate the extension of their 37-year wait without a trophy.

Ear-marked for a coaching and possibly managerial role at St.James’ Park in the future, the once mighty Shearer may one day collect silverware with the club in at least one of these capacities. However, he cannot now add to the solitary Premiership winners medal he won at Blackburn in 1995 which sits alone on his personal honours list. Considering his mega talent, this is one of English football’s great injustices. Yet for the good of the club that he so proudly professes his love for, the man who has netted over 200 goals for Newcastle United needs to step aside sooner rather than later if the club are to go forward.

To some Shearer’s complaints about the antics of Wright-Phillips on Wednesday night may ring hollow. After all, the Geordie goal-getter was not a man averse to bending the rules during his many battles with the world’s finest centre-backs over the years. Yet perhaps he had earned the right to use a little gamesmanship now and again during the course of his glittering domestic and international career.

There’s a lesson in there for Shaun Wright-Phillips somewhere.

By Stephen Orford

23 March 2006

2943: Encouragement Not Enough For B

by : Paul Grech

Few Burnley fans doubt manager Steve Cotterill’s ability, so there was widespread relief when he signed an extended contract earlier this month. Yet, coming in the midst of a slump in results it did little to diminish the worry lines at Turf Moor.

At the turn of the year, there were still those who held on to the hopes of nailing a play-off spot. Instead, the five points out of a possible thirty-three gained in 2006 has seen them slip to eighteenth in the league. In their last six games they’ve even failed to score a goal.

So what’s happened? The obvious answer lies in the sale of Ade Akinyibi. Realistically, the Burnley board was never in a position to turn down Sheffield United’s bid of £1.75 million but coming so late in the transfer window it gave Cotterill precious little time to find a suitable replacement.

It looked as if they had struck lucky when one time England striker Michael Ricketts scored twice in his first two games after signing on loan from Leeds but it was a false dawn. Ricketts has since reverted to type, largely looking disinterested.

Ricketts’ letdown means that, to Leicester and Wolves fans’ amazement, Burnley haven’t found anyone capable of scoring at the rate of Akinyibi. Yet, whilst his sale offers an easy explanation, it is only one of the reasons for Burnley’s slump.

The departure of charismatic first team coach Mark Yates, who joined non-league Kidderminster, seems to have had an impact on the players’ morale which has been further hit by the succession of defeats. With each negative result the doubts about their abilities increase as does the fear of making a mistake next time round. This inevitably leads to a team that lacks the drive necessary to push forward, as has been evidenced by Burnley’s failures to even create any chances of note.

Cotterill’s problem is that, with one of the league’s smallest squads, he has very little alternatives and can’t change the team around, meaning that he has to rely on the same players each week. Admirably, the fans have stood by the side and, if anything, their encouragement has grown.

They’re conscious that one positive result could be enough to reverse the trend. At the same time it is difficult for Cotterill to do anything except pointing at the fans’ belief and trying to remind his players that they’re better than this.

The recent acquisition of striker Andy Gray on loan from Sunderland – a player who changed clubs for £1.2 million earlier this year – has at least increased his options. It also confirms Cotterill’s ability to exploit the loan market. So too will the deadline day signing of Alan Mahon. Cotterill's track record also shows that he is more than adept at picking up players at the end of their contract. But he can’t keep on scrounging for bargains for ever.

With a ten point cushion on the third-bottom side, there are no real relegation fears this season. In the summer, however, Cotterill will have to be given some money with which to bolster the side and ensure that he has more room to manoeuvre the next time they get into a similar situation.

Otherwise Burnley, for all their glorious history, will remain a team that is effectively punching above its weight just as Rotherham and Gillingham – both of whom eventually succumbed to relegation - were in the recent past.

2939: Manchester United: Ferguson pl

by : Sam Cullen

“I saw Darren playing for England Under 21s in his Ipswich days and he looked lethal in front of goal. He’s made such an impact in the Premiership. Another ex-Ipswich player Darren Ambrose has also really impressed, a dangerman coming through the centre. Dennis Rommedahl seems quite inconsistent but he’s such a proven big game player for Denmark that he too could prove to be a major threat.”

“I think we’ll try and keep it tight but look to Yakubu to be the goal threat. He’s already scored 18 this season home and away against all kinds of opposition. The rest of the team may have had a stormy ride but Yak keeps scoring whether we feed him or not. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has also looked on fire of late, give him a chance and Charlton could pay.”

Paul, who said he would like to see Brentford’s Martin Allen at the Valley if Curbishley did decide to take the England job, claims that Boro have a number of key players in crucial areas to watch out for.

“They have good players all over the pitch. Jimmy Floyd has hit form and so has Mark Viduka. Stuart Downing in midfield and Gareth Southgate are all quality players. Winning is it seven of their last nine games is impressive but we have started not to concede so it could be close.”

“With Marcus Bent cup-tied I am sure that we will start with two wide players. This will cause Boro trouble down the flanks and I think Darren Bent with his pace and heading ability will capitalise.”

Charlton were put to the sword at Highbury at the weekend while Boro’s brave efforts in Roma caught up with them as they fell to Blackburn in an absorbing 3-2 defeat. There won’t be any hangovers from Saturday though as the chance of a semi-final spot in the FA Cup is up for grabs. Recent encounters have been tight and cagey affairs and Rob doesn’t see it being any different tonight.

“I think it will be a tight game but that doesn’t mean it won’t be tense. We have just come through a nail-biting UEFA Cup tie with Roma where we won on away goals. Similarly it could well go down to the wire between us again. Whether it is a classic or not for the neutral won’t bother either set of fans. That’s not what it’s about it’s all about reaching that semi-final and getting one step from the cup final. Ask any Boro fan what was the greatest day in his life and nine out of 10 will say the Carling Cup final win at Cardiff – a repeat but in the FA Cup itself would be simply phenomenal.”

Paul though thinks that the Addicks, with home advantage, will be the ones lining up in the semi-finals.

“I think it will be very close. I hope it will not go to a replay. 1-0 to Charlton I think. Let us win this game and they can go on and win the UEFA Cup!”

Curbishley and McClaren have both endured the highs and lows this season but with a real chance of silverware on the line both will be fired up for this clash. McClaren would love to end the season with a brace of trophies while Curbishley would equally love to bring a cup back to the Valley after everything he’s done there.

It should prove to be a fascinating game and one goal will probably be enough to settle it. Who that will go to though is anyone’s guess.

Colin Illingworth
22 March 2006It's an odd state of affairs when the Premierships joint top scorer can’t make the starting XI of his side. Yet that is the current scenario at Old Trafford with Ruud Van Nistelrooy. It has been speculated this has come about due to Ruud’s unwillingness to track back and defend during last months FA Cup defeat against Liverpool and this is Ferguson showing him who’s boss.

Things currently appear relatively rosy on the good ship Man Utd, as they sit 5 points clear of Liverpool in 2nd, with significantly superior goal difference and a game in hand. They easily disposed of Newcastle last weekend and are still winning despite Ruud, it seems. But if this “feud” continues, it would be nave of United fan’s to think they could so easily cope without their prolific talisman for an entire season.

It also isn’t the first time Fergie has got into a feud with one of the key components of his side. Remember August 2001 and Jaap Stam? The Dutchman penned an autobiography revealing a few too many home truths about life at Old Trafford, and the centre back was off quicker than a Swiss train. Fergie showed him who was boss. However during 2001/02, United struggled with defensive instabilities and United ended the season 3rd and trophy less.

Now think forward February 2003. The unthinkable happened, Francies Jeffers scored. What’s more it was against United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford, and it put United out. The subsequent events led to David Beckham’s departure from Old Trafford, following the infamous flying boot incident. Fergie showed him who was boss. However 2003/04 saw United surrender their Premiership crown to Arsenal and United’s midfield arguably hasn’t recovered since.

In both cases, this seemingly private feuds have impacted detrimentally on the footballing fortunes of Manchester United. Should Ruud leave, it is unrealistic to place extra responsibility on the shoulders of Louis Saha. He may be going a prolific spell, but his spell at United has been marred more with downs than ups. Fergie has managed to get away with this twice before, but with a few American eyes watching his every move, and Chelsea moving further from touching distance, will it be third time unlucky for Ferguson should he push Van Nistelrooy out of Old Trafford?

Sam Cullen
18 March 2006

2938: Charlton Athletic vs Middlesbr

by : Colin Illingworth

A season that looked like ending in disaster just a few weeks ago is now looking ahead to a possible cup double. Middlesbrough were flirting with relegation at the turn of the year and truly shocking performances against Arsenal and Aston Villa led to calls for McClaren’s head. One fan was so disgusted at what he was seeing that he famously ran onto the pitch and threw his season ticket at the boss. But since that incident Boro have been on a crest of a wave. They thrashed the champions Chelsea 3-0, have put some daylight between themselves and the drop zone and have come through two tough European fixtures against Stuggart and Roma to become one of the favourites for the UEFA Cup. And as if it couldn’t get any better tonight they face a Charlton Athletic side that has failed to beat them in three previous FA Cup ties.

Boro fan, and editor of the club’s fanzine Fly Me To The Moon www.fmttm.com, Rob Nichols was frustrated at a third away tie but is confident of getting a result in the capital.

“I was disappointed at getting another away draw – we’ve have had no home draws so far but I was relieved that it wasn’t away at Stamford Bridge or Anfield. I was particularly keen to avoid a possible revenge mission from Chelsea after that recent 3-0 win. Charlton v Boro games are not usually classics but it is an open tie in the sense that either team could win through so it could have been worse. We’ve got a chance here.

“Our record at The Valley is pretty patchy. The games between us usually end up 0-0 or 1-0 at either ground. But this time there will be a big cup atmosphere. I’m looking forward to it and yes I think we have a real chance. Until 1996/97 we had never won a quarterfinal. But we have twice reached the sixth round in the past decade and won through on both occasions.”

However, Alan Curbishley’s men are not going to roll over for the UEFA Cup quarter finalists. They recently achieved their first double over the Teesside club in more than 20 years with a 2-1 win at the Valley and the last team to leave Charlton with a win bonus was Arsenal on Boxing Day. They’ve kept five clean sheets in the last nine home games and Boro have only beaten Charlton in the capital once in the last seven meetings. But that cup hoodoo is weighing on the mind of Paul Nottage, chairman of the Charlton Athletic Supporters Club.

