Football Orphan: United delighted to claim hollow victory.
Photo courtesy of independent.co.uk
After last nights victory over Aldershot Alex Ferguson spoke of his delight of the goal scoring ratio of Michael Owen and his pleasure of seeing Dimitar Berbatov score. Am I possibly missing something here? Berbatov, who cost the club close to £30 million scores against Aldershot, and this is what pleases Ferguson? He doesn’t trust either Michael Owen or Dimitar Berbatov to put them anywhere near the first team squad but when they play against lower league and destroy them, he has high praise for them. His comments about Owen were laughable, “Every time he plays, he scores”. He has only played against lower league opposition this season. This is a player who is still only 31 and has 89 caps for England scoring 40 goals. Last night’s exploits were hardly worth a pat on the back in my opinion. As for Berbatov, this type of thing should be a little more embarrassing given the transfer fee that he commanded from Spurs just a few seasons ago. Ferguson’s comments are little more than propaganda to massage these players egos.
Alex Ferguson could be forgiven for being shell-shocked at the result suffered at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the post match interview could have had a little more humility about it. It closely resembled the school yard game with kids who pick fair teams when some older lads come along (Vidic, Valencia, Park, Owen and Berbatov) and one team claims all of them. Once the inevitable result has been established, the winning team has the audacity to puff their chest out and boast about the victory. There has been more than enough written about the wrong turn in both Owen and Berbatov’s career, but I personally just can’t understand the mentality of players sitting out top games and collecting medals by defacto victory. When they look back on their career, I’m sure they’ll both have stout bank balances to justify the gaps in suffered in vital game time.
Football Orphan: Experienced United back on track, as City perform Houdini escape act.
A collective sigh of relief for the Manchester clubs was almost tangible last night. A steadily declining tournament for both took a dove tail and gave a massive boost to Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini before the Derby on Sunday. Manchester United had only just taken the lead against Otelul Galati just after the hour, when Nemanja Vidic was sent off for what was deemed a dangerous tackle. United, looking for their first win of the group stage had to sit tight until Wayne Rooney earned Manchester United’s second penalty in the 92nd minute, which he then calmly despatched. It was a hard-fought win for United, but it will remain to be seen how much this trip to Romania has taken out of them, before such an important game at the weekend. If Alex Ferguson was honest, he would admit that he would have prefered to have rested certain players. Given the delicate nature of the position of the standings, it was wiser to play the bigger name players so not to encourage any unnecessary pressure further on in the group.
Football Orphan predicted 3-0 to Manchester United, with Rooney to score two. Pretty close, but no cigar!
Manchester City will on the other hand enter into the derby elated at the result secured at the Etihad Stadium yesterday evening. Going into last nights game, it was predictable that City would show a little nervousness, that was compounded by conceding a goal within the first five minutes. City keeper Joe Hart failed to deal with a Giuseppe Rossi shot spilling the ball directly to Cani, who showed a touch of class to send Villarreal into a sensational lead. It was only when the experienced Carlos Marchena put through his own goal just before half time, City started to settle into the game. I failed to agree with both Vincent Kompany and Roberto Mancini in their post match interviews as they bloated City’s performance level stating they had deserved their win. To the contrary, I believe not only did Villarreal deserve at least a point from the game, but the spanish side had cause to complain that there was not one, but two offside shouts for City’s second goal, scored with only ten seconds left to play. Oddly enough, none of the pundits watching the game wanted to address the issue. They simply preferred to say they were aghast at the last-minute heroics. Perhaps they may have seen it differently if the ball had beaten England’s number 1 goalkeeper with ten seconds on the clock!
Football Orphan predicted 2-1 to City. Perfect prediction!
The two games that catch the eye from tonight’s action see’s Valencia’s trip to the BayArena to play Bayer Leverkusen, while Marseille host Arsenal at the Stade Velodrome. Bayer Leverkusen have made a fairly decent start to their league campaign. While having home advantage in tonight’s game may be important, Valencia are an altogether different prospect to what the Bundesliga season has thrown at them so far.
Arsenal may have finally seen an optimistic slither of light at the end of their pessimistic tunnel, as results have started to go in their favour. Robin Van Persie has started firing again and confidence is slowly creeping back. Marseille have had a catastrophic start to the Ligue 1 season, winning only one of their opening ten games. I don’t see things getting any better for them tonight.
