|
|
After years at the top of English football, Manchester united’s reign as the title/cup winning favourites, is coming to a slow and painful end, in full view of the world’s media.
As a Liverpool fan, I know only too well how this pans out.
The successful teams I have watched through the years in English football, Early 70s Leeds team, Liverpool through the 70s and 80s, Everton in the 80s, Nottingham Forest of the late 70s early 80s, Ipswich Town’s cup winning team, etc, have all had several things in common – making unknown players famous.
Once a club forget what put them in their dominant position, the unknown names that run through the core of their teams, and starts paying big money for “talent” then their days as the top club are numbered.
Liverpool’s best days consisted of teams made up of players from lower leagues and even gaelic football, the big money signings came much later, which slowed the fall from the top.
Nottingham Forest went from the old second division to European champions in a few short years with names such as Gary Birtles, John Robertson, Viv Anderson, Archie Gemmill, John McGovern, etc, all grafters from outside the top circle of footballing stars.
Manchester United tried for decades to buy the title, a succession of managers and big money stars passed through the club, Ferguson was himself close to being sacked, when injuries forced him to put out a young relatively unknown team of players, Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Neville brothers, etc, and he struck gold.
Any line up of players brought in from outside the top tier, taught to play in a certain way, at the core of the team, can dominate English football. It is what makes our league unique.
This is why English teams are so successful in Europe, the pace and passion is rarely matched abroad. (Hence why, when we have international matches, where the play is slower, more methodical, we struggle – where as if we played as a league team, Capello has already stated this, we become close to invincible!)
Wayne Rooney is no different from Kevin Keegan, star of the Liverpool show, or Graeme Souness the midfield power house wanted by clubs around Europe, or even Ronaldo and his bizarre exit from Old Trafford.
Man Utd should simply sell him off for big money to any club stupid enough to pay big money for him.
Arsene Wenger knows all too well how much damage to a club can be done by holding on to players when they don’t want to be there.
Although I admire Rooney for sticking to his guns, I can’t help thinking we have seen all this before.
The difference this time, is that Ferguson is trying to justify his position by playing to the media. No manager should do this, the old Fergie would have kicked Rooney into the reserves for a couple of weeks or left him on the subs bench for weeks in full view of every fan.
Personally, if a player states they want to leave my club, then I don’t want to see them in the first team again.
Liverpool are seeing now, how damaging the promise of first team football to get players to join or stay can be to a club.
Before you start messaging me saying Chelsea are buying the titles they have won, just take a look at how long they have been playing together!
Big names they maybe, but the core of the team have been together through four different managers over 5,6 even sometimes 7 seasons.
Occasional additions are added with the odd injured player leaving. The example of Joe Cole is a stark one.
Seemingly a great pick up from Chelsea, as he is not offered a new contract, but watch him play, he’s lost a yard of pace, he’s trying to play a central role without the engine, he’s now too slow to do damage on the wing, he’s no longer a special talent.
Chelsea were right to let him go, Liverpool were wrong to pick him up, especially if, as it appears, he’s been offered a guarantee of first team football.
To be a top club you require hungry players, who are always looking over their shoulders, knowing that one or two bad games could see them out of the first team for at least three or four games.
No individual is ever bigger than a successful club.
Until Liverpool get back in this habit they will remain a mid table side with the occasional decent season, Man Utd are about to realise the exact same thing happening to them.
Ronaldo’s £80 Million pounds transfer to Real Madrid, cannot come soon enough for many Man Utd fans.
Whilst some fans will see the sale of their star player as a major blow, Alex Ferguson, I think, has got it spot on.
I say this as a Liverpool fan, Ronaldo has been a burden for Man Utd, yes he has scored over 100 goals for the club, but to suggest to every fan (and its the fan’s club) that his heart was with Man Utd, only to tell his agent (after Kaka’s move to Real Madrid) that he wanted to leave Man Utd.