“I know we have played Boro three times in the cup and lost them all. I am sure that this game will be close and probably won by the odd goal but after three attempts one would think that it would be our turn!

“I was pleased it was a home draw considering the matches had to be played midweek. Although it’s on TV I feel sorry for the travelling fans. Perhaps one of the International friendly weeks should have been given up so that the FA Cup keeps its mystique. I hope it is a good game where it pits the wits of two hopeful England manger candidates.”

Alan Curbishley has admitted that he is in discussions with the FA about the England manager’s role and Steve McClaren, who has served under Sven and Sir Alex, will surely also be in the frame despite facing the wrath of disgruntled Boro fans this season. Lifelong Boro fan Rob believes that bringing another piece of silverware to the club would make McClaren a legend on Teesside.

“Steve McClaren is the only manager in Boro’s history to win major silverware for the club and if he was to win the FA Cup that would wipe the slate clean with all his critics. It would be a remarkable transformation and would ensure that he was a legend here. It would certainly be a dream. That’s why I’m sure the team will put up one helluva fight at the Valley. We are a very experienced cup side now – we will have played 20 UEFA Cup games in two years by the time we meet. That has to stand us in good stead. Also we bottled it big style in our Carling Cup quarterfinal v Blackburn this season so the players and management will be determined to make amends in the FA Cup.”

The FA’s attempts to help Sven’s World Cup hopes by spreading the sixth round ties over the course of a week has come under attack from supporters and Rob believes that it is a disgrace and a slap in the face to the fans.

“The FA Cup is still a great competition but I feel the FA have done more to demean it in a week than any Man U withdrawal etc ever did. Spreading the fixtures out across a week it nothing short of a disgrace and leaves a really bitter taste in the mouth of fans. We had to put up with a midweek game because of World Cup preparation but then to put the games on separate days to maximise TV revenue is greedy and appalling really.”

Both sides have led charmed lives in the cup this season by missing fellow Premiership opposition. Charlton have disposed of Sheffield Wednesday, Leyton Orient and Brentford on their way to the quarterfinal while Boro have been taken to replays by Nuneaton Borough and Coventry and beat high-flying Preston in the last round.

The two sides boosted their striking options in the summer with Charlton splashing out on Ipswich’s Darren Bent and Middlesbrough raiding Portsmouth for Yakubu. Both strikers have done what they were signed to do and Bent has even worked his way into the England squad. Unsurprisingly Rob has picked out the two marksmen as the men to watch.

2936: Birmingham City; Should Steve

by : Stephen Orford

Tuesday night’s 7-0 FA Cup quarter final pasting by Liverpool (March 21) represents a nadir in the managerial career of Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce.

His team were pulled apart by a previously impotent Liverpool attack, and unceremoniously dumped out of the competition in front of a national television audience. The word “humiliation” was bandied about by Bruce in his post-match interviews, and it is one which seems to sum up the events at St.Andrews on the night.

With just nine games left to save their Premiership status the question now is whether Bruce is the right man to continue the quest. After more than three quarters of the league campaign the former Manchester United captain has failed to inspire his troops to an upturn in performances. Prior to the FA Cup debacle Bruce’s side had been on a desperate league run, picking up just two points from a possible 21 with only draws against West Bromwich Albion and, ironically, Liverpool to show for their efforts. Their last league win came on January 21 when they thumped Portsmouth 5-0 at St.Andrews. It was a rare bright spot in what has been a depressing season so far.

If the cup run had previously been a source of light relief for Bruce and his men, the manner of its end serves only as a painful reminder of just how desperate the side’s form has become. The Birmingham board must now decide whether a change at the top would be beneficial, with no sign of an end to the team’s recent troubles in sight. Often a new face in the manager’s office coincides with an improvement in results over a period of two or three games. Six or seven points at this stage of the season could be invaluable to Blues, but this is very much the short term view.

The argument against suggests that stability is the key to a successful long-term future. Charlton Athletic and Sunderland have shown in the recent past how sticking by a manager despite relegation can pay longer term dividends. Alan Curbishley and Peter Reid eventually established their teams into top half Premiership table finishes, and the chopping and changing done by the Black Cats since finds them heading for the Championship once more.

Assuming Bruce is allowed to continue in his role, he faces a testing time in the short term. Acquiring anything from the next two league fixtures at Manchester United and at home to Chelsea seems impossible in the context of the fearful hiding taken at the hands of Rafa Benitez’s side. One gets the feeling that two heavy defeats against the Premiership’s top two could all but seal Birmingham’s fate. There are easier games on the schedule for Blues to close the gap on their relegation rivals, but poundings like the one inflicted by Liverpool will have a damning effect on the team’s already battered confidence going into the run-in. Though notions of winning any points from the big two appear fanciful, Bruce must ensure that the damage to the goals against column is limited if he is to restore any belief to his currently bewildered, beleaguered troops.

If Bruce can come through this difficult period relatively unscathed and still in a job, he takes his team into battle with Bolton Wanderers on April 4, followed by a trip to Wigan Athletic four days later. The Lancashire duo are still chasing UEFA Cup qualification and will offer no easy pickings for a Blues team wondering where its next goal, much less its next win is coming from. The Birmingham derby on April 16 at Villa Park is bigger than ever, while the visit of Blackburn Rovers (April 19) is a fixture that always has its fair share of needle and tension whatever the circumstances. In addition, with Rovers playing more fluently this season and challenging for the top four the fixture is one which promises little for Bruce’s team.

As Bruce has often alluded to, the return of some key first team members might be helpful. The likes of Muzzy Izzet, Chris Sutton, Matthew Upson, Julian Gray and Emile Heskey all missed the Liverpool debacle, and have all faced regular spells out of the first team for various reasons. Jiri Jarosik is another important player currently unavailable, but the injury situation is not something which will offer an excuse should relegation from the Premiership appear on the Steve Bruce CV. A lot of money has been spent in trying to establish Blues as a solid and stable Premiership outfit, yet a slide into the Championship looks favourite at this point.

Will Steve Bruce be the man to lead the charge to bounce back up at the first attempt?

By Stephen Orford

22 March 2006

2935: World Cup 2006: Reserves Win W

by : Hugh Larkin

“I think Scott Parker is well-equipped to play against Frank Lampard, and with the experience that Emre has, Makele could get the run-around. It would be important that our two wingers (Solano and N'Zogbia probably) help out their full-backs, and also get crosses into Chelsea's area as often as possible. If you put lots of crosses over to Shearer and Owen, there's a very good chance that you might just get a goal or two.”

The last FA Cup clash between the two at the Bridge came 10 years ago. On that day Mark Hughes and Les Ferdinand were on target as they shared the spoils. Chelsea went on to win the replay at St James’ Park 4-2 on penalties though. And if the earlier facts didn’t paint a bleak enough picture for the Toon Army, here’s another one. The last and only time Newcastle have beaten Chelsea in the capital in this competition came 75 years ago.

Frank Lampard has enjoyed another fantastic season for Chelsea and for a midfielder to sit in with the likes of Henry and Van Nistlerooy at the top of the scoring charts is a phenomenal achievement. But it’s not just his scoring ability that has seen Ian pinpoint the former West Ham star as a key man to watch.

”Lampard is a class player who could give most teams the run-around. When Chelsea are at their best, everything seems to go through him. So you need to watch him like a hawk. John Terry is also a key player – as well as being a brilliant defender, he seems to be Chelsea's Alan Shearer-type talisman. Not forgetting Eidur Gudjohnsen, as he always plays well against us.”

Ian adds: ”Our most important player will be Scott Parker, who will be geed up to impress his old team. There will be a big job for him to do in midfield, so his performance will have a big impression on the team’s performance. The key player (if he plays) will be Michael Owen, purely because of his goal scoring prowess, and ability to turn a half-chance into a goal.”

Rob, who rates Gianfranco Zola as his favourite all-time Chelsea player, believes that the time has come for Arjen Robben to show the fans what he’s capable of but thinks that Chelsea should prove to be too strong for Newcastle overall.

“We're well overdue a decent game from Robben. Played in an unfamiliar role against Barca, admittedly, but he was more or less anonymous when we needed him most. We all know his ability when he's on song... if he's feeling frisky, he could pull the Newcastle fullbacks to pieces.

“With Owen and Parker in the side, Newcastle are a different team, and Solano can be a class act when he's in the mood. Beyond that, it'll be Shearer's physical presence up front. But John Terry certainly has the measure of the former England captain these days. I think it'll be a decent game, but the way Newcastle capitulated to Man United this weekend leaves me thinking that we should get through it without too much fuss.

“I expect us to play our passing game, and Newcastle to press hard and then run out of steam in the second half. A year ago, I'd have said 2-0 Chelsea but we've developed a worrying habit of conceding sloppy goals lately. With a decent 90 minutes from the Dutch winger and if Lampard's at his imperious best, I'll go for 3-1 Chelsea.”

Like Newcastle, Chelsea have enjoyed a favourable cup draw this season. Home games against Huddersfield and Colchester have been interesting affairs and a replay was needed to see off Everton back at the Bridge. The most startling fact from those games though was the fact that the lock tight defence was breached on all three occasions. There was a time when Petr Cech was simply unbeatable but in the last 16 games the Blues have only managed to keep two clean sheets. That will give Shearer and co encouragement and Ian is expecting an opening game.

”There’s no way we will roll over for them this time, and that coupled with the fact that Chelsea don’t know how to play defensively, means that there may be a goal or two. I don’t think the game will be settled at Stamford Bridge, though. I’ll stick my neck out and say 2-2, with a replay at St James’.”

The FA Cup is Shearer’s last chance to bring silverware to Tyneside before he hangs up his boots and he will be desperate to book his place in the last four. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho will be keen to join the league and cup double club, so something has to give. There’s an old saying that if you want to be the best you’ve got to beat the best and they certainly don’t come any bigger than Chelsea. It will be a tough ask of Newcastle to beat the history books and form guide but if Shay Given can frustrate the Blues for long enough and one of his team mates can sneak a goal then anything is possible.

Is 2006 Newcastle’s year or has their luck just ran out?

Colin Illingworth
21 March 2006
If you want to know if a team have a chance of winning the World Cup, take a look at the quality of their reserves. In fact, scrutinise the players who are third choice for a position because it’s even money that at least one of them will play in the tournament. The history of football is littered with men who came from nowhere to a starting role on the biggest stage of all.

Pre-competition injuries, the demands of several games in a short time, the need to change a losing formula and over-zealous use of cards could soon mean that Sven will be turning to players that he wouldn’t have wanted to even have on the bench in the first place.

