Hibernian: Who will replace Mixu at Easter Road?

Mixu Paatelainen became the third Scottish manager inside a week to quit his post on Friday and so the Scottish managerial merry go round continues as Hibs step up their search for a new boss. The Hibees finished sixth in the SPL this season under the Flying Finn but his management style certainly had its critics amongst the fans. But despite holding both Rangers and Celtic to draws in the title run-in, Mixu has called time on his spell at Easter Road after just 16 months, with many claiming that he wasn’t happy with the board’s decision to reduce his playing budget for next season.

So who will be the new manager at the Hibees? A number of names have already been mentioned but here are a few of the front runners.

Jimmy Calderwood

Released by Aberdeen after guiding the Dons back into Europe next season, Calderwood is seen by many as a favourite for the Hibs jobs. He re-established Aberdeen as a top six club and had a memorable run in the UEFA Cup. He likes to play attacking football but his tactics are sometimes called into question. Despite his progression at the Dons he was unable to land a trophy and that riled some of the Red Army. No doubt he will be itching to get back into the game soon.

John Hughes

Yogi is a former Hibs player and another leading candidate for the vacant post at Easter Road. He guided Falkirk to the Scottish Cup final this season and plays the game the right way. Hughes has been with the Bairns since 2003 and took them up as champions in 2005. They reached the League Cup semi-final this season and narrowly avoided the drop but Hughes is well sought after in the game with Aberdeen also linked with the former Celtic defender. If he has managed to keep Falkirk up on their budget imagine what he could do with Hibs?

Mark McGhee

The current Motherwell manager has been linked with Aberdeen and Celtic already so I’m sure he won’t mind being linked with the Hibees too. A commanding figure, McGhee took the SPL by storm in his first season finishing the campaign in third place with a UEFA Cup berth. However, this season hasn’t been as successful for the former Scotland international and the ‘Well finished in seventh spot. A good organiser and communicator, McGhee demands respect and would work well with the club’s talented crop of players.

Gordon Strachan

The former Celtic boss is a boyhood Hibs fan and he may relish the opportunity to return the glory days to Easter Road. Despite never receiving the full support from the Celtic fans, Strachan took Celtic to the last 16 of the Champions League twice and guided the Bhoys to three SPL title in a row. He’s a good motivator and is full of energy and, like McGhee, I’m sure he’d love the chance to work with the youngsters at the club. However, he may have designs on returning to the Premier League.

Gary McAllister

The former Leeds boss and Scotland international has been out of the game since leaving Elland Road in December. McAllister is another manager who likes to play entertaining football and would surely jump at the chance to manage one of the biggest clubs outside of the Old Firm. Despite getting the sack from Leeds his win percentage from 50 games was an impressive 55%. He could be a decent outside bet.

Other names being linked with the post include former Dundee United ace Paul Sturrock and Hamilton boss Billy Reid.

·         Calling all Hibs fans. Who would you like to see as your new boss? Which managers on that list would you be happy with? Is there anyone there who you would hate to see at the club? I’d love to hear from you.

Chelsea v Everton: Whose name is on the cup?

Chelsea and Everton have cancelled each other out in the league this season but will it be another cagey affair at Wembley on Saturday or are we going to see two teams going toe-to-toe with each other in a cup classic? It’s unlikely to be the latter but it should still prove to be an intriguing clash.

The Toffees haven’t beaten Chelsea since November 2000 when Danny Cadamarteri and Kevin Campbell got on the scoresheet at Goodison Park but there are a lot of pundits predicting that Everton’s name is on the cup. They’ve certainly had the toughest path to Wembley and have earned the right to be in the final. They’ve beaten two of the country’s top sides in Liverpool and Manchester United and if they are to hoist aloft the FA Cup for the first time in 14 years they will have to make it three.

Everton may not be full of superstars but they are a super team with players willing to spill blood for their colleagues. And it’s that team spirit and togetherness which will give David Moyes’s men a fighting chance of winning their sixth FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will be looking to give Guus Hiddink a winning send off. Hiddink has been a huge success at Stamford Bridge and managed to get the best out of the team, in particular Drogba and Malouda. Roman Abramovich can only dream about what Hiddink would have achieved with this team if he had been in place at the start of the season instead of Big Phil Scolari. Hiddink is due to return to his post as manager of Russia after this game but his short spell at the club will live on forever. Chelsea will be desperate to reward him with a trophy for his efforts.

Chelsea hold the edge in meetings between the two sides in previous FA Cup meetings. The Blues have won five of their seven meetings in the cup and they beat the Toffees 1-0 in their last meeting in 1992. Everton’s last victory over Chelsea in this competition came in February 1956. But this will be the first time that the two sides have clashed in the final of the competition.

The Stamford Bridge side will start as favourites with the bookies. They haven’t lost to Everton in 22 attempts, they have big names throughout the squad and have the experience of big games. However, Everton are not going to simply make up the numbers. They are there to win and Chelsea will have to treat them with utmost respect, after all Everton have made life difficult for Chelsea in the Premier League and have drawn four of their previous eight meetings.

Everton will be without two of their best players in Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta and their absence will be a real blow for the Toffees. However, Everton are a resilient bunch and they will fight for everything. Chelsea will have to dig deep if they want to win the FA Cup.

Portsmouth beat Cardiff in last season’s final to become the first team outside of the so-called “top four” since Everton triumphed over Manchester United in 1995 to win the FA Cup. Could the Toffees ensure that the trophy stays out of the hands of the top four by reigning supreme this weekend?

Chelsea v Everton: Kick off 3pm 30 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 3
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 3
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 – 2 (Everton to win on pens)
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Peter Lee : 1 – 2 AET
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 – 0 (penalties)

Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 2
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel can see this game going either way.

Home: 6; Draw: 2; Away: 5; TBC: 6.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Chelsea: The Blues’ road to Wembley

Chelsea take on Everton at Wembley on Saturday in the FA Cup final. It will be Chelsea’s second cup final in three years. Here we take a look at how they reached the final of the greatest cup competition in the world.

Third round – Chelsea 1 Southend 1

Chelsea were handed a home tie against League One outfit Southend and most people were predicting a cricket score. However, the Shrimpers shocked everyone by earning a replay from the Premier League giants.

It looked comfortable for the Blues when Salomon Kalou put Chelsea ahead on 31 minutes. The Ivory Coast international was umarked in the box and met Frank Lampard’s corner to put the Stamford Bridge side one up. Didier Drogba should have scored twice and Belleti saw his header cleared off the line as Chelsea dominated proceedings. However, Shrimpers’ defender Peter Clarke gave the home side a scare in the closing minutes when his header smashed off the crossbar, but that was just a warning as minutes later Clarke found himself free in the box and headed home from close range to set up a replay at Roots Hall.

Third Round replay – Southend 1 Chelsea 4

Chelsea paid the price for failing to kill the game off at Stamford Bridge and for 30 minutes looked like being one of this season’s biggest victims of a giant killing. Southend’s Adam Barrett found himself in space in the Chelsea box and made no mistake with his header from eight yards out. And Alex Revell almost doubled the Shrimpers’ advantage with a rasping header which Cech had to palm away. However, Chelsea were not going to be caught with their pants down at Roots Hall and Michael Ballack scored just before the break.

Joe Cole was playing a blinder and it was his sublime ball to Kalou which set up the second. Kalou collected Cole’s cross-field pass, beat two defenders, and slipped the ball past the keeper. Anelka made it three following good work from Lampard and Kalou, and Lampard even got in on the act himself finishing off from close range.

Fourth Round – Chelsea 3 Ipswich 1

Chelsea were rewarded with another home tie against lower league opposition, this time Ipswich Town from the Championship. But again it was anything but plain sailing for Scolari’s men.

Michael Ballack opened the scoring on 16 minutes after missing an earlier chance, but there was no way he was going to pass up a second bite at the cherry. Ashley Cole pulled the ball back to the German international who made no mistake inside the box. But Chelsea failed to capitalise on their possession and dominance and Alex Bruce soon had the Tractor boys back on level terms.

Chelsea’s inability to defend set-pieces was punished yet again as Bruce was left unmarked at the back post to square matters. That sparked Ipswich into life and Danny Haynes and Tommy Miller both came close to adding to their lead.

However, Chelsea showed their quality with Ballack putting the Blues back in front with a glorious free-kick and Lampard made sure of the win with a stunning strike five minutes from time.

Fifth Round – Watford 1 Chelsea 3

Chelsea were given another lower league side to play in the fifth round but it was a similar story again as Chelsea had to fight back from a goal down.

Chelsea had the lion’s share of possession and chances and should have been a few goals up before half-time with Kalou and Drogba missing guilt-edge chances. And they were made to pay for that when Tamas Priskin sprung Chelsea’s offside trap and put the Hornets into the lead.

However, that seemed to spur Chelsea into a life and it wasn’t long before Nicolas Anelka had Chelsea on level terms. The former Arsenal ace scored with an overhead kick following a Lampard corner that was flicked on by Ballack and Anelka put Chelsea two up seconds later after converting an Ashley Cole cross.

But the best was saved for last as Anelka picked up Kalou’s pass and unleashed an unstoppable strike past Scott Loach in the Watford goal for his hat-trick and Guus Hiddink’s first win in the FA Cup.

Quarter-final – Coventry 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea booked their third FA Cup semi-final place in four years at the Ricoh Stadium in a game which Hiddink’s men never really looked like losing. Didier Drogba ensured that there wasn’t going to be a repeat of their three previous cup ties as he put the Blues ahead after just 15 minutes. The former Marseille man outmuscled Coventry defender Scott Dann before rounding Kieran Westwood in goal and slamming the ball into the back of the net.

Coventry, under the guidance of former Fulham boss Chris Coleman, tried their best to get back into the game but just couldn’t find a way through the Chelsea defence.

Lampard almost scored with a 30-yard free-kick before half-time but his effort was turned over. However, Chelsea showed their pace on the break with 20 minutes to go as a long throw by Coventry ended up at Quaresma’s feet and he played in the unmarked Alex who sealed the game.

Semi-final – Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2

Chelsea knew that they would have to face one of the big guns along the way if they wanted to win the FA Cup and after a nice run of lower league sides the Blues finally came up against a Premier League side in the shape of Arsenal.

The capital rivals had produced some stunning clashes in the past but this was definitely not one of them, not that many Chelsea fans gave a flying flute about as they booked their place in their second FA Cup final inside three years.

Chelsea started the game brightly and almost capitalised on the uncertainty of Fabianski and the Arsenal back four twice inside the first 15 minutes. The Polish keeper lost out to Drogba as he tried to clear an innocuous long ball and was grateful that Gibbs was following up to clear the striker’s header. Moments later Eboue was guilty of giving the ball away cheaply and Kolo Toure had to marshal Drogba wide.

However, the Gunners looked threatening going forward and after 18 minutes Theo Walcott put the men from the Emirates ahead. Kieran Gibbs raced down the flanks and sent a lofty ball into the box which was met by Walcott, whose shot clipped Ashley Cole’s hands and flew past the stranded Cech.

Malouda almost levelled immediately but his shot beat Fabianski and the far post but Chelsea were level after the 30 minute mark when the rejuvenated Malouda superbly controlled Lampard’s pass, cut inside Eboue and smashed the ball past Fabianski.

Nicolas Anelka almost put the Blues in the lead before half-time but his shot came back off the post.  The second half was devoid of any real class and it looked as though the two sides would be going to extra-time and possibly penalties before Fabianski was beaten to the ball by Drogba who coolly slipped the ball into an empty net to send the west London giants into the final.

Everton: The Toffees' road to Wembley

Everton play Chelsea on Saturday in their first FA Cup final for 14 years. Here we take a look at how they reached the final of the greatest cup competition in the world.

Third round – Macclesfield 0 Everton 1

Everton’s cup campaign started with a potential banana skin away at Macclesfield in the third round. More than 6,000 fans descended on Moss Rose as the League Two outfit welcomed the Premier League giants to their home and were treated to a cracking finish by Everton’s Leon Osman.

The Silkmen never really bothered the Toffees as David Moyes’s men used their experience to control the game but they couldn’t find a way past Jonny Brain in the Macclesfield goal. That was until Osman stepped up just before half-time with a sublime strike. The midfielder, who only recently turned 28, sent a half-volley into the top corner, off the crossbar, from 18-yards out after a Macclesfield player had cleared a Mikel Arteta free-kick.

Everton piled on the pressure and had more chances to make sure of the result but just couldn’t find that killer touch. Tim Howard came to the rescue in injury time with a fine save from Simon Yeo.

Fourth Round – Liverpool 1 Everton 1

The Merseyside rivals had clashed in the league only days earlier in a game which ended 1-1 and this was a case of déjà-vu. Liverpool came out of the blocks the quicker but it was Everton who posed the most serious threat. They already had a penalty appeal turned down before Lescott put the Toffees ahead. Tim Cahill escaped his marker from a corner and Lescott was on hand to convert the knockdown from six yards. Everton had silenced Anfield for the second time in a week.

Everton’s defence, marshalled magnificently by Jagielka and Lescott, was frustrating the Reds attack but Steven Gerrard was allowed in just after half-time to put Liverpool back on level terms. The former Manchester United shot-stopper redeemed himself moments later though as he tipped a rasping Gerrard effort over the bar.

Liverpool were in the ascendency but Everton held on to secure a replay at Goodison Park.

Fourth Round replay – Everton 1 Liverpool 0

It took extra time to do it but Everton, thanks to a goal from young Dan Gosling, finally booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup. It proved to be another war of attrition as Everton and Liverpool fought for every ball but the withdrawal of Steven Gerrard through injury early on and the sending off Lucas certainly swung the tie in Everton’s favour.

Xavi Alonso was the first man to try his luck in the game with his 25-yard shot just narrowly going past the post. However, it took almost an hour before the first serious chance on goal was created and it came from a mistake by Everton’s Mr Dependable Phil Jagielka. The former Sheffield United man lost possession, allowing Alonso to play in Albert Riera, but Howard was alert enough to block his strike.

Everton then went up the other end and should have scored but Leon Osman watched in agony as his effort rebounded back off the post.

The game went into extra-time and Everton created more chances. Osman and Cahill both went close but just when everyone was resigned to the fact that there were going to be penalties Dan Gosling worked wonders in the box to curl a shot past the sprawling Pepe Reina. Cue rapturous celebrations and a fifth round date against Aston Villa.

Fifth Round – Everton 3 Aston Villa 1

These two sides played out a five-goal thriller in the league earlier in the season which Everton lost in the dying minutes. David Moyes didn’t want to suffer at the hands of the Midlands side again and they got off to the best possible starts after Jack Rodwell put them ahead after just three minutes. Arteta’s corner was met with a bullet header by Tim Cahill. However, his effort was cleared off the line by Stylian Petrov’s hand but the ball fell for Rodwell who slammed the ball into the back of the net.

However, just minutes later Villa were level. Gabriel Agbonlahor was set clear and he burst into the box only to be brought down by Hibbert’s mistimed tackle. Referee Martin Atkinson was in no doubt it was a penalty and James Milner stepped up to level proceedings.

And Martin Atkinson was pointing to the spot again soon after when Victor Anichebe was brought down by Steve Sidwell. Mikel Arteta grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot and no-one was in any doubt of the outcome as he sent Brad Friedel the wrong way to make it 2-1.

Agbonlahor failed to equalise following great work by Ashley Young. The winger clipped in a glorious ball to the striker but, with the goal at his mercy, he somehow managed to put it wide of the post. Howard was forced into an acrobatic save though by John Carew whose flick almost brought Villa level.

Everton made sure of the win with just 15 minutes to go with a goal from their influential Australian international Tim Cahill. Anichebe swung a lovely cross into the box which evaded the Villa defence and fell kindly for Cahill at the back post to bundle the ball over the line.

Quarter-final – Everton 2 Middlesbrough 1

At this stage of the competition Everton didn’t care about performances on the park, all they cared about was booking their place in the semi-final. To say this wasn’t a classic encounter would be an understatement but it almost turned out to be a horror story for the Toffees.

Following an uneventful first 43 minutes the game sprung to life in the 44^th minute as Middlesbrough defender David Wheater nodded in Matthew Bates’s cross from close range. Everton, realising that their cup run was just 45 minutes from being over, came out with a renewed vigour for the second half and promptly found themselves level thanks to their Belgian international Fellaini. Tim Cahill’s cross left Brad Jones stranded and Fellaini had the simple task of heading the ball into the back of the net.

That goal really gave Everton the belief to go on and win the game and Louis Saha came close following a Leighton Baines free-kick. But Saha did seal the win moments later with another headed goal. This time it was Steven Pienaar who swung the ball into the area and Saha was on hand to head home the winner. Boro did threaten late on but Everton held firm.

Semi-final – Everton 0 Manchester United 0 (Everton win 4-2 on penalties)

Everton went into the semi-final as huge underdogs but they were given a huge boost as Sir Alex Ferguson opted to rest some of his star names, a move that was to backfire on the United boss.

In a game that lacked any real quality Everton and Manchester United both had chances to break the deadlock. Phil Neville could have scored past his former side but blazed wide after just 10 minutes, Carlos Tevez followed suit at the opposite end before Louis Saha almost punished a mistake by young Ben Foster. United then hit the woodwork from a shot that deflected off Joleon Lescott before Cahill’s 25-yard drive was well saved by Foster.

However, the game turned on a controversial non-award of a penalty. Danny Wellbeck appeared to have been caught by Phil Jagielka in the box but referee Mike Riley waved away appeals much to Ferguson’s dismay on the touchline.

The game went into extra-time and Everton looked the more dangerous with Tim Cahill forcing Foster into a save after just two minutes. However, the players seemed resigned to penalties so the right to face Chelsea in the final would be settled by spot kicks.

Tim Cahill, who has been one of Everton’s most consistent performers since joining the Toffees stepped up for the first penalty but slumped to the floor after seeing his penalty fly over the bar. However, Tim Howard pulled Everton back into the game by saving Manchester United’s first two penalties from Dmitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand. Everton were 3-2 up following successful conversions from Leighton Baines, Phil Neville and James Vaughan and could win the game through Phil Jagielka. Some may say that Jagielka was lucky to still be on the pitch, but the former Blade kept his cool and slotted home the decisive penalty to ensure the Toffees would be back at Wembley in a month’s time.

West Bromwich Albion: Brunt out, Ferguson in – Would that be good business?

Hoots Mon. The Hawthorns is definitely attracting the attention of Scotland right now. Manager Tony Mowbray is a target for Celtic, Chris Brunt is being linked with a £3 million move to SPL champions Rangers while the Baggies are reportedly looking at signing the former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson.

