Euro 2008 Team Profiles; Holland

Holland travel to Austria and Switzerland for Euro 2008 with significantly lower expectations than those ordinarily foisted upon them.

The draw, injury doubts and the presence of what is effectively a lame duck coach are all factors contributing to the dampening of the Dutch mood. Not only have Marco van Basten’s side been handed the considerable task of fending off at least one of Italy or France for the right to get out of Group C, they are also joined in the section by a Romanian side which took four points out of six from the Oranje in qualifying. Indeed, it was the Romanians who topped the section, although van Basten’s men qualified with reasonable comfort. They held off the challenge of Bulgaria despite losing their final game 2-1 to Belarus.

Yet the lowering of expectations might be helpful to Holland. So often they have been tipped for great things at major tournaments, only to flatter to deceive at crunch times. Opinions differ on the reasons for this. Their penchant for an in-house row is legendary, while some say that their Devil-may-care approach once known as Total Football is in part responsible for the fact that they have only ever claimed one major international prize. It’s 20 years since van Basten’s ludicrous volley helped a side featuring Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and company claim the European title in West Germany.

Now the Devil is not the only one who cares. Belying his flamboyant approach as a player, van Basten has noted the need for a little more caution. An element of this is forced upon him as the Dutch midfield now seems to lack the creativity of years gone by. Along with the manager, gone are the Gullits, the De Boers and the Bergkamps which made Holland so attractive to watch in years gone by. Alleged discussions with his players has seemingly led van Basten to compensate for this dearth of imagination by employing two screening midfielders in front of the back four. Most likely to fulfil these roles are AZ Alkmaar’s Demy de Zeeuw and former Arsenal left-back Gio van Bronckhorst. Hardly likely to inspire, nor is the fact that Van Basten steps down after the tournament to take over at Ajax and be replaced by Bart van Marwijk.

If there are to be any out-of-the-box moments they will likely come from Rafael van de Vaart and Robin van Persie. The pair look set to line up in an advanced midfield three either side of Wesley Sneijder, with Ruud van Nistelrooy leading the line with his limitless eye for a tap-in. The trouble is that both van Persie and van Nistelrooy have spent much of the season sidelined with injury. It is a tough ask for them to be at their best when the tournament comes around, so doubts must remain. Van Nistelrooy is reasonably well backed up by Celtic’s Jan Venegoor of Hesselink and Ajax’s Klaas Jan Huntelaar (although the last highly rated Dutch goal-getter morphed into Dirk Kuyt). Yet with Arjen Robben’s recent injury woes there seem few alternatives should van Persie fail to fire. All of which puts the pressure even more fimly on van der Vaart and Sneijder to provide the spark. Liverpool’s Ryan Babel would have put significantly more fear into opponents’ hearts a year ago, but has endured a season with the Anfield club which can best be described as enigmatic.

Defensively the Dutch look less than convincing. Fans of the Oranje may breathe a sigh of relief at van Basten’s decision to leave behind Chelsea liability Khalid Bouhlarouz, but the smile may be wiped from their faces with news that this is a Dutch back four which may well have to rely on the modest talents of Wigan’s Mario Melchiot and Blackburn’s accident prone Andre Ooijer. Aston Villa’s Wilfred Bouma battles with Feyenoord’s Tim de Cler for the left-back berth, and there is yet more Premier League interest in goal in the shape of Edwin van der Sar. The Manchester United stopper has hardly been his side’s most consistent performer this season, but can still point to the medals on his chest as evidence that he can cut at this level. He too steps down from the international scene once Holland’s race is run.

Which might be as early as June 13 should they fail to take any points from their first two games against Italy in Berne on June 9, and France in the same city four days hence. It might just be that Holland’s best hope is to go all out for victory against both World Cup finalists, rather than play cautiously and leave themselves needing a result against their bogey side on June 17. In truth it is difficult to see Holland emerging unscathed from this tough first phase. Perhaps they should put their faith in the well trotted-out truism that there are always shocks in major tournaments.

For once Holland will hope to be the shockers rather than the shocked.

By Stephen Orford

31 May 2008

Euro 2008 Group B Preview

A combination involving Germany, Poland, Austria and Croatia would provide a career's worth of material for a Central European historian but happily World Cup 2006 proved that rivalries can be healthy on the football pitch without resort to jingoistic references.

On purely football terms this is a group made for qualification for Germany. Normally a placing in a section with the hosts offers a tough prospect but not when Austria are those hosts. This is the nation on offer at 100/1 to win a tournament in their own backyard.

So bad did Austria's form become a few months back, there were supporters backing the idea that the team should be withdrawn to avoid massive embarrassment. While it may not come to that, they certainly have every chance of missing out on the quarters.

Slaven Bilic's Croatia are dark horses in this tournament. Surprising as it can seem to English fans, putting England out of acompetition still raises eyebrows on the Continent and the Croats have a number of tricky players.

Nico Kranjcar of Portsmouth and Luca Modric who is Spurs bound, are inheritors of the old Yugoslav tradition of languid midfield artists-always easy on the eye, technically gifted and prepared to attempt the killer ball. Euro 2008 could be a great stage for this pair but the squad is inevitably diminished by the loss of Arsenal's Eduardo and the worry is where the goals will come from.

Poland have never been to the Finals before, which comes as a surprise. As in World Cup 2006 they are paired with Germany, a contest that their fans always relish. Plenty of them will make the short trip southwards as they did to Germany in 2006.

In 2006 the Poles were far better than at the 2002 Finals, when they turned in a dreadful set of performances. Perhaps their biggest card is the presence in the dugout of Leo Beenhakker, one of the great Dutch coaches.

He's the man who took Trinidad & Tobago to the World Cup and no one in world soccer is better at getting the most from his resources. Players like Eusebiusz Smolarek can flourish under the Dutchman's guidance, though there are the usual concerns about the lack of pace at the back.

The Austrian squad is fairly anonymous. Emmanuel Pogatetz of Middlesbrough is probably the most well knwon player- Wigan's Paul Scharner has made himself unavailable. With strikers plying their trade for Sporting Braga, Linz and Ham-Kam, the threat to defences isn't obvious.

Germany are expected to top this group with most of the 2006 squad to call on. Up front there's Klose, Podolski and Kuranyi and behind is the midfield that nearly took them all the way on home soil two years ago. The defence- as ever- looks sound.

Poland and Croatia are expected to scrap it out for second and the two meet in the final group game. The Croats have more quality but the Poles have Beenhakker's nous. It's a tough one to call but Poland are steady improvers.

This group isn't expected to be the most exciting of the four but if the Austrians can find some inspiration from their home fans it could become interesting.

Euro 2008 Team Profiles; Italy

Crowned World Champions for a fourth time two years ago, it is remarkable to think that Italy have only captured the European title once.

That success came 40 years ago, since when the Azzuri have only made the final once, losing out to David Trezeguet’s golden goal for France in 2000. Prior to that they had failed to make it past the first round since 1988, and suffered another humbling first phase exit at Euro 2004 in Portugal. If any of the traditionally powerful nations is due a bit of success in this tournament, it is Italy.

The draw for qualifying for this tournament did not make life easy. Lumped in with 2006 World Cup final opponents France, Italy got off to a horror start in Group B. A 1-1 home draw with Lithuania in their opener left red faces all around, and that was followed up by a 3-1 defeat to the French in their next outing. Victory over France proved elusive in the return also, though the goalless draw earned in that game came smack, bang in the middle of a 10-game unbeaten run which saw them reach the Austrian-Swiss party with something to spare in the final analysis.

And so to the finals, where once again the Azzuri have been handed a meeting with Raimond Domenech’s side in Group C. Not only that, but the heavyweight pair are joined in the section by another regular tournament favourite in the shape of Holland. In addition, an improving Romania will be out to ensure that they are not just in the Alps to make up the numbers. A fast start against the Dutch in Berne on June 9 would be a massive boost for Donadoni’s side, while victory over the Romanians in Zurich four days later is a must whatever the result against Marco van Basten’s side. Italy stay in Zurich for a fourth competitive meeting with the French in two years on June 17, and will not want to enter that assignment needing points to secure a quarter-final berth.

Word is that Donadoni has tinkered with the team’s philosophy somewhat. Renowned for adopting a cautious approach allied to fast, counter-attacking football, Italy are now a little more attack minded. Their formation is arguably best described as 4-3-3, with prolific Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni at the point of the attack, joined from wide areas by Mauro Camoranesi of Juventus and Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale. It should be no surprise that an ex-winger like Donadoni would demand width from his side, but despite a positive approach you can expect both wide men to be asked to put their shift in defensively. Alternatives include Sampdoria’s much-travelled potential superstar Antonio Cassano aswell as Italian footballing legend Allesandro Del Piero. The Juve man is something of a peripheral figure these days, but it would surprise nobody if he came off the bench to change a game with a bit of the old magic. Milan striker Alberto Gilardino has not made the cut after featuring just seven times for club and country this season.

Italy’s midfield is among the best in world football at present. Ankle-biting nuisance Gennaro Gattuso was one of the key men in the World Cup triumph, and will again fill the role of midfield enforcer. Yet don’t be fooled, as the AC Milan star is more than capable of using the ball when his pestering pays off enough for him to win it. Alongside him is his club-mate, the somewhat flashier Andrea Pirlo. Possessed of a fine range of passing, Pirlo doesn’t always look like he is busting a gut for the cause, but can be one of the most devastating attacking weapons in the Italian arsenal. Watch out especially for his prowess at free-kicks, and his penchant for a pop at goal from distance in open play. Completing the midfield trio is likely to be Roma’s Daniele De Rossi, a man who has shaken off the notoriety of his flying elbow in the face of Brian McBride in Germany to become a pivotal figure in Donadoni’s plans. Like his midfield colleagues De Rossi can spot a pass or two, but also has the energy to get forward, safe in the knowledge that the Milan pair will cover his back should his forays lead to a loss of possession.

There is depth in midfield too, with Roma pair Simone Perrotta and Alberto Aquilani providing genuine competition for places, and veteran Massimo Ambrosini not to be forgotten either.

Behind these men it seems as if Italy could field their under-15’s side and remain solid defensively. The likes of Paulo Maldini and Allesandro Nesta have finally been carted off into international retirement, but World Cup star and World Player Of The Year in 2006 Fabio Cannavaro remains. Alongside him notorious head-butt victim and former Everton stopper Marco Materazzi helps form a central partnership that is the equal of any. If there are any questions they are on the flanks, where Gianluca Zambrotta is tipped to start at left-back despite a pig of a season with Barcelona. The ageing Christian Panucci is a contender for selection on the right hand side, though Lyon’s Fabio Grosso may have something to say about that. Palermo’s Andrea Barzagli is widely tipped to become another star from the conveyor belt of top notch Italian defenders. Behind them goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is rated by many as the best in the world, ahead of such luminaries as Petr Cech and Iker Cassillas. That point can be argued either way, but what is not in dispute is that Buffon is a hugely important figure for the national side having been capped 81 times at the time of writing (May 31).

It looks as if Italy have all the tools at their disposal to emulate the French side of the turn of the century which held the World and European titles simultaneously. Yet the group is as tough as it gets, so Italy may take comfort from the fact that they have not lost their opening fixture in a major since crashing to the Republic of Ireland in New York at the World Cup in 1994.

And even then they went on to make the final, coming within a Roberto Baggio penalty kick of glory against Brazil. So don’t bet against them whatever happens on June 9.

By Stephen Orford

31 May 2008

Fifa change spells end of Almunia's England shot

Amidst all the reporting of Fifa's 58th conference decision to approve the six-plus-five proposal a more subtle rule change should mean the end of Manuel Almunia's chances of appearing for England. Fifa has now introduced stricter rules on changing nationality for uncapped players; just before Almunia would have qualified for England (which has stronger nationality requirements than the previous Fifa minimum).

Before today uncapped players could switch allegiances after living in a country for two years or if they had a parent or grandparent born there; with the rule change this has now been extended to five years. These rules would have allowed Ryan Giggs to solve England's left wing problem if they had been in force 20 years ago; but now they are laregly focused on stopping a host of Brazilians 'becoming' eastern European.

The new ruling reads:

"All proposals regarding the eligibility to play for representative teams were approved (see items 13.1 and 13.2 of the Congress agenda); this includes a new wording of art. 17 (d) of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes which now reads: "[...] he has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant Association." These proposals shall come into effect immediately."

Almunia signed for Arsenal on 14 July 2004, and will now need to wait another 14 months before becoming eligible for England. In that time Fabio Capello will have plenty of time to choose a first choice 'keeper and there seems little chance that he will, like Steve McClaren, plump for an untried option for the vital Autumn 2009 qualifiers.

Almunia is already 31 years old, and given his lukewarm desire to play for anyone other than Spain and his relative inexperience, surely his only international future now lies with Spain. Interestingly if Fifa's six-plus-five proposal become law in 2010 he may offer an interesting exception - an English qualified player who is entirely foreign and may not even play for England if selected. But at least he would offer Arsene Wenger another 'English' option on top of Hoyte and Walcott.

Fifa's six plus five is designed to hurt English football - but it probably wouldn't

Sepp Blatter may have dismissed the Premier League's idea of a 39th game, but is less negative about one of his ideas that has been roundly rejected by the Premier League. The six plus five plan would start in 2010/11 by forcing every team to start with four players eligible for the international side that the league is based in; for 2011/12 this would rise to five starters; before full implementation in 2012/13 of six English players starting in every game for every Premier League side.

There is little doubt that Fifa's proposal is aimed at curbing excess in Europe. More specifically the plans only became widely known when the English suddenly started dominating European football. Over the last four or five seasons the majority of teams in Champions' League semi-finals have been English - and for European administrators if Portsmouth, Spurs, Everton and Villa start to swamp the UEFA Cup latter stages that will become even more problematic.

There is an element of anti-Englishness (I won't use the expression racism because the English are the one nation on earth that can be belittled and stereotyped without it being called racism) in these proposals. Is it coincidence that Fifa (under Blatter) had no problem with Spanish dominance earlier this decade, when Real Madrid routinely spent obscene amounts on transfers?

Only when the English rise to prominence is there a need to legislate against them. When the Heysel ban was lifted at the start of the 1990s, Manchester United immediately won the Cup Winners' Cup only for UEFA to redefine who was eligible to play for English clubs. Irwin, Hughes, Giggs and others were suddenly branded 'foreign'. English clubs traditionally relied on British and Irish players and for many years it was a struggle for English teams to acquire sufficient English players to compete.

But the benefits it brought English teams shouldn't be ignored. Arsenal were able to run with an entirely English defence of Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn, Keown, Adams (plus Bould) and Manchester United brought through Neville, Butt, Beckham, Neville and Scholes with Europe in mind.

Blatter is now starting the publicity war to impose six-plus-five and his first shot is to suggest that it wouldn't affect anyone:

"We have had Manchester United winning the European Champions League with six players eligible for the Great Britain team at the beginning of the match, so we are not far away, Chelsea had four. Zenit St Petersburg, when they played Glasgow Rangers, they had up to seven. Glasgow had four or five. We are not far away from a situation."

Ignore the Great Britain bit (which is part of a different Fifa agenda aimed at reducing the legislative powers of the British home nations) because we've all seen the research on the BBC and in each of the past eight seasons only between 170 and 207 English qualified players have started any Premier League matches. Divide the latest number by 20 and you are left with 8 or 9 players per side if they were equally divided, of which only 4 or 5 would have been regulars. The reality is that the best English players would gravitate to the big four and the big spending middle-class just below them leaving half the division to persist with players that are fundamentally Championship players.

But whilst the best English players would clump together in Cheshire and Surrey there would not be enough starting places at the big teams for the masses of quality foreign players that are already here or are attracted by the country, sorry wages. I would suggest that the foreign players would spread out more amongst the top flight clubs and probably increase the overall competitiveness of the competition. The pot of English players is strictly limited whereas there are 20 times more similarly talented foreign players available given the financial power of the Premier League.