England 2002

David Beckham’s metatarsal healed enough to get him there but Gary Neville’s didn’t. Step forward Danny Mills to play the whole tournament in the right back slot. Kieron Dyer was clattered just weeks before the big day- he made the trip but wasn’t really fit and Steven Gerrard wasn’t even on the plane. That brought a call up for Danny Murphy who also succumbed to injury and the beneficiary was Trevor Sinclair.

Injury to Owen Hargreaves during the competition meant that England ended with a midfield including both Sinclair and Nicky Butt - a regular squad member but rarely first choice before or since.

Germany 2002

The Germans were given no chance after their 5-1 thrashing by England in 2001. Those odds became even longer when the team hit a major shortage of experienced centre-backs. Strongmen like Nowotny and Worns didn’t make it to the Far East and the attrition of the tournament left them relying on Christoph Metzelder in the Final- a defender who only made his debut in the run up to the competition and was the youngest in the game at 21.

France 1998

France’s iron back four of Thuram, Blanc, Desailly and Lizarazu were rock solid during France 98. They played every game on the way to the Final except the final group game when Aime Jacquet gave his squad men a run out. One of them was Chelsea’s Franck Leboeuf.

A piece of scandalous play acting by Croatian Slaven Bilic in the semi-final brought Blanc an unjust suspension and Leboeuf stepped forward to take his place in France’s biggest ever game. As he later repeated endlessly on a TV game show- ‘I won a World Cup!’

Argentina 1986

Only one of Argentina 1978 World Cup winning side was left by 1986- the fearsome captain Daniel Passarella . Despite being named in the squad, Passarella succumbed to injury and never played a game in Mexico. Up stepped the relative unknown Jose Luis Brown from the obscurity of Brest in the French Championship; he appeared in every game and even scored the opener in the Final. After this career peak he then slipped back into his understudy role, selected occasionally for Copa America squads.

England 1986

Everything started badly for Bobby Robson’s team in Mexico. They lost 1-0 to Portugal first up but if that wasn’t bad enough, a 0-0 draw with Morocco followed which saw Wilkins sent off and Bryan Robson dislocate his shoulder.

With backs to the wall, Robson had to select a midfield axis of Peter Reid and Glenn Hoddle who dovetailed perfectly. Up front, Robson ditched the battering ram Mark Hateley for the subtle skills of Peter Beardsley and suddenly England were purring. Gary Lineker contributed 6 goals in the next three games and only Maradona’s hand put them out in the quarters.

England 1982

By common consent, England’s two most important attackers were Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking. Both travelled to Spain carrying injuries and in the event neither appeared until a late double substitution in England’s final game against the hosts which ended 0-0 and failure to reach the semis.

Without the main men, Graham Rix played every game on the left side of midfield and while Ray Wilkins was competent in centre midfield he couldn’t match Brooking’s attacking instincts. Up front Trevor Francis and Paul Mariner shared the forward duties but England failed to score in the second phase.

Italy 1982

Giuseppe Bergomi was the youngest member of the Azzuri Squad in Spain. He played a part in the games up to the Final and the suspension of playmaker Antognoni saw Enzo Bearzot push Antonio Cabrini into midfield and Bergomi filled the defensive gap at only 18 years of age.

You think it’s all over?

Not forgetting the most celebrated late replacement of all. Sir Geoff Hurst began the 1966 World Cup on the bench and found a place into the starting eleven thanks to Jimmy Greaves’ gashed shin. And we know what happened next.

Hugh Larkin
21 March 2006

2931: Manchester City Wait For Anoth

by : Stephen Orford

It’s thirty years since Manchester City last won a major trophy, and the wait goes on following Monday night’s FA Cup quarter final defeat to West Ham United (March 20).

City were beaten 2-1 at home by Alan Pardew’s side despite a spirited performance, with the game perhaps turning on Sun Jihai’s 56th minute dismissal for raising his hands in the direction of Matthew Etherington. Until then the home side had been well in the game despite Dean Ashton’s opener just before half-time. Only the profligacy of Kiki Musampa and Bradley Wright-Phillips in front of goal prevented them from going in level at the break. Ashton’s second amid the confusion of Christian Dailly’s injury put the Hammers into their first FA Cup semi-final in 15 years despite Musampa‘s late and spectacular volley.

The FA Cup exit will be a bitter blow to Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce. There had been a feeling that this could be the year that their long trophy drought would end. Maybe they could even usurp the achievements of neighbours Manchester United by winning the bigger of the two domestic cups. It was not to be thanks to Ashton’s double strike, an event made all the more poignant by the notion that Pearce decided against entering into an auction with West Ham when the player was still at Norwich City.

Yet now is not the time for regrets for the City manager. There is still the task of challenging for a UEFA Cup place to focus on. That objective remains very much an outside bet with just eight games remaining. Eleventh in the table, City have 40 points which is two fewer than West Ham who are immediately above them, and fully eight points off the pace for that all-important seventh spot currently being set by Bolton Wanderers. As tall orders go this is a Peter Crouch-like order, but there may be reasons to be positive about the possibility of finishing the season in good form.

City have Georgios Samaras, Andy Cole and Trevor Sinclair aswell as defender Stephen Jordan currently injured and out of action. The return to fitness of these men will be key to City’s chances of salvaging anything from the current campaign. The squad does lack depth in key areas, a matter which the former Nottingham Forest captain will no doubt be keen to address in the summer. Hanging on to talismanic midfielder Joey Barton is also vital with several big name vultures thought to be circling.

For now anything is still possible, and a quick look around the surrounding areas of City’s league position will show Pearce that all of Everton, Wigan Athletic and possibly even Newcastle United and Charlton could yet finish above his charges in the league. The need to ensure that the season does not tail off into mid-table nothingness is palpably visible.

With that in mind a visit to Chelsea on Saturday (March 25) might not be a particularly enticing prospect for Pearce and his men. The 1-0 reverse at Fulham on Sunday was only Chelsea’s third of the season. Only Barcelona have won inside 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge since Jose Mourinho arrived in west London amid a dizzying smog of sound bytes. A visit to the City of Manchester Stadium from Middlesbrough follows on April 2 in which three points are not only attainable but probably compulsory.

The Eastlands club travel to White Hart Lane on April 8 knowing that their hosts will be desperate for a win which will aid them in their quest for Champions League football next season. Defeats against the two big London sides probably ends all hope of European qualification, and so extra resilience is required if the competitive edge to the season is to remain. Tellingly, other contenders for European places appear on the fixture list in the shape of Arsenal at the City of Manchester Stadium on Easter Monday, and a trip to Blackburn Rovers in the season finale on May 7.

If the fixture list looks daunting then the issue surrounding Pearce’s possible involvement in the new England coaching set-up complicates matters further. A place among the England backroom staff would more than likely ensure that Pearce could continue the promising start he has made to his managerial career in Manchester. Steve McLaren has already shown how coaching roles with club and country can be successfully married. However, the Teessiders’ current league position may suggest to many City fans that a call from the FA could take the edge off Pearce‘s domestic performance.

The fans will have woken up on Tuesday morning (March 21) to the harsh reality that another chance for silverware has been lost. Thirty years without a trophy is a long wait for any club, and a home quarter final with West Ham represented the club’s best chance for many a blue moon. However, the fans can at least console themselves with the knowledge that they have one of the brightest managerial prospects in the game at their disposal, coming into possession of an array of talent which could yet be harnessed into a potent force with annual visits to Europe on its agenda.

It’s just that they may have to wait a little while.

By Stephen Orford

21 March 2006

2937: Hearts: Romanov ousts Rix

by : Sam Cullen

Today saw the dismissal of Graham Rix as head coach of Hearts, after only 4 months in charge with Valdas Ivanauskas put in temporary charge. Director of football Jim Duffy, who has only been in the post for a month, has also been fired. After the current season at Tynecastle it may be going too far to say this announcement will have shocked the fans, but the timing certainly seems odd, as Hearts still have much to play for this season.

No doubt there will be mixed feelings amongst the Hearts fans on this news. Many were under whelmed when he was announced as George Burley’s replacement, especially after names such as Sir Bobby Robson and Claudio Ranieri were being linked to the club. Rix arrived with far from a glittering career, with two indifferent managerial spells at Portsmouth and more recently, Oxford.

When Rix took over, Hearts sat proudly atop the SPL with 35 points from their opening 14 games. At first it appeared as if Rix’s arrival had only added turbulence to the Hearts bandwagon as they won only 1 of his first 5 games in charge. Boxing day brought some confidence back as they demolished Falkirk 5-0 and promising young striker Calum Elliot bagged 2.

The new year began with the bad tempered and close defeat by Celtic, where after leading 2-0, Hearts were reduced to 10 men and eventually lost the match 3-2. After this result Hearts appeared to stabilise, beating both Dunfermline and city rivals Hibernian 4-1, as well as securing passage to the 5th round of the Scottish cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Aberdeen.

The writing first appeared on the wall for Rix when the rumours that Romanov picked the team to face Dundee United on 7th February surfaced, a disappointing match that Hearts drew 1-1 and caused Andy Webster to cancel contract talks due to being dropped, apparently on the request of the clubs majority shareholder. This many saw as being the death knell for Rix but the dispute was apparently resolved.

Since then Hearts have had intermittent fortunes and with Rangers resurgent, the pressure appeared to be on Rix. However following their hard fought draw with the Glasgow side last weekend, it appeared as if Rix was secure for the time being with his side 2nd, on 59 points.

Chairman Roman Romanov pointed to disappointing results as the reason for Rix's dismissal. He also pointed to some of the transfer window signings in January being questionable. Yet the majority of these signings hailed from central or eastern Europe, which suggested they were influenced by Romanov, so one must assume Vladmir took exception to the lower league journeymen Lee Johnson and Chris Hackett.

It may sound clichd but it certainly appears there is more going on than meets the eye at Hearts and it now remains to be seen if Hearts will hold onto 2nd or overcome Hibs in the Scottish Cup Semi Final. It is however a tragic shame this off the field soap opera has loomed over what began as an incredibly promising season and what at one stage looked like the best chance in years of the Old Firm duopoly being broken.