West Brom fans are understandably concerned, but I’m not sure if they are more worried about one of their star names leaving the club or the fact that Barry Ferguson could be joining them.

Now I’m no Mystic Meg but I believe Albion fans can relax about Tony Mowbray possibly leaving the Hawthorns this summer. He is a man of principle and I’m sure his main goal is to help West Bromwich Albion regain their place in the top flight. However, Chris Brunt may not be around to help him achieve it.

The former Sheffield Wednesday winger ended the season on fire and has been watched by the likes of Fulham and Aston Villa. His devastating left foot and attacking displays have earned him rave reviews and it’s no surprise to see some of the big boys sniffing around. But West Bromwich Albion are on a sound financial footing and Tony Mowbray is not under any pressure to sell any of his first-team players. However, Brunt is Rangers through and through and may demand the chance to play for his boyhood idols, but I’m sure Rangers would have to up their price considerably seeing as the Albion paid £3 million for Brunt only two years ago.  

If the Press is to be believed then Barry Ferguson holds the key to this transfer. The disgraced former Scotland international and ex-Rangers captain appears to be on his way out of Ibrox and with no other SPL side likely to meet his wages it looks as though Ferguson will have to head south once again. Tony Mowbray knows all about Ferguson from his time in Scotland and believes that the 31-year-old still has something to offer his team.

Ferguson spent 18 months in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers between 2003 and 2005 but returned to his boyhood club after feeling homesick. In his prime Ferguson was a fantastic midfielder, both domestically and internationally. He dictated play, could open up defences and score. However, injuries have caught up with Ferguson and many people in the game believe Fergie is a spent force. He was recently banned from representing his country after flicking the Vs at the Scotland fans at Hampden after being busted on a late-night drinking session with Allan McGregor and was subsequently stripped off the Rangers captaincy and suspended for two weeks.

However, Tony Mowbray is normally a pretty good judge of character and has a decent record in the transfer market so I’m sure he’d get the best out of the midfielder. Ferguson is a natural leader and maybe it’s that experience that Mowbray is desperate to add to his squad.

Chris Brunt is a decent player and has shown that he can cut it at the highest level. He offers so much going forward but is also more than willing to help out the defence when necessary.

Barry Ferguson is a different player altogether. He likes to control the pace of the game, he hardly ever gives the ball away and is a decent tackler. However, I just feel that at 31 Mowbray could attract somebody with more power in their legs.

·         Calling all Albion fans. How would you feel about Brunt leaving and Ferguson arriving? How much would it take for you to let Brunt leave? Do you think Ferguson could give your midfield the confidence to push forward knowing that he’d sit back and defend the back four?  I’d love to hear from you.

Can Liverpool Finally Close The Gap?

Slightly contradictory it may be, but barring the ridiculous Rafa rant and the bare fact that Liverpool ended up trophy less, strangely, it can still be perceived as a good season for the Reds. 

Following nine months that has shown much promise without direct reward, the players now believe they can win the Premiership. Barring the Charity Shield in 06/07 though, Liverpool has now gone three seasons without picking up silverware. 

They played a refreshing style of attacking football this season, something that was alien to Benitez a year ago. They have scored the most goals in the Premier league, have not tasted defeat against a top four side in the league, (having won four from six), and were unbeaten at Anfield in the league. Incredibly, these statistics are not that of Champions. 

Some observe that Liverpool lost this seasons title just as much as Man Utd won it. The home draws against the likes of Hull, Stoke, Man City and West Ham should have been 12 points won rather than eight points dropped. 

The seven consecutive wins notched up by Utd since their back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and Fulham, is the stuff of Champions. They had relentless conviction of a team preserving their crown. The fundamental difference is they have many players who can change the course of a game.

Benitez argues that if both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres had have been fit for the course, then the title would have been carried back through the Shankly gates. The magnitude of their captain’s presence cannot be undervalued; but if either is out, it can be argued that it is their No 9 that is missed more than their No 8. 

The fact is they need a few more top class players. Primarily they do not have anyone who can even partially fill Torres boots or indeed partner him. Valencia’s David Villa is the obvious choice, but at what cost?

A re-shuffle in midfield means they can temporarily plug any hole left by a Gerrard absence. The hugely impressive Yossi Benayoun has recaptured the form he showed at West Ham, this initially pushed him onto Benitez’ radar.

Unless the latter is willing to tweak his style, or at least have a B plan, finding a player of real quality who is prepared to play understudy to Torres, will be difficult. Robbie Keane was a high profile striker asked to play second fiddle - he lasted until January. 

Murmurings of Carlos Tevez’ move to Anfield, initially, seem to have all the traits of the Keane saga. Tevez paired with Torres though puts a different complexion on it; he could be the missing element in Liverpools assault. This would mean though Benitez would probably have to abandon his 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Bringing in someone to play alongside El Nino would mean redeploying Gerrard and changing the team’s structure. Much though could depend on where Xavi Alonso is playing his football next season, he pulls so many strings.  

At right back, Alvaro Arbeloa without setting the world alight has been steady. But after his nonchalant role in the furore with Jamie Carragher at Hull, his Anfield future does not appear to be painted in the most vibrant colours. Arbeloa’s lazy display goes against Benitez' required team ethic.

Talk of Portsmouth’s player of the year, Glen Johnson, being a Benitez target coincides. The ex-Chelsea full back, from their original school of benchwarmers, has made rapid advancements since being a regular at Fratton Park - he is also more attack minded than Arbeloa. 

Some dead wood needs to be cast aside. Ryan Babel and Andrea Dossena have both failed to prove their worth and Lucas is maligned by most of the Anfield faithful, saying that, Benitez sees more value in the Brazilian than most. Aside from veteran Sami Hyypia, there should be no other squad players leaving this summer. 

Benitez has a strong enough match day squad but moving further through the pecking order, the quality becomes wafer thin. A potential return for Kenny Dalglish overlooking the youth set-up would only aid the homegrown talent. This is another area, where Alex Ferguson trumps his counterpart.

With the World cup in mind Steven Gerrard recently commented that 2010 could be a great year for him both domestically and internationally. With some shrewd transfer activity from Benitez over the summer, maybe, just maybe, next year could really be Liverpool’s. Both Gerrard and Liverpool's longstanding, aching ambition could become a reality. 

West Ham United: Should the Hammers sell Dean Ashton?

When he’s fit and in the mood Dean Ashton is one of the best in the business. However, since moving to Upton Park his career has been blighted with injuries. In four seasons at the Boleyn Ground Ashton has made just 51 appearances. That’s a record that makes Michael Owen seem healthy! So it’s no surprise to hear in the Press that Gianfranco Zola may consider selling the former Crewe Alexandra and Norwich City striker in the summer. But is that really a wise move?

Ashton is only 25 and has a fantastic future ahead of him in the game both domestically and internationally if he can stay off the treatment table. But it’s that if, and it’s a big if, which may prompt Zola to cash in on the Hammers’ £7 million star.

There’s no doubt that on his day Ashton is a major handful for defenders. He’s strong, has quick feet and possesses an unstoppable shot. He knows where the goals are and is a great team player. But how long do you continue to pay the wages of a player who spends more time with the physio than on the pitch?

Carlton Cole has taken full advantage of his team-mate absence from the first team by cementing his place in Zola’s plans for the future and his displays have even earned him a call-up to Fabio Capello’s England squad. Cole, who has had his fair share of criticism from the West Ham fans during his time at the club, has played well since his former Chelsea colleague took over at Upton Park and is brimming with confidence. But who would West Ham fans prefer to have leading the line, Ashton or Cole?

Ashton did have a spell a few years ago where he looked overweight and unwilling to work for the team. I remember seeing him against Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium and he was getting pelters from the fans for his lack of movement and urgency. However, when he’s motivated and in the zone Ashton could play for almost any team in the top flight. He has been the target for a number of clubs during his time at West Ham with Tottenham Hotspur and the now relegated Newcastle United favourites for his signature. They were rumoured to be prepared to pay more than £15 million for the hitman, but the club turned them down. It will be interesting to see what the board would do if a similar bid was made this summer.

West Ham United have certainly progressed under Gianfranco Zola and the team have managed to cope without their top striker. With that in mind, Zola may prefer to have £15 million in his pocket to strengthen the squad instead of worrying over the long-term fitness of Ashton. The powerful striker signed a five-year deal with the club in 2008 so he would command a decent transfer fee, but I believe that West Ham United would be much more of a force next season with Deano in the team.

·         Calling all West Ham United fans. If you were in Zola’s position would you let Ashton leave? Who would you rather have up front, Cole or Ashton? How highly do you rate Ashton? How confident are you that his terrible run with injuries is now over? How much would you expect to receive for him? If he did leave, where do you think he would end up? I’d love to hear from you.

Michael Owen: What next for the Newcastle striker?

When Michael Owen arrived on Tyneside in 2005 everyone thought the former Real Madrid striker was the man who would take the Geordies forward. After all he was an England international, had blinding pace, an eye for goal and he would be playing in front of one of the most passionate bunch of supporters in the English game. However, following a disastrous run of injuries and a dip in form, Michael Owen has only managed to help take Newcastle back 16 years.

On Sunday Michael Owen had the chance to repay the faith the fans have shown in him by coming off the bench and sneaking a trademark goal which would have kept them in the top flight. Unfortunately the former Liverpool marksman only managed to touch the ball about four times as the Geordies fell out of the top flight without a fight. So while St James’ Park prepares to swap the glamour visits by the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal for the likes of Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United, the question is what’s next for Michael Owen?

Owen burst on to the scene in 1997, scoring on his Liverpool debut against Wimbledon.  His electrifying pace, low centre of gravity and scoring ability were second to none and he ended his first full season as a professional as the Premier League’s joint top goalscorer. However, it was that goal against Argentina as a bright-eyed 18-year-old that truly brought him to prominence across the globe.

Silverware and personal accolades soon followed but injuries were beginning to be a constant problem for the youngster. Owen won the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Super Cup during his time at Anfield but he wanted to win the big one, the Champions League. He left Anfield in 2004 for Spanish giants Real Madrid but despite his great scoring return at the Bernabeu he was unable to command a regular starting place. Meanwhile, back in blighty Liverpool, minus Owen, went on to win the Champions League!

Owen’s Spanish adventure only lasted a year before Newcastle United saved him from his nightmare, but unbeknown to him his nightmare was only just beginning. The striker had played just a handful of games for his new club before he broke a metatarsal against Tottenham Hotspur. It looked as though Owen would miss the World Cup but he managed to battle back in time to get fit for international duty. However, he then innocuously damaged his anterior cruciate ligament against Sweden and was ruled out for the following season, although he did make three league appearances near the end of the campaign.

Since then Owen has been a shadow of his former self. He’s lost his pace, his sharpness and, more importantly to him, his place in the international set-up. Owen’s managed 23 goals in 62 appearances for Newcastle in the past two seasons but that’s simply not good enough for a man that is reportedly on £120,000 a week.

It’s highly unlikely that Owen will take a substantial pay cut to play in the Championship, especially when the World Cup is just around the corner. Fabio Capello has refused to pick Owen for his international squads, but he has not closed the door on him totally. Owen knows that he needs to rediscover his fitness, sharpness and eye for goal domestically before the Italian will even think about recalling him, and there’s no way that Capello will pick a striker plying his trade in the Championship as his main man.

So where does Owen go? Reports in the Press suggest that Aston Villa could be mulling over a bid for the 29-year-old and that’s not a bad shout considering that Martin O’Neil has his former England team-mate Emile Heskey at the club already. Owen and Heskey have always played well together and that partnership could benefit all parties. Villa could finally break into the top four while Owen rediscovers his form and wins back his place in the England squad.

What about Everton? It’s no secret that Owen is a boyhood Everton fan and David Moyes could no doubt get the best out of the former Liverpool man. Owen has suffered from a chronic lack of supply from the midfield at Newcastle but with the likes of Arteta and Cahill behind him, Owen would be presented with at least two guilt-edge opportunities a game to score.

Celtic? The Scottish giants were rumoured to be interested in offering him a pay-as-you-play deal a few weeks back but I think he’d rather stay with Newcastle in the Championship than play in the SPL. It might offer him the chance to play in the Champions League but I’m sure Capello doesn’t rate the Scottish game that highly.

Could one of the big four take a chance on him? Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of Owen but if Newcastle start selling players on the cheap I think he’d rather go for his team-mate Obafemi Martins as he’s younger, quicker and more powerful. Liverpool have moved on with the awesome Fernando Torres and I think Rafa has bigger targets. Chelsea? It all depends on who their new manager is really. Owen could flourish with the type of ammunition from Cole, Lampard and co but it’s all down to the new boss. Manchester United? Again, Fergie has been linked with Owen before and there’s no doubting that he would get in and amongst the goals at Old Trafford but I think his window of opportunity at the Red Devils has passed.

Manchester City are another club who have been strongly linked with Owen in the past. They are a club looking onwards and upwards and Owen could well be the man to finish off promising moves by the likes of Ireland and Robinho. And you can never rule out Tottenham Hotspur as Harry has a knack of getting the most out of players seemingly past their best.

The Geordie Nation never saw the best of Michael Owen but was that due to a lack of quality around him or is he simply a spent force? They say form is temporary but class is permanent. Maybe a change of scenery will see a change in fortune for the England striker?

Michael Owen is going to have to make the most important decision of his career this summer and it will undoubtedly be one which will determine his legacy in the game. Does he go to the club that will pay him the most or will he go to the club that promises him the best chance of getting fit, playing regularly and possibly working his way back into the England set-up? It will be interesting to see what he does in the next few weeks.

·         Calling all football fans. Where do you think Michael Owen should ply his trade next season? Do you think he can still cut it at the top or is he a spent force? Can he still work his way back into the England set-up? I’d love to hear your views on the future of one of England’s greatest strikers.

Stephen Orford's Premier League Team Of The Season

With the Premier League season done and dusted it is about time that we started pondering the vital annual question of who should be in the Team Of The Season.

Now contrary to popular tabloid opinion, this is NOT the best Manchester United team in living memory. It may be the deepest squad Sir Alex Ferguson has ever assembled, but from one to 11 there is room for improvement. John O’Shea’s overlapping bursts down the right flank do not put one in mind of Gary Neville’s partnership with a blondly coiffured David Beckham in his prime. Nor does the lazy quarterbacking style of the wildly over-rated Michael Carrick compare with the contribution of Paul Scholes in his central midfield pomp. There won’t be many people queuing up to liken the former West Ham United and Tottenham man with Zinedine Zidane, put it that way. I may have made my point and do not wish to labour it, but if anyone is caught mentioning Dimitar Berbatov in the same sentence as Eric Cantona I’m calling in the Community Mental Health team.

Anyway, bearing all of this in mind it is clear then that my selection will not follow the example of the electorally dubious PFA Player Of The Year nominations in being more than 80% Red Devil. There’ll be more than a splattering of the team that threatens to win a second successive Premier League and Champions League double, and rightly so. But there will be no room whatsoever for Nani. Got it?

Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar - Manchester United. Helped enormously by the rock solid central defensive partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, the Dutch veteran just about gets the nod over Jose Reina of Liverpool and the comically overworked Shay Given of Manchester City and formerly Newcastle United. At one point Van der Sar managed to go 14 games without conceding a goal before the United bubble almost burst, and it is this great run which may have proved the difference between winning the title and not.

Right-Back - Jose Bosingwa - Chelsea. It has not been a vintage Chelsea season has it? Actually it probably has, but you know what I mean. A season of managerial upheaval caused by player power and all around flouncing left the Stamford Bridge club’s title hopes in tatters from a fairly early point in proceedings. Guus Hiddink arrived to perk things up a little, but even before that Bosingwa was turning in impressive performances. Strong, quick and adept at joining in the attack, Bosingwa looks like a real find in what had previously been a problem position for Chelsea. Paolo Ferreira anyone?

Left-Back - Patrice Evra - Manchester United. The French international gets in just ahead of Everton’s Leighton Baines who has enjoyed a fantastic season at Goodison Park. Yet it is difficult to make a case for anyone ahead of Evra who continues to impress. Prone to the odd moan and perhaps even a heated debate with ground staff here and there, Evra is nonetheless pacy, strong, skilfull going forward and incredibly consistent.

Centre-Back - Nemanja Vidic - Manchester United. Hands up who scrubbed the Serb off their list of candidates for Player Of The Year after he was burned by Fernando Torres at Old Trafford in March? Vidic seems to have missed out on both the PFA and Football Writers awards as a result of one extraordinary game in which he first misjudged a straight long ball, and then was red carded for a desperate grab on Liverpool’s Spanish ace. Take that day out of Vidic’s season and he has been by far the bravest, strongest and most commanding central defender in English football since his arrival. You do not become a bad player overnight. Unless you’re Robbie Keane, apparently.

Centre-Back - Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United. Where Vidic provides the steal and the presence at the heart of United’s defence, Ferdinand provides the pace, positional sense and composure. If not the urine samples. The England defender is struggling to be fit for the Champions League final clash with Barcelona in Rome next week, a turn of events which could easily jeopardise United’s chances of retaining the trophy.

Right-Midfield - Cristiano Ronaldo - Manchester United. I thought someone said this team would not be 80% Manchester United players? Well I’m trying but tell me another right-sided attacking midfielder who can score 26 goals in an allegedly below par season. The tumbling winker started the season injured but as the business end has arrived has seemed to get better and better. Crucial scorchers against Porto and Arsenal have helped United reach the Champions League final, while another put United on their way to victory in a vital game at home to Manchester City recently. Painful as it is, Ronaldo has shown up down the stretch.

Centre-Midfield - Steven Gerrard - Liverpool. The real Footballer Of The Year. The Football Writers recognised it, so it remains a mystery as to why Gerrard’s fellow professionals took the view that United veteran Ryan Giggs has had a better season this term. Merely heavily influential throughout the first half of the campaign Gerrard, in tandem with the superb Torres, raised his game to a ridiculous level after Christmas. Gerrard repeatedly helped his side to keep winning and so push United all the way to the penultimate game in this season’s title race. A full season at that level of form and Gerrard could very well be to Liverpool in 2009/10 what Diego Maradona was to Argentina in 1986. He’s just THAT much better than everyone else right now.

Centre-Midfield - Xabi Alonso - Liverpool. See what I did there? Another non-Manchester United player. And in a key position too. Rumours which began at the start of the season persist today that Alonso will be allowed to leave Liverpool should they be successful in landing the services of Gareth Barry. To my mind, this would be rather like replacing your brand new 42” HD television with a portable black and white that has been in your granny’s loft since the moon landings. Where Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt provide the energy and drive in the Liverpool midfield, Alonso sits at the control box and directs operations in a way that makes Michael Carrick look like Paul Carrick from Mike And The Mechanics. Perhaps the best complement you can pay Alonso is that he, more than anyone perhaps even including Gerrard, is the one you notice most when he is not there.

