3082: Portsmouth: 'Arry did it!

by : Sam Cullen

A frenetic day of Premiership action confirmed Portsmouth Football Club will be a Premiership football club in the 2006-07 season. Yet even at the start of March this looked near on impossible as they lost 1-0 at Villa Park, the end of a period where they gained only 1 point from 8 Premiership fixtures.

Pompey started the season in a very poor fashion under the bizarre management of Alain Perrin. A host of cast offs, has beens and rejects had been recruited during the summer to revitalise the Pompey squad but their arrival only appeared to hasten the south coast club’s slide towards the Championship.

After the inevitable dismissal of Perrin, in November, it certainly stunned the footballing world when ‘appy ‘arry Redknapp returned to Fratton Park, almost exactly a year after his defection to Southampton. Initially Portsmouth fans were naturally hostile to a man who had been branded “Judas”, and seeing as he had taken Saints down the previous year, weren’t exactly inspired about their chances.

At first he appeared to get the team into a little run of good form, winning 2 and drawing 1 during late December. Then came the surprise arrival of Alexandre Gaydamak’s investment, and it seemed as if he would be able to steer them clearly to safety as he was able to recruit 8 players in the transfer window.

Ironically this seemed to have a detrimental affect as the new players struggled to settle and the side went on the terrible run as touched upon earlier. On 5th March, they sat 19th in the Premiership on 18 points, 8 adrift of safety. It appeared as if it was all over.

The run they have gone on since then has been extremely impressive which has included 6 wins in the last 9 games, 3 of which have been away from home.

Anyone clever enough to check the squarefootball archive would see I was previously sceptical about the success chances of Harry’s Houdini act. I will be noble in defeat and admit I was wrong, depressingly joining the long line of pathetic pundits predictions.

What lies in store for Pompey next season? After this dramatic nail biter of a season, I’m sure few would begrudge a season of mid table stability.

Sam Cullen
29 April 2006

3083: Derby County: Decision time lo

by : David Hulott

Anyone familiar with the delights of Daytime TV will no doubt have seen the advertisement in which Phil Tufnell informs us that he knows nothing about loans, other than that you should speak to experts.

When it comes to the business of loans, there can be few with more expertise than Derby County, both from a financial perspective (estimated debts in the region of £45 million) and in terms of the number of players plying their trade at Pride Park on such deals this term, with around a dozen such signings having spent time at the club over the course of the current campaign.

It was always going to be a nigh on impossible task to match last season’s achievements in reaching the play-offs given the financial situation at the club, especially with the departures of manager George Burley and key players in Tom Huddlestone and Grzegorz Rasiak, the latter being sold to Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day in the summer. With no money to spend on new recruits, Burley’s successor Phil Brown was forced to rely upon loan signings and players coming through the club’s academy to bolster his meagre squad.

Caretaker boss Terry Westley deserves credit for the job he has done in steering The Rams to Championship safety since replacing Brown at the end of January, although he has certainly been helped by the poor form of the bottom three and it has to be doubted whether he has really done enough to be offered the post on a permanent basis. His standing at the club has certainly risen though and a return to his former role with the academy once the dust settles would seem the minimum return he can expect for his efforts.

With the recent resignation of chairman John Sleightholme, the departure of director of football Murdo MacKay and the police investigation into claims of “financial irregularities” at the club, Derby County’s future is in desperate need of being settled. As things stand there are two groups vying for control of the club - Sisu Capital, a private equity firm, and the Peter Gadsby Consortium. Despite sounding like a Summertime Special TV dance troupe from the 1970s, most fans seem to favour the latter, what with the consortium being made up of local businessmen and Gadsby being a former club director. Unfortunately the decision rests with the Co-operative bank, to whom Derby are in debt to the tune of £27 million, and they may have doubts as to the consortium’s ability to run the club and pay them the £4 million annual interest on the debt.

On the playing front, retaining the services of Inigo Idiakez and Tommy Smith (a certain manager at St Mary‘s Stadium may well be monitoring events at his former club with regards to those two), as well as youngsters such as Giles Barnes, Miles Addison and Lewin Nyatanga, will be key to the team’s progress next term.

However, until the long-term future of the club is settled and a new chairman and manager are appointed, speculation will continue to link key playing assets with moves away from Pride Park, while it will also prove nigh on impossible to secure the much-needed reinforcements of the calibre they require. Unless the situation is resolved before the transfer window re-opens for the summer sales, the rebuilding job at Derby County could become even more difficult than it already is.

David Hulott
27 April 2006

[Ed: Written prior to the weekend takeover deal.]

3074: Match Preview: Hearts V Celtic

by : Sam Cullen

The league maybe wrapped up but there are still plenty of incentives in this top of the table clash. For Hearts, a win would almost seal 2nd place and with that, a chance of a crack at the Champions League. Lose however, and Rangers could be only a point behind, with a final day match at Ibrox looming.

The previous league encounters this season have been filled with controversy and drama. When the sides first met in October, Hearts were top and came from behind to earn a 1-1 at Parkhead, a game which turned out to be George Burley’s last in charge.

The clash at Tynecastle on New Years Day caused arguably a pivotal moment in the title race as Celtic came back from 2-0 to win 3-2, after the dismissal of Hearts Greek defender Takis Fyssas.

Hearts 2nd place aspirations took a knock with their 2-1 derby defeat at Hibernian last weekend. Some fans pointed to an increasingly unsettled line up, with 2 players making their first starts these season, as well as inspirational captain Steven Pressley missing out through injury.

Paranoid Rangers fans may fear the likelihood of Celtic “lying” down, in order to hinder their own Champions League aspirations. The truth is, in the three league encounters this season, Hearts have taken the game to Celtic and had the best of the possession in the match at the start of the month, which saw Celtic crowned SPL champions.

It may have been stated many times previously but the chance of Hearts success on Sunday depends on the team that takes to the field. It would certainly seem unwise in defence to pitch in inexperienced Ibrahim Tall with youngsters Christophe Berra and Lee Wallace again.

It seems unlikely Andy Webster will return, due to the statements in the press earlier this week, fans best hope must be the return to fitness of Fyssas and Pressley. Rudi Skacel was also omitted this week, and although his performances appear to have waned in recent months, he has the individual skill to win games and could prove vital.

Gordon Strachan’s team selection will be far less troubled as there is little left to decide in Celtic’s season, so expect a few fringe players to get a run out. Hearts have the players to take on Celtic, they have proved that earlier this season, it just depends whether those players are on the field.

Sam Cullen
27 April 2006

3080: Premiership:Chelsea V Manchest

by : Sam Cullen

Today Chelsea made history as they became the first team apart from Manchester United to retain the Premiership trophy.

But on a gloriously sunny day at Stamford Bridge, who won today's clash against Man Utd?

Below are the player ratings, congratulations to Chelsea for another emphatic season.

Cech 7

Made a great save from a Rooney effort during the first half, aside from that, little to do.

Ferreira 6

Didn't disappoint when called on.

Carvahlo 8

His best game in a Chelsea shirt? Before this arguably most memorable for frequently giving away penalties, but had a superb game and scored a great goal.

Terry 6

Appeared to pick an injury up very early on, and as the game went on, his game was clearly affected.

Gallas 7

His early header made the game MUCH easier for Chelsea. In his unfavoured left back position, still had a strong game.

Makelele 7

The usual hard work and graft from the midfield anchorman

Cole 8

On his return to the starting line up, he returned to his blistering form earlier in the season. His goal was a piece of sublime football

Essien 7

Got on with his job quickly and efficently

Lampard 7

Critics claim he has been "burning out" in recent weeks, but was as integral as ever to the Chelsea machine.

Robben 5

The only real disappointment in the Chelsea lineup, didn't seem the player who inspired last years title surge

Drogba 6

Strong and powerful but left the match winning antics to the players behind him

Duff 6

After coming on, played better than Robben but the other players took the spotlight.

Crespo 5

Did little after coming on.

Maniche N/A

Too brief an appearance to make any impact.

Sam Cullen
29 April 2006

3081: Chelsea V Manchester United-Ma

by : Sam Cullen

Today Chelsea made history as they became the first team apart from Manchester United to retain the Premiership trophy.

Manchester United, to their credit, really did push Chelsea much harder than anyone had anticipated earlier in the season.

Below are their player ratings for todays game.

Van Der Sar 6

Had another solid game but once again showed why Fergie signed him last summer

Neville 6

Did his best as captain to try and rally the troops, but after the 2nd goal went in, you could tell it was Chelsea's day

Ferdinand 6

Had the occasional lapse of concentration but still looks in good form for the World Cup

Vidic 5

To be fair, it must be hard for a new player trying to fit in to have to come up against Chelsea.

Silvestre 5

Crucial and critical error for Gallas's goal, which swung the game in Chelsea's favour.

Ronaldo 5

Had good moments but also was wasteful in important areas

O'Shea 5

Struggled to influence the game.

Giggs 6

8 times Premiership winner was unable to conjure up any magic to stop Chelsea.

Park 5

Frequently anonymous, had a disappointing game

Rooney 7

The headlines will all be about his 80th minute injury, before then, he appeared the main threat to Chelsea and came close twice

Saha 5

Rarely, if ever, looked like scoring.

Van Nistelrooy 5

Struggled to make an impact when he came on, but the game appeared already wrapped up.

Richardson 5

Had little impact on proceedings

Evra N/A

Only had a few minutes on the pitch.

Sam Cullen
29 April 2006

3079: Mk Dons: The great escape (par

by : David Hulott

A few weeks back it seemed that demotion was a nailed on certainty for Danny Wilson’s MK Dons, but four successive victories later and suddenly it appears that an escape that would surpass last term’s late heroics is a distinct possibility.

Last season they only avoided relegation thanks to a goal from Aussie midfielder Gareth Edds six minutes from time that was enough to see off Tranmere Rovers 2:1 and send Torquay United down in their place. Edds was again the hero at the weekend, coming off the bench to score the decisive goal four minutes from time in the 2:1 win at Chesterfield. This capacity for scoring vital late goals is making the former Bradford City player into something of a Massimo Maccarone of Milton Keynes.

That win followed on from a 2:1 win at home to Hartlepool on Easter Monday, with Scott Taylor scoring the last-minute winner. Again, the fighting spirit within Wilson’s squad was evident in the way in which they continued scrapping until the final whistle.

The opposition this Saturday is again Tranmere, although this time the visitors are battling for their own survival, having lost their last four games without having scored a solitary goal. Victory over Tranmere at the National Hockey Stadium would lift them out of the bottom four above their opponents, with their fate then coming down to a final trip to face another relegation contender, Rotherham United.

In reality Wilson’s squad has underachieved this term given that it possesses a strong backbone in players of the quality of Izale McLeod, Ben Chorley, Dean Lewington, Clive Platt, Matt Baker and Gary Smith. McLeod is the most valuable playing asset at the club and signed a contract extension taking him to 2008 earlier in the season, although whether or not the club survive in League One, there has to be a strong possibility that he will be lured away over the summer, with Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers among those previously interested.

There might not be many neutrals backing The Dons, but Wilson has managed to create a real spirit within his squad of late that looks as if it may just save them from the drop.

David Hulott
28 April 2006

3038: Book Review: Everton in Europe

by : Paul Grech

Given how dismally Everton fared on their return to European football this year – although in hindsight Villareal aren’t half bad – a book on their history of continental competition might seem something of a joke. And author Mike Owen must have surely despaired at the disappointing eliminations that gave this book a rather anti-climatic conclusion.

So much that, in the introduction Owen himself admits that “Everton in Europe might seem a strange subject for a book” before joking that it should be referenced under ‘Mysteries’.

For indeed, it is surprising how and why Everton never really managed to make much of an impact even when English clubs used to sweep all before them in European competition. It is this that spurred Owen into writing this book, and good job that he did.

With such a restricted audience that, basically, is made up exclusively of Evertonians it was vital for the author to try and create some empathy from early on. Owen does this without ever going overboard and letting emotions get the better of him. Written in a casual style it is very easy to get lost in this book with the comments from various Everton legends giving it another dimension.

The highlight of Der Ball Ist Rund, understandably, is the night in Rotterdam when Everton clinched their only European success in the Cup Winners Cup. Here Owen is at his best, describing with great vivacity both the proceedings on the pitch and the emotions of the fans.

That success was quickly followed by the sad incidents at Heysel and the subsequent ban of English clubs from European football which denied Everton the chance of taking part in the European Cup. Owen admits that Everton fans have a reputation of being ‘bitter’ when talking about their ban from Europe but, rather than defend that position, he tackles the subject in an objective and reasoned manner that are far more persuasive than any rant. Yet again, the author does himself and the club justice.

‘Der Ball Ist Rund’ is well researched, excellently written, insightful and often humorous. For Everton fans, this is a must have.

Paul Grech
21 April 2006

3078: England: Scolari delivers a St

by : Sam Cullen

You could have accused the English media of jumping the gun with the presumptions over the Scolari appointment, but then again, jumping the gun would be an understatement when it comes to our beloved newspapers.

I however was a bit hesitant about all the media hoo-ha when it only appeared, reading the fine print, he had only been offered the job. Was it a case of national arrogance we assumed that he was offered he would be bound to accept? I must admit I did assume he was to be the next manager as much as the next person.

The BBC are currently still reporting there is some “confusion” over whether he has ruled himself out of the running. But surely a quote "The English FA is going to choose a name. My name isn't one of them because I'm closing this matter here” clears up any ambiguity. Has the FA been dumped because Scolari found a more attractive proposition? It certainly doesn’t seem too far removed from a high school romantic rejection.

So what now?

Surely won’t any future candidates feel a bit aggrieved knowing they were 2nd choices? Does the fault here lie with the FA for being presumptuous or the media for opening the metaphorical oven before the pie was cooked.

Is it just me or do you feel a bit of wounded pride at the moment with all matters FA related? At my current count we have a frequently delayed “Wembley” millions over budget, an outgoing manager departing with a £4million payout and Scolari ditching us at the altar.

On the field we may have our strongest line up in years but off the field we appear to have lower production values than the "classic" TV show crossroads. It is funny to laugh at but the depressing thing is that executives are being paid top salaries to come up with these fiascos, money which would be much better spent on the grass roots aspect of the game

Still, at least Brian Barwick didn’t lose 1000 foreign criminals. Now that would be embarrassing.

Sam Cullen
28 April 2006

3061: Liverpool:The REAL Harry Kewel

by : Sam Cullen

25th May 2005 is a date that will forever be remembered by Liverpool fans, the day of their 5th European cup triumph. Indeed, few neutrals will forget it, seeing as Liverpool were 3-0 down at half time and in the words of Andy Gray, “game over”.

In the midsts of all this celebration, there was one clear down point. Harry Kewell lasted only 23 minutes before coming off injured. This had become a common site during the 2004/05 season, even leading Benitez to at one point question whether the Australian international was injured at all. Kewell appeared overweight and out of condition, his future at Liverpool looked very uncertain.

May 2005 will see Liverpool contest another cup final. It may be the FA Cup this time but as any fan will tell you silverware is silverware, and beating both Man Utd and Chelsea on the road to the final just adds to it.

One of the star men in the victory over Chelsea was none other than Harry Kewell. Like I previously said, this time a year ago such a occurrence would have been laughed off as many pundits thought he was on his way out in the summer.

It appears the mercurial Aussie has been rehabilitated this season, with his performance against Chelsea being reminiscent of the form that won him PFA young player of the year while at Leeds in 2001.

Its true it didn’t happen overnight as his season didn’t even begin until the 19th October due to the niggling injuries that had limited him to just 15 league starts the previous season. The Liverpool faithful were justifiably initially hostile as he appeared to have been one of those players who is on high wages but never fulfils the promise and potential.

Slowly but surely he began to win the crowd round as he became a regular in the side which chalked up 10 consecutive victories. Since then he has become an assured starter in the team and a key element of Benitez’s revitalised Liverpool and has also contributed 3 goals since the turn of the year.

Why the turnaround? Well I claim many things but I have no insight into the mind of Mr Kewell. It could however be another indicator of the managerial skills of Benitez, because I’m sure if he had been in a similar position under Houllier, he would have just continued to stagnate and be viewed with similar distain to the Bruno Cheyrous of this world.

