The Return of the Never-Ending Champions League

The 2008/09 Champions League ended on 27th May and on 30th June the 2009/10 edition kicks in- welcome to the all-year round tournament that cranks back into life even before the first ball in the Ashes Tests has been bowled.

It would be a major shock is any of the teams involved in the First Qualifying Round are stil involved when the group stage begins. The ties beginning tonight bring together the champions of Malta, San Marino, Andorra and Montenegro.

However , the Second Qualifying Round follows hard on its heels and it includes the likes of Bate Borisov from Belarus, who qualified for the group stage last season. Famous names such as Dinamo Zagreb Levski Sofia, Maccabi Haifa and Slovan Bratislava are in action as early as 14th July. Rhyl, Glentoran and Bohemians all begin their campaigns.

UEFA might begin to wonder if this tournament has just become too big to fit into the schedule. Players like Rasmus Elm of Swedish champions Kalmar have only just finished their involvement with the European under-21 championship and his team are in Champions League action just two weeks later.

For many Northern and East European leagues though, these qualifiers fall at an excellent time when their league campaigns are in action. It is the sides in Western and Southern Europe that suffer most from the crowded schedule.

For the men in charge at UEFA though- like their counterparts in FIFA-  any period of time without a meaningful (by their definition) game of football is abhorrent. All that television space to fill that will be taken up by other sports, is just too much to contemplate.

The only problem is the players, who will insist that they need a rest. And clubs are hardly blameless as most of the big teams can't wait to fill any gaps that the authorities allow them with meaningless friendlies designed to trawl in cash and sell shirts.

We may reach the era where an in-demand player might forgo the lure of astronomical wages and demand a contract from an elite club that allows him to miss non-event friendlies and mismatches as a necessary method to prolong his career.

England Under-21s remaking Stuart Pearce's reputation

This lunchtime's William Hill press release was an object lesson in reputation rebuilding suggesting that kick-starting your career away from the scalding heat of the Premier League can be a canny decision. Four managers immediately spring to mind in managing this quite successfully, Steve McClaren in Holland, Sir Bobby Robson in Spain and Holland, Terry Venables in Spain and Australia and Roy Hodgson all over the place. Even John Barnes has found work in England after having to travel to the West Indies for employment.

Stuart Pearce was let go by Manchester City amid accusations that he simply wasn't good enough to win trophies as City started its expansionary project. But he found a niche as an aide to Fabio Capello as well as a successful run as under-21 manager. And that run to the final of the under-21 tournament has lead William Hill to make Pearce just 8/1 to succeed Capello in the England job. A fair turnaround for a manager who a couple of years ago was not being linked with many Championship vacancies - nevermind Premier League ones.

England are now 4/6 favourites to win the European Under-21 trophy, as opposed to 11/10 on Germany. The most amusing bet on offer is clearly the 10/1 win via a penalty shoot-out.

Mowbray Has To Get Off To A Flying Start

Taking over a club like Celtic means an instant winning formula is required but the demands of the Champions League make a flying start even more imperative.

When Rangers pipped their bitter rivals to the SPL title they also condemned them to the qualifying rounds of the Champions League- a perilous assignment for Rangers, Celtic and Hearts over the past decade and one that just became tougher.

The new arrangements for Champions League qualifying opens up the route for champion teams. That means there is no open draw as before. Five places in the group stages are reserved for champion sides from smaller nations and only five are available to 'best-placed' teams from the bigger leagues in Europe,

That means that Celtic become one of fifteen sides from Europe's top leagues scrapping for five berths. For Tony Mowbray's side to get to the groupp stage it means two ties against excellent opposition- almost before the new manager has his feet under the table.

The first leg of the Third Qualifying round will take place as early as 28th or 29th July. The sort of opponent that Celtic might face could include UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting Lisbon or Steve McClaren's FC Twente.At the new play-off stage, which comes next if Celtic come through, Arsenal, Fiorentina, Stuttgart, Lyon and Athletico Madrid join the draw.

No doubt the chance to be involved in the biggest competition is partly what drew Tony Mowbray away from West Bromwich Albion but these tough ties could have a massive impact on Celtic's season and his tenure as manager.

Assistant Manager Mark Venus has pointed out the dangers of speedily recruiting players just for the qualifiers but Shunsuke Nakamura has left the club and players like Paul Hartley are at the end of contracts.

It's a big and early test of Tony Mowbray's abilities, as it's likely he won't have his full squad in place by 28th July but also a major opportunity to prove to Celtic fans that the right man is at the helm.

Hoops fans are aware that the new boss has been put into a pressure situation and most would understand a defeat in the qualifier to a top club but they will want to see that the team are competitive, organised and playing in a composed style.

Motherwell's Long Road In Europe

Qualifying for Europe is a bonus for any club and a boost for fans and players alike. That's always been the accepted wisdom but for everyone connected to Motherwell that assumption is going to be tested to the limit this season.

That is a season which begins on 2nd July- before the Wimbledon tennis tournment is even concluded. It's not been so much a case of pre-season training as continuous training for the squad.

Motherwell are beneficiaries of the changes to the UEFA and Intertoto Cups that sees them combined as the Europa League. It means Scotland can have four representatives at this level, as well as the Old Firm in the Champions League.

For Aberdeen and Hearts that means a later entry to the four rounds that lead to the revamped group stage.But for the Well it means a potential eight matches in this competition before the end of August (and a possible six for Falkirk).

Other British Isles sides are involved at the First Qualifying round but unlike Motherwell, the likes of The New Saints and Linfield won't be expected to get through to the group stages.

Motherwell have dropped lucky that their first encounter is with Welsh side Llanelli but if they get through thar two leg affair they have a trip to Albania as early as 16th July. If the Well get past KS Flamurtari they can expect the opposition to get tougher.

These matches might mean the players hit the ground running in the SPL but the team might feel the effects in February/March - and if they negotiate the eight games then they will have four more in the group at least.

In the Premier League several teams have demonstated a drop in league performance after becoming involved in Europe and with more Scottish sides involved- nearly half of the SPL- non-qualifiers like Dundee United and Hibernian might get a significant advantage.

A Good Moment For Spain's Run To End

The USA's 2-0 semi-final victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup has caused a few waves in world football but ultimately it might be a good match to lose for Vincente Del Bosque's side.

A 35 match unbeaten run is always a two-edged sword because the longer it goes on the bigger the focus on the streak. The truth about most sports is that winning every game is nice but winning the important games is what matters. The dry run for next year's big event proved once more that getting through a group with minimum fuss is what tournament play is all about.

Del Bosque is wise enough to know that a loss in a tournament that doesn't really matter is a useful way to make sure his brilliant players don't start becoming over-confident- and a message to his defenders that they need to sharpen up before the 2010 World Cup.

Spain have some of the top players on the planet but not in their back four. Both goals against the USA came from sloppy errors of the worst kind, which proves again that defenders need to do their primary job before morphing into auxiliary wingers.

On the positive side, the semi-final was one of those games where Spain could have scored a bagful- even an under-powered performance created a lot of chances despite the heroic defending from the American team.

Whatever FIFA's hype, it's impossible for teams from Europe and South America to get properly fired up for the Confederations Cup, while the other five participants are clearly going to be charged up to be in the event.

This week's result has little bearing on the World Cup- no one would seriously suggest the USA are the better bet for next summer. What it has done is make sure that the Spanish side stay on their mettle and ensure they put the effort in alongside their obvious talent.

For the USA this was a brilliant result and a testimony to their fighting spirit, but the beaten Spanish team might take as much from the result as the victors. Any semblance of the complacency which is always a danger for ultra-successful sides has been blown away and their World Cup challenge might be all the stronger for that.

Michael Owen: Injury-free transfer or injury free-transfer?

I'm not quite sure what to make of Michael Owen's glossy brochure; it's all very bizarre. Of all the footballers on the planet, I would have least expected Michael Owen to release a brochure to sell himself. He’s hardly in the Pierre van Hooijdonk league of entertainment value, is he? I can’t imagine what’s in it. Interests: monotone delivery. But this immodest brochure lark is even stranger when you consider that at eighteen, Owen was arguably one of the most exciting talents on the planet. Granted, eleven years on and his career has been laden with get-well-soon cards and pillow-fluffing. But on paper (glossy), surely Michael Owen is still worth a look at?

I’m going to hedge my bets and say that having signed youth contracts at fifteen-sixteen, not many professional footballers have ever written a CV. The old addage dictates that people who write CVs are liars. Michael Owen played 71 league games for Newcastle United in four years, notching 26 goals on Tyneside. Before, a year with Real Madrid saw him score 15 times in 35 appearances. His Liverpool record of 118 goals in 216 league games speaks volumes, and in itself created the platform of promise so many spoke of. Statistics wise, Michael Owen doesn’t really need to lie. There’s a cliché somewhere about CVs being able to communicate independently, and I suppose Owen’s would be top of many a recruiting pile on this basis alone. Sadly for Owen over the last however-many years, there is a "but".

To date, Michael Owen’s thirteen-year employment history would look something like this: league appearances 322, goals scored 159, grapes eaten 8213. That's an average of 671 grapes a year. Which probably doesn't outline my point as well as it might have done. I should have used more grapes. Either way, that figure should just about constitute a good enough analogy for his many long-term injuries and hospital visits over the last thirteen years.

Whenever I have applied for jobs, I have always been questioned about the gaps in my employment. "What were you doing between the dates of July and November of 2006?" I was putting my legs up. I imagine suitors of Owen to adopt the same line of enquiry. Chances are, Owen's answer would be relatively similar.

But does Owen's quality and goalscoring record outweigh his baggage? I'd say so. Having scored 40 goals for his country, albeit the last of them almost two years ago, brand-Owen remains an institution in itself. And let's be honest, most Premiership clubs can afford him. No price-tags or fee negotations are to be required this summer, as England's fourth-highest goalscorer is available for the princely sum of diddly-squat. Of course, potential suitors will have to wrestle with his wage demands, and a less than modest signing-on fee. But, despite earning in excess of £100,000 a week at Newcastle in four years, it is likely that Owen's demands are to be accommodating to most top-flight clubs, especially given his nigh-clichéd comments earlier this week that playing time is of most importance.

Michael Owen is a great goalscorer. His CV boasts statistics to support so. Statistics also appear to support the rare notion that Owen might not be as prone to the treatment table as many think. Assuming an average amount of league appearances for a seasoned player is approximately 34, Michael Owen has played 322 of a possible 374 in his eleven years as a regular. Not to be scoffed at for a player dubbed injury-prone. But, in spite of what many will tell you, statistics do not always tell the whole story, as on that logic I should have worked 5850 hours since finishing uni. I haven't.

If they play their silly-season cards right, one lucky club this summer could be on the end of a Brucie bonus with the signing of Michael Owen. And the price is definitely right.

Manchester City: Who would be your first choice strike trio?

Mark Hughes has been a busy boy already this summer but if reports are true then at least two more top quality strikers will be joining Eastlands within the next few weeks. Blackburn and Mark Hughes have apparently finally reached a deal for Roque Santa Cruz and it’s claimed that Carlos Tevez could be about to make the short move from Manchester United to Manchester City. They would join an already formidable front line of Robinho, Craig Bellamy, Benjani, Jo and Daniel Sturridge – although whether the 19-year-old will still be Eastlands next season remains in doubt. And as if City didn't have enough firepower there's also talk of Samuel Eto'o joining as well. But who would you want Mark Hughes to start the season as his main trio in a 4-3-3 formation?

Craig Bellamy

The former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United ace has blistering pace and doesn’t care a jot about reputations. His hunger and enthusiasm for the game is contagious but he has an uncanny knack of picking up injuries. On form he is unstoppable and Mark Hughes knows exactly what makes him tick, but they must keep him off the treatment table.

Robinho

The former Real Madrid and Brazilian international is arguably one of the most talented players in the world and isn’t afraid to try the unexpected. Robinho struggled in the latter stages of last season but I’m sure he’ll be fresh and itching to go come August 15. The Brazilian has more tricks than Paul Daniels and finished last season as the club’s top scorer despite only netting three times in the whole of 2009. He is always liable to make something happen out of nothing but his away form needs to improve drastically.

Roque Santa Cruz

The former Bayern Munich star is a proper old-style English centre forward and has settled into the English game with ease. Big, strong and skilful, Santa Cruz has given Premier League defenders nightmares. Mark Hughes brought him to the English game in 2007 and the Paraguayan’s attitude and professionalism has obviously impressed the Welshman. Santa Cruz will give some much needed height to the team and will give the likes of Wright- Phillips and Ireland someone to aim for in the box.

Carlos Tevez

I may be jumping the gun a bit on this one but it looks as though the Argentine ace is destined to move across the city of Manchester after he turned down an offer to stay at Old Trafford. Like Bellamy, Tevez is always chasing the ball and never gives anything less than 100 per cent on the pitch and, like Robinho, he can make things happen out of nothing. His lack of goals is something to worry about but his all round team play is first class. Tevez obviously loves the English game and wants to be successful here. City have grand designs for the future and he may want to be a vital part of that.

Benjani

The former Portsmouth striker arrived at Eastlands in 2008 but has made just 21 league appearances in that time due to injury. The Zimbabwe international has found the target just four times for City in the Premier League and at 30 years old Benjani is probably looking for regular first-team football. Benjani is full of running and has reportedly said he wants to stay and fight for his place at the club. He wears his heart on his sleeve but ultimately needs a good run of games to build confidence. Would he be the first name on your team sheet?

Daniel Sturridge

The City fans voted the 19-year-old their Young Player of the Season and they don’t want the promising youngster to go but his wage demands may force him out of the door. He scored four times last season, despite only starting three games, and has pace to burn. Sturridge is a quality striker and is as strong as an ox, but he has so much to learn before he can cement a first-team place for himself. He would be well advised to stay loyal to City and learn from some of the best strikers in the game, but would you give his raw talent an opportunity to shine in the first team?

Jo

The Brazilian international has flourished at Goodison Park during his loan spell but could he break into Mark Hughes's first team plans? He has shown the Everton fans that he has a great touch and ability in front of goal and looks like he has finally adapted to life in England. Jo could make a huge impression for City this season.

Samuel Eto'o

Like Tevez, a deal hasn't been concluded for Eto'o yet but there's a strong chance that he could end up at Eastlands following the Barcelona chairman's admission that he'd listen to offers for the Cameroon international. Eto'o has won all there is to win in Spain and may now fancy a new challenge and what a signing he would be for City.

Hughes undoubtedly has a wealth of attacking talent to choose from, but if you were Mark Hughes, and the likes of Tevez and Eto'o have joined the ranks at Eastlands, who would you like to see lead the line and why? I’d love to hear from you.

·         Do you know your Ballacks from your Arshavins? Do you have a passion for the beautiful game and want to have your views read by a potential readership of millions? We at squarefootball are looking for new and enthusiastic writers to join our team so if you think you could be the next Martin Samuel or Brian Woolnough then please contact us using the form below.

Aston Villa: Should O’Neill cash in Ashley Young?

Ashley Young’s scintillating form last season has caught the attention of some of the biggest names in world football and Martin O’Neill’s resolve on holding on to his star man will be tested if reports of a £25 million bid from Barcelona turns out to be true.

The former Watford and England international has been a huge success at Villa Park since his arrival in 2007. Young is lightening quick, has great close ball control and is one of the best crossers of the ball in the Premiership. He also has the belief to take on defenders and the ability to score. Young was voted the PFA Young Player of the Year last season and at only 23 years of age he has a great future ahead of him. However, one criticism that has been levelled at Young during his time at Villa Park is that he has never turned it on against the so-called Big Four. If you were O’Neill, would you sell the player you publicly labelled “a genius” in order to strengthen your squad?

