As we struggle, manfully, through this barren, football-less period of the calendar year, only the Serbian Under-21’s to keep us company, there is at least a light at the end of the tunnel. The excitement of what to come is always palpable as the new seasons fixtures are released. Text messages, phone calls and emails fly across the country, all asking familiar questions.
‘Who’ve we got first?’
‘When are we playing United?’
‘Guess what, we’ve got Liverpool on your birthday!’
But for one club the release of the fixtures on Wednesday did not promote excitement, nor did it whet the appetite for the big kick off in August. No, for Newcastle United and their long suffering, self proclaimed, best supporters in the world it was one more kick in the goolies, like. Finding out when you are playing Peterborough at home or Scunthorpe away does not quite muster the same sense of anticipation.
Next season for the Geordies was always going to be extremely tough. Every side that arrives at St James Park will pop ten men behind the ball, sit back, and wonder if there are actually more empty seats in the stadium than there are full seats when they play at home. Away matches will not be much easier, Newcastle are going to be the prize scalp next season, they will receive no gimmes. Games will be raised, grounds will be full and expectations will be high when the Magpies roll into town. Given this was always going to be the case, it was vital that the ongoing upheaval at the club was sorted out swiftly and without too much drama.
But Newcastle, as we should have expected, are making life as difficult as possible for themselves. Almost four weeks after sliding meekly into the Championship it appears that nothing has been done to begin the push for promotion. The club is up for sale again, having spent much of last season being touted around various billionaire benefactors. Unable to locate a buyer last season, when still a Premiership outfit, what chance does Mike Ashley have of making a sale now? Answers on a postcard, blu-tacked in the newsagent’s window, to that one please. More worrying still, is that while their competitors make signings, strengthen squads and prepare to beat them next season, Newcastle do not even have a manager. No players have joined the club, their has been no overhaul to the squad that was found so wanting last time around. What the Geordies need in their team next season is fighters, players with passion for the cause and experience of the Championship. They better hope there are some left for sale once they finally deem it necessary to enter the market.
The football league is chock-a-block full of clubs who felt relegation from the Premiership was a mere blip. That they would be back within a season better than ever, refreshed from a little stint slumming it, seeing how the other half lives. Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton are just four clubs who enjoyed long-term, top flight status but now find themselves languishing in the Championship or below. There is nothing wrong with the Football League, it is packed full of proper clubs, proper fans and proper excitement, 90 per cent of clubs in all three divisions would fancy their chances of promotion as the season begins. One thing though, is for certain. Newcastle had better get their house in order, and fast, because getting out of the Championship can be easy, getting out at the right end is the tricky part.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Armchair fans in good company as T20 gets interesting
Twenty20 cricket has been around for a few years now and it is unlikely to be disappearing anytime soon. The TV companies love it. A game of cricket that lasts for just 4 hours and has boundaries and excitement galore. The authorities love it too, grounds are full midweek as people come after work to watch the action and consume pricey food and beer. Personally, I wasn’t too sure about the format, until this week that is. In the first 6 days we have seen big upsets, thousands of runs and numerous enormous sixes. And if all that wasn’t good enough, we have finally stumbled across a form of cricket at which Australia are rubbish.
The tournament began with an almighty bang. No one gave the Netherlands a chance in the opening match. Even as England clocked up a less than impressive 162 in their 20 overs the upset never looked likely. But the hosts bowling and fielding faltered and the Dutch, inspired by the cavalier Tom de Grooth, kept the game alive into the final over. Stuart Broad will learn a lot of lessons during a career currently in its infancy, none however, will be as clearly visible on his face as the realization that he had handed the match to the Dutch courtesy of overthrows. Still England recovered two days later to put Pakistan to the sword and make it through to the Super 8's. Paul Collingwood's team much improved in their second game; the fielding in particular of a much higher standard. No host has ever won a major tournament, in Cricket, Rugby or Football, after losing the first match, but maybe that scare against the Netherlands is just what England needed to fire them up.