Football Orphan Predicts, Valencia to win 3-1. Arsenal to win 2-0.
Football Orphan returns tomorrow with the second half of Champions League match day 3 round-up.
Football Orphan: United look to overcome Ote”lull”, while City face Villar”real” test.
Both Manchester clubs are back in action for Matchday 3 of the Champions League this evening. Manchester United face Romanian side Otelul Galati who are currently without a point to their name. United should finish the evening in second place with a win, as second placed Benfica face a trip to Switzerland to play Group C leaders Fc Basel. While Otelul are an unknown quantity for the English champions, it’s impossible to think that Alex Ferguson’s men will fly home with anything less than the three points. Wayne Rooney has been widely tipped to start this evening. With an International ban and no starting place for “The biggest game in the universe” according to Alex Ferguson, against Liverpool behind him, we are certain to see a highly motivated number 10 for United this evening. Controversial comments after the game against Liverpool given by the United manager stated that “Manchester United have played all of the big teams now.” This tongue in cheek comment comes just a week before Manchester United are due to face top of the table Manchester City in the Premier League. Football Orphan predicts a 3-0 victory for Manchester United, with Wayne Rooney on the score sheet at least twice.
If Manchester City supporters thought that the hard work was done just qualifying for the group stages of the competition, they hadn’t predicted being drawn in a group with former Champions Bayern Munich, one time Semi Finalists Villarreal and a resurgent Napoli team to top it all off. It looks to be one of, if not the most competitive groups I’ve ever seen in the Champions League. Manchester City have their destiny in their own hands at this point, but anything less than a win tonight against Villarreal at the Etihad Stadium will see them slide closer to elimination from the competition. With the miraculous recovery of Sergio “Kun” Aguero from injury, Manchester City will most likely have a full squad fit and “willing” to play this evening. It will be anything but a forgone conclusion for City though, as Villarreal have had a fantastic pedigree for this tournament in the past and won’t just roll over for the money men of Manchester. Villarreal sit just above the relegation zone in La Liga with only one win in seven. This is a must win for the spanish side having lost their opening two games of the Champions League. Anything else could see Villarreal without European football in the new year. Football Orphan predicts 2-1 win for Manchester City.
Football Orphan: Liverpool v Manchester United.
There’s little doubt where the most anticipated game of the weekend will take place. Two of football’s fiercest competitors in Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish go head to head at Anfield on Saturday. Both managers are ferocious in their will to haul their respective clubs towards success. I can’t help feeling that with this gargantuan fixture coming after seven games, the season starts here. Only El Classico can boast a rivalry between to clubs from different cities as intense as this one. Historically, this is the biggest grudge match in the Premier League’s extistance.
According to the Liverpool manager, everybody has returned fit and well from International duty. Tomorrow’s game will act as yard stick for Liverpool in their quest to regain the championship, while Manchester United have yet again refreshed and replenished their squad almost to a point of disbelief, yet again. It will be interesting on a number of levels to see if Steven Gerrard is drafted in to the first team. How will he fit into a team that has tried endlessly to evolve in his long absence? But more importantly, will his fitness be sufficient make an impact and affect the outcome of the game?
This is the first visit to Merseyside for Manchester United since they surpassed Liverpool’s eighteen league titles. They will be given a very special welcome I’m sure. Regardless, it seems to wash over Alex Ferguson with relative ease with every passing season. Emotions will reach fever pitch tomorrow afternoon as Liverpool fans will expect this to be a major stepping stone on the road to recovery in the Premier League. All the clichés will be rolled out by commentators and pundits, but nothing is more realistic than the atmosphere of Anfield for a big game, and they don’t get any bigger than this one.
With Fernando Torres, Manchester United’s recent tormentor now departed, Luis Suarez has the potential to be the thorn in United’s side. If Liverpool can upset the Champions, they should be considered as credible Champions League qualifying contenders. However, I believe Manchester United have too much for a Liverpool team stuck in transition, and should secure at least a point. Football Orphan prediction, Liverpool to push United all the way 2-2.
Football Orphan will return on Monday to discuss the weekends action.