Martin O’Neill has been in charge at Villa Park for three seasons and the club has improved under the former Celtic boss’s stewardship year on year, however, Young has publicly warned O’Neill that he may quit the club if the players who arrive this summer do not match his ambition. Will O’Neill respect his opinion or will he feel that Young is getting too big for his boots?

Spanish giants Barcelona aren’t the only team that are interested in securing Young’s talent. Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be in the running for Young’s signature, a move which could see a number of Spurs stars heading up the M6, and Chelsea can’t be ruled out either. With the World Cup just around the corner Ashley Young will want to be on top form this season in order to cement his place in Fabio Capello’s plans.

Barcelona are the Champions League holders and Young would only get better playing alongside the likes of Messi, Henry and Iniesta while also competing at the very highest level. However, Spurs could be an ideal club for him to join as they won’t have to worry about midweek European trips this season, thus letting them concentrate on breaking into the top four. His style of play would suit the fans’ ideas down to a tee and he’d be given plenty of time to recharge his batteries during the season. Or could he choose Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti has inherited an ageing team at Stamford Bridge but Young could provide the fresh legs down the left to aid their quest for silverware.

Martin O’Neill will have learned so much about his squad last season as their lack of strength in depth ultimately cost them their Champions League dreams. Would he be prepared to sacrifice losing one of his top players in order to strengthen other areas of the team? If you were Martin O’Neill would you? I’d love to hear from you.

·         Do you know your Ballacks from your Arshavins? Do you have a passion for the beautiful game and want to have your views read by a potential readership of millions? We at squarefootball are looking for new and enthusiastic writers to join our team so if you think you could be the next Martin Samuel or Brian Woolnough then please contact us using the form below.

Motherwell: Is Gary McAllister the man to fill McGhee’s boots at Fir Park?

Former Motherwell, Leeds United, Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Gary McAllister has emerged as the bookies’ favourite for the vacant manager’s position at Motherwell and the club hopes to appoint their new boss sometime this week, but is McAllister the right man for the job?

McAllister enjoyed a glittering career as a player and has been one of Scotland’s best exports to the Premier League in recent decades. A wonderful passer of the ball, McAllister could unlock the meanest defences with one ball and his executions at free-kicks were always top class. Scotland fans though will forever wish that he was better from 12-yards following that penalty miss against England in Euro 96. However, McAllister was a leader amongst men and could always be relied upon to motivate players.

Unfortunately his managerial career hasn’t exactly gone to plan. He took charge of Coventry City in 2002 but soon had to relinquish the job following the ill-health of his wife. McAllister returned to the game in 2008 as Leeds United manager and was initially a hit with the fans. He had the team playing attractive football and led them to the play-off final, but lost 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers. A poor run of results and an FA Cup exit at the hands of Blue Square Premier League side Histon the following season saw McAllister sacked after less than a year in the job, despite recording a winning percentage of 55 per cent.

McAllister has a wealth of experience from his playing career and is a local lad so he should settle in at Fir Park with ease. He likes to see his teams play football on the deck, which should please the fans, but would he be able to get the results necessary to get them into the top six?

Other names in the frame for the post, which became available following Mark McGhee’s decision to join SPL rivals Aberdeen, include Steve Staunton, Lawrie Sanchez, Luc Nijholt, Miodrag Krivokapic and Gordon Chisholm but who would you like to be your manager?

Steve Staunton

Staunton was McAllister’s assistant at Elland Road and many of the fans felt that it was his presence on the team that saw the club lose their way and ultimately cost McAllister his job. The former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender is still seeking his first managerial role since leaving the Republic of Ireland job in 2007. A decent player in his day he still has it all to prove as a manager and the Well board would be taking a huge risk on hiring Staunton.

Lawrie Sanchez

The former Wimbledon striker has earned his stripes in management after spending four years with Wycombe Wanderers and a further three years as Northern Ireland boss. Sanchez, who scored the winner for Wimbledon against Liverpool in the FA Cup Final in 1988, has a history of getting the best out of players and is tactically sound. He guided Northern Ireland to famous victories over England and Spain during his time at Windsor Park. Sanchez could put his underdog mentality to good use at Fir Park.

Luc Nijholt

The former Motherwell defender has expressed his desire to replace Mark McGhee at Fir Park and he would be well received by the fans. Nijholt helped the club lift the Scottish Cup in 1991 and would like to be a success as a manager. He’s spent three years learning his trade as an assistant manager at Stormvogels Telstar and was assistant trainer at Red Bull Salzburg last year but wants to be his own man. Nijholt would be given time by the fans to work his magic.

Miodrag Krivokapic

The 49-year-old former Motherwell and Dundee United defender is currently in charge of Glasgow Celtic’s Under-17 team and has a good knowledge of the Scottish game, having played in the country for 10 years. He spent three years at Fir Park and has good contacts with fellow clubs and would be able to bring on the club’s most talented youngsters. He could be worth a punt.

Gordon Chisholm

The Queen of the South manager is in hot demand after guiding the Doonhammers to the Scottish Cup Final in 2008. Chisholm has turned the Queens into a top five side in the Scottish first division and many believe it won’t be long before he is given another chance to prove himself in the SPL. Could Motherwell be the club to take that chance?

For me, personally, Gary McAllister and Lawrie Sanchez are the standout candidates for the vacant manager’s job, but who would you like to see in charge of your club? I’d love to hear from you.

Real Madrid: A case for defence?

Barcelona won La Liga in May this year by scoring 105 goals, conceding 35, and losing only five games. Real Madrid, meanwhile, won only two games less than Barcelona, but lost twice as many. Third-placed Sevilla notched a very similar win-draw-lose ratio to that of runners-up Real Madrid, but Manolo Jimenez’s side had a defensive record to almost match eventual winners Barcelona. Had it not been for Real Madrid’s attacking power last season, they may have very easily finished a lowly third.

Having sanctioned no less than fourteen big-money signings in his two presidential stints at the Bernabéu, chairman Florentino Perez’s Madrid sides have always had firepower. Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Beckham, Robinho, Owen, Kaka and now Cristiano Ronaldo were all signings ushered by Perez, who started his second big-wig term this season, having chaired six years from 2000. But of his fourteen transfers, only Sergio Ramos and Jonathan Woodgate have been defenders. The signing of Ramos was always highly praised, and the ex-Sevilla star has since established himself as one of the world’s greatest right-backs. Though, Woodgate, for all his proven qualities, could hardly call his stint in the capital beneficial; neither personally nor for the team. Injuries coupled with a debut own goal and red card summed up his Madrid career almost before it had begun.

In 2006, Ramon Calderon, president of Madrid during Perez’s sabbatical, signed then World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro, but the Italian skipper failed to recapture his trophy-winning form. Cannavaro’s signing proved an anomaly, with Calderon also signing forwards van Nistelrooy, Robben and Reyes. With Madrid taking their thirtieth title that year, and van Nistelrooy grabbing a stunning Pichichi, one would be a fool to question the attacking brilliance so often on show at the Bernabéu. One might be misguided, however, to commend the focus of defensive responsibility, both on the field and off it.

In the past, too many a Madrid manager has put eight attack-minded players on the field, and expected to win games. Two attacking full-backs, a midfield five and a striker leave an awful lot to be desired defensively. Barcelona possess a balance that their arch rivals will seemingly never possess. The consistency of Puyol, the composure of Marquez, the discipline of Dani Alves and Abidal make for, at the very worst, a “balanced” back four. In front of them, a screen from any one of Xavi, Toure or Keita, allow a front four of Iniesta, Henry, Messi and Eto’o the chance to flourish.

Conversely, it was recently noted that Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas had made the most saves of any goalkeeper that season; a statistic going someway to suggest that the four individuals and nominated midfielders in front of him are simply not up to the job. An inconsistent Cannavaro, a temperamental Pepe and a perpetually naive Marcelo are three of a back four so often carried by the marauding Sergio Ramos. In front of them, you’d be hard pressed to work out who the assigned holding player was. Lassana Diarra is still settling, his namesake Mahamadou is deregistered after injury, and Fernando Gago is far too raw to effectively hold at the highest level.

Despite winning two recent titles, should Real Madrid now adopt a defensive galactico policy to prevent Barcelona’s carousel from spiralling into a whirl of dominance?

Current chairman Florentino Perez was long criticised for not adequately replacing Claude Makélélé in 2003. Failing in a bid to sign Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira in 2005, Perez spoke of his refusal to pay high wages for “defensive players”. I dread to think what Cristiano Ronaldo will be taking home each week, taxed or otherwise. But in a side that is likely to boast he, Kaka, Raul, one of Villa or Ribery, as well as the many other “lesser” attackers already at the club, would it be a bad idea to give, say, Nemanja Vidic £100,000 a week to ply his locomotive trade in white this coming season?

For Madrid, attack might forever be the best form of defence. But with the controversial and largely inconsistent Pepe being the only worthy defensive signing in recent years, Nemanja could be the man for Perez this summer.

Expect a summer splash of transfers from relegated pool of players

“Too good to go down”, I always hear. Every season there is someone deemed to good to go down. Three teams go down every year, and there is always one that shouldn’t have apparently.

When West Ham were relegated in May 2003, even the most ardent Tottenham or Chelsea fan would have admitted surprise. Not necessarily sympathy. But definitely surprise. But if a team doesn’t display consistency and a high level of understanding and cohesion throughout the season, they’ll be in trouble. For this, West Ham were not too good to go down that year. Nor were Leeds the following year in 2004.

But Joe Cole was. As were Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe and Paulo Di Canio. Mark Viduka was, too, a year later. The same went for Alan Smith, Paul Robinson and a hugely promising James Milner. Having occurred over differing, and indeed, successive seasons, the relegations of West Ham and Leeds meant that two separate groups of talented players were entering a lower level of football in each year, a fact which made many Premiership managers sit up and take notice.

Cole joined Chelsea’s Russian revolution in the summer of 2003, the colourful Di Canio joined Charlton, Defoe waited until the January window of 2004 to join Tottenham, while Carrick followed his ex-teammate to White Hart Lane the following summer. The relegation of Leeds a year later prompted a similarly understandable exodus; boyhood Leeds fan Smith stunned Elland Road by joining rivals Manchester United the summer of their relegation, Robinson secured a move to Tottenham in May, Viduka stayed north and joined Middlesbrough, while Milner openly expressed his disdain at leaving his boyhood club in 2004 before completing a move to Newcastle in the relegated club’s “best interest”. Each of these players maintained a well-deserved top-flight career in England, albeit some more fruitfully than others. Di Canio returned to Lazio a year after joining Charlton, and that Alan Smith injury having joined United meant he was never quite the same player.

In May of this year, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough were relegated to the Championship. Like West Ham and Leeds and so many before them, they weren’t too good to go down; neither side had been simply good enough. For Newcastle, three different managers and a beer-guzzling owner meant for inconsistency and lack of belief on the field. For Boro, an honest manager coupled with a mostly inexperienced side with little power saw them dominated far too often.

But, with the relegation of Newcastle and Middlesbrough this year, is this the best crop of individuals to have ever been demoted from the Premiership? With all due respect to West Brom, who were only promoted to the Premiership last year, the pick of the players will surely come from Tyne and Tees.

This summer, Premiership managers up and down the country are sure to be lining themselves up outside the Riverside looking to secure deals for the likes of Stewart Downing, Sanli Tuncay, David Wheater and the promising Adam Johnson. Similarly at St James’s, Michael Owen, Damien Duff, Steven Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez and Obafemi Martins are likely to be equally sought after, in what has to be the most talented crop of individuals to ever be relegated in a single Premiership season.

The clubs themselves displayed relegation form, but so many of their players are undoubtedly set to be the subject of transfer talk in the coming weeks. But for what price? Will Freddy Shepherd and Steve Gibson hold out for big deals for their best players? Or will they take whatever they can, giving them time to rebuild?

I personally hope that they all stay and fight for their team’s cause. Or at least stay until the next Football Manager is released, so that I can take advantage of their “Unh” symbols myself.

Record breakers or money shakers?

Eighty million pounds is a lot of money. But then, so was fifty-six. And forty-five. I'm not going to even challenge whether or not it’s all relative; all I will say is that I have had to buy cheaper red wine of late because “money is tight”. But are world record transfers worth it?

In 1996, Alan Shearer became the most expensive player in the world. Golden boots and a league title with Blackburn prompted Kevin Keegan to part with a world-record £15m to bring a future England captain to Tyneside. Shearer's previous goalscoring record meant for a considerably upbeat reaction from even the most cynical football pundits; his talismanship and record of 148 league goals in ten years meant for a universal acceptance that the Geordie frontman was worth every penny.

After spending a year in Barcelona, Ronaldo joined Inter in 1997 for £19.5m in what would be a rollercoaster five-year spell for the Brazilian. Within three years of him signing, more ink was spilt over Ronaldo’s fitness than his price tag. Two ruptured knees, an alleged pre-World Cup Final seizure, thirty-six months of rehabilitation, weight gain and stamina worry made Ronaldo winning the World Player of the year in 2002 one of the most amazing feats in modern football. Having averaged only 14 Serie A games a season in five years, Inter might regret spending so much on Ronaldo. But the Brazilian’s turbulent Italian Job and heroic comeback made for a fascinating story.

Spare a thought for Real Betis, or, indeed, the forgotten Denilson, after the Seville club paid £21.5m for his services in 1997. The left-winger displayed lethargy as much as brilliance, and in 2000 Real Betis were surprisingly relgated; less surprising was Denilson’s escape, as the Samba-swinger sulked home in a fleeting loan spell with Flamengo. Returning, he never forced his way back into a side desperately trying to restructure in order to regain top-flight status. Promoted at their first attempt in 2001, Betis still did not consider the once most expensive player in the world to be part of their squad, and in 2005 the dust was removed and Denilson was dispatched.

In 1999, Inter spent £32.5m on Australian-schooled Italian Christian Vieri, who had before conquered in Rome and took the bull by the horns in Madrid. The record-breaking signing instilled immediate Scudetto belief, though the mouth-watering promise of a Vieri-Ronaldo strike partnership was too infrequently served up due to the pair’s injuries. Vieri tallied a terrific scoring record at Inter, but injury, fitness and a lack of respect for manager Alberto Zaccheroni meant that Vieri’s sharpness in goal had decreased just in the same way that Inter’s bank balance did four years before. Vieri managed 103 Serie A goals for Inter.

Hernan Crespo was once the “victim” of a record-breaking transfer, after Lazio paid Parma £35.5m in 2000. The transfer has proven significant; until Luis Figo joined Real Madrid, nine of the eleven world record transfers before it had an Italian buyer, dating back from when Napoli paid a record £5m for Diego Maradona in 1984.

After Figo, Real Madrid were to make the next three world record moves, constituting the last four successive record-breaking transfers. The galactico era started in 2000 with the stunning capture of the Portuguese winger (sound familiar?) for £37m, and continued with Zinedine Zidane a year later in 2001 for £46m. Zidane, arguably one of the greatest in the history of the game, has since modestly described his price-tag as having been “a burden”, something never made apparent in his majestic spell in Spain. The Frenchman’s elegance is shared by Kaka, who joined Real Madrid earlier this month for £56m; a record that lasted less than a fortnight, with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to put paper in the Spanish capital for the most recent world record of £80m.