Left-Midfield - Wayne Rooney - Manchester United. I’ve a similar mind to Sir Alex Ferguson on this one. My team can’t do without the former Everton star but there might be better out and out strikers that I wish to include. All of which means Rooney taking one for the team again and being shoved out on the left hand side. He has been devastating from that position for United this season, albeit more regularly as part of a three-man midfield rather than my four-man arrangement. Yet Rooney is one of those players to whom position means very little. As somebody famous once said, “Och, just give him a ball.”

Striker - Fernando Torres - Liverpool. The speedy Spaniard scored his 50th goal for Liverpool in the win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (May 24). In so doing he reached the milestone quicker than all of Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and John Aldridge during their Anfield days. It has taken Torres just 84 games to notch up a half-century and were it not for some persistent injuries El Nino would probably be well on his way to 100. Simply the best striker in the Premier League and possibly the world at the moment.

Striker - Nicolas Anelka - Chelsea. The artist formerly known as Le Sulk has not always had the benefit of a guaranteed place in the Chelsea starting 11 this season, but has nevertheless managed to top the Premier League goalscoring charts. His sublime effort against Sunderland on the final day of the season (May 24) showed that he is not only a great goalscorer, but a scorer of great goals. With Anelka around it is hard to see why any prospective Chelsea manager or even the fans would want to continue to put up with the increasingly numb-brained antics of Didier Drobga. Over to you Carlo. Or Franck. Or Guus? Who knows?

By Stephen Orford

25 May 2009

A Combined Manchester United/Barcelona Eleven

Pick a team from the squads at Manchester United and Barcelona. Sounds like a reasonable exercise until you begin and then realise that you could pick two teams from these clubs and still have star-sudded line ups.

Here is an eleven for what its worth but I don't expect anyone to agree with it (which is part of the fun). The main debate centres on central defence and midfield.

Edwin Van Der Sar

Let's begin with an easy choice. Van Der Sar is still a world-class keeper and Valdes in Barcelona's goal isn't. If this was against Real Madrid with Iker Casillas, then we might have a debate. As it is, easy choice, move on.

Dani Alves

Now the arguments start.The Brazilian falls over a lot, dives and generally annoys opponents. But when he goes forward Alves is an auxiliary winger- plus he cuts inside to effect too. His excursions forward are crucial to taking some of the pressure off Lionel Messi, causing one of the inevitable two markers to detach.

United haven't had a settled right back this term but either John O'Shea. Wes Brown or Gary Neville bring more defensive quality to the position. Alves gets the nod though for the damage he can do to the opposition.

Rio Ferdinand & Nemanja Vidic

United's centre back pairing are better than any combination Barca put out and with Marquez missing that removes the Catalans' best option. Carles Puyol is a Barca icon but not world-class in this position and Gerard Pique isn't quite there yet, though getting close.

Eric Abidal

Difficult to split Abidal and Patrice Evra but the Barca man is slightly more adaptable and a stronger defensive presence- very tight though.

Michael Carrick

Sentiment says pick Paul Scholes but Carrick is an authoritative figure in the United midfeild these days. Has a great range of pass and can cover the back four- also has the ability to up the tempo or slow it down when needed. In this line up we could choose Yaya Toure as a more defensive shield but let's put the emphasis on attack.

Xavi

Everywhere you look there are sumptuous passers of the ball and selecting between them is essentially impossible but Xavi is poetry in motion. He moves the ball on with speed and accuracy much as Paul Scholes but with more legs these days.

Andres Iniesta

Quick and incisive. Treats the ball as a personal possession and hates to give it away. Able to play wide or come inside and links to the forwards with aplomb. A great partnership with Xavi gets him the nod.

Wayne Rooney

Rooney instead of Samuel Eto'o. Thierry Henry and his Old Trafford colleagues Berbatov and Tevez? Well yes, because his footballing maturity is astonishing. In games he morphs into different roles as provider, wide man, striker, in the hole etc as the team requires it- just a pity about his tackling from time to time.

Lionel Messi & Christiano Ronaldo

Not a lot to say beyond the obvious- these guys walk into any team on the planet at the moment so there's not much point reviewing their qualities here. Some may disagree but 90% of fans must surely select both for their combined team

The Team

Van Der Sar, Alves, Ferdinand, Vidic, Abidal: Carrick, Xavi, Iniesta: Rooney. Ronaldo, Messi

Sunderland: Who’s the man to take the Black Cats to the next level?

Ricky Sbragia is an honourable man and he knew management wasn’t really for him. But he did what Niall Quinn asked of him in December when he replaced Roy Keane and kept the Black Cats in the top flight. Now the board’s ambitious plans for success can really start to flourish, but who will be the man to lead Sunderland in their new era? According to reports in the Press some of the biggest names in the game are being linked with a move to Wearside but just who should be the new manager at the Stadium of Light?

Here are some of the early front runners.

Gordon Strachan

The former Southampton and Coventry manager walked out on Celtic yesterday (Monday) and is being strongly linked with the vacant manager’s post at Sunderland. Strachan has experience of the Premier League, can motivate players and, most importantly for the board, has a history of winning silverware and managing in the Champions League. The former Aberdeen, Manchester United and Scotland midfielder is a born-winner and has all the skills and enthusiasm necessary to guide Sunderland into the top half of the table. Strachan may not be to everyone’s liking but I think he would be a top appointment.

Steve McClaren

Nobody in England wanted McClaren in charge of their team after his disastrous spell as England manager but the former Middlesbrough boss looks to be rebuilding his career at FC Twente in Holland. The Dutch club have just finished second in the top flight and lost the Dutch Cup final, predictably with an English manager in charge, on penalties. He has FC Twente playing good football and will be managing in the Champions League again next season. McClaren’s efforts have not gone unnoticed and he has been linked with both Sunderland and Dutch giants Ajax in recent weeks. But is he willing to turn his back on his Dutch dream to return to the Premier League and risk ridicule from the Press? I doubt it, not for a few more years anyway.

David Moyes

Arguably one of the best managers in the Premier League, Moyes has worked wonders on limited resources at Goodison Park. The Toffees have just finished fifth for the second season in a row and are preparing for an FA Cup final on Saturday against Chelsea. He has spent wisely at Goodison Park, bringing on some of the club’s most talented youngsters, and could have his pick of jobs if he decided to leave Merseyside. Some Sunderland fans have pleaded with the board to pay Everton whatever it takes to get Moyes to Wearside and if they could persuade him to join then it would be a huge coup. However, I just can’t see it happening.

Steve Bruce

The Wigan Athletic boss is another manager who has punched above his weight with an unfashionable club who has been strongly linked with a move to Wearside. The former Manchester United defender has an eye for talent and would relish a chance to manage a big club, even if it was his boyhood club’s main rivals! Bruce deserves a lot of credit for turning Titus Bramble into a decent defender again but there’s always the risk that if he was appointed Sunderland boss that he’d bring the former Newcastle man with him and nobody in red and white wants to see that!

Martin Jol

Like McClaren, the former Tottenham and current Hamburg boss has long been linked with the Sunderland post. The Dutchman loves attacking football and that would go down a treat with the fans. Jol would also, no doubt, like to show Tottenham’s Daniel Levy that he was wrong to axe him. Hamburg finished fifth in the Bundesliga and Jol guided them to the UEFA Cup and German Cup semi-finals, both of which they lost to Werder Bremen. Could he be tempted to try his luck at the Premier League again? Again Jol would be a fantastic appointment but there are claims that he is waiting for a call from his former club Ajax.

Frank Rijkaard

The former Barcelona boss is believed to be on the Sunderland short list and if anyone was going to attract the game’s truly top stars to Wearside it’s this man. Rijkaard was a winner as a player and the same as a manager, helping the Catalan giants to Champions League success in 2006 and La Liga glory twice in a row. Another manager who likes to play football the correct way, Rijkaard would be a massive hit at the Stadium of Light. It could possibly take him time to get to grips with life in the Premier League but with his experience and the full support of the Black Cats it wouldn’t be long before Sunderland were competing for honours.

Other names being mentioned for the vacant Sunderland job include Slaven Bilic, Sven Goran-Eriksson and Alan Curbishley.

Sunderland fans must be delirious. They’ll be in the Premier League next season, American investor Ellis Short is reportedly just days away from completing his takeover of the club and their biggest rivals have just been relegated. But even better than that is the standard of managers being linked with the vacant post.

The Black Cats are on the verge of something special, but they need to make sure they have the right manager in charge. But who is the right man for the job? I’d love to hear from you.

Celtic: Who will fill Strachan’s boots at Celtic Park?

Gordon Strachan could have won the Champions League with Celtic and some fans would still have given credit to Martin O’Neill. The former Southampton and Coventry boss was never universally welcomed by the Celtic fans and even two last 16 finishes in the Champions League failed to get them on side. So Strachan, who became the first Celtic boss since the legendary Jock Stein to win three SPL titles in a row, has decided to leave the club and the search is on for a new manager who can wrestle the SPL title back off Rangers.

Here are some of the early front runners to be the new boss at Celtic Park.

Tony Mowbray

The former Celtic defender has just been relegated from the top flight in England with West Bromwich Albion but is hailed as one of the favourite for one of Scotland’s best jobs. Strange isn’t it? Well no, not when you consider his philosophy to the beautiful game. Mowbray, who transformed Hibernian in his previous managerial role, loves attacking football played on the deck. He also has the ability to work with little money and unearth talented gems. However, given the support he received from the West Brom fans on the final day of the season, despite taking them down, I can’t see him deserting them.

Mark McGhee

The current Motherwell boss spent four years at Parkhead as a player in the 80s and Strachan has tipped his former Aberdeen teammate as the man to replace him as Celtic manager. He earned rave reviews from everyone in the game for the way he transformed Motherwell from relegation fodder into a European side in his first season. However, this season he has struggled at Fir Park and I doubt the fans would rush out to welcome him back to the club. He would demand respect and get the best out of his players but I think Celtic need someone with a lot more experience than McGhee.

David Moyes

The former Celtic defender has long been linked with a move back to the Hoops but I think it’s a bit of a far-fetched dream by those in green and white. Moyes is preparing for an FA Cup final after finishing fifth in the Premier League for the second time in a row and is enjoying his time at Goodison Park. He has worked wonders on Merseyside and surely he has a job for life at Everton. Sure Celtic may offer him Champions League football and the chance to manage in front of 60,000 fans every other week but he would have to work with far less money than he has at the Toffees and I can’t see him accepting that.

Mick McCarthy

The former Republic of Ireland and current Wolves boss has been mentioned as a possible replacement but surely that won’t please anyone. Remember this is the guy who took Sunderland down with one of the lowest points total of all time! He gained promotion this season with Wolves as champions and has the chance to prove that he is a Premier League manager so I can’t see him turning his back on such a challenge. Sure Wolves are unlikely to win any silverware this coming season whereas his chances of success with Celtic are much higher but the satisfaction of staying up in one of the world’s best leagues must be far greater than beating Rangers to the SPL title.

Owen Coyle

Another former Celtic striker, Coyle is simply a God in Burnley. He guided them back to the top flight for the first time in 33 years with victory in the play-off final and he has a great future ahead of him in management. Coyle plays the game the right way, is gracious in everything that he does and will be relishing the challenge of managing against the likes of Ferguson, Wenger and Benitez next season. He may well take on the challenge of managing Celtic at some stage in his career, but it definitely won’t be now.

Craig Levein

Like Mark McGhee, Levein has his fair share of admirers in the Scottish game, but, again, is he the big name that will keep the fans happy? The Tangerines missed out on a place of Europe following that final day defeat by Rangers and he has had a number of controversial incidents with Rangers in the past. Maybe Levein will see this as a great way of getting even with boys from Ibrox! All of Levein’s teams have great team spirit, pace and strength. There’s no doubting that he could be a success at Celtic domestically, but does he have what it takes to win in Europe?

Other names being mentioned for the vacant Celtic job include John Collins, Paul Lambert, Martin Jol and Guus Hiddink.

There’s no denying that Celtic are a big club with a huge fan base but if the board opt to appoint a manager on the cheap and fail to give him millions to spend in the transfer market then the Bhoys  may end up playing second fiddle to Rangers for the foreseeable future.

·         Calling all Celtic fans. Who would you like to see as the new Celtic manager? What are your feelings on Strachan’s departure? Did he have to go? How confident are you of regaining the SPL title from Rangers next season? I’d love to hear from you.

Aberdeen: Who will replace Calderwood at Pittodrie?

The search is on for the next manager of Aberdeen Football Club after Jimmy Calderwood sensationally revealed that he was to leave the club by mutual consent, despite guiding them into Europe on the final day of the season.

Calderwood, who helped re-establish the Dons as a top six SPL side, was never universally loved by the Pittodrie faithful. Some questioned his poor tactics and motivational skills while others hated the way he publicly blamed the players without taking responsibility himself. His poor record in cup competitions also left a sour taste in the mouth of the fans. But you cannot deny the fact that Calderwood, who spent five years at the club, had worked miracles on a shoestring budget and I’m sure all Dons fans, whether they liked him or not, will thank Calderwood for his efforts.

Despite failing to bring silverware to the club, Calderwood is the longest serving manager Aberdeen have had since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson and he has the best win percentage since the partnership of Alex Smith and Jocky Scott. So who can fill Calderwood’s boots?

Mark McGhee

The Motherwell manager is the early favourite to be the new boss at Pittodrie. He worked wonders in his debut season at Fir Park but the former Aberdeen and Celtic striker has struggled this campaign. ‘Well failed to finish in the top six and were knocked out of all cup competitions prematurely. McGhee talks a lot of sense, is tactically aware and would command respect from the players. Had the Dons moved for him last summer there would have been no doubts over him, but why replace a top four manager for someone who finished seventh?

Gordon Strachan

Celtic lost their grip on the SPL title on Sunday and the talk within the game is that Strachan may be on the verge of quitting the club, could that open up a sensational return to Pittodrie? Strachan was a huge fans’ favourite in the north east when he played in the successful Dons side of the 80s under Sir Alex Ferguson and he would be shown much more respect by the Red Army than he is by the Celtic supporters. He has managed at the highest level and would be able to get the best out of players. His standing in the game would also see Aberdeen being able to attract better players to the club. However, maybe he has his eye on managing in the Premier League again.

Alex McLeish

The former Scotland boss has just guided Birmingham City to the Premiership but his relationship with the board has been anything but rosy, according to reports. Would he be willing to turn his back on the lure of managing in the Premier League to transform the club where he made his name as a player? It may seem unlikely but you can’t rule anything out in this game.

Eric Black

The former Aberdeen striker is currently Steve Bruce’s number two at Wigan Athletic but would he be tempted by the chance to be his own man again? Black, who scored the opener against Real Madrid in the Dons’ European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in 1983, is a great believer in attacking football and that would go down well with the Aberdeen public. However, Wigan Athletic seem to be going places and Black may not want to ruin his standing among the Dons fans by failing as manager.

Lee Richardson

The former Chesterfield boss enjoyed two seasons as a player at Pittodrie in the 90s and is still highly regarded by the fans. However, his managerial record isn’t anything to write home about. Surely Aberdeen require a manager with a wealth of experience to take them on to the next level?

Darren Ferguson

Sir Alex’s wee loon looks to be a chip off the old block after guiding the unfashionable Peterborough United to back-to-back promotions. The Posh will be playing in the Championship next season and Fergie Jnr is one of the most sought after managers in the game. The romantics would love to see another Ferguson around Pittodrie but would his father’s legacy prove too much to contend with? Well Fergie’s success has weighed heavily on every manager who has walked through Pittodrie since his departure in 1986. At least Darren has the advantage of phoning his old man for advice!

Other names that have been linked with the vacant position include former Aberdeen striker and current Grimsby boss Mike Newell, former Hearts marksman John Robertson, Falkirk chief John Hughes, ex-Hibs boss John Collins, Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies and even Gary McAllister.

Aberdeen are a great club and the fans deserve success. Calderwood gave the fans some unforgettable moments, both good and bad, but ultimately failed to deliver silverware to the club. The Dons are in Europe next season and have a number of talented players at the club. The board must appoint the right man to ensure that the Dons continue to go forward. But who will that man be? I’d love to hear from you.

Blackburn Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion: Nothing to play for #3

Nothing to play for here as Sam Allardyce has sprung the relegation trap for Rovers and Tony Mowbray has failed to spring a spring surprise for the Baggies.

Blackburn start the day six points clear of the drop and this summer will expect Allardyce to make the kind of inspired purchases that he used to make up the road at Bolton. Allardyce was born fairly close to West Bromwich in Dudley and even played once for the Baggies in a short spell towards the end of his playing career, in 1989-1991. Looking at Allardyce now it is difficult to imagine that he was a professional footballer only last decade! Blackburn will finish between 12th and 15th this season - a position that seems like nirvana compared to the relegation strife that Allardyce inherited.

No great escape for the The Baggies, although the team is just a point behind Middlesbrough - a team that can still scramble safe. Hard lessons will need to be learnt and there is little mileage in Mowbray's insistence that the team is good enough and the tactics are good enough. None of the bottom five Premier League teams look good enough for the division and several of them will finish higher than West Brom. West Brom need a better defensive shield in front of the defence, even if that sacrifices attacking intent and although the team has not been embarrassed in the top flight the example of a hard working Stoke side is a better model for consolidation after promotion.

Blackburn Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion; Kick Off 4:00pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 0
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 2
Isaac Williams : 2 - 1
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a Blackburn win.

Home: 10; Draw: 3; Away: 3; TBC: 2.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Manchester City vs Bolton Wanderers: Nothing to play for #2

Geographically close, two of Greater Manchester's four Premier League teams will meet on a surprisingly warm late spring afternoon. The atmosphere is bound to be relaxed as neither Manchester City or Bolton Wanderers need the win to achieve anything - but local pride may add some spice to the atmosphere.

City blew its final chance of finishing seventh and grabbing a Europa League slot last week but will still want the win to ensure a top half finish that will encourage another £50m worth of transfer targets that a top six finish is likely next season. A casual defeat may even allow Stoke to sneak past City which will send out all the wrong signals. City needs to win this one.

Bolton starts today six points adrift of Man city after another steady season under Gary Megson - the fans may not all love him, but he delivers enough wins to keep his team safe on a modest budget. Bolton will finish in the 12th-15th peleton and the summer's wheeling and dealing will determine if Bolton rises to the comfort of mid-table or slides into trouble. On balance the former seems more likely.