Football Orphan: Media floozy Warnock too eager to make “Disgraceful” comments.
Photo courtesy of bbc.co.uk
QPR defender Armand Traore has had colourful career having also previously made senior appearances for Arsenal, Portsmouth and Juventus, and all at the tender age of just 21. The colourful Senegalese has so far had a formal warning from the English police in his time at Arsenal, the Paris born player second guessed his allegiance, and has changed from France to Senegal and he is currently planning to surgically remove all of his tattoos due to his conversion to the Muslim faith. In his journeyman career so far, he has played under some of the best coaches in the business. I hastened to add, I do not include his present coach Neil Warnock among the elite of his mentors.
Mr Warnock has a crass, vain persona that is ultimately primarily about self-preservation and self promotion. When he assembles a squad he will construct it in such a manner that they will fight to the bitter end of every game. If the fight or arguably, the stamina of his players waiver, up steps the Yorkshire man with his self-important facial glaze. He is fast out of the blocks to imply that the player is at fault, not the philosophy. Never one to shy away from a camera or a radio interview, Warnock will always give good copy as far as the media are concerned. The platform on which I build my point here supports the incident of which Armand Traore was sent off against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. While I have no arguments with the decision made by referee Michael Oliver, the public dressing down that was eagerly dished out by Neil Warnock was disgusting and classless.
Warnock was only to happy to again lambast one of his players in the name of self-preservation. The young player with the experience of a bit part player in every club he has served must surely be a little short of A) match practise. B) Experience and confidence, and C) A solid grounding at one particular club. This is not a well seasoned professional, he is a young man new to the club fighting to the letter of which Neil Warnock demands. Which happens to be a tough tackling mentality. He is playing at a club of which is also trying to find its feet at this level. In short, why not say very little about the incident to the press? Accept that it was an offense worthy of dismissal and talk to the player at a later time.
Warnock loves to elevate himself to a position of controversy and perpetuate himself as a figure of dislike as a motivation tool. Branding your own player in this circumstance “A disgrace” through the media, only to then confirm he will receive the highest fine permissable is unforgivable . The bottom line is that whatever angle you look at it from, Mr Warnock has brought the game into disrepute yet again. It was uncalled for and unneccessary. If PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor was happy to stand in front of the Sky Sports cameras and defend members such as John Terry and Wayne Rooney in such circumstances that they were deconstructed by the media, where is he now to defend one of the non-English members? Just like with Alex Ferguson, the heads of associations are afraid to confront the more aggressive managers. The old adage shines through again, the louder you shout the more they listen.
Football Orphan: Manchester United beat Semi Final imposters to book place in Champions League Final at Wembley
Anderson couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo usually, but scored 2 against pitiful Schalke.
Last night Manchester United beat Schalke 4-1 to set up a dream Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley on May 28th. For all the world we might as well have been watching a Europa League group game. Manchester United fielded virtually a second string to face a team who looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights for the second week in a row. This could not be the team that put five past Inter Milan in the San Siro surely?
The German’s were in fact so bad, that EVEN Darron Gibson got on the score sheet, while Anderson bagged a brace. Not exactly the kind of centrepiece that the big wigs at Uefa had in mind I’m sure. Alex Ferguson decided they obviously had bigger fish to fry with the visit of Chelsea in a crunch match in the Premier League on Sunday. There was little chance of the team selection backfiring on the United boss.
United have gone through an entire campaign without conceding an away goal. This is arguably where most if not all teams should face their toughest tests. It’s quite an astonishing statistic and one that I don’t think will be equalled for quite a while by a Champions League finalist. Ferguson will contest his fourth Champions League final later this month. The Scot will be rubbing his hands at the prospect of righting the wrongs of the 2009 final where Barcelona made Manchester United look like a second-rate pub team. The reality of things are that Barcelona are stronger, while Manchester United are weaker, so the United boss is well advised to have an abundance of headache pills at the ready.
If Chelsea go to Old Trafford and beat United, winning the Champions League against the best team in the world to secure their only silverware of the season becomes a bigger task. United have had an incredible season considering they reached the FA Cup semi final, Champions League final, and will challenge for the league title down to the final few games, but they could end the season empty-handed having had an 18 point advantage over rivals Chelsea at one point.