Many Pool fans slate Gary Neville, but I don’t. He has shown great loyalty to the club, he has won many trophies with them and maybe will do again, either as a player or as part of the coaching staff.
Ronaldo has made a big mistake moving away from one of the most successful clubs in Europe, at 24 he maybe a millionaire, but will he win things with Real?
Real Madrid are a legendary club, of that there is no doubt, but last season they were beaten by Barcelona to the Spanish league and came nowhere in the Champions league.
Manchester United do not need this type of player, as with Pool teams of the past, no player is bigger than the club!
Barcelona 2-0 Man Utd.
Truth be told, Man Utd lost the final in the semi final, when Fletcher was sent off, for a perfectly good challenge, when the referree refused to change his decision, which 5 camera angles proved was incorrect on the night.
Darren Fletcher has been outstanding for them this season, between himself and Carrick, in front of the back four, rotating as one goes pressuring the ball and the other sits in, to stop runners.
Without Fletcher last night, Man Utd had no midfield and being up against three of the best midfielders in the world, you’d have thought the Utd midfield didn’t show up at all!
The game itself was a good one, some excellent Barca passing in midfield, after an early burst from Utd. For once it was a clean game, most players tried to stay on their feet and play the ball.
Another down side for Utd, was their lack of pace around the pitch. They looked unusually lacklustre in pressing the ball. No doubt the resting of players (missing the game against Hull) as is so often the case, cost them on the night, as they were not fresh.
I have never understood why teams drop complete sides, to rest them for big games.
Players need to be match fit to avoid injuries, playing regularly.
When Liverpool came back from 3-0 down against AC Milan, they had been fighting against a backlog of games and chasing trophies, so most of the team played every week, even in midweek games.
They were able to pick up the pace and that changed the game.
When Pool lost to AC Milan in the final two years later, they were rested before the game and looked lethargic during the match, unable to call on match fitness energy that they had previously.
The British way of playing week in week out has paid dividends in the past, as regards European trophies, so why tinker with a winning formula?
This weekends games in the premiership are all about bottle.
With just two games remaining of the season, not only could the league title be decided, but also the relegation places could be all but finalised.
The title:
I fully expect Man Utd to equal Liverpool’s record of 18 championship wins tomorrow, against Arsenal.
The only minor spanner in the works could be Arshavin, who has been electric for the gunners, when he’s been fit.
Utd just need one point to clinch the title, which is surprising, as they have been pushed all the way by both Chelsea and Liverpool, but who also both slipped up, when they really should have won games, taking the pressure off Utd.
Over the whole season, Liverpool’s mid season series of drawn games looks to have cost them the prize that I and every Pool fan, dreams of, the league title.
Unusual this time as Utd have lost more games, Liverpool have just lost twice, in games they really should have got something from. Will this highlight to Benitez, that he cannot buy the title, but needs to bring reliable players, the likes of Jay Spearing, etc, through the youth set up, into the first team. Players of this ilk are vital on wet rainy wednesday night games in Bolton, etc.
Utd have struggled against some teams this season, but have used their “home grown” players to great effect. I remember them struggling 0-0 against Bolton, then scoring late on to clinch a vital 3 points, one of three games they did this as the games in cup competitions mounted up and they picked up a couple of injuries.
It’s about time we saw more teams of Hull and Stoke’s type, that comes up from the championship and have a right good go at the big clubs.
I’m tired of the stale mid to bottom half of the table clubs who just plod on and don’t put up a good fight against the top five clubs.
It would also be a refreshing change, if clubs managed by ex fergie players, actually took points from Utd.
The amazing figure of Wigan (managed by Steve Bruce) versus Man Utd games was plastered everywhere last weekend.
In 13 attempts, Wigan have drawn 2 and lost 11 against Utd.
To be fair they did give Utd a good go in midweek, once again it wasn’t enough.
I’d expect Man Utd to be too strong for Arsenal tomorrow, Utd to win 3-1.