Manchester City vs Bolton Wanderers; Kick Off 4:00pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 0
Tony Ratton : 2 - 0
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : 1 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a comfortable Manchester City win.

Home: 12; Draw: 3; Away: 1; TBC: 2.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Wigan Athletic vs Portsmouth: Nothing to play for #1

Three games with nothing to play for but pride and a bit of place money today, including Wigan Athletic vs Portsmouth. Both of these teams lost important players in January and will lose more in the summer; and both sides will now finish between 12th and 15th - so these are well matched teams about to enter a period of change.

Wigan was in prime position to bag seventh place a couple of months ago, but once safety was achieved the team seemed to switch off - only coming to life for the big games like Arsenal and Manchester United. The losses of Palacios and Heskey in January have contributed to the decline and Wigan could be looking forward to Europa League football but for financial planning. Steve Bruce has done well without any kind of transfer budget to leave more expensive teams (like Pompey, for example) in his wake - the planning for next season starts here, in the late spring sunshine.

Portsmouth is in better form than Wigan and has moved to just a point behind the Lancashire club; the loss of Defoe in January could well seem like a spring shower compared to the summer when half the first team could be on its way as last season's FA Cup winners try to slash costs. With that in mind there may well be a few players looking to avoid injury today to ensure a smooth transfer in a couple of weeks time.

Wigan Athletic vs Portsmouth; Kick Off 4:00pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 3
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 0 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 0
Tony Ratton : 0 - 0
Peter Rendle : 1 - 2
Dan Taylor : 1 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : 2 - 1
Mark Williams : 0 - 0

Panel Verdict
Nothing to see here, the panel is expecting a low-scoring draw.

Home: 5; Draw: 9; Away: 2; TBC: 2.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: Is Redknapp’s European dream still on?

European football seemed like a distant dream when Harry Redknapp took over at White Hart Lane in October, but here we are on the final day of the season with Tottenham Hotspur potentially just one win away from the Europa League.

The former West Ham United and Portsmouth coach has lost just 11 of his 41 games in charge of Spurs this season and has made them a tough nut to crack once again. They’ve lost just twice in the past nine games and conceded nine, although five of them did come in that controversial game at Old Trafford. But if they want to be in Europe next season they are going to have to hope that Everton beat Fulham – something they haven’t done at the Cottage for 43 years – and Spurs have to beat Liverpool at Anfield – a feat they have only managed once in the Premiership.

Liverpool are on course to finish second in the Premier League for only the second time and they know that a point will see them hold off the threat of Chelsea. Liverpool are the only team in the top flight with an unbeaten home record in the league and only the most passionate Spurs fan will believe that they can upset the Reds today.

One man who will be desperate to get one over his old teammates is Robbie Keane. The Irishman joined his boyhood heroes in the summer for £20 million but never really fitted in with Rafa Benitez’s plans, spending most of his time as a substitute before Redknapp rescued him from his Merseyside hell. I wonder what the price is on him scoring the winner?

Spurs will be without Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O’Hara and Wilson Palacios while Jonathan Woodgate and Benoit Assou-Ekotto face late fitness tests.

Liverpool’s Sami Hyypia is expected to feature at some stage as he says farewell to Liverpool. The big Finn, who has been at Anfield for 10 years, is heading off to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and is sure to get a fantastic send off from the Liverpool fans.

Tottenham have triumphed over Liverpool twice this season, can Redknapp make it a hat-trick?

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur; Kick Off 4:00pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 1
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 3 - 0
Peter Rendle : 3 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : 2 - 0

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Liverpool to sign off with another win.

Home: 14; Draw: 1; Away: 1; TBC: 2.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Sunderland vs Chelsea: Blue day in store for the Black Cats

Sunderland’s objective this afternoon is simple, beat Chelsea and they remain a Premier League club. However, the hard part is how?

There’s no good time to play Chelsea but they are currently on a good run of form and Guus Hiddink has certainly got them playing with confidence again. The Blues have lost just three games during 2009 and the players will be looking to end the league season on a high. They’ve scored 11 goals in their past seven league and cup games and have kept four clean sheets during that period.

Compare that to Ricky Sbragia’s record at the Stadium of Light. The Scot has won just one of his past 12 games and the end of the season can’t come soon enough for the Black Cats. They’ve looked short of ideas, leadership and confidence, but they must raise themselves for one final match which could determine their season.

Chelsea though love playing teams from the north east. In games against Newcastle, Middlesbrough and Sunderland this season they have scored 14 goals without conceding once. In fact you have to go back to December 29, 2007, for the last time they lost a goal to a north east side (v Newcastle at St James’ Park).

And Sunderland’s record against the Stamford Bridge side is hardly inspiring. They’ve lost their last eight games against the Blues and you have to go back to 2000 for the last time they triumphed over the former Premier League winners at the Stadium of Light, thanks to a Kevin Phillips penalty.

A win for Sunderland would ensure that no matter what happens with Hull City, Newcastle United or Middlesbrough they would stay up. However, the Black Cats have never won on the final day of the season in the Premier League and if Newcastle were to win at Aston Villa and Hull City were to beat Manchester United then Sbragia’s men may go down on goal difference. But the Mags have only won once under Alan Shearer and Phil Brown’s men haven’t won at home since the middle of December.

Sbragia has injury doubts over Steed Malbranque, while Nyron Nosworthy and Craig Gordon are set to miss the club’s big day.

Hiddink is expected to recall Michael Ballack to the first team and Deco and Carvalho are back in contention for a place in the squad.

The Stadium of Light should produce a wall of sound today as the fans get behind their team one finally time, but I’m sure they will be cheering on Villa and Manchester United just as much!

Sunderland vs Chelsea; Kick Off 4:00pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 2
Sue Gardener : 0 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 3
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 0 - 4
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 0 - 2
Don McMahon : 0 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 0 - 2
Tony Ratton : 0 - 2
Peter Rendle : 0 - 3
Dan Taylor : 1 - 3
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 3
Isaac Williams : 0 - 2
Mark Williams : 0 - 1

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a Chelsea in that could doom Sunderland.

Home: 1; Draw: 1; Away: 14; TBC: 2.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Hull City v Manchester United: Tigers aim to tame the champions

Hull City had three reasons to be cheerful last weekend. Firstly Phil Brown’s men got a vital point away at Bolton Wanderers (although how it wasn’t all three remains a mystery). Newcastle United then lost to Fulham, ensuring that Hull City’s point at the Reebok lifted them above Alan Shearer’s men and outside of the bottom three. And finally they cheered as Manchester United clinched the Premier League title knowing that the Champions League holders and finalists won’t need anything from the KC Stadium when they visit on Sunday.

Hull City’s future is very much in their own hands. Beat Manchester United and they stay up, no matter what Newcastle United do at Villa Park. Even if Hull City and Newcastle United manage to gain a share of the spoils it will be the Tigers who stay up. As long as their result is the same as the Magpies then Hull will be capital central on Sunday night.

However, they couldn’t have picked a tougher opponent if they tried. The Red Devils have been in formidable form this season. United have won more games and kept more clean sheets than anyone else and are on course to become the first team since the creation of the Champions League to retain the trophy.

Phil Brown may be spared from facing the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and Carrick as Fergie prepares for their big day out in Rome on Wednesday night. But that doesn’t mean Hull City have got it easy though as those squad players who come in for the superstars will be looking to push for  a starting place in the Champions League final themselves. If anything it may make it harder for the Tigers who have only managed one win in the league since the middle of December.

Hull City have only triumphed over Manchester United twice since the end of the Second World War and only once in the league, back in 1974. But let’s not forget that the Tigers went to Old Trafford earlier this season and put three past them. Unfortunately for them they conceded four, but at least they know that they can score against the champions.

If Hull City fans had been offered this scenario at the start of the season they would have snapped your arm off. Their amazing debut season in the top flight will be determined by this final fixture. Can they cap it off with a win over the champions or will they slip back through the trap door? Only one panel member believes that Hull can stay up with a victory with a further three thinking that they can get a point. But will that be enough? I’m sure Hull fans will be cheering on Aston Villa as much as they are the Tigers.

Hull City v Manchester United: Kick off 4pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 2
Sue Gardener : 0 - 4
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 2
Don McMahon : 0 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 0 - 2
Tony Ratton : 1 - 3
Peter Rendle : 1 - 2
Dan Taylor : 1 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 2
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The majority believes the champions will end the season with a win.

Home: 1; Draw: 3; Away: 10; TBC: 4.

* Do you think you could beat the bookies with your predictions? Would you like to join the panel for next season? We're looking at expanding the panel next season and we would love to hear from potential new pundits. Simply drop us a line using the facility below and we'll be in touch soon.

Fulham v Everton: Europe’s in Fulham’s hands

Christmas has certainly come early for Roy Hodgson and Fulham. One more win will seal their place in next season’s Europa League and they couldn’t have asked for an easier opponent than Everton, as the Toffees haven’t even gained a point, let alone win, at the Cottage since 1966!

After last season’s relegation battle I’m sure most Fulham fans would have been happy with a mid-table finish, but they have surpassed everyone’s expectations and are now just 90 minutes away from Europe and recording their most successful season ever in the top flight.

Standing in their way though is this season’s FA Cup finalists Everton. David Moyes will no doubt have one eye on next weekend, but he will also be keen to hold off the threat from Aston Villa in order to finish fifth. Moyes will also be looking to see which players are the hungriest for a cup final start, so they won’t be in the capital just to fulfil their duties, they will be there to win.

Fulham’s success this season has ultimately been down to the stability of their defence. Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes and Pantsil have played the majority of their games and have struck up an excellent understanding. They have the best defensive record outside of the top three and this has enabled those in front of them to play with confidence, knowing the defence will do what they are paid to do.  

David Moyes has a near fully-fit squad to choose from so former Fulham favourite Louis Saha could come back to dent their European dreams.

Roy Hodgson may have to do without former Everton striker Andrew Johnson, as he is struggling with a knee injury, but Bobby Zamora is pushing for a first team start. Giles Barnes though will miss out through an Achilles injury.

A win will seal Fulham’s fate but a point may also be enough on goal difference. However, Fulham also have the safety net of knowing that even if they do slip up against Everton, the only team that can pip them to that Europa League place is Tottenham Hotspur who are playing Liverpool at Anfield – a ground where they have only won in the league once in the past 24 years and Liverpool haven’t lost in front of their home fans in the league this season.

On paper it all looks good for Roy Hodgson’s men but football is anything but predictable, especially on the last day of the season. However, the majority of the panel believes that Fulham will get the points required to cap an excellent season.

Fulham v Everton: Kick off 4pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 0
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 2
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 0
Tony Ratton : 1 - 2
Peter Rendle : 2 - 2
Dan Taylor : 3 - 2
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
Everton’s poor record at the Cottage hasn’t deterred two of our pundits from tipping them for victory but the majority believes Fulham will seal a European place with a win.

Home: 7; Draw: 5; Away: 2; TBC: 4.

* Do you think you could beat the bookies with your predictions? Would you like to join the panel for next season? We're looking at expanding the panel next season and we would love to hear from potential new pundits. Simply drop us a line using the facility below and we'll be in touch soon.

Arsenal v Stoke City: Potters seek double glory over the Gunners

Arsene Wenger had a few choice words with Tony Pulis following the Potters’ shock 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium earlier this season but there shouldn’t be any altercations on Sunday as neither club has anything to play for bar pride.

Robin Van Persie saw red that cold November day as Wenger accused Stoke City players of trying to injure his players, but in truth it was Stoke’s strength on the ball, a never-say-die attitude and fortune in front of goal that secured them the priceless victory. Arsenal just weren’t up for the battle.

However, that it is all water under the bridge as Stoke City, thanks largely to their impressive home form and passionate support, have ensured they will be rubbing shoulders with the big boys again next season while Arsenal have secured a top four finish yet again.

But while Stoke City bask in the limelight, Arsenal fans can’t wait for the season to end. They’ve had a poor league campaign by their standards and the Gunners fell short in all cup competitions to ensure a fourth year without any silverware. Arsene Wenger has come under increasing pressure from the fans and media to spend and change his philosophy. He has stated that he is prepared to buy a few players in the summer but it will be interesting to see who comes in and how much he is actually allowed to spend.

Arsenal haven’t lost on the final day of the season at home since 1993 and only the most staunch Stoke City fans can see that changing this weekend. Tony Pulis’s men though do have the opportunity to record their first double over the Gunners in 33 years.

It may not be the fraught affair that we saw at the Britannia Stadium when these two clashed back in November, but it should prove to be an exciting clash with a couple of goals, although only four pundits can see Stoke breaching the Arsenal goal.

Arsenal v Stoke City: Kick off 4pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 3 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 3 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 3 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 0
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 2 - 0
Don McMahon : 2 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
Stoke City deserve great credit for staying in the Premier League, but the panel believes that their season is going to end with a football lesson from the Gunners.

Home: 13; Draw: 0; Away: 1; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

West Ham United v Middlesbrough: Southgate’s looking for a miracle

For Gareth Southgate’s men to retain their Premier League status they are going to need a miracle. First they must beat Gianfranco Zola’s Hammers at Upton Park, hope Newcastle United and Hull City lose and that goal difference swings in their favour in order to stay up. It’s a tall ask but Boro fans will head to the East End of London believing that the Great Escape is still on.

Middlesbrough’s failing this season boils down to their inability to score. A return of just 27 goals from 37 matches is terrible and doesn’t bode well for the final day when they must put as many past Robert Green as possible. Their cause will not be helped by the fact that Stewart Downing is out with a broken foot and joins the likes of Emanuel Pogatetz, Didier Digard, Afonso Alvez and Chris Riggott on the sidelines, and that they have lost their past 11 away games in the Premier League.

However, Middlesbrough fans will be looking for a repeat of the final day last season when they smashed eight past Manchester City. Although that was at the Riverside and Sven’s players were dreaming about their holidays.

Gianfranco Zola has worked wonders at West Ham United and the club, if they can find a new owner in the summer, looks to have a bright future under the little Italian’s guidance. He’s not afraid to give the club’s promising youngsters a chance to prove themselves in the top flight and insists on remaining loyal to the West Ham football philosophy. Next season promises to be one to remember for Hammers around the globe.

The Hammers really don’t have that much to play for here really. They can’t qualify for the Europa League and are guaranteed a top 10 finish – who would have thought that back in December? But I’m sure Zola won’t be sending his troops out just for a training session. He will want to win and he will expect his players to be fighting for a first team place for next season. They will also want revenge after Middlesbrough knocked them out of the FA Cup.

West Ham haven’t lost on the final day of the season in the top flight since 2001. However, their opponents that day were Middlesbrough, but it was at the Riverside. Could Boro, who have lost their past six meetings with the Irons, live up to their part of the equation with a win over West Ham United? It looks unlikely, especially when you consider that their last win at Upton Park was in 2000, thanks to a Brian Deane penalty, and that they have only scored in the East End twice since then. It could very well be bye-bye Boro.

West Ham United v Middlesbrough: Kick off 4pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 0 - 3
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 2
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
Middlesbrough desperately need a win but only three panel members believe they will get it.

Home: 7; Draw: 4; Away: 3; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

 

Aston Villa v Newcastle United: Moment of truth for the Toon Army

Newcastle United have been involved in some huge games during their history but this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa is undoubtedly their biggest and most important game in a generation. Win and Alan Shearer has a chance of managing the club he loves in the top flight next season. Lose and more than 55,000 men, women and children will be crying their hearts out as the nightmare of trips to Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle next season becomes a reality.

Nobody in their right mind expected Newcastle United to be in this position at the start of the season but they have gone from one crisis to another and are now just 90 minutes away from sensationally dropping out of the top flight. Even if they beat Martin O’Neill’s men at Villa Park on Sunday there’s still a chance that Newcastle United could go down as Hull City line up against the champions Manchester United and north east rivals Sunderland take on Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. Although it’s highly unlikely that both Hull City and Sunderland will win their games, Alan Shearer knows that Newcastle’s future is ultimately out of their hands.

It looked a lot different a fortnight ago when the Mags put three past Middlesbrough at St James’ Park to lift themselves out of the bottom three, but defeat at home to Fulham, combined with Hull City’s point at Bolton Wanderers, has put the Geordies back in the firing line. However, despite having only recorded one win at Villa Park in their past five visits, Newcastle fans can travel to the Midlands feeling confident. They’ve taken more points off Villa than any other team in the Premier League, they haven’t lost to a single team in the Midlands this season (they beat Villa 2-0 in November) and Aston Villa have won just once in their past 15 league and cup games.

However, before all of those with black and white blood running their veins get too excited, Newcastle have only won on their travels twice in this campaign (v Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion), they’ve lost their last two away games without even scoring and haven’t done the double over Villa for 10 seasons.

But this game isn’t all about Alan Shearer and Newcastle United. Aston Villa want to clinch fifth place ahead of Everton (who play Fulham) and beat last season’s points tally, so they won’t be turning up just to roll over to Shearer’s men.

Sunday’s game is going to be fast and furious as Newcastle know that they must win to have any chance of beating the drop (although a point could be sufficient if Hull City lost to Manchester United) , but an all-out attacking formation could provide Villa’s speed merchants the chance to counter attack and seal the Geordies’ fate.

The Geordies have given the Premier League some magical memories down the years and the top flight would ultimately be a far quieter place without the passionate Toon Army, but they will be praying that luck shines on them this weekend.

Newcastle United haven’t won anything of real importance in almost 40 years, but if they win on Sunday and stay up Tyneside will be party central. And if Sunderland happen to fall through the trapdoor instead, Newcastle fans will be convinced there is a God!

Aston Villa v Newcastle United: Kick off 4pm 24 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 0
Chris Goodwin : 1 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 2
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 2
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 0
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 1
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Newcastle to get a point, but will it prove to be enough?

Home: 4; Draw: 8; Away: 2; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

League Two play-off final: Will it be third time lucky for Shrewsbury Town at Wembley?

Wembley is the home of football but for Shrewsbury Town fans the world famous stadium has brought them nothing but bad luck. Twice the Shrews have reached Wembley and twice the fans from Shropshire have headed back to the Midlands with their dreams in tatters.

In 1996 a Nigel Jemson double for Rotherham United ended their hopes of winning the Auto Windscreens Final and just two years ago Bristol Rovers denied them the opportunity to win promotion to League One in the play-off final. However, everyone associated with the club will be hoping that it’s very much third time lucky when they face Gillingham on Saturday.

Earlier this week I brought you the views of Shrewsbury Town fan Glyn Price, 28, from the Shrewsbury Town away supporters club, and here is the concluding part of that interview.