It has also been reassuring to neutrals across the country, who remembered such Kewell highlights as the stunning goal against Arsenal at Highbury in May 2003, or basically just the entire 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. Its depressing when a player declines so quickly because you think what a waste of talent. It's therefore rather pleasing, to Liverpool fans especially, that Harry has rediscovered his!

Sam Cullen
25 April 2006

3062: Championship season review: St

by : Alex Wolstenholme

An eventful and somewhat strange season at the Britannia Stadium started with the departure of Tony Pulis in June.

Pulis had never seen eye-to-eye with the club's majority-share owning Icelanders and he left after a disagreement over transfer policy, with the board wanting him to make more use of the overseas market.

The man that Stoke brought in to do just that was Johan Boskamp. A Dutchman, he had achieved plenty of success in Belgium, notably with Anderlecht.

Early signs were promising, as Boskamp brought a more attractive brand of football to the club and showed that he had the knowledge and contacts to bring in some decent signings from abroad, notably from the Belgian market.

In particular, Guinea international Sammy Bangoura, the club's record signing from Standard Liege, showed his qualities with eight goals in his first ten games after a protracted arrival in England.

Belgian international Carl Hoefkens has also shown himself to be a defender more than capable of performing at Championship level.

An encouraging win at Coventry in early November however was actually the start of a period of uncertainty that has lasted right through to the end of the season.

Manager Boskamp was incensed that assistant Jan de Koning and director of football John Rudge had consulted on tactics during the game without his knowledge. The pair were suspended and Boskamp threatened to quit if they were not sacked.

Both de Koning and Rudge did return to their jobs (although they were suspended again in March and de Koning subsequently left the club) and Boskamp stayed, but the three men's relationship was rarely the same.

On the pitch, Stoke slipped away from the play-off places but were never in trouble towards the bottom. Bangoura's absence at the African Nations Cup brought an end to his good run of form and the goals dried up on his return, although on-loan Blackburn forward Paul Gallagher performed well.

The season has petered out amidst talk of a takeover, which has seemingly put paid to any chance of Boskamp staying on as his request for a two-year contract has not been granted given the uncertainty over whether the club will be sold.

Given Stoke's position in mid-table and the healthy looking blend of youngsters, solid professionals and overseas talent at the club, it is a case of 'what might have been' had Boskamp been allowed to finish the job he started.

Instead, more chopping and changing looks likely in the summer with a potential new owner in local businessman (and former director) Peter Coates and a new manager, whoever is in the boardroom.

3076: Middlesbrough: Dj Vu down at

by : David Hulott

It’s been quite a few days for Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren. Barely a week ago it seemed that the only delay in appointing him as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s successor as England manager was the selection committee’s reluctance to lose their lunchtime sandwich buffets or that the process had already taken so long that it had been deemed necessary to build a chimney at Soho Square to inform the masses papal-style of the appointment by sending out white smoke signals.

Now it appears that there has been an eleventh hour change of heart and that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be crowned as the new England manager as successor to Eriksson, leaving McClaren to concentrate on his duties with Middlesbrough.

It looked as if the week was going to go from bad to worse for McClaren, with the 1:0 1st leg defeat in the Romanian capital to Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup semi-final last Thursday, being followed by the FA Cup semi-final exit at the hands of West Ham United at the weekend. To then go 2:0 down to a decent Steaua team within 24 minutes of this evening’s game seemed to be little more than confirmation that this was a week that McClaren would live to remember for all the wrong reasons.

The team had raised their game against Basle under similar circumstances in the last round, but the Romanian champions looked to be made of sterner stuff and fatigue would also surely play its part for Boro at this stage of a long campaign?

Remarkably the players somehow managed to repeat the four-goal salvage operation that saw off the Swiss in the quarter-final, with Massimo Maccarone again the hero of the hour with the clinching goal a couple of minutes from time. There will be few questioning the wisdom of the Italian’s £8 million + transfer fee on Teesside tonight and an industry producing T-shirts in his honour is probably already running at maximum capacity.

This season’s UEFA Cup exploits are testament to the team’s character under McClaren (can anyone genuinely imagine a Bryan Robson team making two such fight-backs?) and nights like this might start him believing that he is actually better off staying at a club with a chairman who supports him to the hilt, rather than having to face the multitude of pressures that come with the England job.

According to the club, Middlesbrough will receive 9,200 tickets for the UEFA Cup final, which takes place at the PSV Stadion in Eindhoven, Holland, on Wednesday May 10.

David Hulott
28 April 2006

3069: Manchester City: Does the acad

by : Antony Melvin

Manchester City are building a future for the club based on youth. For a while now City have suffered a double whammy of a big successful neighbour who is also very keen to bring through youth players plus the restricted recruitment zone that means City fight with over a dozen league clubs for the same kids.

Most of the big clubs largely ignore their youth teams allowing neighbouring clubs to play the very persuasive card of 'at least he'll get a game'. But Manchester United have always used their youth players in the first team - a fact that often proved decisive if a kid had to choose between red and blue.

But finally the tide has turned. Whilst the talent reaching the United team has started to dry up - City are suddenly boasting a Youth Cup final and half a home-grown first team.

Stuart Pearce has barely been in the job a year but already the successful youth players are moving in in large numbers.

In 2004/5, under Kevin Keegan - a man who famously abandoned reserve team football at Newcastle - City could boast a genuine international class winger from the youth programme in Shaun Wright-Phillips. In his final season Keegan was also picking Joey Barton, Nedum Onuoha and Stephen Jordan At the end of the season the lure of Chelsea proved too much for Wright-Phillips, but the fee generated (£21m) did ensure that City were safe from the need to sell. Also under Keegan Onuoha and Jordan got their first taste of top-flight football.

This season under Stuart Pearce, City have accelerated the introduction of youth players and 7 young, former youth team players have played ten or more league matches this season (Barton, Croft, Ireland, Jordan, Onuoha, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Richards). There are few, if any, top flight clubs who have shown this much faith in young players - and perhaps City's tired end to the season is a result of their inexperienced team. But no matter these seven represent the basis for the next five years.

Joey Barton, 23

The 23 year old combatative midfielder is approaching 100 first team appearances. Regularly linked with moves elsewhere due to his off-the-field problems. Odd when Pearce would gladly build a midfield around him.

Stephen Jordan, 24

Six footer from Warrington, Jordan can play in midfield or at full-back. After starting about half of City's games this season he is clearly now a regular and a good age at 24.

Nedum Onuoha, 19

An English full-back who broke through under Keegan and is still only 19. Injuries have slowed his progress.

Lee Croft, 21

19 league games for Croft who whilst nominally a forward may progress into an attacking midfielder. With only four league starts to date, there will be doubts over the Wigan-born player's future.

Stephen Ireland, 19

Cork-born midfielder who despite his tender years has racked up 29 league appearances this term - half of them starts.

Micah Richards, 17

Birmingham-born holding midfielder with a long future, Richards has already been linked with every major English club. Capable of going box-to-box and becoming what Roy Keane once was.

Bradley Wright-Phillips, 21

Saddled with a famous name and a famous brother; many City fans believe he is better than his brother - but then again United fans used to say that about Phil Neville. But just one first team start, and he is 22 in the summer, suggest that he may have to move on for games - a bit like his brother. 17 league games this season, all but one from the bench.

So Stuart Pearce has built a team based on five young trainees - with a couple more on the bench. Add to these the talent in the Youth team itself and some good experienced defenders and City are in shape to progress into regular top six finishers for the next five years. The gamble in Stuart Pearce looks like it will pay off handsomely.

Antony Melvin
27 April 2006

3056: Manchester United 1990 FA Cup

by : Hugh Larkin

There was a time when Manchester United were struggling in Liverpool’s shadow and many judges thought Alex Ferguson wasn’t the man to turn the club round. Appointed in 1986, by 1990 Fergie hadn’t delivered any silverware but his side reached the Cup Final that year. Crystal Palace took them all the way in a thrilling 3-3 draw but United squeaked through the replay 1-0 and the club’s glory era had begun.

Les Sealey

The hyperactive, committed keeper took over the starting role after Ferguson dramatically axed Scotland international Jim Leighton after the first game. Sealey kept a clean sheet and enjoyed the best period of his hitherto unspectacular career. He set the mould for Peter Schmeichel with his hectoring of his defenders and huge motivation.

Deeply mourned by Old Trafford fans when he died suddenly in 2001. Ferguson has since explained that he forced his way into the side through his personality, saying-“he wasn’t a better keeper than Jim, but he thought he was”.

Paul Ince

Still playing in the Wolves midfield, back in 1990 Ince was the young signing from West Ham full of confidence, aggressive intent and commitment. He played at right back in both matches in the absence of regular full backs Viv Anderson and Mal Donaghy.

Went on to a glittering career for England, anchored the United midfield to a Double and then had a spell in Italy before returning to Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

Lee Martin

Before the mid-90s ‘Golden Generation’, Manchester United had a previous crop of promising youth products. The likes of Russell Beardsmore, Lee Sharpe, Deiniol Graham, Mark Robins and Martin were expected to provide many years of service to the club.

In practice none of them really achieved their ambitions. Martin did enjoy the glory of scoring the goal that won the Cup in the replay but he only played 109 times in all, with a severe back injury effectively ending his Old Trafford career. Denis Irwin slipped seamlessly into the left back role for over a decade.

Steve Bruce

In Bruce, Ferguson found the sort of rock hard competitor to build a title-winning defence around. The centre back came up the hard way at Gillingham and Norwich before embarking on a glittering career at Old Trafford. Totally dependable, ridiculously overlooked for international honours and able to contribute a huge number of goals for a defender.

Mike Phelan

Has stayed at the club since in a coaching capacity. Another acquisition from Norwich, a neat and tidy midfielder with an eye for a pass and the ability to read the game. Provided ballast alongside the more noted talents in the midfield.

Gary Pallister

Bought for a record fee from Middlesbrough and worth every penny. Formed the best centreback pairing in the top flight with Bruce since Lawrenson and Hansen of Liverpool. Another tough battler, good in the air and the tackle. Like Bruce, not the quickest but rarely caught out.

Bryan Robson

The inspirational, and occasionally suicidally brave, talisman of the side. By 1990 he wasn’t the all action man of previous years but his game developed along more subtle lines and he anchored the club through to the breakthrough title in 1993. Winning his third winner’s medal with United.

Neil Webb

Thoughtful, gifted ballplayer bought from Nottingham Forest. Continued the good habits learnt under Brian Clough and rarely wasted possession. His precise ball played Martin in for the winning goal in the replay. However, 1989-90 had seen him suffer a severe Achilles tendon injury and though he held down his United place, some of the zip went from his game. Soon to be replaced in the centre by more hard running types.

Brian McClair

Came down from Scotland as a goalscorer after his exploits with Celtic. While he put away his fair share, by 1990 McClair was demonstrating a more rounded game, not playing as an out and out striker. Still added 128 goals for the club and won 30 Scottish caps

Mark Hughes

Back from his spell abroad and a more complete player than the young tyro who joined Barcelona in 1986. Still as strong as an ox, hugely combative (overly so at times) and a scorer of some amazing goals, especially at critical moments (cup semi-finals in particular). Excellent touch to go with the muscle and a great team player. Scored a brace in the first game.

Danny Wallace

A buzzing winger at his best, signed from Southampton where he once played alongside both his brothers. Busy and exciting on his day but beset by injuries and inconsistent form. By 1992 he lost his regular place to Ryan Giggs and Lee Sharpe and the signing of Andrei Kanchelskis left him right out of the picture by 1994.

Subs

Mark Robins came on in the first game. His goals in the earlier rounds had kept the team in the competition and effectively Fergie in his job. A cool goal poacher, he resembled Paul Scholes but couldn’t establish a regular first team role and went into the lower divisions.

Welsh international Clayton Blackmore played a number of different positions and contributed some excellent dead ball options. A key man in the Cup-Winners Cup win in 1991, before following Robson to Middlesbrough.

Hugh Larkin
18 April 2006

3073: England; Is Scolari The Right

by : Stephen Orford

Following months of deliberations, rumours and counter-rumours, the FA might just have made a decision on who is to take over from Sven Goran Eriksson as England manager.

It is being widely reported that Portugal’s Brazilian manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been offered the job by Brian Barwick and his FA cohorts. If this is so, then it puts an end to the recent speculation suggesting that an English manager would be appointed to replace the controversial Eriksson.

Scolari’s emergence as red-hot favourite for the job might be a slight surprise for those expecting one of Steve McLaren, Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley or Martin O’Neill to be appointed. However, the FA can hardly be blamed for looking abroad once more given the dearth of suitable candidates hailing from the British Isles. If anything, Scolari’s appointment - should it happen - will be an indictment on the FA’s continued failure to implement the correct structures to identify and develop quality English coaches. That none of the clubs currently occupying the top four spots in the Premiership employ an English manager says it all, and the FA’s priority for now must be to find the right man to bring success to the national team in the short term.

This is not a time for waiting around, offering experience to an Englishman in some sort of trial and error experiment. This is an England squad primed for an assault on major honours, with this summer’s World Cup in Germany viewed by many as the nation’s best hope of a world title since they won it for the one and only time forty years ago. Undoubtedly, Scolari has the credentials which prove that he could be the man to bring the best out of England’s currently star-studded squad in both Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland, and the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

If a proven track record is what you are looking for in an international manager then look no further. Scolari is a World Cup winning coach already, having won the game’s most coveted prize with his native Brazil in 2002 in Korea and Japan. That Brazil side beat England in the quarter finals along the way, doing so with ten men after Ronaldinho was sent off. Scolari’s Brazil played a brand of skilful, attacking football that the McLarens, Allardyces, Curbishleys and even Erikssons of this world scarcely approve of.

After Brazil, Scolari took up the offer from Portugal to take charge of their Euro 2004 campaign on home soil. Once again England were defeated as Scolari led his team through a largely successful tournament. The man nicknamed “Big Phil” was denied a second consecutive major international honour only by the fairy tale that was Greece in the final, but has since guided the Portuguese through another seemingly effortless World Cup qualifying campaign. Hopes are high for Scolari and the Portuguese in Germany in a group containing Mexico, Iran and Angola, and the stock of the former Gremio and Palmeiras boss could rise yet further.

Similarly, the timing of this news potentially exposes the FA to the consequences of the opposite eventuality. Should they announce before the World Cup that Scolari is indeed the new man, then all eyes will be on the performance of he and his team at this summer’s big event. A Portuguese failure similar to the one witnessed at the last World Cup (albeit before the arrival of Scolari) would see serious questions being asked about whether the Brazilian is the right man to take over at Soho Square. Much egg will be spread across many faces should the Portuguese not succeed in Germany under Scolari, and yet more ammunition will be offered to the xenophobes who judge a man by glancing at his passport.

Yet Scolari’s appointment is far from a done deal at this point. It is only days since he announced that he had an agreement with the Portuguese FA that he would not be speaking to any other interested parties until after the World Cup. With that in mind it is possible that there could be some difficult negotiations ahead for Barwick and his colleagues in persuading the Portuguese to let go of their man any time soon. Added to that is the widely held belief that Scolari does not speak English even adequately, and a crash course in the language will need to be hastily arranged if he is to be able to communicate with the players by late summer or early autumn.

And so the race to become the new England manager is not quite over, but there is a firm favourite tearing away from what has in truth been a fairly ordinary field.

By Stephen Orford

April 27 2006

3071: Manager profile: Luiz Felipe S

by : Chris Sherrard

He’s now the man most likely in terms of becoming the next England manager, but how much do we really know about Luiz Felipe Scolari?

Well all England fans should really care about is the fact that he knows what it takes to win the World Cup.

The thing that shines out above everything else in the Brazilian’s make-up is that he is a winner.

Everywhere he’s managed, every club or nation he’s touched has thrived.

His first big title was the Brazilian Cup, in 1991, coaching Criciúma, from Santa Catarina. That success soon had the big boys of Brazilian football sniffing around.

And in 1994, Scolari joined one of the biggest and most important teams in South America, Grmio, who he had played for in the 1970s.

Success soon followed success. He lifted silverware every season while with Gremio.