There is a fine line between success and failure. This will be even more evident for Manchester United at the end of the month. No doubt if the season ends in success for the wily Scot, it will be hailed as his greatest ever achievement. If United end the season with nothing, it will be difficult to understand why the United manager didn’t strengthen his weakest squad in almost twenty years.
Football Orphan: Squeeky bum time as Fergie looks to avoid end of season Blues.
Ramsey back and stronger than ever after horrendous injury
The Premier League was dead in the water, and its conclusion was in danger of anticlimax until Arsenal blew it wide open again yesterday. Arguably THE worst Manchester United team since they first won the title under Alex Ferguson, were merrily tumbling their way towards a Premier League and Champions League double virtually unopposed. That was until a dismal away record finally put a near fatal body blow to their title charge.
Manchester United have hardly been all-conquering this season. Their closest challengers have been guilty of having a glass jaw on a number of occasions which has left Ferguson’s men sneaking to success. Whoever lifts the Premier League trophy come the final whistle will indeed have deserved their glory. They will have had to overcome a huge amount of adversity to be crowned champions.
Ferguson has over performed with a team and squad of which is well short of his usual high standards. Ferguson’s squad has included long-term injuries, long-term loss of form, and high-profile passengers. The later I will leave up to you to decide upon. Carlo Ancelotti has endured Chelsea’s worst run of results in almost two decades but yet still finds his team in with a shout at the title. The Italian has had to bat away questions regarding his future at nearly every press conference since that horrendous run started before Christmas. The acquisition of Fernando Torres was not of his doing, and the his poor form was an almost incurable migraine for the last four months.
Come next Sunday, the millions of Premier League lovers will have a game to drool over. Who would bet against a Chelsea side who have not only found themselves on the other side of a wretched run, but have recently been in possession of many fortunate decisions in their favour. Nemanja Vidic can count himself lucky to have stayed on the pitch yesterday for what was a clear deliberate handball. On reflection, he will be slightly disappointed it didn’t result in a ban as he will have noted a newly found burst of confidence of one Fernando Torres. A man who has tormented him and turned him inside out when the two met in previous seasons.
Football's greatest ever quote.
The whole season see-sawed on one goal from Aaron Ramseyand is now fully in danger of eclipsing the 1988-89 season for pure last day drama (When Michael Thomas scored in the last-minute of the season to clinch the league title for Arsenal against Liverpool in Anfield). Chelsea have already clawed back more points on Manchester United (18) , than Manchester United did over Newcastle (12) in the infamous year where Kevin Keegan ranted, “I’d love it if we beat them, love it.” How the worm has turned. Would we love it if Chelsea beat them on Sunday?
Football Orphan: City fans high as a kite as Toure leads them to ecstasy.
Manchester City made it to the FA cup final yesterday knocking bitter rivals Manchester United, and their treble hopes well and truly out. City displayed a grit and determination that has sometimes eluded them this season when they’ve needed it most. City weren’t to be denied this time as Yaya Toure sealed the victory to send City fans into raptures.
Mancini got a performance that was measured and controlled, with all the hallmarks of a team that is learning from previous tactical errors. Mario Balotelli put a very decent shift in with media opinion swaying in the direction of last chance saloon. Upon the final whistle he was involved in an altercation with Rio Ferdinand for possibly or more probably something he said. The Italian was then confronted by a number of United players.
Nothing has come to light what was the cause of the flash point, but one thing I’m sure of is that Rio Ferdinand is no alter boy himself. With the experience that the former England captain can boast he looked a little thin skinned in defeat. The players that assisted Ferdinand in his conquest of Balotelli more than resembled the keystone cops.
If Manchester United fans believe they are a little unloved and disliked because they are victims of their own success, they are totally deluded. It is the arrogance and a simple lack of humility that puts them up there to be shot at. It was perfectly displayed with both Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney suspended for despicable behaviour and confined to the stands. The arrogance runs right through the club from the board level through management and on to the common fans. The supporters of which were in attendance yesterday, made a lightning fast exit.
Are these supporters who stick by their own team through thick and thin? Who understand the better theam won? It was A Derby game and passions run high but United have had it their own way for a long time and would have done themselves a little more justice dealing with defeat with a more philosophic approach.
