Last Saturday was supposed to be a great day for English Football fans. After all, the most anticipated fixture of the season was going to be played at Old Trafford. Manchester United vs Liverpool, the most significant rivalry in English Football. All the post match talks should have been dominated by the analysis of tactics, performances and result. But sadly, Football is the last thing for which this game will be remembered. It was all about the handshake that didn't happen. Why it all came down to this?
About four months ago, after the game between the two clubs at Anfield, Patrice Evra accused Luis Suarez of addressing him using a racist word. The allegation was pretty serious. English FA pride themselves for the way they have stamped out racism from Football. They had to take action. What followed was a series of poor management decisions from the Liverpool camp. I must say that Kenny Dalglish lost a lot of respect in my book for his conduct during the whole episode. It is one thing to support your player but it is a completely different thing altogether to stick by him blindly. We are talking about a player whose profile is littered with controversies throughout his short career. A quick apology would have diffused the tension and put the matter to bed. Instead, Kenny went for 'us vs them' approach. The siege mentality works in your favor at times, as Ferguson and Mourinho would testify, but this matter required a different approach.
Luis Suarez himself admitted that he used the word. His argument was that in his country, Uruguay, that word is used in friendly conversations. But, the problem is that in England it is not. When you are working in a foreign country, a different culture you must understand what is acceptable and what is not. Suarez should have simply said that due to his ignorance he uttered that word and should have apologized for saying it. But, he and Liverpool maintained a stance that he used that word but what is the big deal about it. That left a bad taste. Even more disappointing was the vocal way in which Liverpool went about their business. Manchester United, on the other hand, didn't say a word about this incident in public. Patrice Evra lodged a complaint using proper channels.
An independent tribunal found Suarez guilty and banned him for 8 matches. The length of the ban may have been different if Suarez had apologized for his conduct in the aftermath of the incident. What followed was an even bigger farce. Liverpool players led by Kenny Dalglish wore T-shirts in support of Suarez. Media portrayed them as people who are supporting a racist. I must add that it is harsh to label Suarez a racist. From what I have read, it seems that the word is indeed acceptable in Uruguayan culture. But, in the context it was used, Evra had every right to complain. Suarez and Liverpool's stubbornness in this matter allowed the issue to escalate so much that it went out of their control.
I don't understand why Liverpool supporters call Evra a liar when Suarez himself admitted that he used the word. They booed him in a FA Cup match at Anfield. As a seasoned follower of the Premier League, I understand the boos. Evra got their best player banned. But, why call him a liar? The whole world sees the matter differently. The booing further damaged the reputation of Liverpool's supporters. People see them as supporting is racist which is very harsh but it is something that has been brought upon them by foolish behavior of their management.
Finally the big match arrived. Manchester United vs Liverpool. Suarez's return to the starting lineup after he served his ban. Dalglish said that Suarez would shake the hands of Patrice Evra before the match. But, when the time came, Suarez refused to do it. He finally had the chance to put the matter to bed but he chose not to. It flared up the tensions. There was a scuffle between both sets of players at half time. Evra's celebrations at the end of the match were wrong too, even though I enjoyed them. He had kept quiet during this whole saga. He had kept his dignity during the whole episode when Liverpool supporters called him a liar. It was time to let the emotions come out. As a Manchester United fan, it was the moment of the season for me.
Kenny Dalglish gave a bizarre post patch interview and made a laughing stock out of himself. Sir Alex Ferguson destroyed Luis Suarez's image by calling him a disgrace to Liverpool Football club. It was amusing to see the Manchester United manager reminding Liverpool of their traditions. Liverpool's image was tarnished severely. Their American owners, who had kept quite, had no option but to exercise their power. Suarez and Dalglish both apologized for their actions the next day. Amazingly they didn't apologize to Evra. It is baffling really. Here is a player who used a racist word in a heated exchange. Fine, he didn't use it on purpose. But, he did something which is not acceptable in English culture. He should have said sorry and moved on. It was a PR disaster from Liverpool's point of view. As a Manchester United fan, I loved every word of apology coming from Kenny Dalglish. He must be wondering how times have changed.
Monday 13 February 2012
Sunday 20 February 2011
The Rise of Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur. Perennial underachievers of the Premier League. Always under the shadow of their illustrious neighbours Arsenal. Not any more. They are marching in Europe and chasing a Champions League berth once again. It has been a fascinating story.
I've always been impressed by Tottenham's style of play. They are one of the most entertaining sides of recent years. It is partly due to their defensive lapses but mainly due to their attacking philosophy. But, their style didn't reap rewards in the past. They came within touching distance of a Champions League spot in 2006 but crumbled under pressure at the business end of the season. Things went downhill for them after that. When manager Juande Ramos was sacked in 2008-09 season, Tottenham were at the bottom of the table. Enter Harry Redknapp and the transformation began. Some of the discarded players were brought back (though only Defoe has been a success since then) and others started believing in their abilities. A mid table finish was a decent achievement that season after the disastrous start. 2009-10 was the season when Harry started to weave his magic. They finally broke the big four monopoly by capturing a Champions League spot at Liverpool's expense.