If English teams at the top are weakened by the proposal, then so will be the best teams in Italy, Germany, Spain and France. Whilst their leagues may be stuffed full of qualified players, the top teams recruit in much the same way as the Big Four in England do. So will the proposal cobble English teams in Europe? Probably not; there will probably be a levelling down of quality.

There would be some short term pain whilst teams bring in English players but the net result would be more English players used to the pressure-cooker of the Champions' League; more English players available for the England team and in all likelihood a more competitive Premier League.

The measure has many obstacles and stands little more than 5% chance of adoption - but English football need not fear it.

Transfer Speculation - Richard Dunne to Tottenham Hotspur

Only five teams in the Premier League conceded more goals than Tottenham Hotspur last season so it's no surprise to see Juande Ramos being strongly linked with a move for Manchester City defender  and captain Richard Dunne.

The Republic of Ireland star is one of the most determined defenders in the Premier League and has a number of clubs after his services, but the Daily Express today (30/5/08) states that Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race for his signature, with £5 million set to seal the deal.

Dunne has spent eight years at City and has been a huge favourite with the supporters - so much so that he has been voted their player of the year for the past four seasons - but he has become increasingly frustrated with the public soap opera regarding Sven-Goran Eriksson's future at the club. To be honest there were rumours that Dunne wanted to leave the club well before all of this blew up and it's understood that Dunne has made his intention to leave clear by reportedly rejecting a new long-term offer to remain at Eastlands.

It appears as though Thaksin Shinawatra is prepared to cash in on his captain, who still has a year to run on his contract, now rather than lose him for nothing next season. And Dunne would love to team up with his international teammate Robbie Keane.

Juande Ramos sees Dunne as the perfect partner for Jonathan Woodgate, as Ledley King's fitness remains in question and Michael Dawson has failed to impress the Spanish boss. Dunne, who cost City £3 million from Everton in 2000, is quick on the ground and strong in the air and is particularly dangerous at set-pieces.  However, some critics claim that he sometimes loses concentration at vital moments and has a history of disciplinary problems. But his flaws are far outweighed by his reading of the game and tackling ability.

Losing Dunne will be a huge blow to Manchester City as the club aims to build on the foundations laid down by Sven-Goran Eriksson and there are fears that this could be the start of a player exodus at Eastlands with The Sun (30/5/08) reporting that Everton are interested in signing 20-year-old playmaker Michael Johnson for £8 million.

West Ham United, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Newcastle United have all expressed an interest in signing Richard Dunne but it looks as though his heart is set on a move to Tottenham Hotspur and reports claim that the deal could be finalised within days.

Dunne may not be the world class star the fans were hoping for and I doubt there will be a rush of fans getting his name on the back of their shirts but Dunne has vital experience of the Premiership and for £5 million it could be the steal of the summer.

Spurs fans - Do you think Dunne would be a good signing for you? What other areas of the team would you like to see strengthened and who would you like to see Ramos bring to the club?

Manchester City fans - If Dunne does leave the club who would you like to see replace him? What are your thoughts of a player exodus? Are you confident for the future ahead? I'd love to hear your views.

Who has the Heart to take over at Tynecastle?

What does a manager have to do to impress Vladimir Romanov? George Burley made the best start in the club's history but after just 12 games they parted company. Graham Rix managed to keep the momentum for a Champions League place going but was sacked in late March for speaking out against the Lithuanian's regime. And Valdas Ivankauskas came in and won the Scottish Cup and sealed second place in the SPL but following a poor start to the following season he was sent upstairs by Romanov. So who wants to work for an owner who is looking for his eighth manager in four years?

The man they wanted at Tynecastle was former Aberdeen and Celtic striker Mark McGhee, who has done a fabulous job in turning Motherwell around, but he has stated that he is more than happy at Fir Park. So who does that leave? Well here I'm going to assess the credentials of those still in the frame for the vacant post.

Craig Levein

After a torrid time down south with Leicester City Craig Levein's stock has soared after transforming the fortunes of Dundee United. The former Hearts defender, who spent most of his career at Tynecastle before spending four years in the hot-seat where he guided them to successive third place finishes in the SPL, has turned the Terrors into a formidable outfit who can give any team a game on their day. They were unfortunate not to have beaten Rangers to the League Cup in February/March? and if it wasn't for some shocking refereeing decisions against Rangers at Ibrox they could have nabbed third place away from Motherwell. Levein has battled back well from his disappointment at Leicester City but is he willing to risk all of that hard work for a second crack at Tynecastle? It doesn't look like it.

Jim Jefferies

Currently the longest serving manager in the SPL, Jefferies is another former Hearts ace. Like Levein, Jefferies spent most of his career at Tynecastle and eventually came back to the club in 1995 as manager. In 1998 Jefferies guided the Jambos to their first Scottish Cup success in 42 years by beating Rangers at Hampden. He was at the helm for five years before, like Levein, he was tempted by life down south with Bradford City, but he too found that life in England was a lot tougher than expected - resigning after just 13 months. He made a swift return to the game in Scotland with Kilmarnock and with limited resources he has been a relative success at Rugby Park, although after finishing second bottom last season he may want a change of scenery. Would he be tempted at one last crack at the big time with Hearts? At the moment his chances look quite favourable.

Billy Davies

The former Motherwell and Derby County boss has been linked with the vacant Leicester City post but speculation in the Press suggests that he wants to return to his homeland and Hearts may be right up his alley. His style of play is not everyone's cup of tea but there's no disputing that he knows how to win games. Vladimir Romanov has had his run-in with managers in the past while Davies never saw eye to eye with the board at Pride Park. With two huge characters at the helm it would surely be a turbulent relationship but it could be one that brings success back to Gorgie.

According to reports Skonto Riga boss and former Norwich City player Paul Ashworth is interested in the position and there is speculation that another Lithuanian may be put in the Hearts hot-seat. However, I'm sure that most Hearts fans don't care who there new manager is as long as he is given the chance to manage without any interference from above.

But, Hearts fans, who would you like to see as your new manager? I'd love to hear from you.

Is Chelsea 2008 the right place for Mark Hughes?

Mark Hughes' managerial career to date has been one of uninterrupted improvement since he was installed as a Welsh coach in 1999.  After five years where he moved Wales up dozens of places in the world rankings, Wales were eliminated from Euro 2004 by a narrow margin in the play-offs by Russia after a group stage that included a win over Italy.  Clearly used to punching above his weight he then took on a Blackburn side that was in the relegation zone in September 2004.

Hughes implemented a no-nonsense playing style for Blackburn that got them out of trouble but has subsequently tarnished his team as having a robust, bullying style - which is patently unfair for a team that often plays with two wingers in Pedersen and Bentley and two strikers.  Which is hardly the modern grinding style of 4-5-1.  True his players rarely shirk from a physical challenge, but that is to be expected given their manager's playing career - he's hardly likely to pick players who shirk contact.

At Blackburn his first season saw him rescue Blackburn to eventually finish 15th, and in three full seasons he has transformed the side whilst improving the quality of football and achieved three top 10 finishes - 6th, 10th and 7th.  All this on one of the tighter transfer budgets and wage bills in the top flight.

Five years with Wales and four at Blackburn has now given him the experience to deal with the challenge of a 'Big Four' club - and given the finances he has overachieved at Blackburn and probably taken them about as far as anyone could have.

And he is exactly what Chelsea need.  A manager who doesn't need to spend extravagantly to get players to overachieve, a modern manager who is popular and fondly remembered at many clubs.  One of Chelsea's avowed intentions is to become 'liked' - Hughes has a great profile for that requirement.

The only thing against Hughes is that he has yet to win anything as a manager - perhaps a function of these times; and if that is a requirement then the vast majority of Premier League managers would fall short - and a foreign manager is required.

Whether Chelsea is the right place for Hughes is another matter.  Of the big four clubs in England, Liverpool will be forever barred due to his Manchester United connections; Arsenal and Manchester United are settled for a few years yet and so Chelsea are probably the best bet if he wants success in England.  Barring Chelsea, Hughes has already had a go at international management and so as an alternative he would have to look abroad - where very few British coaches get opportunities.

As a boyhood Chelsea fan and former player who has served his time at Blackburn this would be an appointment that makes good sense.  It would be an appointment that would certainly lift the fans, many of whom are a little battered by the departures of Mourinho and Grant last season.  And players like John Terry would love Hughes' combative nature despite a softly spoken demeanour.

Given the trigger happy nature of the Chelsea management many would assume that this would be an assignment that requires instant success and may only last a couple of years in any event - but a manager capable of inspiring Wales to victory over Italy in a competitive match is surely capable of success with Chelsea's riches.

Euro 2008; Group C Overview

Lazy hacks everywhere (including this one) are calling Group C the Group Of Death. And well they might. With World Champions Italy, beaten World Cup finalists France and regular will-they-won’t-they contenders Holland pitched in together there’ll be little room for easing into the tournament gently. Romania are thought to be the group’s Derby County. Yet that is to forget that they were unbeaten in two games against the Dutch in qualifying and came out on top of the Group G table.

All of which leaves four very capable sides scrapping for only two quarter-final berths. The group’s more celebrated trio will be under the most pressure to progress, which may just leave the door open for an uninhibited Romania to cause a few ripples. Their attack is led by the in-form Adrian Mutu, whose goals helped Fiorentina to a fourth-placed finish in Serie A, and to within a few fluffed penalty kicks of a UEFA Cup final appearance in Manchester.

If Mutu does a job on the Azzuri he might find it difficult to settle back into life in Italy. This after all is a country which saw South Korean star Ahn Jung-Hwan sacked and then re-instated by his club Perugia after scoring the golden goal which knocked Giovanni Trapattoni’s side out of the 2002 World Cup. Mutu’s Fiorentina team-mate Christian Vieri made a hash of several opportunities in that game, but won’t feature in Austria and Switzerland. Indeed, only Gianluigi Buffon, Gianluca Zambrotta and Allesandro Del Piero have survived the transition from that starting 11 to the 23-man squad named by Roberto Donadoni for Euro 2008.

The Italians are trying to emulate the achievement of the French in adding the European title to their World title in the space of two years. Yet Raimond Domenech’s side stand very much in the way of that happening, and look as strong as ever on paper. Irritatingly for Domenech and the French, football is not played on paper. Thierry Henry isn’t exactly coming off the back of his greatest domestic season after his move to Barcelona, but is still a genuine threat at all levels. Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka is back in favour at international level but former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has not made the final selection. Some say that France are in a transitional, post-Zidane phase. Yet this will not be an acceptable excuse should they fail to grab at least a last eight place. The form of Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery looks pivotal to their chances of progression.

And so to the Dutch, for whom coach Marco van Basten is finding out how the other half live. Adored and revered as a player, the man whose geometry-defying volley put the seal on Holland’s Euro 88 triumph in Germany is hardly without his critics since taking over the top job. His side have been accused not only of under-performing, but of doing so without the flair and style that is synonymous with Dutch football. Think Newcastle United under Sam Allardyce and you’re in the right area. Holland also have a Messianic Kevin Keegan figure lurking in the background, although the legendary but over-opinionated Johann Cruyff seems to constantly cast a shadow over everything that goes on with the national team. To put it mildly, his presence is not always helpful. The pressure on van Basten is perhaps relieved somewhat by the fact that he will step down after the tournament to take over at Ajax, with Bert van Marwijk coming in as his replacement however the team performs in Austria and Switzerland.

So who is going to make it to the last eight and maybe even beyond? Don’t put your house on Italy just yet. They failed to make it out of the group stages in Portugal four years ago despite being given the more modest company of Denmark, Sweden and Bulgaria. Two years later they were World Champions, but just as they rose to such prominence in such a short space of time, so they are well capable of falling from grace equally quickly. The French cannot be considered a shoo-in either. Scotland earned two victories over them in qualifying and could easily have been in the Alps at the expense of the Euro 2000 winners. With most Dutch journalists proclaiming their football to be in crisis, it seems that there is only Romania entering the start of the Group C campaign without any unwanted baggage.

Verdict; Romania to spring a surprise or two but ultimately Italy to prevail. Toss a coin between Holland and France for the second slot.

By Stephen Orford

29 May 2008

Squarefootball Diary; Easy For England; Cheeky Ched Wows Welsh; Baggies Get Moore

Squarefootball Diary - Wednesday May 28 2008

With many of Europe’s top footballing nations preparing for the start of Euro 2008 next weekend England warm up for their summer holidays with a 2-0 friendly victory over the USA at Wembley.

John Terry’s 38^th minute headed opener hardly makes up for his penalty gaffe in Moscow last week, regardless of how many times John Motson suggests it might. What it does is put England in command against a toothless, ambition-deficient US outfit. There had to be more, and just before the hour Steven Gerrard latches on to Gareth Barry’s sumptuous pass to steer home England’s second. Other than that Jermain Defoe misses enough chances to win three games while goalkeeper David James spends much of the sub-fest second half leaning against his post trying to dominate the high-scores list on the latest PSP title;

“John Terry is always John Terry, in good moments and bad. He has good charisma for other players, he is a natural leader.” says Fabio, who handed the captain’s armband back to the former skipper for this one;

“The team played like in training.” adds the Italian;

“The pressing and tackling were very good. We tried to win back the ball and we did this a lot of times.”

Wales also register a win, 1-0 in Iceland. Manchester City youngster Ched Evans sits it out for 41 minutes before replacing the unfortunate Carl Fletcher, and promptly announces himself onto the international scene with a clever back-heeled goal just moments from half-time;

“He stole the show, he can be pleased.” offers Wales boss John Toshack generously;

“We have shown today that with some top players out we have the strength in depth to cope and go to difficult places and win.” he adds, as Wales take the spoils despite the absence of regulars like Gareth Bale, Simon Davies and Danny Gabbidon, with Craig Bellamy only taking part for the last half hour from the bench.

Brian McBride missed out on the action at Wembley having retired from international football, and the former Everton striker won’t be turning out for Fulham any more either. The 35-year-old played a key role in saving the Craven Cottage club from relegation in the latter part of 2007/08, but leaves west London in favour of a move back to his homeland;

“I've always stated my intention to go home at some stage and this seems like the right moment to move on.” he explains;

“Brian McBride has been a fine ambassador for Fulham Football Club.” chips in Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson.

The day’s big transfer news is that Luke Moore joins West Bromwich Albion for a fee of around £3million. The Aston Villa man had been on loan at The Hawthorns and is allowed to make his move permanent despite impressing at Villa Park during the early days of Martin O’Neill’s reign;

“I think Luke will be happy to start next season afresh. I'm sure he'll be looking forward to pushing his way into the team. That's how it will be.” offers the ever charismatic Baggies boss Tony Mowbray;

“You can become stale at the same place so this is a fresh challenge for Luke.” adds Mowbray.

By Stephen Orford

29 May 2008

Could Joe Lewis Follow Steve Bull?

Fabio Capello may have broadened the base of clubs providing players to his squad but it's still a bit of an eye opener to see Peterborough get a mention.

Keeper Joe Lewis is the man from the Posh in the party to travel to Trinidad- and he's having quite a season. Darren Ferguson paid Norwich City over £400,000 for him, despite the detail that he's never played for the Canaries first team.

Not that Lewis was an unknown. He'd been capped at England junior age levels and just needed a chance to play. Even he must be shocked to find himself in the England squad though.

Partly this is down to injury (the inevitable Chris Kirkland withdrawal) and partly Capello's willingness to experiment in friendlies. However, it also points up the dearth of top candidates for the keeper's jersey.

If Capello is moved to put Lewis on, he may break an England record. The word 'may' is deliberate because no player from the 4th tier of English soccer has ever been capped by England- but the Posh were promoted a few weeks ago so does it mean he's now a League One man?

