Looking Ahead to 2011

As we enter the new year, it is a good time to look back at what has happened so far in the Premier League. We are midway through the 2010-11 season and what a season it has been so far. The inconsistency of the top sides coupled with the improvement of certain teams has led to a very congested league table. Gone are the days when Manchester United or Chelsea used to walk away with the league. The league has become much more competitive now. Here are the highlights of the season so far:

Impressive Newly Promoted Clubs: Newcastle, West Brom and Blackpool - I have been impressed by the attractive Football played by all three of them. Their position in the league table suggests that you can play attacking Football and still remain clear of the relegation zone. Of course, it can go pear shaped in a matter of weeks but these clubs enjoy the comforts of mid-table at this juncture. Although Newcastle have pressed the self destruct button yet again by sacking Chris Hughton but I think they have enough in the tank to survive in the Premier League. Special mention to Andy Carroll who has been one of the best performers of the season so far. Things will become tougher for these clubs in the coming year with fatigue creeping in and a fixture pileup to deal with, especially in case of Blackpool who have had three of their home games postponed due to bad weather.

From European Contenders to Relegation Candidates: Aston Villa - Aston Villa kicked off their season recovering from the shock caused by Martin O'Neill's sudden departure. And, things have gone from bad to worse for them during the course of the season. People would argue that they are too good to go down and I also think that there a lot of worse teams in the League than Aston Villa. But, anything can happen in Football and Aston Villa certainly are in the dogfight. To be fair to Gerard Houllier, his team has suffered a lot due to injuries. But, there is no excuse for the dire displays week in week out. Aston Villa need the likes of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor to stand up and be counted.

Indian Connections: Blackburn Rovers - Finally, Indians have entered the Premier League. In November, Blackburn Rovers became the first Premier League club to be owned by Indian businessmen. Venky's India Ltd bought the Lancashire club for a reported fee of £23 million. But, I have been disappointed with their handling of the club so far. The sacking of Sam Allardyce has left serious question marks over the intentions of the owners. Sam Allardyce's style of Football is not the most attractive to watch but it is effective. And for a club like Blackburn, it is good enough. Why fix something that isn't broke? I initially thought that they might have someone more high profile in their minds but the decision to appoint Steve Kean as the Manager has been puzzling. This decision might come back to haunt Blackburn owners at the end of the season.

The High Fliers: Bolton and Sunderland - The progress made by these two clubs has been fascinating to watch. Owen Coyle has taken only a few months to change hoof ball merchants Bolton into a decent passing side. Mark Davies' recent goal against Blackpool would make Barcelona proud. Like Bolton, Sunderland have progressed superbly under Steve Bruce. Their record against the top sides has been fantastic, with a 3-0 hammering of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the highlight of their season. Both, Bolton and Sunderland will be battling for a European berth come the end of the season if they continue to play like they have so far.

A club in free fall: Liverpool - If Rafa Benitez's last season at Liverpool was bad then this season has been a disaster. Many pundits felt that Roy Hodgson was a sensible appointment at the start of the season but he has proved them wrong. There are so many problems at that club, I don't know where to start. Players look disinterested, fans are not backing manager and the manager himself looks out of his depth. Roy Hodgson's press conferences have been embarrassing to watch at times for the Liverpool fans and the team hasn't done enough on the pitch either. They have hit new lows every time I thought things couldn't get any worse. Losses at home against the likes of Blackpool and Wolves haven't gone down well with the fans. There is an argument in Hodgson's support that the squad inherited by Rafa isn't good enough. Yes, it isn't good enough to win the league or even get into the top four. But, they are surely better than their current league position suggests. The poor form of top players like Torres and Gerrard hasn't helped matters. Hodgson is under severe pressure to turn things around but I can't see him continuing for long if things continue like this.

Aiming for the Champions League: Tottenham - I must admit that I have enjoyed watching Tottenham play this season. They are arguably the most entertaining team in the Premier League with their gungho style. Tottenham finished fourth in the Premier League last season and qualified for the Champions League. Their first season amongst the European elite has been terrific so far and everyone associated with Tottenham Hotspur would love to qualify for the competition again. I initially thought that Tottenham will find it hard to replicate their success of last season because of European exertions but it hasn't been the case. The biggest reason is their squad. They have fantastic backup in every department. Against Fulham, they had King and Woodgate out injured and Kaboul suspended. Still, they had two top class center halves, Dawson and Gallas, on the pitch and Bassong on the bench. Alan Hutton got injured during the match. No problem, in came Vedran Corluka. This highlights the kind of options at Harry Redknapp's disposal. Tottenham's midfield is one of the best in the league. Gareth Bale is a favorite to land the Young Player of the Year award due to his wonderful form. Rafael Van Der Vaart is probably the best signing of the season so far and Luka Modric has kept Spurs ticking. They are a striker away from being truly World class. Maybe, they can even challenge for the title if they sign the right players. For now though, they need to aim for the top four.