My advice? If you’re going to spend a lot of money on a player, wrap them up in cotton wool, never leave them on the bench and always laugh at their jokes. Oh, and don't get relegated.

Arsenal: Would you sell Van Persie now?

Arsenal fans will have woken up to the back pages of the newspapers this morning to find one of their star players, Robin Van Persie, being lined up with a move to rivals Manchester United. This sort of Press speculation surrounding Arsenal players isn’t anything new, after all every summer Arsenal’s top names are involved in will they or won’t they leave transfer sagas. First it was Vieria, then it was Henry and most recently Cesc Fabregas’s future has been the main focus of the Press. But now it looks as though the attention could swing towards the future of Dutch international Robin Van Persie.

The former Feyenoord striker is rated at about £20 million but with just one year left on his current contract at the Emirates he could walk away from the club next summer for nothing and Manchester United and Inter Milan are believed to be watching the situation intently.

Van Persie, 26, who signed for the club in 2004 but has only one FA Cup winner’s medal to his name, has so far refused to sign a new contract at Arsenal. However, it has been claimed that Van Persie is happy with the contract on offer from the Gunners but that he wants to see if Arsene Wenger’s signings this summer match his ambition to win silverware. But if you were Arsene Wenger would you cash in on one of your main assets now than risk losing him for nothing next summer?

There’s no denying that Van Persie is a top class striker. He has the pace, the skill, the strength and ability to beat defenders, is one of the best strikers of the ball in the game, and is an integral member of Arsene Wenger’s long-term plans. He supplied the most assists last season and scored 20 times himself in all competitions. However, Van Persie is very injury prone and has started just 79 Premier League games in the past five seasons.

Van Persie is a big game player and has rose to the challenge when the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have come to town, but Arsenal fans would like to see him producing the goods on the pitch regularly. However, could they cope without him?

Adebayor only turned on the style last season when he wanted to, Eduardo was still picking up niggling injuries following his lengthy spell out of the game while Arshavin could be Arsenal’s main man next season. Not forgetting Theo Walcott, who is determined to show Arsene Wenger that he can play as an out and out centre forward.

Personally I think Arsenal have more than enough quality to choose from going forward, but Van Persie, on his day, can produce the spectacular and make things out of nothing. However, Van Persie will be fully aware that not too many former Arsenal players have gone on to better things after leaving the Gunners, so he may consider staying put. But then this is Manchester United and Inter Milan we are talking about here. Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho are winners and Van Persie would be guaranteed medals at either club.

Arsenal have gone four years without any silverware and the fans have began to start questioning Arsene Wenger’s plans. The players are also beginning to get disillusioned about the lack of success at the club and a number of them are rumoured to be considering their future. This season may turn out to be a decisive one in the future of Arsenal Football Club.

But if you were Arsene Wenger would you be prepared to cash in on Van Persie now or hold on to him in the hope of bringing some silverware back to the club and risk losing him next summer for nothing? I’d love to hear from you.

·         Do you know your Ballacks from your Arshavins? Do you have a passion for the beautiful game and want to have your views read by a potential readership of millions? We at squarefootball are looking for new and enthusiastic writers to join our team so if you think you could be the next Martin Samuel or Brian Woolnough then please contact us using the form below.

Tottenham Hotspur: Van Nistelrooy or Toni – Who would you prefer?

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp looks set for another summer of wheeling and dealing in the transfer market, but the former Portsmouth and West Ham United manager isn’t looking at bringing unknown players to the Lane this season. Oh no, he’s being linked with some of the game’s biggest names, two of which are strikers Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Luca Toni. Both marksman have played at the highest level and could walk into most teams in the world, but if you were Harry Redknapp who would you prefer to have leading the line at the Lane?

Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a simple goal machine. He’s proved that at every club he’s played for and has topped the scoring charts in Holland, England and Spain. However, the former Manchester United ace has been told he can leave Real Madrid after missing the last nine months of the season following a knee injury, despite scoring 63 times in 93 appearances for the club.

Van Nistelrooy is set to turn 33 next month and he has lost a bit of pace but his natural instinct to score goals is still as prevalent as ever. After a long spell out of the game as well you can bet that he will be hungry for goals once more. He also has the experience of playing in the Premier League so he wouldn’t need that much time to settle in to his new surroundings.

Luca Toni is another top class striker who would an amazing addition to Redknapp’s squad. The Bayern Munich and Italian forward, like Van Nistelrooy, loves scoring goals and has done so at every club he’s played for. With a strike record of better than one in two games Luca Toni is a prolific marksman. He’s strong, has a great touch and most of all has a winning mentality which would rub off on his fellow team-mates.

Toni is 32 but has bags of experience and is a handful to play against. He may not have sampled life in the Premier League before but he has played at the World Cup and in big European nights with Bayern Munich so I’m sure he’d adapt to the English game with ease.

However, if you were given £20 million to spend and you had to choose between Van Nistelrooy or Toni who would you opt for? I’d love to hear from you.

·         Do you know your Ballacks from your Arshavins? Do you have a passion for the beautiful game and want to have your views read by a potential readership of millions? We at squarefootball are looking for new and enthusiastic writers to join our team so if you think you could be the next Martin Samuel or Brian Woolnough then please contact us using the form below.

Tottenham Hotspur: Does Darren Bent deserve another season at White Hart Lane?

Darren Bent cost Spurs a club record £16.5 million in 2007 but his dream move to the Lane has turned out to have been more of a nightmare. The former Charlton Athletic and Ipswich striker has gone through three managers, struggled to hold down a starting place at the club and his confidence has been absolutely shot. That wasn’t helped when after missing a sitter against Portsmouth his manager, Harry Redknapp, told the waiting media that even his missus would have scored. Throw in some constant transfer speculation linking him with a move away from north London and you can understand why Bent has found it hard to set the heather on fire at Spurs.

However, despite all of that, not forgetting the return of Defoe and Keane to the Lane in January, Darren Bent ended last season as the club’s top goalscorer with 17 in all competitions. The 25-year-old also showed in pre-season last year that he knew where the back of the net was by netting an impressive 12 times.

Rumours coming out of White Hart Lane suggest that Bent will be part of a huge clear-out by Redknapp this summer, with Sunderland reportedly leading the race for his signature, but should Bent be given another chance to prove himself at Spurs?

Bent remains one of the quickest strikers in the Premier League and is, when he’s in the right mindset, one of the best finishers in the game. He had a strike record of one in two at Charlton Athletic and scores, on average, once every three games for Tottenham, which given all the commotion at White Hart Lane during his two years at the club isn’t to be sniffed at. However, Bent is a player who thrives on confidence but unfortunately that has been a vital ingredient which has been missing from his game. He needs to know that he’s wanted by the fans, his team-mates and the manager, but with the likes of Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe competing with him for a starting place he’s unlikely to be the first name on the team sheet.

Harry Redknapp is regarded as one of the best motivators in the game and can normally squeeze at least a further 10 per cent out of his players. However, unfortunately for Bent, it looks as though Redknapp doesn’t really rate him and he is thought to be considering offers for the marksman. It’s also claimed that Redknapp may be looking at bringing former Manchester United ace Ruud Van Nistlerooy or Bayern Munich’s Italian star Luca Toni to north London, which would place Bent further down the pecking order.

Darren Bent hasn’t enjoyed the best of times at White Hart Lane but at just 25 he has yet to reach his full potential and could come back to haunt Tottenham if he left. But if you were the manager of Spurs would you let Bent leave or would you give him another season to prove himself at the Lane? I’d love to hear from you.

·         Do you know your Ballacks from your Arshavins? Do you have a passion for the beautiful game and want to have your views read by a potential readership of millions? We at squarefootball are looking for new and enthusiastic writers to join our team so if you think you could be the next Martin Samuel or Brian Woolnough then please contact us using the form below.

West Bromwich Albion: Who will fill Mowbray’s boots at the Hawthorns?

Tony Mowbray has decided to swap Championship football with West Bromwich Albion for Champions League football with Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic so now the search for a new manager at the Hawthorns begins. Despite falling through the Premier League trap door last season the Baggies are one of the best-run football clubs in the country and it’s no surprise to see a large number of managers being linked with the vacant position.

West Bromwich Albion boast a loyal and passionate fan base, they have some real quality players in their ranks and the club are already one of the bookies’ favourites to return to the Premier League this season. Being West Bromwich Albion manager is a huge responsibility, but the rewards for success at the Hawthorns are massive. Jeremy Peace made a great appointment two years ago when he hired Tony Mowbray, but can he strike lucky again this time round?

Below are a few of the main runners and riders for the job.

Derek McInnes

The former West Bromwich Albion midfielder was worshipped by the fans during his three years at the club and he has the potential to be a really good manager. He guided St Johnstone to the SPL last season in his first full campaign as a manager and is a great advocate of swift, attacking football – something that the Albion fans have become accustomed to under Mowbray. However, some fans are worried that the West Brom job may be too big for someone with limited managerial experience. All I have to say is Mowbray only had two years with Hibernian before moving down south and he didn’t do too badly. . .

Alan Irvine

The current Preston North End manager is well-respected in the game and David Moyes’s former number two is the bookies’ joint favourite for the vacant position at the Hawthorns. He led Preston to the play-offs last season and is tactically astute. Irvine also manages to get the best out of his players and likes to play attacking football. But would he be willing to swap Preston for West Bromwich Albion?

Darren Ferguson

The Peterborough United boss guided the Posh to the Championship last season and is another young manager with a promising career ahead of him. Successive promotions have seen Peterborough climb from League Two to the second tier of English football in as many seasons and his stock has risen considerably in the English game. Ferguson, who can always ring up his famous father for advice if he requires it, is another manager who likes to play the ball on the deck and would almost certainly be a hit with the Albion fans, but would he turn his back on everything he has achieved at London Road for the Baggies?

Alan Shearer

The Newcastle legend failed to save the Magpies from the drop last season and his future at the club is up in the air following Mike Ashley’s decision to sell the club so could he end up at the Hawthorns? Easily one of the best strikers this country has ever produced, Alan Shearer has bags of experience as a player, but can he handle being a manager? He couldn’t stop his beloved hometown club from being relegated and many Albion fans would be concerned about his appointment. Shearer’s a big name and could attract top players, but does he have what it takes to be a successful boss?

Jimmy Calderwood

The former Aberdeen boss has made no secret of his desire to manage in England and the ex-Birmingham City player would love a shot at one of the biggest challenges in the Championship. Calderwood re-established the Dons as a top four team in the SPL and guided them back to Europe. He has experience of the European game and likes to send his teams out to attack, although that didn’t always work at Pittodrie. Calderwood has more experience than all of the aforementioned candidates but isn’t exactly a well-known name in England. He’s an outside bet but it could pay off.

Other names being linked with the job include former Watford manager Aidy Bothroyd, ex-Blackburn boss Paul Ince and even former Wolves chief Glenn Hoddle has been touted as a possible successor to Tony Mowbray, but who would you like to see as your new boss? I’d love to hear from you.

Falkirk: Who will be the Bairns’ next manager?

After six relatively successful seasons at Falkirk John Hughes felt he had taken the Bairns as far as he could and opted to take over from Mixu Paatelainen at his former club Hibernian. Hughes was admired by many in the game for his philosophy of playing swift, attacking football on the deck although some Falkirk fans would have been more than happy to swap pretty football to experience that winning feeling a little bit more often. He guided the club to the SPL in 2005 and last season reached the semi-final of the League Cup and the Scottish Cup final, narrowly losing out to Rangers.

However, Yogi’s reign at the club is now over and everyone associated with Falkirk is looking to the future. But who will be the club’s new manager? A number of high profile names have come forward already stating their desire to get the job, but who would you want?

Steven Pressley

The former Hearts, Celtic and Scotland international defender is looking for his first job in management and is reportedly one of the early favourites for the post. Fully committed as a player, Pressley would demand respect from the players and wouldn’t accept anyone giving less than 100 per cent. Elvis is currently an assistant to George Burley with the Scottish national team and is sitting his UEFA pro license. He may not have any previous managerial experience but neither did John Hughes.

John Hartson

The former West Ham United, Celtic and Wales international striker has reportedly thrown his hat into the ring to become the new Falkirk boss. Hartson spent five successful seasons in the SPL with Celtic and knows the Scottish game like the back of his hand. He is currently a pundit on the SPL for Setanta but the 34-year-old would love to move into management. Could Falkirk and Hartson be a match made in heaven? Let’s just say nobody would argue with him at training or they’d risk a boot to the face, ala Benayoun at West Ham.

Jim Jeffries

The Kilmarnock boss spent five years at Falkirk in the early 90s, but would he want to go back? Jefferies is currently the longest serving manager in the SPL and has worked wonders under tight financial constraints at Killie, but in the past two seasons the club have finished in the bottom half of the table. Well-respected and admired in the game, Jefferies is a decent manager. He guided Falkirk to the SPL twice during his spell at the club. Could the 58-year-old be tempted by a new challenge at Falkirk?

Colin Calderwood

The former Nottingham Forest boss is currently at Newcastle United as an assistant manager but with the Toon Army in such a mess off the field Calderwood could well opt for a return to management. Calderwood, who represented his country 36 times as a player, never played professionally in Scotland, but has vast experience of the English game. He guided Northampton Town to promotion in 2006 with a club record number of clean sheets before moving to Nottingham Forest in a move which didn’t turn out as hoped. Would he be prepared to manage in the SPL?

Other names in the frame include Gordon Chisholm, Billy Reid, Jimmy Calderwood, Terry Butcher, Russell Latapy, and a management team of Neil McCann, Jackie McNamara and Lee Bullen. But I’d love to know who you want as your new manager?

Sunderland: Who was your player of the season?

I’m not sure whether Sunderland fans were more thrilled by staying in the Premier League or the fact that their nearest and dearest Newcastle United went down. Either way the 2008/09 season could turn out to be the most crucial one in the club’s history.

Last season’s campaign was hardly one to remember for the Black Cats, but if they had gone down then Ellis Short would not have taken over the club, Steve Bruce would not have been hired as manager and the fans wouldn’t have been able to wind up their Geordie counterparts.

Ricky Sbragia, who took over from Roy Keane in December and relinquished his post at the end of the season, gave the fans some quality moments in the second half of the season with convincing wins over West Bromwich Albion and Hull City, but he also put the fans through the ringer as they managed just one win in their last 13 league games. However, everything turned out nice in the end as Sunderland stayed up and waved goodbye to their north east rivals Newcastle United and Middlesbrough. But what we want to know is; who do you think was your player of the season?

Danny Collins

The Welsh international defender missed just three games for the Black Cats last season and was instrumental in helping the club keep nine shutouts during the league season. Composed, strong and good in the air, Collins is one of the most committed defenders in the Premier League. He has a good rapport with the fans at the Stadium of Light and never gives anything less than 100 per cent.

Kieran Richardson

The former Manchester United and England international scored the goal that gave the Black Cats their first home derby victory over Newcastle United in 28 years. Surely that deserves to make him player of the season on its own! But apart from that goal, Richardson found the target a further three times in the league and played a crucial role in six assists for the team. Richardson has the trickery to leave defenders counting stars and possesses one of the fiercest strikes in the game. The former West Ham United man is still only 24 and has bags of potential, but was he your player of the season?