But, with Manchester City emerging as a powerful club, Tottenham's stay in the top four was expected to be a short one. That may still happen. But, from what I have seen so far, this Tottenham side will not go down without a fight. They have a very good squad and more importantly the belief that they can win any game against any opposition. The proof: North London derby. A 2-0 scoreline at the Emirates with Arsenal all guns blazing can frighten the best of teams. But, Tottenham are different this season. They made a stunning come back and won at their neighbour's territory after more than a decade. Its not only performances like this that make Tottenham a genuine contender for a European spot but their gritty performances in many other Premier League matches. Have a look at their last Premier League game at the Stadium of Light. Tottenham, playing without Bale, Modric, Van der Vaart and Lennon, fought their way to a 2-1 win against a solid opposition. It shows the strength of their squad. Look at the way Chelsea crumbled once a few first team players got injured.
Its the squad that matters not the first team in a league campaign. That is why Tottenham have a good chance again this season. Their top performers are Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael Van Der Vaart. Bale has come of age in the last one year or so. His hattrick at the San Siro against the reigning European Champions was certainly the high point of his season. He terrorized World's best right back, Maicon, in both matches against Inter Milan. Modric is the playmaker. If you give me a chance to pick one Premier League player for Manchester United (realistic one), I'd pick him. He is a superb midfielder. Never gives away possession and has great vision. A ready made replacement for Paul Scholes. Van Der Vaart joins the long list of players who have revived their career after leaving Real Madrid. He is Tottenham's top scorer this season and he certainly looks like a bargain in the current transfer market. I think the only area of improvement for Tottenham is up front. They are a top striker away from being a World class squad. I expect this issue to be addressed in the summer.
Tottenham's adventures in the Champions League this season will inspire them to go for it again and I am pretty sure that this team will give it their all to give their fans a taste of European Football once again. I have enjoyed watching Tottenham this season and I wish them well in their pursuit of Champions League Football.
I've always been impressed by Tottenham's style of play. They are one of the most entertaining sides of recent years. It is partly due to their defensive lapses but mainly due to their attacking philosophy. But, their style didn't reap rewards in the past. They came within touching distance of a Champions League spot in 2006 but crumbled under pressure at the business end of the season. Things went downhill for them after that. When manager Juande Ramos was sacked in 2008-09 season, Tottenham were at the bottom of the table. Enter Harry Redknapp and the transformation began. Some of the discarded players were brought back (though only Defoe has been a success since then) and others started believing in their abilities. A mid table finish was a decent achievement that season after the disastrous start. 2009-10 was the season when Harry started to weave his magic. They finally broke the big four monopoly by capturing a Champions League spot at Liverpool's expense.
But, with Manchester City emerging as a powerful club, Tottenham's stay in the top four was expected to be a short one. That may still happen. But, from what I have seen so far, this Tottenham side will not go down without a fight. They have a very good squad and more importantly the belief that they can win any game against any opposition. The proof: North London derby. A 2-0 scoreline at the Emirates with Arsenal all guns blazing can frighten the best of teams. But, Tottenham are different this season. They made a stunning come back and won at their neighbour's territory after more than a decade. Its not only performances like this that make Tottenham a genuine contender for a European spot but their gritty performances in many other Premier League matches. Have a look at their last Premier League game at the Stadium of Light. Tottenham, playing without Bale, Modric, Van der Vaart and Lennon, fought their way to a 2-1 win against a solid opposition. It shows the strength of their squad. Look at the way Chelsea crumbled once a few first team players got injured.
Its the squad that matters not the first team in a league campaign. That is why Tottenham have a good chance again this season. Their top performers are Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael Van Der Vaart. Bale has come of age in the last one year or so. His hattrick at the San Siro against the reigning European Champions was certainly the high point of his season. He terrorized World's best right back, Maicon, in both matches against Inter Milan. Modric is the playmaker. If you give me a chance to pick one Premier League player for Manchester United (realistic one), I'd pick him. He is a superb midfielder. Never gives away possession and has great vision. A ready made replacement for Paul Scholes. Van Der Vaart joins the long list of players who have revived their career after leaving Real Madrid. He is Tottenham's top scorer this season and he certainly looks like a bargain in the current transfer market. I think the only area of improvement for Tottenham is up front. They are a top striker away from being a World class squad. I expect this issue to be addressed in the summer.
Tottenham's adventures in the Champions League this season will inspire them to go for it again and I am pretty sure that this team will give it their all to give their fans a taste of European Football once again. I have enjoyed watching Tottenham this season and I wish them well in their pursuit of Champions League Football.
Thursday 30 December 2010
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.
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.
Saturday 10 April 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday 17 February 2010
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.
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.