We'll leave that to statisticians to argue about that but what would be certain is that he would be the first player from outside the top two divisions since Steve Bull of Wolves in 1989.

As well as Bull the others were;

Tommy Lawton (Notts County, 1947), Reg Matthews (Coventry City, 1956). Johnny Byrne (Crystal Palace, 1961) and Peter Taylor (also Palace, 1976).

Chances are that Lewis is just there to learn. Joe Hart seems poised to start but Capello might just offer the young tyro a second half run out and give Peterborough United their first ever England cap.

Transfer Speculation - Shaun Wright-Phillips to Portsmouth

With the World Cup qualifiers just around the corner Shaun Wright-Phillips faces a huge dilemma, does he stay at Stamford Bridge and try to have more of an impact or does he leave for a fresh challenge and the chance to put himself firmly in Fabio Capello's plans?

Wright-Phillips is a hugely talented individual and on his day he can tear teams apart with his blistering pace and dribbling skills. However, since moving to West London from Manchester City - in a £21 million deal - the England international has failed to produce the goods on a consistent basis. And contrary to popular belief it's not because he is not getting games. He made 27 starts in the Premier League last season, seven coming off the bench, but only managed to score twice.

Shaun has been a regular in the England set-up and has a Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup winner's medal to his name, but he has failed to cement his place in the starting 11 and looks like being behind David Beckham and David Bentley in the pecking order. At the age of 26 he has to seriously weigh up his options. At Manchester City he was unstoppable. He would burst down the wing, take defenders on and had an eye for goal, but Chelsea fans have only really caught glimpses of this kind of form.

But if anyone can get the best of people and rekindle their former glories it's Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp. He has rejuvenated David James's and Sol Campbell's careers and looks like giving Jermain Defoe that extra boost to his international hopes. Wright-Phillips would be assured a first team start and would have European football to look forward to. But best of all Harry would tell him to go out there, play without fear and enjoy himself.

The Sun (29/5/08) claims that Redknapp is prepared to pay £10 million to get Wright-Phillips, half of what Chelsea paid for him two years ago. Having just won their first FA Cup in 69 years Portsmouth are definitely a club on the up and Redknapp is desperate to improve his squad further ahead of their UEFA Cup exploits this season. Wright-Phillips would be a wonderful acquisition to the ranks at Fratton Park. However, with a new manager seemingly imminent at Stamford Bridge, Shaun must wait to find out if he is rated by the new manager and what style of football the new gaffer wants to implement.

With the resources at Chelsea's disposal they will always be in the running for the major honours and it would be tough for Shaun to give up on all of that. But if the new boss doesn't rate him there will be no shortage of suitors looking for his signature. However, this speculation could rumble on well until August.

Road To World Cup 2010; England v USA Analysis

It’s at least two years until England will have the chance to step on to the field in a major tournament but preparations for the start of qualifying for World Cup 2010 continued as the USA came to Wembley on Wednesday (May 28).

Goals from John Terry (captain for the night) and Steven Gerrard gave England a comfortable 2-0 win against a tepid opponent. A slow first half hour was followed by a reasonably bright performance by Capello’s troops. In particular their new-found reluctance to thump the spherical thing as far and as high as possible was highly refreshing even if many of their short passing movement came to nought in the end.

It was a friendly international which the most generous critics branded ‘meaningless’ but manager Fabio Capello will see it quite differently. So keen was the Italian to run the rule over his squad that he named the 18 members of it who did not make the starting line-up as substitutes. Curiously those 18 included Joe Cole who has been one of England’s less useless players in recent times. Cole has had a long and ultimately emotion-sapping season with Chelsea, but then so have Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard who all made the run-on 11.

Ignoring an England defensive unit which had the cigars on for almost the entire evening, the questions continue with Capello’s decision to shoe-horn Lampard and Gerrard into the same midfield. Football coaches, philosophers, nuclear scientists and four-pint pundit’s the world over have struggled to come up with a theory on why the two just cannot click together but if they are unanimous in one thing it is that one of them has to go. Namely Lampard. Capello disagreed against Bob Bradley’s side, all of which saw Gerrard shoved out to the left wing. The same left wing normally occupied by the unfortunate Joe Cole, who may have one or two concerns given the nature of Gerrard’s performance. His link-up play with Wayne Rooney in particular was at the heart of many of the threats that England posed on the night, with the Liverpool man capping his display with his second half goal.

Meanwhile Lampard trudged around the centre of midfield alongside Owen Hargreaves doing not very much of anything. Hargreaves seemed by far the busier and certainly the quicker of the two both in mind and body. Lampard was withdrawn to allow Barry his opportunity, and within two minutes the Aston Villa man had created the killer second goal. It was the kind of pass that Lampard performs almost routinely in Chelsea blue, but of which he seems utterly incapable of with England.

Ahead of all these men of such contrasting fortunes Rooney and Jermain Defoe formed the central attack. Rooney played mostly a little deeper than the Portsmouth man, and twice narrowly failed to deliver the perfect service in behind the American central defenders in a flat first half. Much of the Manchester United star’s best work was done out wide and in tandem with Gerrard, though he created enough for Defoe to have at least registered his name on the score sheet. A sharp first half chance was skewed wide while two second half efforts by the former Spurs man were easily mopped up by substitute US keeper Brad Guzan.

The final third of the match was mostly a sub-athon, with all of David Bentley, Peter Crouch, Wayne Bridge. Glen Johnson aswell as Joe Cole and Barry called into service. None did themselves any harm, but nor will any of them hit the pillow tonight with the conviction that they have served up a performance which cannot be ignored by the manager. Most of those occupying the bench will hope for another chance at Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday (June 1), while it is expected that some of the bigger names may not be heading to the Caribbean.

A word or two must be reserved for David Beckham. The LA Galaxy pin-up was responsible for Terry’s goal, curling in a trademark free-kick from the right which sailed invitingly on to the head of Beckham’s successor as England skipper. From then on much of Beckham’s influence was, as ever, from set-pieces. He will most fondly remember his night for the formalities before the game, when immediately prior to a blood-curdling rendition of the USA national anthem from Kelly Rowland, Beckham was presented with a special plaque to commemorate passing the 100-cap mark by Sir Bobby Charlton. It was a fitting tribute to a man who has done so much for the national team down the years, but it has to remain open to debate as to whether he will really be part of the Capello plan for next season’s World Cup qualifiers.

By Stephen Orford

28 May 2008

Transfer Speculation- Alexander Hleb to Real Madrid

While Sir Alex Ferguson gets steamed up about Real Madrid's pursuit of Christiano Ronaldo, the Spanish club are also busy annoying Arsenal fans.

Alexander Hleb's agent has been gushing about what an honour it is for his man to be considered by Real- Arsenal are unlikely to see it that way.

To be fair to Real Madrid (though it is difficult), Inter Milan set this particular hare running by courting the Belarus midfielder but Bernd Schuster is firmly in the chase now.

The German boss innocently suggested that Real were unaware that Arsenal were prepared to sell but now that they know it, the All Whites are keen- no one believes that.

Like Inter before them, Real's strategy relies on unsettling the player and allowing Hleb and his agent to put pressure on the Gunners hierarchy.

Clearly Arsenal don't want to sell but neither do they want an unsettled player, or an asset that will leave for a paltry fee when the time comes (Hleb can buy out his contract for much less than a transfer would provide).

It's well known that Arsenal can't match the wages of other elite sides. However, Hleb has to work out if there is any other club better suited to his particular style of soccer.

At first glance Inter's approach isn't an obvious match and at the Bernabeu he's not likely to be the fulcrum that he's become at Arsenal.

There are few sides where the Belarus international would have such licence to drift from a wide position to the centre, or be encouraged to attempt so many 'killer' passes.

Arsene Wenger's main defence will be to try and persuade Hleb that Arsenal is the club where he can achieve his potential. As a player from a smaller nation, that means also convincing Hleb that the Gunners can win the Champions League, which would be the highest peak he could attain in his career.

When Real Madrid chase a player they often get him but Wenger may be able to persuade Hleb to stay. If not, expect Arsenal to drive a hard bargain- possibly in player exchanges.

Cristiano Ronaldo: The Real deal?

Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to be the focus of the major transfer saga of the summer. In previous seasons it has seen Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard or Patrick Vieira unsettled by the media speculation of a major transfer - and this year it appears to be Ronaldo. Last season Gabriel Heinze clearly wanted to move, before that Ruud van Nistelrooy had fallen out of favour, and in many ways so had David Beckham; so this would be the first time in recent years that United have been the victims of this particular type of media inquisition on a major player.

Obviously the boot has been on the other foot on several occasions; Michael Carrick from Tottenham, Louis Saha from Fulham, Rio Ferdinand from Leeds and Dwight Yorke from Villa were all examples of players that were prised from the selling club with some reluctance - even if the inflated transfer fee was some compensation.

Real Madrid would dearly love to introduce the player as a signing this summer to re-energise a talented if ageing squad. Most of the influential players at the Bernebau are around 30 years old and a 23-year-old would change the energy levels at the club somewhat. But they do have some difficulties.

Firstly, without Ronaldo coming out publically and asking for a transfer there seems to be little prospect of Manchester United volunteering a sale. Especially now that battle-lines have been drawn.

Real president Ramon Calderon is quoted as saying:

"We know [United] aren't a selling club. It is a problem between player and team."

A deliberately disingenous comment that was designed to suggest Ronaldo was actively considering a move. Behind the scenes there is little doubt that agents will have spoken to agents - no real need for a club to sully themselves with such things - and for Real to be this pushy suggests that the player would be open to the move.

But it also seems unlikely that Ronaldo will publically ask for a transfer. He is a team player with solid relationships with people at United - both players and management, and he recognises how much he has developed at Old Trafford. In addition Ronaldo also knows that United are likely to achieve great things in the next few years; whereas Real Madrid will expect him to be the catalyst for similar European Cup glory. With no guarantees United are a better bet for glory over the next couple of years.

All in all the likelihood is that Ronaldo would go to Real Madrid if given the chance, but will not agitate a la Heinze for any kind of move. At least not this season.

With four years left on his contract Ronaldo may well be happy to sit tight and pick up silverware at Old Trafford. It may not suit Madrid but in two years if/when contract negotiations break down, as they did with Beckham, then United would probably be far more amenable to a transfer discussion. But this summer Ronaldo will remain at United.

Euro 2008 interest - Tottenham Hotspur

Current players: Tottenham's England contingent will have a free summer after the failure to make the final stages of the tournament and the focus of interest for Spurs fans will now be on new signing Luka Modric.

The midfielder is expected to be one of the stars of the tournament as the key man in Slaven Bilic's Croatia side.

"Tottenham is perfect for Luka," said Bilic after seeing his star player move to White Hart Lane.

"Certainly better than, for example, Chelsea where he may have landed on the bench.

"At Tottenham he can get used to The Premier League. Modric will certainly be the star of the team."

Bulgaria (Dimitar Berbatov), Scotland (Alan Hutton) and Finland (Teemu Tainio) all missed out narrowly on a place in Austria/Switzerland meaning a decent rest for the majority of the Spurs squad.

Former stars: Striker Helder Postiga, the scourge of English hopes at Euro 2004 and now playing for Panathinaikos of Greece, takes his place in a Portugal squad hoping to go one better than four years ago.

Reto Ziegler, now of Sampdoria, missed out on a place in the Switzerland squad at the last-minute after some poor recent displays in the national team colours.

Transfer targets? Tottenham's name always features prominently in the gossip columns and a host of Euro 2008 participants have already been linked with a move to White Hart Lane.

Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet is finally set to be France's number one at a major tournament and has already said that he wants a move abroad in time for next season, although his latest comments include a threat to retire if interest does not materialise.

"I can swear that, currently, I have had no contact with any club," Coupet told L'Equipe.

"I have signed nothing and I have nothing planned. It is just a personal decision so far, a family decision.

The search for a new custodian has also seen Maarten Stekelenburg, back-up to Edwin Van der Sar in the Holland squad, namechecked as a target.

Coupet's international team-mate Nicolas Anelka has also been mentioned as a Tottenham target.

Lazio's Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami will be an influential figure for the joint-hosts. His name has been mentioned in connection with a £9.6m move to Spurs this week.

Transfer Speculation- Daniel Alves to Manchester United

How many times can one player be linked with a move to the Premiership? Yet again Seville's Daniel Alves is being touted for a move to England.

The proposed destination has changed though. For two seasons the Brazilian has been closely linked with Chelsea- but then again who hasn't? And Liverpool have also been high on the possibles but this time Old Trafford is the place.

Reports in the Daily Mirror suggest Sir Alex Ferguson wants to get his transfer business over nice and early, just like last summer. With the added cachet of being European champions, now could be the time to prise the right back from Andalucia.

Continuing doubts about Gary Neville's recovery make the number 2 shirt a priority for cover and Alves would add to United's explosive attacking potential.

With Chelsea having signed Europe's other most tracked right back- Jose Bosingwa- United would like to reply in kind. Wes Brown is a solid performer in the role but lacks the edge going forward that Alves offers.

Of course we have been here before. For two seasons pundits have been expecting Alves to leave Seville but this summer could finally see it happen. However, United can expect stiff competition for such a talent.

The Mirror thinks £15 million would be required- a high fee for a full back but then Alves is more of winger than a pure defender. It's the sort of marque signing expected of European champions, so this story could well be a runner.

End Of Term Report; Tottenham Hotspur

A bitterly disappointing Premier League campaign was sweetened by a first trophy success in nine years for Tottenham Hotspur. The League Cup success of George Graham’s 1999 side was replicated by this current line-up, a fact made all the sweeter after a semi-final thrashing of Arsenal and a final day humbling of Chelsea.

Yet after finishing fifth in both 2005/06 and 2006/07 Spurs were expected to mount a serious challenge to the top four’s stranglehold. That challenge never materialised as a slow start to the season saw manager Martin Jol dispensed with following a 2-1 UEFA Cup defeat to Getafe in late October. The White Hart Lane club went on to reach the last 16 of the competition before unluckily falling to PSV Eindhoven, but by then Jol’s promising time in north London was but a distant memory.

Coming in to replace the former West Bromwich Albion midfielder was Juande Ramos. Having led Sevilla to back-to-back UEFA Cup victories and guided the Spanish outfit into the group stages of the Champions League Ramos arrived with a great pedigree. Yet even he found it difficult to improve Tottenham’s league form sufficiently as the team finally stuttered to an 11^th placed finish.

Ramos clearly felt that the squad he inherited from Jol lacked defensive solidity. Despite the squad already possessing the likes of Ledley King and Michael Dawson the Spaniard spent a total of £19million in January to bring in Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesbrough, Alan Hutton from Glasgow Rangers and Chris Gunter from Cardiff City. The improvement has been far from immediate, with all of Chelsea, Newcastle United and the eventually relegated Birmingham City managing to rattle in four goals in games against Ramos’ new look defensive unit. King’s on-going injury problems have been more than a hindrance, and it may just be that a good deal more solidity will develop should Ramos be able to partner King with Woodgate in central defence on a regular basis next term.

Whoever is paired in central defence will probably not be operating in front of Paul Robinson. The one-time England regular has become an increasingly peripheral figure at Spurs, with Ramos preferring to select Radek Cerny in goal this past season. The Czech stopper played in goal 20 times for Tottenham, conceding 23 goals in that time before moving on to QPR on a free transfer in mid-May. It seems that Robinson is not set for a re-call, so expect Ramos to move for a replacement in the summer. Aston Villa’s on-loan Liverpool custodian Scott Carson is one name routinely linked.

Another of Ramos’ alterations to the squad saw Jermain Defoe finally leave The Lane. The vertically challenged marksman joined Portsmouth for £7.5million and promptly became the club’s top scorer with eight league goals after Benjani Mwaruwari left for Manchester City in the same deal. All of which meant that Ramos’ strike partnership of choice was Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, who between them managed 46 goals in all competitions and 30 in the Premier League alone. Interestingly the split was dead even, with both men netting 15 league goals and 23 in all competitions.