In his debut season it was the Brazilian Cup, in 1995 the Copa Libertadores followed by a place in the World Club Final against the formidable Ajax.

That same season his Germio side won the Recopa and lifted the Brazilian National Championship title the year after.

Scolari also won the Copa Libertadores with Palmeiras and another runners-up spot in the World Club Final in Tokyo before moving on to boss Cruzerio.

And then came the ultimate honour for any football manager – the offer to take charge of your country.

The fact that this was Brazil, with all the swagger and skill that they collectively bring to the table could only have made it a sweeter appointment for the man they call ‘Big Phil’.

He took charge of Brazil in 2001 and by July of the following year he was a world champion after the South Americans went all the way in Japan and Korea.

On their way to that triumph, significantly, Scolari displayed his tactical nouse and inspirational qualities in seeing off Sven Goran Eriksson’s England in the quarter-finals.

With mission accomplished with Brazil, Scolari set his sights on new targets and became manager of Portugal in 2003.

This was to prove another successful move as he led his new nation into battle as they hosted the 2004 European Championships.

By coaching Portugal during its run to the final of the competition, he became the first foreign coach ever to lead any team to the final of that event.

He has pledged his allegiance to Portugal for the duration of their run at this summer’s World Cup in Germany.

However, it is fully expected that Scolari will be looking for a fresh challenge by the end of that competition and that has, naturally enough, attracted the attentions of a host of clubs and associations.

One of those is the English FA who have reputedly offered Sven Goran Eriksson’s position to him from August onwards.

That is despite the fact that Scolari’s grasp of the English language is far from perfect.

The move for the Brazilian is set to spark intense debate within English football as to why it is necessary to import a second successive overseas coach to manage the national team.

There are many who feel there is a satisfactory number of English or British managers who could do just as good a job.

However, supporters of Scolari’s projected appointment say that the best man should get the job and none of the other contenders have won the World Cup.

3067: The importance of Hillsborough

by : Jeff Gold

At 3.06 on the afternoon of April 15, 1989, the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough was brought to a halt as ninety-six supporters tragically and unnecessarily lost their lives, helplessly crushed against fences specifically designed to cage them in.

Seventeen years on, and Sheffield Wednesday show a certain degree of sensitivity in delaying the kick-off of their game against Norwich so that 3.06 does not once more see a game in progress. Instead, the fateful time is greeted by the sound of a gladiatorial anthem grinding through the speakers. The tune is difficult to discern. Partly, this is due to my ignorance of classical music. Mainly, it stems from Wednesday’s quest for a decibel level that turns everything to static, and places noise beyond white into black, all in an utterly futile and, on this occasion, wholly inappropriate attempt to generate a small amount of atmosphere.

They retrieve the situation slightly with a well-meaning address from the Bishop of Sheffield and an impeccably observed minute of silence. This prompts Harry, my nephew, to demand an explanation. Consequently, we become so preoccupied that, forty-five minutes later, we have barely given the match a second glance. Any Wednesday fan will tell you this is no great loss, but it would have mattered little had we been watching Manchester United, Arsenal or even Barcelona at their most fluent.

Harry’s thirst for knowledge and understanding seems unquenchable. His curiosity about how people died is typical of any eight year old boy, perhaps less typical is his desire to appreciate why. Questions range from the straight-forward matter of where I was when it happened, to the frankly unsettling issue of whether ambulances came on the pitch - I say not, but am not sure why, beyond a nagging suspicion that the answer won’t make anybody proud. His final question is the easiest. We observe a minute’s silence to commemorate the dead, to avoid repeating the same mistakes and to remind us that there are far more important things in life than football.

If that is the prevailing mood of the first-half, the rest of the day impresses on me that football remains very important to very many people. It is important to the thousands of Wednesday fans who celebrate their team’s victory as if it were they, rather than Sheffield United, who have just clinched promotion. Important too, to the man from Toronto who calls Radio Sheffield to offer congratulations to the United staff. Certainly important to the fan of more than sixty years who attempts to do the same but, in a genuinely moving moment, is overcome with emotion and unable to continue.

Just as I am in danger of drowning in a sea of sentimentality, I run aground on the shore of cynicism. On Radio Five a contributor - and I use the term in the loosest sense possible - is complaining vehemently about the performance of a referee. This, in an utterly meaningless fixture, one in which his team has prevailed.

It reminds me why I hate phone-ins. Some people still take the game far too seriously, most of them seem to pollute our air-waves and, unfortunately, there is no guarantee that this week’s tear-jerker will not be next week’s knee-jerker. Occasionally, callers can be interesting and in need of encouragement. Rarely, they can be moving and in need of consolation. More often than not though, they are just plain irritating and in serious need of some perspective. That, and perhaps a bit of a slap.

Jeff Gold
24 April 2006

3066: Championship season review: Le

by : Alex Wolstenholme

What had been a fairly dismal season until January for most Leicester City fans, ended on a positive note after new manager Rob Kelly guided his side away from the foot of the table and to Championship safety.

Kelly had previously worked under Craig Levein, who came to England from Hearts with a big reputation north of the border as an up-and-coming young manager.

Having inherited an ageing, expensive side when taking over in November 2004, Levein left a leaner, younger squad.

20-year-old Matty Fryatt, signed from Walsall just two weeks before his new boss was sacked, has formed an impressive partnership up front with 23-year-old Iain Hume.

Midfielder Stephen Hughes and defender Richard Stearman also embody the kind of players that Levein wanted at the club. Hughes was signed from Glasgow Rangers where he had been on the fringes of the first-team, while Stearman is one of the youngsters to have come through the ranks and who was given his chance by the former boss.

Results though were simply not good enough to keep Levein in his job and even an amazing FA Cup win over Tottenham wasn't enough to save him.

The sack finally came at the end of January with Leicester in real danger of becoming involved in the relegation dogfight.

On taking over, initially in a caretaker basis, Kelly engineered an upturn in the Foxes' fortunes, earning himself the Manager of the Month award for March, and then being named as Levein's permanent successor on a 12-month rolling contract.

Premiership parachute payments have now finished, meaning Kelly is unlikely to have a great deal of money to spend in the summer, while the loss of influential midfielder Joey Gudjonsson to AZ Alkmaar at the end of the campaign will be a blow.

But Leicester fans can surely look forward to a better season next time around with what always looked a talented squad on paper, having been moulded into a much more effective unit, capable of matching any side in the Championship as they showed with good late-season results against Leeds, Reading and Crystal Palace.

3065: Liverpool: How Much Does the A

by : Paul Grech

With two of Europe’s best players having come through the club’s ranks, it might seem that everything is fine as far as Liverpool’s youth development is concerned. Yet the fact that only four of the current squad are local players and only one of these has made his debut in the last six years indicates otherwise.

Under Gerard Houllier the club’s academy players barely got a look in with a reported clash with academy chief Steve Hieghway over how this should be run apparently being at the heart of the problem. However, that none of the players overlooked or released by Houllier has gone on to prove him wrong indicates that perhaps the real problem was the lack of talent coming through.

Then again, none of the various young players signed by the Frenchman himself – Carl Medjani, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Anthony Le Tallec, Aliou Diarra, Patrice Luzi and Chris Kirkland – have proven to be much better for Liverpool.

Under Rafael Benitez matters have changed and he has certainly been eager to give young players their chance, famously fielding practically the whole reserve team in last season’s League and FA Cups. But this has only confirmed that it wasn’t just personal bias that stopped his predecessor from putting more faith in them.

With most of those players having gone out on extended loans and none of them really shining, it looks as if the majority will soon be departing Liverpool for good.

The future, however, looks more promising and there are high hopes about the players who have just won the FA Youth Cup. How they develop and whether they get their chance will probably be the best marker on Liverpool’s attitude towards young players.

Liverpool’s Local Lads
Which players have come through the Liverpool youth ranks and have played more than ten games for them this season?

Jamie Carragher

Liverpool’s longest serving player has emerged as one of Europe’s best defenders under Rafael Benitez. Indeed the Spaniard deserves a lot of merit for switching Carragher into the centre of defence rather that the full-back positions he had often been restricted to in the past.

Robbie Fowler

A boyhood Evertonian who has gone on to become one of the most adored players in Liverpool’s recent history. Whatever Rafael Benitez decides to do at the end of the season, Fowler’s second coming has been nothing short of a masterstroke.

Steven Gerrard

One of the few who got their chance under Houllier although even a blind man would have spotted his talent. The current Player of the Year is undoubtedly one of the best players in Europe and he is often the driving force behind the team, a player who has matured into a fine captain for the club.

Stephen Warnock

No one proves Gerard Houllier’s lack of interest in the club’s academy players better than Stephen Warnock. Loaned for a season to Coventry, he was hardly followed by Liverpool’s management despite being voted the Player of the Year during his stay in the Midlands. Indeed he looked all set to leave before Rafael Benitez came in and gave him his chance. A dependable left back, in truth he has hardly looked anything more than a squad player despite the England squad call up earlier in the season.

3068: Championship season review: Ip

by : Alex Wolstenholme

Having made the play-offs for the past two seasons, Ipswich Town fans have had to settle for a mid-table finish this time around after a campaign that has been frustrating and encouraging in turn.

A slow start to the season was always likely, given the talent that had left Portman Road ahead of the 2005/06 season.

Goalkeeper Kelvin Davis moved to Sunderland, where he was joined by midfielder Tommy Miller. Strikers Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi also departed, for Charlton and Blackburn respectively.

The departures of Miller, Bent and Kuqi deprived Ipswich of three players who had contributed around 55 goals between then the previous season.

The men brought in to replace some of those goals, Sam Parkin and Nicky Forster, have been plagued by injuries for much of the season and have started only 33 league games between them at the time of writing.

A run of unbeaten games around the turn of the year did provide brief hopes of a play-off place, with transfer window signings Gavin Williams (who had previously been on loan at the club) and Alan Lee making a good early impact.

Ipswich though faded again towards the end of the campaign, with disappointing home defeats by Stoke and Brighton in particular ending their chances of top ten finish.

On the bright side however has been the emergence of a number of good young players, with many coming from the club's FA Youth Cup winning side of 2005.

Royle has given chances to the likes of Owen Garvan (midfielder), Shane Supple (goalkeeper) and Scott Barron (defender), and is hoping for big things from them next season while defender Chris Casement and forward Danny Haynes also impressed when called up towards the end of the campaign.

Jim Magilton will no longer be plying his classy trade in the Ipswich midfield come next season. He is leaving after seven years with the club, a symbol perhaps of the changing times at Portman Road.

Season ticket sales of around the 16,000 mark should ensure that player sales are not necessary but financial reality means Royle will give the youngsters their head.

He remains confident of a promotion push next time around in what may otherwise be his last season in management with his contract set to expire next summer.

3051: Whatever Happened to: Peter Re

by : Sam Cullen

With the play-offs looming and their place already booked, Leeds fans have something to look forward to and cheer about again, as the club looks to secure a return to the Premiership.

Few would like to remember the dark days of their relegation, season 2003/04, but it is true the club made a spirited fight of it during the 2nd half of the season under Eddie Gray.

Many would argue the early season form under Peter Reid sent them down as new recruits failed to gel and the team performed absymally. But what did happen to Reid's signings?

Jody Morris

The tough tackling midfielder was signed on a free transfer from Chelsea in July 2003. Following an almost obiligatory court case, he departed the club for Rotherham in March 2004.Signed for Millwall at the start of the 2004/05 season and is still on their books.

Zoumara Camara

The first of Reid's many year long loans, arriving from Lens. Was dropped after Reid's sacking and aside from 1 match in January 2004, sat out the rest of the loan deal on the sidelines.

Didier Domi

Eyebrows may have been raised by his acquisition on another year long loan,but at least he had Premiership experience at Newcastle under his belt. Barely featured under Reid but bizarrely had a late revival in February/March 2004 under Eddie Gray, the only one of the foreign loanees to do so. Left PSG for Espanyol in July 2004.

Lamine Sakho

Another of Reid's loan signings, arriving from Marseille.He did score once, in the 3-2 away victory at Boro at the end of August. That was a very rare bright spot although he was occasionally on the fringes of the team under Eddie Gray. Joined St Etienne in January 2005

Jermaine Pennant

The loanee who was the exception to the rule. The wingers displays were one of the few bright spots in the dark dark season for Leeds. Scored twice in his 34 league starts, but Leeds were never going to be able to make the deal permanent. Returned to Arsenal for 2004/05, but soon departed on a similar loan move to Birmingham, which despite a prison spell, was later made permanent.

Salomon Olembe

The Cameroon midfielder was yet another overseas season loan Reid recruited to bolster his depleted squad from Marseille. A similar story to the others, barely featured once Reid left, appearing just 3 more times.

Cyril Chapuis

Another Marseille Player, perhaps Peter Reid got a job lot? This french forward barely featured, making only a few appearances before having his loan terminated prematurely at the start of 2004. Last heard of at AC Ajaccio

Roque Junior

The "Roque Horror" show as he was dubbed by some fans. Leeds conceded 20 goals in the 5 games he featured in, yet totally unbelievably given the nature of his performances, was the owner of a World Cup winners medal. Had his loan spell terminated early, costing Leeds an estimated £1million. Plying his trade at Bayer Leverkusen now and probably causing nightmares across Germany.

Sam Cullen
24 April 2006

3054: World Cup 2006: The Case for A

by : Olly Wright

With the England squad due to be announced in a couple of weeks, the day after the end of the Premiership season, Sven has probably already finalised in his head who his 23 preferred players are. Whether he takes Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent or both seems to be his main dilemma, certainly the most talked about in the media.

One man who has rarely, if ever, been mentioned in the same breath as “World Cup squad” is Aaron Lennon. It is assumed Shaun Wright-Philips will be England’s back-up for Beckham on the right-hand side. The Chelsea winger has been a regular in Sven’s squads throughout the qualifying campaign, but since his arrival at Stamford Bridge he has flattered to deceive.

Wright-Philips has had limited opportunities in the Chelsea first team this season, Mourinho never allowing him to get going. He has started just nine Premiership games, and has been substituted in all of them. As such, he has been a shadow of the player he was at Manchester City.

Aaron Lennon, on the other hand, has come from nowhere this season, breaking into the Spurs first team. From the moment he did so, he has been terrorising defenders all season long, turning them inside and out, all with apparent disregard for the opposing player’s stature and reputation. His scintillating form meant he established himself as a regular in Martin Jol’s side, and he has been lighting up Tottenham’s attacks ever since.

Both players have the same role in a team, creating chances by beating players with their skills, trickery and pace. This could be vital for England this summer, as such a player coming off the bench could run tiring defenders ragged in the final third of games. Both players are probably just as effective at this as each other on their day. but Lennon has had more practice at it this season and is improving all the time. In his first full Premiership season at the age of eighteen, he has broken into the England under-21 squad and has been nominated for Young Footballer of the Year.

So Sven, be brave and pick the form player. Lennon could be England’s secret weapon this summer. Heard of by very few outside this country, he has the potential to be a deadly match winner for England.

Olly Wright
23 April 2006

3049: Premiership; Baggies Doomed

by : Stephen Orford

Newcastle United’s 3-0 drubbing of West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (April 22) has taken the previously troubled Toon to the brink of European qualification, but for Bryan Robson’s Baggies it is almost certainly the result which sends them spinning back into the Championship.

Memories of last season’s final day survival at Portsmouth now appear ever more distant, as the south coast side look to pull off their own great escape this term at the expense of the Hawthorns outfit. A point for Pompey in either of their remaining games away at Wigan Athletic or at home to Liverpool will ensure that West Brom’s stay in the top flight comes to an end. And yet there seemed so much to build on following that dramatic day at Fratton Park 12 months ago.

Back then West Brom achieved the impossible. No team had previously managed to escape Premiership relegation having been bottom of the table on Christmas Day, yet Robson’s side found their form in the second half of the season to condemn Southampton, Norwich City and Crystal Palace to the drop. Men like Jonathan Greening, Geoff Horsfield, Robert Earnshaw and Zoltan Gera were instrumental in that effort, and with the summer arrivals of long-time England goalkeeping candidate Chris Kirkland and Wigan goal-machine Nathan Ellington the prospects looked somewhat cheerier for Robson.

