John Terry's shin pads

I for one, am still getting over what's been an incredible season in England and throughout Europe. Manchester City's final day antics to deny their Red city rivals was remarkable.  Real Madrid knocking 'the best team in the world' Barcelona of their perch in Spain certainly hasn't gone unnoticed.  Bayern Munich's capitulation in the final games of the season seeing them runners up a hat trick of times in the Bundesliga, The German Cup and of course that dramatic Champions League Final in their own back yard!  The drama of Chelsea's first ever Champions League Trophy, only the 5th English team to win the tournament.  Their victory was top drawer, they we're the worthy winners, even though they got battered for the majority of the final (and 2 legs of the semi final), because of one simple fact, they won.  There's been so many highs and lows this season, from Sergio Aguero's last gasp City winner, Drogba's header, Suarez's and Terry's racism rows but nothing more disturbing for me than the Chelsea captains costume change during the final at the Allianz arena.  Yes the other suspended players did the same thing, but they hadn't been sent off for a ridiculous knee into the back of an opposition player, and they weren't trying to steal the limelight from the real heroes of the hour, they guys that actually played for over 2 hours!

JT started out wearing his club suit, patrolling the side lines and I'm sure trying to take the ear of Roberto Di Matteo at half time, or whenever he could, then in the second half he emerged in the clubs Adidas Champions League tracksuit before changing in the extra time and penalty drama to his full kit, including boots and shin pads!  UEFA had said that Terry would be allowed to lift the cup as captain if Chelsea won prior to the game, but that was probably only because they didn't think they had a hope.  it was a stupid decision from UEFA allowing a player suspended from the game to even be allowed on the side lines which is technically the field of play.  Even in NCAA college soccer that's a massive no no!  Here we were on the biggest stage, in the biggest club competition in the world with a player who shouldn't have been there roaming around, changing kits and eventually lifting the trophy alongside the real Captain of the team that night, Frank Lampard.  Comparisons were immediately drawn to Roy Keane and Paul Scholes lifting the trophy between them on the pitch after the trophy had been awarded and the team was doing one of many laps of honour.  They were pivotal players, who got booked in the semis helping get their team through and they turned up in the team suit and waiting until the right moment to take some deserved applause.  Terry did no such thing, stealing much of the limelight as the photo's in 10 years will show him at the heart of the team with the trophy without even kicking a ball or kneeing a back in that final.

The saving grace was how bad Chelsea's cup lift was.  Watching UEFA president Michel Platini try and usher players out the way to allow the cup and Chelsea's captains through just summed up how little respect he has over players and how important he thinks he is as they completely disregarded him and bundled in front so when the trophy was hoisted you couldn't really see it.

'It was written in the stars' for Chelsea Gary Neville reckons, maybe he was bought into the England fold to be the new Eileen Drewery (Glen Hoddle's infamous faith healer who was an 'agony aunt' to plays - Ray Parlour apparently sat down in her chair for a consultation and started by asking for a "short back and sides" Classic.)  Neville was constantly banging on about it being Chelsea's time, and how it was a destiny for them.  It wasn't at all.  It was uncharacteristic sloppiness in front of goal from a German side feeling the pressure of playing inside their own Stadium in front of millions of Bavarian's who expected a comfortable victory.  Bayern had their chances, and a lot of them, but didn't take them, that's why Chelsea won, they had one corner, one goal.  They had big game goal specialist Didier Drogba, not a misfiring Mario Gomes.  Chelsea had better penalty takers on the day and some momentum after Peter Cech performed so excellently in the shootout.  Was it fate that Cech saved those crucial penalties, the first from Arjen Robben in the second half of extra time, the others in the shootout?  No, it was meticulous preparation and a DVD that had every penalty every player had taken in the past 10 years and calculated decision making from a world class goalkeeper.  That isn't quite as romantic and enjoyable as a pundit shouting about it being the clubs destiny and having their name on that big eared trophy all along!