Anton Ferdinand

The £8 million signing from West Ham United enjoyed a promising start to life at the Stadium of Light and his defensive partnership with Collins gave the fans a lot of confidence. Quick and comfortable on the ball, Ferdinand played in all but seven league games for the Black Cats last season. Keano signed him because he believed he had the potential to follow in his brother Rio’s boots on the international stage. If he continues to put in eye-catching displays he could well be going to South Africa next summer.

Other players who deserve a mention include Kenwyne Jones and Djbril Cisse – who ended the season with 10 league goals each – Dean Whitehead, Marton Fulop and Phil Bardsley, but who would you give the accolade of player of the year to? I’d love to hear from you.

Aberdeen: McGhee’s the right man, say Dons fans

The Aberdeen board were in no doubt as to who they wanted to take over from Jimmy Calderwood at Pittodrie and on Friday morning the former Dons legend Mark McGhee was officially unveiled as the club’s new manager.

McGhee, who left SPL rivals Motherwell to return to the Granite City, enjoyed the most successful period of his playing career at Pittodrie and now the 52-year-old wants to bring the good times back to the success-starved club. The former Scotland international has already targeted a top three finish in the SPL next season and would love to net a cup final appearance, ambition that seems to have the Red Army right behind him.

Long-suffering Aberdeen fan Derek Craig, 38, believes that McGhee is definitely the right man for the job.

“Mark McGhee knows the spiritual feeling of the club from being a player there for seven years. He knows the expectations of the fans and Aberdeen’s place to be challenging not only in the SPL but also in Europe and in cup competitions. McGhee knows the winning feeling, something that Jimmy Calderwood never felt in his playing or managerial career as he won nothing (he got Dunfermline promoted to the SPL as runner-up and got them to two finals but never won anything). Most of all this is a step up for McGhee and he needs to do a good job here in order to be considered for the really big jobs in the game, for example the Old Firm posts and the big ones in England. Aberdeen should be his vehicle to achieve this and raise his managerial profile.

“Over the years McGhee has applied himself in the English lower divisions and knows what expectancy is in relation to clubs to regain their former status. The Wolves job is the best example of this. Although he never got them to the Premiership he managed to get Wolves playing ‘good’ football. His more recent efforts in the SPL with Motherwell reaching third place last season showed that he is capable of getting mediocre clubs with limited resources to be competitive.”

And fellow Dons fan Mike Gill believes that McGhee is more than capable of building on from where Jimmy Calderwood left off.

“I hope he can keep the standards that we have been used to for the past few years. Hopefully he can put a bit of belief into the team and make a couple of good signings. We only need to sign a couple of decent players – a hard midfielder and a good striker – and I think we’ll be able to challenge for honours.”

McGhee takes over from Jimmy Calderwood who left on the final day of the season after securing European football for the Dandy Dons. The former Dunfermline boss had his fair share of critics at Pittodrie but he will be a hard act to follow. Before he arrived in 2004, the Reds were more accustomed to fighting the drop than challenging for silverware. However, the former Birmingham City player worked well on a shoestring budget and re-established Aberdeen as a top six club. He also guided them back into Europe, but his tactics often left the fans baffled and his public criticism of the players also riled the supporters.

Derek, whose favourite Dons players include the legendary Willie Miller, Neil Simpson, Eion Jess and Hans Gilhaus, hopes that McGhee can give the fans what they have been demanding or years . . . entertainment.

“I hope McGhee brings the brand of football that Aberdeen fans want to see and that is passing, attractive football, particularly after the past two seasons of Calderwood’s brand which was more of lump it to the big centre forward and see what happens. I hope McGhee continues to use a 4-3-3 formation that suggests that Aberdeen will come at the other teams rather than waiting to see what they offer.

“Hopefully McGhee will galvanise the club and the fan base, which has been split by the Calderwood era, by playing the football the fans want to see, but also handle the Press and players better than his predecessor. Most of all ‘success’, not relative success in the top six SPL finishes or a run in Europe, but a cup win most of all will feed the hunger the Dons fans have been left wanting for the past 14 years for a League Cup win and 19 years for a Scottish Cup victory. I also hope he builds a team that can challenge and split the Old Firm over the next few seasons.”

Aberdeen will be McGhee’s seventh managerial post and his vast experience as a player and a manager on both sides of the border should hold the Glasgow-born boss is good stead. McGhee is a well-liked and well-respected figure in the game and many people believe that he is the right man for Aberdeen. He will command respect and he has a wonderful knowledge of the game, but crucially his past with the Dons will ensure that he is given time to be a success. He may also be given money to spend on new players and Derek knows exactly what positions he would like to see strengthened.

“Without naming potential players, I would like him to sign a solid centre back to play alongside Zander Diamond, a solid holding midfielder and a proven striker who can net at least 15 goals in a league campaign. At least then we will have a spine of a team that our current players can work around. “

Scottish football needs a strong Aberdeen side to challenge the Old Firm for honours. They achieved that so well under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 80s. Could McGhee, one of Fergie’s star pupils, do the same more than 20 years on? While it’s highly unlikely that the Dons will ever be Kings of Europe again, the fans are desperate to see the club give the Old Firm a good hiding and challenge them for honours, and if McGhee can get the Dons performing consistently then who knows what they may achieve with the fabulous Red Army behind them.

The new SPL season just can’t come soon enough!

·         Calling all Aberdeen fans. Are you happy with the appointment of Mark McGhee? What do you think the former Millwall and Motherwell boss will bring to Pittodrie? Which players would you like to see McGhee sign? How confident are you that McGhee can build on the platform left for him by Jimmy Calderwood? I’d love to hear from you.

Ronaldo: Will United or The Premiership miss him?

It seems extraordinary that the two players, who were integral to a majority of last summers transfer talk, will both have new clubs as soon as the end of June. Gareth Barry is already a Manchester City player and the wheels are in motion for Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid’s bid of £80m for Ronaldo has been accepted. Four-fifths of what Newcastle United is worth, football is reaching unprecedented heights. If this figure is accurate, the £56m paid for Kaka seems like loose change. 

Without question there is no one else quite like him in the Premier League. The pace at which he takes on defenders, the mesmerising technique that define his free kicks - and the petulance with which his toys get thrown out of the pram. 

Nobody can question the positives that Ronaldo brings to the party. But even Manchester United supporters will agree, his theatrics and irritability, tarnish all of the above. 

The number seven shirt, once again will take some filling, but there has to be life after Cristiano Ronaldo. No player is greater than a club, big players come and big players go, they always have. 

The Premiership has witnessed breathtaking displays of football from Ronaldo, but he has another side to his game that will be missed like a hole in the head. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is comparable in this instance. Irrefutably both are top class footballers but their dark side is a hindrance.

The play-acting from the flamboyant Portuguese captain is something that infuriates the neutral, if he stayed on his feet more his team would benefit. Eradicating this would help him to evolve into the more complete player. It is a continental trait and is regularly witnessed in European competition - he will be more accepted in La Liga.

In all truth Ronaldo should have left last summer. At times this season he has looked non-plussed in United red. His departure may actually be a blessing in disguise for Sir Alex Ferguson.

It could be argued that when Dimitar Berbatov signed for United, coupled with Ronaldo’s emergence as a striker, Ferguson would actually struggle to define his best eleven. After all, only half of the attacking ‘fabulous four’ have the relentless work rate. 

Carlos Tevez, himself the focus of much speculation, may just start to dispel some of his personal disillusionment. Fresh attacking flair will be added to the squad, but the void left by Ronaldo will also need filling by those who remain. Wayne Rooney may be given more license to play where he does most damage, through the centre.

The Champions League Final highlighted that Ronaldo is not consistently enough, a big match player. He blamed the defeat on Ferguson’s tactics, this may be true, but he was overshadowed, that was there for all to see.

Barcelona also uncovered another flaw in United’s squad, their midfield engine room is spluttering. Owen Hargreaves makes a difference, but with him, reliability obviously, is key. The £68m profit United make from Ronaldo will go someway to plugging holes in that midfield, but unless the plugs are water tight, such opponents will undo United again.   

Ronaldo will be disappointed that his United career ended with such a low. For all the glory he has delivered to the club and indeed the English game, he deserved his swansong to be covered in more splendour – rather than a comprehensive defeat against the Catalonians. 

For all of the negative facets to his game, he is still, quite simply an amazing footballer. Saying that, for £80m you would expect to sign the complete footballer, but that is another argument entirely. 

Debatably three of the top five footballers on the planet will be spread across the two best teams in Spain, so maybe the Premiership will be missing a trick. More specifically, the magnitude of Ronaldo’s influence at Old Trafford may not be realised until this time next year, silverware in the cabinet is the definitive gage. 

So it remains to be seen if either Manchester United or The Premiership will indeed miss Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro?

Who To Look Out for At the European U21 Championships

With the supply of live football drying out, tournaments like the European U21 Championships take on added significance for those who are already feeling the first twinges of a withdrawal symptoms. 

Yet there is more to these championships as they provide the opportunity of taking a look at some players who could be genuine world stars in coming years.  And, whilst most of those making the trip with England are already well known, this is definitely not the case for the other teams in the tournament.

So, if you’re looking to know of any players to keep an eye out for, here’s our list of five talents to look out for.

Javi Martinez (Spain)
The young midfielder first rose to prominence when Atletico Bilbao paid £5 million for the then 17 year-old.  Within twelve months, however, he had justified such a fee with a series of inspiring displays at the heart of Bilbao midfield.  An excellent passer of the ball and with great vision he is, unsurprisingly, seen as Xabi Alonso heir.

Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Werder Bremen may have lost Diego to Juventus this summer, but in Mesut Ozil they’ve already identified the player who is to take his place.  Alongside the Brazilian midfielder, Ozil impressed in the latter stages of the UEFA Cup showing that he is a player who can handle the pressure that comes with high profile games, proving that he has the character to go with his flair.

Mario Balotelli (Italy)
The son of Ghanaian immigrants who was adopted by an Italian family, Balotelli has often been at the heart of controversy this season both because of the racism directed to him and also for his pig-headedness.  Yet his talent is undoubted.  A fast and strong striker, he can score exceptional goals.  Not for nothing that he finished the season as a regular in Jose Mourinho’s Inter.

Gojko Kačar (Serbia)
One of the more experienced players in this tournament, Kacar was involved in the Serbian team that made it to the final two years back and has already made the step up to the senior national team.  An extremely powerful player, he is nominally a midfielder yet can play both in the heart of defence as well as in the centre of attack.

Marcus Berg (Sweden)
There are always doubts about host nations’ abilities to make any inroads in such tournaments and such a sentiment has been expressed about Sweden this time round.  There can be little doubts over Berg, however, after the young striker first helped Gotheborg win the 2007 Swedish title before making a move to Dutch side Groningen whom he has helped into the top half of the Dutch league.

£80m for Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Manchester United laughing

There has been an air of inevitability that Cristiano Ronaldo would leave Manchester United for some time. The United match-going fans had been somewhat ambivalent towards the player in 2008/9 with the two most popular songs about the Portuguese - 'That boy Ronaldo' and 'Viva Ronaldo' - being much less common on match days than the scattered exhortations to 'track back' or at least 'look interested'. For a player that United fans took to their hearts after 'that' wink in 2006 that was some comedown. But the veneer of Ronaldo's dedication to United has been cracking for some time now.

Ronaldo's annus mirabilis for United looks now set to have been 2007/8 when he scored 42 goals; many of them crucial in holding off Chelsea for the league title. This season he fell under 20 league goals as United won the league title with less fuss than last season (when United went into the final game narrowly ahead on goal difference only in 2007/8) and I guess crucially Ronaldo's league impact simply wasn't as critical. In the final analysis if Ronaldo was going to threaten 40 goals a season consistently then Sir Alex Ferguson would simply never countenance a sale - but a 25 goal forward player is another matter. Increasinly Ronaldo was only 'up' for the big European games and the bread and butter ones suffered.

Increasingly Ronaldo has become more petulant (his reaction to being substituted in the Manchester derby was poor) and less of a team player. The number of times that he stands in an offside position with his hands on his hips bemoaning the referees decision to fail to award a free-kick didn't help the team. His ability to theatrically look for fouls now means that referees regularly reject decisions that would not be questioned if the challenges were made on other players. Ronaldo's unswerving desire to take every free-kick within 40m does mean that four or five stunning free-kicks do go in each season - but he is less deadly than David Beckham was from inside 30m and there are other options that are currently ignored. Finally he can be too selfish in possession and this makes players less likely to gamble on a cross so when he does whip one in there is rarely a player anticipating it.

So Ronaldo is not a great team player, but he is a great player whose directness, pace and shooting ability cannot be replicated. United will not be able to go out and buy a replacement - he is irreplaceable. It is more likely that Ferguson will buy in four or five £15-25m players to compensate and end up with a stronger squad with no net outlay this summer as Nani will probably go as well.

Benzema, Ribery and Valencia I would guess would be the players targeted to replace Ronaldo; with Tevez a possibility as well - giving United a harder working front line and a more direct role for Rooney.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a fabulous footballer and in years to come he could become the Maradona that English fans actually got to see regularly; but £80m is a great fee for a player whose motivation was waning and probably would not have extended his Old Trafford contract again. A world record fee for a player who has scored 118 goals and has been instrumental in winning three league titles and a European Cup means that Ferguson will have the best part of £100m available to spend this summer. Ferguson could use this money to build his fourth great and in all probability last United side. For this great dismantler and creator of sides that could be more motivation to pile up the trophies.

Real Madrid are paying a lot of money, but like the £25m spent on David Beckham will expect to make a profit on a player that will generate merchandising Euros by the truck-load. Under Ferguson his petulance has long been held in check - but I would dread to think what would happen to a Real Madrid coach who wanted to substitute him against the players will. Would Ronaldo simply stand there, with his hands on his hips and wait for the coach to reconsider? Ronaldo has always dreamed of playing in the Lillywhite of Madrid - who says dreams can't come true. I wonder if the Kaka deal was concluded first to ensure that United weren't able to buy the Brazilian playmaker?

If the money made from Ronaldo simply goes to pay off Glazer debts there will be rioting at Old Trafford given the bubbling discontent that remains about the leveraged purchase. But there is no reported need to reduce the debt burden and I would expect that Ferguson will be able to buy who he wants without the need to exceed the revenue generated by sales.

The front six for United next season will be the subject of intense competition and even after selling Ronaldo United may end up with a stronger set, along the lines of:

Carrick/Anderson - Fletcher/Hargreaves
Valencia/Park - Rooney/Tevez - Ribery/Tosic
Benzema/Berbatov

I guess that the acid test that judges whether the fee for Ronaldo is good for United will come from rivals. With Rafa Benitez, Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti be more wary of a team with options like Benzema, Tevez, Ribery and Valencia - or one with Ronaldo in it?

* The speculation is already well underway; who will United buy with the £80m - let us know!

Middlesbrough: Who was your player of the season?

Who would have thought that Middlesbrough would have slipped through the Premier League trap door back after beating Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season? It all started so well for Gareth Southgate’s men but in truth last season will be one that most Boro fans will want to forget. They watched in horror as the likes of Chelsea, Spurs, West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers tore them to shreds and they were left pulling their hair out as the attackers failed to convert their chances.

Nobody can argue that they were unlucky to go down as the simple truth was that they just weren’t good enough. So that makes this question quite a tricky one; just who was your player of the season?

Tuncay Sanli

The Turkish international striker was the club’s top goalscorer, albeit with eight, but if Boro’s other main players put in half as much effort and commitment as the former Fenerbahce star did they may not have been relegated. Tuncay never stopped running and putting defenders under pressure. The Turkish captain is in the prime of his career and has recently stated that he wants to play in the top flight of English football. I’m sure all Boro fans will want the free signing to stay at the Riverside but I’m sure they’d give him a good send off if he did leave.