Friday 1 January 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Roll on the Footie
Summers are so boring without Football. Two and a half months of torturous wait has finally come to an end. Barclays Premier League has kicked off. The teams have changed quite a lot in the transfer window. The "Big Four" were relatively quiet in the transfer market as compared to the top Spanish clubs. Will the balance of power shift too? Time will tell.
Here are my predictions for the new season-
1. Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wolves won the Championship last term and played attractive Football. They are a club with rich history. So, its great to have them back in the Premiership. Their key player is Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, a former Manchester United youth player. He was Championship's top scorer in the last couple of seasons. Wolves will bank on him to carry his wonderful form to the Premiership.
2. Birmingham City: Birmingham earned promotion by playing organized Football. They weren't pretty but were effective. Expect them to park the bus in front of goal to grind out results.
3. Burnley: Burnley's story has been a fairytale. They had an amazing Carling Cup run last term. They proved to be a nemesis for London's Premier League clubs. They knocked out Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal on their way to the Semi finals where they nearly knocked out Tottenham. Their performance in the League was superb as well which got them to 5th spot in the table. They knocked out Reading and Sheffield United in the Playoffs to book a Premier League berth. I expect Turf Moor to host many memorable clashes this season. This is one team I'll be following with a lot of interest.
4. Hull City: Hull had a dream start to their debut Premier League season but it ended in a nightmare. They won only one of their last 22 league games. The points accumulated at the start of the season saved them from relegation. Things don't look too bright for them this term either. Phil Brown has been unable to convince many of his transfer targets to join him at the KC Stadium. The likes of Michael Owen, Fraizer Campbell and Bobby Zamora have snubbed them. A shock deal for Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Negredo may well be in the pipeline. Even if the deal materializes, Hull City will remain a top relegation candidate.
5. Portsmouth: Those days seem decades away when Pompey were winning the FA Cup and had top quality players like Defoe, Crouch and Johnson in their ranks. Throw in, lack of transfer activity, ownership issues and lack of discipline among players, in the mix and you have a top contender for relegation. Harry Redknapp left the club last season and his successor Tony Adams was sacked. Paul Hart then guided the club to safety and the club has stuck with him. But, he faces a mammoth task to keep the club in the Premiership. They look particularly light weight up front after selling Peter Crouch. Top players like David James and Niko Kranjcar will have to play a massive role to keep the club in the Premiership.
6. Stoke City: Football purists criticized Tony Pulis' approach last season. They were physical in their approach and Rory Delap's long throws were not the prettiest route to goal. But, it has to be said that it was effective. In the end, Stoke got a respectable mid table position. They haven't done much in the transfer market but they have kept majority of their squad together. They will employ the same approach this season: physical, well organized and hard to beat. Add to that, the wonderful atmosphere at Britannia Stadium and I think they'll stay up again.
7. Wigan Athletic: Wigan have undergone a lot of changes over the last seven months. Steve Bruce, who did a magnificent job with them, left the club to join Sunderland. Wigan lost two influential players in January: Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey. Luis Valencia left the club in July to join Manchester United. Amr Zaki's loan wasn't extended due to disciplinary issues. Now, Wigan have a new look to their line-up. Their new manager, Roberto Martinez, has no experience of managing a Premier League club although he is widely regarded as one of the brightest young managers. He had a wonderful spell at Swansea and Wigan fans will be hoping for the same when he picks up the reins at the DW Stadium.
I expect the above 7 clubs to be trapped in relegation dogfight. The likes of Hull City, Portsmouth and the newly promoted sides are looking highly vulnerable.
8. Sunderland: The English Football's yoyo club is finally enjoying an extended run in the Premier League. Sunderland have money and they have appointed a good manager, Steve Bruce. Sunderland opted not to sign Djibril Cisse after his loan spell expired. But, they have brought in Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell. Although Bent has been criticized a lot but he scores goals. Then, Bruce may pull a rabbit out of the hat by using his contacts in South America to unearth some promising young players as he did with Wigan. Combining all factors, a mid table place seems to be a safe bet as far as Sunderland are concerned.
9. Bolton Wanderers: Bolton's decent showing last season was largely due to excellent performances by Kevin Davies and Matt Taylor. Bolton won't change their style of play. It may not be pleasing to the eye but it has served them well. The hoof ball merchants should secure a mid table berth again.
10. Fulham: When Roy Hodgson arrived at Fulham in 2007-08, they were in shambles. They were a top contender for relegation. But, Hodgson miraculously guided them to safety. His hard work reaped benefits last term when a well organised Fulham side booked a place in the UEFA Europa League. The key to their performance was their defense and in particular Brede Hangeland. If Fulham hold onto him then they have a wonderful chance of securing a respectable position in the table. A big concern for Hodgson must be the lack of goals. The likes of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora need to step up. I think it'll be very difficult for them to repeat last season's heroics simply because their squad isn't big enough to cope up with the pressure of playing in multiple competitions. It happened with Portsmouth last season and it may happen with Fulham this time.