Town’s on-loan West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Luke Daniels was the club’s hero in the play-off semi-final against Bury after pulling off a string of remarkable saves and denying the Shakers in the penalty shoot-out. Glyn, whose best moment as a Shrews fan came in 2003 when they knocked Everton out of the FA Cup, says the shot-stopper certainly has a bright future ahead of him in the game after bouncing back from injury.

“I can’t see him being as busy at Wembley as he has been in the past few games, but for a 19-year-old lad he seems to have thrived in the big occasions this season and Wembley should not be much different. He’s got a great future ahead of him and, if we can renew the loan, I hope I get to see many more big performances from him in 2009/10. One thing to say about him also is he got very badly injured v Port Vale this season and after battling back he seemed to have lost his confidence, and looked like he might drift away as another player who might not make it. That he came back to produce the magic of the last few games following this injury proves the lad has something special.”

Daniels will have to put in another marvellous performance against Gillingham if Shrewsbury are to gain promotion to League One, but the man that most Town fans will be looking to shoot them into the same league as Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, Norwich City and co is star striker Grant Holt. The former Nottingham Forest marksman has found the back of the net 20 times in the league this season and his presence and experience in front of goal has proved to be invaluable.

“I rate Grant Holt very highly,” said Glyn Price. “He’s more than a striker, he can come deep and play people in, he can track back and defend on the edge of his area, and he’s a handy player to have defending corners and free kicks. He offers much more than just a lower League Two striker should and I personally think he’s playing at least one lever lower than he should be. I think we ended up forking out £170k for him which was money very well spent looking back, but how much is he worth now…. I’m not sure I think we would probably snap someone’s hands off at £500k. That said should we go up I can see him staying, he’s not out of contact and he’s loved by the fans.”

But Shrewsbury Town are more than just a one-man team. They have class players throughout the squad and a number of match winners to boot, as Glyn explained.

“To be fair Grant has taken the plaudits and has been class. He’s the best striker the club has had for a very long time. But there are others deserving of the same praise. Paul Murray, a midfield workhorse, has been the heartbeat of the team most of this season. Unfortunately he’s got a dodgy knee and so many times this season he’s not lasted the 90 and come off, and as soon as he has we have fallen apart. Hopefully he’s got one last big 90 in his knees. Also a word for captain fantastic Graham Coughlan, who has been in one word this season “immense”. A rock at the back and a true leader, it would be so deserving if he were to pick that trophy up.”

Glyn, who admits the past few games have been tense affairs for everyone concerned, also has some kind words for the manager Paul Simpson, who hasn’t always been a hit with the fans.

“Simpson is doing very well. As a minimum expectation this season we at least expected the play-offs after breaking the club transfer record on Grant Holt and signing several other experienced League One players. He’s done that and getting to the final is that one step further and he’s got a lot of good will from the fans right now. That said it’s not been smooth sailing this season. The fans have turned on him at times, with very poor losses to Macclesfield away, Bournemouth away and Luton away. The inability to win an away game in more than 30 games really wound some fans up. But once that run was over we won three away games on the spin which shows how stupid football can be at times! Personally win or lose, he’s got another season to keep building this already decent team. I look forward to the Paul Simpson team of 2009/10.”

Mark Stimson’s Gillingham finished six points ahead of Shrewsbury in the table and they enter the play-off final with Shrewsbury as slight favourites. Glyn admits that he hasn’t seen too much of the Gills this season but thinks their top goalscorer Simeon Jackson – who has scored 17 in the league – could be their main danger man.

However, Glyn is adamant that Shrewsbury Town should just concentrate on their game and let Mark Stimson and the Gillingham players and fans do all the worrying.

“Having only seen the Gills in person twice, and in the play-off games, I would say the striker Jackson is their main threat and the sort of player that could give our centre-backs a rough ride, as we don’t really posses a lot of pace in that position. However for me, it’s not about worrying about the other team, it’s more about our 11 men doing their job to the best of their ability and without mistakes. If they do we will not lose no matter what their danger men get up to.”

Shrewsbury Town fans have experienced the highs and the lows in the past few decades. They’ve celebrated being an FA Cup giant-killer, moved into luxurious new surroundings at the Prostar Stadium and toasted promotion parties, but they have also suffered the indignation of relegation to the conference – although that was just for one season. So what would it mean to the fans to be back in the third tier of English football? For Glyn it would be a dream come true.

“Shrewsbury Town are a League One club and we have spent too long down in League Two (and that horrible year in the conference!). It feels like our time again, and we now have the stadium and facilities to say we are a League One club. It’s been a long time since we were last in the third tier of English football. I was a young lad when we were there last for a few seasons. I remember watching Wayne Clark, Dean Spink and co get us out of this league last time, and I want to see it happen again.”

Gillingham and Shrewsbury Town have produced 11 goals in their two previous meetings this season, although seven of them belonged to the Shrews following that incredible game in September, but with the energy-sapping Wembley pitch and the nerves of the big occasion to contend with just what sort of game is Glyn expected on Saturday?

“Who knows? Confident as I am, football is a random game so anything could happen. That we have got to the final the way we have means
I’m not expecting it to be straight forward. I reckon 2-1 Shrewsbury with Ben Davies scoring the winner three minutes from the end of injury time.”

• Calling all Shrewsbury Town fans. How do you think the play-off final will pan out? Do you think this will be third time lucky for the Shrews or will your Wembley woes continue? Who will be your main men and who do you think could ruin your promotion dream? I’d love to hear from you.

Premier League; The Battle To Beat The Drop

Matters are already resolved at the top end of the Premier League for 2008/09, so again most of the attention on the final day will be on the battle to avoid relegation to the Coca Cola Championship.

Following Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth last night (May 18) there are still four teams scrapping out to escape the ignominy of joining West Bromwich Albion in the second tier. The Black Cats, along with Phil Brown’s Hull City, might have expected to be in this position when the season started, but those associated with Newcastle United and Middlesbrough have been left reeling from the catastrophic seasons they have endured. It could be about to get worse.

Middlesbrough are in the deepest hole of all. Gareth Southgate’s side were held 1-1 by Aston Villa last weekend, and now need snookers to avoid the drop. Only a win in their final game of the season at West Ham United will give them any chance, and even then they are relying on help from elsewhere. They need Newcastle United to lose at Aston Villa and Hull to lose at home to Manchester United. All of which seems plausible until you take all of the facts into account.

Hull are currently three points better off than Boro, so to escape on goal difference ahead of the Tigers the Riverside club need to effect a five-goal turnaround. That is to say that if they beat West Ham by one goal, they would need Hull to lose by four against the champions. All and sundry are predicting that Sir Alex Ferguson will field a second string side in order to keep his big guns fresh for the Champions League final just three days after the visit to Hull, and although Ferguson will field a side well capable of winning the game, there must be fears on Teesside about whether the margin of victory will be sufficient even if they take care of their own business at Upton Park. Oh, and they have only won twice away from home all season. And another thing. Stewart Downing is struggling to be fit in time having been stretchered off four days ago (May 16).

So while Hull seem favourites to fend off Middlesbrough, they still need to finish ahead of one of either Newcastle or Sunderland to earn themselves a crack at second season syndrome. At present they lie a point ahead of Newcastle and one shy of Sunderland. An unlikely win over Manchester United would be enough, but a point would only be enough should Newcastle fail to beat Villa. Lose and Hull face the prospect of the drop if Newcastle can get a point against Martin O’Neill’s side.

Sunderland will be ruing the missed opportunity to secure their safety at Fratton Park last night, but go into the final day’s fixtures knowing that they are strong favourites to stay up. The fly in the ointment is that they face Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, but it should be remembered that this is a Chelsea side with an FA Cup final to look forward to. You sense that they are a squad determined to send Guus Hiddink off back to Russia with another major trophy win to add to his CV. Yet for Sunderland to hit the skids both Newcastle United and Hull City have to win, a scenario which seems unlikely. There is just the merest squeak of a chance that a Hull draw could still put Sunderland in the mire, but it would take a hefty goal-haul from Hiddink’s men to bring that to fruition.

In the final analysis it is hard to place any faith in Middlesbrough’s chances, leaving the remaining hot potato to be thrown around by Newcastle United, Hull and Sunderland. In truth, and despite Villa’s marked dip in form in the latter part of the season, it would be a major surprise if the St.James’ Park outfit took all three points from the second city. That said, expect a mass outpouring of grief on Tyneside as the Toon Army finally gets the reality check that some might say they have been in need of for a very long time.

My bottom three;

18. Newcastle United - 34 points
19. Middlesbrough - 32 points
20 West Bromwich Albion - 32 points

By Stephen Orford

19 May 2009

League Two play-off final: Shrewsbury Town seek Wembley glory

If Shrewsbury Town are to play in League One next season then they have certainly done things the hard way. They left it until the last day of the season to book their place in the play-offs with a win over Dagenham & Redbridge and it took a penalty shoot-out against Bury to seal their place in the final at Wembley.

About 25,000 Shrewsbury Town fans are expected at Wembley on Saturday to roar on their heroes and Glyn Price, 28, from the Shrewsbury Town away supporters club, is expecting Town to be a League One club come Saturday evening.

“We have been here before two seasons ago (they lost 3-1 to Bristol Rovers) and that ended up feeling very flat. Last time it was a day trip to Wembley for a small club like Shrewsbury, and really we were soundly beaten. This time it’s our time to go up. It’s no day out. We are there for one thing . . . promotion. We should be playing at St Mary’s next season not at Moss Road.

“It means a lot to return to Wembley as it’s a chance to put a lot of things right. This will be the club’s third trip to the home of football and both previous occasions we have let ourselves down. In 1996 we lost the AWS Final to Rotherham (thanks to Nigel Jemson who went on to play for us), and in 2007 we lost in the League Two play-off final to Bristol Rovers (thanks to Richard Walker who went on to play for us).

“As I said, people have done the day trip there now and seen the stadium, this time it’s about winning and promotion. We must complete the task of this season and get up, especially considering we have one of the highest budgets in the league. And even if we do lose, whoever scores the goals for Gillingham will be nailed on to end up playing for Shrewsbury a few years down the line!”

Shrewsbury Town’s opponents at Wembley will be Gillingham, who were resoundingly thrashed by the Shrews 7-0 in September. Paul Simpson’s men then went to the Priestfield Stadium and left it late to take a share of the spoils, which was a great achievement considering Town’s awful away record. So do the Gills hold any fears for Glyn?

“I’m personally very confident. For a start this team is much better than the 2007 vintage and secondly I believe Gillingham to be a worst team than the well drilled Bristol Rovers team we faced in 2007. With players like Holt, Coughlan, Murray and Davies, we have big players for this level of football, who can turn it on in the big games. Also the younger lads in the team, Ashton, Langemead and Herd also have experience at Wembley from 2007 so should not be overawed. You have to go there confident after the last 10 games we have played, home or away now we look match for anyone.”

Gillingham finished the season six points ahead of Shrewsbury Town but when it came to head-to-head fixtures Paul Simpson’s men definitely came out on top. But Glyn, whose favourite Town players of all time are Duane Darby and Paul Evans, believes that could give their opponents the ammunition needed to shoot down their promotion dreams.

“This season’s results could be an advantage for us, but it could also be a disadvantage and fire up the Gillingham players. I think Simpson will just treat this as another game and won’t bring any of the mind games into it with our players. He likes to operate simply and to the point and I can’t see him being drawn into any funny business in the press before the match.

“The 7-0 game was just one of them games, when everything you hit goes in, while Gillingham missed several good chances. It was a hell of a day at the Prostar! As for the away game, the Gills’ players and fans were gutted we got back into that game at the end and secured a point. If anything I think that will have annoyed them more than the tonking at our place.”

Shrewsbury are only 90 minutes away from being a League One club but who are their main danger men and which Gillingham stars could dash their promotion dreams? Come back later this week when Glyn Price will share more of his views ahead of the big game.

Portsmouth: Is Paul Hart the right man for Pompey?

Paul Hart’s sole objective when he took over from Tony Adams as Portsmouth caretaker boss was simple, keep Pompey in the Premier League. Well he achieved that goal on Saturday afternoon without even kicking a ball as Newcastle United went down 1-0 at home to Fulham. But should he be given the job on a permanent basis?

Hart, and his experienced number two Brian Kidd, have steadied the ship at Fratton Park and gone back to basics. Portsmouth have kept four clean sheets in their 11 games in charge, won on Hart’s managerial debut at the club against Manchester City and helped steer Pompey out of the bottom three to safety. Not bad considering the team had lost their grip on the FA Cup and failed to win in their previous nine attempts in the league.

However, despite Hart’s achievements there is a section of the fans who would like to see him replaced in the summer, with Avram Grant and Sven Goran-Eriksson among some of the names being linked with the post. They are not impressed with Hart’s defensive mentality and claim that they are only safe because those in and around them are, ie Newcastle United, worse than they are. These fans would love to see somebody with an offensive mindset to come in and get the best out of the likes of Pennant, Belhadj and Crouch.

But if the reports in the Press are to be believed then Hart is likely to be offered a new deal in the coming weeks. Portsmouth’s chief executive Peter Storrie has been impressed with Hart’s reign at the club and is predicting exciting times ahead if Hart signs a full-time contract.

Portsmouth can boast a host of top international stars but the club must challenge for a place in Europe or some of those stars will head off to pastures new. They definitely won't want to be in another relegation dogfight, that's for sure. Hart has done what was asked of him, but is he really the man to take Portsmouth on to the next level? You tell me.

·         Calling all Portsmouth fans. What are your views on Paul Hart? Would you be happy to see him installed as your manager on a permanent basis or would you prefer Eriksson or Grant to be given the job? I’d love to hear from you.

Portsmouth vs Sunderland: The Black Cats know what’s required

Newcastle’s defeat at home to Fulham on Saturday was wildly cheered by both Portsmouth and Sunderland fans, but for two different reasons. For Portsmouth supporters, that result guarantees that Fratton Park will be hosting Premier League football next season. For Sunderland fans, well, they just love watching the Geordies getting beat!

Unfortunately for the Black Cats their future is still to be decided, although it is in their own hands. They need at least two points from their remaining two games to ensure they’ll be in the top flight come August, but they couldn’t have asked for two tougher games. They travel to Fratton Park on Monday evening before entertaining FA Cup finalists Chelsea on the final day of the season, so I think it’s safe to say that they will be looking to secure all three points on the south coast.

Despite only recording one win in their past seven Premier League outings, Portsmouth still have everything to play for. Nobody knows if Paul Hart will be given the manager’s job on a permanent basis but the players know that they must impress whatever happens. Fratton Park prides itself on having one of the most passionate home supports in the country and they will be keen to see their heroes win their final home game of the season.

Sunderland have yet to win away from the Stadium of Light in 2009 and have failed to score in their past three outings. The pressure on Ricky Sbragia is growing, with more Sunderland fans voicing their concern over his appointment, and their record against Pompey is pretty poor. They’ve only beaten their south coast counterparts once in the Premier League and you have to go back to 1997 for the last time they triumphed at Fratton Park.

A point would be a step in the right direction for Sunderland but it might not be enough in the long run. A draw would take them to 37 points, two points clear of Hull City and three clear of Newcastle United. Nobody outside of Wearside believes that the Black Cats can beat Chelsea on the final day and nobody can see Hull City beating the champions Manchester United either. However, if the Mags were to beat Aston Villa they would join Sunderland on 37 points and climb above them on goal difference. And if Hull were then to gain a shock win at the KC Stadium it would send Sunderland through the Premier League trap door.

With West Bromwich Albion officially down, Sunderland have the chance to beat Portsmouth and guarantee their Premiership status with a game to spare. However, the panel is expecting Portsmouth to pick up their first win in five attempts and take Sunderland’s battle to beat the drop right down to the final day.

Portsmouth vs Sunderland; Kick Off 8:00pm 18 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 0 - 0
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Peter Lee : 0 - 0
Don McMahon : 0 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 1 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Portsmouth to win narrowly and confirm its status.

Home: 8; Draw: 6; Away: 0; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Tevez: Where will he start next season – United, City, Liverpool, Spurs or Arsenal?

Carlos Tevez picked up his second Premiership winners’ medal on Saturday but will he be at Old Trafford come August to challenge for a third? Tevez’s immediate future is as clear as mud. Manchester United have the option to buy the Argentine striker for about £32 million but it’s claimed that United are unwilling to meet that valuation, so where does that leave Tevez?

The 25-year-old seemingly waved goodbye to the Old Trafford fans when he was substituted by Sir Alex Ferguson against Arsenal and has reportedly made claims in the Press that Fergie doesn’t fancy him. Tevez, with his effervescent enthusiasm and commitment to the cause, has been a huge hit with the United fans during his two-year loan spell and they desperately want him to stay at Old Trafford. Is there any way that Tevez will be a United player next season?

Ferguson hasn’t given Tevez too many 90 minutes this season, which is understandable when you have the players that he does at his disposal, but Tevez has felt more aggrieved than most about his lack of playing time. However, when he is given the chance, especially coming off the bench, he has the potential to change games – just look at Wigan away – and Ferguson will have noted that.

United are reportedly looking into Tevez’s relationship with his adviser Kia Joorabchian and may take the issue to the courts. One thing’s for sure though, the fans don’t want him to go and I’m sure deep down that Tevez doesn’t want to go either.

However, there are no shortage of suitors for the Argentine. Manchester United’s fiercest rivals Liverpool have been touted with a move for Tevez, as have Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

A strike force of Torres and Tevez at Anfield would give defenders nightmares for weeks. Torres is pure class. Combine that with Tevez’s endless energy and commitment then Liverpool could well stop United’s march to a 19^th league crown. Throw Steven Gerrard’s influence in the mix as well and the Reds could well be in and amongst the silverware next season. But would Tevez want to cross the Liverpool-Manchester divide? He wants to play football at the highest level so I guess so.

Tevez has been quoted as saying that he wants to remain in England which will be good news to the multi-billionaires at Manchester City. Mark Hughes has been given the challenge of getting City into the Champions League and he has more money to throw about than the careless bankers who sparked the credit crunch. City have constantly been linked with Blackburn’s Roque Santa Cruz but who’s to say that a strike force of Cruz, Robinho and Tevez won’t be lining up at Eastlands next season? £32 million for Tevez may seem a bit steep but you show me a proven Premier League striker who wouldn’t demand the same transfer fee? And £32 million is pocket money for City’s owners. But again would he want to sour his relationship with the United fans by joining their city neighbours?