Stewart Downing

The boyhood Boro fan was instrumental in everything the club tried to achieve last season, but ultimately failed to hit the back of the net once in the league. Downing, who played in all but one fixture in the league last season, was a major player for Gareth Southgate, but was unable to steer Boro away from the drop zone. Everyone knows about Downing’s pace and delivery from wide areas, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to influence games the way a number of people had hoped. It looks as though Downing may have also played his last game for the club.

Gary O’Neil

The former Portsmouth midfielder ended the season with four league goals for Boro, which was his best return in three campaigns. The 26-year-old, who cost Boro about £5 million in 2007, showed the Teesside fans what he was all about as he ran his heart out for the club, closing down midfielders, putting in crunching tackles and chipping in with a few crucial goals of his own. O’Neil, who was rumoured to be on his way out of the club last summer, may also follow Downing and Tuncay out of the door this summer, but was he your player of the season?

Other players who deserve a mention include David Wheater, Alves, Emmanuel Pogatetz and Matthew Bates, but who would you give the accolade of player of the year to? I’d love to hear from you.

Ancelotti Looking to Move Away from Loser Tag

There's no hiding from it now: the Premiership they won were nice but what Chelsea really want now is the Champions League.  In truth, that has been well known for quite a while yet if any confirmation was needed it came with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as manager.  For, despite winning an Italian league title, Ancelotti's biggest achievements at AC Milan were the two continental triumphs that he achieved over Juventus and Liverpool.

Despite that success, however, there seems to be a fair bit of scepticism about his abilities.  Perhaps not from Chelsea fans - although I wouldn't exclude everyone - but certainly from a good portion of fans from rival clubs.  There the feeling seems to be of relief that Hiddink didn't stay on.

Ancelotti, it seems, has been tainted by Milan's failures in recent years. They didn't make it to the Champions League last year whilst this season they were dumped out of the UEFA Cup that everyone (at least in Italy) had assumed they would .win. 

If that's the case then it is a grossly unfair assesment of his abilities.  The truth is that he was lumbered with an ageing squad - thirty-five year old Pippo Inzaghi and forty-one year old Paulo Maldini were still regulars last season - and an opinionated owner who wasn't interested in spending any money to rebuild the team.  Making matters worse for Ancelotti, he had very little say in which players were bought.

So it was that last year they signed the error prone Philipe Senderos who was presented to Ancellotti as the solution for a defence.  And, with a side crying for back-up in the centre of midfield, he was given the marque signings of Ronaldinho and David Beckham.  At least, Beckham added something to the team and arguably it was his arrival that kick-started Milan's season in January.  The truth is that the side overachieved in nailing a spot in the Champions League.

At Chelsea, he won't have such issues as he will have both the money to spend and a say in how it is used.  Then again, that could be his biggest challenge given how unused he is to being in charge of such matters.  It will certainly be interesting to see who he brings in although it wouldn't be that surprising if a couple of his Milan players were to follow him.

More so because he was an extremely popular man with his squad.  Always eager to shield his players, whom he never criticised in public, he even put a brave face when Silvio Berlusconi chose to criticise his tactics during a chat with journalists.  A talent, that of handling a rather meddlesome owner, that might come in handy at Chelsea.

Yet what Chelsea will be banking on is Ancelotti's tactical knowledge: that is his strenght, something that is far too often overlooked.  It was Ancelotti, for instance, who had the intuition of withdrawing Andrea Pirlo making him the most effective playmaker in Europe.  And it was Ancelotti who built the wonderful Milan side of 2005, a team that could play beautiful attractive football.  Sadly, and this seems to be a repetitive trait for Ancelotti, all that was forgotten when they lost the final to Liverpool.

Indeed, the view of Ancelotti in Italy is that he is a good man.  Too good, in fact, to win.  A label that was assigned to him when he was at Juventus where and which he has never been able to really shake off since.

At Chelsea, he has cut those links with the past and will be looking to re-invent himself.  He will never be the outspoken and brash manager that Jose Mourinho was, but, if he manages to win the Champions League for them, then nobody will really mind.

Liverpool: Who was your player of the season?

2008/09 will be a season all Liverpool fans will remember. They thrashed Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League, absolutely battered their fiercest rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford and were involved in two classic 4-4 draws against Chelsea and Arsenal within days of each other.  However, they will also have their head in their hands when they look back at the number of opportunities that went begging to clinch their first title in 19 years, as draws against the likes of Hull City, Stoke City, Fulham and Manchester City cost them dearly.

Benitez’s men pushed Manchester United all the way last season and if the club’s dire financial situation doesn’t interfere with Rafa Benitez’s plans for next season then the club could very well end their long wait for a title.

Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun, Fernando Torres and Xavi Alonso were all on top form last season, but what we want to know is; who was your player of the season?

Steven Gerrard

The Liverpool captain was crowned Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association and it’s hard to argue with their selection. Gerrard ended the season with 24 goals from all competitions and all of Liverpool’s play came through him. The England international could walk into any team in the world and has all the attributes a footballer could ever wish for. Drive, passion, skill, strength, stamina and an eye for goal, Gerrard is one of the best players this country has ever produced. But was he your player of the season?

Fernando Torres

The Spanish marksman’s season was dogged with injuries, but the former Athletico Madrid ace still managed to find the back of the net an impressive 12 times in the Premier League. When he’s fit, Torres is the best in the business. He’s quick, has clever feet, is strong as an ox and plays without fear. Torres can make things happen out of nothing and his relationship with Gerrard is one of the most potent in the game. If Torres can stay fit throughout next season then Liverpool could very well be league champions once again.

Yossi Benayoun

The former West Ham United midfielder enjoyed his best season at Anfield last season and the little Israeli international came to the Reds’ rescue on more than one occasion. He scored the winner against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Champions League and kept Liverpool’s title hopes alive with a last-gasp winner against Fulham at the Cottage. Benayoun has had a lot of critics at Anfield, but he silenced the majority of them last year. He may not be the strongest player in the game, but he can run at defenders, cross, dribble, cut inside and score. If Benitez opts to play him more regularly next season I’m sure he’ll only get better.

Xavi Alonso

The Spaniard put in a superb shift for the Reds last season and was many pundits’ star man. The former Real Sociedad man has the vision of a hawk and the passing skills of a true midfield general. Alonso, who was almost shown the door last summer by Rafa Benitez, has been linked with a move back to Spain but all Liverpool fans will want him to remain a Red. He makes the game look so easy and is a joy to watch. Alonso scored four times for Liverpool last season and was a vital member of the team, but was he your player of the season?

Other players who deserve a mention include Pepe Reina – who featured in all 38 Premier League games – Jamie Carragher – the only outfield player to play in every league fixture - Dirk Kuyt, Fabio Aurelio and Javier Mascherano, but who would you give the accolade of player of the year to? I’d love to hear from you.

* Are you passionate about football? Do you know your Alonsos from your Dossenas? How would you like to share your views on the beautiful game with a potential readership of millions with us here at squarefootball? We're always on the lookout for fresh and exciting new writers so if you'd like to join us please get in touch using the form below and we'll be in touch soon.

Ruud van Nistelrooy: Surely A Snip?

If there is any validity in what the transfer rumour mill has been churning out, then Tottenham are close to signing Real Madrid and ex-Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Madrid have just smashed the World transfer record, (reported £56m), by securing the services of Brazilian playmaker Kaka, but Harry Redknapp, by all accounts is on the verge of what could be perceived as the deal of the summer.

In the aftermath of watching rivals Barcelona sweep the board last season, Los Merengues are starting a rejuvenation process. Talk of van Nistelrooy’s Bernabéu exit has become rife - Kaka’s arrival appears to be just the beginning.

Florentino Perez’ return as Real Madrid president has sparked the rumour mill into overdrive, with many big names being touted for both arrival and departure at Real Madrid Club de Fútbol.  

Tottenham’s interest in the 32 year old, (at time of writing), has yet to be set in stone by either club – but the string of world-class players linked to the re-birth of the galactico’s, won’t be sitting comfortably in the Dutchman’s stomach. 

If the rumours are to be believed, van Nistelrooy would cost potential buyers a figure somewhere under £2m – this is a snip for a player of his calibre. It is a surprise that there are not more top-half Premiership teams making enquiries.

In recent weeks Tottenham, who already have four established strikers, had been linked to ex-Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse. The majority of Liverpool supporters though, would probably tell you to be wary of the Frenchman. 

Although he is a forward with great power, he lacks both finesse and awareness in front of goal. If Cisse is a genuine transfer target, Redknapp’s glowing reputation in the market will need to be scrutinised.    

Cisse showed promise playing for Auxerre and Marseille; his blooming reputation provoked ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier into raiding his homeland for the striker. Since coming to England to ply his trade though, he has been a massive disappointment. 

When Sunderland needed Cisse most, at the business end and in the depths of a relegation battle, he scored just two goals in 19 appearances. 

van Nistelrooy has scored a total of 140 goals in 217 appearances whilst playing for two heavyweights in European football, Manchester United and Real Madrid – averaging over a goal every two games. His career total is 232 goals from 384 appearances. He is, in the most literal sense, a goal machine.

His habitual injury problems could be problematic for Redknapp, but maybe a pay as you play contract could be put in place to nullify this – if Michael Owen is worth bringing back to the top flight then van Nistelrooy surely is, even more so. 

The facts do not lie. He has continually scored goals at the highest level, both domestically and in Europe’s elite competition – he boasts Utd’s all-time European goal scoring record. Whilst others labour in the skill, he makes goal poaching look so simple.

Whilst David Villa, Ronaldo, Frank Ribery et al, top Florentino Perez’ wish list in the Spanish capital - in the English capital, Redknapp looks to profit from the Madrid upheaval. 

With the creativity of Modric, Keane and Lennon to feed off, van Nistelrooy could supply a generous batch of goals. He would complete a quintuplet of strikers at White Hart Lane, with one maybe making way. 

Redknapp re-signed Jermaine Defoe and Robbie Keane, so Roman Pavlyuchenko or Darren Bent could be cast aside. This would be harsh on the latter who was Spurs leading goal scorer last term. 

Looking at Stoke’s James Beattie last season, big signings don’t have to break the bank. At a time of great financial crisis, attempting to sign van Nistelrooy for such a minimal fee seems to be great, great business. 

Confederations Cup: Spain to win another trophy

Currently seen by many observers as the top international team, Spain have the chance to pick up another trophy when they take part in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, beginning at the weekend.

Much maligned in the past, this years World Cup warm-up features both the European champions and World Cup holders Italy as well as Brazil and all three powerhouses have named very strong squads.

Spain, who scored six against Azerbaijan on Tuesday in a friendly fixture, are placed in the much weaker Group A against the hosts, Iraq and New Zealand.

Iraq have struggled, understandably, to maintain the heights reached in their historic Asian Cup success of 2007 that earned them a place in this tournament while New Zealand are set to suffer for a lack of exposure both as a team and individually to top level football.

Hosts South Africa should therefore reach the semi-finals and are showing some signs of slow improvement under coach Joel Santana, who has adopted a safety-first approach in a side that could struggle for goals in front of their home fans. 

For Spain, Andres Iniesta is their only major absentee, with Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Fernando Torres and David Villa all part of a squad that is treating the competition very much as a dress rehearsal for next year.

"We have high hopes for this tournament. Winning the Confederations Cup would be a terrific morale boost ahead of next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa," Villa told the official FIFA website.

Italy and Brazil meet the USA and Egypt in the other group.

The Italians are taking the opportunity to look at some new players while Dunga is hoping that Brazil can earn him some positive headlines at home with a repeat of his country's 2005 triumph.

Both may struggle to break down a USA side short on top quality players but who are a well-organised outfit used to playing together.

Spain however have not stopped showing their class since their Euro 2008 triumph and are currently breezing their way through World Cup qualification.

They are worthy favourites with the bookmakers and worth a bet at a best-priced 13/8 to do what many feel they will do again next year and triumph in South Africa.

Greece can snatch group of death from Switzerland: WC2010 qualifiers

The tightest of the European groups is short of the big names of European football, with only Greece having any record of success amongst the teams competing. Only the group winners are guaranteed to qualify for the finals in South Africa and with the top four teams separated by just four points and nicking points off each other, the runner-up here could well be the unlucky runner-up that does not even get a play-off shot.

Greece 6-13
Switzerland 6-13
Latvia 6-10
Israel 6-9
Luxembourg 6-4
Moldova 6-1

Recent form
No games since April when Latvia and Switzerland predictably won home games against the group minnows, but Greece, more importantly beat Israel to secure the group leadership and favouritism.

Crunch game
The next set of games in September includes a game between the top two with Switzerland and Greece meeting in Basel; the winner will probably top the group. If Greece win this game qualification is all but assured with games against Moldova and Luxembourg to come. If Switzerland win (and the Swiss did win the reverse fixture in Piraeus 2-1 last October) then its fixtures are similarly routine. Greece would probably be happier with a draw.

Remaining games
Although Israel and Latvia could still upset the apple cart with a series of wins the group winner is much more likely to be one of the top two. As Latvia must still play the top two it could be the kingmaker. 22 points should be enough to win this low-point scoring group

Likely finish
Greece as group winners with Switzerland in second.

Denmark should top group, but Portugal not quite eliminated: WC 2010 Qualifiers

Past the half-way stage in Group One in the European Qualifiers for World Cup 2010 and Denmark looks ready to seal qualification well ahead of the much vaunted Portuguese team. After a series of 0-0 draws (against Sweden home and away and Albania) Portugal will do well to hold off Sweden and overtake Hungary for second place and a potential play-off game.

Denmark 6-16
Hungary 6-13
Portugal 6-9
Sweden 5-8
Albania 8-6
Malta 7-1

Recent form
Portugal scraped a win in Tirana, with a last minute winner from Bruno Alves - denying Albania a draw and giving Portugal at least some hope of qualifying (the reverse fixture had finished 0-0). Denmark's win in Sweden courtesy of Kahlenberg's 22 minute goal means that the Danes are 90% certain of qualifying as group winners, they have the points in the bag and a series of home games to end the campaign.

Crunch game
The big game for this group will be the meeting between Denmark and Portugal on 5 September; a win for Denmark (Denmark did win the reverse fixture 3-2 in Lisbon last September) would mean that Portugal could not finish top and that Denmark would need a catastrophic sequence of results to avoid topping the group. Even in defeat Denmark would have the group destiny in its own hands - Portugal cannot contemplate defeat.

Remaining games
Three of Denmark's remaining four games are at home - with the away game being very winnable in Albania. Although the final group game between Denmark and Hungary matches the top two teams, Denmark should have qualified by that point. Portugal probably needs to win every remaining game now - although even then 21 points is unlikely to be enough for any better than second place. Sweden has three away games to come, including two at the top two teams in the group - it does not have the form or fixtures to suggest it will win every game to qualify.

The wildcard is Hungary which has points in the bag, but has won most of them against the minnows. Assuming Portugal beats Malta in the final game then Portugal is, in real terms, only a point adrift of Hungary. The home and away games between Portugal and Hungary in the Autumn will probably decide second place.

Likely finish
Denmark winners with Portugal just pipping Hungary for second

Hull City: Who was your player of the season?

Phil Brown’s men won just two league games from the middle of October but still managed to retain their Premier League status due to their amazing start to life in the top flight and the fact that Newcastle United and Middlesbrough were simply awful.