It hasn’t worked out that way, with the Baggies now needing more snookers than any of the masters of the green baize will achieve in Sheffield this week if they are to avoid the trap door. Even if Harry Redknapp’s men implode in their final two outings, West Brom still need maximum points from a home fixture with FA Cup finalists West Ham United and from a trip to Everton to maintain their hopes. Add Birmingham City into the mix and Robson and chairman Jeremy Peace might as well start planning their assault on promotion from the Championship in 2006/07 along with Sunderland.

Blues have a home game with Newcastle United up next, and though Glenn Roeder’s side have found some impressive form in recent weeks the feeling remains that the game is a winnable one for Steve Bruce’s men. Three points for the St.Andrews club will be enough to consign their midlands rivals to relegation, and should they fail they will have another shot at it when they visit Bolton Wanderers on the final day of the season. From whichever angle it is viewed, and even from the strongest black and white binoculars in the galaxy, West Bromwich Albion are doomed.

So where has it all gone wrong for Robson and his charges? It’s overly simplistic to suggest that the early loss of the injury-plagued Kirkland has been a factor. His replacement Thomas Kuszczak has been monumental in goal for the most part, although a recent high-profile error late in a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane has proved costly at the business end of the season. Regardless, should Kuszczak decide to stay in the Premiership next season there will be no shortage of suitors for his services.

West Brom have had defensive problems, however, having leaked 55 goals in their 36 games to date this season. This record is the joint third worst in the division and shows where some of their troubles lie. Youngster Curtis Davies has shown much promise since his move from Luton Town, but has had to learn rather too quickly for the good of either the player or the club. Others like Steve Watson and Neil Clement have experience but surely lack the speed and athleticism to repel the best attackers that the Premiership has to offer.

It’s not been much better in attack for the Baggies, with Robert Earnshaw sparsely used before being moved on to Norwich City in January. Horsfield has hardly been a factor as Robson has kept faith in the misfiring Ellington, the enigmatic Diomansy Kamara and the veteran Kevin Campbell. Gera has been in and out of the side all season, making just ten Premiership starts and notching only a solitary goal, while Kanu, ball-boy carrying exploits notwithstanding, has only five goals from 23 league starts this term. Overall West Brom have scored 29 times in league games this season, a dismal return only upstaged by the hapless Sunderland and the workmanlike, terminally dull Birmingham City.

Most damning of all in the last few weeks has been the absence of the fighting qualities which contributed so much to West Brom’s survival a year ago. The most taxing decision now facing Robson (should he remain at the club next season) is whether to stick with this squad at the lower level, or bring in one or two players who may have a little more stomach for the battle. Relegation to the Championship can have a significant effect on players and many struggle to adapt, as both Norwich City and Southampton have shown in their unimpressive campaigns in 2005/06. Finance is always an issue also, and so some careful planning must start now if the Baggies are to boing boing back at the first attempt in 2007.

By Stephen Orford

24 April 2006

3052: Best Premiership Newcomers XI

by : Hugh Larkin

While the Football Writers and PFA are handing out their awards for the top players in the Premiership, it’s also time to look at the new additions to the top flight who impressed the most;

Jose Reina Liverpool

There aren’t many new keepers to choose from but generally Reina has done what was expected of him in the Reds goal. A great shot stopper in the Continental manner but less confident advancing for crosses. May find Scott Carson breathing down his neck in future.

Pascal Chimbonda Wigan Athletic

There have been lots of success stories at Wigan this year but none better than the hugely athletic defender signed from Bastia. Chimbonda can do his fair share of defensive duties but like Ashley Cole his fitness and pace allow him to be a major factor going forward. Just edges it over Emmanuel Eboue who is also a stellar newcomer.

Michael Dawson Tottenham Hotspur

He only played 5 times last season so we’ll define him as a newcomer. Dawson had long been touted as an England player in the making during his time at Nottingham Forest. Martin Jol has followed through with his English youth policy, given Dawson responsibility and the player hasn’t been found wanting. Spurs fans are purring at the thought of a maturing Dawson/King pairing.

Danny Gabbidon West Ham United

A bit of a surprise why no one bought him before. He’s been consistent for Cardiff and shown good temperament in internationals for Wales. Settled in nicely at Upton Park as the kind of defender who does the necessary stuff and uses his pace effectively.

Matthieu Flamini Arsenal

Yes, a bit of licence here as he clearly isn’t a newcomer but Flamini’s conversion from central midfielder to specialist left back has to be one of the astonishing feats of the Premiership season. Injuries to Cole and Clichy left Arsene Wenger with the choice of the lumbering Pascal Cygan but Flamini got him out of that hole and even his manager must be surprised with the aplomb he’s shown in the role.

Aleksandr Hleb Arsenal

The Belarussian began quietly and many thought his life at Arsenal would be as a squad player. But since the turn of the year he’s turned in consistently impressive performances from the right side and shown himself as the long-term successor to Freddie Ljungberg.

Mo Sissoko Liverpool

Buying from his old club Valencia, Rafa Benitez knew what he was getting from the Malian international -a midfield destroyer who allows the manager to select Alonso, Gerrard and Kewell without leaving his back four exposed. Not as tidy as Didi Hamann in the shielding role but definitely more athletic and also inclined to rough up the opposition a bit.

Nigel Reo-Coker West Ham United

You wait years for dynamic box –to-box midfielders and then several come along in a rush. Reo-Coker has shown impressive maturity as West Ham captain and is one of the main reasons for their success this season. Coves the ground, gets in good positions, makes tackles and his vision and touch should improve. An England player in waiting.

Jimmy Bullard Wigan Athletic

The heartbeat of Wigan’s tremendous collective effort in their first top flight attempt. His industry wasn’t a surprise but his skills a playmaker were also top notch. A solid pro who knows when to play it simple and when to go for broke. Superbly consistent.

Andres D’Alessandro Portsmouth

Proof once again that Harry Rednapp hasn’t lost it when it comes to finding quality in unusual places. The Argentinian is on loan from Wolfsburg in Germany and he’s only played 11 games but to come into a side headed for the drop and play his game so effectively is testimony to his confidence and skill.

Other sides shut up shop in relegation battles but Redknapp puts his trust in skilful players and the tricky inside forward has lifted his team-mates just by refusing to compromise his beliefs.

Darren Bent Charlton Athletic

He’s not strictly a newcomer as he played a handful of games as a tyro striker back in 2001-02 with Ipswich. A great signing for Charlton, he hit the ground running in August and catapulted himself into the England reckoning. Has pace and physical strength plus a real eye for goal. Form dipped a little in last third of the season but that’s normal at the Valley.

Honourable Mentions

Half the Wigan squad, numerous West Ham players-especially Yossi Benayoun, a posse of players from the Middlesbrough Academy, Guiseppe Rossi, Lee Yong-Po, Park Ji-Sung, Edgar Davids (difficult to define him as a newcomer) Gary Cahill, Neil Kilkenny.

Hugh Larkin
24 April 2006

3055: Wigan Athletic: Pascal that CA

by : Sam Cullen

Congratulations to Wigan right-back Pascal Chimbonda for being named in the PFA Premiership Team of the year. Before the season began, few people had heard of the defender hailing from Guadeloupe and he arrived at Wigan from Bastia in July 2005.

If you think back to Wigan’s first game in the top flight, you remember they did themselves proud with a strong and determined display against the Chelsea juggernaut, a game they were cruelly unlucky to lose.

In his debut, Chimbonda put in an excellent performance which seemed to suggest promising things for the rest of the season. However, it has been the case that debuts have led to falsely raised expectations.

Chimbonda hasn’t fallen into this trap at all and as the season has gone on, his performances have actually improved as he has established himself as an integral part of a Wigan side which has exceeded all expectations. Chimbonda has also chipped in with 2 goals over the campaign.

At the start of the season, they were widely tipped for relegation, yet they have proved all the pundits wrong as they made it to their first domestic cup final and passed the “traditional” 40 point safety mark over 2 months ago.

Chimbonda’s presence in the team of the year is also reassuring, given that the remainder of the team, bar one, all are made up from the traditional Premiership big guns Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Of course the top teams do deserve recognition of their individual players achievements, but it does become somewhat dull and predictable when they always maintain a clean sweep within the team.

The pressure will be on both player and club next season. Will they fall into the dreaded second season syndrome and struggle with relegation? Will they consolidate their position and push on further towards Europe and silverware?

It has become a standard tag line for the Premiership that the gulf between it and the Championship is always growing. Wigan and FA Cup finalists West Ham have proved this not always to be the case, despite Sunderland’s best efforts. What do Reading, Sheffield United and the 3rd promoted side need to do to stay up? It’s a simple answer but hard to carry out, find themselves a Pascal Chimbonda.

Sam Cullen
24 April 2006

3064: Villarreal vs Arsenal: Arsenal

by : Chris Sherrard

First Champions League Final in their history, first London club into the final ever, second season in succession that an under-fancied English side reach the final to play one of football's great clubs - what a night for Arsenal!

Buit how did they rate on the night?

Jens Lehmann 8

Solid, reliable and if he wasn't a hero in north London before tonight, he certainly will be now. Aside from the penalty save which confirmed Arsenal's place in Paris, the German number one looked dependable and unbreachable. His record in Europe this season speaks for itself.

Emannuel Eboue 8

Once again, he confirmed his growing reputation on the continent with a fine evening of football. Wasn't at his best going forward but did well to hold his defensive position throughout the evening and deserves to play in a Champions League Final.

Mattieu Flamini

Went off injured within the first ten minutes.

Sol Campbell 7

After the tribulations, trials and everything he's had to endure in recent times, big Sol got back to what he does best this evening. Looked steady if not ultra-confident but he has thrown Arsene Wenger a conundrum when Senderos returns to fitness.

Kolo Toure 7

A top defender who continues to impress every time he takes to the field. Toure is also a born leader and he held the backline together in impressive fashion in the face of incessant Villarreal pressure at times.

Jose Antonio Reyes 6

Bit too much of a passenger, for me. An £18m footballer should do a lot more on the ball than Reyes does and he has yet to convince that he is the real deal.

Gilberto 8

You get what you see from Gilberto - solid, strong and a one-man wall at times. He broke up countless Villarreal breaks with strong midfield tackles. If he hadn't been there, Arsenal would have struggled.

Cesc Fabregas 7

Not his best game in the redcurrant of Arsenal but he still displayed flashes of his sheer quality in his homeland. He was strangled a bit at times but when he's able to display his range of passing, there's few better young players in the world.

Freddy Ljungberg 8

One of his best games for the club in quite a while. Although it took him some time to warm up he came to the boil nicely in the second half and took the game to the home team when his defence needed some relieving. Looked like he was going to lose his cool with the strong-armed Spanish tactics but did well to compose himself and support Henry.

Alexander Hleb 6

Another passenger in the midfield this evening. Not for the first time Hleb was an enigma, regularly seen but rarely doing anything significant. If the Gunners are to beat Milan or Barca in the final, Wenger needs to get a lot more out of Hleb and Reyes.

Thierry Henry 7

He's had many, many better performances in Arsenal colours but what he lacked in threats on Villarreal's goal, he made up for in inspiration and perspiration. He looked quite frustrated for large spells this evening but he remains the club's figurehead - an uncontrollable force.

SUBSTITUTES

Gael Clichy 9

Arsenal's best player after coming on to replace the injured Flamini in the first half. He didn't look like a man who has been injured for some time. His forward runs were exemplorary and a real threat while at the back he was an immovable force. Superb.

Robert Pires 6

Composed if unspectacular when coming on for Reyes towards the end of the match.

Chris Sherrard
25 April 2006

3063: Arsenal:Vintage Claret?

by : Sam Cullen

They’ve done it. For the 2nd consecutive season, there is an English team in the Champions League final after Arsenal booked their place there last night with a 0-0 draw at Villarreal, progressing 1-0 on aggregate. This will also be Arsenal’s first appearance in the Champions League final, not a bad achievement for a so called season of transition.

After the manner of their 2004/05 exit from the competition, a comprehensive 3-1 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich, it appeared little should be expected in the 2005/06 competition.

Their group appeared to be one of the easiest, with tournament newcomers FC Thun and a weakened Ajax side. Their opening game certainly didn’t bode well for their future chances, after Gilberto scored in the 51st minute at home to minnows FC Thun, the Swiss side equalised two minutes later and Arsenal only clinched the win in the 90th minute with a goal from substitute Dennis Bergkamp.

Since then, their fortunes have dramatically improved and they came top of Group B without losing a single game, 5 points clear of 2nd placed Ajax. They were then drawn against the galaticos of Real Madrid and certainly were few peoples favourites to progress.

Over the Champions League winter break, Arsenal’s domestic form dipped dramatically making their chances of victory over Real seem even less likely. Yet on the 21st February, a young Arsenal side with only one member of their first choice defence present recorded an excellent 1-0 victory. The home leg 2 weeks later produced a 0-0 stalemate and Arsenal progressed to the quarter finals, the only British club remaining in the competition.

Juventus were dispatched in equally efficient manner and the one goal Kolo Toure scored last Wednesday has ultimately proved enough to seal Arsenal’s place in the Champions League final for the first team. During this period, the Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann has kept 6 consecutive clean sheets. The Arsenal team itself hasn’t conceded a Champions League goal since 27th September, an achievement more remarkable considering the extended absences of Sol Campbell, Lauren and Ashley Cole this season.

Whoever they face in the final, it seems as if Arsenal will go into the game as underdogs. People will be saying they can’t beat Barcelona or AC Milan, but who thought they’d overcome Juventus or Real Madrid?

More bonuses for Arsene Wenger came through Sol Campbell and Gael Clichy making it through the match unscathed, and with Ashley Cole’s return imminent, the players are becoming fit at just the right time. Whoever is in the back line though must be reassured with the performances of the man between the sticks, especially after his penalty heroics last night. May 17th 2006 could become the biggest night in Arsenal’s history, millions of Arsenal fans across the world are no doubt already counting down the days!

Sam Cullen
25 April 2006

3060: European Cup Semi-Final: Death

by : Stephen Orford

Arsenal arrive in Spain for the biggest night of this or possibly any other season when they take on Villarreal in Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final second leg (April 25).

Arsene Wenger’s Gunners hold a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Highbury last week, Kolo Toure’s goal proving decisive on the night. However, it was the work of the Ivory Coast international and that of his colleagues in the Arsenal back four which was perhaps most important as the La Liga outfit were denied a precious away goal.

That back-line endures an enforced change for the second leg, with the improving Phillipe Senderos missing out due to a ligament injury picked up in the controversial Premiership draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (April 22). In Senderos’ absence there is a chance on offer to Sol Campbell to re-establish himself as an integral part of the Arsenal rearguard alongside Toure.

The former Spurs man has not featured in the first team since breaking his nose at Portsmouth on April 12, and has had more than his fair share of off-field problems in what has been a turbulent year. He has made only one start since disappearing from Highbury in half-time ignominy against West Ham on February 1. With the World Cup on the horizon Campbell will be desperate to prove that he is back to his best form, and clinch a first ever appearance in a Champions League final in the process.

Elsewhere there are sure to be several changes to the surprisingly altered team which started the north London derby, with Thierry Henry certain to start. The Frenchman has been inspirational for Arsenal in Europe this season and is absolutely key to their chances of appearing at the Stade de France on May 17 against either Barcelona or Milan. Also in the reckoning having been rested for the Spurs match are Alex Hleb, Freddie Ljungberg and Cesc Fabregas. The young Spaniard has also been instrumental in much of Arsenal’s success in recent weeks and his presence will be a real boost.

Defender Gael Clichy is added to the squad after a lengthy injury lay-off but is unlikely to be asked to play from the start. All of which should give Matthieu Flamini the opportunity to continue his progression at left-back, with Emmanuel Eboue likely to come back in at right-back in place of Johan Djorou. Jose Antonio Reyes also returns to the squad after being suspended from the first leg win against the Spaniards, although Emmanuel Adebayor is cup-tied.