Almost as pleasing as England's progress to the next round was Australia's early elimination from the tournament. Ricky Ponting's side may have been in the toughest group but no one expected them to be ousted from proceedings so early on. Ponting may make light of the exit but make no mistake, the Aussies hate losing, even in Twenty20 cricket where defeat for them is becoming common. Whether this minor catastrophe has an effect on the Ashes will become apparent later in the summer, but for now lets just enjoy the memory of Brett Lee repeatedly bowling no balls, and being hit for consecutive sixes by Chris Gayle.
So while the Australians, hang around in hotel rooms, bitterly watching the action on Sky Sports, the Super 8 stage begins on Thursday without them. The winner will surely come from the trio of South Africa, who have looked imperious so far, with Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis both in great form. India, the reigning champions, with the most Twenty20 experience in their squad. Or Sri Lanka who have the bizarre action of Lasith Malinga to call on. Elsewhere Pakistan could be dark horses after doing to the Dutch what England could not. Special mention too, should go to Ireland for once again progressing in a major tournament. Many will be surprised at their progress but anyone who remembers the last world cup in the Caribbean will not. So let's all sit back, switch on the TV and enjoy the business end of the tournament. Pass the remote, Ricky.
The tournament began with an almighty bang. No one gave the Netherlands a chance in the opening match. Even as England clocked up a less than impressive 162 in their 20 overs the upset never looked likely. But the hosts bowling and fielding faltered and the Dutch, inspired by the cavalier Tom de Grooth, kept the game alive into the final over. Stuart Broad will learn a lot of lessons during a career currently in its infancy, none however, will be as clearly visible on his face as the realization that he had handed the match to the Dutch courtesy of overthrows. Still England recovered two days later to put Pakistan to the sword and make it through to the Super 8's. Paul Collingwood's team much improved in their second game; the fielding in particular of a much higher standard. No host has ever won a major tournament, in Cricket, Rugby or Football, after losing the first match, but maybe that scare against the Netherlands is just what England needed to fire them up.
Almost as pleasing as England's progress to the next round was Australia's early elimination from the tournament. Ricky Ponting's side may have been in the toughest group but no one expected them to be ousted from proceedings so early on. Ponting may make light of the exit but make no mistake, the Aussies hate losing, even in Twenty20 cricket where defeat for them is becoming common. Whether this minor catastrophe has an effect on the Ashes will become apparent later in the summer, but for now lets just enjoy the memory of Brett Lee repeatedly bowling no balls, and being hit for consecutive sixes by Chris Gayle.
So while the Australians, hang around in hotel rooms, bitterly watching the action on Sky Sports, the Super 8 stage begins on Thursday without them. The winner will surely come from the trio of South Africa, who have looked imperious so far, with Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis both in great form. India, the reigning champions, with the most Twenty20 experience in their squad. Or Sri Lanka who have the bizarre action of Lasith Malinga to call on. Elsewhere Pakistan could be dark horses after doing to the Dutch what England could not. Special mention too, should go to Ireland for once again progressing in a major tournament. Many will be surprised at their progress but anyone who remembers the last world cup in the Caribbean will not. So let's all sit back, switch on the TV and enjoy the business end of the tournament. Pass the remote, Ricky.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Steve Bruce’s move to Sunderland will be felt far down the leagues
So, as the 2008/09 football season fades into the past, with just a couple of International games to come, our thoughts turn to summer. Ahead of us are three long, hot months of cricket, with the Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes to look forward to. But it is not cricket that is dominating the headlines this week. The football transfer market may still be in its infancy, the Gareth Barry move the only major business so far, but the perilous managerial merry-go-round has started spinning. It is time for vacancies to be advertised, loyalties to be questioned and wage packets to be discussed.
The ride began on the last day of the season with Ricky Sbragia stepping down as Sunderland boss citing the need for a ‘big name’ manager at the Stadium of Light. For Sunderland the right man happens to be the fiercely loyal, lifetime Newcastle supporter, Steve Bruce. That ‘wor’ Steve has moved to pastures new is nothing to be surprised about, this is Bruce’s seventh post in a managerial career spanning just 11 years. The highlights of which include a two month spell at Wigan and not much longer at Crystal Palace both in 2001. Bruce has signed a three year contract at Sunderland, it is anybody’s guess what will happen if a larger club comes calling in the mean time.