Lacking Confidence: Chelsea - Who would have thought that we'd be questioning Chelsea's title credentials mid way through the season but their woeful form over the last couple of months have contributed to their fall. Chelsea started the season in stunning form dispatching teams like they did last season. They were scoring goals for fun. Then came the slump. It started with the game at Anfield where they lost 2-0. Two games later they were hammered at home by Sunderland. Chelsea's first choice center backs were injured at that time but a team challenging for the title should have adequate backup. Chelsea's squad is paper thin. The origin of this problem goes back to the summer when they released Ballack, Deco, Carvalho, Joe Cole and Belletti. Although these players were not the first choice in their positions but they added invaluable experience to the squad. Imagine the likes of Ballack and Deco coming in when Lampard was injured. Instead, it was inexperienced Ramires who started and performed badly. The form of top players like Drogba, Essien and Malouda has been poor as well contributing to Chelsea's slump. Now, all the major players are fit but Chelsea are still lacking the belief that they can win. I think Chelsea are desperately in need of fresh faces. January transfer window has arrived just at the right time for Chelsea. Failing to find the right players at this point of time may cost Chelsea the title and even their Champions League spot.

Money Talks: Manchester City - I hate it when clubs just splash the cash and try to 'buy' success. Chelsea started it a few years ago. Manchester City have taken it to another level. This summer was again a busy one at Eastlands. In came David Silva, Yaya Toure, Milner, Boateng, Kolarov and Balotelli. These arrivals have definitely added more quality to the squad. It took some time for the players to gel and Mancini's defensive tactics contributed to a few dropped points. But, now it looks like the team is playing near its potential and they are raking up the wins. Carlos Tevez has been their best player once again. The biggest challenge for Mancini is to keep his overpaid stars' egos in check. Every week there is a new story. Tevez's transfer request, Balotelli's sheninghans, Johnson's moaning etc have kept Mancini on his toes. I must admit that he has done a reasonable job so far. City are close to signing Bosnian hitman Edin Dzeko who would undoubtedly add more quality to their frontline. At this juncture, City look nailed on to finish in the top four because of the quality of their squad. They may even challenge for the title if other top teams continue to be inconsistent.

Coming of Age?: Arsenal - The Arsenal fans must have debated about this over and over again. When will their kids mature? I think the make or break time has come for this crop of players. I don't think Cesc Fabregas will hang around much if Arsenal don't win a major trophy. Are Arsenal good enough to win the league this season? I am uncertain about it. The main problem is their defense. Although Gallas was not a likeable bloke but he was one of their best central defenders. His departure in the summer created a void which has not been filled by the likes of Koscielny and Squillaci. Add to that their goalkeeping woes and Arsenal suddenly look like a very weak defensive outfit. Their attacking side of the game is definitely one of the best in the league. Samir Nasri has been prolific so far and Chamakh has given Arsenal a very good option up front. Consistency is the key for Arsenal. They have a relatively easy run-in in the second half of the season but that doesn't mean anything if they are going to drop points against the likes of Wigan after steamrolling Chelsea. The whole theme about Arsenal is uncertainty and they definitely add an interesting dimension to the title race.

Gunning for Nineteenth: Manchester United - Manchester United are unbeaten in the Premier League so far after 20 matches. But, it hasn't been vintage United. Lots of points have been dropped on the road and lots of late goals have been conceded. Its not that defenders are playing badly. Vidic and Ferdinand have been rock at the back. But, lapses in concentration at crucial times have cost United. Overall, United haven't played great Football but they sit at the top of the league table. I suppose, if the players play to their potential consistently, especially Carrick and Anderson, then United may run away with the league. The squad is definitely there and they have the experience of winning when it matters most. The likes of Nani and Berbatov have been immense. But, Wayne Rooney has let his fans down with his actions both on and off the pitch. He looks like a shadow of the player who scored 34 goals last season. Rooney's lack of form hasn't affected United much because of emergence of Javier Hernandez. The little pea has become a fan favorite in such a short space of time. United usually improve in the second half of the season. Antonio Valencia's return from injury is crucial for United as is Rooney's return to his best. I don't think that this squad is anyway near the best United squads under Sir Alex Ferguson but they are definitely good enough to knock Liverpool off their perch.