Yet that was one of the few aspects of Spurs’ season that provided anything approaching a pleasing symmetry. Encouraging wins were invariably followed by mystifying defeats in the Premier League, and it was only in the Carling Cup that Spurs attained any degree of consistency. The run began with a 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough in late September, and gathered pace with the disposal of Blackpool by the same score and Manchester City in what was Sven Goran Eriksson’s first home loss in charge of the Eastlands club. That set up a two-legged semi-final date with north London rivals Arsenal, who had knocked Spurs out of the competition at the same stage a year previously. Not this time, as a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium was backed up with a phenomenal 5-1 shellacking of Arsene Wenger’s side at White Hart Lane. At Wembley, Ramos outwitted Chelsea’s stop-gap gaffer Avram Grant to mastermind a 2-1 win. All of which proved enough to reduce Keane to tears of joy.

There were tears of a different kind in the UEFA Cup, where that last 16 tie with PSV went all the way to penalties before Jermaine Jenas and Pascal Chimbonda fluffed their lines. It was rough on Spurs who had fought back from a first leg defeat to level the tie thanks to Berbatov’s expert volley. In the FA Cup Manchester United proved too strong as two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and another from Carlos Tevez cooked Tottenham’s goose in the fourth round.

Looking to the future Ramos has already set about building on his squad with highly rated Croatian star Luka Modric joining from Dinamo Zagreb. The 22 year-old is a busy midfielder with no shortage of talent, and is tipped to be a huge success in England by his national team coach Slaven Bilic. The Croatian boss might know a thing or two about that too, after enjoying his own successful spell in England as an uncompromising centre half with West Ham United and Everton.

Of those possibly leaving the club Berbatov’s future still looks uncertain. Reports of his intentions seem to change by the day. Chelsea and Manchester United are among those who have long courted the Bulgarian star, but Ramos really needs to keep hold of his man given the effective rapport he has formed with Keane. Less importantly, Hossam Ghaly is likely to be on the move after it was revealed that even the hapless Derby County don’t want him around. Robinson will probably also go, but the rest is just gossip for the moment with speculation surrounding the arrival of Cruzeiro striker Marcelo Moreno aswell as Valencia midfielder Edu.

The League Cup victory is a success that Spurs fans are unlikely to forget in a hurry, but even they might feel that Ramos’ brief for 2008/09 should be to get the team challenging once more for Champions League qualification.

By Stephen Orford

26 May 2008

Chelsea: Who’ll Take Over From Grant?

Three moments from Avram Grant’s eight months at Chelsea stand out.  The first was the sight of him a passive by-stander as John Terry gave the motivational talk to the team ahead of extra-time against Tottenham in the League Cup final, the second was the crowd telling him that he didn’t know what he was doing in the final minutes of the game against Arsenal and the third was him falling to his knees after making it past Liverpool to the final of the Champions League.

What was particularly telling about that last incident was that there was no Chelsea player rushing to celebrate with him, much less to offer him congratulations.  It confirmed the over-riding feeling that he simply wasn’t good enough to be in his job, that Chelsea’s season was still on purely because the team was built on a number of highly talented and determined individuals.

All that might have changed if he’d managed to win either one of the League or the Champions League.  But Chelsea won neither – they even managed to lose the League Cup final – making Grant’s dismissal the least surprising outcome of the summer.

The Candidates:
Dick Advocat
Zenit St Petersburg’s success in the UEFA Cup brought him back to general attention but he’s been doing exceptionally well in Russia for quite some time.  He’s helped bring through a talented group of players and, most importantly, won the Russian title in the face of serious competition from the Moscow clubs.
Verdict: Experienced and capable, he has to be in the running.

Sven Goran Eriksson
With Grant being linked with the City job it is only fair to reciprocate by putting Eriksson in line to go in the opposite direction.  Has done fantastically well at City, got them playing attractive football and, importantly, has shown that he knows what it takes to beat Manchester United.
Verdict: An attractive option but perhaps not the first choice.

Guus Hiddink
Having been rumoured to be on his way to Chelsea innumerable times in the past, it is hardly surprising that he should be mentioned now.  Much depends on how Russia do at the European Championships next month and how much Abrahmovic is willing to upset people back home.
Verdict: Probably the best option.

Mark Hughes
For a player who only stayed at Chelsea for a short time, many at Stamford Bridge retain fond memories of him and he certainly seems to appreciate his time there.  Of the upcoming British managers he has to rank as one of the best and his ability to spot talent is impressive.  He has the experience and all the credentials necessary yet is his football attractive enough?
Verdict:  A (better than) good outside bet.

Michael Laudrup
The fresh face of European football did an exceptional job at Getafe in keeping them up and taking them to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup.  His lack of experience will count against him but Laudrup was wonderfully creative as a player and obviously loves his teams to play in a similar way, making him an intriguing option
Verdict:  His predecessor at Getafe got the Real Madrid job so there’s no counting him out.

Roberto Mancini
Mancini has never made any secret of his desire to manage in England, having played out his career at Leicester, and he has been linked to the Chelsea job recently.  Did excellently to get Inter winning in Italy even if the experience has been soured by the club’s struggle in the past six months.  His reluctance to commit himself at Inter indicates that he’s waiting for another job to become available, something that might just have happened with Grant’s dismissal
Verdict:  Would need some time but there’s no doubting that Mancini, much like Mourinho, is a born winner.

Jose Mourinho
Come back Jose, all is forgiven?  Well, not quite even if the fans still adore him it would be an incredible turnaround if the club’s senior management were to ask him to come back especially given how much they paid to get rid of him.  Yet there still remains the feeling that it will be a struggle to find someone capable of guiding the team better than him – and there’s no way that Jose would have allowed his players to lose both the league and the Champions League – so he’s surely worth being kept in the frame.
Verdict: The fans would love him back as would the players but it is hard to see him return

Frank Rijkaard
When Theo Ten Cate moved to Stamford Bridge in January, many saw this as the first step that would eventually lead to Rijkaard’s eventual appointment.  With Ten Cate’s position rumoured to be under review, holes have been blown in that theory yet Rijkaard still continues being mentioned.  The memory of his great side from two years back remains and he can certainly get his team to play attractive football, something that seems to be much sought after at Stamford Bridge.  Yet this past season at Barcelona was abysmal and there are serious doubts as to whether he can handle big name players.
Verdict: The way his teams play makes him an attractive option.

Who's next in Mandaric's line of fire?

Ian Hollway's exit from Leicester City came as no real shock to the football world. After all he had just guided the Foxes to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history and Milan Mandaric isn't exactly known for his patience with managers.

So as Leicester City prepare for life in League One who is going to be the next manager to step into Milan's line of fire? Here I take a look at some of the front-runners for the vacant post and assess their chances of becoming Milan's lucky seventh.

Billy Davies

The former Derby County boss worked wonders in taking The Rams to the Premiership but he wasn't given the time, support or resources to keep them there. He had a fraught relationship with the club's board and following an awful start to the season Davies was shown the door at Pride Park. Rumour has it that Mandaric is a huge fan of Davies and has been linked with him twice previously. After managing in the Premiership this would be a huge step down for the former Preston and Motherwell coach but he must be itching to get back in the dugout. I'm not sure that his appointment would be warmly received by the Leicester faithful but promotion back to the Championship is the key for the season ahead and Davies certainly has the skills to achieve that.

Paul Lambert

The former Celtic and Borrusia Dortmund midfielder is currently available after he resigned from Wycombe Wanderers. His decision to walk away from Adams Park came as a surprise to most people and he was instantly linked with a move to Leicester City. It's fair to say that the former Scotland international wasn't universally loved by the fans at Wycombe despite taking them to the play-offs and guiding them to the League Cup semi-final. He has only been a manager for three seasons but possesses a wealth of experience from his playing days. He won the Scottish Cup with St Mirren as a youngster, the Champions League with Borrusia Dortmund and swept the board with Glasgow Celtic. He certainly has the credentials to be a successful manager but I believe that getting Leicester back into the Championship at the first time of asking is too much of an ask for him at this stage in his career.

Simon Grayson

Old Larry spent five years at Leicester City and is a huge favourite with the fans. He won the League Cup with the club in 1997 before joining Aston Villa and would be a popular choice amongst the supporters. He is currently the manager of Blackpool and guided them to the Championship by winning the League One play-off final last season. He took the club on their longest winning streak in their history and has won two manager of the month awards. But he also signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club in December, 2007. Leicester City will always be dear to his heart but I think he has too much to accomplish at Bloomfield Road to think about moving on just yet.

Paul Ince

Whereas some other big name former players wait around for a club to give them a chance, Paul Ince hasn't been afraid to get his hands dirty. The former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder has been an overwhelming success as a manager and is seemingly destined for greatness. Some have even touted him to become the first black manager of England. He saved Macclesfield from the drop in his first season and has guided the MK Dons to League One as champions. But would he be willing to swap the stability of life at the Dons to take over at Leicester? I seriously doubt it.

Avram Grant

After coming so close to winning the Premiership and the Champions League with Chelsea, Portsmouth's former director of football, and friend of Milan Mandaric, has been shown the door at Stamford Bridge. Grant was never going to replace Jose Mourinho in the eyes of the Chelsea fans and even if he had completed the Double there was no guarantee that he was going to remain in the Chelsea hot-seat. So teaming up with his Mandaric will be like heaven for him! Some people criticised Grant's style of management but he got results. Whether he would relish the chance to manage in League One after rubbing shoulders with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool is debatable but it wouldn't surprise me to see Milan and Grant working together again.

Other names that have been linked with the job include Peterborough's Darren Ferguson, Bournemouth's Kevin Bond and former Luton boss Mike Newell.

Off the field Leicester City are geared up for life in the Premiership. They have the stadium, they have the fans and in Milan they have the finances. But what they need is a class manager and some decent additions to the playing staff. Mandaric has been slammed in some quarters for not allowing his managers time to prove themselves at Leicester but if Leicester City are to bounce back from this disappointment then Mandaric is going to have to make the right appointment for once and let him get on with it. But who is the right man for the job?

Calling all Leicester City fans. Who do you want as your new boss and why? Do you blame Holloway for your demise or Mandaric? Do you believe Mandaric can appoint the right man? We'd love to hear from you.

Euro 2008 interest - Chelsea

Current players:

Although their England contingent will be absent from Euro 2008, Chelsea will still be well represented at this summer's tournament and a number of Blues' stars will be looking to go one better after their recent near misses at club level.

Petr Cech is a certain starter for the Czech Republic while Michael Ballack is the key man for a Germany side well fancied to lift the trophy

France's 30-man provisional squad contained the names of Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka while Portugal have also three Chelsea men in their ranks where Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira are joined by new £16m signing Jose Bosingwa.

The forgotten man of Stamford Bridge meanwhile, Dutchman Khalid Boulahrouz is battling with Andre Ooijer of Blackburn and Wigan's Mario Melchiot to make the cut for for the Netherlands squad despite injury problems that have plagued his season on loan to Sevilla.

"I do not need all three of them, so one of those three will drop out," said manager Marco Van Basten.

Former stars:

Lassana Diarra has been named alongside Makelele, Malouda and Anelka in the initial France squad while goalkeeper Jurgen Macho, whose Chelsea career comprised no senior appearances whatsoever, will be hoping to make an impact for hosts Austria although ex-Arsenal man Alex Manninger is likely to be first-choice.

Melchiot is up against Boulahrouz for a place in the Dutch party alongside Arjen Robben while a potential star of the tournament is former Stamford Bridge striker Adrian Mutu.

After leaving England under a cloud, the Romanian has revived his career in Italy and is the key figure for his national side

Transfer targets?

Avram Grant's weekend sacking means the likes of Portugual boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will be linked with Chelsea over the next few weeks. Scolari's key playmaker Deco has also been mentioned as a possible Blues target in the past.

Guus Hiddink's name will also crop up in connection with the managerial vacancy despite his recent contract extension to coach the Russia side until 2010.

France's hot properties, Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema are both being touted for moves to top European clubs this summer as is Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax and Holland.

Chelsea; Grant Saga Reaches Inevitable Conclusion

The only surprise surrounding the dismissal of Avram Grant as Chelsea manager earlier today (May 24) is that there are still people who believe that a couple of trophy successes could have saved the Israeli’s job.

While defeat in the Champions League final and the Carling Cup final and a second-placed Premier League finish represent an unwanted hat-trick, victory in all three would still not have been enough to convince the Chelsea board to retain the 53-year-old. Grant was nothing more than a stop-gap, and there is every chance that he knew it. He signed a four-year contract upon being appointed in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s equally nonsensical departure, but surely did so simply to ensure a reasonable pay-off. After all, how much would you want to be paid to enter into a job that you had no chance of retaining, and which brought with it fierce press criticism and a lack of popularity with fans not seen since George Graham took over at Tottenham Hotspur?

Yet in finally putting Grant and the rest of us out of our misery, the Chelsea board has proven once again that they have no idea how to run a football club. Roman Abramovich’s billions have ensured a degree of on-field success over the last few seasons but in truth it would be hard not to be successful with that kind of backing regardless of what is going on behind the scenes. The awful truth is that Peter Kenyon, Bruce Buck, Abramovich et al are under the misguided notion that they are running Real Madrid. They believe that they have a divine right to win everything and have decreed that failure cannot and will not be tolerated. Actually, strike the word ‘failure’ and replace it with the phrase ‘second place’.

Any other club would have seen Grant’s achievements as a measure of success and a platform from which to build another challenge for honours next season. Not Chelsea. Not this overblown, over-hyped, power-hungry obsessive lot. After Grant’s dismissal even Buck argued against himself, commenting that “although we never would have thought in September when Jose Mourinho left that we would be able to make it into a Champions League final as we did - and that is fantastic - Chelsea are here to win trophies.”

What’s that Bruce? He’s exceeded your expectations so you are going to sack him? Explain to us then how exactly could he have kept his job? Chelsea came within a coat of paint of being crowned champions of Europe when John Terry’s penalty skimmed Edwin van der Sar’s left hand post in Moscow, yet one suspects that even if the former England captain had converted the situation would be no different today. The Chelsea hatchet men would have come up with an alternative reason to make a change at the top.

And why? Because not only do Abramovich and his cronies want to win, they want to do it with style. Grant’s Chelsea were not tactically dissimilar from Mourinho’s version, and were widely criticised for their style of play. Indeed it is reasonable to argue that their economic attacking intent was partly responsible for their inability to win the Premier League. It is no accident that Grant’s side went into the final round of games with a massively inferior goal difference to that of Manchester United. Yet for all that the Blues lost just four matches (including the Champions League final shoot-out defeat) in the eight months of Grant’s reign.

Even more important than adopting a swagger in their style, Chelsea must now also win with a so-called ‘big name’ at the helm. Grant just isn’t box office, not a man to put bums on seats at Stamford Bridge, and not a man to put the affairs of the club on the front and the back pages of the daily tabloids on a consistent basis. Mourinho was, but irritatingly he was not one for letting those at boardroom level decide upon the make-up of the team and the squad. Chelsea’s search for the ’right man’ for the job looks set to continue until they can find a superstar coach who doesn’t mind having a group of players foisted upon him by those at boardroom level and being told to get on with it.

Avram Grant only ticks one of those two boxes, and he and everyone else knew it all along.

By Stephen Orford

24 May 2008

Windass Provides A Boy's Own Story

Hull City getting to the top flight finally is a big enough story but the goal that took the Tigers up was actually scored by one of their own. 39 year old Dean Windass is Hull City to the core and he's had a hard road to each this late peak in his career.

The big striker was a Hull trainee in his youth, yet was released by his home town club and found himsef playing for local non-leaguers North Ferriby United- the man who let him go is Brian Horton, currently an assistant to manager Phil Brown.