However, Tottenham Hotspur have also entered the race for Tevez’s signature. Redknapp will be looking to offload Darren Bent in the summer and reshape the squad for next season, and Tevez would no doubt be a huge hit with the White Hart Lane faithful. Spurs like to play in a similar way to Manchester United and it wouldn’t take Carlos long to reacquaint himself with life in the capital following his time at Upton Park. A forward trio of Tevez, Keane and Defoe would strike fear through most Premier League managers. Redknapp is famed for his wheeling and dealing but this would be his biggest coup bar none.

You also can’t rule Arsenal out of the chase either. With rumours that Adebayor could be on his way out of the club, possibly to Chelsea, Arsene Wenger may well be willing to splash some of that cash on Tevez, a player who he has long been linked with. Tevez, unlike Adebayor, would give his all in every match for the Gunners and could ensure that they turn draws into wins next season. He’s definitely young enough to fit into the Arsenal set-up but would Wenger be willing to risk blowing a huge chunk of his transfer budget on one player? At least they, like Liverpool, can offer him Champions League football.

All four clubs would welcome Tevez with open arms because they know exactly what they are going to get with the Argentine; passion, pace, determination and goals. But Manchester United won’t want him to join any of their major rivals. Whatever happens, Tevez is still going to be playing football at the highest level. Where that will be though is anyone’s guess.

·         Calling all Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal fans. How much would you like to see Tevez at your club next season? Would United fans still respect Tevez even if he joined Liverpool or Manchester City? Is Tevez really worth £32 million? Could he really be the difference between nearly winning something and actually winning silverware? I’d love to hear from you.

Reading: Who will be the new manager of the Royals?

Steve  Coppell’s departure as Reading boss didn’t really come as a surprise to those in the game but the former Crystal Palace chief will be a hard act to follow at the Madejski Stadium. However, there is no shortage of managers being linked with the vacant position, but who would you like to see as your manager for the season ahead?

Here are just a few of the main runners and riders in the race to become the new Reading boss:

Brendan Rogers

The former Chelsea reserve team manager and current Watford chief has emerged as the favourite to succeed Steve Coppell. Rogers, 36, who only took over at Vicarage Road in November and guided the Hornets to 13^th in the Championship, is a former Reading academy manager and still lives in the Berkshire town. He currently has a 12-month rolling contract with Watford but the Hornets’ chairman Jimmy Ruso is confident of retaining his services. Young, bright and well-respected in the game, Rogers could be a major part of Reading’s long-term future.

Paul Ince

The former MK Dons and Macclesfield boss has been out of the game since he was shown the door, prematurely many feel, by Blackburn Rovers in December. Regarded as one of the country’s best young managers after helping MK Dons to the League Two title in his first season at the club, Ince has it all to prove again after an unsuccessful spell at Ewood Park. The former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder would relish the challenge of taking Reading back to the top flight and his confidence and enthusiasm would surely rub off on the players.

Alan Curbishley

The former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United manager has been linked with every vacant position in the game since leaving Upton Park in September, but there’s a decent chance that he might be tempted to manage in the Championship with Reading. The Royals are a well-run club and are geared for life in the top flight. But would Curbishley, who has turned down other opportunities to manage in the Championship because he sees himself as a Premier League boss, be willing to risk his reputation at the Madejski Stadium?

Aidy Boothroyd

The former Watford chief is another manager currently looking for a way back into the game but would his style of football appeal to the Reading fans? Boothroyd, who had to retire from the game at the age of 26 through injury, knows what it takes to win games and get promoted from the Championship, but it’s hardly easy on the eye. He left Vicarage Road by mutual consent in November after a poor start to the season but it’s only a matter of time before he’s back in the game. Are the Reading board strong enough to appoint a man who is prepared to win by all means necessary?

Gary Johnson

The Bristol City boss has worked wonders at Ashton Gate but would he be tempted to follow in Coppell’s boots at Reading? Johnson is regarded as a great man-manager with fantastic motivational skills and it would be a disgrace if the former Latvian chief was denied an opportunity to test his skills against the best in the country. However, I believe he still has a lot of goals to fulfil at Bristol City and I would be surprised to see him jump him ship after only signing a new five-year contract last September.

Paul Tisdale

The Exeter City manager has worked miracles at St James’ Park and the Grecians will be playing the likes of Leeds United, Charlton Athletic and Norwich City next season after Tisdale guided the club to successive promotions – the first Exeter boss to do so in their history. Tisdale is only 36 but is well respected in the game for playing football the right way, something the Reading fans would really appreciate, and he has a game future ahead of him. However, would he be willing to walk out on Exeter City without seeing the job through?

Other names linked with the vacant manager’s job include Reading’s Academy manager Eamonn Dolan, Darren Ferguson, Glenn Hoddle, Ian Holloway, Roberto Martinez, Iain Dowie, Paul Jewell, Glenn Roeder, Alan Pardew, Gary McAllister and David O’Leary.

·         Calling all Reading fans. Who would you like to see as your new manager? I’d love to hear from you.

Sir Alex Ferguson tilting history at #18

When plain old Alex Ferguson arrived at Manchester United in November 1986 there were no thoughts of building a dynasty - a single league title would be an absolute godsend. United was seriously struggling, Ron Atkinson had gambled everything on the title - more or less abandoning a once flourishing youth policy to bring in experienced professionals. The season before had seen United top of the table for the first few months only to fizzle out after Christmas; with the poor form continuing into the next season when the worst league start for 40 years forced the board to act.

Ferguson was brought in to smash the pre-eminence of Liverpool and Everton in the same way that he broke up the Celtic/Rangers dominance in Scotland. But if you look at the distribution of titles up to Ferguson's appointment it is clear that his involvement at the club is more significant than seems possible. It took Ferguson six full seasons to take the team to the title but since then the titles have been accumulated remorselessly.

To anyone who is under 30-years-old there can be no real recollection of United not being a title challenging team - so here is the distribution of titles before Ferguson arrived in England.

Distribution of titles up to 1986

16 Liverpool
8 Arsenal, Everton
7 Aston Villa, Manchester United
6 Sunderland
4 Newcastle United, The Wednesday/Sheffield Wednesday
3 Huddersfield Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers
2 Preston North End, Portsmouth, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Derby County, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers
1 Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea

Before Ferguson, Liverpool was simply out of sight, enjoying as many league titles as the two next best teams put together. Interestingly Everton and Arsenal were numbers two and three back then with United another title back, level with Villa with seven successes one more than Sunderland. Chelsea was on a par with Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest.

In his time at United, to date, Ferguson has dominated the honours board. After a slow start where Everton, Liverpool, Leeds and Arsenal won titles in his early years United has dominated the nineties (winning five titles) and the noughties (winning six). In total seven different teams have been champions whilst Ferguson has been in charge at Old Trafford - which demonstrates how recent this cosy cartel at the top of the English game actually is.

Title distributions in Ferguson's 22½ seasons

11 Manchester United
5 Arsenal
2 Liverpool, Chelsea
1 Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United, Everton

So the title distribution now look skewed in favour of the new 'big three'; Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have now won 45% of all league titles in England and only Chelsea looks likely to seriously discomfort them in the coming years. Ferguson has seriously tilted the history of the competition.

Current distribution of titles

18 Liverpool, Manchester United
13 Arsenal
9 Everton
7 Aston Villa
6 Sunderland
4 Newcastle United, The Wednesday/Sheffield Wednesday
3 Huddersfield Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea
2 Preston North End, Portsmouth, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Derby County
1 Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest

Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers: It’s going to be a Blue day for Rovers fans

Third place at least is in the bag for Chelsea while Blackburn Rovers’ win over Portsmouth last weekend ensured that they will be in the top flight for another season at least, so this has all the makings of a typical end of season game.

Chelsea blasted four past Arsenal last weekend, although the score doesn’t tell the whole story of the game, to book their place in the group stages of the Champions League and the players will now surely be looking forward to the FA Cup final against Everton.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers fans and players will be relieved to have their future sorted out with two games to go after one of their most gruelling seasons in a long while. Big Sam will no doubt be planning for life in the top flight already and he’ll be keen to show his intention for next season by thwarting Chelsea’s attacking threat this weekend.

However, Blackburn have only stopped Chelsea scoring twice in the past 15 league and cup encounters and have only triumphed at the Bridge once this decade (2003). I remember the days when Blackburn Rovers used to turn over Chelsea on a regular basis but all that changed following a seven-goal thriller at Ewood Park in 1998, when Tore-Andre Flo came off the bench to nab two late goals to seal a 4-3 victory. Those were the days, but I’m afraid the only goals I see on Sunday will be for Chelsea.

The FA Cup finalists haven’t lost at home since Arsenal beat them in November and have only failed to find the back of the net twice at home since then. Blackburn Rovers meanwhile have lost their last four away games on the bounce and nobody can foresee the boys from Lancashire rectifying that record this weekend.

Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou is predicted to miss the game through injury, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti both have flu while Deco and Ricardo Carvalho have hamstring troubles. Blackburn Rovers will be without strikers Roque Santa Cruz and Jason Roberts but defender Andre Ooijer is available for selection after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Blackburn Rovers didn’t want to travel to the Bridge with their Premiership status still under threat. Now that it is secure, they will play with much more freedom. Unfortunately that will be music to Chelsea’s ears and if Hiddink’s men don’t score more than two on Sunday then it will be a miracle.

Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers; Kick Off 4:00pm 17 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 4 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 3 - 0
Sue Gardener : 3 - 1
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 3 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 3 - 0
Peter Lee : 3 - 0
Don McMahon : 3 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 3 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 3 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a big Chelsea win by three or four goals.

Home: 14; Draw: 0; Away: 0; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool: Title’s over, Great Escape’s still on!

Liverpool’s title dream is over but West Brom’s Great Escape (part two) is still alive and kicking. All they need to do is get a result against a Liverpool side that they haven’t even scored past for 26 years!

You have to go back to 1981 for the last time the Baggies triumphed over their Merseyside counterparts, thanks to goals from Bryan Robson and Cyril Regis. Since then the Reds have gone 18 league and cup matches unbeaten against them, and nobody really expects that record to change this weekend, but then this is football and anything can happen.

The Baggies have won their last two home games, scoring three goals each time in the process, and have given themselves an outside chance of beating the drop. A point would take the relegation issue down to the final day of the season but everyone knows that victory is what they ultimately require.

Liverpool’s title challenge may have ended on Saturday but, let’s be honest, it was really lost in January when they drew with the likes of Stoke City, Everton and Wigan Athletic. However, if Benitez can add quality to the squad in the summer and keep Gerrard and Torres fit for the whole season then they will be serious title contenders next year.

It will be interesting to see what team Benitez starts with at the Hawthorns. Will he rest his star names and give some of his squad players a game or will he send the first team out with the intention of sending the Baggies down with a major hiding?

It’s believed that Fernando Torres will feature despite being taken off last week with a hamstring worry and Alonso and Mascherano are both expected to play some part too.

West Brom, fresh from their emphatic 3-1 win over Wigan last weekend, will be without the injured James Morrison and Abdoulaye Meite, and Dean Kiely, who produced heroics at the Hawthorns last week against the Latics, will be looking to keep his place ahead of Scott Carson in goal.

Tony Mowbray was quoted in the Press this week saying that he was amazed that the majority of the fans are still behind him, despite the club propping up the table for most of the season. If the Baggies produce a miracle at the Hawthorns this weekend he will be hailed a God in Sandwell.

West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool; Kick Off 1:30pm 17 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 2
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 3
Sue Gardener : 1 - 4
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 2
Peter Lee : 0 - 3
Don McMahon : 0 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 0 - 4
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 3
Tony Ratton : 1 - 3
Peter Rendle : 1 - 3
Dan Taylor : 1 - 2
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Liverpool to win easily and send West Brom down.

Home: 3; Draw: 0; Away: 11; TBC: 4;

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City: Who wants seventh place more?

With West Ham at Everton and Fulham facing a tough trip to Newcastle, either Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester City could move into seventh - and that final Europa League slot - with a win today.

Tottenham has recovered hugely under Harry Redknapp and privately, Redknapp will no doubt be mulling the pros and cons of competing in the Europa League. It will make recruiting players easier - but will it endanger the targeted push for fourth? Spurs was on 2 points from 8 games when Redknapp arrived and the 46 points from the subsequent 28 games is equivalent to 62 points over a season. Given that Arsenal is currently on 68 points in fourth Redknapp doesn't need to improve his side by very much to push hard for 70+ points and fourth. Do Spurs need the distraction of Europe just yet?

Mark Hughes has gone on record as suggesting that he has done as good a job as Harry Redknapp this season a message underlined by anyone who witnessed his anaemic outfit in the Manchester derby last week. City do look better, generally, than a couple of months ago and with the budget available will probably make a better fist of the Europa League than just about any other English team - but a team that does not travel well really has to win this game to stand any chance of qualifying.

BETTING
All odds courtesy of Bet365, which is currently offering £200 in free bets for new clients.

Match Odds
Spurs is odds on to win at 5/6, the draw is 5/2 with City the 7/2 outsider.

Correct Score
6/1 Tottenham 1-0
7/1 Tottenham 2-0
7/1 Tottenham 2-1

10/1 Draw 0-0
6/1 Draw 1-1

9/1 Man City 1-0
22/1 Man City 2-0
14/1 Man City 2-1

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City; Kick Off 3:00pm 16 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 3 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 1
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 3 - 1
Peter Lee : 2 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 3
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 0 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 3
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 3 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is split, but narrowly favouring a Spurs win.

Home: 8; Draw: 2; Away: 4; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic: Stoke with plenty to cheer about

Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic is eleventh versus twelfth - two team punching above their weights under managers who do not get the money or plaudits that the likes of Harry Redknapp and Mark Hughes enjoy.

Stoke has proved the strongest of the three promoted clubs and although either Hull or West Brom (but I'd guess not both and probably neither) may escape relegation - their form suggests that it should be only a temporary reprieve. Stoke has been consistent throughout the season, beating Arsenal, push teams like Manchester United and Everton hard and generally proving to be one of the best home teams outside the top four. The crowd atmosphere and tight pitch make every home game feel winnable - a feeling which some of the teams at the bottom cannot possibly remember.

Wigan looked good against Manchester United at the weekend and was very unlucky to fall to some clinical finishing - United hardly made the Kingson work at times - such was the harrying defensive effort in from of the stand-in keeper. But with the Europa League chance now gone all Wigan can do is try to hold off Stoke to finish eleventh - a good if hardly spectacular achievement for Steve Bruce.

BETTING
All odds courtesy of Bet365, which is currently offering £200 in free bets for new clients.

Match Odds
Stoke is a strong favourite at 6/5, the draw is 9/4 with Wigan the 12/5 outsider.

Correct Score
6/1 Stoke 1-0
17/2 Stoke 2-0
8/1 Stoke 2-1

15/2 Draw 0-0
11/2 Draw 1-1

15/2 Wigan 1-0
16/1 Wigan 2-0
11/1 Wigan 2-1

Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic; Kick Off 3:00pm 16 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 0
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 2 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 2 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 1 - 0
Tony Ratton : 1 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 1
Dan Taylor : 2 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Stoke to send its season ticket holders home happy after a good season.

Home: 12; Draw: 2; Away: 0; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Bolton Wanderers vs Hull City: Tigers need to show their teeth

Newcastle United’s win over Middlesbrough on Monday night saw the Tigers drop into the relegation zone for the first time this season but can they come back to life with a win over Bolton Wanderers and give their survival race hopes a dramatic lift?

Phil Brown’s Tigers have resembled a young gazelle recently. The bottom three sides have been eyeing up their prey for weeks and, with just two games to go, Alan Shearer’s Black and White Army have gone in for the kill. They climbed above Hull City on goal difference following that 3-1 win over Boro and piled the pressure on an under fire Phil Brown, but will that spring Hull City into life or are they just waiting for the inevitable to happen?

If you had told any Hull City fan in October that they would be in the bottom three with just two games to go they would have laughed in your face, such was their brilliant start to life in the top flight. However, a disastrous run of results has seen the Tigers drop like a stone. They’ve only won once in the league in 2009 and amassed just seven points. It’s a far cry from when they were heading to places like the Emirates and White Hart Lane and heading back up the A1 with all three points. But if Hull City want to extend their stay in the top flight then they are going to have to rediscover that winning mentality.

The Reebok is never an easy place to go at the best of times, let alone when you are desperately seeking points to survive, and Hull’s record at the Trotters is almost as shocking as waking up next to Anne Robinson. Their one and only away win against Bolton came in 1935 but with Manchester United rolling up at the KC Stadium on the final day of the season the message is simple; win or plan for life in the Championship.

Bolton Wanderers reached the magical 40-point mark last weekend with their goalless draw at home to Sunderland, their third draw in a row, and Gary Megson’s men should be allowed to go out and play with freedom. However, there is always the chance that the Bolton players could switch off and allow Hull to take the relegation issue right down to the final day.

Bolton’s Ricardo Gardener has been ruled out for the rest of the season but Danny Shittu could return to the starting line-up. Meanwhile Hull City will be without the banned Caleb Folan and the injured Ian Ashbee, Jimmy Bullard, Anthony Gardener and Bernard Mendy.

It’s been 26 years since Hull last got a result at Bolton. It was a goalless draw that day and although it may not be ideal I’m sure most Hull fans would take that right now if it was offered to them.

Bolton Wanderers vs Hull City; Kick Off 3:00pm 16 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 1 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 0
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 2 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 0
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict

The panel is expecting Bolton to put pile more misery on Phil Brown’s Tigers.

Home: 10; Draw: 3; Away: 1; TBC: 4;

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Newcastle United vs Fulham: Newcastle scent redemption

After beating Middlesbrough on Monday many people are expecting Newcastle to now complete its relegation escape act and beat travel-sick Fulham whose only motivation is to finish seventh.

Newcastle is suddenly a happier club; victory over Middlesbrough has lifted it out of the relegation zone and conceivably another win here will see Premier League football confirmed for next season. The rest of the dead-men are in desperate form so even a point today could be priceless in a weeks time. Newcastle has a good team and with the forwards starting to regain match fitness there is a real expectation that Newcastle will score in every game.

Fulham, in seventh place on 50 points, is the kind of position that Newcastle's investment should guarantee. That Fulham is there is a marvellous compliment to Roy Hodgson who has blended a good, footballing team without a big transfer budget and could well lead Fulham to its best league finish ever. Only West Brom has won fewer away games than Fulham, however, so Hodgson hasn't sorted out all of Fulham's weaknesses.

BETTING
All odds courtesy of Bet365, which is currently offering £200 in free bets for new clients.

Match Odds
Newcastle is odds on to move to 37 points and probable safety at 10/11, the draw is available at 5/2 with Fulham the 3/1 outsiders.