Aftermath of a Disastrous Week

I don't know how to start this one. Things were looking so good. Manchester United were leading the Premier League and flying in the Champions League. Wayne Rooney was destroying every single team in his way. But, in ten cruel days everything has changed. United are out of the Champions League and toppled by Chelsea in the Premier League. The talisman, Wayne Rooney is injured.

Every single day of the last week, I woke up and thought what if Ribery's free kick didn't take a cruel deflection. What if Vidic's header went in off the crossbar. What if Rafael didn't fall into the Germans' trap. What if Didier Drogba was flagged offside. Nothing can be changed now. Sometimes the Gods want you to win (1999) but sometimes it seems that the whole universe is conspiring against you.

Looking back at the start of the season, I didn't expect much from United. Any team would struggle after losing the best player in the World. But, its a testament to Sir Alex Ferguson's greatness that he raised the fans' expectations without investing much. United's performances this season were better than the mechanical (but efficient) displays of last season.

There were a lot of positives for United in the match against Bayern Munich even though the result was heartbreaking. United gave it their all. The way everyone pressurized the Germans to concede possession in the beginning of the match was great to watch. Young blood was favored over the old guard and they didn't disappoint. Gibson was good, Rafael kept Ribery in his pocket before that unfortunate incident and Nani was fantastic. Incidentally, these players were drafted in for Neville, Scholes and Giggs. The signs are promising.

It is clear that United need to change a few things. The golden oldies will play for one or two seasons only. It would be unrealistic to expect them to play week in and week out. Youngsters like Anderson and Gibson need to stand up and be counted. Others like Nani and Valencia have been absolutely fantastic especially in the second half of the season. With Rooney banging in goals left, right and center all you need is quality service from the midfield. Both Nani and Valencia have provided that. I am particularly impressed by Valencia's contribution this season. Opposition fans mocked him when he was signed to replace Ronaldo. But, I knew right from the beginning that a player like Ronaldo can't be replaced by any other winger in the World. United just changed their style of play to suit Wayne Rooney, with the wingers bombing in crosses and it worked magnificently. Valencia adjusted to United's style of play comfortably unlike a certain Bulgarian. Nani, on the other hand, had a poor start to the season. Fans were calling for his head. But, he came back strongly in the second half of the season. His performances against Arsenal and Bayern Munich were top class and goes to show that he is a big game player. In January it looked like United desperately needed a left winger. But, Nani's resurgence in the second half has wiped off all doubts regarding his potential and United can look to strengthen other areas of the squad.

A goalkeeper is an obvious requirement. Van Der Sar, at 40, is better than most keepers in the World but next season will most probably be his last. Ben Foster royally screwed up his chances this season. So, its seems that United need to dip in the transfer market to get a new keeper. The likes of Neuer, Lloris, Adler and Akinfeev have been linked with United. Sir Alex needs to make sure that post-Schmeichel situation does not arise again.

The biggest disappointments of this season have been Carrick and Berbatov. Carrick looks like a shadow of the player who helped United to win the double a couple of years ago. His performances in some of the biggest matches have been dire. United desperately need creativity in the center of the park. I won't be complaining if United signed one of Gourcuff, Hamsik or David Silva (who can play on the left or behind the striker). Sir Alex will have a tough call to make this summer regarding Carrick's future. Berbatov was expected to step up this season but he failed. He is class player and I have always liked his game. But, he does not fit in United's style of play. Sir Alex preferred limping Rooney over fit Berbatov in crunch Champions League match against Bayern. It goes to show how much the manager trusts his striker. The surprise signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is an indication that Sir Alex wants to strengthen the striking department. But, I am not sure how much impact a young inexperienced striker will make in a foreign league. Then, there are financial constraints as well which explain such a signing.

Off the pitch, the Green and Gold campaign against the Glazers went on in full swing this season. But, it all comes down to Glazers. If they want to keep the club then no protest can stop them. Its really painful to see the owners suck money out the club to repay the debt they took to buy the club. Sadly, that's the way things work in Football these days.

All in all, this was a transitional season for United. There were some memorable moments. Putting the noisy neighbours back in their place, demolition of Arsenal at The Emirates and the destruction of AC Milan stand out as great results. Some players really stepped up. The likes of Valencia, Nani, Fletcher and Rooney were fantastic. Things could have been different if the mid season defensive crisis hadn't occurred. The squad was almost there. A couple of tweaks here and there would make this squad one of the best in Europe again. It is huge summer for Manchester United. A creative midfielder is a must. Goalkeeper and second striker will be needed soon but they are not top priority. The best thing about Football is that there is always a next chance. United fell short this time but this team will rise again. We'll be back stronger and take what belongs to us.