Terry Dolan brought him back to the professional ranks with Hull City at the age of 22, which may explain his desire to play as long as possible. Windass had 4 years at Boothferry Park but the club seemed set on a downward spiral and he embarked on a nomadic career at the likes of Aberdeen, Bradford City and Middlesbrough.

Windass came back to Hull on loan from Bradford in January 2007- in the interim (he left in 1995) Hull had all but gone out of existence and nearly been relegated to the Conference. A move to the superb KC Stadium put the club on a sound footing but on his return they were facing the drop to League One again.

Despite his age the striker's goals kept Hull up and he earned cult status again. Remarkably Hull went from near relegation to the play offs this season. After 8 goals at the end of the last campaign, the veteran added another 11 this season.

Now he's scored the most important goal of his long career and from being rejected by his home club he's now become the man that gave them top flight football after 104 years of waiting (not forgetting former England man Nick Barmby- also a Hull man).

There was a time when soccer fans in Hull had given up hope of ever seeing top flight football in the city. Sporting prowess belonged to the two Rugby League sides but now the two sports are on an equal footing  for the first time.

Dean Windass may not play a game for Hull City in the Premiership (don't write him off though) but he's probably just become the most popular footballer in the history of the club.

Will Jose Mourinho Go Back To Chelsea?

The rumour mill is humming with reports that Avram Grant will be dispensed with at Chelsea but there's a fair amount of talk that his predecessor will replace him.

On the face of it there would be humble pie to be eaten by both Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich to make it happen but each may have their reasons to accept that.

The Russian owner has watched his side fall agonisingly short in 3 competitions- two Finals have been lost and the title was missed by a whisker. Exciting football may be the dream but winning football is the first priority.

For the Portuguese manager, it's been a long time out of the game. In the world of elite soccer a boss can't afford to be out of the way for too long , especially with this being a Euro year. Traditionally, the end of an international tournament cycle brings a raft of top coaches on to the market.

There are are only a few jobs that Mourinho aspires too and lot of them are tied up. There's no vacancy at Real Madrid and he isn't that popular at Barcelona; Rafa Benitez seems likely to survive at Liverpool and the Ferguson-Wenger double act  will endure.

In Italy Caudio Ranieri still has the Juventus job for now which leaves the Milan clubs. Roberto Mancini seemed a certainty to leave Inter but a third scudetto may have altered that. At AC Milan Carlo Ancelotti has underperformed but the hierarchy may well give him the chance to rebuild his ageing squad.

It is now conceivable that the only vacancy at the top of the 'Big 3' Leagues will be at Stamford Bridge- and the likes of Bayern Munich are also locked up too. Mourinho's choice could come down to Chelsea or a step down to a club below the super-elite.

Taking on a team without serious Champions League ambitions doesn't seem to be on Mourinho's radar. Coming back To Chelsea as a sort of Messiah could well appeal to his ego.

As for Roman Abramovich his low public profile means that any discomfort over a return for the 'Special One' will fall more heavily on Peter Kenyon and Bruce Buck than the owner.

Both parties would probably like to find an alternative but the logic of the market may force them together. it wouldn't be a surprise any more to see Jose Mourinho at the Bridge in August.

Transfer Speculation - Nicolas Anelka to Spurs

There are a number of players who would shed blood, sweat and tears for their clubs and team-mates - Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Cesc Fabregas come to mind - the type of professional that  fans can rely on in difficult times. 

But then there are players like Nicolas Anelka, or Le Sulk as he is most commonly known. The French international striker is more than happy to pick up his vast salary but ask him to take on any responsibility, like taking one of the first five penalties in the Champions League Final or playing in a position to suit the team and not himself, and he will pick up his ball and go home.

So why is Juande Ramos, who looked like building a talented and settled squad for the new season, being linked with a move for the troublesome striker? (The Daily Express 24/5/08)

Well everyone knows that on his day Anelka can be a match-winner. He knows exactly where the goals are, has vast experience of playing in the Premiership and we all know that if he gets away from the last defender there is simply no catching him.  However, Anelka is seemingly never happy with what he's got.

He first came to our attentions at Arsenal and seemingly had the world at his feet. However, his head was soon turned when the euros were flashed in his direction and he headed off to Real Madrid. But life at the Bernabeu was hardly a bed of roses, making just 19 starts and scoring only twice in a miserable season. He then returned to his first club Paris St Germain before being loaned out to Liverpool. Subsequent spells at Manchester City, where he spent a record three seasons, Fenerbache and Bolton Wanderers followed before Avram Grant offered him another crack at the big time with Chelsea.

But since his £16 million move to Stamford Bridge he has failed to repay Grant's faith in him. He's scored just once in 14 appearances and has been frustrated at how he has been deployed under Grant. So much so that after missing the decisive penalty in the Champions League Final, instead of feeling sorry for the fans and team-mates that he has let down, he launched a scathing attack on the club. Not exactly the type of guy you'd want to have in the trenches with you is it?

Tottenham have made great strides under Ramos and the signing of Croatian midfielder Luka Modric illustrates that the club is heading in the right direction. But if I was a Spurs fan I'd be very concerned about the possibility of Anelka heading to White Hart Lane. How would he get on with Berbatov, who is another sulky but extremely talented player, and Robbie Keane, who isn't afraid to vent his frustration? Would Anelka's arrival lead to the departure of either Berbatov or Keane?

With a few more useful additions Tottenham fans can expect an exciting season ahead, but I feel that Anelka's arrival, which would cost the club about £15 million, could potentially scupper all that.

Calling all Tottenham fans. Would you be happy with Anelka joining your club? 

Euro 2008 interest - Manchester United

Current players: A relatively small number of Manchester United players will be in action at Euro 2008 this summer, something that will no doubt please Sir Alex Ferguson as he plots the way to more glory for the Reds.

Even better for Fergie of course is the fact that it is England's failure to reach the final stages of the tournament that means Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Rooney among others will get a decent summer break.

Christiano Ronaldo will be there and is expected to be the star of the show as Portugal look to go one better than in their homeland four years ago.

"There is no doubt that Ronaldo is in great form but I cannot guarantee he will be in the same form as he's been at Manchester United," said coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has also named Nani in his squad for Austria and Switzerland.

Patrice Evra has been named in France's provisonal 30-man squad for the competition while Edwin Van der Sar of Holland will bow out of international football after the tournament.

Evra is keeping his focus on the upcoming games despite the temptation to celebrate following United's Champions League victory.

"It was good, I didn't really party a lot because after tomorrow I need to go with the national team," he said. "I don't drink alcohol anyway."

Tomasz Kuszczak, deputy to Van der Sar for the majority of the season at Old Trafford, willl perform a similar role to Celtic's Artur Boruc during the tournament.

Former stars: Henrik Larsson will enjoy yet another swansong to his seemingly endless career after coming out of international retirement for a second time.

"When I last retired, I didn't think I'd be playing this long and that it would go this well," he said after being named in the Sweden squad.

The Holland party meanwhile contains Ruud van Nistelrooy, now back in the international fold after patching up his differences with manager Marco Van Basten

Transfer targets? Reported United targets Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso of Sporting Lisbon are part of the Portugal squad while a potential star of the tournament, Karim Benzema of Lyon and France is a player long linked with a move to Old Trafford.

That description applies also to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of Ajax and Holland, for whom a big Euro 2008 will equal a big money move in time for next season.

Transfer Speculation- Gregory Coupet to Spurs

Ever since Juande Ramos appeared in the Tottenham dugout Paul Robinson's future has been in doubt.

Speculation on potential replacements has been rife and French star Gregory Coupet is the latest name in the frame. Lyon have issued a sharp hands-off warning but French journalists also reported that the champions are looking at other keepers.

The flamboyant Coupet is 35 and though Lyon have him on a long-term contract, their hierarchy might consider a £2.5 million fee (according to the Guardian) good business.

Like most of the Lyon regulars Coupet has French titles to burn and he may fancy a crack at the Premiership to end his career.

Set against that, Lyon has Champions League soccer to offer and there is a sense at the club of unfinished business- the serial title winners have been knocking on the door for several seasons.

This is where Spurs fans find out how far the Ramos reputation carries in Europe. His pitch to Coupet is unlikely to be limited to UEFA Cup aspirations and if the French keeper is convinced of the potental, he may start 2008/09 at White Hart Lane.

Spurs fans should get a good look at him over the summer, because there's every chance Coupet will add to his 27 caps at Euro 2008.

Aston Villa's potential line-up for 2008/9

In the modern game football is as much about squad power as the strength of the first team. Liverpool may have made a better fist of a title challenge with stronger back-up; and Villa could well have snatched fifth place if they were not so reliant on a handful of players. Most of the top Premier League sides look for 15-20 players to appear 15-20 times in the league season, for example Manchester United had 18 players in this category and Everton had 15. Villa could only muster 16 players who featured more than 8 times in the league.

As a result the 2007/8 Villa team almost picked itself:

Carson (35 league games) Bouma (38), Knight (27)/Davies (12), Laursen (38), Mellberg (34) Reo-Coker (36), Barry (37), Petrov (28) Young (37), Agbonlahor (37) carew (32)

On top of this Craig Gardner (23 league games) has looked impressive, Marlon Harewood (23) has almost exclusively featured from the bench and Shaun Maloney (22) has agitated for a move.

But beyond these 15 only Luke Moore (15 league games), who spent part of the season at West Brom, has featured to any real extent.

Many managers will look to pick off the stars of the relegated sides, plus the big spending sides in transition - like Spurs, West Ham, Man City and Newcastle; so there will be plenty to choose from this summer before even considering the break-through players at Euro 2008.

In goal neither Scott Carson nor Thomas Sorensen is a certainty to remain, so a move for Paul Robinson from Spurs (who seem certain to sign a new goalkeeper) would probably be possible for around £5m.

With Olof Mellberg already gone a right back is needed and perhaps Steve Finnan, probably available for £2m from Liverpool, would be a good stop-gap; but a decent, cheap European full-back is almost always an option these days. Another versatile defender would be very useful and with John O'Shea becoming peripheral at Old Trafford he would be an ideal addition for around £5m to offer six good defenders.

In midfield Steve Sidwell looks likely to arrive for £5m, probably at the expense of Stilian Petrov; but another midfielder needs to be added to offer more competition. James Milner could again come into the Villa frame from Newcastle, Stephen Ireland or Michael Johnson would offer ability and goals from midfield if the expected Manchester City clear out begins but the under-rated James Harper of Reading could be the best option, he scores goals has great energy and never misses games. All these options would fall into the £6m - £8m range. Obviously Gareth Barry needs to be retained or much of the other strengthening could be pointless.

On the wings Young and Agbonlahor looked tired at times in the latter weeks of the season and if someone versatile like Milner were brought in that would be useful, as would a straight alternative like Stewart Downing (£12m) - who would really make it competitive.

Finally Harewood is offering little competition for big John Carew, so an alternate target man like Dean Ashton (£8m) would be useful. Also one of the Reading forwards like Dave Kitson or Kevin Doyle could offer a plan B.

In the unlikely event that £45m is available for tranfers this kind of strengthening would build a squad capable of challenging not only Everton for fifth - but also the hegemony of the 'big four'. This kind of strengthening would therefore persuade Gareth Barry that he has a shot at the Champions' League - without having to move anywhere.

Aston Villa, possible 2008/9 line-up:

Robinson Finnan, Laursen, O'Shea, Bouma Harper, Barry, Sidwell Agbonlahor, Young Ashton

Subs: Taylor, Milner, Downing, Carew, Knight, Davies, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Maloney, Routledge

Transfer Speculation- Andrei Arshavin to Manchester City

No doubt about who the standout performer at last week's UEFA Cup Final was and Thaksin Shinawatra wants to give him the chance to shine at Eastlands again.

Andrei Arshavin proved a constant thorn in the side of Glasgow Rangers hard-pressed back line last Wednesday, confirming the good impression he made against England.

City's Thai owner appears to be taking a Continental approach to team affairs, aiming to present his new coach (probably) with his own signings.

According to the Daily Mirror, Shinawatra will attempt to tempt Zenit St Petersburg with an £11 million offer for the mobile forward.

Zenit aren't a club that have to take the money on offer, although the player might feel ready to test himself in another league. The thought occurs that if Arshavin is on the market, Manchester City will face tough competition for his signature.

The Mirror feels that the City owner needs to build some bridges to discontented fans and a grade 1 signing is required to convince Blues fans that the club is still moving forward, despite the uncertainty over the manager's job.

Worryingly for the supporters, the article says that the money for the deal will partly come from selling Richard Dunne, a player with a big following around Eastlands.

With rumours about Micah Richards future too, there are concerns that City might be beefing up the attack while neglecting the back.

Squarefootball Diary; Terry's Tears; Anelka's Fears; Fergie's Cheers

Squarefootball Diary - Wednesday May 21 2008

It’ll be knighthoods all round as Manchester United claim their third European crown. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side come through a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out to defeat Chelsea after an entertaining 1-1 draw in Moscow. Cristiano Ronaldo’s miss looked like it had handed the cup to Chelsea for the first time in their history, only for the toblerone-booted John Terry to slip over and fluff the kick which would have given his side victory.

Thus there were tears before bedtime (don’t worry John, think if the royalties on the book and the potential from pizza adverts) in a surprisingly epic encounter which also saw Didier Drogba sent off and fellow sulkmeister Nicolas Anelka also miss in the penalty lottery (also known as a test of nerve and skill).

Earlier it had been Ronaldo who lit up the evening, powering home Wes Brown’s slightly skewed cross with a majestic header beyond the reach of Petr Cech. A dominant United could and should have added a second through Carlos Tevez or Michael Carrick after a sizzling counter attack. The beast awakened, Frank Lampard showed again why fluke deflections are no fluke as he latched on to ricochets from both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand before coolly slotting past Edwin van der Sar.

Extra time was no less exciting, with Drogba and Lampard both rattling van der Sar’s furniture before the Ivorian striker was invited to leave the field by referee Lubos Michel. Typically pedantic pushing and shoving broke out after Carlos Tevez returned the ball to Chelsea in a manner the blues viewed as unsporting following a stoppage for a cramp epidemic. All of which somehow led Drogba to slap the face of Vidic in a scene which made the average Audley Harrison fight look brutal.

And so to penalties where the golden-bowelled Ronaldo escapes certain infamy thanks to the slippy surface, Terry’s incompetence and the psyched-out, morbid fear of Anelka;

“It's the first time I've ever won a penalty shoot-out in a big game.”

announces Sir Alex, sounding like an old lady who has finally won after 30 unsuccessful years at Gala Bingo;

“We had the best chances in the match. I thought they had a lot of control in the second half but then in extra time we got better.”

Chelsea boss Avram Grant was never going to lose without dignity like his predecessor, but he does his best;

“Except for the first 30 minutes we dominated the entire game.”

he insists;

“We hit the post, we hit the bar, we did everything but score the second goal and then we lost. What can you say? We lost on penalties. I'm not happy and I don't think I will be happy for the next few days. It will take a long time to get over this.”

By Stephen Orford

22 May 2008

United Win Brings England Level With Spain and Italy

Whatever happened in the 2008 Champions League Final, the night was significant because the victory brought English clubs level with their Italian and Spanish counterparts in European Cup/Champions League wins.

Manchester United's third triumph was number 11 for clubs from the English top flight - a figure shared by Serie A and La Liga. The English wins are;

Liverpool 5

Manchester United 3

Nottingham Forest 2

Aston Villa 1

This is the second period when England has enjoyed a period of ascendency in Europe's Premier competition. The first came from 1977- 82 when every staging went to an English side and that cancelled out the early years when Latin clubs won it every year.

It is now 2004 since a Final took place without a team from the Premiership. Aside from the 4 winners, Leeds United, Arsenal and now Chelsea have all reached the showpiece without lifting the prize.