Villarreal will go in without Italian defender Alessio Tacchinardi who is suspended, but the defence is bolstered by the fitness of central defender Juan Manuel Pena after an injury not dissimilar to that suffered by the unfortunate Senderos.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side need to score to have any chance of progressing to the final, a task made all the more difficult by Arsenal’s recent defensive record in the competition. The Gunners have conceded only two goals in their eleven Champions League matches so far this season, and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is currently on a run of 655 minutes without conceding in the competition. All this despite the continued absences of Campbell and Ashley Cole from the Arsenal first-choice back four and a less than convincing defensive record in the Premiership, especially away from home.

What appears to tip the tie in Arsenal’s favour is their potential to score an away goal. With Henry, Reyes and Robert Pires all at his disposal Wenger has a range of attacking options to choose from, a fact which should enforce some sort of caution upon the Villarreal outlook. Any Arsenal goal throws Spanish hopes into near chaos, and the yellow submarine is not the most free-scoring of European sides in this year’s competition. Pellegrini’s side twice failed to score against Manchester United at the group stage and have only won three of their matches to get to this stage.

Still they will be a tough nut to crack, and Arsenal’s fading hopes of fourth place in the Premiership heap the pressure on them. More and more, it is looking like a season of either unprecedented glory or abject failure for Wenger and his charges, and a result here is a must like never before. Having kept that all-important clean sheet at home a week ago, they may just have enough.

Verdict; Villarreal 1 Arsenal 1

By Stephen Orford

April 25 2006

3059: Brian Labone; 1940-2006

by : Stephen Orford

Former Everton captain Brian Labone died on Monday night (April 24) after collapsing outside his Merseyside home. He was 66.

A lifelong blue, Labone made 534 appearances for the Toffeemen in a career that spanned 14 years. He joined the Goodison Park club as a 17 year-old in 1957 and combined the start of his playing career with the completion of his university studies. By 1962 he was given the first of his 26 England caps by then manager Alf Ramsey, at that time becoming the first Everton player since the Second World War to be capped by England.

An elegant and intelligent defender, Labone was also a fierce competitor of great nobility. He won league championship medals with the Merseyside club in both 1963 and 1970, playing alongside great names like Howard Kendall, Colin Harvey and Alan Ball in the royal blue. He also picked up an FA Cup winners medal in 1966 when Everton produced one of the more memorable comebacks in Wembley cup final history. Trailing Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Labone and his colleagues fought back to win 3-2 with a double from Mike Trebilcock and a winner from Derek Temple.

Also that year Labone turned down the opportunity to be part of the England World Cup squad citing his forthcoming wedding as a larger priority. England’s subsequent success is one of the most well documented football stories of all time, but Labone’s decision in many ways characterised the man and his beliefs. He eventually realised every boy’s dream of going to a World Cup when he played in three of England’s matches at the 1970 tournament in Mexico, but England were eliminated at the quarter final stage by West Germany.

Never one to dwell on what might have been, Labone even considered quitting the game at the age of only 27 after suffering a poor run of form. A change of heart enabled him to not only reach that 1970 World Cup squad, but to carry on at Goodison for a further four seasons. Having assumed the captaincy after the infamous Tony Kay betting scandal of 1964, Labone led the side to a further league championship success as skipper in 1969/70.

The following season he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury which was to cut short his illustrious career on Merseyside. Among all the other successes in his career, Labone could also boast a proud disciplinary record, having only been booked on two occasions throughout his 14-year stint in the game. A one-club man, Labone’s passing is a reminder to us all of a different footballing era in which loyalty and playing for your mates was a more pressing concern than the next big money boot deal or mega-bucks transfer.

Brian Labone; 1940-2006

By Stephen Orford

25 April 2006

3057: Is James Beattie the man to re

by : Victor Tay

The sight was unfamiliar seeing Alan Shearer dressed in a suit just before the start of Newcastle United’s game against West Bromwich Albion last week, but that is going to be part and parcel of life for the Toon Army from now on.

For it has been cast in stone that the scorer of 206 goals while playing in the black and white of Newcastle has called time on his glittering career, which included winning the Premiership title with Blackburn Rovers, after hurting his medial ligament during the 4-1 victory over Sunderland.

In truth, the decision was made three games ahead of schedule for Shearer had repeated on numerous occasions of his intention to hang up his prolific boots come end of the season. The combination of Julio Arca and Tommy Miller merely brought the inevitable slightly ahead of time.

In other words, as far as the Magpies are concerned plans should already be in place in trying to replace their record goalscorer. Not going to be easy as Shearer is unique in more ways than one. Apart from having a string of goalscoring records attached to his name, the former Southampton trainee is also a classical British centre forward.

Old fashioned in every sense of the word - strong in the air, hold up play tremendously well and can score lot of goals. Players of such calibre was nothing new in the past as there were the likes of Alan Mclnally, John Fashanu, Steve Bull and Lee Chapman.

But with the revolution of football, strikers with pace has become the more desirable commodities in today’s game. However, with the success of Shearer - 379 club goals in total not including his 30 while playing for England - there is no reason why Newcastle will not be looking for one in the same mould as their former skipper.

While striker with big physique is getting rarer in the modern game, however, there are still quite a couple right now in the Premiership. James Beattie of Everton and West Ham United’s Dean Ashton immediately spring to mind.

Just like Shearer the two strikers have a real physical presence in the opposition penalty box. Both are also equally comfortable at pelting shots from outside the penalty area – another of Shearer’s trait.

Another important ingredient in Shearer’s play is his confidence, which made him an ideal person to lead on the field and the reason why he was skipper of the national team as well as at Newcastle and Blackburn.

Apparently, that is not lacking in Ashton’s repertoire as shown in his recent displays for West Ham. Despite getting relegated during his first ever taste of Premiership football with Norwich City last season, it did not deter the former Crewe striker from making an impact since joining the Upton Park outfit in January 2006.

As far as Beattie is concerned, after a difficult transition at Goodison Park, the player who understudied Shearer at Blackburn has become a key figure for the Toffees.

Some of the goals he scored in the current campaign, like the two against Fulham, clearly highlighted that he is a man not lacking in self belief. In other words, if Newcastle are looking for a light to light replacement, it should be a straight battle between Beattie and Ashton.

The Everton man though would have the slight advantage, not just because he had trained with the grand master himself. But for a fact that he has been delivering the goods on a longer basis in the Premiership as compared to Ashton, who is still only 22-year-old and has hardly a full season of top-flight action under his belt.

Whereas for Beattie, he has already proven his mettle first with Southampton and now Everton that he does possess the necessary know-how to be one of the best.
Maybe a move to Newcastle with Michael Owen as his new side-kick might just fulfil the full potential of the Lancaster-born centre-forward.

Victor Tay
24 April 2006

3053: World Cup 2006: The Case for M

by : Olly Wright

Until very recently it was widely recognised that England were blessed with a wealth of top quality centre backs. However, while the question used to revolve around which players in that position Eriksson would have to leave out of his squad, there is now some doubt as to which centre backs Sven can take to the World Cup.

With Sol Campbell going missing on and off the pitch this season, Jonathan Woodgate seemingly never off the treatment table, and Ledley King’s prospects looking decidedly dodgy after he suffered the dreaded fractured metatarsal injury, Sven must choose who will provide back-up to John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Jamie Carragher looks a certainty for a place on the plane to Germany, but for further reinforcement Sven need look no further than King’s partner in the Spurs central defence, Michael Dawson.

Following his arrival from Nottingham Forest last season, he quickly established himself as King’s partner with some assured performances. This season he has been an immense presence in the heart of Tottenham’s defence, playing a big part in Spurs having the fifth best defence in the Premiership in terms of goals conceded.

He may not be the most technically gifted defender or natural passer of a ball in the country, but his dependable and solid displays have resulted in him receiving many plaudits this season. He is dominating in the air and has good positional awareness. His qualities are Tony Adams-esque, diving for every header, sliding for every tackle and getting straight back up to get ready to do it again. His commitment is unwavering.

Sven Goran Eriksson watches a lot of Spurs games nowadays since the commencement of their recruitment drive for young English players. He will have been keeping tabs on the likes of Robinson, King, Defoe, Carrick and Jenas all season, but maybe as the season has progressed another young Englishman may have caught his eye. As Alan Hansen has said recently, Sven could do a lot worse than Michael Dawson as a replacement for England’s various centre back injury victims.

Olly Wright
23 April 2006

3046: Whatever happened to: Alain Pe

by : Sam Cullen

Portsmouth edged one step closer to safety at the weekend with their last minute 2-1 win over relegated Sunderland. It must seem a very long time ago to Pompey fans that they were managed by Frenchman Alain Perrin, but upon replacing him, Harry Redknapp criticised his predecessors signings. But what exactly did happen to Perrin's 10 acquisitions?

Sander Westerveld

Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper was recruited by Perrein in the summer of 2005 to replace Jamie Ashdown. I doubt many Premiership fans forgot his howler against Bolton which saw his departure from Liverpool, and it was little surprise that after the first month of the season he was dropped. Has played only twice since and had a loan spell at Everton

Gregory Vignal

Another ex-Liverpool player, spent 5 years at the club yet made only 11 league appearances. Was a regular under Perrein but has made only one league appearance under Redknapp.

Brian Priske

The Danish international defender was signed a week into the season. Again appeared to disappear from the radar under Redknapp but returned to the first team in March and has impressed since.

Andy O'Brien

Perrein paid £2million for the services of former Newcastle defender. Has remained in the side throughout the season, unlike many Perrein signings, perhaps due to his established Premiership history

John Viafara

The Columbian midfielder was recruited to help plug the gaps caused by the departures of Stone and Berge. Scored once against Man City but went on loan to Sociedad at the end of the January transfer window.

Zvonimir Vukic

Signed just before the Summer transfer window closed, Vukic was a Serbian international midfielder. Scored once, in the 4-1 victory over Sunderland, but hasn't played for the club since appearing in the first half in the 4-0 mawling received at Highbury.

Salif Diao

They say bad luck comes in threes, so perhaps Pompey fans should have found the signing of three Liverpool rejects ominous. Failed to assert himself in the Pompey midfield and has been used "sparingly" by Harry Redknapp, but played the last few minutes of their win over Sunderland last weekend.

Laurent Robert

Robert arrived on a season long loan from Newcastle, after falling out, unsurprisingly, with Graeme Souness. Stormed out of Stadium of Light when named on the substitute bench by Perrein at the end of October. Was used by Redknapp in his early games but was sent off against the Hammers on Boxing Day. Parent club Newcastle sold him to Benfica in January.

Frank Songo'o

31st August 2005 saw the announcement Pompey had prised youngster Frank Songo'o from the Barcelona youth ranks for £205,000, with Chief Executive Peter Storrie saying "He's a great addition to the squad, he's a young and talented player." His current addition has been barely an hour of first team football in 3 substitute appearances and was last used way back on October 1st 2005.

Azar Karadas

Joined the club on loan in July 2005, this striker has been capped for Norway at full international level. Frequently used as a substitute, salvaged a point for Pompey at home to Bolton at the start of February and still occasionally makes Redknapp's 16. Forced to play as a Centre Back at Stamford Bridge last month due to an injury crisis.

Dario Silva

Silva was signed on August deadline day to bolster the team's attacking options. Only scored 2 league goals for the club in 13 starts before being released by "mutual consent" in February.

Collins Mbesuma

Another striker signed by Perrin, his arrival was delayed by troubles over a work permit. In hinsight, it doesn't appear it was worth the hassle as he has made only 4 substitute appearances and last appeared on the 19th November

Sam Cullen
23 April 2006

3048: Arsenal: Why would you ever re

by : Peter Lee

It seems like Arsene Wenger has one thing, and only one thing in his mind. And that is winning the Champions League on the Gunners’ final season at Highbury. With Arsenal currently holding a 1-0 aggregate advantage, the idea of the Gunners reaching the finals could very well turn to reality after this Wednesday. However, it could very well not. Unfortunately, the thought of the latter outcome does not seem to be influencing Arsene Wenger at all.

In the weekend game for the last Champions League qualification place against London rivals Tottenham, Wenger decided to leave out Captain Thierry Henry, along with Fabregas and Eboue out of the starting eleven. As expected, the team struggled against a well organized and particularly determined Spurs, and ended up trailing 1-0 before Wenger finally decided to introduce the three missing players into the match. Why did Wenger do it? To keep Henry fresh and healthy for Villarreal? No doubt the 2nd leg against the Spanish side is crucial, but wasn’t the Gunners’ last direct chance to wrangle the 4th spot from Tottenham equally important? Is 4th place not good enough for Wenger anymore? What good does resting a team’s key players in a particularly significant match do but weaken the team up for a disappointing result?

Wenger made a similar mistake when the Gunners geared themselves for a crunch encounter against Manchester United. Unfortunately, after publicly declaring on Arsenal Television that he was going to go for an all out attack against United, Wenger decided not to start the influential Frenchman and suffered a defeat for his troubles. It’s about time Wenger started taking notice of Adebayor’s lack of physical power and skill to create his own chances as a lone target man. What good is a vertical advantage over his opponents if one cannot push his way through the powerful Premiership defenders? Perhaps Wenger was impressed by Adebayor’s scoring streak in previous matches. He neededto realize, however, that most of the build-up plays that ended up in the Togo striker scoring, began from Henry.

However, it isn’t Adebayor’s fault that Arsenal suffered a lucky draw against Tottenham, coincidentally from an equalizer by Henry. It is, rather, the fault of Wenger’s over-dependency on the Gunners’ progress in the Champions League. His current plan, it seems, is to win the Champions League this year and progress to the qualifying stages like Liverpool (last year’s 5th place squad) had done last season. In a perfect world created by Arsenal fans, this would very much come true. Gunners would win the Champions League this season. However, the world does not work that way. Do Chelsea’s John Terry or Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard miss a game when fit? No, because team captains wish to, and are required to perform and dedicate themselves for the club. Wenger has to realize that, just like all other skippers, Henry is the driving point – the fulcrum of the Gunners’ offense. By resting him in crucial matches such as the one against Tottenham, he is only doing himself harm.

Peter Lee
23 April 2006

3050: England manager? Curbishley wi

by : Alex Wolstenholme

Although his chances appear to be slipping, Alan Curbishley remains in the running for the England manager's job, yet from the outside it would appear he is struggling to improve on what he has already achieved at Charlton Athletic.

All of the usual caveats have to be made. Curbishley has done a superb job at Charlton during his long association with the club, playing his part in the rebirth of one of football's famous names after it seemed they would struggle to even stay afloat during the turbulent times of the late 1980's and early 1990's.

He has been helped immensely though by a board of directors that have refused to make knee-jerk reactions and have concentrated their efforts on giving their manager the best possible tools with which to do his job by improving beyond doubt the facilities and fanbase of the club.

Their loyalty to Curbishley and his to Charlton is commendable, but there is a fine line between stability and intertia, and the Addicks do not appear to be progressing anymore.

At the time of writing Charlton lie 11th in the Premiership, the same position they finished in last year. Their season is dying away after the FA Cup defeat at Middlesbrough and the manager's reaction to being interviewed for the England job has been confusing at best.

Their other positions since promotion in 2000 have been 9th, 14th, 12th and 7th.

If mid-table security is all that people want then fine. However, Bolton and Everton have shown in recent seasons what can be done in terms of high league placings and Charlton should no longer be just small fry, happy to be in the Premiership no matter what.

Given the uncertainty (financial and otherwise) that has plagued some of the bigger clubs in the Premiership over recent years, Aston Villa, Manchester City, even Everton and Tottenham to an extent, there has been an opportunity for a side as well-run and financially secure as Charlton to have become a regular top-six or top-eight side, qualifying for the Uefa Cup on a couple of occasions and always being there at the business end of the cup competitions.

The timidity in which Charlton have approached the FA and League Cups' in recent seasons has deprived them of the kind of day out (and qualification for Europe) that West Ham have just achieved.

In addition, their well-documented failure to maintain their form towards the end of seasons also has to be looked at.

Charlton have lost some top players, notably Scott Parker but they have also spent money in the transfer market and Curbishley, aside from his signing of Paulo Di Canio, has seemed reluctant to go for the kind of Jay-Jay Okocha style signing that has proved so successful for Bolton.

Of the 'flair' players that have been signed, many have failed to fit in (or be fitted into the Charlton side), notably Danny Murphy and Dennis Rommedahl.