Predictably, Bruce’s appointment will prompt a whole host of managerial moves. Firstly Wigan must fill their vacancy, with Swansea City’s Roberto Martinez the likely choice if rumours are to be believed. Martinez has just guided Swansea to their best finish since 1993, 8th in the Championship, having constructed an exciting young side. If he does depart, then it is a safe bet that some of his players will follow and The Jacks will have to start again. The fans, new signing Nathan Dyer and the board will never know what might have been achieved, had the Spaniard remained in-situ. Who will take charge next at the Liberty Stadium? Who will be the next club searching for a manager?
North of the border Gordon Strachan’s resignation has sparked an avalanche of speculation over who might be his replacement. Rumours suggest that Burnley’s Owen Coyle and West Bromwich Albion’s Tony Mowbray are among the favourites for the post. However, it seems inconceivable that either of these managers would want to leave their respective clubs for Celtic Park. Yes there is the lure of Champions League football, but is that really enough to warrant leaving good jobs in England? Coyle has just got his Burnley team promoted via the playoffs, and now has the chance to pit his wits against the assorted talents of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, despite suffering relegation, Mowbray still has the unflinching support of board and fans alike at The Hawthorns. Another promotion next season and the Baggies might just be in a position to establish themselves in the top flight. Celtic may be a big club, the attraction sweetened for Mowbray as a former player and Coyle as a lifelong fan. But why swap these current challenges for a two horse race with only 4 meaningful league games a season?
What is certain, is that in the coming months more managers will leave clubs that have offered them there big chances. Brendan Rogers, for example, has left Watford for rivals Reading, just 6 months after being given his first opportunity as a manager. Loyalty has little place in modern football, but for every manager that complains of impatience when sacked in early Autumn, one will happily leave a job half done, if a bigger club comes knocking.
The ride began on the last day of the season with Ricky Sbragia stepping down as Sunderland boss citing the need for a ‘big name’ manager at the Stadium of Light. For Sunderland the right man happens to be the fiercely loyal, lifetime Newcastle supporter, Steve Bruce. That ‘wor’ Steve has moved to pastures new is nothing to be surprised about, this is Bruce’s seventh post in a managerial career spanning just 11 years. The highlights of which include a two month spell at Wigan and not much longer at Crystal Palace both in 2001. Bruce has signed a three year contract at Sunderland, it is anybody’s guess what will happen if a larger club comes calling in the mean time.
Predictably, Bruce’s appointment will prompt a whole host of managerial moves. Firstly Wigan must fill their vacancy, with Swansea City’s Roberto Martinez the likely choice if rumours are to be believed. Martinez has just guided Swansea to their best finish since 1993, 8th in the Championship, having constructed an exciting young side. If he does depart, then it is a safe bet that some of his players will follow and The Jacks will have to start again. The fans, new signing Nathan Dyer and the board will never know what might have been achieved, had the Spaniard remained in-situ. Who will take charge next at the Liberty Stadium? Who will be the next club searching for a manager?
North of the border Gordon Strachan’s resignation has sparked an avalanche of speculation over who might be his replacement. Rumours suggest that Burnley’s Owen Coyle and West Bromwich Albion’s Tony Mowbray are among the favourites for the post. However, it seems inconceivable that either of these managers would want to leave their respective clubs for Celtic Park. Yes there is the lure of Champions League football, but is that really enough to warrant leaving good jobs in England? Coyle has just got his Burnley team promoted via the playoffs, and now has the chance to pit his wits against the assorted talents of the Premier League.
Meanwhile, despite suffering relegation, Mowbray still has the unflinching support of board and fans alike at The Hawthorns. Another promotion next season and the Baggies might just be in a position to establish themselves in the top flight. Celtic may be a big club, the attraction sweetened for Mowbray as a former player and Coyle as a lifelong fan. But why swap these current challenges for a two horse race with only 4 meaningful league games a season?