Spain and Italy are still well ahead in numbers of finalists. La Liga has provided 25  and Serie A 20, compared to 16 from England. That gap looks likely to narrow over the next few years and exists becuse of the five year ban of English clubs post-Heysel.

No other country has provided 4 different winners and the London clubs will be desperate to add to that tally over the coming seasons.

Real English accent in the Champions' League final

To the many critics of the English game the big criticism is that the teams are stuffed full of foreigners. Michel Platini can conveniently forget the Real Madrid Galacticos bought in from all over as long as he can make a cheap shot about English football. Unfortunately for the likes of Platini the two English sides in the final are the most English of the 'big four'; an Arsenal / Liverpool final would have been far easier to criticize - and more difficult to defend.

The UEFA 6 plus 5 proposal where each club game starts with six players eligible to represent the country they are playing in (and five others) would hit some English clubs hard, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Portsmouth amongst the hardest hit. But not Chelsea and Manchester United who can already field an excellent full England team between them, despite having the resources to pack out a team from beyond these shores.

And neither would be significantly weakened by *having* to start with six Englishmen. A United team could easily contain six from Neville, Foster, Carrick, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Scholes and Rooney; whilst a Chelsea side with Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Terry, Lampard, Wright-Phillips and either Bridge or Sidwell would not be a disaster.

An England XI from Chelsea & Manchester United

Foster (MUFC) Brown (MUFC) - Ferdinand (MUFC) - Terry (CFC)- A. Cole (CFC) Hargreaves (MUFC) - Carrick (MUFC) Scholes (MUFC) - Lampard (CFC) - J. Cole (CFC) Rooney (MUFC)

Subs: Neville (MUFC), Sidwell (CFC), Bridge (CFC), Wright-Phillips (CFC)

Transfer Speculation: Steve Sidwell to Aston Villa (£5m)

In a development that has surprised just about no-one, Steve Sidwell has had few chances at Chelsea since his free transfer move from Reading in 2007. Like Scott Parker and more mystifyingly Wayne Bridge, Sidwell believed in his own ability, but has not been given the chance to prove it. Seven starts in league games all season and only a single FA Cup appearance since January - Sidwell must feel he is wasting his time.

Chelsea has a lot of expensive midfielders and given the interesting politics at Chelsea it is hardly suprising if the cheap players get squeezed out.

So Sidwell may have suffered from a lack of a price tag, but almost all of the signings from last summer are likely to move on this summer. Whether the reason is that they were without time to bed in before Jose Mourinho left, or perhaps it was that they were simply not good enough - it doesn't matter, a new manager generally wants 7 or 8 new players and recent signings are often the easiest to sideline.

Belletti, Tal Ben Haim, Pizarro and Sidwell are likely to move on this summer - of the final signings of Jose Mourinho's busy reign only Alex may have an extended career at Stamford Bridge.

So the Chelsea number 9 (are no traditions sacred) should be moving and just about every paper reckons that Aston Villa will be the benificiaries for around £5m. Sidwell will be a great addition to the Villa midfield, possibly as a direct replacement for Stilian Petrov who is a fading force. Given Villa's tiny squad (eight players started 32 league games or more) Sidwell is unlikely to be the last recruit.

Villa need a right-back to replace Mellberg, a goalkeeper if Carson returns to Liverpool and probably another three first team players to provide proper competition for places. Villa Park will be seeing many more arrivals in coming weeks.

This 18 will be picked for Manchester United in Moscow

It is interesting that Sir Alex Ferguson started the debate as to which members of his squad will be left out for the final.  And having got this far it is very unlikely that sentimentality will be a factor.  That means that the players in possession are unlikely to be unseated by either untried kids (no Theo Walcott type picks) or experienced club men who have been out of the team (obviously Gary Neville).

So with those two rules in place there really is little debate over the United line up.

Barring a late injury, Van der Sar will start and Kuszczak will be on the bench; Heaton will not figure.

In defence Vidic is the only doubt and a back four of Brown - Vidic - Ferdinand - Evra picks itself; if Vidic is unfit then Hargreaves is likely to come in at right back, with Brown moved to the centre.  John O'Shea is likely to be on the bench to offer cover across the defence, but Gary Neville simply does not have the match fitness.  With Pique and Silvestre likely to move on this summer they too should themselves in the stands for the final.

In central midfield Scholes and Carrick seem certain to anchor the midfield with Hargreaves likely to offer a tough tackling option to match up the central three for Chelsea.  Anderson is likely to offer cover for Scholes from the bench and one of Ferguson's favourites, Fletcher, may get the nod as cover for Hargreeaves and Carrick.

Park is another of Ferguson's favourites and he could well start instead of Tevez, especially if United want to keep possession rather than take risks.  Giggs will get a slot on the bench and could well feature after an hour.  Nani is more of a doubt and after his indiscretion against West Ham may well be vying with Saha for the final substitute slot.

Obviously Ronaldo and Rooney will start - unless Rooney is struggling then Tevez will start, but Tevez seems certain to feature at some stage.  Welbeck won't figure on the bench and if Tevez is there, Saha could find that his match fitness counts against him leaving him squeezed out.

Starting XI:
Van der Sar
Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra
Scholes, Hargreaves*, Carrick
Park, Ronaldo
Rooney

Subs:
Kuszczak
O'Shea
Fletcher
Anderson
Giggs
Nani
Tevez

Missing out:
Heaton
Neville
Pique
Silvestre
Saha
Welbeck

Manchester United squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Heaton; Brown, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Neville, O'Shea, Pique, Silvestre, Anderson, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Park, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Saha, Welbeck.

*Apologies for the earlier version of this article that featured only 10 players - a lot of pessimistic types out there felt that United needed 11 players so I've revisited!

Manchester United v Chelsea- What Choice For A Neutral?

The first ever All-English Champions League Final, yet this is a game that fails to stir the blood. Choosing between Man United and Chelsea is a thankless task.

Watching football matches without a point of view is a bit soulless but rooting for either of these teams is a struggle for the neutral. Partly that is based on the fact that both are so succesful- no obvious underdog to go for here.

Apologies to genuine Reds and Blues but each club has a fan base that carries with it a huge tail of glory hunters ready to gloat about the success of their side, or to bleat endlesslly about conspiracies that denied their side.

Not that the fans can be blamed for complaining about refereeing decisions as both managers have spent part of the season arguing that the officials are doing their level best to ruin their club's chances. They can't both be right but they could both be wrong.

In the boardroom? Well choose between a Russian billionaire who made his money in ruthless ways or a bunch of American carpet-baggers who bought into Old Trafford to make money pure and simple.

Both teams routinely strip Premiership rivals of their best players and operate on a business plan that sees participation in the Champions League as a right. Each club appears to view the FA and its rules as an irritation in the way of acquiring more wealth and power.

Both clubs have a talismanic player who spends more time on the floor that is strictly necessary. Both clubs are perceived - despite their own protestations- to get the rub of the green from officialdom.

The list could go on. Suffice to say that outside their respective fan bases most football fans enjoy seeing either of these sides come off the park defeated.

So who to go for? Chelsea because they have never won this before and Avram Grant isn't as annoying as Sir Alex Ferguson? Or Manchester United because they play better football and are a less manufactured side?

Perhaps the best policy is to start watching hoping for a goal in every attack, then see how the game develops. Treat that match like a spread bet and switch allegiances depending on which side is exhibiting the most paranoia or benefitting from the most luck- and hope they don't both get there next year.

Thursday finish in keeping with the strangest of SPL seasons

The Scottish Premier League title will be decided on Thursday night and the midweek finish is in keeping with the strangest of seasons north of the border.

Fixture pile-ups, freak weather conditions, accusations of favouritism towards and against members of the Old Firm, glorious European nights and three-figure crowds have all been factors in the 2007/08 campaign.

At the top, Celtic have shown amazing tenacity to stay in the title race to the extent that a third successive league crown is now within their grasp.

Question were being asked about Gordon Strachan's future earlier in the year but, faced with his first real challenge from Rangers since coming back to Scotland, the Bhoys boss has kept his cool and his faith in a squad that is now definitively his.

Over at Ibrox, Walter Smith's side could end up with 'only' two cups to show for what has been a colossal effort over the past nine months. Ultimately in Scotland it is the league title that matters but with the money generated from their success so far this season, Smith will be well-placed to improve his squad in the summer.

Motherwell's third-place finish signalled the re-emergence of Mark McGhee as a managerial force.

Labelled the new Alex Ferguson after his early success at Reading, McGhee returned to Scotland after becoming mired in lower-division obscurity in England and revitalised Motherwell to such an extent that they will be playing in the Uefa Cup next season.

McGhee also won huge praise for the way he led from the front after the death of Phil O'Donnell and his stock has risen to such an extent that Motherwell's main concern has been holding on to him.

European football and a talented young squad should ensure McGhee is at Fir Park next season however.

Dundee United also returned to the right end of the table under another manager who seems happy to be back in Scotland. Craig Levein led the Tannadice club to a League Cup final where they came within a whisker of beating Rangers and to some notable results in the league against the Old Firm. Celtic will be hoping there is not one more surprise to come on Thursday night.

Rangers run to the Uefa Cup final, Celtic's to the Champions League knockout stages and the welcome return of big European nights at Pittodrie were all high spots and all achieved by Scottish managers and a substantial number of Scottish players.

Home-grown bosses such as John Hughes at Falkirk and Craig Brewster at Inverness worked wonders with tight budgets while Alan Hutton and Craig Gordon's moves to the Premiership were clear indicators of the talent on show in the SPL.

On the downside, Gretna's first and only season in the top-flight has been little short of farcical from the word go. Forced to play at Motherwell's Fir Park, the illness suffered by benefactor Brook Mileson left them struggling to see out the campaign. Crowds of 501 and 431 attended two of their fixtures and extinction seems the most likely outcome of the financial crisis.

Gretna's imminent demise and the fixture pile-up that has dogged the SPL since the turn of the year may see an end to two of the League's recent innovations.

Having to play games away from their home ground while it was being renovated to meet SPL standards was a huge drain on Gretna while the splitting of the league into a top and bottom-six was rendered farcical by the sight of Rangers (currently 2nd), playing St Mirren (currently 10th) on Monday night, weeks after the split.

Hearts have again been dogged by accusations that owner Vladimir Romanov is taking too keen an interest in first-team affairs although matters have improved slightly since Stephen Frail was handed control of first-team affairs. He may not be around too much longer however as Mr Romanov has recently said that a more experienced manager was being sought.

Romanov also returned to a familiar hobby horse when presenting Hearts' annual financial results, claiming that the league in Scotland was fixed in favour of Celtic and Rangers.

Craig Levein was also forceful in his opinions after seeing his side defeated at Ibrox recently but the accusations of favouritism came from the top as well, with Walter Smith and Rangers seething over what they saw as a lack of help with fixtures arund the time of the Uefa Cup final.

Champions League Preview; Manchester United v Chelsea

Undoubtedly the biggest game ever played between two English clubs takes place on Wednesday (May 21) when Manchester United face Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow.

The Luzhniki Stadium is the setting for the first ever all-English final as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side go in search of a third European title and Chelsea chase their first.  United pipped Chelsea to the Premier League title just 10 days ago and will be looking to make it a double in the Russian capital.

Some argue that United’s title success gives them a psychological edge ahead of the final.  The theory goes that Ferguson’s men will be buoyant following their domestic triumph, allowing them to play with the kind of freedom which sees them at their devastating best.  Yet there is another train of thought.  Failure to capture the big eared trophy, particularly against English opposition would count as one of the most enormous disappointments in United history, and it would be a long time before those associated with the club could again reflect on the successes of the season.

Meanwhile Chelsea are playing under a different kind of pressure.  Having come up short in the league they stand on the brink of a trophy-less season.  Defeat in the Carling Cup final to Tottenham Hotspur in February piled the pressure on manager Avram Grant, and it remains unclear whether the Israeli coach will be at Stamford Bridge next season regardless of the result in Moscow. 

Yet Grant has recovered from that Wembley loss to lead Chelsea on a run of 15 games unbeaten in all competitions.  Their last loss of any sort came at the unlikely hands of  Barnsley in the FA Cup at Oakwell in March, but since then their Premier League scalps have included Manchester United.  Two goals from Michael Ballack helped Grant’s side to a 2-1 win over the Old Trafford club at the end of April, setting up a grand finale to the title race.

United take a squad of 24 to Moscow, with Nani available again after serving a domestic ban for his puerile head-butt on West Ham United defender Lucas Neill.  Wayne Rooney has returned from the hip injury he sustained in the defeat at Stamford Bridge a month ago, while Paul Scholes looks a certain starter.  The former England midfielder missed out on United’s epic triumph in Barcelona
through suspension nine years ago, but reports suggest that Ferguson will make the veteran playmaker the first name on the teamsheet.

Chelsea should field a full strength side also, but there will still be concerns about the fitness of  some key players.  Chief among those is John Terry who dislocated an elbow against Bolton on the final day of the league campaign, yet the former England captain is adamant that he will be ready to start.  Furthermore, central defensive partner Ricardo Carvalho has been troubled with a back injury recently.  Grant will need both his defensive lynchpins fit and ready to go full tilt if his side are going to nullify the attacking threat of Rooney and the incomparable Cristiano Ronaldo.

Didier Drogba has also been struggling with a knee problem, and his availability will be a key factor in whether Chelsea have the firepower to trouble a defence marshalled brilliantly by Rio Ferdinand, ably assisted by the injury-prone but outstanding Nemanja Vidic. 

For Chelsea, the decision on whether Ashley Cole or Wayne Bridge will be entrusted with the job of containing Ronaldo will be another huge factor.  Cole looks likely to get the nod, and will need all of his experience to contain the Portuguese.  If selected Cole will play in his second Champions League final having been on the losing side for Arsenal in 2006 against Barcelona in Paris.  Team-mate Juliano Belletti scored the winning goal for Barca that day, but looks unlikely to start at right-back after a disappointing season in west London.  Instead, Grant looks likely to move Michael Essien in to the full-back role, offering Jon Obi Mikel the opportunity in midfield alongside Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard.

Both sides have raised concerns about the playing surface in Moscow, and it is to be hoped that the ground staff can provide a pitch worthy of a showpiece event.  The media has been full of discussion about the pitch, which was re-laid after UEFA insisted that the Champions League final could not be played on the artificial surface which is normally used at the Luzhniki. 

Some might suggest that a poor surface suits the more aerial style of Chelsea, but the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Drogba, Lampard, Makelele and even Petr Cech has led some to suggest that Grant’s men will be at a disadvantage psychologically.  Tabloid tittle-tattle surrounding Ronaldo and a possible move to Real Madrid could redress the balance a little, but it is difficult to see the world’s form player being allowed to leave Manchester any time soon.

At prediction time one just hopes that the two sides produce better fare than was on offer during last season’s FA Cup final. Chelsea nicked a quite turgid affair by the only goal in extra time, as both sides succumbed to the morbid fear of losing a major trophy to a fierce rival.  The stakes are even higher this time around, but if pushed I would suggest that United’s attacking flair and Ferguson’s greater experience will just give them the edge in a tight one.

Verdict;  Manchester United 1 Chelsea 0

By Stephen Orford
20 May 2008 

Forget Ibrahimovic, Julio Cesar is Inter’s Real Hero

The headlines were, inevitably, all about Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  His two goals, scored after coming on as a substitute having spent the past two months recovering from an injury, were the ones that gave Inter the league title.  They also made him the obvious centre of attention of a side that had limped across the finishing line but one that could finally celebrate being the Italian champions.

His was a true Roy of Rovers ending to the season but it is impossibly hard to warm to Ibrahimovic who seems as arrogant off the pitch as he gives the impression of being on it.  When things aren’t going his way, he often seems like a petulant little boy who doesn’t want to keep on playing.  Yet he is also a great talent, one whose early season form paved the way for Inter’s sixteenth title just as much as he last day double.