Sam Cullen
22 March 2006

2933: How Trevor Brooking ruined a n

by : Jeff Gold

Over recent years the BBC’s enthusiasm for the FA Cup has helped breathe new life into an old romance. Unfortunately, during last Wednesday’s fifth-round clash between West Ham and Bolton, I felt sullied and taken for granted, as Match of the Day went all League Cup on me and rested their first-team, giving some of their fringe performers an opportunity to shine.

Les Ferdinand, having turned out for them a couple of times, provided the Bolton perspective; the alternative view was given by Mr West Ham himself, Sir Trevor Brooking. His other role as the FA’s Director of Football Development made Brooking the perfect person to discuss both the game at hand and the ongoing search for the new England manager. In fact, the BBC probably considered his appearance to be something of a coup.

Until half-time that is. His incoherent rambling about the match was bad enough but, in responding to the inevitable question about Sven’s successor, Brooking panicked and wreaked total verbal carnage. The tiny fraction that was discernible was utterly incomprehensible. Non-sequitur followed non-sequitur, and I just couldn’t follow what followed.

He stumbled down spoken alleys that, if not completely blind, were certainly in need of some seriously thick giggs, and after several minutes he had failed to complete a single sentence. Any attempt by presenter Gary Lineker to retrieve the situation by interrupting and phrasing his question in a slightly different way only made things worse. By the end of half-time, he, and I, had deteriorated into a gibbering mess.

Nevertheless, I managed to rescue a few jewels of information from the wreckage. Apparently, Brooking might be a member of “a subgroup of a committee” that could be involved in interviewing “so-called people” for the job.

So-called people? Does he know something we don’t about Alan Curbishley? Is he suggesting that one of the candidates might be a cleverly disguised member of the animal kingdom? Well, Martin O’Neill does possess a certain inquisitive rodent-like quality, and there is something distinctly feline about Steve McClaren, although I’m not sure I’d like to stroke him. Other suspects include ‘Rhino’ Sam Allardyce and Phil Scolari, a man so bovine that he gave up his part in ‘Allo ‘Allo! due to his milking commitments. We can only hope that Brooking wasn’t referring to Harry ‘Bagpuss’ Redknapp.

Brooking’s confirmation that the successful candidate would be “English, British or overseas” was inspired, and led to some rather impressive schoolboy smirking from Les Ferdinand. His punishment was to be the first person on Earth officially ruled out of the running. The second and third rapidly followed as Lineker was excluded for asking difficult questions and Brooking decided to continue in his current role, one he described as “acting as a buffoon between the coach and the players”. I thought he said “buffoon”; actually it was “buffer”. I’m not entirely sure which is worse.

At least he was acting as a buffer between me and the football. It was dreadful. Like a giant, but aimless, game of tennis, the ball was launched from one end of the pitch to the other, perhaps bouncing once before being ballooned back in the other direction. It was a case of hit and hopeless, and about as easy on the eye as glaucoma.

I just couldn’t watch the second-half. Still, the romance isn’t dead. I returned on Monday for the quarter-final-fest opener and, possibly for the only time ever, greeted Lee Dixon with a smile and a small hug of the television.

Jeff Gold
21 March 2006

2924: Casper Battles To Save Bury’s

by : Hugh Larkin

Most of the names battling to avoid the drop to the Conference from League Two have had relatively short lives in the Football League. The likes of Macclesfield, Rushden and Barnet are all beneficiaries of automatic promotion since 1987; Chester and Torquay came in during the 1920s, Oxford appeared in the 60s but only Stockport have got anywhere near the longevity of Bury.

There were six Lancastrian teams in the Football League when it was founded in 1888 but Bury just missed out on that. They were founded in 1889 by merging two local sides and they quickly made up for lost time; the League decided to invite them into Division Two in 1895 and the new boys promptly won promotion immediately.

Bury acquired their ‘Shakers’ nickname when their chairman reputedly told people that his team would’ shake’ up the opposition. Whether he said it or not, the team certainly took him at his word and the club lifted the FA Cup twice in 1900 and 1903. Their record in these Finals reads an amazing 10 goals scored and none conceded and at the time the Shakers were the most talked about team in football.

Those days are long gone of course but Bury settled down to a decent existence in the Football League’s lower divisions, punctuated by occasional surges into the second tier. However, for the last 4 seasons the club have been on a dangerous slide. As short a time ago as 1999 Bury were a Championship club- they then managed three seasons in League One before slipping into the bottom tier in 2002.

League Two results have become progressively worse- the Shakers have finished successively 7th, 12th and then 17th. This campaign the plunge has continued and now the club is locked into a desperate struggle to maintain their 101 year League history. This very old club has chosen the League’s youngest manager to lead the fight for safety.

Chris Casper was one of the ‘Golden Generation’ in Manchester United’s 90s Youth sides. He struggled for opportunities at Old Trafford and then injury forced an end to his career in his mid-20s. Now at 31 he has the task of trying to halt Bury’s inexorable slide toward the Conference.

As befits a former central defender he’s formed the Shakers into a hard to beat outfit. Before Saturday’s tough trip to title chasing Grimsby, their last 7 League games saw the side only conceding 4 times. Only one of those games has been won but at least no team is getting an easy game from Casper’s side. In the five games previous to that the Shakers defence leaked 16 goals.

After the trip to Blundell Park- which brought a creditable 2-1 loss- Bury embark on four games which will do much to decide if they can stay up. Drop zone rivals Oxford, Rochdale and Macclesfield all have to visit Bury and the Shakers have a short away trip to local rivals Stockport who are also deep in the mire. The recent single goal home defeat to County was considerable body blow to morale at Gigg Lane.

Casper will look to the experience of defenders Dave Challinor and Colin Woodthorpe to steady the ship; signing Kasper Schmeichel on loan from Man City looks to be excellent business as the keeper with the famous father has conceded only twice in four games. Goals have been the problem and the manager will be hoping striker Matthew Tipton can regain the form he showed at Macclesfield when he was a double figure a season man.

The loss of midfielder Simon Whaley in the transfer window hasn’t helped matters as he was top scoring with 7 League goals. Someone else has to pick up the slack because while Bury have become tough to beat, some of the sides around them have been picking up wins.

At the moment, it seems that the battle to avoid the drop is going to go all the way to the last day. Saturday’s results did Casper’s squad no favours but nine teams are still separated by only 7 points and like everyone else the Shakers have their fate in their own hands. After Chris Casper’s terrible luck as a player he’s due some good fortune and a few more goals might just see him save Bury’s 100 year old League tenure in his fledgling season in the hot seat.

Hugh Larkin
19 March 2006

2934: FA Cup: Chelsea vs Newcastle U

by : Colin Illingworth

Three ties against lower league opposition in Shearer’s final season led many to suggest that Newcastle’s name was on the cup. However that viewpoint took a right beating when the draw for the quarterfinal was announced as the Magpies were paired with champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

It was the draw that everybody wanted to avoid but particularly Glenn Roeder’s side as previous trips to west London have been anything but glorious. In their last four meetings at the Bridge they have conceded 15 goals without reply, have only won there twice in more than 50 years and Clarence Acuna was the last Newcastle player to score there more than five years ago in a 1-1 draw.

It’s hardly the figures that will fill the Geordie faithful with confidence but they are an optimistic bunch in the North East and Ian Moore, a season ticket holder at St James’ Park, believes that there is a real chance that Newcastle could repeat last year’s performance when they dumped Mourinho’s men out of the competition at St James’.

“I was initially disappointed when our name came out of the hat. I think anyone would be. But then I got thinking and just lately Chelsea haven't been performing as well as we all know they can. The prime example of that was the Boro game – that demonstrated that the right approach and tactics can undo Chelsea. If Boro can beat them, and they've been blowing hot and cold all season, then why can't we? The FA Cup has been a good competition to us lately so you never know. I'm certainly not writing our chances off.

”I'm under no illusions, they have hammered us down there for years, but I do think there's a chance we can do it. If you want to win the cup, you have to beat the good teams. Someone has to beat them, so why not us? Our season rides on this one game so I’m expecting a good performance. So I see no reason at all why we can't give a decent account of ourselves. If you do that, there's always a chance. The Alan Shearer factor will play a big part. He’s desperate to win something and this is his last chance, so you can be sure in his assistant manager role that he will be drumming this into the squad. Hopefully this will also lead to a good performance and maybe a win.”

As if the task wasn’t hard enough given their poor record in West London, if Newcastle want to book their place in the last four they’ll have to do something that no English side has done for more than two years at Stamford Bridge… beat Chelsea over 90 minutes! The last English side to leave the Bridge with a win bonus was Arsenal back in February, 2004.

Following their Champions League exit this tie has become even more crucial to Mourinho’s men as they aim to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs of sides who have achieved the league and cup double. Rob Hobson, editor of the Chelsea website www.CFCnet.co.uk, was pleased with the draw and says it gives the side a chance to put the heartache of the Nou Camp and disappointment of Craven Cottage behind them. It also gives them the opportunity to seek revenge on the Geordies for their early cup exit last season.

“It is, perhaps, a measure of Chelsea's recent achievement that people will be queuing up to tell us that this season has essentially been a failure thanks to the Barca defeat. Winning the cup and finishing off the league will be a good way of putting that behind us. After all, we're bound to draw Barca in the final 16 yet again next year! Roeder might have the Toon buzzing again, but I think we're pretty confident of making the next round. And it gives us a chance both to avenge last season's exit and to make Alan Shearer's last crack at this competition a memorable one.”

Patrick Kluivert was the hero in the action packed cup clash last year, which saw the end of Wayne Bridge’s season. The England international had just come on as one of three second half substitutes before being stretchered off with a double ankle fracture after a tackle from Alan Shearer and Mourinho was forced to play the last 40 minutes with ten men. Late on this was reduced to nine, as Carlo Cudicini was shown red for a late challenge on Shola Ameobi.

However, Rob, 30, doesn’t think that what happened last season will be playing on the minds of the players or the fans too much and expects a professional display from the champions.

“I think it will add a frisson to the occasion but Newcastle’s recent history against the Blues is... well... unspectacular, to say the least. I don't think there's any bad feeling there, unless you count the bone-cruncher with which Shearer ended Bridge's season last time round. What's far more likely is that the manager will be imbuing his team with that "eyes on the prize" mentality that ran away with the league last year and took the Carling Cup from Liverpool. Expect a very focused, professional outlook from us.”

The transformation at St James’ since Souness was shown the door has been remarkable. The Magpies are much more willing to attack teams and the defence, apart from their last two outings, are actually making the opposition work to create scoring opportunities. Five wins from eight has seen them climb the table and Ian, who has followed the Toon for more than 50 years, believes that if Newcastle want to win the game then they must set their stall out to attack.