11. Blackburn Rovers: Last season, Blackburn appointed inexperienced Paul Ince as their manager. But, he failed and Blackburn were left fighting relegation. Experienced campaigner Sam Allardyce arrived and guided the club to safety. Although Big Sam's teams play physical and dull Football but his methods have been very effective. He guided a mediocre Bolton side to UEFA Cup qualification a few years ago. I expect more of the same at Blackburn. Blackburn have lost their best striker, Roque Santa Cruz, to Man City. But, his last season was blighted by injuries. Blackburn coped well in his absence. They have brought in promising Chelsea youngster Franco Di Santo on loan and are linked with Real Madrid's Alvaro Negredo. It'll be a massive coup if Blackburn pull off the deal. I'd expect them to finish near 10th spot in the table.
12. West Ham United: Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke did a wonderful job at West Ham last season after starting off in a shaky manner. West Ham have a lot of good players in their side like Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton (if fit). They have kept the core of their squad together this summer. If these players play to their potential then West Ham have a wonderful chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
13. Aston Villa: Aston Villa had a golden opportunity to break the Big Four monopoly last season but they blew it when it mattered. Martin O'Neill took a gamble to rest his big guns for a UEFA Cup clash. It backfired and Villa got knocked out of the competition. After that Villa's season got worse after each and every game. Wins became hard to come by and Villa eventually surrendered the fourth spot to Arsenal. Villa's rock in defense Martin Laursen had to retire this summer because of injury problems while Gareth Barry raised a few eyebrows by moving to Man City instead of Liverpool. Villa's attack looks great though with the likes of Carew, Agbonlahor, Young, Heskey, Milner and new signing Stewart Downing, in their ranks. Still, I feel that last season was their best chance to get to the Champions League and they may not get another chance as Man City and Tottenham are looking stronger.
14. Everton: I am amazed to see the progress Everton have made under David Moyes. He has a small budget to operate under while his competitors splash the cash around. Even under tight financial constraints, Moyes achieved 5th spot in the table and took his team to the FA Cup final last season. Those feats will be difficult to achieve this season as their rivals Man City and Tottenham are looking stronger. Everton have been badly hit by injuries as well. Key players Arteta, Jagielka and Yakubu are out. But this is not the end of Everton's problems. Their best defender Joleon Lescott is being pursued by Man City and it seems that the cash rich club will get their man in the end. So, responsibility falls on the shoulders of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini to guide the team through this difficult period. It won't be easy for Everton to defy the odds this time but they have done it before and they can do it again.
15. Manchester City: Cash fuelled Manchester City have invested heavily in the transfer market. They, along with Real Madrid, have contributed to the inflation in the transfer market. Man City became the richest club in the World last year when Abu Dhabi United Group purchased the club. They had little time to do something in the transfer market but pulled off a stunning coup by signing Robinho from Real Madrid. This year they had full transfer window to invest and they have invested heavily. Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure have all arrived while some want-away players have left. All the new arrivals are proven Premier League players. Add Robinho and Stephen Ireland to the likes of Adebayor, Tevez and Santa Cruz and you have, perhaps, the best attacking unit in the Premier League, on paper. But, the big question is, will these players gel quickly enough to allow City to break into the top four? I don't think so. Football is a funny game. You may have 11 best players out on the pitch but they need to play as a team. I think City may break into the top four after one or two seasons but this time they'll be left fighting for a UEFA Europa League spot. A major reason is the lack of defensive options at Hughes' disposal. City leaked in goals last season and need to strengthen the back four. This is exactly why Hughes was so desperate to get Terry. He failed to lure the England captain and has turned his attentions to Everton's Joleon Lescott. Another problem that confronts Mark Hughes is that there are too many strikers at the club. He'll have to keep everyone happy which is easier said than done. There is huge pressure on Mark Hughes to succeed otherwise he may find himself searching for a new job. Having said that, it is possible that their big guns click at the right time to gatecrash the Big Four party. Manchester City will provide a totally new dimension to this season. Can money buy success? This question will be answered soon.
16. Tottenham Hotspur: No transfer window is complete without frantic transfer activity at White Hart Lane. This window has been a bit different though. Although Spurs were linked with the likes of Huntelaar and Vieira but they couldn't bring them in. Still, Spurs are a formidable team on paper. Their defense doesn't look too bad with Woodgate, King, Corluka and new boy Bassong in the squad. They have a good midfield. The pace of Lennon, the strength of Palacios and the vision of Modric complement each other perfectly. Add four top class strikers, Defoe, Keane, Pavlyuchenko and new signing Peter Crouch, to the mix and you get a squad that can go the distance in the Premier League. Spurs had a good squad on paper for many years and they spent heavily too but couldn't force their way into the top four. Defensive errors, managerial instability, inconsistency etc have been the reasons for their downfall in the past. But now they have an experienced manager, Harry Redknapp, who almost took them to Europe from bottom place in the table last season. They have a settled squad too and lack of transfers may prove to be a boon for them. I think Spurs will be the one of the main contenders for that elusive fourth spot in the table.