The Tigers started the season like an excited new-born puppy, bagging 20 points from their first nine games, and shocked everyone by turning over the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in their own manor. Talk at the club soon switched from just surviving to actually qualifying for Europe. However, once the excitement and euphoria had died down, the players began to realise that life in the top flight was actually a lot tougher than they first thought. They went on a terrible run of results and began falling down the league like a stone. But that impressive start was just enough to ensure that the likes of Michael Turner, Ian Ashbee and Geovanni would be Premier League players next season.

However, what we at squarefootball want to know is; who was your player of the season?

Michael Turner

The club’s only ever-present in the league Michael Turner was a rock in the heart of the Tigers’ defence. Solid in the tackle, a good reader of the game and a major threat in the opposition box, Turner’s stock in the game has risen four-fold. He played every minute of every game for Hull City in the Premier League and is a huge hit with the fans. At just 25, Turner has a glittering career ahead of him. But was he your player of the season?

Ian Ashbee

City’s captain fantastic, Ashbee has been the one constant at Hull during their progression through the leagues and he hasn’t looked out of place in the top flight. Ashbee is a tenacious midfielder with a great engine and knows exactly when to release the ball. At 32 his footballing days are coming to an end but he still has the drive and passion to motivate others and he’s sure to go down as a Hull City legend. He missed the relegation run-in through injury but he’ll be desperate to test himself against the likes of Lampard and Gerrard again next season.

Geovanni

Many in the game were surprised when Manchester City let the little Brazilian leave Eastlands last summer but their loss was definitely Hull City’s gain. The former Benfica star had the experience and skills in his locker to shine in the top flight and he wasted no time in getting down to business, scoring the Tigers first goal in the Premier League. However, it will be his rasping 30-yard strike against Arsenal and his delicate free-kick against Spurs that he will be most fondly remembered for.

Other players who deserve a mention include Kamil Zayatte, Sam Ricketts, Boaz Myhill, Andy Dawson and Dean Marney, but who would you give the accolade of player of the year to? I’d love to hear from you.

Sunderland: Black Cats thrilled to bag a Brucie bonus!

It’s been more than 30 years since Steve Bruce lived in the north east but the former Manchester United defender has returned home and plans to use his vast playing and managerial experience to take Sunderland to dizzy new heights.

The Black Cats, who avoided the drop by just two points last season, will be the region’s sole representatives in the top flight next season and with a new millionaire owner and manager in charge the Sunderland fans are lapping it up. Even the fact of having a boyhood Newcastle supporter in Steve Bruce in charge of the club has failed to dampen their optimism for the season ahead.

“The fact that the Northumberland-born manager was a boyhood Newcastle fan is of little consequence to me,” said Sunderland fanatic Tony Ratton. “Bob Stokoe was also a Newcastle man and we all know what the Sunderland fans feel about him. I have never heard Steve Bruce slag off the Black Cats.  Allegedly the big man turned down Newcastle’s advances twice so that hardly makes him a Tyneside fanatic.”

Steve Bruce has worked his way up the managerial ladder and is well-respected by those in the game. He led Birmingham City into the top flight and has worked wonders with the unfashionable Wigan Athletic, getting them to play swift, attacking football and unearthing quality players from aboard. Bruce has longed for a chance to manage a club with potential and a huge fanbase and they don’t come much bigger than Sunderland. The Stadium of Light has room for 49,000 fans and plans are afoot to increase that to 66,000 in the future. That will be a huge step up from Wigan’s paltry gates of 17,000.

However, Bruce does have a history of walking out on teams when something better comes along and some fans fear that Bruce could do the same to them if he becomes a success at the Stadium of Light. But the way to look at that is that if the former Norwich City defender takes the Black Cats into the top half of the table, and maybe delivers European football or a domestic cup, the reputation of Sunderland as a club will rise and the likes of Van Basten, Rijkaard and Klinsmann etc may consider such a job, so it really is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

“Bruce would have been my choice ahead of the tetchy Gordon Strachan, Steve McClaren, Graeme Souness and even Roberto Mancini, who has no English premiership experience,” said Tony. “At least Bruce brings Premiership managerial experience to the Stadium of Light.

“The former Manchester United player has done a cracking job at Wigan Athletic with limited funds and at a club who live constantly in the shadows of their rugby league counterparts. I feel Bruce can at least establish us as a regular Premiership club and the knock on effect of this will lead to us attracting better quality players.”

Steve Bruce is reportedly going to be given a pretty kitty to splash out on new players but I’m sure Bruce will want to have a close look at the players at the club already before he starts throwing money around like confetti. However, early reports suggest that he may raid his former club for the likes of Antonio Valencia and former Newcastle United defender Titus Bramble but Tony believes that the Press may just be trying to rub the fans up the wrong way.

“It’s difficult to say who Bruce will get rid of as he will want to form his own opinions on the squad of players. I think the rumours about Brucie going for Titus Bramble though are just mischievous journalism.”

Sunderland are a team on the ascendency and with an experienced manager in Steve Bruce, and a chairman prepared to back the gaffer to the hilt, the fans really do look like the cat that has got the cream. Bruce knows the Premier League inside out, he has a fantastic number two in Eric Black, has an eye for talent and likes to play attacking football, not to mention that their great rivals Newcastle United will be playing in the Championship. Seriously are there any Sunderland fans out there who are not excited about next season?

·         Calling all Sunderland fans. How do you feel about Steve Bruce becoming your new manager? Was he your first choice for the post? Who would you like to see arrive and leave the club in the summer? What expectations have you placed on Bruce for this season? I’d love to hear from you.

The Stars Who Might Not Make It To World Cup 2010

Dutch and Australian players can already sit back and relax. More than a year before the opening ceremony both teams are on the plane to South Africa. England are well placed to join them but some of the game's top players are in serious danger of missing out.

Christiano Ronaldo

Unlike George Best, Christano Ronaldo has played at a World Cup. He helped Portugal reach the semi-finals in 2006 but the world's top player (according to awards, though many people might choose Lionel Messi)  moght be missing in 2010.

It's only in the last 20 years that Portugal have become serial qualifiers for major tournaments and as their 'golden generation' retires, there's a question mark about whether the next batch are up to the mark.

Portugal got a tough draw in Group One having to take on Denmark and Sweden but the real fly in the ointment is a resurgence in Hungary after many years of dreadful under-achievement. A 90th minute winner in Albania on Saturday just about saved PortugEuse hopes but Denmark look out of sight and Hungary have an edge in the race for second.

Dimitar Berbatov

More worries in the Manchester United dressing room. Bulgaria have been irregular qualifiers for major tournaments and this time they were caught cold by the scheduling. Giovanni Trappatoni's Ireland flew out of the blocks with a couple of solid away results and suddenly Bulgaria were playing catch-up.

From the start this has been a race to finish second to Italy and grab a play-off shot. Saturday's draw in Sofia maintained the Republic's five point cushion to Berbatov's squad and leaves Trappatoni in control of the race for second.

Frank Ribery

France find themselves in a feisty qualifying section where five teams are all pitching for South Africa. Lithuania set the ball rolling by winning in Rumania to put themselves in contention but the Rumanians are back in it after their win in the return.

Serbia have been smooth and managed to win a vital encounter over Austria by a single goal on Saturday. France are holding second spot at the moment and should be good enough to keep the other three contenders back- a single goal win over the battling Lithuanians in Paris was critical- but at the moment Serbia have a five point cushion at the top. France may be heading for a play -off.

Petr Cech

The Czech Republic have been consistent qualifiers for tournaments in the past decade but Group Three is a really hot one at the moment. The Czechs lie fourth at time of writing and every team apart from San Marino and surprise packets Slovakia, have lost twice.

Northern Ireland began dreadfully but have fought back to be in contention. Poland are in the hunt, Slovenia aren't out of it and the Slovaks have only been beaten once. It really is all to play for and the Czechs have wobbled. They still have good players to call on but miss the likes of Poborsky and Nedved.

Chelsea – Who was your player of the season?

Chelsea – Who was your player of the season?

Guus Hiddink may have only been in charge of Chelsea for a short period of time but his legacy will live long in the memory of Chelsea fans and players. Under Scolari the Blues were going nowhere. Their confidence looked shot and certain players weren’t giving their all for the team. However, that all changed when Hiddink arrived. The Dutchman gave them renewed hope and confidence and allowed them to go out and express themselves freely on the pitch. The end result was a third place finish in the league and FA Cup glory. And it could have been more if it weren’t for the shocking actions of Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.

Hiddink has definitely given new boss Carlo Ancelotti a confident and talented bunch of players to take charge of, but just who was your star player last season?

Frank Lampard

Lampard may have missed out on a place in the PFA team of the year but he will always be the first name on the teamsheet at Chelsea. For the fourth season in a row the former West Ham United ace has scored 20 goals or more and his fine strike at Wembley against Everton clinched the FA Cup for Chelsea. He may not be the quickest but he is definitely one of the smartest players in the game. Lampard knows exactly where to be at the right time and is a sublime passer of the ball. If Kaka is reportedly worth £60 million than Lampard can’t be far off that, though there’s little chance of him leaving the Bridge.

Nicolas Anelka

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid marksman finished the season as the Premier League’s top goalscorer and, for once in his career, he looks to be happy at a club. We all know about his blistering pace and lethal finishing but the Frenchman finally found some consistency and proved himself, as if he needed to, to be one of the top strikers in the world. But was he your player of the season?

John Obi Mikel

Claude Makelele left a huge void to fill when he left the club last summer but Mikel has stepped into the Frenchman’s boots admirably. The Nigerian international featured in all but four of Chelsea’s league games last season and his attitude and performances have impressed those in the game. The 22-year-old is prepared to break up play, give the back four extra cover when needed and allows the likes of Lampard and Ballack to soar forward, knowing that he is disciplined enough to stay back in case of a counter attack. He may not receive the wider acclaim of his teammates but Mikel is a vital member of the squad.

Didier Drogba

The Ivory Coast international endured an erratic season at the Bridge but there’s no doubt that when he’s on form he is simply unstoppable. Strong, quick and lethal in front of goal, many defenders need therapy after lining up against the Drog. The former Marseille striker may have only scored five times in the Premier League due to injuries and a loss of form, mainly under Scolari, but put him in a Champions League setting and Drogba steps up to the plate. He scored in each leg against Juventus and Liverpool in European football’s leading competition, but I’m sure he won’t be on Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo’s Christmas card list following his outburst.

Other players who deserve a mention include Florent Malouda, Kalou, Petr Cech, John Terry and Jose Bosingwa. But I would love to know who you thought was your player of the season.

·         Are you passionate about Chelsea? Do you know your Anelkas from your Ballacks? Would you like to share your views on the club you love with a potential readership of millions? If so, and you’d like to write for us, then we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us using the form below and we’ll be in touch soon.

Bolton Wanderers: Who was your player of the season?

Gary Megson’s men were many pundits’ favourites for the drop at the start of the season but the former West Brom and Nottingham Forest boss proved them all wrong by extending the Trotters’ unbroken spell in the top flight to nine years. Megson’s style may not be to everyone’s liking at the Reebok Stadium but it gets results and it ensures that Bolton will be mixing it with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea next season.

Bolton fans enjoyed a number of fine wins last season including their 4-1 thrashing of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, their 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur and their 4-1 annihilation of Middlesbrough at home. However, who was your top performer from the 2008/09 season?

Kevin Davies

One of the strongest players in the game, Davies enjoyed one of his best ever seasons in the top flight last season. The former Blackburn Rovers striker, who Sam Allardyce brought to the club on a free transfer six years ago, scored 11 times in the league – his best return ever – and was tipped for an England call-up. Almost impossible to play against, Davies’s strength and ability to hold the ball up and bring team-mates into the game were crucial to Megson’s plans.

Matty Taylor

Like Davies, Matty Taylor also enjoyed his best season as a professional. The former Portsmouth midfielder got his name on the scoresheet 10 times last season, a tally which was a personal best for the 27-year-old. Committed, athletic, strong and with a deadly strike, Taylor was almost certainly one of the first names on Megson’s team sheets. But was he your player of the season?

Ricardo Gardener

The Jamaican international has been at the club for the past 11 years but his hunger and desire to play for Bolton Wanderers is still as strong today as it was when he joined as a 19 year old. Everybody loves to see him on the ball because they know that he will try and make something happen. Great on the ball, Gardener has the speed and skill to leave even the most experienced defender in knots.  The attacking midfielder also possesses a fierce strike.

Jussi Jaaskelainen

The Finish international is Bolton’s last line of defence and was in sensational form again last season. He possesses unbelievable reflexes and commands his defence like a sergeant major. The Flying Finn pulled off some stunning saves near the end of the season and simply makes goalkeeping look easy. Jaaskelainen has been at the Reebok for 12 years now, most Bolton fans will be hoping that he can stay on top of his game for another five at least.

Other players who deserve a mention include Gary Cahill, Andy O’Brien, Jlloyd Samuel and Gretar Steinsson, but who would you give the accolade of player of the year to? I’d love to hear from you.

Tottenham Hotspur: Who was your player of the season?

Despite finishing eighth, reaching a cup final and almost snatching a place in the Europa League, Spurs fans couldn’t wait to see the back of last season. They started the campaign full of confidence under Ramos following a brilliant pre-season but that belief soon evaporated as the club propped up the table and looked braced for the drop. Just two points from their first eight games saw the pressure mount on the former Seville boss and Levy decided to wield the axe and bring in Harry Redknapp as his replacement, a move that revitalised the club.

Redknapp, who angered the Portsmouth fans by walking out on them for a second time, made White Hart Lane a fortress again and re-signed some of the fans’ favourite players. Spurs missed out on a place in Europe by just two points and you have to wonder what they would have achieved if Redknapp was in charge for the full season.

However, it wasn’t all about Redknapp. The players more than played their part in the club’s revival. Luka Modric began to show his true class, Aaron Lennon re-discovered his drive and pace down the flanks and even Gomes, who endured a nightmare start to his Tottenham career, proved that he deserved to play in the Premier League. But just who was your player of the year?

Aaron Lennon

The winger featured in all but two of Tottenham’s league games this season and was more of a consistent threat under Redknapp. Blinding pace and a willingness to get to the byline, Aaron Lennon got the Spurs fans out of their seats almost every time he touched the ball. He also found the back of the net five times which is a marked improvement for the 22-year-old. And let’s not forget that equaliser against Arsenal at the Emirates!

Darren Bent

The former Ipswich marksman has received more criticism than the UK’s cheating MPs but he still finished the season as the club’s top scorer. Bent found the target 12 times in the Premier League which isn’t a bad record considering he started just 21 games. He was guilty of some terrible misses and I’m sure most Spurs fans would prefer Keane and Defoe to lead the line next season but Bent certainly did his best for the club. Would you rate him as your best performer though?

Luka Modric

It took the Croatian ace time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League but under Redknapp he truly flourished. Fantastic ball control, a vast array of passing and the ability to unlock defences, Modric is a sublime player. Modric is certainly one to watch next season.

Vedran Corluka

Juande Ramos’s last singing definitely showed that the Spaniard had an eye for talent. The former Manchester City defender cost Spurs cost £8.5 million but the 23-year-old looks more than value for money. Physically strong and a brilliant reader of the game, the Croatian international more than played his part in pushing Spurs up the table.