”I don't think we can set our stall out to defend – we don't have enough fit defenders for a start, and if we were to invite Chelsea to attack us for 90 minutes, you'd have to think that a goal may be coming. In my opinion, Chelsea’s creativity comes from the middle of the park, and especially from the wings, so I think we may stay 4-4-2. I think you'd be swayed towards 4-5-1, to try and pack the midfield and stifle them, but if you have a fit Shearer and especially a fit Owen, there's no way you're going to start the game without either of them. So 4-4-2 probably.

2932: Liverpool: 7-Up for the Cup

by : Sam Cullen

It is an over used saying in football, you never know what’s going to happen next, but I’m sure few people would have predicted Liverpool after their scoring difficulties would have netted 15 in their last three games. This potent run came to a head in the FA Cup quarter final against Birmingham, where Liverpool smashed 7 goals past the hapless side.

What adds to this achievement is the fact it was away from home and even Liverpool’s much maligned strikers seem to have enlisted themselves on rehabilitation courses. Peter Crouch has grabbed 4 in the last 3 games, both Cisse and Morientes have 2 in 2 and Robbie Fowler has scored his first goal since returning “home”.

Critics may point to the fact Birmingham are languishing at the wrong end of the table and dismiss this Liverpool showing. It may be true that Birmingham have been far from a successful side this season but as this season has proved, scoring 7 goals against any Premiership opponents is an achievement in itself. Neither Chelsea or Manchester Utd have managed it this season and Arsenal’s only 7 goal win came over the equally depleted 10 men of Middlesboro.

This run of goals has been a perfect psychological boost for Liverpool after their disappointing Champions League exit and the criticisms that their season was rapidly running out of steam as they began to lag behind Man Utd in the race for 2nd place. To be fair seeing as their season had started on 13th July, it was rather a valid argument but it would have been a shame for this season to have been marred by disappointment, as it showed so much promise during the long winning streak that seemed to finally suggest Liverpool had regained consistency in the league.

Will this be enough to galvanise the side into a sprint finish for 2nd place? That remains to be seen, however United hold the advantage with their 2 games in hand and look unlikely, on current form, to surrender points cheaply. But another prize could await them, the FA Cup. After their quarter final game, they must surely go into the semi finals as favourites. With Chelsea’s current indifferent form surely Liverpool must fancy their chances to win the competition again for the first time since 2001. It could also serve as a good warning to Chelsea that next season, they’ll push them much harder.

Sam Cullen
21 March 2006

2929: FA Cup: Birmingham v Liverpool

by : Colin Illingworth

Xabi Alonso was a substitute against Newcastle, as was Robbie Fowler, although Fowler is cup-tied. Alonso may well line up alongside Gerrard in the centre of the park, or Benitez may retain Didi Hamann alongside Alonso, with Gerrard returning to his right-sided role. Liverpool are still missing the services of Momo Sissoko, who has returned to light training after the knock to the head against Benfica that resulted in eye damage.

Like Finnan, Fernando Morientes was rested for the Newcastle match, and thus figures to be included in the first eleven against Birmingham. Surely Djibril Cisse will not start two matches in a row for Liverpool. Stranger things...

Birmingham have endured a miserable season, with manager Steve Bruce under real pressure as the threat of relegation grows. A horrible injury list has not helped the Blues, and Bruce has several important players missing for Tuesday’s match. Striker DJ Campbell, a player with a refreshing willingness to turn and take on defenders, is cup-tied, while Muzzy Izzet, David Dunn, Jiri Jarosik, Matthew Upson and Chris Sutton all look likely to miss the tie through injury.

Emile Heskey and Nicky Butt both took knocks in the loss to Tottenham and are doubts for the match as well, leaving the possibility that Mikael Forssell may be the only striker available for Bruce on Tuesday.

A crippling injury list, only partly offset by the good form of Jermaine Pennant and the stabilizing effect of the return from injury of Kenny Cunningham. The home match against Spurs last Saturday illustrated the problems against which Birmingham intermittently have struggled all season. For more than half the match, the Blues battered away at the Spurs back four, while the home supporters grew restless at the failure to create clear-cut chances to reflect the run of play. Heskey limping off injured and two clinical finishes from Spurs deepened the home side’s misery and left the club in a precarious position in the Premiership table, with Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth pulling uncomfortably close over the Blues’ collective shoulder. The FA Cup tie may be a relief from the pressures of the poor Premier League campaign for Birmingham; however, the failure to get results and the poor league position may eat away at Bruce, his players, and the home support, and put the Blues under real pressure at home.

On paper, then, Liverpool have the clear advantage in Tuesday’s FA Cup quarterfinal. However, as the old adage runs, matches are played on grass, not paper, unless you have a tie with Barcelona in the Champions League. While Liverpool have the superior personnel and a fitter squad from which Rafael Benitez will choose his side, the advantage of playing at St. Andrews will help Steve Bruce and his players, and the intangible of having become a bit of a bogey side for Liverpool will stand them in good stead also.

Expect the very predictable tight match, with the likeliest of results being a draw and a replay at Anfield, an extra match that neither team would prefer having to play...

Birmingham City fans have suffered so much pain this season that some of them have become immune to heartbreak and the sadistic element among them were actually pleased to see them paired with European Champions Liverpool!

However, there is a reason to this madness as Kym Smith, news and features editor of the West Midlands football website www.vbbfootball.com, reveals.

“I was actually quite pleased. I and a lot of Birmingham fans have got this little thought at the back of our minds (we have other thoughts as well, this is just a tiny one!) that we are something of a bogey team to Liverpool and have pulled off some very surprising results against them. We seem to have a knack of being up for certain games and I really hope that this is one.

“The team I really didn't want us to draw was Chelsea as they always annihilate us. We've had some good games against Liverpool over the past couple of years and I think a lot of Blues fans are really looking forward to this tie.”

Despite sitting in the drop zone and looking favourites for the chop after this weekend’s results City fans will be confident going into the tie as the Blues are undefeated in their last four meetings with Rafa’s Reds. Last season they even did the double over the five-time European Cup winners and have taken a share of the spoils again this campaign. Garreth Cummins from the Liverpool supporters website www.redandwhitekop.com admits that Birmingham have been a thorn in their side recently but is confident of booking a semi-final spot.

“Birmingham are a bit of a bogey team for us as our recent form against them suggests. Even 1-0 up against ten men at Anfield we managed to throw it away and our recent trips to St Andrews have proved no better by comparison. Last season's performance there was a bit of a nadir for us, although Rafa has certainly steeled our away performances this term, so I'm hopeful of progress. I won't say that I expect us to go through but I'd fancy our chances in this tie.”

And after disposing of their archrivals Manchester United in the last round and two impressive displays against Fulham and Newcastle you can hardly blame Liverpool fans for being confident. They are one of the favourites for the cup and after losing their grip on the Champions League trophy a seventh FA Cup would ensure that their long arduous season ended with silverware.

Benitez will be buoyed by the fact that in seven FA Cup ties with Birmingham they have only lost once and that was back in 1931. This is just the second ever FA Cup clash between the two sides at St Andrews. The first came in 1995, which ended goalless and Liverpool triumphed in the replay on penalties. Kym, who is also the official Blues Blogger for the BBC, is aware of the club’s poor record and is expecting a really hard game.

“I'm under no illusions, this is going to be a tough, tough game and we are going to have to be at our very best (and have a large slice of luck) to get something out of it. We're very aware that our record against Liverpool in cup games is not good, but anything can happen in football.”

Birmingham City have made hard work of reaching the quarterfinals, going to replays twice against lower league opposition. They were forced to take Torquay United and Reading back to St Andrews after draws and a sole Mikael Forssell strike was enough to see off Stoke City in the last round.

Liverpool meanwhile were in blistering form as they came back from 3-1 down at Kenilworth Road to thrash Luton 5-3, were in total control against Portsmouth as they won 2-1 and tore up the history books to beat Manchester United. Regardless to say though Garreth is concerned about the threat posed by Birmingham.

“In the most recent game at Anfield I was relieved to see David Dunn go off injured (and not in a nasty way) because he looked like a very tricky customer indeed, so I'll be watching out for him to cause us problems. Emile, as most Liverpool fans know, is a bit of an enigma. On form he's an incredibly difficult customer to face but when things aren't going his way he can tend to drift in and out of games. I was always a fan of his, mostly because he never stops working for the team. Sentiment doesn't come into it, however, and I'd wish him luck after the game, hopefully when we've won.”

2928: FA Cup: Liverpool/Birmingham-

by : Bill Urban

After firmly having established my precognitive powers during my last Inside Soccer appearance by promising Mine interim Host, Carl “The Dutchman” Hammond, that Rafael Benitez would never start Djibril Cisse against Newcastle, whereupon the player played a full ninety minutes, scoring a penalty and managing to offend a fair portion of the St. James crowd with his post-goal antics, the promise of previewing the FA Cup Quarterfinal tie between Liverpool and Birmingham was too much to resist. Selah.

This 6th Round tie is a match between two sides on very different seasonal trajectories, with the Blues teetering on the edge of relegation while the Reds look strongly placed for 3rd in the Premiership Table, with the possibility remaining that United might be caught for 2nd place. After a trying time where the strikers never looked like scoring, Liverpool snapped out of the club goal drought in emphatic fashion, knocking five past Fulham and a further three past Newcastle. By contrast, Birmingham have been struggling, unable to take a crucial three points from any of their last three matches. With Liverpool sitting a comfortable nine points ahead of Spurs while Birmingham strain to catch West Brom and haul themselves out of the relegation places, the end of season run-in including this FA Cup tie clearly sees Birmingham labouring under more stress than their Liverpool opponents.

As noted above, attempting to predict Rafael Benitez’s first eleven on a given match day is ridiculously difficult. The time-honoured convention of “playing your best eleven” whatever the circumstances does not appear to be a doctrine to which the Liverpool manager subscribes. Rather than letting the opposition worry about his side, Benitez often makes changes to exploit what he thinks might be a potential weakness in a given opponent, or, as he did against Newcastle, occasionally switches his system of play to give the opposition a new look with which to deal.