It has been an extraordinary season for United so far, challenging for an unprecedented second treble of League, Fa Cup and Champions League right down to the final games. Nobody gave this distinctly average Manchester United team a hope of coming this close to the ultimate season again. City will play the winner of the other semi final between Bolton Wanderers and Stoke City which will be played later this afternoon and with a new name going on the trophy in modern times maybe the romance of the FA Cup isn’t dead after all.
Football Orphan: No respect for referees? That’s totally unFair-guson.
Alex Ferguson yesterday hit out at League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore for his comments regarding Premier League managers not having respect for referees. His response was simply delusional. He stated “I don’t think managers disrespect referees, I got done for what I considered a fair comment.” Next week the Manchester United manager could be arguing that Paul Scholes is unlucky to be thought of as a dirty player. Scholes is currently the 3rd most booked player in the Premier League and has the most bookings in Champions League history.
Ferguson revealed in a post match interview his concern when Martin Atkinson was allocated the game. His punishment for claiming Atkinson wasn’t a fair referee was a five match touch-line ban. Ferguson on the other hand was horrified when his own integrity was called into question.
It seems that Ferguson believes not necessarily in what he says, but that he won’t be punished for constantly bringing the game into disrepute with his loaded comments. He has built a reputation for attending every single meeting where clubs must be represented. At the likes of Fa,Pfa,Lma and Premier League gatherings, he is the manager with the closest thing to a perfect record. This is where other clubs will routinely just send a representative to attend. This is what is widely believed to be the reason for the leniency previously shown.
The pantomime dramatics and amateur psychology isn’t fooling anyone. Over the last twenty-five years we have realised that the Scot will reduce himself to “any means necessary” tactics to finish up with his fingerprints on the silverware. This is the stage of the season where Manchester United traditionally begin to flex their muscles and utilize their experience. It’s also the time when mind games and mental pressure can swing the balance of power in the title run in.
Traditionally the managers of the top two will question the opposition of their rival in the home straight. It makes for an interesting side bet, and a very unpredictable rough end to the season for the title challengers. It really is scraping the barrel to have a go at officials, especially when it’s abundantly obvious that decisions have previously favoured one club in particular. It was a breath of fresh air to see the powers that be show some solidarity by handsomely punishing the United manager. This should be a marker for all managers without exception. Reputation should count for nothing when a manager questions the honesty of a referee.
Football Orphan: Drunken Man-chester United.
Manchester United’s season continues to stumble on like a drunken punter making his way home from the pub. United progressed past Marseille into the Champions League quarter finals in another unconvincing display at Old Trafford last night.
There were no positives to take from the performance with the exception of another scoring appearance from Javier Hernandez. United were unlucky to suffer not one, but two hamstring injuries and were indeed forced into making substitutions.
Much of the after match analysis leaned towards how Fergie‘s men shouldn’t fear anyone left in the draw except for maybe Barcelona. On the contrary, I can’t see in a million years how anyone could fear the worst Manchester United team since Alex Ferguson took over. Granted they may have individual talent, and that fused with the lack of a serious challenger domestically and in Europe has seen them labour through competitions.
It’s plain to see that the management are well aware of the shortcomings of the team, and have protected the group through every stage of all criticism received so far this season. There is tension bubbling under the surface with the Rooney situation, and with a number of senior players either injured or closing in on retirement any strong challenge could prove to be a fatal blow in United’s season.
It remains to be seen if the Old Trafford outfit can move up through the gears as we’re used to seeing at this stage of the season, but there’s nothing to suggest from the performances of the previous eight months that this will be the case. As the drunken punter finally makes his way down the garden path, we shall anticipate if he can find his house key or even for that matter, find the keyhole.
Football Orphan: FA Cup Weak-end.
Attentions turned to the FA Cup this past weekend and the debate of weather the cup has lost it’s magic raises it’s head yet again. The tie of the round was unquestionably at Old Trafford as Manchester United entertained Arsenal. The home side emerged from a spikey encounter to take their place in the semi final while Arsenal count the cost of exiting three competitions in a fortnight.