Heurelho Gomes

They say you have to be mad to be a goalkeeper but many Tottenham fans thought Heurelho Gomes was clinically insane following an abysmal start to life at White Hart Lane. He made numerous schoolboy errors and it looked as though the £7.8 million summer signing would be shipped out by Harry Redknapp at the earliest opportunity. However, the former PSV shot-stopper and Brazilian international rediscovered the form that caught Ramos’s attention and ended the season as one of the best keepers in the top flight.

Other players who deserve a mention include Jonathan Woodgate, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Ledley King, but who would you give the accolade of player of the year to? I’d love to hear from you.

Book Review; The Damned United

Brian Clough was a man who always divided opinion. To some (and most notably those in the Derby and Nottingham areas) he was a hero, a messiah and a genius. To others his brash outspokenness was construed only as arrogance, and invoked only resentment. What nobody can argue with is that Old Big ‘Ead was one of the more fascinating characters in modern football history.

Which is why I looked forward to David Peace‘s ‘The Damned United’ with such great relish. In it, Peace attempts to present a fictional account of Clough’s 44 day spell as manager of Leeds United at the start of the 1974/75 season. The trouble is that in using the actual names of the people involved in the story upon which the book is based, the lines get slightly blurred. Just how much of ‘The Damned United’ is true?

Not a lot according to the Clough family. Peace’s Clough is a selfish, egotistical, alcoholic bully with all the charm of a starving python. His attempts to succeed Don Revie at Elland Road never stood a chance since he was rude, arrogant and unapproachable from the moment he walked through the door. Meanwhile Clough’s widow Barbara maintains that her husband was a gentle soul, interested only in family and winning football matches.

Even Clough’s long-time friend and right-hand man Peter Taylor doesn’t escape his wrath according to Peace. It seems that whenever the story brings the two together there is friction. It makes you wonder how the two of them ever managed to work together, never mind forge a pairing which would plunder two first division league titles (in the days when there was no higher level domestically) and two European Cups. It is well documented that the two eventually fell out over the transfer of John Robertson, but if Peace is to be believed their relationship would have fallen to pieces long before it did. Interestingly, Clough’s failure at Leeds coincides with the only period of time at which he worked without Taylor, who had felt the pair should honour their contract at Brighton. Aside from that, Taylor is scandalously portrayed as a man totally reliant on Clough, forever begging him to get the best deal so that he too may prosper. It is doubtful whether either Clough or Taylor were as obsessed with money as Peace’s novel would have us believe.

When Peace is not portraying the alleged dark side of Clough he is poking us with the stick that is repetition and mantra. The book is written in the first person narrative which, while at times offering genuine insight into the mind of it’s subject (real or not), grates on you when you have read the phrase ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds’ for the 428th time. Where The Damned United is at it’s best is in marrying the events leading up to Clough’s appointment at Leeds with the actual tale of the 44-day reign. The successes at Derby are a joy to read in an era when finances make it impossible for any manager to take a so-called provincial outfit to such glories. Yet when all is said and done, Peace is quick to remind us that this golden age at the Baseball Ground came to an end because of Clough’s greed and ego.

As the story reaches it’s inevitable conclusion there is a highlight in which Peace recounts the Calendar TV interview in which Clough and Revie both appeared. Just hours after his sacking from Elland Road, Clough was sparring with his Leeds predecessor with all the swagger of a man who had just picked up the treble, rather than one who had suffered great indignity. At this point you find yourself trying to imagine Sir Alex Ferguson trading insults with Rafa Benitez from three feet away with Gordon Burns as referee, as opposed to the modern method of sounding off at a press conference and hoping your rival tunes in or picks up a newspaper. It’ll never happen, but it’s a lovely notion.

By Stephen Orford

4 June 2009

Newcastle United: Who was your player of the season?

If success was measured by the dedication, passion and commitment of the fans then Newcastle United would be one of the biggest teams in the world. As it is, following their relegation from the Premier League, the Toon Army will be watching the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United at St James’ Park next season.

There is no excuse for a club the size of Newcastle United to slip through the trap door but following years of mismanagement the club has paid the ultimate price. Many pundits have slammed the players for not showing enough fight when it mattered most in order to keep Newcastle United in the top flight, but a few stars did show that the club meant everything to them. Steven Taylor, Sebastien Bassong, Habib Beye and Nicky Butt gave everything for the shirt. Unfortunately their efforts weren’t enough. But despite the club’s relegation, I want to know who you think was your best player last season.

Steven Taylor

If you cut the 23-year-old he will bleed black and white. He loves Newcastle United more than a fat kid loves cake and he was hurting more than most fans following their demise at Villa Park last month. Taylor’s prepared to put his body on the line for the club and, although he may not be the most technically skilled defender in the world, he gives 100 per cent whenever he pulls on the famous black and white jersey. He is also a threat in the opposing penalty area.

Sebastien Bassong

The competent displays of the 22-year-old French defender gave Newcastle fans confidence during the season. Comfortable on the ball, quick on the ground and strong in the air, Bassong was a major asset for the Mags. It remains to be seen whether Bassong will still be a Newcastle player for the start of next season but he was definitely one of the highlights of the 2008/09 campaign.

Habib Beye

Newcastle United are not normally noted for their quality defenders and yet we are discussing their player of the season and we’re on to our third defender already. The 31-year-old Senegalese international right back has been solid in the Newcastle backline. Quick, experienced and athletic, Beye has been a huge hit on Tyneside since his arrival in 2007. He wanted to play against Villa on the final day of the season despite being injured which tells you everything you wanted to know about Beye. He has also committed himself to helping Newcastle get back into the Premier League.

Nicky Butt

The former Manchester United midfielder was a target for the boo-boys during the early days but his battling qualities last season won him a number of plaudits. Strong in the tackle with the engine of a 1968 Ford Mustang, Butt gave everything out on the pitch. He may not be the quickest or even the most talented player in the world but he has a winning mentality and tried his best to lift the team during its darkest moments.

Steve Harper and Andy Carroll also deserve a mention for their efforts, but I’d love to know who you would crown as your player of the year.

West Bromwich Albion: Who was your player of the season?

The Baggies may have slipped through the Premier League trap door but their brand of football was admired by everyone. Slick, attacking football played to feet was Tony Mowbray’s philosophy and although it may not have dividends this time you can be sure that the former Hibs boss will gain another crack at the Premiership soon. However, which Albion players proved they could cut it in the top flight?

Midfielder James Morrison was a huge influence on the team as was Jonathan Greening and winger Chris Brunt, but who was your player of the season?

James Morrison

The Scotland international really stepped up to the plate last season and proved how vital he was to the club. Silky on the ball and tough in the tackle when necessary, the former Middlesbrough man was superb. Premier League clubs have reportedly been sniffing around Morrison but Mowbray, who himself is a target for Glasgow Celtic, will surely do all he can to keep his midfield gem at the Hawthorns.

Jonathan Greening

The former Manchester United and Middlesbrough midfielder should be a detective when he hangs up his boots because he always finds his man. His range of passing is first class and he never quits running. Greening’s guile and experience were crucial last season but were ultimately not enough to keep the Albion from being relegated.

Chris Brunt

The Northern Ireland winger was the Albion’s top scorer last season with nine in the Premier League and is being linked with a move to his boyhood club Glasgow Rangers, and no wonder. Brunt took a while to adapt to the pace of the Premier League but finished the season on fire, scoring six in the Baggies’ final seven games. He may not have the pace to worry defenders like, say, Theo Walcott, but he has the skill to find a yard to swing in the ball and has a wand of a left foot.

Other players who deserve a mention include Paul Robinson, Robert Koren and Gianni Zuiverloon, but I’d love to know who you would give the accolade of player of the season to?

Is Gareth Barry's move to Manchester City all about money?

Gareth Barry's move to Manchester City has thrown up the first real shock of the summer transfer window. Barry was widely assumed to be Liverpool bound and even Arsenal need a commanding, defensive midfielder and at £12m he was out of the price range of neither. Even Manchester United may need a similar player in the coming weeks as Owen Hargreaves career remains in doubt, his England replacement would be an obvious candidate for United's midfield.

So with several big clubs hovering in the background why has Aston Villa sold to a team that it will be fighting to remain in the top six? And why is the valuation £12m, when last summer Villa would accept nothing less than £18m from Liverpool?

As my colleague, Colin Illingworth, suggested 'money talks' - but this is shouting surely. Barry's £100,000 per week wages pushes him into the top twenty earners in the Premier League but even Villa were ready to offer him £80,000 and Liverpool would have been in that neighbourhood as well. So I'm not convinced that it is purely a money move.

As to the £12m price tag it is low enough to question why Liverpool and Arsenal would not consider bidding at that level.

It seems a reasonable indication that Rafa Benitez will retain Xabi Alonso, who was nearly sold to make way for Barry last season. With Lucas improving as back-up to Alonso and Javier Mascherano at the base of the midfield Benitez may feel that he can afford to bring in a cheaper, less complete fourth defensive midfielder this summer. Benitez is likely to have his usual £20-25m to spend and with so many clubs suffering financially he may believe that there will be some stone cold bargains to come.

Arsenal is a little more mystifying. Barry sat along someone like Nasri, Denilson or Song in front of Arsenal's defence would at a stroke choke off ten league goals a season and rectify the big difference that Arsene Wenger has stated exists between Man United and Arsenal. It would represent the majority of Arsenal's probable £15m transfer budget - but it is the biggest weakness in an otherwise impressive looking team. Maybe Wenger wants to bring in two or three players for his money and at 28 years old Barry didn't fit his profile.

So if City is the only current bidder the timing is still questionable; why did Villa not wait a few weeks - at least until July - to sell a player that clearly felt that he needed a move? A few weeks wait and interest may well have surfaced at any of the five clubs that finished above Villa.

Of course Martin O'Neill may well have thought that the only likely bidder was Liverpool and that after the fall-out with Benitez last summer, O'Neill and Randy Lerner may have reckoned that they would rather deal with Manchester City. City have after all completed the purchase in cash without a whiff of rumour emenating from Eastlands, aspects of the deal which may have played well at Villa Park.

For Barry himself he has gone on record as saying that he was going stale and needed a change. City is a club on the rise and if there was no other likely bidder imminent Barry probably had to choose between a move to a club that *might* be successful in the next two or three years or hang on to see if a bigger club came in - but with absolutely no guarantee that one would. Guaranteed first team football in a World Cup year is another aspect to the transfer that cannot be overlooked.

As to City I reckon that they have bought an excellent player at his peak at a far from inflated value; a couple more purchases of this quality and City will be threatening a top four finish, never mind a top six one. Arenal and Liverpool may yet rue letting Barry get away.

Gareth Barry's Mrs Merton Moment

Hearing the news that Gareth Barry was having a medical at Manchester City brought to mind the most famous moment in Caroline Aherne's television portrayal of the aged interviewer Mrs Merton.

Talking to one of her celebrity guests Ahene/Merton brought the house down by asking the 'lovely Debbie McGhee' - "And what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?"

Last summer Barry told Aston Villa he wanted to leave. He ws adamant that he wanted to join Liverpool for Champions League football. After a bitter battle Aston Villa kept him.

One year on he's moving to a club that can't even offer Europa League football and sit five places below Villa in the Premiership table but then again, City are ahead of both Liverpool and Aston Villa in the wages that they can afford to pay.

Time will tell if he's made the right move. Manchester City certainly can put together a team capable of challenging for a top four berth- but they have an equal possibility of producing an unbalanced squad overloaded with players who have arrived for money over ambition.

Security is obviously important and if Barry wants to squirreal away shedloads of cash no one can blame him- but he's certainly taken a major career gamble with a World Cup in a year's time. If City crash and burn his hopes of a place in the England midfield might go with it.

The player has taken the trouble to write a long open letter to Villa fans but really it's not required. Whatever he says about City's potential Villa fans will remember his quotes about a desire for Champions League football being the reason he wanted out of Villa Park.

Like Lucas Neill when he went to West Ham instead of Liverpool, Gareth Barry is joining a side that he hopes can deliver Champions League action but his chances of kicking a ball in that competition are defintely slimmer than they were last week.

West Ham United: Who was your player of the season?

The Hammers took a gamble in appointing Gianfranco Zola back in September but that gamble has really paid dividends. The little Italian had to wade through some stormy waters at the Boleyn Ground at first but classy performances and impressive results kept the Hammers happy. Most people thought the Irons were going down with an untried manager but the Hammers comfortably finished the season in the top half and next season could be one to remember for the club.

Carlton Cole has looked like a world beater under Zola while players like Behrami and Illunga have stepped up to the plate with a number of excellent displays, not forgetting the steel of Scott Parker, the creativity of young Jack Collison and the defensive qualities of Matthew Upson. But just who was the Hammers’ best player of 2008/09?

Carlton Cole

The former Chelsea striker’s lack of composure in front of goal often had the West Ham fans ripping out their hair but that was before Zola took him under his wing. The pair were colleagues at Stamford Bridge and the Italian ace obviously knows what makes him tick. Cole, in the absence of Dean Ashton, flourished last season and ended the campaign with 10 league goals to his name and a call-up to the England set-up. He won over the boo-boys but was he your player of the season?

Matthew Upson

Upson’s experience and reading of the game is second to none and he has been as steady as a rock in the West Ham defence. He has repeatedly been linked with a move back to Arsenal but the Hammers’ fans will be hoping that Zola’s influence will keep him in the East End. Arguably one of the best English defenders, was he your player of the season?

Robert Green

The former Norwich shot-stopper was the Hammers’ only ever-present in the Premier League last season and his impressive displays have seen him linked with an England recall. Safe hands, good positioning and strong wrists, Greeno should be England’s number one. He had a few ropey moments during the earlier part of the season but definitely finished on a high.

Jack Collison

The most encouraging part of Zola’s managerial reign at Upton Park is his willingness to use the youngsters when needed and Jack Collison has benefitted more than most. The Welsh international is pure class on grass and has become a major figure in Zola’s plans. He made his bow against Manchester United this season and scored his first goal for the Hammers against Everton just two weeks later. The 20-year-old has quick feet, bags of energy and great passing ability. He also has a fierce shot on him.

Well there are just a few of my suggestions for West Ham United’s player of the season, but I’d love to know who you would give that accolade to?

Arsenal: Who was your player of the season?

Despite finishing fourth and reaching the semi-final of two prestigious cup competitions, 2008/09 will be a season most Arsenal fans will want to forget. Knocked out of the League Cup by Burnley, humiliated at home by Hull and thrashed away by Manchester City, for a while it looked as though the Gunners weren’t even going to finish fifth let alone qualify for the Champions League places. However, their class prevailed and a long unbeaten run ensured that Arsenal retained their spot amongst the “big four”. But the burning question is, just who was your player of the season?

Arsenal don’t normally have a problem when it comes to picking star performers but this season has hardly been vintage stuff. Robin Van Persie was the club’s leading goalscorer in the league with just 11 and their captain Cesc Fabregas, although injured for a long spell, only managed to register with three. Scoring, along with some steel in midfield and defence, is something that must be addressed if the Gunners are to challenge for silverware next season.

But who was your best performer?

Denilson

The young Brazilian has featured in all but one league game this season and went about his work with little fuss. He may not be in the same mould as Patrick Vieria but he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in and distributed the ball well. He chipped in with three goals and is obviously well-respected by the manager.