Steve Finnan did not figure in Benitez’s squad against Newcastle, which meant that Dutch right sided defender Jan Kromkamp played as a wing-back in a fluid 5-4-1 system. Barring an unreported injury, Finnan should return to the first eleven against Birmingham, although if Benitez retains the 5-4-1 that produced some splendid, flowing attacks against Newcastle, Kromkamp might retain his place. Left-sided defender has been very much a platoon position recently for Liverpool, with Djimi Traore and Stephen Warnock sharing the duties in the absence of the injured John Arne Riise. Warnock played very well in a left wing-back role against Newcastle, surging up and down the pitch and serving several dangerous balls into the box. Should Benitez decide that a flat back four is the order of the day against Birmingham, Traore may step back into the first eleven, his height and superior ability in the air earning him the spot on Liverpool’s left side in the back.

2930: England: The Saintly Pair

by : Victor Tay

And Kym, who would swap a semi-final spot for guaranteed Premiership survival in the blink of an eye, agrees with Garreth over the Blues’ danger men.

“We've got a few players that are capable of causing problems. There's always the curse of the old boy returning to haunt you, so keep an eye out for Emile Heskey, of course. If he's firing on all cylinders, David Dunn is definitely one to watch. He's got a real eye for the game and loves to get forward. Jermaine Pennant is currently the best crosser of the ball in the Premiership (yes, and it's a shame that our strikers can't get their heads and/or feet in the right place at the right time) and often has two opposing defenders assigned to him.”

Benitez is a consummate professional and will take the threat of Birmingham very seriously. But it is Steve Bruce who will have the major worries going into the game as Liverpool are a side full of top class internationals. However, Kym whose childhood hero was Trevor Francis, is in no doubt who could end up ruining their cup dreams.

“Without a doubt I think it will be Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. They're both great players and they have "Liverpool" through them like sticks of rock. Carragher is one of this country's most solid defenders and Gerrard just has it all – skill, determination and a really fearsome long-range shot.”

And with so many top players to choose from Garreth believes that the key man in this game will actually be the under-fire hero from the last round Peter Crouch.

"Given that we're playing away from home, I think that Crouch will be an important player for us. His display against Man City recently was exceptional, not only linking-up with the midfield and bringing others in to play, but he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet with a couple of cracking efforts. He's key to the way Liverpool play at present and I find it no co-incidence that we seem to struggle when he's not in the starting eleven. Hopefully he can pop up with another goal and send us into the semis.”

Birmingham City are one of four Premiership sides that have never won the FA Cup and if they were to reach the showpiece event this season it would be a remarkable achievement. They have reached the final twice before, once in 1931, the only time that they’ve beaten Liverpool in this competition, only to be beaten by rivals West Brom and in 1956 when Manchester City reined supreme. The club has been under a cloud this season but with the pressure for points off the team Steve Bruce can send his men out shackle free in a bid to secure a semi-final spot. Garreth, 23, thinks it will be nervy game but Liverpool, who are playing their 53rd competitive game, should have enough class to see them off.

“There's a lot at stake for Birmingham in this, possibly more than us. This is a great chance for Birmingham to get some glory, and perhaps give some impetus to their relegation fight. It'll probably be quite nervy, certainly on their part, but when we play there's usually a goal or two. I think we'll win but will probably concede so 2-1 to the Reds for me.”

Kym, who is a season ticket holder at St Andrews and thinks the FA’s decision to spread the sixth round over four week nights is dreadful for the fans, thinks Birmingham will give the Reds a scare but that they will ultimately come undone.

“I think the score will be 1-1, with Liverpool winning in extra time. Us Brummies don't have illusions any more...”

Liverpool are notoriously mean defensively while Birmingham have struggled to find the back of the net this season. The smart money is on a Liverpool victory but if Steve Bruce’s men are still level with 20-30 minutes to go maybe their current hoodoo over the Merseyside club will put produce one of the competition’s biggest shocks.

Colin Illingworth
20 March 2006

A delicate chip forward from Wayne Rooney was headed by Peter Crouch into the path of James Beattie and the Everton striker rounded off the move with an exquisite finish to give England the lead.

Maybe it sounds foreign right now but there are ample reasons to believe that could yet become reality in a few months time. Firstly, it is down to the form of the two strikers based in Merseyside.

The critics might have their reservations regarding Crouch yet the Liverpool striker is still a regular representative of the Three Lions in recent times. Beattie, meanwhile, has not played for the national team since almost two years ago when he featured against Denmark but his displays for Everton lately has done his hopes no harm.

His goals against Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and most recently Fulham were testament of his goalscoring credentials. Even when not scoring, the Lancaster-born player was still a pivotal figure during Everton’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

So impressive was his overall display that he ended up walking away with the Man-of-the-Match accolade despite Tim Cahill scoring two in that victory over the Midlanders. To put it simply, the former Southampton forward is right now back to his best since joining the Toffees some 14 months ago.

Just a day later, Crouch - his former Southampton colleague – was making his own impact at St James’ Park. The bean-pole striker was better off as he did find the net against Newcastle United. Just like Beattie he was also remarkable in helping to set up goalscoring opportunities for his team-mates.

As far as Sven-Goran Eriksson is concerned, the form of English-born attackers is extremely important as his talismanic figure Michael Owen is still some way away from regaining full match fitness.

However, class is permanent and the record of Owen at international level speaks volume of his goalscoring instinct. In other words, Owen is a certainty for England.

Still on class, Rooney is in his own league as was shown in Euro 2004 when he single-handedly led the nation to the first knock-out phase. The hopes of the Three Lions were ended when he limped off in the match against Portugal.
So the Manchester United forward is another who has cemented his place in the squad.

Beyond these two, there are two more forward roles up for grabs at least. Whereas in the past Jermain Defoe could be another favourite to be included but not anymore.

"I cannot deny I am concerned about Jermain Defoe because he is spending a long time on the substitutes' bench. If someone is not playing many games and it stays that way, it doesn't give me a chance to assess whether they are in good shape or not," admitted Eriksson.

One man’s demise has become the hope of another’s as it has presented Darren Bent of Charlton Athletic a chance to feature for England. Since joining the Valley from Ipswich Town, the youngster has lighted up the Premiership with his pace and goals.

That though might still not be enough as the form of Crouch and Beattie might just see the two Liverpool-based strikers get the nod ahead of him. If not for form, perhaps the understanding of the duo, built while at St Mary’s in the past, could help to force Bent out of Eriksson’s consideration.

Realistically, no defenders will relish coming up against two tall attackers who are strong in the air. A nightmare really considering that Beattie is a speed merchant in his own rights as well.

On top of that, both Beattie and Crouch are good footballers with the ball at their feet. Thus, it is going to be a tantalizing prospect for the oppositions to come up against not just one but two towering strikers who can do it all. Something certainly worth considering.

Victor Tay
20 March 2006

2927: Manchester United: Selling Ruu

by : Paul Meadows

Manchester United have a real job on their hands replacing Roy Keane in the summer – does Sir Alex Ferguson really want to create another by offloading Ruud van Nistelrooy…?

Whether the Dutchman will request a transfer at the end of the season remains to be seen. Whether United will decide to cash in on a player who turns 30-years-old in July is also unknown. What is clear, though, is that the former PSV Eindhoven man is very much out of favour at the moment.

“I expect to play the league matches,” was van Nistelrooy’s comment following his omission from the side that thrashed Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup Final last month. As disappointed as he undoubtedly was to miss out in Cardiff, he must have been raring to go when the Premiership resumed a week later against the same opponents.

Yet he was once more left on the bench in favour of Louis Saha, whose performance in the final earned him the right to partner Wayne Rooney up-front at the JJB Stadium. The last time van Nistelrooy was benched prior to this was at the start of February at Ewood Park. United trailed 3-1 when Ferguson decided to throw him on, and he responded by netting twice even if Blackburn Rovers had added a fourth by then.

It was a reminder – if one were needed – of the threat the Holland international poses, and when he came on at Wigan in the league he helped create an equaliser for Cristiano Ronaldo. Yet that has done little to persuade his manager to reinstall him to the starting eleven – against Newcastle United he got the last fifteen minutes, whilst he was an unused substitute as Saha struck twice at West Bromwich Albion.

So why has van Nistelrooy, such a prolific goalscorer, suddenly found himself as the odd man out?

Take Rooney out the equation. The England international is now the first name on the team-sheet for club and country, and perhaps rightly so.

Much is down to the form of Saha. So often frustrated by injury, the Frenchman returned to the first team in November of last year and has been in fine form ever since. His brace at the Hawthorns took his season tally in all competitions to thirteen goals, seven of which have come in his last ten outings. Finally, he is beginning to justify the £12.8million price that took him to Old Trafford from Fulham.

Yet even though he is two years younger than van Nistelrooy, is he really a better long-term option? Of the eighty-three league games United have played since his arrival from Craven Cottage, Saha has played in just thirty-eight. In the same period, his rival has hit the back of the net on no fewer than thirty-one occasions from fifty-five appearances.

And, with all respect, is Ferguson confident enough that Saha will not again be struck down with injury? If that was the case and van Nistelrooy was no longer on the payroll, what then of his options? He would still have Rooney, of course, yet aside from the former Everton star the only natural striker would be Giuseppe Rossi, the American-born Italian who, at the age of just 19, has yet to start a Premiership game.

Ferguson has hinted in the past that Ronaldo could develop into a centre-forward. Maybe so, but with Chelsea showing no signs of easing up in their pursuit of domestic dominance in the coming years, is this really the time to be experimenting? And besides, Rooney, Rossi and Ronaldo will be 20, 19 and 21 years of age respectively when the 2006/07 season kicks off – can they really be expected to go the whole season without fear of burn out?

No, selling van Nistelrooy would more than likely mean two new strikers are needed to fill the void. In an ideal world for United, they would love someone just as prolific. Yet one look at the race for the European Golden Shoe reveals just one player from the top leagues has scored more goals than the United man – Luca Toni of Fiorentina, who will also turn 30-years-old next season.

Realistically, it is extremely unlikely anyone can come in and match van Nistelrooy’s goalscoring record: the guy has scored 93 goals from 132 league starts; he has bagged 14 from 11 FA Cup starts; even when he is called upon to play in the League Cup he produces the goods – 2 strikes from 5 appearances. As for his record in Europe, well, 38 goals in 48 games is not only a club record but a remarkable statistic.

United are in a transitional period at the moment, yet they are only a couple of players away from maybe really pushing Chelsea at the top. Ferguson knows he must finally land a replacement for Keane in the summer. Replacing one legend is hard enough; replacing another, prematurely, is a headache he could surely do without.