A Victory to Savour

2006-07 is one of my favorite seasons, second only to 98-99. Manchester United were written off by majority when Ruud Van Nistelrooy left and Chelsea spent big. But, a young United side played some sensational Football that season. Rooney and Ronaldo stepped up big time. It was great to watch. But, one night left me heartbroken.

Manchester United stormed into the Champions League Semifinals by crushing Roma 7-1. Next up were AC Milan. The game at Old Trafford was one of the best I have ever seen. United, playing without three of the four first choice defenders, were up against Milan having Kaka in full form. But, the man who stole the show was Wayne Rooney who hit a thunderous shot in the dying minutes to win the game for United. I couldn't wait for the away leg. But, United were fighting on three fronts while Milan were alive in only one competition. The league game at Goodison Park just before the second leg was another epic battle. United came from 2-0 down to win 4-2 and effectively clinched the title. But, Milan rested their whole first team that weekend. An exhausted United side were battered by AC Milan. They played great Football that night. That night was the biggest disappointment of an amazing season.

The paths of two clubs crossed again this season. I was really happy with the draw but there was a fear that it may all come down crashing again. It certainly looked that way when Ronaldinho scored an early goal for Milan. United were gifting possession to Milan. They could have been out of sight if Milan had taken their chances. The way United started was reminiscent of the way they did three years ago. Young Rafael and Evans seemed to be intimidated by the atmosphere of San Siro just like Rooney and Ronaldo were, three years ago. But, this time luck was on United's side. AC Milan wasted a host of chances in the first half hour and United made them pay. Paul Scholes scored a fortuitous equalizer and it was all United after that. Wayne Rooney proved why he is one of the most feared strikers in Europe at the moment. His movement was fantastic. He headed two goals in quick succession to take the tie seemingly beyond AC Milan.

But, as I have learnt over the years, Man United don't do things the easy way. A late Milan goal brought the game back to life. It seems to be a miracle now that Milan didn't score more. In the end a sensational 3-2 win for United looks satisfying. But, Milan were there for the taking at 3-1 and United let them off the hook.

United will have to retain possession better at Old Trafford. Vidic's return may prove crucial. Also, Giggsy might return just in time for the game. Although, United are firm favorites now but its not over yet. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched, is what a wise man will say. Anyways, its time to revel in glory after the disappointment suffered three years ago. I am loving it.

A Decade of Dominance

As the decade draws to a close, its time to relive the moments that make me think this is why I love Football. The "noughties" was perhaps the most memorable decade in terms of success for Manchester United. Six Premier titles, one Champions League crown, one FA Cup and a couple of League Cup trophies were won as Sir Alex built his legacy at Old Trafford.

The decade started with United in possession of both domestic and European crown. 1998-99 season was stuff of dreams. It was impossible to replicate that kind of success but Man Utd came very close. The most challenging task for Sir Alex Ferguson was to replace Peter Schmeichel after his departure and it took a long time to find a decent replacement. Apart from the great Dane, the core of the 99 squad was intact and they carried on from where they left. United went on to defend the Premier League crown but were knocked out by Raul inspired Real Madrid in the Champions League.

After failed attempts to find a new goalkeeper, United turned to World Cup winner Fabien Barthez. The eccentric Frenchman provided some stability at the back. He had a very good first season as Man Utd went on to complete the hat trick of domestic titles in 2001. European glory eluded the Reds again. It was Bayern Munich's turn to knock United out on their way to glory, burying the demons of 99 in the process.

Sir Alex Ferguson shocked the World by announcing his retirement plans at the end of 2001-02 season. This decision perhaps destabilized the club. The squad itself was chopped and changed during the course of the season. Rock solid Jaap Stam left the club in controversial circumstances and his replacement was veteran Frenchman Laurent Blanc. The arrival of Dutch maestro Ruud Van Nistelrooy signalled the end of the road for highly successful Cole-Yorke partnership. The transfer of Argentine superstar Juan Sebastian Veron was greeted with joy but this deal proved to be one of the rare mistakes by Sir Alex Ferguson in the transfer market. United ended the season trophy less. It was not how Sir Alex wanted to bid farewell. So, he took a U-turn and dismissed the idea of retirement. This decision spurred United on to achieve greater things in future.

United broke the bank to sign Rio Ferdinand to help the ailing defense at the start of 02-03 season. Ruud Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a sensational season to help United reclaim Premier League glory in dramatic fashion. The season was dominated by headlines of deteriorating relationship between Sir Alex and superstar David Beckham. Beckham inspired United to a sensational 4-3 win over Real Madrid in a game where Brazilian legend Ronaldo scored a hat trick. It was one of the best displays ever by a visiting player at Old Trafford. Despite losing, Real Madrid went through on aggregate and United were left to rebuild the squad again.