Correct Score
6/1 Newcastle 1-0
7/1 Newcastle 2-0
15/2 Newcastle 2-1

10/1 Draw 0-0
6/1 Draw 1-1

8/1 Fulham 1-0
20/1 Fulham 2-0
12/1 Fulham 2-1

Newcastle United vs Fulham; Kick Off 3:00pm 16 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 1 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Sue Gardener : 0 - 2
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 0 - 0
Peter Lee : 2 - 1
Don McMahon : 1 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 0 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 2
Peter Rendle : 1 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 2
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
This game is too close to call.

Home: 4; Draw: 5; Away: 5; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa: Boro face relegation

Middlesbrough could be relegated today, a fact that is unlikely to concern an Aston Villa side that is struggling to finish the season with any momentum.

Defeat at Newcastle on Monday was a hamer blow for Middlesbrough. Considering goal difference Boro cannot now survive on less than four points and even six will only offer a 50/50 chance of survival. Even with a win today if Hull and Newcastle win and Sunderland draw then Boro is down regardless of its own results. To say this is must-win is an understatement. But this Middlesbrough side has enough quality to bag a couple of wins - its finding the confidence in front of worried fans that will be the key.

Aston Villa's run in recent weeks has passed from worrying, to deeply worrying. From a position of being likely to finish in the top four Villa has barely competed since February. Seven points from the last eleven games is relegation form, quite frankly, and that Villa is still in fifth place shows how much of a chance has been thrown away. 26 points dropped in 11 games and Villa is only 10 points behind Arsenal ... just fifteen points from those eleven games and Villa could have gone fourth this weekend. The result that finally puntured Villa's belief was probably throwing away a two goal lead at home to Stoke in the final few minutes - since then Villa has thrown away a number of winning positions late on. Has Villa got anything left in the tank against a frankly desperate Middlesbrough?

If Middlesbrough lose then it is relegated; but it can also be relegated with a draw or win if other results go against it. Villa's results will determine if it finishes fifth or sixth.

BETTING
All odds courtesy of Bet365, which is currently offering £200 in free bets for new clients.

Match Odds
The odds are very tight with Boro 6/4, Villa 7/4 and the draw 12/5.

Correct Score
13/2 Middlesbrough 1-0
10/1 Middlesbrough 2-0
9/1 Middlesbrough 2-1

9/1 Draw 0-0
6/1 Draw 1-1

13/2 Aston Villa 1-0
11/1 Aston Villa 2-0
9/1 Aston Villa 2-1

Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa; Kick Off 3:00pm 16 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 0
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Peter Lee : 1 - 1
Don McMahon : 0 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 0 - 0
Tony Ratton : 2 - 2
Peter Rendle : 0 - 1
Dan Taylor : 1 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 2
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting a low scoring draw - 0-0 or 1-1.

Home: 3; Draw: 8; Away: 3; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Everton vs West Ham United: Toffees jostle for Cup Final slots

Two top half teams meet with Everton looking forward to the Cup Final and a Europa League campaign next season, whilst West Ham needs a couple of wins to boost its hopes of qualifying for Europe.

A satisfying season for Everton that could have been better but for a debilitating injury list that has deprived David Moyes of star performers in attack and midfield for much of the season. Arteta has missed ten league games, Cahill eight, Fellaini seven, Saha fourteen, Yakubu twenty-two, Jagielka is out for the season and so on. The gap to Arsenal currently stands at eleven points and it would surely be less if Everton injuries had been less pronounced. Everton's home form, oddly, remains worse than away from Goodison but with Cup Final places to be confirmed this game is the opportunity for Everton to improve on that statistic.

West Ham looks like a team that has finished the season early. Two points behind seventh placed Fulham with two games left suggests that there is still time to pinch a Europa League slot but one win and two goals in the last five games does not suggest that The Hammers will manage it. Europe's second tournament can be a poisoned chalice, as the extra games added to the season usually cost a few points in the league as Portsmouth, Man City and Aston Villa would testify this season - but it is also something for the fans to look forward to. Great first season for Zola and Clarke - perhaps the difficult second season doesn't need any further burdens.

BETTING
All odds come from Bet365, which is currently offering £200 in free bets for new clients.

Match Odds
Everton is odds on at 8/11 to win this, the draw is available at 13/5 and West Ham is a surprisingly generous 4/1.

Correct Score
6/1 Everton 1-0
13/2 Everton 2-0
7/1 Everton 2-1

10/1 Draw 0-0
6/1 Draw 1-1

16/1 West Ham 2-1

Everton vs West Ham United; Kick Off 3:00pm 16 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 2 - 0
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 2
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 1 - 1
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Peter Lee : 2 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 0
Tony Ratton : 1 - 0
Peter Rendle : 1 - 0
Dan Taylor : 1 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 1 - 1
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel reckons that this is too close to call.

Home: 7; Draw: 6; Away: 1; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Manchester United vs Arsenal: United look to wrap up #18

Manchester United will be looking for confirmation of the eleventh title of Sir Alex Ferguson's illustrious 23½ year reign and eighteenth in total against the team that has been the most consistent challenger of those years. Arsenal has won the title five times since Ferguson arrived in Manchester.

Manchester United go into this games unbeaten in normal time since a pair of league defeats in March seemingly opened the title race up again. Since then United's league results have been perfect, winning seven straight games to leave Chelsea and Liverpool cursing their luck. It has not been plain sailing over the last couple of months as United has come from behind to win against Wigan (1-0 down with 29 minutes left); Tottenham (2-0 down with 33 minutes left) and Aston Villa (2-1 down with 10 minutes left) - if two of those games had been lost then Liverpool could be celebrating the title this weekend; but United's ability to win games from difficult positions has probably proved decisive.

United has of course bagged a pair of impressive wins against Arsenal in the past month to eliminate the Gunners from the Champions' League and cause a severe bout of soul-searching at The Emirates. Arsenal could well be going into this match looking for revenge for those games - but could just as easily go into its shell to avoid the kind of hammering that may take more than a summer to forget. Arsenal will have to be brave to win this match but with Adebayor likely to be moving on this summer it will take some real character from a young team that now just wants the season to end.

A month ago this looked like a serious hurdle that could hand the title to Liverpool - now this game looks something of a formality. If United plays well the title will be decided here.

BETTING
All odds quoted from Bet365, which is currently offering £200 in free bets for new clients.

Match Odds
United is odds on at 4/6 to seal the title with a win and 5/2 for the draw that will also be enough; Arsenal is 5/1 to win the game.

Correct Score
Looking at some of the correct score predictions from our panel, a United win 2-0 or 2-1 is the favourite pick with a couple of pundits looking for high scoring draws like 2-2 or even 4-4. One pundit is holding out for a 2-1 away win.

6/1 Man United 2-0
7/1 Man United 2-1

12/1 Draw 2-2
300/1 Draw 4-4

16/1 Arsenal 2-1

Manchester United vs Arsenal; Kick Off 12:45pm 16 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 4 - 4
Dave Blackburn : 2 - 0
Sue Gardener : 2 - 0
Chris Goodwin : TBC - TBC
Paul Grech (sqf) : 4 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 2 - 0
Peter Lee : 2 - 1
Don McMahon : 2 - 2
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 2 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 2 - 1
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 2 - 2
Dan Taylor : 2 - 1
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 0
Isaac Williams : TBC - TBC
Mark Williams : TBC - TBC

Panel Verdict
The panel is expecting Manchester United to confirm the title with a coul of goals and a win.

Home: 10; Draw: 3; Away: 1; TBC: 4;

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!

Squarefootball Diary; Wednesday May 6 2009

Tissues at the ready as we get set to mourn Chelsea’s tragic exit from the Champions League.

The Stamford Bridge outfit host Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final, knowing that any score draw puts them out after last week’s goalless stalemate at Camp Nou. Their demise is all down to rotten beast and Norwegian referee Thomas Ovrebo, who fails to give Chelsea no fewer than FOUR penalties, TWO of which are actually reasonable claims.

First, Florent Malouda is fouled by Daniel Alves some distance outside the penalty area, before predictably hitting terra firma well inside the 18-yard box. Nothing comes of the free-kick, but when Didier Drogba later has his shirt pulled by Eric Abidal the rather more legitimate protests of the Chelsea players are waved away again by Ovrebo. Luckily, Michael Essien had by this time already turned the tie in Chelsea’s favour with a Tony Yeboah-esque rip-roarer of a volley, capitalising on Frank Lampard’s spooned effort to spectacular effect.

Everyone needs a break some time and so at this point Ovrebo turns his attention to upsetting Barcelona players. The skinhead whistler gives Eric Abidal his marching orders for breathing a little too vigorously down the neck of Nicolas Anelka when the Chelsea striker is through on goal. Surely Chelsea could come through against the 10-men? Especially with a lead to defend? Surely not.

Ten minutes from time Ovrebo dismisses the second and most obvious Chelsea spot-kick claim, turning a blind eye to Gerard Pique’s nifty handball as Anelka’s clever flick beats him all ends up. Yet more whaling and gnashing of teeth from the Chelsea players ensues, but entering injury time they still have that Essien goal to defend. If they can just hold on, they set up a meeting with Manchester United and the chance to avenge last year’s final defeat on penalties.

Enter Andreas Iniesta. After 92 frustrating minutes of attempting to operate on the left in place of the injured Thierry Henry, the Spanish international finds himself in a more central area from where he pounces on Essien’s botched clearance, hitting the roof of Petr Cech’s net before you can say “UEFA will be mightily relieved.”

There’s just time for Chelsea to clutch another straw, imploring Ovrebo to award a penalty when Michael Ballack’s shot cannon’s off the arm of an oblivious Samuel Eto’o. Ballack’s response to this fourth and final insult is to chase Ovrebo back towards the half-way line in the manner of Dennis Waterman chasing a mugger in The Sweeney. Worse is to come when Ballack, John Terry and the substituted but re-emerging Drogba surround Ovrebo threatening him with everything from sending the boys round to a plague on both his houses. The flip-flop-wearing Drogba flip-flops his lid completely, continuing his protests well into the night. UEFA action will apparently follow;

“There were three clear penalties and the boys feel that this was an injustice.” says Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink, getting his maths wrong and stating the obvious in one sleek manoeuvre;

“Emotions are running very high with the players because it is not just one decision in doubt, it’s several.” he adds, probably not referring to the Abidal red card.

Finally, Barca coach Pep Guardiola diplomatically resorts to Arsene Wenger-isms;

“I did not see the penalties they say there were, but it is possible that there were.” he admits, trying not to smirk.

By Stephen Orford

14 May 2009

Burnley Gears Up For Wembley And The Premiership

When you've had a less than appealing hour in the dentist's chair and the oral hygienist looks at you and says "are you going to the game?" you know that something big is happening.

It's not just the local gents hairdresser whose walls are plastered with the great Burnley sides of the past- nearly all the people you encounter in the town are discussing 'the match'.

Burnley are one game away from the Premiership and most of the town that was a founder member of the Football League is gripped by the prospect. This part of East Lancashire is football's dry tinderbox, waiting for a spark to start a massive fire.

Replica shirts of 'Big 4' teams are a rare sight in Burnley. The citizens might not go to Turf Moor every week but most of them have an allegiance to the claret and blue. When the team languished in Division Four in the 1980s- and were one match from the Conference at one point- Wolves and Burnley still managed to take over 80,000 fans between them to a Sherpa Van Trophy Final.

Rugby League hardly has a presence in this side of Lancashire. Within 10 miles you can visit two more of the League's original Twelve (Blackburn and Accrington). Travel a bit further and Preston and Bolton come into view.

Burnley is a football town but like so many smaller municipalities, since 1961 and the abolition of the  maximum wage they've been fighting a rearguard action against market forces. Before that momentous event, Burnley were champions in 1960 and cup finalists a year later.

Generations have grown up not expecting that sort of success but the football club still carries a pull in towns like this that can match the passion so often attributed to the North-East. It's there but on a smaller scale.

No one expects Burnley to win the Premiership but to get there would put the club back on the map just over twenty years after they nearly slid out of the Football League. The fans so nearly had a taste of the big time in this season's dramatic Carling Cup run but now Owen Coyle has steered them to arguably an even bigger game.

Like Stoke City, if Burnley reached the top tier the enthusiasm unleashed around the club would be massive. Turf Moor could be a fortress like the Brittania Stadium. That's not my opinion- it came from the checkout operator at Sainsbury's.

Carlos Tevez isn't worth £22m to Manchester United

The murky world of third party ownership of players in England should come to an end this summer when the last player with this form of ownership must be sold entirely or leave for a more forgiving league elsewhere. Carlos Tevez has proven his worth in the Premier League for West Ham and Man United and will surely stay in the country - if his price is £22m then someone will surely pay it for a proven performer. But will Manchester United?

With Manchester United's interest payments currently standing at an eye-watering £81m per year (and that is without paying any of the debt off) there is no prospect of United competing financially this summer with Manchester City, and in all likelihood Chelsea. Chelsea will be bankrolled by Roman Abramovich again because the cost of slipping out of the top four (someone will have to give way to Man City's money at some point) is so much more than the amount it costs to stay in it.

But for Tevez there is no need to compete; if United stump up £22m then the player will stay. With Man City and Chelsea likely to have £50m or so to spend this summer either could snap him up and he is only international quality striker that United will not have to worry about a rival throwing money about to up the price at the last minute. United was holding out for a fee of around £23m for Dimitar Berbatov last summer only for final day bids from Man City to drive up the price to £30.5m - who is to say that won't happen with any forward target that United might otherwise be considering?

United's spending under The Glazer family has not been as expansive as Chelsea's, or as tight as Arsenal's. The club has spent about the same as Liverpool, in nett terms, over the past five years - somewhere in the region of £20m - £25m per season. So if United have another £20m or so to spend this summer is it wise to throw it all at Tevez?

To be fair for all Tevez's ability he has become, at United, Wayne Rooney's understudy. That is not to say that at international level or at another club he won't be far more pivotal; but for United he has become a supersub. A modern day David Fairclough or closer to United hearts, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. £22m for Solskjaer's replacement is a lot of money.

And then there is the youth question. United's academy is turning up winners again after a few lean years; the Da Silva brothers and Jonny Evans in defence and Darron Gibson in midfield are looking very good - but United will be awash with young, hungry strikers this summer. Fraizer Campbell comes back from loan at Spurs, Manucho from Hull, Danny Welbeck and Federico Machedo have scored goals in their absence and all four are ready for the first team. Sir Alex Ferguson has never been one to hold back his academy players and may consider Rooney, Ronaldo and Berbatov plus the four tyros to offer enough options for a long season. If Ronaldo leaves then the situation changes - but even so is Tevez any kind of replacement for the world player of the year?

Carlos Tevez IS worth £22m in the current market. A proven international for a top nation with Premier League experience, plus a great work rate and team ethic; £22m is a good price. But I'm not sure that United actually need him. If Ronaldo goes then there is a case to keep him and get in another top class forward - but if there are no major forward sales then I think that Tevez is the right player in the right place - but at the wrong time.

Squarefootball Diary; Tuesday May 5 2009

A place in the Champions League final is up for grabs at the Emirates Stadium this Tuesday as Arsenal host Manchester United in the second leg of their semi-final.

Unfortunately for those hoping for a classic it is all over in the first 10 minutes as away goals from Ji-Sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo leave the Gunners needing to turn wine into water (or score four goals, whichever seems most likely) to overhaul the deficit. The problems begin in the seventh minute when Kieran Gibbs, a 19-year-old stand-in left-back, falls over clumsily to allow Park to fire past Manuel Almunia for the opener.

Just three minutes later it is Almunia who looks at fault when Ronaldo’s searing but eminently saveable 35-yard thunderbolt whistles over the Spaniard’s suspiciously low and half-hearted dive. Ronaldo adds a second on 61, starting a sumptuous move which also involves Park and Wayne Rooney before sliding in to beat Almunia. Ronaldo runs 50 yards in 5.7 seconds in the move, which according to Richard Keys and the other Sky TV dullards makes him an odds on favourite to beat Usain Bolt to the tape in the 100m at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Berlin.

The only black spot for United on the night is the red card issued to Darren Fletcher for what looks a perfectly clean tackle on Cesc Fabregas. Robin van Persie converts the penalty but it is nowhere near enough to stop everyone spending the rest of the game debating the fact that Fletcher has no right of appeal unless a case of mistaken identity has taken place;

“I thought they couldn’t handle Ronaldo, he was the difference.” says Sir Alex, bigging up his man which has not always been the case this season;

“The two quick goals knocked the wind out of their sails.” he adds, looking forward to a trip to Rome and a chance to add a third European title to his CV, and a fourth to the Manchester United roll of honour.

Meanwhile Arsene Wenger is understandably distraught, describing this as the ‘worst night’ of his career;

“I must say we can only look at ourselves.” he begins with a refreshing honesty almost as rare as Ferguson’s praise for his prize pony in 2008/09;

“It is very disappointing to fight to get such a long way and to give the game away like we did.”

By Stephen Orford

9 May 2009

Five Worthy Premiership Signings 08/09 …

Even the most ardent of Manchester United supporters will agree that Dimitar Berbatov, with his lethargic approach, has failed to prove he is worth anywhere close to his £30 million tag.

Amr Zaki stormed the premiership upon his arrival, riding the crest of a wave that had him touted as a potential top four signing this summer. This faded rapidly when Zaki went AWOL, Wigan boss Steve Bruce then announced that "I can honestly say that in all my time in football I have never worked with someone as unprofessional…"

Robinho has shown flashes of brilliance at The City of Manchester stadium but has failed to replicate this form anywhere else around the country - or indeed anywhere during their European stint. The inconsistency shown from the Brazilian is not that of a £30m plus striker. 

So who has been good value for money and can be seen as a worthwhile signing this season gone? (in alphabetical order)

Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)

The pocket sized Russian has given a slither of hope to Arsenal fans, who of late, have had little to smile about. Although having only joined Arsenal in the January window, his impact has been quite explosive. He was sorely missed during Arsenal’s European exit at the hands of Manchester United. Domestically in the league he has scored six goals in ten appearances. 

He has a deft touch, is technically able and can make something out of nothing; his goal against Blackburn is evidence enough. Arsene Wenger still argues that Arshavin needs to participate in a full a pre-season schedule, in part to help him fully adapt to the physicality of the English game. If this is true, then the Premiership, be afraid. 

James Beattie (Stoke City)

Beattie’s goals have effectively kept Stoke City in the Premiership. He has netted six times since his arrival in January. Of those six goals, five of them earned Stoke six valuable points – without those points, (dependant on other results), instead of being a comfortable 12th they would be languishing a point above the relegation zone. 