What is certain, is that in the coming months more managers will leave clubs that have offered them there big chances. Brendan Rogers, for example, has left Watford for rivals Reading, just 6 months after being given his first opportunity as a manager. Loyalty has little place in modern football, but for every manager that complains of impatience when sacked in early Autumn, one will happily leave a job half done, if a bigger club comes knocking.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Twenty20 absentees could prove crucial for England
The ICC world Twenty20 cup begins at Lord’s on the 6th June when England take on the Netherlands. The finest limited overs cricketers from all around the world are gathered for a month long slog fest, to decide the champions of this, the infant form of the game. Sadly missing from the galaxy of stars on display will be one man. And not just any man either. Andrew Flintoff, the most expensive player on show during the recent IPL, arguably the best and possibly the most recognisable cricketer in the world.
Doubtlessly Flintoff will be sorely missed. What event wouldn’t be poorer without such a fiery competitor? His batting can be explosive while the effort he puts into every delivery bowled can be seen written on his face. The coaches report that he should be running by next week and so it is conceivable that England could have used him in the latter stages of the tournament. However, it is the correct decision for him to be absent with the Ashes series starting on July 8th. Flintoff and the England management both know that summer 2009 will not be remembered for the Twenty20 cricket but for the battle to come with our antipodean cousin’s.
The Australian trio of Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Ricky Ponting all opted out of the IPL to concentrate on the Ashes and are now fit and fresh for the challenges to come. Freddie has five weeks to get himself into peak condition before the first test in Cardiff so lets keep our fingers crossed that there are no more setbacks. Andrew Strauss’s team were excellent in vanquishing the West Indies but the Aussies fear Flintoff and England are certainly stronger with him in the side.
So let us sit back and enjoy some good fun cricket over the next month. It will be interesting to see if England can sustain the momentum gained in winning the one day games against The Windies. Paul Collingwood will be in charge of England for the tournament and this could turn out to be an unwitting masterstroke. Strauss is absent because of his unsuitability to the 20 over game, but this could work in the English causes favour. Like Flintoff, the skipper now has over a month to prepare for Ponting’s tourists, let’s hope he spends it wisely and England will be ready. After all, the T20 may provide thrills and excitement for the cricketing public but it is merely an appetiser for the main course that is the Ashes.
Doubtlessly Flintoff will be sorely missed. What event wouldn’t be poorer without such a fiery competitor? His batting can be explosive while the effort he puts into every delivery bowled can be seen written on his face. The coaches report that he should be running by next week and so it is conceivable that England could have used him in the latter stages of the tournament. However, it is the correct decision for him to be absent with the Ashes series starting on July 8th. Flintoff and the England management both know that summer 2009 will not be remembered for the Twenty20 cricket but for the battle to come with our antipodean cousin’s.
The Australian trio of Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Ricky Ponting all opted out of the IPL to concentrate on the Ashes and are now fit and fresh for the challenges to come. Freddie has five weeks to get himself into peak condition before the first test in Cardiff so lets keep our fingers crossed that there are no more setbacks. Andrew Strauss’s team were excellent in vanquishing the West Indies but the Aussies fear Flintoff and England are certainly stronger with him in the side.
So let us sit back and enjoy some good fun cricket over the next month. It will be interesting to see if England can sustain the momentum gained in winning the one day games against The Windies. Paul Collingwood will be in charge of England for the tournament and this could turn out to be an unwitting masterstroke. Strauss is absent because of his unsuitability to the 20 over game, but this could work in the English causes favour. Like Flintoff, the skipper now has over a month to prepare for Ponting’s tourists, let’s hope he spends it wisely and England will be ready. After all, the T20 may provide thrills and excitement for the cricketing public but it is merely an appetiser for the main course that is the Ashes.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
United Pepped at the post as Fergie utters the unthinkable
On Wednesday night Manchester United and Alex Ferguson missed the chance to become champions of Europe, and make themselves a little bit of history into the bargain. A win would have seen the long serving Scot become only the second manager to win the European Cup on three occasions, and United the first team to retain the trophy in its current guise, of the Champions League. Instead, they were well beaten, as the brilliance of Barcelona blew the English Champions away. The Premier League, we are often told, is the strongest league in the world, well perhaps on this evidence we need to think again.