17. Arsenal: Arsenal is a big club but they have had four consecutive trophyless years. Their fans are getting impatient. Last year, Arsenal were out of the title race by Christmas. They reached the latter stages of cup competitions but couldn't force the issue when they came up against the top sides. Arsene Wenger's decision to sell Toure and Adebayor to rivals Man City hasn't helped the situation. It seems that all is not well in the Arsenal boardroom. It is quite clear that Wenger doesn't have the money to buy big players. I think he is doing a fantastic job with his current players. He has brought in Thomas Vermaelen to toughen up the defense which has been Arsenal's biggest weakness for the last 3-4 years. Arsenal's squad looks so thin that a couple of injuries to key players might end their title dreams but if they keep themselves injury free then they have one of the best attacking units. Van Persie, Arshavin, Fabregas, Walcott and Nasri are names that any manager would love to have in his squad. The return of Eduardo and Rosicky is like a couple of new signings. Many people have tipped Arsenal to crash out of the top four but I think that they can even challenge for the title if key players remain fit.
18. Liverpool: The way Liverpool ended their last season was simply phenomenal. Not only Gerrard and Torres but the likes of Alonso, Kuyt and Benayoun were magnificent. It has given Liverpool fans the belief that they can bring the Premier League trophy to Anfield. But, Liverpool have lost a key player, Xabi Alonso, to Real Madrid. He was the creative force in the midfield last season and allowed Gerrard the freedom to attack. The likes of Lucas and Mascherano lack Alonso's qualities. Liverpool have brought in Alberto Aquilani from Roma to compensate for Alonso's loss. Although he is a talented lad but he is unproven and has a poor fitness record. It'll be interesting to see how he performs in a more physical league. Another new signing is Glen Johnson who is a promising right back. To make way for him, Alvaro Arbeloa has been shipped to Real Madrid. I think Liverpool lack a decent backup for Torres. Voronin hasn't set the World alight with his performances and N'Gog is unproven. The fitness of Gerrard and Torres will be a key to Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League. But, I think last season was Liverpool's best chance to win the league and they may not get another chance this time because their squad is not big enough to go the distance.
19. Chelsea: Chelsea are the only Big Four club who haven't lost key players in the transfer window which makes them people's favourite to lift the title. Zhirkov and Sturridge are welcome additions to the squad. Although, the personnel on the pitch will be the same but Abramovich's revolving door policy has meant that Carlo Ancelotti will be Chelsea's 5th manager in three years. It'll be interesting to see how quickly Ancelotti adapts to the Premier League and how quickly Chelsea adapt to his diamond formation. Pre-season signs have been positive. The usual suspects, Lampard, Terry and Drogba will be pivotal for Chelsea's chances this season. Chelsea's biggest problem is their ageing squad. Most of their key players are on the wrong side of thirty. It'll be interesting to see if these players have the legs to grind out results week in and week out. I think they'll be United's biggest challengers for the Premier League crown.
20. Manchester United: The Champions, Manchester United usually enter a competition as favorites. But, it's different this time. The best player in the World, Cristiano Ronaldo, has been transferred to Real Madrid. Another important player Carlos Tevez has switched to the blue half of Manchester. That makes United the underdogs for a change but it will be a big mistake to write United off. After all, we are talking about a club that has won three back to back Premier League titles, a club that appeared in two consecutive Champions League finals, a club that is managed by arguably the best manager of all time. Ronaldo's transfer left United with 80m to spend which Sir Alex chose not to. It is an inflated market and the wise man thought that he won't get value for money this time. He brought in young and promising players like Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan along with free agent Michael Owen. The shock capture of Owen may prove to be a masterstroke by Fergie as the England striker is a proven goal scorer. The other new boy, Antonio Valencia, is a proven Premier League player. He will be looked upon as Ronaldo's replacement. But, I think it is impossible for one player to replace Ronaldo. The whole team will have to step up to replace Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney will be the focal point of United's attacks while Dimitar Berbatov needs justify his price tag. Then, there are young strikers like Macheda and Welbeck who were wonderful last season and can only improve. It'll be interesting to see how much time youngsters like Gibson, Tosic, Obertan, Petrucci and January arrivals Ljajic and Diouf get on the pitch. These players can only benefit from the presence of Giggs, Scholes and Neville on the training ground. It is a big season for Ben Foster as well who may finally get an extended run in the first team. The strongest aspect of United's game last season was defense. If the likes of Vidic, Ferdinand, Van Der Sar and Evra remain fit at crucial times this season then United can expect more silverware. I think United have the experience and a big enough squad to finally knock Liverpool off their perch. It'll be an unbelievable achievement for the legendary manager who is, perhaps, building his last squad at Manchester United.