High profile players Barthez, Veron and Beckham left Old Trafford in the summer of 2003. In came Portuguese teenager Cristiano Ronaldo who would inspire United to great success in the future. But, he was too inexperienced at that stage. 2003-04 was Arsenal's invincibles' season. This was also the season when Roman Abramovich arrived at Chelsea and turned them into a superpower. United were in the middle of a rebuilding phase and they finished the season in third place. Jose Mourinho announced his arrival on the scene with his Porto side that knocked United out of the Champions League. But, the season ended on a high for United as they beat Millwall to claim the FA Cup.

United spent the next two seasons in the shadow of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. They saw Chelsea's rise to prominence. It was time to rebuild. Teenage sensation Wayne Rooney joined United in the summer of 04. He scored a hat trick on his debut. The signs were positive but United were not ready to challenge Chelsea at the summit of the League. A trophy less 2004-05 season was followed by a disappointing 05-06 season. United finished at the bottom of their Champions League group. Chelsea proved to be too strong in the Premier League again. But, consolation came in the form of League Cup triumph.

There were some major changes in the squad during the course of the 2005-06 season. Dutch veteran Edwin Van Der Sar joined the Red Devils. He'd go on and become a worthy successor to the Great Dane six years after his departure. In January 06, United swooped for defenders Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. They were bargain buys of the decade. But, all was not well within the club. Skipper Roy Keane was unceremoniously shown the Old Trafford exit door in the middle of the season. Top scorer Van Nistelrooy had a training ground bust up with Ronaldo. Off the pitch, a takeover by American businessman Malcolm Glazor saddled the club with debt and left the supports skeptical about the future of the club. All these factors combined to make United look like a club in the decline.

The summer of 2006 heaped further misery on the club. The young stars of the club, Rooney and Ronaldo, had a spat during the World Cup which saw Rooney sent off. England were knocked out by Portugal and Ronaldo bore the brunt of criticism for his involvement in the sending off. Ronaldo, fearing for his safety, looked set to move on but Sir Alex knew his potential. He convinced the Portuguese to stay at the club. Rooney and Ronaldo moved on from the World Cup incident. But, striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who had an incredible scoring record for United, left the club. So, the press was not convinced of United's strength and goalscoring prowess. They were the underdog as Chelsea spent big in the summer again. But, as an old saying goes, write Manchester United off at your own peril.

2006-07 was a sensational season, my favorite after 98-99. Man Utd played some fantastic Football that season. Rooney and Ronaldo were at their best. They were duly supported by ever present Giggs, Scholes and Neville. Ferdinand and Vidic formed a formidable partnership at the back. It was great to see Man Utd beat the odds again under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Premier League trophy came back to Old Trafford. An injury crisis at crunch time of the season left United too weak for an experienced AC Milan team. United were knocked out at the semi final stage. It proved to be a very important experience for the young side and they came back stronger the next season.

2007-08 was all about Cristiano Ronaldo. What a season he had. He scored goals left, right and center to help United retain the Premier League crown and go one better in the Champions League. Everything fell in place at the right time. United became the Champions of England, Champions of Europe and Champions of the World. Ronaldo won all the individual accolades that were there to be won and he deserved it.

Ronaldo spent the summer of 08 flirting with his dream club, Real Madrid but stayed at United in the end. United didn't perform as well as the last two seasons but a watertight defense that broke a long standing clean sheets record, helped United to complete the second League title hat-trick. The youngsters at the club showed their mettle as they claimed League Cup glory. But, United missed out on the Champions league crown by a whisker. They were beaten in the Final by a fantastic Barcelona side.

The summer of 09 started with Ronaldo getting his dream move. He became World's most expensive player ever when Real Madrid paid £80m for his services. Sir Alex was back to the drawing board again. After building so many successful sides in the past, who'd bet against him to pull it off again. This season has been a bit up and down. United have been inconsistent but are only two points away from the summit. Teams like Man City, Tottenham and Aston Villa are looking strong making this season very exciting. This season's Champions League will witness Old Trafford favorite David Beckham's return with AC Milan.

United were written off by experts all over Europe before the season began as the void created by Ronaldo's departure looked too huge to fill. But, as the old saying goes, write United off at your own peril. When a young manager named Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford 23 years ago, he promised to knock Liverpool off their fucking perch. No one believed him. Last year he drew level with Liverpool's record of 18 league crowns. He loves to beat the odds and like him his team are most dangerous when their backs are against the wall. With Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, I wouldn't bet against this United side achieve even bigger things in the next decade.