Darren Bent has proved an excellent signing, but after a number of seasons where Charlton were crying out for a striker as the final piece of the jigsaw, now they have one their midfield and defence both look shaky.

A parting of the ways in the summer would allow Curbishley to prove he is not just a one-club wonder, while Charlton would be able to thank him for the memories, and move onwards and, hopefully for them, upwards.

3045: Arsenal:Pires decision correct

by : Sam Cullen

Over the season, there has been much speculation whether Robert Pires will stay at Arsenal once his contract runs out. The player has been outspoken in wishing for a 2 year deal but as part of the club contract policy, all players over 30 are only offered one year deals. This speculation has increased when he confirmed he had received an offer of a 2 year contract from Champions League rivals Villarreal.

Some outsiders may think that a player, who has been one of Arsenal’s brightest stars in recent years, deserves an exception to the rule and should be retained. The club has been steadfast in sticking to its guns, a decision which I personally think is spot on.

The decision to only offer one year contracts must be one of the reasons Arsenal’s squad is brimming with such youthful vitality. There have no doubt been many once successful clubs which have been dragged down by long expensive contracts to players past their best.

In addition to this, it could easily be argued that the current contributions of Robert Pires no longer merits a deal longer than a year. He may have scored 6 goals in the Premiership this season but it pales in comparison to the 14 he got last season and the same figure the season before. He has shown flashes of his former self but has increasingly seemed a peripheral figure this time around.

There is no denying that Pires does offer Arsenal something, and that on his day, he plays a crucial role in the free flowing attacking Arsenal side that we have all become accustomed too. But he hasn’t done anything to warrant becoming the exception to the rule and if he wishes to stay at Arsenal then one year is all he should deserve.

Should he decide to move on then no fans should question Arsene Wenger and the clubs policy. Arsenal will survive easily without Robert Pires, they will find someone younger who may take time to settle but in the long run will benefit the club much further. It would be bonus for Arsenal to start next season with Pires on board, but if not, it is hardly a critical situation and will impact them far less than the Vieira departure did.

Sam Cullen
23 April 2006

3047: Young Player of the Year 2006:

by : Sam Cullen

The first sight the Premiership saw of the promising youngster Aaron Lennon was ironically against current club, Tottenham Hotspur, when he came on as a substitute against them for first club Leeds. He made sporadic appearances in a season where he was more than likely being used just for the fact he wasn’t Sakho or Olembe. He showed more promise during Leeds first season back in the Championship and Spurs snapped him up for an undisclosed fee at the end of 2004/05.

He made his first start for Spurs in September, in the 0-0 stalemate with Liverpool at White Hart Lane. He made several appearances during the latter months of 2005 and seemed to be showing plenty of promise, but the critics were saying, as with many a tricky winger that the end product was lacking.

Back in March with Spurs beginning to stagnate in their battle for 4th, I argued the case for his return to the first team to provide the imputes for Spurs performances to improve, in the wake of his significant contribution as a substitute in their narrow 3-2 home victory against an unlucky Blackburn.

Perhaps Martin Jol reads squarefootball, because for their next game, away to struggling Birmingham, Lennon was back in the starting line up. The gamble paid dividends as Lennon had an excellent game and scored his first goal for Spurs, setting them on the way to a 2-0 victory.

He has since started all the next six Premiership games for Spurs as they have looked to finish above North London rivals Arsenal for the first time since 1995, and obviously, clinch a Champions League place.

Perhaps the zenith of his career so far came at Highbury on Saturday, in front of the watching Sven Goran Eriksson. In the final North London derby to be played at the ground, Lennon led a breathtaking first half attacking salvo for Spurs, giving them confidence they could get something from a game they so often finish with nothing but disappointment.

Substituted after 77 minutes with the match still at 1-0, to the cheers of “One Aaron Lennon” from the delirious Spurs Fans, anyone who watched the game would have seen him prove why he is one of the best young English players around.

After watching the game, few would begrudge the fact he has a very legitimate claim to young player of the year. But he shouldn’t be downcast if he doesn’t win it this year. Carrying on playing the way he has ended this season, and awards will be just an inevitablity to Mr Lennon.

Sam Cullen
23 April 2006

3039: Young Player of The Year 2006:

by : Paul Grech

It has been a disappointing season for Manchester United. Had you asked at the start of the season what their targets were, winning the Premiership title, the Champions League and the FA Cup would have been the most probable reply. The League Cup wouldn’t have figured anywhere in their plans just as it hasn’t for the past ten years. Winning it doesn’t change the overall verdict that this year has been a failure.

But saying that Wayne Rooney’s season has been a disappointment is a completely different matter. For, if anything positive has emerged over the past months it is Rooney’s outstanding talent.

Not that this was in any doubt before, mind. But the consistency of his performances – irrespective of what those around him were doing or even in which position he was playing – mean that he has done something few thought possible: a further leap in quality.

For a good part of the season, he carried the rest of the team. Played in midfield for almost two months, he still regularly came off the pitch having been the best player on it the previous ninety minutes. His strength on the ball and vision would make him one of the world’s best midfielders if only it wouldn’t mean sacrificing his strikers’ talents.

Of course, there have been the well publicised (over-publicised in truth) problems off the pitch. That he still has to mature is beyond any doubt but what many people forget is that he is still a very young man with an enormous talent and a huge pay-check each month. It is inevitable that he will get into problems and it is only the media’s eagerness that blows them up.

To draw a parallel with one of the icons at United’s rivals Liverpool, today’s Robbie Fowler is a completely different person to what he was ten years ago. He is much more mature and responsible about his job: that’s what happens when people grow up.

Having won the league title, Frank Lampard and John Terry might expect to win the personal awards as well. But they’ve had the support of a great team around them. On the other hand this season Rooney has often made an average United team look good. His form dragged them back into the championship race when it looked that they were going to fall away. In other words, he’s been the best player in English football this season.

3040: Championship: Sheffield Wednes

by : Alex Wolstenholme

Amidst the excitement generated by Sheffield United's promotion to the Premiership over Easter, city rivals Wednesday achieved something that could be no less significant in years to come.

A 2-0 win at Brighton secured their place in the Championship, a season after an unlikely promotion via the League One play-offs.

"It's been a traumatic season, a rollercoaster, with injuries and players coming and going, but in the last five or six weeks we have finally adapted to this league," said manager Paul Sturrock.

"I think we have done a better job this season than we did last season. I'm proud of them all."

Sturrock has resumed his role as the messiah of Sheffield 6 following a few wobbles after Christmas when it looked as if the Owls would be scrapping for survival until the last day of the season.

Some of his loan signings had been called into question, a situation rectified by the capture of goalkeeper Scott Carson from Liverpool and defender Mikkel Bischoff from Manchester City.

Chairman Dave Allen has pledged funds from his own pocket to move Wednesday firstly into mid-table, before a push for promotion the season after next.

Sturrock looks to be in for the long-haul at Hillsborough. He has a chairman who is firmly behind him and knows too that he is unlikely to get the chance of managing a bigger club than Wednesday.

So the stability that the club has been crying out for years looks to be in place although not everything in the garden is rosy.

Chairman Allen has long been a target for criticism from a very vocal minority of the Hillsborough support and the club's financial problems are taking a long time to improve, with a much-needed deal to sell the training ground yet to move forward.

Average gates of 24,741 (before the Reading game) indicate the potential if Wednesday were to be challenging at the right end of the division and next season should see them take their next steps towards doing that.

Sturrock is looking to trim the quantity of his squad while increasing the quality (a further loan deal for Carson is hoped for) and knows that a regular goalscorer is needed after a campaign where Wednesday nearly paid for their lack of firepower.

A new fitness coach has also been appointed after a succession of injury problems throughout the current season.

3044: Why a Middlesbrough win today

by : Antony Melvin

Or why Newcastle United fans have no reason to cheer on Middlesbrough today.

Although fourth place is now a straight fight between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, there is also a vexed battle for sixth place. Blackburn Rovers looked fairly secure in the top six after three consecutive wins put them ahead of Arsenal on 25 March with 52 points and 7 games left. With 60 points probably sufficient for sixth place everything was in their hands.

But just two points from four games have dragged them down and now West Ham United, Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Newcastle United are all now poised to pass them.

But how many UEFA Cup places are actually up for grabs? Will seventh place be enough for qualification (as it was last season)? What impact is there if Middlesbrough win the UEFA Cup? If these are questions you are asking then you have come to the right place.

All these guidelines are taken from UEFA’s official documents on the UEFA Cup.

Under the ‘Entries for the competition’ section:

Section 1.02 states that each country can have 2, 3 or 4 UEFA Cup places according to a points scoring system ‘drawn up in accordance with the stipulations of Annexe II, points 5 to 10’. I’ll paraphrase from now on for obvious reasons.

England currently get three representatives due to their UEFA Coefficient (the stipulations of Annexe II, points 5 to 10).

For the Champions’ League there are 3 associations that get 4 places, 3 that get 3 places and 9 that get 2 places. But for the UEFA Cup only 2 associations (the 7th and 8th ranked nations - see feedback) get 4 places, another 12 get 3 places with most of the rest getting 2 places.

The places are allocated according to wins and draws in the two main tournaments (2 points for a win, one for a draw, half these for qualifying rounds), with an extra point scored per round progression.

As the 2006/7 allocation is based on performances from 1999/2000 – 2004/2005 England have a Champions’ League win and a UEFA Cup win (both from Liverpool) currently counting for them.

So for next season English teams are guaranteed 3 places. The UEFA Intertoto Cup and The Fair Play league may offer additional places – but we’ll ignore those at the moment.

One of these places goes to the FA Cup winners unless they already qualify for the UEFA Champions’ League, in which case the place goes to the runners-up. Again if the runners-up have already qualified then the place goes to the teams finishing immediately below the Champions’ League qualifying teams in the league.

So far, so obvious.

But anyone who hopes that if Middlesbrough win the UEFA Cup this can free up three places for league finishes (i.e. finishing fifth, sixth or seventh) will be disappointed.

Section 1.07 is very clear ‘If the UEFA CUP title-holders are not eligible to take part in either of the 2005/6 UEFA Cup competitions, the UEFA Administration may, at the request of the association concerned, admit the club to the 2005/6 UEFA Cup.’

Obviously as long as the rules aren’t changed for 2006/7 then if Middlesbrough reach the FA Cup final then they will get a UEFA Cup shot from that route – REGARDLESS of whether they win the UEFA Cup or not.

If West Ham United get to the FA Cup final and Middlesbrough win the UEFA Cup then England will get four UEFA Cup places, with the other two going to the fifth and sixth places league teams.

If Middlesbrough get to the FA Cup final and win the UEFA Cup then England will get three places, with the other two going to the fifth and sixth placed league teams.

So the only way that today’s semi-final could have a bearing on the league position qualifying teams is if West Ham win and then go on to finish sixth in which case fifth and seventh would go into the UEFA Cup.

In summary a Middlesbrough win today will cost English teams a potential UEFA Cup place for next season – if Middlesbrough also win the UEFA Cup. Obviously no self-respecting Middlesbrough fan will care less about this fact!

In case any Newcastle fans were considering cheering on Middlesbrough with some false hope that this would help their UEFA Cup ambitions I hope this clears up this tricky ethical dilemma.

Antony Melvin
23 April 2006

3037: Book Review: 40 Greatest Europ

by : Paul Grech

The record between the two sides down the years is exceptionally tight. Boro have won 22 meetings to West Ham's 20 and in the FA Cup they share one win each. But Susan believes McClaren has a top squad at his disposal and Mark Viduka could end up giving West Ham's back four nightmares.

"We have a good squad at the moment albeit, not doing great in the league they are definitely up for the cups, so a good result is there for the taking. Our strike force is able and wanting to score goals, so Viduka can turn any game around. We also have a good defence if they can keep their concentration in tact."

And Rob agrees that their experienced strike force could pose anyone problems at the moment.

"Viduka and Hasselbaink are on fire at the moment. I honestly think they are playing as well as ever in their careers. The Hammers defence struggled against them on Monday and hopefully will again next Sunday. Remember we have Yak and Maccarone in reserve as well if needed. If they try to mark the strikers too tightly Downing and Morrison could hurt them down the flanks and Rochemback and Boat through the centre."

However, despite Monday's disappointment Matthew is confident that the Hammers can dent Boro's double dream and reach the final for former manager John Lyall.

"One of the main strengths of West Ham this season has been the speed and stamina of the squad - who would you back in a race between Harewood or Zamora against Southgate? If we can hit them hard early on and keep the tempo up then I think we can be dangerous all over the pitch, particularly if Konchesky and Etherington start wreaking havoc down the left.

"Cardiff is like our second home these days and we've felt both sets of emotions there in recent years. Hopefully that will set us up nicely and we'll recreate the highs of last year. It's been a long time since West Ham graced the FA Cup final and it's about time it happened again and we showed some of the other London clubs what real glory looks like - winning cups, not battling to finish fourth in the league."

West Ham are the top goalscorers in the Premiership outside the top five while Middlesbrough fans have witnessed more goals on Teesside than any other side. They both like to play attacking football and Susan says she is looking forward to an entertaining game.

"I think it should be a really good exciting match at Villa Park as both teams will want to do well, then again this could lead to a lot of nervous, scrappy football. I hope not. Our replay win over Charlton was great to watch, even for the neutrals. I tend not to predict our scores as I always put a jinx on it, let's just say I'm hoping we win it."

And Rob believes a cracking semi is on the cards but much could depend on their fitness following Thursday's UEFA Cup clash.

"Semi-finals are usually tight but I can't see that with West Ham and ourselves as I think these days we both like to attack. I think the opening will be very important as we will come out fired up after the UEFA semi and will feel it in our legs by the end. I think we will win and I fancy there will be a few goals. I'm would opt for 3-1 to Boro but that isn't the Boro way so we'll concede another as we tire towards the end but hold on for 3-2."

Matthew is tipping the Hammers to reign supreme with a 3-1 win but he concedes that victory would be slightly dampened by the fact that the final would be held in Cardiff and not Wembley.

"Nothing against Cardiff, the play-off final there last year was fantastic, but having been to one of the last games at the old Wembley (the 2000 FA Trophy final), it would have been nice to be there for the first game at the new stadium. But that's what you get if you employ Australian builders!"

It's been 26 years since West Ham last graced an FA Cup final and after sacrificing precious Premiership points to ensure this cup run stayed on track Alan Pardew will be desperate to cap a stunning season with a day out in Cardiff and to prove all the doubters wrong.

Roll on Sunday!

Colin Illingworth
20 April 2006
Last year marked Liverpool’s fortieth anniversary since they first took part in European competition. It is a landmark that got lost amid all the euphoria surrounding their Champions League success but Darren Phillips decided that it shouldn’t pass by unnoticed and decided to honour it with this book

Liverpool FC’s 40 Greatest European Nights is in essence, forty match reports of those that Phillips considers to be Liverpool’s greatest games in European competition. It is a simple concept, carried out without too much pretence, and as such manages to hit all the right buttons.

Phillips manages to maintain a delicate balance in that he devotes as much attention to games in periods that he doesn’t remember first hand as those that are more recent. He also manages to bring back to the fore games that have, perhaps, been forgotten.

One such instance is the 4-0 trashing that Liverpool reserved for Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen side in the 1981 Champions Cup. For many this meant nothing other than another resounding victory on the European stage, but for Ferguson it was probably another reason why he wanted to end Liverpool’s dominance once he took over at Manchester United.

Personally, I enjoyed reading about the games in the early nineties when Liverpool returned to European competition after a six year ban. I remember staying up late (well, I was still very young then!) to hear how they had done against the Finns of Kuusysi Lahti. A useless fact that has stuck in my memory ever since is that Barry Jones made his only Liverpool appearance in this game.

And therein lies the beauty of books like this one. It might not be a literary masterpiece, but Liverpool fans will delight recalling the many personal memories from the games featured.

My only reservations lie in the price – £12.50 – which is rather hefty for a paperback and the fact that the reports are not only brief but often bereft of comment. This latter shortcoming means that this is not a book that will take you long to read but still it is good enough to have you referring back to it regularly.