Predicted league table
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Manchester City
7. Everton
8. Aston Villa
9. West Ham
10. Blackburn Rovers
11. Fulham
12. Sunderland
13. Bolton Wanderers
14. Stoke City
15. Wigan Athletic
16. Birmingham City
17. Hull City
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers
19. Portsmouth
20. Burnley
Here are my predictions for the new season-
1. Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wolves won the Championship last term and played attractive Football. They are a club with rich history. So, its great to have them back in the Premiership. Their key player is Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, a former Manchester United youth player. He was Championship's top scorer in the last couple of seasons. Wolves will bank on him to carry his wonderful form to the Premiership.
2. Birmingham City: Birmingham earned promotion by playing organized Football. They weren't pretty but were effective. Expect them to park the bus in front of goal to grind out results.
3. Burnley: Burnley's story has been a fairytale. They had an amazing Carling Cup run last term. They proved to be a nemesis for London's Premier League clubs. They knocked out Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal on their way to the Semi finals where they nearly knocked out Tottenham. Their performance in the League was superb as well which got them to 5th spot in the table. They knocked out Reading and Sheffield United in the Playoffs to book a Premier League berth. I expect Turf Moor to host many memorable clashes this season. This is one team I'll be following with a lot of interest.
4. Hull City: Hull had a dream start to their debut Premier League season but it ended in a nightmare. They won only one of their last 22 league games. The points accumulated at the start of the season saved them from relegation. Things don't look too bright for them this term either. Phil Brown has been unable to convince many of his transfer targets to join him at the KC Stadium. The likes of Michael Owen, Fraizer Campbell and Bobby Zamora have snubbed them. A shock deal for Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Negredo may well be in the pipeline. Even if the deal materializes, Hull City will remain a top relegation candidate.
5. Portsmouth: Those days seem decades away when Pompey were winning the FA Cup and had top quality players like Defoe, Crouch and Johnson in their ranks. Throw in, lack of transfer activity, ownership issues and lack of discipline among players, in the mix and you have a top contender for relegation. Harry Redknapp left the club last season and his successor Tony Adams was sacked. Paul Hart then guided the club to safety and the club has stuck with him. But, he faces a mammoth task to keep the club in the Premiership. They look particularly light weight up front after selling Peter Crouch. Top players like David James and Niko Kranjcar will have to play a massive role to keep the club in the Premiership.
6. Stoke City: Football purists criticized Tony Pulis' approach last season. They were physical in their approach and Rory Delap's long throws were not the prettiest route to goal. But, it has to be said that it was effective. In the end, Stoke got a respectable mid table position. They haven't done much in the transfer market but they have kept majority of their squad together. They will employ the same approach this season: physical, well organized and hard to beat. Add to that, the wonderful atmosphere at Britannia Stadium and I think they'll stay up again.
7. Wigan Athletic: Wigan have undergone a lot of changes over the last seven months. Steve Bruce, who did a magnificent job with them, left the club to join Sunderland. Wigan lost two influential players in January: Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey. Luis Valencia left the club in July to join Manchester United. Amr Zaki's loan wasn't extended due to disciplinary issues. Now, Wigan have a new look to their line-up. Their new manager, Roberto Martinez, has no experience of managing a Premier League club although he is widely regarded as one of the brightest young managers. He had a wonderful spell at Swansea and Wigan fans will be hoping for the same when he picks up the reins at the DW Stadium.
I expect the above 7 clubs to be trapped in relegation dogfight. The likes of Hull City, Portsmouth and the newly promoted sides are looking highly vulnerable.
8. Sunderland: The English Football's yoyo club is finally enjoying an extended run in the Premier League. Sunderland have money and they have appointed a good manager, Steve Bruce. Sunderland opted not to sign Djibril Cisse after his loan spell expired. But, they have brought in Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell. Although Bent has been criticized a lot but he scores goals. Then, Bruce may pull a rabbit out of the hat by using his contacts in South America to unearth some promising young players as he did with Wigan. Combining all factors, a mid table place seems to be a safe bet as far as Sunderland are concerned.
9. Bolton Wanderers: Bolton's decent showing last season was largely due to excellent performances by Kevin Davies and Matt Taylor. Bolton won't change their style of play. It may not be pleasing to the eye but it has served them well. The hoof ball merchants should secure a mid table berth again.
10. Fulham: When Roy Hodgson arrived at Fulham in 2007-08, they were in shambles. They were a top contender for relegation. But, Hodgson miraculously guided them to safety. His hard work reaped benefits last term when a well organised Fulham side booked a place in the UEFA Europa League. The key to their performance was their defense and in particular Brede Hangeland. If Fulham hold onto him then they have a wonderful chance of securing a respectable position in the table. A big concern for Hodgson must be the lack of goals. The likes of Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora need to step up. I think it'll be very difficult for them to repeat last season's heroics simply because their squad isn't big enough to cope up with the pressure of playing in multiple competitions. It happened with Portsmouth last season and it may happen with Fulham this time.