The result is all the more remarkable when you consider the two men in Rome’s technical areas. Ferguson, a veteran campaigner, has been there, seen it, got the T-shirt and quite probably done some shopping to boot. Pep Guardiola on the other hand was completing his first season in charge of one of Europe’s greatest clubs, in the true sense of the word club. A tyro. A beginner. A rookie. A genius? Barcelona’s football this season has been enthralling. Fergie knew what to expect at the Stadio Olimpico, he just didn’t know what to do about it.
The talk before the match was that the Barca defence offered a way in, it was a weak spot. They could be got at, Carles Puyol and Sylvinho were past their prime, and if United could start brightly they could breach the makeshift backline. So why start with Park Ji-Sung as one of his three attacking players? Surely Carlos Tevez and Ronaldo should have been detailed to punish these ageing fullbacks, leaving Wayne Rooney to ransack the out of position Yaya Toure? Yes, United started brightly and could have scored early on but that doesn’t explain the total capitulation after Samuel Eto’o had netted the opener. Once Barcelona went a goal up, United looked inept, ineffectual, and shorn of attacking ideas.
Should we be surprised by this outcome? Not really, Arsenal in the European semi-final aside, United have struggled against top sides this season. The Premier League was not won against Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool. Alex Ferguson’s men have become expert at taking points from lesser teams, where other members of the top four are prone to slip up. In short they don’t like it up ‘em. Remember the defeat at Fulham where Rooney and Ronaldo jumped up and down like spoiled children, ordered to bed on a sunny evening. Perhaps this team of born winners are too happy to accept defeat against opponents they themselves consider worthy?
Still at least one good thing came out of Wednesday’s game, as Fergie admitted his team had been defeated by a superior opponent. This loss was not blamed on a referee. The fixture computer for once escaped the dreaded hairdryer treatment. And no it wasn’t even the colour of their, or anyone else’s shirts, that was at fault. ‘We were beaten by the better team’ he said after the match. For once it looks like everyone can agree with you Sir Alex.
The result is all the more remarkable when you consider the two men in Rome’s technical areas. Ferguson, a veteran campaigner, has been there, seen it, got the T-shirt and quite probably done some shopping to boot. Pep Guardiola on the other hand was completing his first season in charge of one of Europe’s greatest clubs, in the true sense of the word club. A tyro. A beginner. A rookie. A genius? Barcelona’s football this season has been enthralling. Fergie knew what to expect at the Stadio Olimpico, he just didn’t know what to do about it.
The talk before the match was that the Barca defence offered a way in, it was a weak spot. They could be got at, Carles Puyol and Sylvinho were past their prime, and if United could start brightly they could breach the makeshift backline. So why start with Park Ji-Sung as one of his three attacking players? Surely Carlos Tevez and Ronaldo should have been detailed to punish these ageing fullbacks, leaving Wayne Rooney to ransack the out of position Yaya Toure? Yes, United started brightly and could have scored early on but that doesn’t explain the total capitulation after Samuel Eto’o had netted the opener. Once Barcelona went a goal up, United looked inept, ineffectual, and shorn of attacking ideas.
Should we be surprised by this outcome? Not really, Arsenal in the European semi-final aside, United have struggled against top sides this season. The Premier League was not won against Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool. Alex Ferguson’s men have become expert at taking points from lesser teams, where other members of the top four are prone to slip up. In short they don’t like it up ‘em. Remember the defeat at Fulham where Rooney and Ronaldo jumped up and down like spoiled children, ordered to bed on a sunny evening. Perhaps this team of born winners are too happy to accept defeat against opponents they themselves consider worthy?