Paul Grech
21 April 2006

3036: FA Cup Semi Final: Middlesbrou

by : Colin Illingworth

When Alan Pardew's claret and blue army won promotion last May the pundits lined up to predict an unhappy season for the Hammers and an instant return to the Championship. How wrong they proved to be! The Irons are just 90 minutes from capping an exceptional season with a cup final appearance and a place in Europe, and Matthew Beeby, a lifelong West Ham supporter, says: "It just goes to show how little attention you should pay to pundits' opinions!"

At the start of the season even the most passionate West Ham fan would have settled for 17th on the last day of the season let alone being on the brink of a cup final and top half Premiership finish. But the way they have taken on the country's elite has been a joy to behold and has won the Upton Park club a number of admirers. Needless to say Matthew, 26, never imagined he'd be watching his side in the semi-final of the FA Cup this season and puts it all down to the gaffer's managerial skills.

"I didn't think we'd get this far in the cup - I thought we'd probably fall at the first hurdle away to Norwich. But once we got through that we've looked good, despite having to play three Premiership sides to get where we are.

"I'd put it down to a lack of fear and a good balance in the squad - for which a lot of credit has to go to Alan Pardew. He took a gamble bringing in Danny Gabbidon and it's paid off, and the belief he's shown in players like Ferdinand, Reo-Coker, Harewood, and Zamora has helped them to settle and flourish in the top league."

But standing in their way is one of the best cup sides in Europe at the moment, Middlesbrough. Steve McClaren's men have endured a turbulent campaign in the league but they find themselves on the brink of an FA Cup and UEFA Cup final double. Susan Gardener, chairman of the Middlesbrough Official Supporters Club, says if it came down to a choice between the two trophies then there's only one she'd like to win.

"Choosing between the FA and UEFA cups is a hard one to answer. Both have access to being in Europe next season but I think the domestic cup goes well with fans. It would be even better to win both though!"

And there's every chance they could following Thursday night's result against Steaua Bucharest and Rob Nichols, editor of the Boro fanzine Fly Me To The Moon, says this is an unbelievable situation to be in just now.

"It's a dream come true getting so close to two cup finals. We came so close in 96/97 only to end in total heartbreak. No one could cope with cup matches for a few years after that. But we also never thought we would do it again. We have an even better side now and are poised to make real history. An FA Cup final victory would be THE Boro victory of all time. That's a lot of generations and an awful lot of football years. It would be absolutely off
the scale."

The Riverside club has certainly put the fans through the mill this season with some sublime and some equally harrowing performances. At the start of the year they looked to be slipping into a relegation dogfight following humiliating defeats against Arsenal and Aston Villa but Boro produced one of the shocks of the season by thrashing the champions Chelsea 3-0 on Teesside and they haven't looked back since. And Rob believes that the stunning turnaround has been due to a concerted effort by everyone involved with the club.

"Our cup games were crucial in allowing confidence to slowly seep back in. Gareth Southgate played a key role getting the senior players to show responsibility towards the youngsters and the crowd also played its part. We hit rock bottom against Villa and then suddenly all pulled together against Chelsea and since then the fans and players have all been very much in the fight together. The players then enjoyed playing at home again. Boo boy
targets like Rochemback suddenly clicked. There was renewed belief in the stands and on the pitch. It's been a quite amazing resurgence and no wonder McClaren has become England favourite. I don't recall a turn around that complete in such a short space of time."

Middlesbrough go into Sunday's clash full of confidence following Bank Holiday Monday's dress rehearsal victory over the Hammers but that was just their first victory over the Upton Park side in five attempts. Matthew, who made the long trip north, was disappointed with what he saw from his side but admits he has been impressed with Boro this season, though he hopes their long campaign catches up with them at Villa Park.

"Boro have some of the strongest attacking options in the league when they look interested. Viduka and Hasslebaink are phenomenal players when they are in the mood for it, and Yakubu is showing why they paid so much for him. Luckily they don't always look interested, so we'll have to hope that they have an off day.

"Hopefully Boro's long season will come back to haunt them and they'll be just off the pace, although they're showing no sign of that yet. They have had a lot of experience in cup competitions this year though, so that could be in their favour. We beat them at Upton Park earlier this season, but it took a goal that didn't cross the line, and an own goal to settle it."

And the admiring glances aren't all just one way as Rob reveals that he's been very impressed by West Ham's top flight return and thinks that Dean Ashton is a legend in the making.

"West Ham have had an excellent season. They're so established now it's almost as if they had never been away. Anton Ferdinand has impressed me at the back. Reo-Coker looks a real prospect in midfield, the previously criminally under-rated Etherington poses a real threat on the flank. They have excellent strike power in Harewood (he scored his first ever senior goal against us while at Nottingham Forest) and the evergreen and cerebral Sheringham. And Dean Ashton I rate as one day soon successor to Alan Shearer as a true England number nine."

3043: West Ham United v Middlesbroug

by : Hugh Larkin

It isn’t grabbing the headlines like the other semi-final but the Hammers-Boro encounter is full of possibilities and desperately difficult to call. Only 3 places separate them in the Premiership table, both teams have got strikers in form and each club sees this as a launch pad to push into the elite clubs. Below are some of the key battles;

Marlon Harewood v. Gareth Southgate

Middlesbrough certainly missed their skipper’s influence in Bucharest on Thursday. He’s not as pacy as he once was but Southgate can read the game, push other players into position and generally calm things down at the back.

Harewood is a striker who gets better every time he runs out. He’s proved himself as a goalscorer but he’s also a muscular presence and he drags defenders into areas they don’t want to go to. Southgate’s awareness will be crucial to maintaining the shape of the back four even if he doesn’t mark Harewood man for man.

Nigel Reo-Coker v. George Boateng

Reo-Coker is going to come into the England reckoning after the World Cup. He’s tough, committed and blessed with a fair amount of skill. He covers a lot of ground and asks questions around the opposition box. There’s energy and purpose about everything that he does and he makes space for others to play in.

Boateng is a tough as teak, streetwise midfielder who does the jobs that every successful side needs. His protection to the back four is admirable and he uses the ball simply, while his awareness of where to be on the park is probably second only Claude Makelele; Boateng also covers an awful lot of ground and without him Middlesbrough are ‘soft’ in the centre of midfield.

The Dutchman will take on the main burden of blunting Reo-Coker’s raiding but someone else has to be sure to pick up on Yossi Benayoun or Teddy Sheringham if the veteran slips on near the end.

Matthew Etherington v Stuart Parnaby

Boro’s right side can become a little exposed. Gaizka Mendieta wasn’t the best defensive player when fit and James Morrison can be inclined to drift inside. Steve McClaren could use the experienced Ray Parlour to block up that channel but whatever choice he makes West Ham are going to probe that flank.

Etherington isn’t a spectacular player but he does what’s needed from a wide man- he sets off to get behind the defence and get crosses in. Benayoun can also drift to that side to add to the problems.

Parnaby has grown quickly into a confirmed regular and he’s shown a lot of verve coming forward. However, Boro are going to need him to be solid and disciplined in this encounter, plus his distribution needs to be simple- he has a tendency to go for too much down the flanks or play the ball across the front of his back four.

Anton Ferdinand ? v. Stewart Downing

There’s a line of thought that suggests Alan Pardew may switch one of his central defenders to look after the threat of Downing on West Ham’s right side. After the defeat by Boro earlier this week, the West Ham boss talked about detailed planning for the next encounter, which fuelled the idea that he might be thinking of a major rejig for Sunday.

Downing is regaining his match sharpness all the time since his bad injury and he’s always asking questions down the left wing. He’s equally at home cutting inside or going wide which gives Boro key options. He can go for the standard run and cross but the winger’s equally likely to come inside and play it to feet for the strikers.

Mark Viduka v Danny Gabbidon

Does Viduka play? If he does the Australian is the type of player to make the difference in a tight semi-final. The other Boro strikers are top players but strikers with Viduka’s touch and strength in tight situations are rare indeed; plus the mercurial Aussie has been on his game of late.

The challenge to Gabbidon (or the other centre-backs) if Viduka plays, is to prevent him turning defenders by his combination of exquisite touch and considerable bulk. He’s a much less straightforward proposition than Yakubu’s direct running or Hasselbaink’s link play and explosive shooting power.

Hugh Larkin
21 April 2006

3042: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur:To

by : Sam Cullen

The final North London derby at Highbury, crucial for the race for 4th place, was as tense as they come.Spurs dominated the first half but failed to take their chances against an Arsenal side without Henry and Fabregas.

The second half initially saw much the same till the Arsenal subsitutions, a controversial Spurs goal followed but towards the end honours were made even through Thierry Henry

Robinson 7/10

Another impressive performance fron England's No.1.

Stalteri 6/10

Played his part in the impressive first half but tailed off towards the end.

Dawson 7/10

Another impressive showing from the ever improving young England Centre Back.

Gardner 6/10

Average game but did nothing to suggest that he would be playing if Ledley King wasn't injured.

Lee 6/10

Much the same story as Stalteri, but must be glad no repeat of an individual error akin to Monday.

Lennon 8/10

Had a very impressive spell during the first half, where he was Spurs driving force. A performance to be proud of.

Carrick 8/10

Mirrored the success of Lennon, good passing and vision, almost scored what would have been a wonder goal on the stroke of half time

Davids 7/10

Despite his late dismissal, showed signs of being back to his early season form for Spurs.

Tainio 7/10

Had the first few opportunities on goal for Spurs and contributed to the team effort.

Defoe 6/10

By no means a bad game from the England striker, however he should have done better with some of his first half chances, which could have given Spurs an early advantage.

Keane 7/10

Not quite as lively as his recent performances, yet still grabbed the goal which could clinch Spurs the all important 4th spot.

Murphy 5/10

Brought on to break down the play and defend Spurs lead. Neither happened.

Sam Cullen
22 April 2006

3041: Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur: A

by : Sam Cullen

The final North London derby at Highbury, crucial for the race for 4th place, was as tense as they come.Spurs dominated the first half but failed to take their chances against an Arsenal side without Henry and Fabregas.

The second half initially saw much the same till the Arsenal subsitutions, a controversial Spurs goal followed but towards the end honours were made even through Thierry Henry

Below are the Arsenal Player Ratings.

Lehmann 6/10

Never had too much to do but didn't disappoint. Made a good safe from a 1st half Defoe chance but questionable whether he knew much about it!

Djourou 6/10

One of the changes from midweek. Didn't contribute as much going forward as Eboue would, but no defensive howlers either.

Senderos 6/10

Forced off early into the 2nd half. The first half hadn't been memorable for Arsenal but he did nothing to put his team in trouble and fans must be hoping he is fit for Tuesday.

Toure 6/10

Much a similar story as Djourou, solid if nothing else.

Flamini 5/10

During Spurs impressive 1st half showing, much of the attacks came from exposing Flamini, especially by Aaron Lennon. Not his best game since his defensive conversion.

Pires 5/10

Offered so little of the invention that has become assoicated with him during his time at the club. Never really made an impact on the game and will be disappointed.

Gilberto 5/10

Questionable decision to make a player captain who was frequently anonymous in Arsenal's earlier tough battling games this season. Failed to inspire the players and contributed little.

Diaby 5/10

Much the same story as Gilberto. Spurs advantage in the first half came through the lack of cohesion and vision shown within the Arsenal midfield and it was little surprise when he was substituted.

Reyes 5/10

Another disappointing game from a player who has on the whole failed to deliver so far this season.

Adebayor 7/10

May have featured little early on but remained strong and battled hard. Worked well when Henry came on in 2nd half and did the hard work for the goal.

Van Persie 5/10

Uncharacteristically poor showing from the usually hard working striker.He really should have done better from his one on one opportunity against Robinson.

Eboue 7/10

Immediately added pace and urgency to Arsenal's game. Part of their resurgence in the last 15 minutes.

Henry 7/10

It may have been said so many times, but Henry can always fashion something out of nothing. His arrival gave the team and the crowd a lift, and he took Arsenal's equaliser with typical style.

Fabregas 7/10

This nominee for PFA Young Player of the Year was noticeably missed in the first half as Arsenal struggled to exert any control over the midfield area. Once he came on, they did much better.

Sam Cullen
22 April 2006

3031: England; Are We In For Anothe

by : Stephen Orford

Late in 2000 and after less than two years in the job, serial quitter Kevin Keegan walked away from the England manager’s job. England had just suffered defeat to Germany in a World Cup qualifier in the last game to be played at the old Wembley stadium, and Keegan was ready to admit that he did not have what was required at that level.

Five and a half years on and Wembley is still sitting redundantly, all scaffolding and hard helmets. Even more incredibly, the FA are about to appoint one of several men incapable of coaching at international level, all seemingly due to the public’s desire to see a Brit replace Sven Goran Eriksson.

One of Steve McLaren, Alan Curbishley, Sam Allardyce or Martin O’Neill will probably get the nod from the Soho Square Massive to lead England into the 2008 European Championships in Austria and Switzerland. The problem is that for all the talk of their glowing reputations and their achievements under trying circumstances, none of them have ever really achieved much in real terms.

The same was true of Keegan, whose closest brush with domestic glory was the Toon’s 1996 Premiership title race implosion. If a man capable of putting together a side which, for the most part, played with such flair, excitement and quality cannot make the step up to the international game, then how are this quartet of small-time chancers going to fare any better?

Taking McLaren first, much noise is currently being made about his achievement in guiding Middlesbrough to the last four of the UEFA Cup. This would have been an outstanding feat in 1978, but the UEFA Cup currently ranks somewhere below the Carling Cup and just above the Intertoto Cup in the minds of most football fans. The Premiership and Champions League are now the places where managers are judged, and you will find McLaren’s Boro languishing in 13th in the English top flight.

True, he has also guided the side to the FA Cup semi-finals but then Dennis Wise led Millwall all the way to the final in 2004. Rather than being talked about as an international manager, Wise was dismissed from The New Den (not a difficult feat as the club have just announced the removal of another coach on the day of writing) at the end of the following season and now finds himself performing occasional overhead kicks for Coventry City.

Alan Curbishley? Here’s a man who has achieved great things with Charlton Athletic, overseeing their rise to Premiership stability during a seemingly interminable tenure at the club. However, the one thing that the Addicks can be relied upon for is to spontaneously combust whenever they get anywhere near the possibility of tangible success. The England team is perfectly equipped with this facility as it is without employing a man content to see his side sit in mid-table and moan about how the bigger clubs are out of reach in a manner which would make David O’Leary blush.

Of all the candidates Bolton’s Sam Allardyce is perhaps the one who has achieved most with the least resources. Having had little to spend Allardyce has somehow helped the Trotters qualify for Europe and has a reasonable chance of repeating that feat this term. However, he has done so with the kind of tactical approach which would see England stars like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard looking skyward in the hope that they might one day get a kick when the ball drops from the heavens. Some say Allardyce is smart enough to adapt his tactics according to his personnel, but let him prove that at club level before we give him the top job.

And so to O’Neill, for so long pronounced by every man and indeed his canine companion as the Messiah that England have been waiting for. Yet is he? Ignoring the fact that he is Northern Irish and therefore would not strictly appease those opposed to another foreign manager, his work with Leicester City in the Premiership was not all that far removed from that of Curbishley at Charlton and does not compare favourably with that of Allardyce at Bolton. His Leicester City side were ugly, a notion backed up by the fact that theirs was a side which contained the anti-hero that is Robbie Savage.

Even a trophy-spree at Celtic north of the border does little to convince. Before the Lithuanians arrived at Hearts the SPL was a two-horse race. That O’Neill twice let the title go to the blue half of Glasgow during his time at Parkhead shows he was far from infallible. However, in assessing the merits of any manager in charge of a Scottish team then the barometer must again be Europe.

O’Neill never once led the Bhoys beyond the first phase of the Champions League, with only a Middlesbrough-esque run in the 2004 UEFA Cup showing his capabilities at that level. That inability was put into perspective by the achievement of Alex McLeish in leading Rangers to the knockout stages this season, especially in the context of their league performance in 2005/06 and the fact that the Ibrox club have now decided that they can do without the services of the former Aberdeen defender.

Guus Hiddink’s gone Russian, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez are all tied to heavyweight Premiership clubs, and so the FA is fast running out of suitable candidates. And it is showing.