Paul Meadows
19 March 2006

2913: Player of the Year: Joe Cole

by : Chris Sherrard

The big talking point is about to kick into top gear.

The Premiership title is all but sealed, Reading are going to win the Championship and Celtic the SPL.

That leaves the major room for discussion until the summer’s World Cup firmly placed around the individual honours that are to be handed out.

Unlike in previous seasons, there’s nobody head and shoulders above the pack to be this season’s Player of the Year.

There’s plenty of candidates who make this year’s award the most unpredictable and close-run in a long time.

There is a school of thought which says that the Player of the Year award should only go to someone from the champions.

What utter tosh that is.

If that was the criteria then people like David Ginola and Franco Zola wouldn’t have been adequately rewarded for their contributions.

So dismiss that law and let’s spread the net far and wide.

For at every club, bar probably the relegation-haunted sides, there’s someone who merits consideration.

Starting from the top and the enivitable champions Chelsea and, where do you start?

Well Frank Lampard must be close after being confirmed second only to Ronaldinho in the world game.

Then there’s his skipper and the side’s bedrock John Terry. Worth a strong shout.

As is Joe Cole who has come on leaps and bounds. Mourinho’s side can also put forward Claude Makelele.

Wayne Rooney leads the Manchester United players jostling for the prize. But only really Ruud van Nistelrooy coould plausably join him on any shotlist.

From Liverpool, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are rock solid candidates. Each have been everything that is good about the Merseysiders this season.

Pepe Reina and Steve Finnan are also decent outside shouts.

From Spurs, how about Paul Robinson, Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Edgar Davids, Robbie Keane or Aaron Lennon? The number of Tottenham players who have had good seasons is illustrated perfectly in their current league position.

Elsewhere, Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabergas have enjoyed good seasons again, along with Kolo Toure and Jens Lehmann.

Blackburn’s impressive season should offer up Morten Gamst Pedersen, Craig Bellamy, Andy Todd, Bolton give us Kevin Nolan, Joey O’Brien, Kevin Davies and Stelios, while Everton’s James Beattie has improved of late.

Then there’s the league’s new boys.

Why shouldn’t Wigan’s Jimmy Bullard or Pascal Chimbonda be considered as Player of the Year?

Similarly, what more could West Ham’s Anton Ferdinand, Paul Konchesky, Nigel Reo-Coker, Matthew Etherington, Danny Gabbidon, Marlon Harewood and Youssi Benayoun have done to further their respective causes?

They have been a credit to their club and have applied themselves to the top flight admirably.

Manchester City’s Joey Barton, for all his troubles, has improved significantly, Scott Parker has done well in his first season at Newcastle, while his team-mate Shay Given has been his normal brilliant self.

From the lower reaches of the Premiership, Aston Villa’s Steven Davis, Boro’s Yakubu and Liam Rosenior of Fulham have caught the eye in, at times, struggling squads.

So there’s no shortage of candidates for this season’s Player of the Year award.

Anytime soon, a shortlist of six candidates will be released, from which the winner will be picked.

For my money, that list should include Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Anton Ferdinand, John Terry and Thierry Henry.

The winner? I’d say Cole has shown the biggest signs of progression this season.

From not even making the bench for Chelsea, the midfield man has now established himself as a key figure for club and country, with the World Cup a perfect platform for him to show just how far he has come.

This season is Joe Cole’s year, on a personal basis anyway. But there’s plenty of players out there who would also merit closer consideration.

It’s a tough call.

Chris Sherrard
16 March 2006

2923: Reading can emulate Wigan's su

by : Alex Wolstenholme

Reading have been a Premiership side in waiting for what seems like an age now but can clinch their promotion to the top flight next weekend depending on results.

Although last year's Championship table-toppers Sunderland have had a miserable time in the top flight, it is the team who finished second, Wigan Athletic that can provide Reading with any extra inspiration they need to have a real go at the top flight next season.

The similarities between the two clubs are numerous. Both are backed by chairmen who are extremely wealthy, but who do not treat their clubs merely as toys for them to spend their hard-earned cash on with little thought about the long-term consequences.

Dave Whelan at Wigan and John Madejski at Reading have overseen the gradual improvement of their teams over a number of years, through sensible business practice off the pitch and by finding and keeping the right people to provide football success.

Both sides have down-to-earth English managers, both well respected in the game and who seem fully aware of their wider responsiblities to their clubs in terms of not spending silly amounts of money in the transfer market.

And both clubs have a good infrastructure in terms of the facilities they can offer their players and fans, with excellent new stadiums barely a few years old.

On the field, Reading at this stage look to have even more to offer than Wigan did when they were promoted last season.

The Royals have conceded only 24 goals in their 38 league games to date and are built around a solid spine that runs throughout the team, starting with goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who will be at the World Cup this summer with the USA and centre-halves Ibrahima Sonko and Ivar Ingimarsson.

Steve Sidwell and James Harper are a midfield partnership with an Arsenal background, both of whom are tipped to do well in the Premiership.

Up front, Steve Coppell has three young strikers who have all impressed at various times this season in Dave Kitson, Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle, scorers of 40 goals between them in the current campaign.

Chairman Madejski has talked of lessons being learned from Wigan and West Ham and of money being made available for team strengthening, leaving him with just one potential headache.

Manager Coppell is approaching the end of his current contract, and insists on signing only 12-month rolling deals, with nothing yet in place for next season.

"I'm very happy. I sign one year at a time. I'm not hedging my bets or holding anyone to ransom," said the manager recently.

"With a 12-month deal, there is not the 'bribery' of a four-year contract.

"I'm happy here because I'm managing a club that has given me the chance to be competitive at this level."

For his part, Madejski said:

"He has his way of doing things and I respect that.

"It leaves us a bit open but that's how Steve works."

Alex Wolstenholme
19 March 2006

2925: Tottenham Hotspur: A solution

by : Olly Wright

Tottenham Hotspur’s strikers, and their various combinations, have been much discussed this season. There is no doubt the club has a wealth of talent in that department, and yet it remains an area Martin Jol wants to strengthen further. However, with that in mind, Tottenham’s head coach must make a brave, and probably unpopular, decision to ensure Spurs continue on the path he has so far laid out.

There seems no doubt that Mido is his current first choice up front. The big target man tactic is one Jol will not budge from. To his credit, Mido has scored 11 goals so far this season and does look a quality player when he gets into games. Critics rightly point to his tendency to fall over rather too easily. As a player, Jol clearly rates him.

Mido’s constant inclusion has left Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe fighting over the one remaining starting place. Invariably, Keane has come out on top as the season has progressed, with Defoe having to make do with making late cameo appearances from the bench.

Aware that neither striker is going to be entirely happy with the situation, Tottenham supporters seem to make a point of singing each of their names either as they are substituted or warming up. They are both crowd favourites but the cynic would see this behaviour as an attempt to help appease both players. When you hear the genuine support in the stands, there is no doubt the new Ireland captain, Keane, is the fans’ favourite as well as the manager’s.

It is often said that top teams need four quality strikers to compete at the top of the league. Tottenham’s fourth striker for the first half of the season was Grzegorz Rasiak. Undoubtedly fourth-choice, Rasiak hardly played for Spurs until Mido’s enforced absence while on African Cup of Nations duty. A short spell in the side (when notably he was often preferred to Defoe) illustrated that he was not up to Premiership standard. After the game at Fulham, Sky Sports described him as “marginally better than playing with ten men”, while the Guardian simply said he was “desperate”. They were kind. Jol clearly agreed and shipped him out days later, clearly thinking that only having three strikers was the better option.

Since then Spurs have repeatedly been linked with several top strikers: Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Ruud van Nistelrooy in particular. Jol clearly wants a new striker of that ilk in next season’s squad, presumably to go straight into the starting eleven. This is where his brave decision will be needed. With crowd favourite Keane playing well, Defoe will not be content at being shoved further down the pecking order as the fourth choice striker. He would command a large fee and has no shortage of suitors. The player himself, in the past not adverse to moving clubs to better his career, might just fancy a new challenge and the prospect of first team football, especially if he misses out on a place in this year’s World Cup squad.

That’s right, once he has a new top-quality striker in place, Jol should be prepared to sell Defoe this summer. Unpopular maybe, but it would give the manager significant further funds to strengthen his squad and buy a replacement squad player who would not be as discontented at being on the bench as Defoe undoubtedly would be. Just as long as he’s a slightly better player than Rasiak.

Olly Wright
18 March 2006

2926: Chelsea: Jose blaming the wron

by : Sam Cullen

Craven Cottage played out one of those rare occurrences in football over the weekend. No, don’t be ridiculous, it wasn’t a competent refereeing performance from Uriah Rennie, but a defeat of Chelsea by the slender yet decisive margin of one goal to nil. The match also featured the almost unheard of in Premiership Football double tactical substitution before half time, with English wingers Joe Cole and Shaun Wright Phillips axed.

The moment the match finished I was just waiting for Mourinho to come out with his “bad loser” mentality and blame the referee, the linesman or even the fact his squad is down to the bare bones, if he’s been chatting with Mr Redknapp. And true to form, the Portuguese man of war came out with a diatribe about the assistant referee and Drogba’s goal and also the fact Fulham players harangued the referee.

Of course, nobody could disagree with the old clich, “I’ve seen plenty of them given”, but Mourinho should think just how luck has smiled on his side this season before continuing his siege mentality approach at Stamford Bridge. The accusation towards the Fulham players was the one that really smacked of hypocrisy. After Gallas received his last minute red card, the reaction of the Chelsea players was bordering on the worst I’ve seen since the infamous Roy Keane led hounding of Andy D’urso during the United game against Middlesboro in 2000. Considering Damien Duff tried to lunge at a Fulham player they were lucky to, at the present time, escape with only 1 red card and 1 booking.

Its time for the special one to take a look in the mirror and realise who really holds responsibility. Regardless of being one-nil down, what benefit does it have making TWO substitutions by the 25-minute mark? it smacks more of power games being played, just a day after Sven Goran Erkisson announced he felt Joe Cole was his choice for player of the year, Jose deemed him not worthy to remain on the field for even 30 minutes.

I’m not calling Mourinho a bad manager, because that would simply be untrue. All I am saying is that he needs to realise riling everyone and failing to notice his own sides inadequacies will do him no favours. Despite this down turn in form, it seems as if Chelsea will retain the title. They would do good not to stumble over the finish line however, as that could cast serious doubts over their dominance for next season.