11. Blackburn Rovers: Last season, Blackburn appointed inexperienced Paul Ince as their manager. But, he failed and Blackburn were left fighting relegation. Experienced campaigner Sam Allardyce arrived and guided the club to safety. Although Big Sam's teams play physical and dull Football but his methods have been very effective. He guided a mediocre Bolton side to UEFA Cup qualification a few years ago. I expect more of the same at Blackburn. Blackburn have lost their best striker, Roque Santa Cruz, to Man City. But, his last season was blighted by injuries. Blackburn coped well in his absence. They have brought in promising Chelsea youngster Franco Di Santo on loan and are linked with Real Madrid's Alvaro Negredo. It'll be a massive coup if Blackburn pull off the deal. I'd expect them to finish near 10th spot in the table.
12. West Ham United: Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke did a wonderful job at West Ham last season after starting off in a shaky manner. West Ham have a lot of good players in their side like Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton (if fit). They have kept the core of their squad together this summer. If these players play to their potential then West Ham have a wonderful chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
13. Aston Villa: Aston Villa had a golden opportunity to break the Big Four monopoly last season but they blew it when it mattered. Martin O'Neill took a gamble to rest his big guns for a UEFA Cup clash. It backfired and Villa got knocked out of the competition. After that Villa's season got worse after each and every game. Wins became hard to come by and Villa eventually surrendered the fourth spot to Arsenal. Villa's rock in defense Martin Laursen had to retire this summer because of injury problems while Gareth Barry raised a few eyebrows by moving to Man City instead of Liverpool. Villa's attack looks great though with the likes of Carew, Agbonlahor, Young, Heskey, Milner and new signing Stewart Downing, in their ranks. Still, I feel that last season was their best chance to get to the Champions League and they may not get another chance as Man City and Tottenham are looking stronger.
14. Everton: I am amazed to see the progress Everton have made under David Moyes. He has a small budget to operate under while his competitors splash the cash around. Even under tight financial constraints, Moyes achieved 5th spot in the table and took his team to the FA Cup final last season. Those feats will be difficult to achieve this season as their rivals Man City and Tottenham are looking stronger. Everton have been badly hit by injuries as well. Key players Arteta, Jagielka and Yakubu are out. But this is not the end of Everton's problems. Their best defender Joleon Lescott is being pursued by Man City and it seems that the cash rich club will get their man in the end. So, responsibility falls on the shoulders of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini to guide the team through this difficult period. It won't be easy for Everton to defy the odds this time but they have done it before and they can do it again.
15. Manchester City: Cash fuelled Manchester City have invested heavily in the transfer market. They, along with Real Madrid, have contributed to the inflation in the transfer market. Man City became the richest club in the World last year when Abu Dhabi United Group purchased the club. They had little time to do something in the transfer market but pulled off a stunning coup by signing Robinho from Real Madrid. This year they had full transfer window to invest and they have invested heavily. Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry and Kolo Toure have all arrived while some want-away players have left. All the new arrivals are proven Premier League players. Add Robinho and Stephen Ireland to the likes of Adebayor, Tevez and Santa Cruz and you have, perhaps, the best attacking unit in the Premier League, on paper. But, the big question is, will these players gel quickly enough to allow City to break into the top four? I don't think so. Football is a funny game. You may have 11 best players out on the pitch but they need to play as a team. I think City may break into the top four after one or two seasons but this time they'll be left fighting for a UEFA Europa League spot. A major reason is the lack of defensive options at Hughes' disposal. City leaked in goals last season and need to strengthen the back four. This is exactly why Hughes was so desperate to get Terry. He failed to lure the England captain and has turned his attentions to Everton's Joleon Lescott. Another problem that confronts Mark Hughes is that there are too many strikers at the club. He'll have to keep everyone happy which is easier said than done. There is huge pressure on Mark Hughes to succeed otherwise he may find himself searching for a new job. Having said that, it is possible that their big guns click at the right time to gatecrash the Big Four party. Manchester City will provide a totally new dimension to this season. Can money buy success? This question will be answered soon.
16. Tottenham Hotspur: No transfer window is complete without frantic transfer activity at White Hart Lane. This window has been a bit different though. Although Spurs were linked with the likes of Huntelaar and Vieira but they couldn't bring them in. Still, Spurs are a formidable team on paper. Their defense doesn't look too bad with Woodgate, King, Corluka and new boy Bassong in the squad. They have a good midfield. The pace of Lennon, the strength of Palacios and the vision of Modric complement each other perfectly. Add four top class strikers, Defoe, Keane, Pavlyuchenko and new signing Peter Crouch, to the mix and you get a squad that can go the distance in the Premier League. Spurs had a good squad on paper for many years and they spent heavily too but couldn't force their way into the top four. Defensive errors, managerial instability, inconsistency etc have been the reasons for their downfall in the past. But now they have an experienced manager, Harry Redknapp, who almost took them to Europe from bottom place in the table last season. They have a settled squad too and lack of transfers may prove to be a boon for them. I think Spurs will be the one of the main contenders for that elusive fourth spot in the table.