Chelsea were completely outplayed and set out their stall to defend and ride their luck, and that they did till a downward Thomas Muller header eluded Peter Cech by somehow bouncing over the huge Czech keeper. Game over everyone thought, it was the 83rd minute 'the perfect time to score'.  I've always had a problem with these types of sayings, 'perfect time to score' which it turns out was a ridiculous shout as Chelsea still had time to come back and tie up the game. Didier Drogba's 89th minute bullet header towards Manuel Neuer's goal was a better time to score for the Germans surely?!  Didier Drogba's last kick in a Chelsea shirt before he buggers off to China to make a mint was a lovely end to a great service from the Ivorian.  Fernando Torres will be happier than any defender to see the back of the big man, as he may now finally play a few games for the club that signed him for 50 mill.  The Drog still has a lot to offer, and could play for a year or two at the very highest level.. he's worth signing just for Cup finals, 8 goals, 8 games, thanks.

JT will be in the England squad for the Euro's at the expense of Rio Ferdinand who Terry isn't on best terms with after being accused of racially abusing his brother, Anton.  So JT is having a great run at it, got AVB sacked, been pulling the strings behind Di Matteo's back? Won the FA Cup, didn't play but WON the Champions League according to photo's from the day, got in the England squad for the Euro's and his old man has finally finished his 100 hours of community service for flogging 3 grams of gear to a journalist in an Essex wine bar in 2009.

TOWIE! The only way is England, for JT at least...

What to wear - as a Premier League Champion

20 years of the Premier League. 5 winners. 4 brands.

The Premier League has evolved and improved year on year since it's inception in 1992-3.  The teams have got bigger and better as has their stadia.  The worldwide appeal of the English game has made it the most watched league in the world and television companies and sponsors all want a part of it.  Manchester City's win this weekend in unbelievably dramatic fashion made them only the 5th club to win the title joining Manchester United, Blackburn, Arsenal and Chelsea in this elite group.


During Sunday's final moments I noticed that Manchester City were wearing the decided brand of Champions in Premier League history, Umbro.  Although Umbro may not be seen as the biggest of football brands or kit suppliers these days with the emergence of Nike and Adidas in the Premier League era, it is still the most 'successful' in terms of teams wearing their kits and winning the league... 


Umbro was the biggest kit supplier to Premier League teams during the 1992-3 season with half of the teams wearing their distinctive logo,  11 of the 22 were Umbro.  Some of the other brands that were making kits that season will be a real blast from the past to some, and unheard of to others. He's a list of who else supplied kits during the first Premier League season


Umbro - 11
Admiral - 4
Adidas - 2
Ribero - 3 (Crystal Palace changed from *Bukta to Ribero in December)
*Bukta -1
Brooks -1
Asics -1
Nike - 0


The first Premier League winners were Manchester United and they wore Umbro, in fact Umbro and Manchester United won 4 out of the first 5 Premier League titles with Asics and Blackburn picking up the 1994-5 title.  All of these first 5 titles were won by Scottish managers (x4 for Alex Ferguson and x1 for Kenny Dalglish).  It wasn't until 1997-8 that a team managed by another nationality other than Scotland won the title, that man was of course Arsene Wenger as he lead his Arsenal team to the title sporting their Nike kits.
Between 1998-2001 United again dominated the league, winning 3 consecutive titles (the first team to do so in Premier League history) and again, they did it all wearing Umbro.  The 2001-2 season saw Arsenal win the league the last day of the season at Old Trafford to pip United and clinch their League and Cup double, again another win for Nike.  Nike signed a huge multi-million pound deal with Manchester United to replace Arsenal and that was good business for them as Manchester United won the title the following year 2002-3. Arsenal and Nike were back at it winning the 2003-4 title with their "invincible's".
2004-5 saw the arrival of 'the special one' Jose Mourinho in England and he swiftly lead Chelsea, wearing Umbro, to the back-to-back titles (2004/5 - 2005/6).
Nike had a hat-trick of titles with United following Chelsea's brief domination, before coming back on the scene in 2009-10 wearing Adidas kits (picking up the German brands first Premier League title) and the first Italian to win it, with Carlo Ancelotti doing a super job in his first season.
2010-11 Manchester reclaimed the title for their 12th in the past 20 years and again did it wearing Nike.


Umbro have come back into the fold for the first time in 6 years with Manchester City's triumph, to claim their 10th league title, compared to 8 for Nike, and 1 a piece for Adidas and Asics.  Had Umbro kept hold of the Manchester United contract they would have been sitting on 15 wins.  Instead they have slowly lost teams to their rivals, although maintaining the England National team's manufacturing rights.
20 years ago Umbro had half the league wearing their gear as they dominated the English game, now due to the emergence of other brands and their superior financial clout Umbro are down to 3 teams, the Champions Manchester City, the relegated Blackburn Rovers and the mid table Sunderland.