He also continues his affection with clubs who play in red and white stripes, (scoring more goals for these clubs than any other he has played for). Tony Pulis showed great business acumen by signing the veteran, his reward will be Premiership football next season.

Marouane Fellaini (Everton)

Fellaini first popped up on our radar’s in the Champions League qualifiers when Standard Liège gave Liverpool the fright of their lives. His untamed curls made him an instant cult hero with the blue half of Merseyside, but it’s his versatility that tempted David Moyes. He has been a vital component in a solid Everton campaign. 

Whilst Everton’s main strikers have spent most of the season on the treatment table, he has waded in with eight goals and three assists. Fellaini’s 12 yellow cards suggest that the wild side of his game needs to be tamed, but if Moyes has a master plan then he will play a big part. 

Luca Modric (Tottenham)

Modric signed for Tottenham in April 2008, for £16.5m, (granted it was the tail end of last season), but made his debut for Juande Ramos in pre-season against Norwich City. You can forgive him for not shining so brightly under the guidance of the Spaniard, few did. Since Harry Redknapp’s arrival though, he has flourished. 

What he lacks in physical presence he makes up for in footballing nous. His three goals and eight assists have been essential to Spurs’ rise from their early season slump, which saw them unpredictably in the mire. Expect the bar to be raised further from the Croatian next term.

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) 

The big frame of Mark Schwarzer ended 11 years on Teesside by becoming Roy Hodgson’s first signing last May. 14 clean sheets later, against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal (the latter both home and away), has meant Fulham are pushing for a Europa League place this time around. This a far cry from dicing with death as they did until, quite literally, their final ball was kicked last season. 

Outside of the top four, only Manchester City boast a better home record than Fulham, the bedrock of this has been their solid rearguard. A lot of credit must go to Schwarzer for his organisation and inspired individual performances. 

(All 08/09 statistics were correct at time of writing)

Arsenal: Do the fans still faith in Arsene Wenger?

In Arsene We Trust is the banner displayed religiously at the Emirates but after two crushing defeats by their nearest rivals and yet another season without a piece of silverware are the fans starting to lose faith in Arsene Wenger?

To most neutrals the only managers who are safe from the axe in the Premier League are Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. But since Arsenal beat the Red Devils on penalties to lift the FA Cup in 2005 the Gunners have failed to add anything to their trophy cabinet. Meanwhile, Manchester United have gone from strength to strength and picked up the League Cup and are on course for their third Premier League title and back-to-back Champions League crowns.

But it’s not as though Arsenal have turned into Tottenham or anything. The Gunners have been challenging for honours. They reached the Champions League final in 2006 and the League Cup final in 2007. They led the title race for most of last season before injuries and the whole William Gallas situation flared up and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Champions League this season. However, Wenger has never replaced the likes of Henry, Gilberto, Flamini and Adams with similarly experienced players, instead opting to give his promising youngsters a chance. While that may be encouraging for the future of the game and Arsenal itself, it is not helping the fans one bit.

Listening to radio phone-ins after the Chelsea game you could hear how desperate Arsenal fans are to see their club win trophies again. It’s all well and good playing the most attractive football but it’s pointless unless there is an end product, something which has been missing for the past four seasons. However, a fair number of fans only believe that Arsenal will start winning silverware again if Wenger is shown the door, something which most football fans would find unbelievable.

Four years without a trophy for a club the size of Arsenal is unacceptable, but is Arsene Wenger really to blame? They’ve endured a terrible run of injuries to key players during that spell and a host of stars have left believing that they were too good for the club. Arsenal are still creating clear-cut chances week in, week out, but have failed to punish teams like they would have done in years gone by. If they had stopped carving open defences altogether then I’d be worried, but at the moment it’s all down to bad fortune in front of goal and a weak defence. Just look at the Chelsea game. How the Arsenal weren’t three up inside 20 minutes is a mystery.

However, Arsene Wenger should expect to take some of the flack for the club’s problems. He has refused to spend big money on proven stars, his team selection against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final was baffling (why leave Arshavin out of the starting 11?) and some fans have questioned his insistence in playing Theo Walcott on the wing. But sacking Wenger would ultimately create more problems for the club. Who would they get in to replace the professor? What would happen to the club’s promising youth policy? How long would it take them to build their own team and challenge for honours?

No-one had ever heard of Arsene Wenger before he arrived at Highbury in 1996. Three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, a wonderful brand of football and a team of Invincibles later and Wenger will be forever remembered as an Arsenal legend.

Personally I think there are more trophies to come for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. Following their Champions League exit he told the waiting media that he does intend to bring in a few experienced players in the summer to give the youngsters a helping hand. West Ham United defender and former Arsenal youngster Matthew Upson has been tipped as a possible target as has Zenit St Petersburg striker and Andrey Arshavin’s international partner Pavel Pogrebnyak, but would that be enough? I’d like to see an experienced no-nonsense ball winner added to the squad to allow Fabregas to surge forward, but if Wenger’s history is anything to go by then he’s more likely to opt for an unknown youngster again.

Wenger has repeatedly turned down the advances of the likes of Real Madrid and there’s no way that he’d take over at Manchester City, regardless of how many zeros they put on a contract. His heart is at Arsenal and he wants to see this job through. It may have been a terrible season for Arsenal but with Arshavin and a fully fit Eduardo in the line-up next year, coupled with a few quality signings, Arsenal could see in the new decade as champions.

·         Calling all Arsenal fans. Have you lost faith in Wenger? Why do you think Arsenal have failed to win anything in four seasons? Are you confident for next season? Who would you like to see Wenger sign? If Wenger was to go who would you like to see replace him? How important are trophies to you? I’d love to hear from you.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Can Wolves survive in the top flight?

Mick McCarthy and Wolverhampton Wanderers deserve all of the plaudits after gaining promotion to the Premier League as champions. The fans of the Black Country giant can now enjoy their holidays knowing that they will be watching their team against the very best the top flight has to offer come August. However, will Wolves be a one-season wonder yet again or can they follow in the footsteps of their Staffordshire rivals Stoke City and stay up against all the odds?

Chris Cox, from the Daventry Wolverhampton Wanderers Supporters Club and a Fans’ Parliament member, is under no illusion that survival will be a hard slog but at the moment he is still celebrating their promotion.

“It feels great to be back in the top division. It's where we Wolves fans think we belong given our heritage and achievements over the years. It's unbelievable to look back over the past 30 years to see the struggles we have been through, given our history previous to that time. We called the receivers in twice, were minutes away from extinction and have had a long climb back. We've had some good times coming back and some heroes such as Bully, but now we just need to establish ourselves in the Premier League and then move on again.”

Despite having played in the Premier League just once since its creation, Wolverhampton Wanderers truly are a giant of a football club. They are the eighth most successful club in English football and Football 365 ranks Wolves as one of the four best clubs – alongside Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal – in terms of league positions. They’ve won three league titles, four FA Cups, two league cups and reached the UEFA Cup final in 1972. Their last major honour though was the FA Cup in 1960, but the fans have remained loyal throughout the barren years and would give anything to win a major trophy once again. That may be a tough ask for Mick McCarthy’s men in their first season back in the big time but survival would rank just as highly.

But what does Mick McCarthy need to do to ensure that Wolves have a fighting chance of staying up? Chris, 52, whose favourite Wolves player of all time is Derek Dougan, says that the whole squad needs strengthening.

“We need a proven goalscorer, flair in midfield and a defender of Premier League ability. We are light in the midfield department so further cover there is essential. Top of most fans’ lists are two players we've had on loan in the past, Michael Mancienne and Tom Huddlestone. Both know the club and the passion of the fans and would really enhance the current squad.

“As for the current squad, there are many there that should be good enough. Our Player of the Year Kevin Foley doesn't grab the limelight but comes out top in all the polls above those that do. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Michael Kightly, Christophe Berra and Richard Stearman will all improve in the top flight. We are strong in goal too. If we can get Matt Murray fit and back playing regularly he will quickly show the world that he is England's number one. We have Wales’ number one too in Wayne Hennessey and arguably a better keeper than Wayne in Carl Ikeme.

“Then there's players like Stephen Ward and Andy Keogh who we run themselves into the ground for the club and local lad Karl Henry who battles all day for the club he supported as a boy. We also have George Elokobi who will take the Premier League by storm.”

Wolves fans have never been short of confidence and McCarthy will be hoping that their enthusiasm rubs off on the players when the new season kicks off. However, the former Sunderland and Republic of Ireland boss is only too aware of how fickle the fans can be. Two poor results and the supporters will be calling for the gaffer to be axed. McCarthy has experienced the good and bad side of the Wolves fans during his time at Molineux and some pundits have questioned his skills to manage in the top flight – he did after all go down with Sunderland in 2006 with a grand total of 15 points – but Chris insists that the Yorkshire man deserves his chance to see the job through.

“Mick McCarthy was my first choice to replace Glenn Hoddle and remains the best manager to be in charge of Wolves. People forget or overlook that when he took Sunderland up they were £33 million in debt and the TV money was not what it is today, so to a large extent his hands were tied. Even so there was quite an outcry in the media when he was sacked as he was trying to play good football with the squad he'd got.

“But here at Wolves circumstances are different. Steve Morgan, the owner, is enthusiastic and understands the level of investment required. Mick has a good track record of successful signings, OK not all have come off but from a very dilapidated squad he has built a Championship winning side of young, hungry and very capable players

“Wolves fans are Wolves fans. Fickle maybe to outsiders looking in, but we have our own agenda and know what we want. Underachieving in what in reality is the second division made us impatient. We expect 100 per cent from everyone every week. There are no grey areas for Black Country men, everything is black or white. Mick will be given time, people don't expect us to stroll into the top flight and be competing for honours. I suspect new big money signings will be given less time than any of the current squad, but if Mick keeps us up, he'll have the backing of the fans.”

Stoke City were expected to get thrashed like a naughty schoolboy by everyone they came up against this season but the Potters have stunned everyone by not only staying up but securing their safety with three games to go. Their style of play may not be to everyone’s liking but it’s effective and has ensured they will be playing the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool again next season. Wolves fans will no doubt believe that they have a little bit more creativity than their Midlands rivals but if McCarthy could replicate the team spirit, togetherness and defensive organisation of Pulis’s men then this could easily be the start of something special at Molineux.

·         Calling all Wolves fans. How confident are you of staying up next season? Who would you like to see McCarthy bring to the club? How do you rate McCarthy as a manager? Would you prefer Morgan to replace McCarthy with someone with a proven track record in the top flight? Which current Wolves stars do you think will make a name for themselves in the top flight? I’d love to hear from you.

Hull and West Brom must be hoping for a quick Manchester United title

Manchester United now need four points from three games to secure the title and with six straight league wins, coupled with the home and away wins in the Champions' League against Arsenal as a form guide there must be a strong chance that United will win the title by taking those four points in the games against Wigan and Arsenal in the next few days. United can seal the title before Liverpool play again and if it does, this could yield an unexpected bonus for two of the bottom four who will be directly or indirectly affected - Hull and West Brom.

West Ham, a couple of seasons ago, benefited from United resting players after securing the title, winning 1-0 to send Sheffield United down - with a team that was a 'disgrace' according to the unlucky Blades manager, Neil Warnock. Looking at the teamsheet from two years ago it is difficult to agree with Warnock, the United team was still strong enough to win - but perhaps on the day simply didn't want it as much as West Ham who scored with the Hammers only real chance of the first half.

Man United Final league game vs West Ham, 13 May 2007
Van der Sar
O'Shea
Brown
Heinze
Evra (Giggs, 57)
Carrick (Scholes, 58)
Fletcher
Richardson
Smith (Ronaldo, 58)
Solskjaer
Rooney

Subs not used: Kuszczak, Vidic

Man United FA Cup final team vs Chelsea, 19 May 2007
Van der Sar
Brown
Ferdinand
Vidic
Heinze
Fletcher (Smith, 92)
Scholes
Carrick (O'Shea, 112)
Ronaldo
Rooney
Giggs (Solskjaer, 112)

Subs not used: Kuszczak, Evra

But in the FA Cup final game six days later United did make five changes, with Ferdinand and Vidic along with the three players who came off the subs bench against West Ham (Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo), as United chased the game, starting. Admittedly there were some 'sentimental' picks against West Ham. Alan Smith, Kieran Richardson and Ole Solskjaer were just about finished at United, Heinze was agitating about his place in the face of strong competition from Patrice Evra and John O'Shea has always played in a lot of fixtures like this one. But still it was a more experienced side than the one United fielded against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final a few weeks ago.

For West Ham a couple of years ago, read Hull City this time around. Hull will play United on the final day and Hull must hope that all United's thoughts are on the Champions' League final. Hull will certainly need something by then given that the club could drop into the relegation zone tonight and although the United second string is good - the team that played against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final could be indicative - it is more beatable than the first team.

Also West Brom could be indirect benificiaries of a United title in the next week. Liverpool play West Brom in the penultimate game and if Liverpool is suddenly deflated by the confirmation that the title is gone - the Baggies could yet take its relegation scrap into the final weekend. The title race is starting to wind up, but the battle to avoid the drop could be brewing more sub-plots.

Arsenal: Bendtner puts strike partners to shame

Arsenal fans haven’t had a lot to shout about in the past seven days but one man has emerged from the devastation with his head held high. Nicklas Bendtner may have been caught with his trousers down coming out of a nightclub following their Champions League exit in midweek, but the Danish international striker has certainly put his fellow forwards to shame.

Bendtner has taken his fair share of flack during his time at the Emirates with fans constantly claiming that he is “not Arsenal class”. I’m sure if Bendtner was being honest he’d agree that he doesn’t possess the skill, guile and poise of former Arsenal greats like Henry and Bergkamp, or even teammate Van Persie. But what he does have in abundance is a hunger to succeed, a willingness to learn and make things happen and the club’s best interests at heart.

Sure the Dane has been guilty of some poor finishing, bad passing and awful decision making in his time – incidents that have led some fans to say “Stevie Wonder could have scored that” and even cry “Bring back Eddie McGoldrick!” – but at least he is prepared to put in a shift every time he pulls on a red shirt.

On Sunday, despite the Gunners’ wealth of goal-scoring opportunities against Chelsea they failed to take advantage and found themselves three down after 50 minutes. Arsenal never looked like getting back into the game until Bendtner came on for Diaby and the striker began chasing lost causes and getting himself in great goal-scoring opportunities. He gave the Gunners a glimmer of hope with his headed goal and also brought a spark to the attack against Manchester United. The fans who remained at the Emirates on Tuesday were brought to their feet by Bendtner when he cut in past two defenders, only to blast his shot into the side netting, but at least he wasn’t trying to make something happen.

Compare that to Emmanuel Adebayor who has gone missing in the big games recently and has failed to win over the fans following last summer’s will he stay or will he go debacle. Adebayor may be more technically skilled than his partner – and they’ve never seen eye-to-eye – and more likely to score when it matters, but his recent lethargic displays have riled the fans. At least Bendtner wants to play for the club and demonstrates that every time he steps on the pitch.

Even Robin Van Persie, who is one of the most skilled players at the club, could learn a thing or two from the Danish international. The Dutch striker has looked a shadow of his former self this season and is often caught waiting for things to happen.

Nicklas Bendtner will probably never be considered as a first-team regular but he is a decent player to have around the squad and I think the fans are beginning to respect his hunger and determination to do well for the Gunners. He has also been Arsenal’s saviour in some crucial matches this season (v Bolton at home in October and Portsmouth away recently).

You have to remember that Bendtner is still only 21 and has a promising career ahead of him. He can surely only get better and I think Arsene Wenger will be rewarded for the faith he has shown in him given time.

·         Calling all Arsenal fans. Have you been encouraged by Bendtner’s recent displays? Who would you rather have up front – Adebayor or Bendtner? I’d love to hear from you.

Newcastle United v Middlesbrough: D-Day on Tyneside

Newcastle United have faced some huge games in their history but, make no mistake about it, this is the biggest. Win and they climb out of the bottom three with just two games to go and put their future in their own hands. Lose and they let tonight’s opponents, Boro, leapfrog them in the table and ultimately deliver a hammer blow to their survival hopes. It’s do or die for both clubs and the stakes simply couldn’t be any higher.

Alan Shearer targeted four home wins from the remaining games when he took over at St James’ Park last month. Unfortunately it hasn’t gone to plan and he is still seeking his first win as Newcastle manager. But it’s no surprise to the Toon Army really considering that they’ve only seen the Mags win at home four times all season and just once, home and away, in 2009 – v West Bromwich Albion. They missed a golden opportunity to boost their survival hopes a fortnight ago against Portsmouth in a goalless encounter and Shearer will be more than aware that  a point tonight will be as about as useful as Joey Barton is as a role model.

But it’s not all about Newcastle United. Middlesbrough are in dire straits also. Gareth Southgate’s men are desperate to record only their third win of 2009 to lift them nearer to safety, but with a forward line that couldn’t even score in a brothel or hit a cow’s backside with a banjo they are looking for one of their more inspired displays. However, they’ve won just twice on the road all season and haven’t triumphed at St James’ Park since Alen Boksic grabbed a brace in 2001.

A draw is of little use to either club but looking in the history books that looks like the most obvious outcome. The points have been shared in seven of their past nine meetings and Newcastle’s last win against the Teessiders at home came five years ago when Bellamy and a late Shearer penalty sealed a 2-1 win.

It wasn’t that long ago that Newcastle United and Middlesbrough were enjoying huge games against the best Europe had to offer. Now they are on the verge of travelling to places like Colchester, Plymouth Argyle and Doncaster Rovers. Must-win games and six-pointers are terms that have been used excessively in recent years but this is D-Day for both clubs.

Steven Taylor could return for Newcastle but Shearer has doubts over the fitness of Jose Enrique and Alan Smith. Middlesbrough’s Andrew Taylor is set to be recalled to action but Pogatetz and Riggott are both out.

Newcastle United v Middlesbrough: Kick off 8pm 11 May 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Tony Bellew : 0 - 1
Dave Blackburn : 0 - 0
Sue Gardener : 1 - 1
Chris Goodwin : 0 - 0
Paul Grech (sqf) : 0 - 0
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 1 - 1
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 1
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Stephen Orford (sqf) : 0 - 0
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 1 - 0
Dan Taylor : 1 - 0
Bill Urban (sqf) : TBC - TBC
Andy Wakeman : 0 - 0
Isaac Williams : 1 - 0
Mark Williams : 1 - 0

Panel Verdict
The majority of the panel is expecting the sales of Kleenex in the north east to soar as both clubs share the points in a tense and drab affair.

Home: 6; Draw: 9; Away: 1; TBC: 2.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!