17. Arsenal: Arsenal is a big club but they have had four consecutive trophyless years. Their fans are getting impatient. Last year, Arsenal were out of the title race by Christmas. They reached the latter stages of cup competitions but couldn't force the issue when they came up against the top sides. Arsene Wenger's decision to sell Toure and Adebayor to rivals Man City hasn't helped the situation. It seems that all is not well in the Arsenal boardroom. It is quite clear that Wenger doesn't have the money to buy big players. I think he is doing a fantastic job with his current players. He has brought in Thomas Vermaelen to toughen up the defense which has been Arsenal's biggest weakness for the last 3-4 years. Arsenal's squad looks so thin that a couple of injuries to key players might end their title dreams but if they keep themselves injury free then they have one of the best attacking units. Van Persie, Arshavin, Fabregas, Walcott and Nasri are names that any manager would love to have in his squad. The return of Eduardo and Rosicky is like a couple of new signings. Many people have tipped Arsenal to crash out of the top four but I think that they can even challenge for the title if key players remain fit.
18. Liverpool: The way Liverpool ended their last season was simply phenomenal. Not only Gerrard and Torres but the likes of Alonso, Kuyt and Benayoun were magnificent. It has given Liverpool fans the belief that they can bring the Premier League trophy to Anfield. But, Liverpool have lost a key player, Xabi Alonso, to Real Madrid. He was the creative force in the midfield last season and allowed Gerrard the freedom to attack. The likes of Lucas and Mascherano lack Alonso's qualities. Liverpool have brought in Alberto Aquilani from Roma to compensate for Alonso's loss. Although he is a talented lad but he is unproven and has a poor fitness record. It'll be interesting to see how he performs in a more physical league. Another new signing is Glen Johnson who is a promising right back. To make way for him, Alvaro Arbeloa has been shipped to Real Madrid. I think Liverpool lack a decent backup for Torres. Voronin hasn't set the World alight with his performances and N'Gog is unproven. The fitness of Gerrard and Torres will be a key to Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League. But, I think last season was Liverpool's best chance to win the league and they may not get another chance this time because their squad is not big enough to go the distance.
19. Chelsea: Chelsea are the only Big Four club who haven't lost key players in the transfer window which makes them people's favourite to lift the title. Zhirkov and Sturridge are welcome additions to the squad. Although, the personnel on the pitch will be the same but Abramovich's revolving door policy has meant that Carlo Ancelotti will be Chelsea's 5th manager in three years. It'll be interesting to see how quickly Ancelotti adapts to the Premier League and how quickly Chelsea adapt to his diamond formation. Pre-season signs have been positive. The usual suspects, Lampard, Terry and Drogba will be pivotal for Chelsea's chances this season. Chelsea's biggest problem is their ageing squad. Most of their key players are on the wrong side of thirty. It'll be interesting to see if these players have the legs to grind out results week in and week out. I think they'll be United's biggest challengers for the Premier League crown.
20. Manchester United: The Champions, Manchester United usually enter a competition as favorites. But, it's different this time. The best player in the World, Cristiano Ronaldo, has been transferred to Real Madrid. Another important player Carlos Tevez has switched to the blue half of Manchester. That makes United the underdogs for a change but it will be a big mistake to write United off. After all, we are talking about a club that has won three back to back Premier League titles, a club that appeared in two consecutive Champions League finals, a club that is managed by arguably the best manager of all time. Ronaldo's transfer left United with 80m to spend which Sir Alex chose not to. It is an inflated market and the wise man thought that he won't get value for money this time. He brought in young and promising players like Antonio Valencia and Gabriel Obertan along with free agent Michael Owen. The shock capture of Owen may prove to be a masterstroke by Fergie as the England striker is a proven goal scorer. The other new boy, Antonio Valencia, is a proven Premier League player. He will be looked upon as Ronaldo's replacement. But, I think it is impossible for one player to replace Ronaldo. The whole team will have to step up to replace Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney will be the focal point of United's attacks while Dimitar Berbatov needs justify his price tag. Then, there are young strikers like Macheda and Welbeck who were wonderful last season and can only improve. It'll be interesting to see how much time youngsters like Gibson, Tosic, Obertan, Petrucci and January arrivals Ljajic and Diouf get on the pitch. These players can only benefit from the presence of Giggs, Scholes and Neville on the training ground. It is a big season for Ben Foster as well who may finally get an extended run in the first team. The strongest aspect of United's game last season was defense. If the likes of Vidic, Ferdinand, Van Der Sar and Evra remain fit at crucial times this season then United can expect more silverware. I think United have the experience and a big enough squad to finally knock Liverpool off their perch. It'll be an unbelievable achievement for the legendary manager who is, perhaps, building his last squad at Manchester United.
Predicted league table
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Manchester City
7. Everton
8. Aston Villa
9. West Ham
10. Blackburn Rovers
11. Fulham
12. Sunderland
13. Bolton Wanderers
14. Stoke City
15. Wigan Athletic
16. Birmingham City
17. Hull City
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers
19. Portsmouth
20. Burnley
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