There's been some crazy shirt designs and kits during the 20 years of the Premiership, some iconic, like the Umbro collar that Cantona so famously flicked up or the grey shirt Sir Alex did away with at half time away at Southampton.  Hopefully we can continue to see more good, bad and ugly kits in the future, and maybe we'll see Nike finally over take Umbro as the kit supplier of England's Champions, but if Umbro manage to hold onto Manchester City though, there could be a few more titles coming their way.


Table of League winners with kit makers.

• 1992/3 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1993/4 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1994/5 Blackburn Rovers - Asics
• 1995/6 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1996/7 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1997/8 Arsenal - Nike
• 1998/9 Manchester United - Umbro
• 1999/2000 Manchester United - Umbro
• 2000/1 Manchester United - Umbro
• 2001/2 Arsenal - Nike
• 2002/3 Manchester United - Nike
• 2003/4 Arsenal - Nike
• 2004/5 Chelsea - Umbro
• 2005/6 Chelsea - Umbro
• 2006/7 Manchester United - Nike
• 2007/8 Manchester United - Nike
• 2008/9 Manchester United - Nike
• 2009/10 Chelsea - Adidas
• 2010/11 Manchester United - Nike
• 2011/12 Manchester City - Umbro

Totals

Umbro =10

Nike =8

Asics =1

Adidas =1

I couldn't finish the list without a quick mention of 2 new brands who will be working with Premiership teams next year, two American companies will take over Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.  Warrior will make Liverpool's kit (as well as Lacrosse equipment Stateside) as they move away from Adidas and rising power Under Armour will make Spurs kit as they move away from Puma.  There's been some random and classic brands making kits throughout the Premiership years, here's some you might be surprised by...

Brooks, Lotto, Kappa, Le Coq Sportif, Canterbury, MiFit, Burrda, Errea, Vandanel, Macron, Fox Leisure, Clubhouse, Pony, Nutmeg, Loki, Avec, Reebok, Mitre, Uhlsport, Fila, CCFC Garments, Saints, Diadora, Joma, Xara, Hummel, Lonsdale, Airness, Jako, JJB, Champion and even no manufacturer for some...WBA 2002/3.

The Final Day of the Season - "FOOTBALLLLLLL!"

What an end to the best Premiership season ever.  High drama at the bottom with Bolton down on the final day, but it was the team that stayed up, at their expense, that were part of the real fireworks.


Queens Park Rangers gave the blue half of Manchester the biggest scare and saddest low before the greatest high in the last 44 years.  If Manchester City matched Manchester United's result they would be Champions of England for the first time in 44 years.  United were away to Sunderland and everyone knew they would do their part and pick up 3 points to put some pressure on their noisy neighbours.  City were expected to do the business at home, and comfortably, against a scrapping west London side in the relegation dogfight at the bottom of the table.  
The form book had it down as a home win. QPR are awful away from home.  City are brilliant at the Ethiad (dropping only 2 points there all season!).  It was a home win banker... Or was it?

QPR were 1 nil down after a mistake from Paddy Kenny 5 minutes before half time.  The stadium, an unopened pessure cooker, poked a hole in the lid and released some steam with Pablo Zabaleta's first goal of the season.  That whole was stuffed closed when Djbril Cisse pounced on a Jolean Lescott mistake to fire past Joe Hart.  The tension and expectation was rising again when ex-Manchester City player Joey Barton went on an idiotic spree of aggressive behaviour, elbowing Carlos Tevez in the throat (some say he might have deserved it after his behaviour this season - and the swing out at Barton moments prior) but the knee to the back of Sergio Aguero wasn't justified, neither was the attempted head butt of City captain Vincent Kompany (who didn't 'drop his spuds' as Barton accused Alan Shearer of doing when Roy Keane had a swipe at him years ago during a strange anti-Shearer rant on twitter after the game) before being escorted down the tunnel.  Anyway, with that maniac off, the game could continue.  What wasn't in the script was Jamie Mackie's diving header shortly after putting the away side 2-1 in front! QPR were playing with a freedom that eluded City on this, the biggest of occasion in their recent history (FA Cup winners last season).  The lid on the pressure cooker that was the Ethiad was firmly tightened and the heat was turning up, and fast.