Almunia

The Spanish shot-stopper has had more critics than Susan Boyle but he kept the Gunners in the game on countless occasions last season. You only have to look back at his heroics at Old Trafford in the Champions League final first leg to see how important he has become to Arsenal. The Red Devils would have sealed their place in the final in those first 45 minutes if it hadn’t been for Almunia. His absence was also felt in the FA Cup semi against Chelsea. He may not be held in the same esteem as David Seaman yet but with 14 shut-outs to his name Almunia is a vital player to Arsenal.

Nasri

The Frenchman’s career at the Emirates got off to a flyer with a goal inside the first five minutes on the opening day of the season. He has bags of drive, energy and skill but a few more goals wouldn’t go amiss. His brace against Manchester United was his highlight of the season.

Van Persie

The fact that the Dutch ace has his physio on speed dial says all you need to know about his season. Injuries have hampered his campaign and Arsenal’s quest for glory, but the former Feyenoord striker was the club’s highest scorer in the league, which pretty much highlights Arsenal’s shortfalls. Van Persie scored 11 goals for the Gunners in 24 starts and found the net in some big, big games. If only he could stay fit . . .

Arshavin

The Russian ace only joined in the January transfer window but the former Zenit St Petersburg striker’s flair on the ball gave the fans such a lift. He only made 12 starts for the Gunners in the league but he managed to score six times, although four of them did come at Anfield! He has the skill to make things happen, has great pace and an eye for goal. Arsenal fans can’t wait to see what he does next season with a proper pre-season behind him.

Well there’s a few of the candidates who I think are worthy of being Arsenal’s player of the season but I’d love to know who you think the crown should go to.

Martinez: Glasgow Celtic or Wigan Athletic – Who would you rather manage?

Swansea City boss Roberto Martinez is quickly becoming the most sought-after manager in the British game. The Spaniard has gained a glowing reputation for playing swift, attacking football and this has caught the attention of two massive clubs.

Glasgow Celtic are one of the biggest teams in the world while Wigan Athletic, although they may not have the stature and history of their Scottish counterparts, play in one of the best leagues in the world and look to have established themselves in the top flight. Both sides are reportedly vying for the 35-year-old’s signature, but if you were the Spaniard who would you rather manage?

Glasgow Celtic

The Hoops are currently seeking a manager following the resignation of Gordon Strachan and the board has targeted Martinez as a possible replacement. Celtic fans were probably hoping to be linked with some of the biggest names in Europe when the Wee Man left, instead they have been allegedly chasing the likes of Burnley’s Owen Coyle, West Brom’s Tony Mowbray and even failed Portsmouth manager Tony Adams. Martinez was probably never on the fans’ radar and Celtic legend Charlie Nicholas has already stated that he is not the right man for the prestigious role.

But would Martinez even take the job? He’d be mad not too. Sure the SPL isn’t the most competitive league in the world but he would have the opportunity to test himself against some of the best managers in Europe via the Champions League. Martinez, who started his playing career at CF Balaguer in Spain, would also have a real chance of winning trophies at Celtic Park and work closely with international class players. Although how much money he would be given to spend is another issue.

In terms of stature and history Celtic are one of the biggest clubs in the world. About 60,000 passionate fans come out for every home game, even against the likes of St Mirren and Hamilton. They crave success, but is Martinez the right man for the job?

Wigan Athletic

Or Martinez could try his luck in arguably the best league in the world with his former club Wigan Athletic. The Latics are braced to lose Steve Bruce to Sunderland and Dave Whelan is desperate to prise Martinez away from the Swans.

Steve Bruce has laid the foundations at Wigan Athletic and “Bobby”, as he was affectionately known by the fans during his six years at the club in the 90s, could be the man to see that plan through. He plays football the right way and knows the club inside out. However, whereas Martinez would be expected to win things at Celtic, at Wigan his sole objective, every season, would be not to be relegated. That is a different type of pressure to place on a young manager. However, he would be given sufficient funds from Mr Whelan to snap up new players.

Martinez guided Swansea back to the Championship in his first year at the club and narrowly missed out on a play-off place last season. He has the Swans playing attractive stuff and it’s evident that there is something special about the Spaniard. But his next career move could prove to be crucial to his future. Does he want to win things with a big fish in a small pond or try to beat the best that the Premier League can throw at him?

·         What would you do in his shoes? I’d love to hear from you.

Have Real Madrid Learnt Their Lessons?

Florentino Perez will soon be back in the hot seat at Real Madrid. The man who gave us the 'galactico' era has already sounded off about the players he's like to bring in- and there aren't many defenders or defensive midfielders who get a mention.

Maybe he's learnt the lesson and like a politician with a manifesto, the Real President will start making some steady buys alongside the stars and tell his electorate that changing circumstances (leaking goals) forced it on him.

Mixed messages are coming from the Bernabeu. While Perez talks the talk about getting Kaka, Christiano Ronaldo, Franch Ribery et al he's appointed Manuel Pellegrini to the coach's job. The Chilean has been expert at getting the best from small resources at Villarreal and his teams have often kept it tight at the back.

The new coach brings a welcome dose of pragmatism to the club but with Barcelona playing dream football, it's doubtful if his expansive President has got 1-0 away victories at places like Getafe in mind.

Real Madrid's recent Champions League record has been shocking for a club that lives to deliver that trophy above all else. Worryingly, Perez seems to have decided that more attacking talent not less is the way forward.

On his last watch he assembled the biggest array of talent seen in decades and flopped spectacularly; like a bunch of schoolkids in the playground no one wanted to defend. He left the club short of quality defenders and only Iker Casilas has prevented them falling even more into the mire.

The cerebral influence of Jorge Valdano and Pellegrini might persusde Perez that football teams have to be constructed carefully. With the cash at their disposal, there's no doubt that Real Madrid can put together a great squad if only the professionals are allowed to do it their way.

Zinedine Zidane is apparently on board as an advisor to the President, so hopefully the great Frenchman can explain to Perez what it's like to be in a team where no one wants to win the ball back in midfield or hang back and cover the back four.

Biggest Flops Of 08/09 Season…

Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd)

Berbatov’s absence from the starting line up in the Champions League Final against Barcelona says much about his debut season for Manchester United. His partnership at Tottenham with Robbie Keane was evidence enough that he can be an integral part of any team. No one doubts his astute footballing brain, but his languid approach is not winning him any supporters. 

£30.75m is a club record for any one player at Old Trafford, but his return for that fee is far from credible. 14 goals from 41 appearances in all competitions are not sufficient, put that into context with a glance at £22m worth of Liverpool’s Fernando Torres. His debut season - 33 goals in 46 apps, all competitions – the Anfield jury barely took their seats. 

The fact remains; Berbatov will be remembered more for his lethargic penalty miss in Utd’s cup exit to Everton, than for anything else. For what he cost he should be the first name on the team sheet, too often this season he wasn’t even the eleventh. A vast improvement is needed; the jury is still very much out.  

David Bentley (Tottenham)

The ex-Arsenal and Blackburn winger cost Tottenham £15m. Harry Redknapp recently highlighted that even when first choice Aaron Lennon isn’t fit, Bentley does not get a first team spot. You can excuse Bentley for becoming increasingly disillusioned with life in North London.

Whilst he was a regular at Blackburn he was attracting the attentions of a few Premiership clubs, including Liverpool. Despite being tagged the next David Beckham, his England career has also since flailed. 

His one moment of magic came with that dipping 40-yard volley in the memorable 4-4-derby draw at The Emirates, but even that strike cannot be considered to be worth £15m. He has failed to impress and if Redknapp releases him he might even struggle to find a Premiership buyer this summer. Being the next big thing can often be a damaging position to be in.

Deco (Chelsea)

Pocket sized Anderson Luis de Souza had an explosive induction into English football, but his fire petered out, just as quickly as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s. With a dent to his reputation, Deco looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. 

The Chelsea faithful believed Abramovich had struck gold by appointing Scolari and with the same optimism, the latter, signing Deco for £8m. The start of the season witnessed two wonder strikes in as many games; these were rewarded with the August player of the Month award. 

Since the turn of the year though it has all turned sour. He has played just 195 minutes of football, not playing for more than 45 minutes in any of those games. Under stand-in boss Guus Hiddink, Deco has played 101 minutes of Premiership football. His future in West London looks bleak; Carlo Ancelotti's fresh impetus may be his only saving grace.

Andrea Dossena (Liverpool)

Upon signing from Udinese, Andrea Dossena was to be the first full Italian international to play for Liverpool. For the Italian national team whose bedrock is their defence, left back must be a problem area if the Liverpool defender is starting. 

He has made just 16 appearances and as the season has progressed he’s been pushed further down the pecking order - behind Fabio Aurelio and youngster Emiliano Insua. 

He has occasionally been installed as an auxiliary left-winger, from this position he scored his only goal, away against Manchester United. In all honesty this was the highlight of a very disappointing season and at times Dossena has looked sluggish and unfit. 

In his defence, making the crossover from Serie A to the Premiership must be difficult, the pace of the game being the biggest disparity. Dependent mainly on how much patience Rafael Benitez offers him, Dossena may not get chance to rectify the poor start he has made in English football.

Bobby Zamora (Fulham)

In Zamora’s three-year period at Brighton, he averaged over a goal a game. He took the step up to Premiership Tottenham and he didn’t muster one league goal in sixteen appearances. He didn’t score in his last 13 games of this season for Fulham, and previously he had waited 21 league games to find the net. 

Roy Hodgson has built a Fulham team whose principles revolve around high work rate. Zamora plays, as bigger part as any in this grinding team ethic, but make no mistake his goal scoring record is poor. He does a good decoy job for Andy Johnson; however, his overall game needs more balance. 

Whilst masquerading as a grafter for the team, two goals this season is not a fair return from any striker in any league, others have been shipped out for less. A disappointment.

Would Rafa Benitez get rid of Dimitar Berbatov?

Interesting article in the Sunday Times by Jonathan Northcroft looking at the contrasting styles of Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson. Fundamentally Benitez is praised for a killer instinct in that anyone who doesn't fit in very quickly is sidelined and moved on as soon as possible - regardless of cost. The last significant example being Robbie Keane who might as well have gone on holiday last summer before retuning refreshed at Christmas. By comparison Ferguson is somewhat sentimental in the leeway that he affords players.

On this basis Ferguson is believed ready to give Dimitar Berbatov another season to prove himself. Another season to come, if not good, then some measure of good that justifies £30.5m. It is likely that Benitez would now, as Northcroft advovates, offload Berbatov for £18m - but is ruthless transfer dealing always the best policy?

Players sometimes need time to adjust. Under the same criteria Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic would both have been offloaded before they came good - and going back further, Jaap Stam was rotten in the early period of his Manchester United career. Ferguson does have a reputation of giving players a solid chance before calling time - even if the odd exception like Massimo Taibi's 4 games seemed like a lifetime.

Ferguson has allowed players like Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea generous numbers of games when they were distinctly average; would Darren Fletcher have started over 100 league games for Benitez before achieving the kind of grudging acceptance he has now achieved? Probably not, but is Ferguson's conservatism what United need this summer?

It's a difficult question because there are clear fault lines at Old Trafford and a number of players really should be sweating on their positions rather more than they are if United is to remain a force with the renewed challenges from Chelsea, Liverpool and possibly a heavily financed spending spree down the road at Eastlands. Benitez may sometimes give players too little time (but there is little evidence that any of his rejects go on to pull up trees elsewhere) - but Ferguson can be too generous at times and some ruthless decisions will need to be made this summer.

United was unable to consistently beat the better teams this season and as soon as the better teams hit the heights (Porto, Liverpool, Barcelona) United struggled badly. The squad is perfectly capable of seeing off the bottom half of the division - but a big game player in central midfield is what United is lacking. But in the absence of a time travelling Roy Keane United needs to clear out a few players to remove any sense of comfort in the dressing room - this may not be enough in itself but is a necessary first step to creating a hungry team from one that looks sated.

Of course the biggest question concerns Cristiano Ronaldo if he does leave for Real Madrid then it changes the entire complexion of the types of players that need to come in - but I'm not sure it affects the need to release five or six senior players to inject some hunger.

SHOULD GO NOW

Nani has gone backwards this season and after starting seven league games in the season it is surely time that he moved on for a realistic sub £10m price.

Carlos Tevez is a willing worker, but for me he doesn't cut it - 5 league goals in 29 league games this season tells a story. He scores half as many goals as Rooney, in as many games, and isn't as versatile - there are better ways to spend £25m.

Paul Scholes and Gary Neville could offer options from the bench - but will either be happy for such a limited end to such glittering careers?

Tomasz Kuszczak hasn't threatened Edwin van der Sar and now looks likely to be number two to Ben Foster for the foreseeable future - another player that may be unhappy on the bench.

Frazier Campbell had a good loan spell at Hull - who wanted to pay £5m for him, but only nine starts and three goals in a season at Tottenham means that he may never be ready for United.

Manucho deserves a chance, but is way down the pecking order now behind Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez and now Macheda and Welbeck - would add a couple of million to the transfer kitty.

ONE MORE CHANCE

Ryan Giggs has shown that he can still play and influence 20-30 games a season.

Edwin van der Sar has at least one season left at the top, possibly helping Foster to develop.

Darron Gibson probably needs to break through next season if he is going to manage it at Old Trafford.

Owen Hargreaves is unsellable in any event after such injuries so he needs a season to prove he can again hit the heights he did in 2006.

Dimitar Berbatov - neither a Juan Veron nor an Eric Cantona, if he could become a Teddy Sheringham it would be justification enough. Benitez would sell now but I don't think that Ferguson will this season - but next season will need to be special.

United looked lacklustre at times in securing a third consecutive league title and perhaps that is partly down to an exceptionally long season. But an injection of new players is needed to bring the spark back in key areas and not force United into desperate measures to win so many games. The league season was minutes away from self-destruction against Villa a couple of months ago and the reasons behind the early spring problems may have been masked by a series of late goals - but they have not gone away.

Portsmouth: Hart, Bilic or Eriksson? You decide

It looked as though Portsmouth were about to start flogging off all their main assets in a bid to keep the club afloat this summer, but the club’s new owner Sulaiman Al Fahim has big plans for the Fratton Park side and that may include a change of manager.

Paul Hart achieved what was asked of him after replacing Tony Adams and kept Pompey in the top flight, but Croatia boss Slaven Bilic and former England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson have both been linked with the Portsmouth post. But who would you prefer at the club?

Paul Hart

The former Nottingham Forest boss fulfilled his job description when he took over in February but some fans have questioned his tactics, displays and ability to work with top players. However, he did manage to sort out the leaky defence and made Fratton Park more of a fortress again. Some will say that he deserves the chance to have a full season in charge of the club but others will think that this is the dawn of a new era and a new experienced manager is needed.

Slaven Bilic

The Croatia boss spent four years in the Premier League in the late 90s with West Ham United and Everton so he will be fully aware of the demands of English football. As an international boss Bilic is second to none and Croatia rate him highly. His team famously beat England at Wembley to deny them a place in Euro 2008 and he likes to play decent football. This would be Bilic’s first spell as a domestic manager but somebody’s going to take a chance on him eventually, why not Portsmouth?

Sven Goran-Eriksson

The former Manchester City boss was axed by Mexico after a poor World Cup qualifying campaign and is reportedly desperate to return to the Premier League. Sunderland and Portsmouth are his likely destinations but I’m sure he’d prefer the south coast sun. He’s won silverware at every club he’s been at domestically, bar City, and is a great man manager. But would the Portsmouth fans welcome him at Fratton Park?

·         Calling all Portsmoth fans. Hart, Bilic or Eriksson? Who would you prefer? I’d love to hear from you.