Still at least one good thing came out of Wednesday’s game, as Fergie admitted his team had been defeated by a superior opponent. This loss was not blamed on a referee. The fixture computer for once escaped the dreaded hairdryer treatment. And no it wasn’t even the colour of their, or anyone else’s shirts, that was at fault. ‘We were beaten by the better team’ he said after the match. For once it looks like everyone can agree with you Sir Alex.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
History beckons as dream final is upon us
The joy of winning a major tournament now appears to have been eclipsed in importance by the act of adding another trophy to your tally. Note the enormous amount of coverage given to Manchester United winning a record equalling 18th League title this year. And don’t expect the media coverage to die down on that front, next year United and Liverpool will battle it out to be the first to 19. Banners at big club grounds proclaim the number of European or domestic titles won, while the five stars over Brazil’s badge are merely a gloat concerning the frequency of their World Cup victories. Football’s rich history is one of the reasons so many of us are hooked on the sport, but this everyday obsession with the past is a relatively recent.
It is for such historical reasons that Wednesday night’s Champions League final is of such magnitude. Everyday Barcelona and their supporters must live with the knowledge that Real Madrid have won the European Cup nine times compared with their two. The fact that six of Madrid’s triumphs came before 1970 is of little importance to football fans desperate to better their rivals. Both Barcelona’s wins came since the advent of the 1990’s, during which time Real have picked up the pot three times. If Barca win a third on Wednesday it will, in the eyes of supporters, provide some sort of parity with Madrid, at least in the modern era. A win for the Catalans would also elevated them into joint six place on the all time list, out of a large group of clubs who have been champions twice.
Alex Ferguson’s dominance of English football is unquestionable; this year was his 11th league title. However, his record in Europe stands up less well to scrutiny. Two, some would say, slightly fortuitous wins in 16 years of competing for club football’s greatest prize does not make happy reading for the Scot. After all, United have been almost guaranteed entry since 1993 and boast the kind of financial resources other clubs can only dream about. That said, on Wednesday night, Ferguson can enter the pantheon of greats by equalling the record of 3 European cup wins as manager 28 years to the day since the feat was first achieved. The great Bob Paisley won his third continental crown on 27th May 1981, Liverpool defeating Real Madrid in Paris. Having recently matched Liverpool’s domestic benchmark there are no prizes for guessing what Fergie’s next target will be. Liverpool currently hold five European crowns, United with three can become the first team to defend the title since it became the Champion’s League.
People have described Wednesday’s game as being the dream final. In all honesty, though, with the stakes so high, the dream final is the final that your team wins. Unless an early goal for either side loosens up the defences, allowing the game to become stretched, this will surely be a cagey affair. That does not mean the match will not be enjoyable for the spectator, just that we are very unlikely to have a hatful of goals. Ferguson himself said as much last week.
The fact is Manchester United will have to watch Lionel Messi like a hawk. If they don’t and the little Argentine destroys United in the first half then Fergie will have his tactics heavily criticised. Likewise Pep Guardiola is duty bound to stop Ronaldo from taking the game away from his side. Having so much attacking talent on show can make managers and defenders very nervous indeed. And in such a big game, with so much history at stake, no one wants to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
It is for such historical reasons that Wednesday night’s Champions League final is of such magnitude. Everyday Barcelona and their supporters must live with the knowledge that Real Madrid have won the European Cup nine times compared with their two. The fact that six of Madrid’s triumphs came before 1970 is of little importance to football fans desperate to better their rivals. Both Barcelona’s wins came since the advent of the 1990’s, during which time Real have picked up the pot three times. If Barca win a third on Wednesday it will, in the eyes of supporters, provide some sort of parity with Madrid, at least in the modern era. A win for the Catalans would also elevated them into joint six place on the all time list, out of a large group of clubs who have been champions twice.