Manchester City ended Reading’s resistance to set up a Wembley showdown with neighbours United. Stoke overcame West Ham and Bolton saw off Aston Villa in a five goal thriller. Both semi finals will take place over the weekend of 16/17 of April.
In days gone past clubs that progressed through the oldest cup competition in the world dared dream of the ultimate prize, lifting the infamous FA Cup. For me, this year in particular the tournament has been tainted by sub plots.
Having both semi finals in Wembley again will no doubt go a long way towards paying for the cost of the rebuilding of the world famous stadium, but it well and truly takes the gloss off the final as a unique show piece event. At this particular time it looks like once the identity of the two finalists are known, it will become anti-climatic. Behind closed doors the FA are believed to be discussing a revamp with measures put in place to generate more interest, such as the tournament moving to midweek.
The other semi final between Bolton and Stoke will be anticipated to a lesser degree given the lower profile of both clubs. With both Manchester clubs almost certain to secure a top five finish, the winner of the Bolton/Stoke clash will progress to the Europa League. This is arguably a far bigger prize for smaller clubs, at very least financially with large paydays few and far between.
Many traditionalists and club managers have been critical of the FA’s insistence of financially capitolising on the penultimate round of the competition most notably Alex Ferguson. Once the draw was made and matched up the two Manchester heavyweights it would be difficult to pick an alternative neutral venue to accommodate such a fixture. On the other hand, with the strongarm tactics that both Stoke and Bolton Wanderers are traditionally known for,maybe Twickenham would have been a more appropriate venue for their semi final.
Football Orphan: Happy anniversary David Moyes.
Everton manager David Moyes celebrates his ninth anniversary in charge of Everton this weekend. In recent weeks he seems to have become a little bewildered and bemused at his current situation. The former Preston North End boss has done a sterling job in his time on Merseyside with very limited funds.
Moyes took over from Walter Smith in 2000 and began the Toffees revival be releasing high profile players such as David Ginola and Jesper Blomqvist. Everton became the first club to break the dominance of the so called big four under his leadership and have steadily made progression under the Scot. Chairman Bill Kenwright has made no secret that the club is in urgent need of a cash injection and has also declared that if would be happy to stand aside should the right invester come along.
In recent times progress appears to be slowing and Moyes’ body language seems to be that of a defeated man. Without funds to reinvest and strengthen an already thin squad, it looks as if he will have to sell before he buys. Most likely a backward step as the only serious money that will be made will be on their prized assets.
I believe that this will unfortunately not end well for Everton. It’s only a matter of time before the bigger clubs will circle around. It’s believed by some media circles that he would be an ideal replacement for Alex Ferguson should he step down anytime soon. It is inevitable that he will end up in a big job sooner or later, but it will be a crying shame for a one time title chasing Everton to loose one of the best managers the Premier League has ever seen.
Football Orphan: Alex Ferguson’s misconduct charge; The people Vs the beautiful game; He ruined his Owen career.
Alex Ferguson’s Misconduct Charge.
Alex Ferguson has until 4pm Tuesday to answer to charges of improper conduct as reported first by thefa.com last Thursday. Ferguson was charged following snide remarks made about referee Martin Atkinson following Manchester United’s two one defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Tuesday. He also has a two game ban suspended from last season with regards to comments made about Alan Wiley. A media blackout since ensued which according to Premier League regulations breaches their own rules.This has all the hallmarks of a man who is on his way out of Old Trafford sooner rather than later. Only days after flippantly dismissing a retrospective ban for Wayne Rooney after a clear elbow on Wigan’s James McCarthy, citing that the referee saw it and questioned why the FA would need to revisit it. Ferguson scoffed at the thought of any wrongdoing and declared that the media would be happy to “Electrocute” his star player. It was a clever pre-emptive strike that would prove successful, Rooney would remain unpunished. The Chelsea game only three days later would be the backdrop of another thinly veiled attack at what the Scot sees as unfit referees. David Luiz was already yellow carded and was guilty of two offences that could, and should have resulted in a second yellow. Instead of taking this on the chin or gently shrugging it off he vented his spleen at another referee who gave a “soft” penalty and was “unfair” to his team. In a less than challenging interview firstly with Sky Sports and then to a one time boycotted MUTV he explained how he “feared the worst when he saw the appointment” of referee Atkinson.In contrast, would he have sighed in relief if he had seen Referee Mark Clattenberg assigned to the fixture? This is an official who has a list of controversies the length of your arm favouring Manchester United. With Ferguson’s protestations after the Chelsea game, he is in jeopardy of becoming a caricature of himself. His dear friend Brian Clough carried his illustrious career on one season too long; I hope this won’t be the case for Ferguson.