The relegation battle:
I don’t want Hull City to go down (that will be a kiss of death then) this season they have been a breathe of fresh air!
They have had a go at all the teams in the top flight this year, with the exception of one or two games, every club has had to battle it out with them.
At the time they went to Old Trafford, they were higher in the league than Man Utd and at one point, were the top team in the land!
However, I think their time may run out this weekend.
Away to Bolton is never an easy game, but with Bolton now safe for another season, will they relax or try to push on?
Newcastle have now got above Hull, with a much better goal difference. Last week’s win over Middlesbrough was huge for them.
Had they lost they would have been in deep trouble, as it stands they have survival in their own hands again.
At home to Fulham (who are chasing a european place) they should win and be safe (due to Hull’s poor goal difference) as Fulham on the road are less than average. At home, Fulham would have been odds on to win it.
Middlesbrough have gone in my view. They surely cannot pull it around can they?
With Alves out this weekend and Wheater their defender missing also, a hungry Aston Villa are visiting, who themselves have Everton breathing down their necks for 5th place and a european place.
West Brom could be the surprise package. Although bottom for a long while now, their home form in their last two games has been electric!
3-0 and 3-1 wins are just what the doctor ordered. They can now only catch two teams who are not in the relegation places, which brings me on to the one team that no pundit seems to be talking about… Sunderland!
They got rid of Roy Keane (now at Ipswich) and placed Ricky in charge. Their results turned with away draws and home wins for a while, but recently they just cannot score.
Bizarre it may sound, but all three North East clubs could go down this season. With the bottom clubs all being close to each other, it certainly hasn’t been dull this season.
With games being played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday due to television commitments, those playing later could be much more comfortable before they even kick off.
Whatever happens, there will be heartache and wild celebrations this weekend in the premiership…
After Man Utd breezed past Arsenal last night, in the champions league semi-final, the diabolical performance of the referee and the ludicrous rules and regulations that UEFA impose on the game, need sorting out and quick.
Problem one:
Diving – it is cheating, pure and simple.
After some brilliant matches in the quarter finals, all expectations are that the semi finals will be at least equal to them.
Barcelona v Chelsea 1st leg was a complete joke!
Drogba going down in a heap for nothing, then the ref warns him, so for the next 15 minutes, malouda starts going down without being touched.
Barcelona players are also doing the same, it was pathetic to watch and totally ruined the match, stop-start stop-start, handbags at ten paces, laying on the ground in agony, for minutes, then getting up without any treatment and running halfway across the pitch.
I hope the referee gets a grip for the second leg tonight?
Ronaldo’s dramatic efforts to win a free kick, which led to Utd’s second goal against Arsenal last night, was a farce!
I wonder what he would do, if he was at home and he stubs his toe on the coffee table? Would it involve 10 minutes of rolling around on the sofa?
Would his partner rush in with a wet sponge?
Would he then hobble to kitchen, grimacing as he goes and trying to flex his foot to ease the pain?
Do us all a favour and give it a rest!
Problem 2:
Darren Fletcher, (I speak as a Liverpool fan) is a victim of a complete joke.
He has played his part in Man Utd’s season, they have battled through to the European cup final, only for him to be suspended, for winning the ball with a well timed tackle!
Under UEFA rules, Man Utd can only appeal if the referee admits he has made a mistake. The referee will not admit his mistake, despite clear video evidence that his decision was completely wrong!
At the speed of the game and where the ref is on the pitch, mistakes can be made, sending him off was bad enough, giving Arsenal a penalty was even worse, but suspending him from the biggest single game of his career (One of the biggest games in any player’s career) and refusing to reverse the decision, makes a mockery of UEFA.
The lad made a perfectly timed tackle, come on UEFA, step in and put this right, then change the rules, before it happens to any other player!
Do you think Darren Fletcher should miss out on the final?
|
|