Alex Ferguson’s dominance of English football is unquestionable; this year was his 11th league title. However, his record in Europe stands up less well to scrutiny. Two, some would say, slightly fortuitous wins in 16 years of competing for club football’s greatest prize does not make happy reading for the Scot. After all, United have been almost guaranteed entry since 1993 and boast the kind of financial resources other clubs can only dream about. That said, on Wednesday night, Ferguson can enter the pantheon of greats by equalling the record of 3 European cup wins as manager 28 years to the day since the feat was first achieved. The great Bob Paisley won his third continental crown on 27th May 1981, Liverpool defeating Real Madrid in Paris. Having recently matched Liverpool’s domestic benchmark there are no prizes for guessing what Fergie’s next target will be. Liverpool currently hold five European crowns, United with three can become the first team to defend the title since it became the Champion’s League.
People have described Wednesday’s game as being the dream final. In all honesty, though, with the stakes so high, the dream final is the final that your team wins. Unless an early goal for either side loosens up the defences, allowing the game to become stretched, this will surely be a cagey affair. That does not mean the match will not be enjoyable for the spectator, just that we are very unlikely to have a hatful of goals. Ferguson himself said as much last week.
The fact is Manchester United will have to watch Lionel Messi like a hawk. If they don’t and the little Argentine destroys United in the first half then Fergie will have his tactics heavily criticised. Likewise Pep Guardiola is duty bound to stop Ronaldo from taking the game away from his side. Having so much attacking talent on show can make managers and defenders very nervous indeed. And in such a big game, with so much history at stake, no one wants to be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Finger-biting time for the North East as the Premier League reaches its climax
With just one round of games remaining the Premier League reaches its conclusion this Sunday at 4pm. Last Saturday lunchtime Manchester United banged the final nail into the title coffin, and a day later Liverpool put paid to West Brom’s hopes of rising from the dead. So with top and bottom decided, all that remains is the battle for seventh and the fight to avoid sliding through the trapdoor with the Baggies. Fulham should get the point they need, at home to Everton, to nick the final Europa League spot from Tottenham. But it is events at the bottom of the table that are going to grab Monday’s headlines.
There have been moans this week, mostly from angst ridden supporters of North East clubs, that Hull City may get an easy ride to safety against a weakened Man United side. A win for The Tigers will mean relegation for two out of Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle United. This is old news of course; every year brings with it a story of perceived injustice. Just ask Reading who went down on goal difference last season rather than Fulham. The Cottagers secured their Premier League status on the final day, against a Portsmouth side focused on an FA Cup Final. Southampton had the honour of playing a full strength Man United on the final day of the 2004/05 season, relegation rivals had already picked up points against Fergie’s reserves.
That these whinges are nothing new, however, doesn’t mean they should be taken any more seriously. If relegation is to come knocking for any of the giants of North East football then the blame is to be found squarely at their own doors. After all, underachievement has been the watchword for football in that part of the world for many a year. Middlesbrough’s League Cup in 2004, the only major silverware to shine in the region for over 35 years. So here are three good reasons why, if and when relegation comes, no one is to have any cause for complaint.
Firstly, since Christmas, Hull City have looked unable to beat Hull City Reserves let alone Manchester United’s. Most members of whatever team Alex Ferguson puts out on Sunday would walk into Phil Brown’s first eleven. Moreover the £32million pound that ‘reserve team’ player Carlos Tevez might eventually cost would buy the majority of Hull’s playing squad.
Next, Hull City spent less than £10million pounds in the close season as they prepared for their debut season in England’s top flight. Conversely Mike Ashley has splashed out countless millions on a whole host of international underperformers. Take Damien Duff, price £5m. One goal every 16.75 matches for Newcastle compared with a goal every 6.85 games for Blackburn and Chelsea. Or, how about £5.7m for one goal striker Francisco Tejada, any takers? Sunderland have a £9m goalkeeper between the sticks with £8m pound defender Anton Ferdinand playing just in front of him. Meanwhile £13m Alfonso Alves has spent all season banging in 4 league goals for Middlesbrough.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the whole point of the league is that it is contested over 38 matches, not one. Chelsea might feel aggrieved at being knocked out of the Champions League because of some dodgy refereeing but that is the nature of cup football. Lose, or draw, one match and it could be curtains for you. In the league these situations must equal themselves out or otherwise why bother with a league system at all? If relegated, Newcastle should look to recent dropped points at home to Pompey, one point from two games against Hull, or the limp defeat to Fulham that ended their recent mini-resurgence. Middlesbrough and Sunderland can point to their inability to score at home as the reason behind their demise. Just 17 and 19 home league goals respectively is quite simply not good enough. So if Hull City stay up and Newcastle, Sunderland or Boro go down then they will have only themselves to blame and Hull City should be applauded for achieving the unlikely.