Despite his crucial contribution, however, Ibrahimovic is far from being Inter’s best player this season.  That honour falls to Julio Cesar, their grossly undervalued goalkeeper.

While most of his team-mates’ form has fluctuated throughout the season, Cesar has been immaculately consistent, often keeping them in games where they would have otherwise been buried.  He seems to be the antithesis of the typical Inter player: consistent, likeable and came relatively cheap. 

He is also the exception to the unwritten at Inter rule which dictates that the more famous players have to play ahead of the rest.  Keeping goal before Cesar was Francesco Toldo, a ‘keeper still living off the reputation he had made for himself while playing for Italy at the 2000 European championships.

Inter fans had long since lost their patience with him, blaming his frequent inability to maintain concentration as one of the prime reasons for their failure to win anything.  Yet not even they would have replaced with an unknown keeper.  A Brazilian one to boot.

Indeed, Cesar could have easily been marginalised after a shaky beginning to his Inter career yet they persisted with him – again, untypical Inter behaviour – and they have been well rewarded. Apart from Buffon there is no better goalkeeper in the Serie A – indeed it is debateable whether the Italian number one has been better this season - with his reflexes and agility more than making up for his lack of height.

A tremendous block on Stefano Morrone, left unmarked at a corner, was his main contribution on the final day of the season but it was an incredibly important save: had Parma scored with the game tied at 0-0 and it is doubtful whether Inter would have recovered.  Cesar was there, dependable as ever and ready to do his utmost for his club. 

It has been the same all season long.  Saves don’t make headlines and often neither do goalkeepers.  Ibrahimovic’s impact on the game will remain as part of Inter’s folklore while Cesar’s save was lucky to make it into the game’s television highlights. 

It would be criminal if the same were to apply to their respective contributions over the season.

Transfer Speculation: Samuel Eto'o to Tottenham Hotspur (£24m)

Fresh from helping Boris Johnson secure an unlikely mayoral victory, now the Evening Standard (19.05.2008) is now trying to strengthen the Spurs team.  Though to be honest it will probably be easier to get Boris into number ten that it will to cajole Spurs to the Premier League title - and significantly cheaper.  After all paying for enough publicity to get a man elected as Prime Minister should be cheaper to finance than a Premier League title - or where have society's priorities gone?

Anyway The Standard is going with a £24m bid which is an outlandish sum considering Eto'o's form and fading personal motivation.  But, apparently, £8 more than either of the Milanese teams can muster.  If Spurs are considering spending this much money it is an indication that one of the other big money strikers would have to go - and given the long muttering campaign from Dimitar Berbatov's agent - he would seem the likely casualty.

A front two of Eto'o and Keane, with Bent as the back-up would form a beguiling strike force and if Downing or Bentley could be recruited to provide the bullets then the move to London could revitalise Eto'o.  At his best Eto'o is the best striker in Europe - but he has struggled for form over the past two seasons, which is why he is for sale.

If Tottenham can recruit Eto'o and he hits top gear then he could be a real catalyst for a top four finish - and a sure-fire way to forget Berbatov.

End Of Term Report; Everton

A second consecutive UEFA Cup qualification in 2007/08 represents success for Everton.

David Moyes’ side improved their league position by one place having finished sixth in 2006/07, both of which are a significant improvement on the 11^th managed in 2005/06. Yet Moyes may still reflect on a missed opportunity to claim fourth spot for a second time under his stewardship, and a place in the much coveted cash cow that is the Champions League.

For long periods of the season Everton looked as if they might sustain their challenge for a top four spot. Nip and tuck with Liverpool for that position most of the way, the Toffeemen fell away following a run which saw them pick up only nine points from their last nine Premier League outings. Aston Villa briefly threatened to snatch fifth place away from the Goodison Park side, but their 2-0 loss at home to Wigan Athletic on the penultimate weekend proved their undoing.

In truth it would have been harsh on Everton had they been squeezed out. Moyes operates on nothing like what you might consider a top five budget yet still manages to get the best out of his men. He has a few star men like the often masterful Mikel Arteta in midfield and the prolific £11million signing from Middlesbrough Aiyegbeni Yakubu, but his greatest achievement in his six years on Merseyside has been his ability to mould a modest squad into a force to be reckoned with.

Yakubu has been a major plus since his move from The Riverside, netting 21 times in all competitions this season including 15 in the Premier League. Not exactly revered for his work rate, the Nigerian nevertheless has few peers when it comes to the art of being in the right place at the right time and finding the onion bag. His form has been enough to force the previously heralded Andrew Johnson into the role of bit-part player, although some niggling injuries and perhaps a lowering of confidence have also played a role in the former Crystal Palace man’s reduced impact.

While Yakubu has been banging them in at one end, another inspired Moyes purchase has been shoring up the defence. Joleon Lescott is a versatile defender having operated at both centre back and left-back this term, and his form has been such that he has managed to break into the England team. Overall Fabio Capello’s side is a struggling one, but still it is no mean feat to break into the defensive shake-up in a squad which can call on such luminaries as Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Jonathon Woodgate and the rejuvenated Wes Brown. Yet Lescott has deserved his place among the English elite, and brings with him the extra bonus of a goal threat having claimed eight Premier League goals and 10 in all competitions this season. Only Yakubu has scored more often for the club in 2007/08 than Lescott, whose tally matches that of Johnson and the injury-prone Tim Cahill.

In many ways Cahill’s injury problems have highlighted the shortcomings of Moyes’ squad which eventually cost them Champions League football. The Australian goal-getter has not featured since the middle of March, and has appeared in only 28 of Everton’s 54 competitive matches during this campaign. His goal threat and energy from midfield has been sorely missed, and if he can put in a full shift next season then he could be the key to helping his side push on towards the top four. Moyes is likely to add to his midfield in any case, that after the news today (May 19) that veteran Lee Carsley has opted to join Birmingham City for 2008/09.

The 54 matches played by Everton include a fantastic run in the UEFA Cup. The Toffeemen suffered an unfortunate penalty shoot-out exit at the hands of Fiorentina in the round of the last 16, that after having beaten eventual winners Zenit St.Petersburg 1-0 at Goodison Park back in December. That result shows what can be achieved by Moyes’ men on the European scene and it would be unsurprising to find Everton in the latter stages of next season’s competition.

They also made progress in the League Cup, reaching a first League Cup semi-final in 19 years before falling to Chelsea over two legs in January. Their FA Cup form was less impressive, suffering the indignity of a third round exit to League One Oldham Athletic in what was easily their worst result of an otherwise positive campaign. Chief executive Keith Wyness recently commented that his club have been over-achieving, but if Moyes has anything to do with it then it might not be too long before top five finishes become the norm in the blue half of Merseyside.

And the top four? Well, they’ve been warned.

By Stephen Orford

19 May 2008

Transfer Speculation: Stewart Downing to Liverpool

Liverpool's drive to create a title challenging squad will be one the most watched aspects of this summer.  Rafa Benitez will be entering his fifth season in charge and the only areas that obviously need enhancing are at full-back and on the flanks.  Benitez likes Dirk Kuyt's energy and his potential goalscoring and so may not make the long mooted move for a replacement like David Bentley - well not until he has offloaded some of the many fringe players.  But with Harry Kewell on his way some competition for the impressive Ryan Babel on the left side of the attack is probably reasonable.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Liverpool will bid £12m for Stewart Downing, who is probably one of the best left wing crossers in Europe, scores around 10 goals a season and is often in England squads.  With these credentials surely Downing should be worth more?

Interestingly there has usually been a bidder for Downing most summers, Tottenham are the most commonly linked, but there is rarely much evidence of firm bids.  There is little doubt that the jinking, Downing would offer something different on the left hand side of attack - but do Liverpool have the players to benefit from the three or four beautiful crosses that he would curl into the box in a game?  When David Beckham was in his pomp he would also send lovely crosses in - but in those days Man United flooded the box with players.  In these more cautious times is an old-fashioned winger useful?

Downing would probably strengthen the side more than the well reported move for Gareth Barry (who would have to compete with Gerrard, Alonso, Lucas and Mascherano for a central midfield slot).  And would point to a more attacking intent.  Middlesbrough are in transition under Gareth Southgate and with so many excellent players coming through the youth team Southgate may feel that at £12m he can take a chance - in much the same way that Woodgate was allowed to move to Tottenham to allow Wheater to come through - on a sale.  Downing would not be the banner signing that many Liverpool fans crave, but he would certainly offer something different and improve the squad.

Transfer speculation: Gerard Pique to Barcelona

Manchester United joined in the fun of picking off the potential stars from continental teams in the earlier part of this decade; and in 2004 the two big captures were Giuseppe Rossi and Gerard Pique.  Rossi was acquired from Parma's reserve team and reluctantly sold on to Villarreal for £7m last summer; Pique was a trainee at Barcelona and it seems possible that he will return to Catalonia for a similar fee this summer.

United looked likely to lose Wes Brown this summer, which would have left Pique as the next in line behind Ferdinand and Vidic, but Brown's late change of heart has probably pushed Pique towards the exit.

Pique is an elegant defender, with a good range of passing and is a threat in the air from set pieces (scoring a goal at Roma in this season's Champions' League in that manner).  Last season he was loaned out to Real Zaragoza and played most of the season as a defensive midfielder - a position that may yet be his future.

The Daily Mail today report that Pique is to join Barcelona for £6 million, and the new Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sees the 21-year-old as the long-term partner for captain Carlos Puyol in the centre of defence; which does suggest that Pique would face a couple more years of frustration before he is likely to be a first choice.

Perhaps better for Pique would be to move to a club that could offer his immediate, regular football - perhaps linking up with Rossi at Villarreal, returning to Zaragoza or even moving in England to a team like Portsmouth (who have ageing centre-halves) or Newcastle United (who need decent defenders, in fact Newcastle always seem to need defenders).

Pique is a tall, elegant, versatile, modern player; comfortable right across the back four or as a defensive midfielder - it would be a pity if a sentimental return to Barcelona saw more frustration when what he really needs are games - games he seems unlikely to get at Manchester United - before his likely progression to full international status with Spain.

End Of Term Report; Arsenal

Their football was fluent, fluid and above all fun yet Arsenal completed a third successive season without any silverware.

Arsene Wenger’s side received many of the plaudits on offer for the brand of football they played in 2007/08, but ultimately drew criticism for leaving the party empty handed. They led the title race by five points in late February, but imploded after a run of just one win from their next eight Premier League fixtures. Still, their final tally of 83 points left them just four points shy of Manchester United’s championship-winning mark showing just what could have been.

And yet when one considers what the doomsayers were predicting before the season started Arsenal’s Premier League showing could be construed as over-achievement. The pre-season departure of Thierry Henry to Barcelona had most people predicting a troubled time for the Wenger Boys. They were all but written off as title contenders even then, only to thrive in the early part of the season. Many would argue that they prospered because rather than in spite of the loss of Henry, who many later reflected had become something of an obstacle to Wenger’s attempts to instil a real team ethic.

Among Wenger’s many great strengths is his continued ability to replace big names. No sooner had Henry left the foyer at the Emirates Stadium than the Arsenal faithful were lauding a new striking hero in the shape of Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international netted 22 times in the Premier League, a tally bettered only by Cristiano Ronaldo and equalled only by Fernando Torres. With Cesc Fabregas continuing to banish the memory of Patrick Vieira with some masterful midfield displays, Wenger’s new breed of Young Gunners were threatening to sweep up all before them.

The turning point arguably came on February 23 at Birmingham City. An early and horrific injury to another rising Arsenal star Eduardo left his team-mates visibly sickened and shocked, as Arsenal contrived to concede a late equaliser from the penalty spot after Gael Clichy’s rash challenge. The reaction of Gunners skipper William Gallas to the mistake and the result drew widespread condemnation, with the France defender choosing to respond by sitting alone in the other half of the field when he may have been better served following in the spot-kick in the hope of clearing any rebound off the goalkeeper. There was no rebound, but rather more damningly from that moment on there seemed to be no captain. Perhaps unwittingly Gallas had introduced a culture of blame among his team-mates, with a hopelessly over-hyped spat between Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner nevertheless adding more fuel to the fire.

Yet just as Gallas cannot realistically blame any of his team-mates for Arsenal’s woes, so their ultimate failures cannot be pinned entirely on the ex-Chelsea man. In addition to Eduardo’s injury Wenger lost the influential Tomas Rosicky for the latter part of the season. The Czech star has a knee injury which has kept him out of action since January, and which will keep him out of his country’s bid for glory at Euro 2008 this summer. Similarly Robin van Persie missed large chunks of the season with persistent injury troubles, depriving Arsenal of yet another creative force who could just have made the difference in turning all of those Spring-time draws into wins.

Arsenal’s frustrations in the league were mirrored by their efforts in the cup competitions. They were humbled 4-0 by Manchester United in an FA Cup fifth round tie, and that following a 5-1 Carling Cup semi-final second leg pummelling by Tottenham Hotspur in January. That Spurs went on to defeat Chelsea at Wembley to win the trophy added further insult, though to be fair Wenger continued his policy of offering opportunities to youth and fringe players in the domestic cup competitions.

The same cannot be said of the Champions League where the Frenchman’s dogged pursuit of a European title came to nought. Drawn against Champions League specialists Liverpool at the quarter-final stage an Arsenal side which had knocked out holders AC Milan in the previous round could only manage a 1-1 draw in the home leg against Rafa Bentiez’s side. They were then hit with the irresistible force that is a European night at Anfield, losing out 4-2 in an epic encounter which all but vanquished their hopes of picking up a trophy for another year. Of all the losses suffered by Wenger over the course of the season one gets the feeling that this was the one which hurt the most.

Wenger’s biggest problem now is holding on to the men who have helped shape his next potentially great team. Midfielder Mathieu Flamini was nothing but an adequate squad man at the start of the campaign, but thanks to Wenger finished it as a much sought-after midfield enforcer. His subsequent move to AC Milan was a worrying reminder of Arsenal’s reluctance or inability to compete with Europe’s best financially and the press are suggesting that more key departures are imminent. Cesc Fabregas is routinely linked with a move back to Spain every summer, but talk of Alex Hleb joining Serie A champions Inter Milan might have more credence. Adebayor has also felt the need to issue a denial of any intention to leave the Emirates Stadium club, but there is an old saying about smoke and fire which could apply.

If Wenger can keep the scavengers away from his players for a while longer he has built a squad which is very capable of ending the trophy mini-drought. Should he do so, he will do it with a footballing philosophy which will have even the most ardent anti-Arsenal man struggling to find fault with the style and panache on show in north London.

By Stephen Orford

18 May 2008

Argentina Clausura 2008 Weekly Review - Round 14

Despite seeing off Boca Juniors 1:0, Estudiantes surrendered top spot in the Argentinean Clausura to River Plate, with the latter moving ahead by virtue of now having a superior goal difference after their 4:2 win over Gimnasia La Plata.

Estudiantes left it late in beating Boca, with the only goal of the came coming from an Ezequiel Maggiolo header on 76-minutes. The defeat sees Boca slip down to sixth in the table, albeit still just four points off the top.

There was little surprise in the fact that River Plate overcame Gimnasia La Plata, although they didn’t have things all their own way. Ignacio Piatti gave Gimnasia La Plata the lead on 26-minutes and, although Matias Abelairas drew River Plate level 10-minutes later, Juan Niera had the visitors ahead again by the interval. The game was to swing decisively in River Plate’s favour though within less than 15-minutes of the restart, as Diego Buonanotte and Abelairas struck to put the home side 3:2 ahead and then Alvaro Ormeno picked up two yellow cards in the space of four minutes for Gimnasia La Plata. Ariel Ortega rounded things off for River Plate with a fourth goal on 74-minutes.