Expect a candid admission by the new man that he did not quite have what it takes at the end of Euro 2008. Unless it is Allardyce who gets the gig, in which case expect a candid admission that it was all down to the chap with the whistle and his two merry flag wavers.

By Stephen Orford

April 20 2006

3033: Newcastle:Roeder's Revenge

by : Sam Cullen

Under the managerial reign of the dour Graeme Souness, Newcastle appeared to be going nowhere, fast. Firmly rooted towards the lower reaches of the Premiership despite significant player investment in the summer, it looked as if the Toon Army were heading for their most depressing seasons for years.

It would therefore seem ironic that the reason for this turnaround is Glenn Roeder. On face value, Roeder’s appointment as caretaker manager would have suggested little more hope for the long suffering Geordie Fans.

Many peoples opinion of Roeder’s managerial ability would have been significantly clouded by his tenure at West Ham, with the end result being the side’s relegation at the end of the 2002/03 season.

Yet since his appointment, Newcastle have won 9 of the 14 games he has presided over, leading them up to 7th in the table. This has led them to be in surprise contention for a UEFA Cup Place, an outcome which looked all but impossible when Roeder took charge on 2nd February 2006.

Roeder has also had the exact same squad of players Souness had, as the transfer window has been shut, making this transformation altogether even more unexpected. Many would have assumed that there would have been the obvious temporary upturn in playing fortunes which occurs after an unpopular manager has been dismissed.

The question now is, does Roeder deserve the job full time? Understandably many fans would be lusting over a more “big name” appointment, but a big name doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. In the case of Newcastle, I’m sure many fans won’t forget the reign of “big name” Kenny Dalgish.

It is obviously a hard choice, bearing in mind Roeder’s acrimonious 2nd season at West Ham. It is of vital importance for Newcastle that the board pick the right manager this time as the fans patience would be worn down ever further if there is the arrival of another Souness-style failure and just how many more Boumsongs can Freddy Shepard finance?

Whatever happens however, the work Roeder has done cannot be overlooked and this spell must at least do something to rescue his reputation after the West Ham job.

Sam Cullen
20 April 2006

3032: Liverpool Right To Laugh Off T

by : Paul Grech

Attack as the best form of defence. With their galactico policy that led to the signing of one striker after another, that is what Real Madrid have tried - and miserably failed to do - on the pitch. Now they're trying to adopt a similar strategy off it.
Faced with the possibility of a third season without a trophy and looking set to finish third in La Liga, what do Real Madrid do to deflect criticism? They announce the players that they would like to sign without giving a second thought on the implications that this might have on the players' current clubs. All that matters is deflecting the attention from their own problem.

This comes a matter of weeks after Real leaked the list of managers they were considering to fill the vacant spot at the Bernabeu. It was a list that included all of football's leading managers - including Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Fabio Capello - none of whom would realistically consider leaving their current sides to take on the madhouse that is Real Madrid.

The same applies to their most recent stunt.

Which makes it all the more infuriating when such news is taken seriously. When Michael Owen moved to Spain two seasons ago, Jamie Carragher excused his friend by saying that you can't say no when Real Madrid come calling. But, whilst that may have been the case at that time, it certainly isn't so at the moment. Steven Gerrard should only look at what happened to Owen and how David Beckham has played under five different managers in his three trophy less season in Spain.

It is a situation that is unlikely to change any time soon. Real Madrid is a club without any strategy or direction. New president Fernando Martin has been trying to act the tough guy with the over-pampered stars but is failing miserably, so much that the fans are calling for a vote of no confidence in the hope that this leads to an early election.

On the pitch, matters are even worse. Their ageing stars have become a liability whilst the reluctance to invest in any defenders has regularly come to haunt them. There is no team culture which is largely due to the 'galactico' reputation that only puts unnecessary pressure on the new players who are expected to win matches on their own. Last summer they built up Robinho as the next Pele which set him up nicely for the fall which inevitably came when he failed to shine.

The chaos at Madrid is underlined by the very statement issued this week. Benito Floro – the man who wrote the report suggesting the players that Real need – argued that they lack a powerful striker upfront. A strange suggestion considering that last summer they bought a player nicknamed the ‘beast’ (Julio Baptista) and who had been phenomenal the previous years with Seville.

It isn’t a coincidence that they singled out Adriano. Last year, he had fallen very nicely for Real’s trap when he admitted that one day he would like to play for the club. The Spanish media spun his statement into one where he was virtually pleading to become the next galactico.

It soured his relationship with Inter and he hasn’t been the same player since. Just last weekend, he admitted that he’ll be considering his future at the end of this season, which is just what Real want to hear.

In naming Steven Gerrard they’re trying to play a similar trick. Only that, having so publicly come close and then rejected the temptation of Chelsea these past two summers, Gerrard will almost certainly see through Real’s bluff.

3021: Why Tottenham Hotspur will bea

by : Chris Sherrard

It’s the fear that is driving their season on.

Spurs fans are seeing this season to its conclusion, worrying that English football will be thrown up the same conundrum that divided the city of Liverpool last season.

After the toil, graft and skills that have flown out of White Hart Lane this season, their efforts could yet be in vain.

Should they secure fourth spot and the final Champions League position in the coming weeks, they may have the European rug pulled from under them.

They are willing against their north London rivals from Highbury like never before. First they’ll be decked out in Villarreal shirts hoping the Gunners fall at the next hurdle on the continent.

And then, probably, they’ll have to hope against hope that either Milan or Barcelona can throw the spanner in the works which confirms Martin Jol’s place at the top table of the club game.

But, of course, by worrying on such scenarios, Tottenham could yet take their eye off the only prize that they should be looking at.

Defeat on Monday by Manchester United was disappointing enough. But following it up with a loss in this weekend’s derby against Arsenal would be deeply damaging.

Make no mistake, Arsenal will want to win this one every bit as much as Spurs.

Arsene Wenger’s side won’t want to leave their participation in next season’s Champions League to chance. They will know that beating Tottenham on Saturday will bolster their own European aspirations.

But the will to win this fixture among the Dutchman’s band of merry followers will be so great that they will do what needs to be done on Saturday.

Spurs are a different breed this season. Monday’s defeat by United was out of the ordinary in that Tottenham simply missed their chances up front and made costly errors at the back. Thay’s not like them this season.

You’d have to assume that Jol will make the necessary adjustments this week in order to hone his panel for this match, their biggest of the season.

Of course, it goes without saying that the loss of Ledley King is a monumental blow. He is one of the most underrated footballers in Britain and his versatility, strength, power and touch will be a loss to England as well as the club he captains so magnificently.

That said, Michael Dawson looks the real deal at the heart of the defence and Michael Carrick performs the holding midfield role with understated aplomb.

Any other season, King’s absence would be felt intensely. But I feel this Spurs side is a class apart from its predecessors. They have the strength in depth to cope with injuries.

That case is also exemplified in attack where Robbie Keane is re-energised, Mido is a threat and Defoe remains a man you can’t take your eye off.

So how do the two north London outfits match up going into Saturday’s game?

Well goalkeeper-wise they are pretty even, based on this season. However, I am of the opinion that Paul Robinson is a superior keeper to Jens Lehman. He has youth and agility on his side.

The only concern that inhibits the view that Spurs will beat Arsenal this weekend is how will they cope with Thierry Henry? Calum Davenport’s experience of top-flight football is limited to say the least. But will he even have to face the Frenchman? That isn’t conclusive, after the way Wenger rested his star striker when they faced Manchester United recently.

This game will be won and lost in midfield and it is there that Spurs stand apart from the Gunners.

Carrick, Jenas, Lennon and Davids is a formidable unit which combines experience, youth, blinding pace and an eye for goal.

Arsenal can combat that with Cesc Fabregas, who may or may not be saving his legs for Champions League challenges to come. Gilberto is another man that Wenger will be looking to but he should be forced deep by the forward runs of Jenas.

No matter which way you look at it, this game is massive for Tottenham Hotspur. It is pretty damn big for Arsenal as well but the distractions that cloud their sight on foreign fields, could well mean that their hosts hold the upper hand in this weekend’s game.

I hope so, anyway. Tottenham’s expansive, creative and aesthetically beautiful efforts this season deserve reward. Ledley King merits the chance to play Champions League football. So does Robinson, Carrick, Lennon, Keane and Defoe. SO do a few of the others who have played their part. And Martin Jol, himself, is fitting of a place among the top coaches in the game.

A Spurs win on Saturday will ensure they have done their part of the ‘deal’. All that will be needed then is for Milan or Barcelona to see it through. Not a bad pair

Chris Sherrard

Why Arsenal will beat Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday

3035: Why Arsenal will beat Tottenha

by : Antony Melvin

At first glance this seems a fairly obvious proposition. Arsenal are in form, experienced in pressure situations, the better team and have home advantage. I’m struggling to see what Spurs bring to the table in comparison.

Arsenal may have been snoozing earlier on in the season but like all the been-there-done-that-bought-the-t-shirt teams they tend to peak in the final ten games of the season.

In the last ten Arsenal have won seven big game, beating some of the best teams in Europe like Juventus, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Villarreal and Aston Villa. They are in a rich vein of form in these crunch matches and so another one will seem easy to adjust to.

The experience of Arsenal battling with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in the closing games of the season means that they will bring the calm of experience into the match. Winners tend to win – and Arsenal are proven winners. Spurs have yet to prove they can hack it in the rarefied oxygen available when end-of-season points are needed.

Analyse the two teams.

In goal the Germany ‘keeper versus the England ‘keeper is not as clear cut as the jingoistic would like. Lehmann may be a clown and an attention seeker, but he is a cracking shot stopper and good on crosses. There is nothing to choose between the two.

In defence whilst Arsenal can laugh off the diminishing Campbell and the crocked Cole with a defence that is again mean and holding off the best in Europe week after week. Without the linchpin of Ledley King this is clearly one for Arsenal.

In midfield again there is little to choose with Fabregas the best either side can muster balanced against the fact that Pires and Ljungberg are past their best. Defoe and Carrick can be influential, but Davids ageing legs are failing him. But a midfield that can dominate Villarreal has little to fear.

And up front Henry is simply a class apart. Arsenal do not need to rotate in out a range of forwards when this man is around. Keane is doing well but there is no real competition.

Finally the home advantage. Highbury is often accused of being a bit quiet – but the atmosphere will be good on Saturday and any lingering stiffness should be forgotten when the roar drifts down the tunnel. Arsenal are an excellent home side, and can use their unusually shaped pitch to create a big competitive advantage.

Arsenal have the better team, more experience, are in better form and have home advantage. Unless Arsenal are too fatigued after their Champions’ League heroics then they are the only winner.

Antony Melvin
20 April 2006

Why Tottenham Hotspur will beat Arsenal on Saturday

3030: Manchester City: Which youth c

by : Paul Grech

In Manchester, the city’s two clubs tend to take diametrically opposed views on matters. Whereas United’s Sir Alex Ferguson has been one of the most vociferous critics of the academy system, the breakthrough made this season by City’s latest batch of talented youngsters serves as a shining advert for the system’s validity.

Joey Barton, Stephen Jordan, Lee Croft, Steven Ireland, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Nedum Onuoha have all established themselves as part of the first team squad, highlighting the benefits of Manchester City’s investment in their youth system. And it is indeed a wise policy: the £20 million received on the sale of another player who came through the ranks – Shaun Wright-Phillips – is in itself more than an adequate return on the investment that they’ve made.

And their future looks even more promising. The current academy team – minus Micah Richards who has already made the step up - suffered a heavy defeat in the first-leg of the FA Youth Cup final but there is enough talent there to turn round the 3-0 deficit.

Youth coaches are often guarded in their judgements of players, fearful of building up their hopes when the chances of success are so limited. So it says something when City’s coach Alex Gibson predicts that “five or six” of the current team will soon be making their name at the highest level.

Of course, at City they still remember the only team in the club’s history to win the FA Youth Cup contained the likes of Steve Redmond, Paul Lake, David White, Ian Brightwell and Andy Hinchcliffe, players who eventually graduated to the first team and starred in the famous 5-1 derby win over Manchester United.

If the current batch of youth players were ever to develop into a team that repeats that feat…well, let’s just say that it would be the ideal reply to Ferguson’s criticisms.

Manchester City’s Future Stars

Up to six of the current team are deemed good enough to progress to Stuart Pearce’s first team. If they can fend off the envious glances of bigger clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal.

Kelvin Etuhu

Younger brother of Norwich’s midfielder Dickson, Kelvin is a strong and fast striker who has been somewhat overshadowed by Sturridge’s achievements but is still a hugely promising prospect himself.

Michael Johnson

Took over from Micah Richards as the side’s captain, Johnson has risen to the challenge well. Had a spell in Holland with Feyenoord as a 12-year-old.

Shaleum Logan

The versatile Logan has lately played at left-back, a position in which he impressed in the first leg at Anfield. It is also the position in which he has already established himself as a regular for the reserves, although he can play on the left wing and even as a striker if called upon.

Laurence Matthewson

City’s keeper Matthewson effectively kept them in the tie with a string of fantastic saves at Anfield and it is largely down to him that Liverpool didn’t double their tally. Agile and with excellent reactions, his route to the first team might be more difficult to that of others in the squad but that does not detract from the fact that he has the talent to go all the way.

Micah Richards

It is unlikely that Richards plays any part in the FA Youth Cup final but the side’s former captain who made a dramatic (and highly entertaining) introduction to senior football deserves a mention. At 17 he doesn’t look out of place in the Premiership – he’s certainly strong enough – and barring injuries he’ll be an international within a couple of years.

Daniel Sturridge

The 16 year-old is widely considered English football’s next big thing, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly trying to get to him before he gets to sign a professional contract at City. Possessing a sprinter’s pace, the ability to play equally well with both his feet and an instinctive ability to find the back of the net, Sturridge scored on his debut for the reserves earlier this season as if to further highlight his ability.

3034: Steaua Bucharest: Back in the

by : David Hulott

Although unlikely to ever scale the heights of the great team of the late 1980s, the current Steaua Bucharest side have certainly put the club back on the European football map with their UEFA Cup exploits this season.

Steaua became the first Eastern European club to win the European Cup in 1986, when beating Barcelona 2:0 on penalties in Sevilla after a less than enthralling 0:0 draw. The hero of the hour was goalkeeper Helmut Ducadam, who saved all four penalties in the shoot-out to thwart the Catalans and their coach, one Terry Venables esquire. They even reached a second final two years later, only to go down 4:0 to AC Milan. Even so, this was undoubtedly the golden era for the club, with the team embarking on an unbeaten run of 104 Romanian league matches from the start of the 1986-87 season to September 1989.

However, the overthrow and execution of President Nicolae Ceaucescu and his wife on Christmas Day 1989 was bad news for Ceaucescu’s favourite club (although probably not as bad as it was for Ceaucescu himself), who were no longer able to pick and choose the top domestic talent as they had done before. Although the club have continued to be a force in Romania since the fall of communism, they have never been as dominant and last season saw them collect their first domestic title since 2001.

Their European campaign this season started way back in July with a 0:0 draw away to Shelbourne in the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League but, after winning the return 4:1, they were then knocked out 4:3 on aggregate by Rosenborg and consigned to the UEFA Cup as a result. Since then they have managed to overcome the likes of Valerenga, Lens, Sampdoria, Hertha Berlin, Heerenveen, Real Betis and Rapid Bucharest to reach the semi-finals.

The current squad may lack the star names of yesteryear such as Gheorge Hagi, Marius Lacatus (now club president), Miodrag Belodedici, Anghel Iordenescu and Ducadam, but they have some fine players in the likes of captain Mirel Radoi, midfielder Banel Nicolita and striker Nicolae Dica. It’s also a squad made up almost entirely of domestic players, with the only exception being DR Congo goalkeeper Carlos Alberto Fernandes.

They go into the game against Middlesbrough in second place in Divizia A, two points adrift of city rivals Dinamo Bucharest, but with a couple of games in hand. Another domestic title should be well within their capabilities, but to reach another major European final in the present era and without the aid of a barking mad national president would be a real achievement.

David Hulott
19 April 2006