In any event Hull are unlikely to get anything of their game with United’s second eleven. Newcastle will probably lose at Villa and even if Boro win at West Ham, they will not see a sufficient goal swing to keep them up. Conspiracy theories should be left outside the gates of St James Park and The Riverside, what should concern the chairman and supporters of both teams, is this. Have they got the right men at the helm to steer their teams out of the second tier next season. Because, while the Premier League may often be touted as the best League in the world, next season’s Championship certainly looks like one of the toughest.
There have been moans this week, mostly from angst ridden supporters of North East clubs, that Hull City may get an easy ride to safety against a weakened Man United side. A win for The Tigers will mean relegation for two out of Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle United. This is old news of course; every year brings with it a story of perceived injustice. Just ask Reading who went down on goal difference last season rather than Fulham. The Cottagers secured their Premier League status on the final day, against a Portsmouth side focused on an FA Cup Final. Southampton had the honour of playing a full strength Man United on the final day of the 2004/05 season, relegation rivals had already picked up points against Fergie’s reserves.
That these whinges are nothing new, however, doesn’t mean they should be taken any more seriously. If relegation is to come knocking for any of the giants of North East football then the blame is to be found squarely at their own doors. After all, underachievement has been the watchword for football in that part of the world for many a year. Middlesbrough’s League Cup in 2004, the only major silverware to shine in the region for over 35 years. So here are three good reasons why, if and when relegation comes, no one is to have any cause for complaint.
Firstly, since Christmas, Hull City have looked unable to beat Hull City Reserves let alone Manchester United’s. Most members of whatever team Alex Ferguson puts out on Sunday would walk into Phil Brown’s first eleven. Moreover the £32million pound that ‘reserve team’ player Carlos Tevez might eventually cost would buy the majority of Hull’s playing squad.
Next, Hull City spent less than £10million pounds in the close season as they prepared for their debut season in England’s top flight. Conversely Mike Ashley has splashed out countless millions on a whole host of international underperformers. Take Damien Duff, price £5m. One goal every 16.75 matches for Newcastle compared with a goal every 6.85 games for Blackburn and Chelsea. Or, how about £5.7m for one goal striker Francisco Tejada, any takers? Sunderland have a £9m goalkeeper between the sticks with £8m pound defender Anton Ferdinand playing just in front of him. Meanwhile £13m Alfonso Alves has spent all season banging in 4 league goals for Middlesbrough.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the whole point of the league is that it is contested over 38 matches, not one. Chelsea might feel aggrieved at being knocked out of the Champions League because of some dodgy refereeing but that is the nature of cup football. Lose, or draw, one match and it could be curtains for you. In the league these situations must equal themselves out or otherwise why bother with a league system at all? If relegated, Newcastle should look to recent dropped points at home to Pompey, one point from two games against Hull, or the limp defeat to Fulham that ended their recent mini-resurgence. Middlesbrough and Sunderland can point to their inability to score at home as the reason behind their demise. Just 17 and 19 home league goals respectively is quite simply not good enough. So if Hull City stay up and Newcastle, Sunderland or Boro go down then they will have only themselves to blame and Hull City should be applauded for achieving the unlikely.
In any event Hull are unlikely to get anything of their game with United’s second eleven. Newcastle will probably lose at Villa and even if Boro win at West Ham, they will not see a sufficient goal swing to keep them up. Conspiracy theories should be left outside the gates of St James Park and The Riverside, what should concern the chairman and supporters of both teams, is this. Have they got the right men at the helm to steer their teams out of the second tier next season. Because, while the Premier League may often be touted as the best League in the world, next season’s Championship certainly looks like one of the toughest.
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