A third win on the spin moved Velez Sarsfield into third spot, with their 2:1 victory over Rosario Central moving them to within three points of the joint leaders. Teenage substitute Jonathan Cristaldo bagged his first goal for the club on 61-minutes to put Velez ahead and Damian Escudero added a second goal with just seven-minutes remaining. Mario Paglialunga pulled a goal back for Rosario on 86-minutes, but there was no denying Velez Sarsfield.

Level on points with Velez Sarsfield is San Lorenzo, who missed the chance to join the leading duo as a result of a 1:0 home defeat to Independiente. Guillermo Rodriguez struck the only goal of the game immediately after the break, securing a fifth straight win for Independiente and pushing them up to fifth in the table in the process.

Another form team is Arsenal de Sarandi, who stretched their unbeaten run to five league games with a 1:0 win at home to Tigre. Pablo Garnier scored the only goal of the game on 51-minutes. Elsewhere there was a first home loss of the campaign for Newell’s Old Boys, with Huracan coming away with a 1:0 victory courtesy of a Federico Nieto (one time Rangers loanee) header a couple of minutes prior to the interval.

Racing Club missed a chance to ease their relegation worries in only managing to secure a 1:1 draw at home to Argentinos Juniors. Nestor Ortigoza had the visitors 1:0 up within two minutes, but a Franco Sosa header on 41-minutes ensured a point for the strugglers. That was not enough to extricate them from the bottom four of the Promedio though, so a promotion/relegation play-off still beckons as things currently stand.

Almost certainly consigned to the play-offs is Gimnasia Jujuy, who were only able to secure a 2:2 draw at home to Colon (one of the teams just above the danger zone). Ruben Ramirez put Colon a goal to the good on 13-minutes, but two goals in a minute from Luciano De Bruno and Cesar Carranza had Gimnasia Jujuy 2:1 up by the 27th minute. Colon battled back though and Ramirez secured a potentially crucial point for the visitors with his second goal of the game on 52-minutes.

Automatic relegation is looking increasingly certain for Olimpo and San Martin San Juan after both went down to 2:1 defeats at the weekend. Banfield saw off Olimpo 2:1, with all the goals coming before the break. Luciano Civelli scored the opener for Banfield on four-minutes, but Josemir Lujambio put Olimpo back on level terms on 32-minutes. Jeronimo Barrales netted the decisive goal for Banfield a minute before the teams went in for their half-time cuppa.

San Martin San Juan also lost 2:1, but their defeat at home to Lanus was particularly heartbreaking. League top scorer Martin Bravo had bagged his ninth goal of the campaign on 12-minutes to put the home side ahead, but any hopes of a potential lifeline in their battle to beat the drop was taken away when Lanus struck twice in stoppage time through Emir Faccioli and Jose Sand.

Results:

Arsenal de Sarandi 1 Tigre 0
Gimnasia Jujuy 2 Colon 2
Banfield 2 Olimpo 1
San Martin San Juan 1 Lanus 2
Velez Sarsfield 2 Rosario Central 1
Racing Club 1 Argentinos Juniors 1
Estudiantes 1 Boca Juniors 0
River Plate 4 Gimnasia La Plata 2
Newell’s Old Boys 0 Huracan 1
San Lorenzo 0 Independiente 1

Liverpool: A Different Kind of Brilliance

There is something reassuringly familiar about Lucas Leiva, a style of play that recalls happier days for Liverpool.  Get the ball, pass it on to the nearest red shirt and then move on in readiness to get it back: that used to be the Liverpool way and that is how Leiva plays his football.

In a way, this explains why so little has been said about him.  Lucas blends into the side seemingly doing nothing special, certainly not anything that gets him easily noticed.  Look closer, however, and the understated importance of his play will become obvious.

Take his passing.  Unlike others he is not one for the long cross-field pass but often tends to look around him for players who are in space. It could be construed as lack of ambition or talent but in truth it is simply another way to keep the move going.   Especially because of what Lucas often does after each pass: move forward and get ready to receive the ball again.

In other words, he always makes sure that there are options and outlets for those around him to allow Liverpool to move the ball forward and past any pressure that there might be on the midfielders.   Far from being a risk free approach, Lucas is in more danger of looking inept if possession is lost than it is if a longer range pass goes slightly wayward.  Yet it offers a different dimension to Liverpool’s play.  Too many teams have latched on to the fact that Xabi Alonso will cut you in half if you give him space on the ball.  Press him, however, and his effectiveness is greatly reduced.

Of course the thing with Alonso is that he is far too intelligent to be easily cornered but the availability of a player like Lucas ensures that there are different alternatives available for Liverpool.

This wasn’t always apparent this season but there were enough instances to indicate that it is what Benitez is thinking of.  Especially towards the latter part of the season when Lucas started being given more opportunities – possibly because it was felt that the player had really started to settle in – and as a result he began to really show what he’s all about.

It was then that more started to emerge about his game.  His reactivity, for instance, and how he immediately starts pressing whenever the ball is lost.  Or his defence splitting passes such as the one that put Pennant through on goal against Fulham.  Such instances hint at how much more could come from him.

Not that this should have been in any doubt.  This was a player who had been a regular for one of Brazil’s biggest sides since he was eighteen, a side he had captained as well as playing a major role in its progress to the final of the Copa Libertadores.  And this is a player who is a regular member of Brazil’s squad, someone who is rated very highly by coach Carlos Dunga.

Perhaps it is because he has already achieved so much that such high expectations are place on him.  Not even that, however, justifies the claims that his has been a disappointing season.  He might need to improve in certain areas – which player his age doesn’t? -but he that doesn’t diminish the fact that he is an exceptional talent.

Avram Grant should realise that it's all about ...

... timing.  It's been an odd few weeks for the best Israeli manager in English football.  Widely derided and assumed to be on his way out, Chelsea fans turned on him on 23 March.  That was when Chelsea seemed to be slipping out of the title race as Arsenal were beating them 1-0 at Stamford Bridge with 20 minutes left.  The chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' were quickly stifled as two late Drogba goals knocked Arsenal back to a position they never quite recovered from.  That was the day that Grant seemingly threw off the shackles and played football and a team of his choosing.

There is little doubt that since the Arsenal match Grant has grown more bullish and confident, and we are now reaching the point where sacking Grant would make about as much sense as, say, Manchester City sacking Sven Goran Eriksson.  Possible - but probably counter productive.

Also in the last few weeks Grant has started to use the press as a weapon in the mind games war.  Of course his chief target has been Manchester United and after questioning the integrity of Mark Hughes and Steve Bruce in whether their teams would try to win, he has now turned on the referees that he believes favour the northern club.

Everyone saw the three incidents at the JJB stadium, and we all know that all three could have gone the other way.  The type of penalty that we've all seen given and another that we've all seen waved away, plus a challenge that would have been a yellow, but for the earlier one.  But to be honest if all those incidents had been ruled the other way it doesn't seem likely that it would have mattered.  Wigan played well but didn't stretch the United keeper and Chris Kirkland had to make a number of impressive saves to keep the score down - United always seemed likely to do enough to win. 

With Chelsea unable to see Bolton off the only possible reason to trot out these comments on the injustice of it all is to impress the Champions' League referee for next week.  And that is where the timing is questionable.  With the aftermath of the Rangers defeat there is barely room to consider this gripe, and with the FA Cup final next to grab the hearts and minds this is not likely to stay topical long. 

Better to have brought this up on the morning of the game, no time for a rebuttal and the maximum impact on the referee.  Avram Grant really needs to improve his ... timing.

Tommy Burns - 1956 - 2008

Scottish football lost one of its most loyal servants with the passing of Tommy Burns on Thursday morning (May 14).

The former Celtic and Scotland midfielder lost his battle with cancer at the age of 51, that after seemingly beating the disease following treatment in 2006. Burns was capped eight times by Scotland, but it is for his role in the engine room of a successful Celtic side that his playing days will be best remembered.

Burns played over 350 times for Celtic between 1975 and 1989, having joined the club as a 16-year-old in 1973. He bid an emotional farewell to the club as a player when he joined Kilmarnock, where he would later enjoy a spell as manager before going on to take charge at Reading and fulfil a coaching role at Newcastle United. He was also a key member of the Scotland national team’s coaching set-up under the stewardship of both Berti Vogts and Walter Smith.

Yet again it was with Celtic that Burns enjoyed his most memorable spell in management. Moving from Kilmarnock in 1994 (where he had guided the club to promotion to the SPL) Burns won the Scottish Cup in his first season in the Parkhead hot-seat, but was unfortunate enough to have joined the club at a time when Rangers dominated the Scottish league scene. Even the 1995-96 efforts of his Celtic side, in which they lost just one Scottish Premier League game, could not oust their Glaswegian rivals as champions as the Ibrox club marched on towards matching’s Celtic’s own record of nine title wins in a row.

Burns was replaced by Wim Jansen in 1997 after three years in charge of the Hoops, but returned to the club in 2000 where Martin O’Neill appointed him as his youth team coach. Current Celtic stars like Stephen McManus and Aiden McGeady owe much to the development and coaching skills of Burns, as does Aston Villa’s Shaun Maloney who also blossomed under the tutelage of Burns. The talented coach combined his domestic duties with those within the national team set-up, but effectively gave up his international coaching career when he was overlooked for the top job when Smith left the SFA to rejoin Rangers.

As a player Burns’ eight cap total may appear relatively meagre but it must be remembered that he played in an era when the Scotland squad was blessed with some of the finest football talent on the planet. With Graeme Souness an almost immovable driving force in central midfield and men like John Wark, Archie Gemmill and Paul McStay to call on it was always going to be difficult to hold down a regular slot during that period. Yet his talents as a player where considerable, and he helped Celtic to six league titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup triumph. He contributed 52 goals from his midfield enforcer’s role, and is rightly revered as a legend by the Parkhead following.

Burns is survived by his wife of 28 years Rosemary, and four children.

By Stephen Orford

15 May 2008

Squarefootball Diary; Zenit Zenith; Tigers Triumph

Squarefootball Diary - Wednesday May 14 2008

Rangers’ bid to win their first European trophy in 36 years comes a cropper in Manchester. Instead it is Zenit St.Petersburg who pull off a second of their own, becoming the second Russian club ever to win the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 win over Walter Smith’s side.

After a goalless first half the Russians hit the front when a slick passing movement is finished off by Igor Denisov on 72 minutes. With Rangers thinking about thinking about a retaliatory onslaught they are caught out the back, as Konstantin Zyryanov taps home in the final minute;

“Over the tournament, we've worked very hard to get to the final - there was not that much in it overall and we had a few chances ourselves.” says Smith, before admitting;

“Zenit looked the more offensive team, but obviously at this stage I'm disappointed to have lost.”

Former Rangers manager and now Zenit boss Dick Advocaat is in no doubt about who the best team is;

“I think the way that we have played in this tournament, I think we deserved this victory.” he insists;

“I have won many championships but never the Uefa Cup before, so now it's almost everything.” he boasts, planning an assault on Holland’s Got Talent.

Hull City will meet Bristol City in the Championship play-off final. The two cities will face off at Wembley for the right to make up the numbers in next season’s Premier League after Hull complete a 6-1 aggregate victory over Watford.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Vicarage Road Hull are behind on the night through Darius Henderson. Yet it proves to be a minor blip as goals from Nick Barmby, Caleb Folan, Richard Garcia and Nathan Doyle give the Tigers an emphatic victory;

“There was a lot of nervous tension about and we knew that third goal was going to play a big part. Barmby's goal settled us down.” explains Hull boss Phil Brown, while Hornets supremo Aidy Boothroyd hints at a move away from kick and rush pub football;

“We have got to change in the way we do things, but we will be back.” he warns;

“I'm desperately disappointed, especially for our supporters.”

Joining Watford in the Championship again for next season will be Iain Dowie, who becomes ’first team coach’ of Queens Park Rangers for a second time. The former Oldham, Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry boss pitches up in west London on a two-year deal;

“I'm privileged to have been given the opportunity under the new ownership to return to the club where I served my managerial apprenticeship.” he comments, before popping off to put the kettle on for an extra tenner.

By Stephen Orford

15 May 2008

All Quiet On Planet Beckham

Los Angeles Galaxy are lying third in their Conference of the US Major League Soccer competition but how many British football fans are aware of it?

When David Beckham went to the MLS huge amounts of column inches were devoted to his move to California. Now his exploits are hardly featured on this side of the pond. British channels are markedly less keen to show MLS fixtures than in the early days of his American sojourn.

Partly this is down to England's failure to make it to Euro 2008. The nation has been spared weeks of angst about whether the former captain should be in the squad, or is fit enough to be included etc etc.

While two English clubs have reached the Champions League Final and the title race went to the last day, the appetite for news about what is happening in a mediocre oversaes league has tailed off dramatically.

In fact though, Beckham has been quietly going about his business and making an effective contribution to the Galaxy effort.His 7 games have delivered 3 goals and 4 assists (always beloved of American sports fans). His recent appearances on Canadian grounds brought out sizeable crowds and a favourable write-up from local sports writers.

The player is finally able to show the public what the franchise paid so much for after his first season performances were drastically affected by injury.

Beckham may not be the much trumpeted messiah who can take the MLS up to the level of North America's main sports but he might be the man to take LA Galaxy to the top of the MLS pile.

The Beckham on display in the United States is not the man who seemed jaded and careworn at Euro 2004- he's far more the player who Fabio Capello had to bring back into Real Madrid's title winning side in 2006.

The Galaxy are still marketing him for all he's worth and exhibitions are still part of the schedule but Beckham can still deliver on the park at this level. After all the hoopla of the past decade he might just be able to make another telling contribution on the park.

A colleague once asked Ian Botham 'who writes your scripts?' after another unlikely triumph and David Beckham might yet have it in him to write a denoument to his career on his own terms.

Wolves Start To Rebuild Yet Again

Yet again Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have endured a season where the squad have come up agonisingly short. After drastically refashioning the squad he inherited from Glenn Hoddle, Mick McCarthy now has to do it all over again after Wolves finished seventh and outside the play offs.

In the four seasons since the club came straight back down from the top flight, Molineux fans have seen their side end in 9th, 7th, 5th and 7th again. It's become a familiar tale. Wolves made it back to the Premiership in 2003 only via the play offs after 14 seasons of frustration.

This season proved to be especially maddening as McCarthy's men only missed out on the play offs by a single goal after finishing level with Watford. As a result, a swinging clearout has begun immediately.

The most notable feature of the announcements about who the club is releasing is the number of players signed by Mick McCarthy being allowed to move on. Freddie Eastwood's listing was inevitable but he's joined by the likes of Darren Ward, Darren Potter and Stephen Elliott.

The problem is always the same- finding recruits who can thrive in the pressure cooker atmosphere that surrounds Wolves. For the best part of two decades Molineux squads and managers have been falling short of the fans' expectations.

The term sleeping giant is much overused but of all clubs in England Wolves deserve it the most. In the post-WW2 era the Black Country team have 3 League titles, 2 FA Cups, 2 League Cups and a UEFA Cup Final to their name- not to mention famous exploits in the early days of European football.

Admittedly the last of these was in 1980 but the collective memory of having a side that was unquestionably the best in the land has lived on among new generations of Wolves fans.

This accounts for the extreme pressure placed on playersa nd managers who come to Molineux. Too often good players have wilted under the intense spotlight,; particularly at home. In many recent campaigns Wolves have had a very impressive away record and relatively mediocre form at Molineux.

The fans have become more resigned to their situation and McCarthy had plenty of goodwill last season when he took an inexperienced squad to the play offs. However, failure to get so far in 2007/08 has set back his relations with many supporters.

The process begins all over again from now and the sight of West Bromwich Albion heading up as champions doesn't help. Hope springs eternal though and the Wolves season ticket holders will be filing past Billy Wright's statue again in August- maybe 2008/09 will be the year.....