The People Vs The Beautiful
Game“
It wouldn’t happen in France.” This is a phrase that was coined to invigorate how whichever group we are part of should stand up for its self instead of rolling over in defeat. Well it IS happening in France, Germany, Spain, England and any other country sinking under the leadership of FIFA. Our sport is in such turmoil currently, that the main governing body is stunned into bewilderment. The list of subjects that should be on the agenda at Official meetings would in itself be too large a task to tackle within a term of office for a President of Fifa. This past week FIFA executives had a meeting to discuss the major issues. The result; snoods are banned, tights and under garments worn must match the colour of the players kit.This discussion alone might have raised topics such as the offside rule, Diving, Goal line technology, poaching players and staff. The list goes on and on. Financial fair play was high on the list in recent times only after infinite wealth took over at Chelsea and Manchester City along with underhanded debt took over at clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Portsmouth. Most journalists are anticipating that high recruitment in layers for clubs will result in loop holes being exploited. In a statement released by uefa.com in the aftermath of England’s most costly January transfer window they state that they will implement the regulations with “rigor” to see that clubs abide by regulations. It goes on to say clubs are not prevented from spending on transfers but must balance the books by season end. This hardly makes things watertight given that the more wealth a club has the better the legal representation they have to avoid sanction.There is no doubt that football is in a complete state of flux and when eventually something gives way there will be mass reform. The sport will be cleaned up be this will happen despite the lack of finesse at the top. It may culminate in a fragmentation or breakaway group. Now more than ever players seem to hold all the cards with the Bosman ruling. Clubs are always hot off the mark to point out that no player is bigger than the club, when the pendulum swings back in favour of the club will our game be in better shape?
He wasted his Owen Career
Michael Owen not for the first time in a turbulent career finds himself in the unenviable position of strategizing where his next move will take him. Injuries have decimated his Manchester United career to date but as we know he’s no stranger to the treatment table. He was a player that held the vast majority of the hopes of not only the country’s perpetual sleeping giants Liverpool, but at International level also.When he does finally hang his boots up it would be very interesting to hear an honest account of how he would take stock of his career. When a player in such fine form like Robbie Fowler left Liverpool it was abundantly clear that there was a managerial decision to allow him to leave. The same cannot be said for Owen who surgically engineered his transfer to Real Madrid, and why not? When you are in a career that doesn’t last long, you might be forgiven for thinking, make hay while the sun shines. The other side of his decision is that he didn’t really enamour himself to the Anfield faithful who saw him as the savour. A player who was renowned for prolific goal scoring but never in his career amassed twenty league goals in a season must surely be seen as a contradiction in terms? Conversely, his England record of forty goals in eighty-nine appearances stands alone. It was his relentless pursuit of England glory that ultimately will be remembered for the beginning of the end. While away on International duty in the World cup of 2006 he twisted awkwardly and was injured long-term. Newcastle had accommodated his recovery pre and post World Cup admirably to enhance his England return without gratification. He left unceremoniously after Newcastle was relegated in 2009. He moved to Liverpool’s arch rivals Manchester United having walked out on Newcastle after their relegation and managed to infuriate two sets of fans simultaneously.There is no doubt that he was once the great English hope for both club and country, he won’t be as fondly remembered as his potential would have suggested. According to michaelowen.com there will be an official website coming soon, but judging by the lack of regular football in recent times and his varying interests between horses, property and whatever else his business nous directs him to, I’d be struggling to hazard a guess what subject matter will appear on it.
Football Orphan: Take a bow son; Bent transfer; Arsene Presley Vs Alex Sinatra.
Take a bow son…..
It is impossible to think of how football has changed since the introduction of the Premier League, without tipping your hat to Sky. Like them or loathe them, whoever your team is they’re getting more coverage than ever before. The juggernaut that is BskyB run a well oiled machine, presenting us with no less than five dedicated sports channels, including 24 hour sports news. They always make everything look so effortless, but never before has their efficiency been so well displayed than when cherry picking Messer’s Gray and Keys from prime time’s Monday Night Football.