Sam Cullen
19 March 2006

2919: FIFA: Racism Penalties for Clu

by : Bill Urban

FIFA: Racism Penalties for Clubs... Only?

FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced that clubs whose supporters engage in racist chanting at matches will be punished. In typical draconian and misguided fashion, the penalties to be imposed vary from match suspension, although it’s unclear how this represents much of a punishment, to points deduction on an increasing scale culminating in the horrors of imposed relegation and exclusion from international competition for repeat offenders.

While perhaps Blatter should be complimented for his willingness to acknowledge the increase in racist incidents at club matches in recent years, a little analysis of the man and his mojo reveal that the likelihood that Blatter’s plan will be adopted, and more importantly enforced, remains about as likely as Himself developing the character traits of tact and diplomacy.

One fundamental problem with punishing clubs for the actions of supporters is that the offenders themselves might well remain unpunished. Clubs in countries like Italy and Spain have taken up this banner in repeat fashion, claiming that it is unfair and unjust to punish the many for the admittedly reprehensible actions of the few.

I would submit, however, that if the curvas where the racist chanting is most prevalent were emptied, the clubs would be looking at a serious reduction in ticket receipts, hence their unwillingness to confront the offenders.

Tough. At a minimum, the stadium in which a match is played should be made safe for supporters as a condition of the price of admission. That places the responsibility for the conduct of the supporters squarely on the shoulders of the clubs and the stadium authorities. The responsibility for stamping out racist chanting follows along accordingly.

And a touch of coming down from the Continental high horse of stereotypic assumption that all British supporters are drunken hooligans might be an advantageous approach as well. British football had its own problems with racism, and has done a very good job at attacking racism in its stadiums. A little consultation between associations and club officials appears to be well in order, particularly since point penalties were not used in attacking racism in the British game.

Never mind that, does not fit with the latest Imperial Utterance from Darth Blatter, the punishment of clubs for the actions of supporters is justified by FIFA edict, Official World Cup Tap Water masquerading as beer for everyone.

Except that there are a few holes in Blatter’s approach, as tends to be the case with all the pompous pronouncements and penny simple solutions put forth in Sepp conferences.

There is a well documented history among Eastern European clubs of supporters donning the kit of opposition supporters as a prelude to infiltrating and attacking them. Furthermore, racist incidents, and in particular anti-Jewish chanting and violence, are prevalent in several of the same Eastern European countries. If the supporters are willing to adopt the colours of opposing supporters for violent purposes, surely they might well be willing to chant as long and loudly as possible in as filthy a method as they can muster in an attempt to get points deducted from the opposition’s season total.

Mention of the likelihood, indeed the virtual certainty, of this sort of occurrence was absent from Blatter’s proposal.

2910: Leicester City: League Cup Win

by : Hugh Larkin

There was a time around the Millennium when Leicester City were intent on making the League Cup their personal preserve. Martin O誰eill took his over-achieving Foxes to three Finals in four years, the last of them in 2000. Success was based on some no nonsense but highly professional defending, a very talented, balanced midfield, Emile Heskey痴 emergence and a supporting cast who all did their jobs to the maximum.

Leading it all was the idiosyncratic O誰eill- like his former boss Brian Clough, the former Forest man has the knack of man management and he took Leicester to two triumphs in this competition.

Tim Flowers

Kasey Keller was between the sticks for the 1997 and 1999 Finals. The ex-England keeper arrived from Blackburn in August 1999 and ended his career at Filbert Street in 2003, though he did have a few loans elsewhere. Won 11 England caps in total.

Frank Sinclair

A pacy defender acquired from Chelsea and generally an excellent buy despite the tendency to score spectacular own goals now and then. Played well over 150 games for Leicester after joining in 1998. Has a winners and losers medal from FA Cup Finals with Chelsea. Joined Burnley in 2004.

Gerry Taggart

Uncompromising, old school, Northern Irish international defender who epitomised the spirit at the club under O誰eill. Had already been a durable servant for Barnsley and Bolton before joining the club in 1998. Stayed nearly 6 years before moving on to Stoke where he still gives it everything.

Matt Elliott

Impressed with Oxford United, before O誰eill gave him a chance at the top level. Before long the centre-back had become a Scottish international in a late flowering career after putting in the graft in the lower divisions. Won 18 caps in all.

Steve Guppy

One of several players who followed O誰eill around. Was with the manager at Wycombe after a steady career at Port Vale. While at Leicester he became such a useful left-sided player that Kevin Keegan gave him one England cap. Moved on to join Martin O誰eill at Celtic and last year ended his career playing for DC United in the USA.

Stefan Oakes

One of the supporting cast enjoying their big moment. A valuable squad man for 6 years, without ever establishing a regular first team berth. Had a spell at Walsall that didn稚 work out in 2003 and then had a season with Notts County. Is now part of Wycombe痴 terrific current League Two campaign.

Neil Lennon

One of two players to appear in all three League Cup Finals, the midfielder was a combative presence in the centre who used the ball well and shielded the back four. One of Martin O誰eill痴 key signings when he went to Celtic and Lennon became just as important an influence there. He痴 now played over 200 games since joining the Bhoys in late 2000.

Robbie Savage

Savage痴 raging desire to prove himself after youthful rejection by Manchester United was the driving force of the side. Joined Leicester after three years under Dario Gradi at Crewe and generally put himself about the midfield to good effect. Played the best part of 200 games after being signed for a bargain ｣400,000 and the club made money on him when he joined Birmingham in 2002.

Muzzy Izzet

Another reject, this time from Chelsea. By the time O誰eill left Leicester Izzet was a Turkish international. Like Lennon he appeared in all three Finals and became an inspiring creative element of the team. Hard working, but also a good passer of the ball and capable of making timely arrivals in the box. His summer 2004 move to Birmingham has been blighted by injury.

Tony Cottee

The ex-England striker was brought back from a stint with Selangor of Malaysia in 1997 to add his knowhow to the forward line. Chipped in 27 League goals before finishing his career with short stints at Norwich, Barnet and Millwall.

Emile Heskey

A home grown product who blossomed into a powerful, pacy threat in the O誰eill era. His ability to run purposefully into channels and unsettle defenders was vital to the workaholic strategy of the team. Had six years in the first-team squad before his ｣11 million move to Anfield in 2000.

The Subs

Ian Marshall was a surprisingly effective player at both ends of the field despite his somewhat shambolic appearance. Andy Impey came from West Ham after starting his career at QPR. The Londoner was a useful addition up and down the right side and is currently at Coventry

Hugh Larkin
15 March 2006

2922: Hearts v Rangers: Pressure’s o

by : Colin Illingworth

At one stage this season it looked as though champions Rangers would struggle to secure a UEFA Cup spot let alone make a bid for second place. But as we enter the final stage of the season it is looking highly possible that Big Eck is not only going to be giving his job to Paul Le Guen but also entry into the Champions League. With six wins from their last eight SPL games Rangers are in the ascendancy and breathing heavily down the neck of Hearts. But the Tynecastle club, who have been a shot in the arm to the Scottish game, will be desperate to beat their Glasgow counterparts and extend their lead from a tense six points to a much more comfortable position.

Hearts v Rangers is not just the biggest game of the weekend; it’s the biggest match of the season so far. The young pretenders from Gorgie take on the past masters from Ibrox with second place and entry into the lucrative Champions League at stake.

The Jambos started the season on fire, racing into an eight game unbeaten run and didn’t taste their first defeat until the end of October at the hands of City rivals Hibernian. Since the turn of the year though Rix’s men have dropped an alarming 11 points while Rangers have rediscovered their winning mentality and have been quietly clawing their way back into contention after a torrid campaign.

Rangers were in vintage form last weekend as former Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd returned to haunt his old employees in a 4-0 spanking and there was more joy for the fans after the game as chairman David Murray revealed the worst kept secret in Scottish football that former Lyon coach Paul Le Guen would be taking over from Alex McLeish in the summer. Hot on the heels of a gallant Champions League run and a multi-million pound retail deal, coupled with a draw for Hearts against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, it was all in all a great weekend for the Gers.

However Hearts have a fantastic opportunity to pile the misery back on the champions in today’s colossal SPL clash. Tynecastle has been a fortress for the Jambos this season. They’ve only dropped seven points from a possible 42 on home soil and with the no nonsense partnership of Pressley and Webster in defence and Gordon in goal they’ve only conceded eight times.

Rangers on the other hand have been extremely poor on their travels. They’ve won just five times away from Ibrox and lost to Aberdeen twice, Celtic, Hearts and Hibs so Graham Rix’s men will be confident that they can keep the upper hand going into the split. Chris Burke is in scintillating form at the moment and Kris Boyd has chipped in with a number of goals since his arrival in January. Even Peter Lovenkrands who has infuriated some of the Rangers fans at times with his decision-making looks to be on top form.

Hearts beat Rangers 1-0 earlier in the season thanks to a goal from Roman Bednar, which was their first league victory over Rangers at Tynecastle in 13 games and just their second win over them in 28 meetings. A Peter Lovenkrands goal and a Mikoliunas sending off at Ibrox saw the points stay in Glasgow so it’s finely balanced for today’s game.

The Jambos are in a great position to split the Old Firm for the first time in more than a decade and many neutrals are hoping that they can hold on cap an extraordinary season. In recent games though they have looked a bit jaded and Graham Rix will have to ensure that his players are fresh and mentally focused for the challenge of Rangers, whose players have been told that they are fighting for their future at the club. Victory for the Gers will really test the metal of the Edinburgh side.

There is just three games to go before the split with Rangers facing Dunfermline and Motherwell at home with Dundee United away, while Hearts travel to Falkirk and Celtic and entertain Dunfermline at home, which is all the more reason why Hearts must get a result.

Throughout the season many pundits have questioned whether Hearts had the credentials to pose a sustained threat to the Old Firm. They haven’t quite been able last the course with Gordon Strachan’s Celtic but for most parts they have answered the critics emphatically. They beat Rangers in September 1-0 and went to Celtic Park and left with a share of the spoils. But today will ultimately be their sternest test. Are they ready to become a serious long-term threat to the Old Firm or are they going to stumble over the finish line? For the sake of the game I, and many neutrals, hope that Hearts do the business but you can never write off Rangers.

A draw for Hearts would be satisfactory. Victory would be amazing. Defeat is simply unthinkable. I’m going for a scoring draw.

Colin Illingworth
18 March 2006