Comments made by both senior personalities were indeed “inexcusable” and “regrettable” from a company that boasts equal opportunity. Like school children scolded for misdemeanours by the head teacher, both were stood down from duties immediately. More impressive still was how Sky, as per a normal news day reported continuously on the “Breaking News story” further distancing themselves from the already isolated hosts. When evidence of previous wrongdoing presented itself from footage of an earlier incident, reaction was instantaneous, resulting in instant dismissal for Andy Gray, followed by Richard Keys’ resignation days later.
We have grown so used to match day being only a centrepiece to our sport. We now follow a pre and post match press conference, transfer speculation and punditry as eagerly as the importance of the game itself. Football as we know it now is an ever evolving story, punctuated by results, trophies recruitment and dismissals. Sky, by their own standards would have to go a long way to cover a more spectacular and rapid demise. No longer will we hear the phrase coined by the disgraced pair such as “Up Top” or possibly have to endure Gray’s modern day VCR machine. While endeavouring to enhance our viewing experience and building our football vocabulary over twenty years, they then blew all credibility in an act. To this I say, “Take a bow son!”.
Bent Transfer
Football has never been short of throwing up the bizarre. It’s never far away from contradicting it’s self in some form. I personally thought news of Darren Bent’s £24 million transfer pushed all boundaries that bit further. The players talent is not in question, the fee and the nature of the transfer is what raised eyebrows. Martin O’Neill was refused what he deemed a fair cut of the transfer fee received for James Milner to strengthen what was an already thin squad. The one time European Cup winner then saw his position as untenable.
Randy Lerner then had no hesitation headhunting Gerard Houllier from the French FA. The Frenchman who experienced success at his two previous clubs, after the donkey work had been done by preceding coaches, was then selected to improve upon what O’ Neill had achieved. If the Villa owner had been correct in withholding funds, then should Houllier have struggled so badly up until the transfer window? Had O’Neill overachieved with a wafer thin, relatively inexperienced Squad?
One can only question the selection process when the brief is to employ a coach who firstly needs to extract the best from a squad, without funds and bond a disillusioned playing staff that lost their manager days from the season’s kick off. Having never been renowned for fulfilling a task similar to the challenge Villa posed, Houllier was enthusiastic to take up the position, citing it as “too good to turn down”.
An unnecessary summer of discontent ensued last year at Aston Villa regarding incoming and outgoing transfers. Why a manager who has had fantastic success blending youth with experience and has a fine record with transfer policy was brought into question, is simply mystifying. When a club steadily makes progression year upon year, players will be sold and new targets are inevitable.
This I believe should become a benchmark moment for managers and coaches, just like the Bosman ruling was for players. It is extremely rare that a player’s name is totally synonymous to a particular piece of football detail. The example of the Cryuff turn, and the Bosman transfer come immediately to mind. The threat of missing the boat and ending up with a “Bent Transfer” in my opinion could and should be used as artillery in the transfer negotiations between manager and boardroom.
Arsene Presley Vs Alex Sinatra
Rafael Benitez was reported last week in the press saying that he thinks Arsene Wenger is a better manager than Alex Ferguson. This he believes is based upon philosophy and recruitment. Now far be it for me to question the judgement of a gentleman who has won some of the top honours in football, on the contrary, he has also been relieved of his duties from two of Europe’s heavyweights within a six month period.
Both managers have a stellar record when it comes to youth policy. Granted, one trophy cabinet is fuller than the other. When it comes to leaving a legacy behind at their respective clubs, well it seems to me to be a dead heat. The obvious motive points to the ongoing feud which prompted the “Fact” speech.
To the red side of Manchester and North London the answer is abundantly obvious, but surely a perception of superiority goes far beyond loyalty? Squaring two modern-day greats together like this is reminiscent of Father Dougal Mcguire being posed the question, “Blur or Oasis?”, but I personally I prefer the comparison of Elvis or Sinatra? To me it’s impossible to choose, let us just enjoy two football legends continue to lock horns for as long as it lasts……..
Football Orphan 