With the time ticking down and the news filtering through that United were 1-0 up at Sunderland and cruising many City fans began to fear the worst, and some even left the Stadium before the 90 minutes were up, deflated and abject that they were throwing it all away on the last day.  Some will have thought they were cursed and this just wasn't their day.  Those that stayed will have thought the same thing when a Mario Balotelli header was kept out from 4 yards by an excellent Kenny save (who did more than enough to atone for his earlier error).  The multi-million pound squad assembled by the classy Roberto Mancini who had been so ruthless infront of goal all season was now hitting the corner flag with snap shots and seeing efforts roll harmlessly out of bounds for throw ins.  Mancini on the sideline was a joy to watch.  The Italians gesticulations were so emotional that the neutral couldn't help but get caught up in it all.  He was marching up and down his side line with no regard for the technical area or the 4th official (who to his credit kept out of it) he was crouching, jumping, running, punching the air in disgust, swearing bloody murder (in a mixture of Italian and English from what I could lip read) and looking lost at times with what to possibly do next.  Thanks to the Joey Barton affair City had 5 minutes of added on or 'Fergie time' to save themselves and their season.  Another corner for City followed, the 90 minutes was up, David Silva swung in an inviting ball and Edin Dzeko did what Balotelli couldn't from 6 yards.  His header was barely nestled in the back of the net before the ball was being picked out and sprinted back to the half way line with.  The crowd cheered, but seemed to urge more than anything, as the occasion and energy got too much for some and they broke down in tears of raw emotion.  What followed was nothing short of miraculous.  On the edge of the QPR box heading centrally into traffic Sergio Aguero, the Argentinian forward who has been fantastic for City all season, played the unlikeliest of give and goes with Mario Balotelli, the Italian forward who has been fantastic entertainment all year (but not necessarily on the pitch).  Aguero after passing to Balotelli, who tried to turn, kept on the move, Balotelli after almost losing control under pressure managed to poke a ball, from a seated position, into the stride of Aguero who rather than lashing at it, took a lovely first touch into space around the despairing lunge of ex-City man Nedum Onuoha (who made contact) before thumping the ball in for City's 3 goal, with their 44th shot to end 44 years of hurt and being the 'second team' in Manchester.
Cue bedlam.

City fans screamed, yelled cried, jumped, collapsed and went absolutely insane.  With almost the last kick of the game, on the last day of the season in the sunshine of Manchester the noisy neighbours had done it, and done it the City way, with a struggle, but with the quality of a billion dollar organisation.  Mancini and his 40+ strong backroom staff flooded forward, leaping hugging and going bananas.  The day, and the title was finally theirs after 44 years of waiting.

The team who wins the league undoubtedly deserves it, and the best team in Manchester won it this season, and will plan to continue doing so for the foreseeable future, but they will never win a league in quite as dramatic a fashion as that. Incredible.


As Paul Merson narrates fantastically here...

Survival Sunday - The finale

The best day of the season? Maybe.


The best last day of the season for sometime? Definitely.


Survival Sunday is upon us. It's a wonderful day for top flight English football. All games are played at the same time for the only day of the season. There is real excitement and tension at either ends of the table with the title and top 4 still to be decided and the 3rd relegation spot still yet to be settled.


The situation is this.


If City win at home (where they've won 17 of 18 this season) against a battling QPR side (rancid away from Loftus Road this season) then the first title in the Premiership era (and for 44 years) will be theirs.


There's the hype of it being a 'grudge match' for Mark Hughes after his 'unethical'?! dismissal from the club half way through the 2009/10 season. Fergie wishes Sparky was playing against the club he once
managed, but instead it will be Bobby Zamora, Djibril Cisse and Jay Bothroyd standing in the way of the Champions to be...
Ferguson hopes that mirrors will help his United team lift the trophy. "If you analyse Mark Hughes as a player and manager, all his teams seem to mirror him.
"He was a warrior as a player and I wish he was playing. If his team can mirror him then you never know." Mirror, mirror on the wall.  The City fans will be going wild with excitement if their team take an early lead, but the longer it remains goaless the more the tension, and nerves will rise.  An early goal and the game and title is over, if QPR keep them quiet for an hour it could be a very intense finale.

United will do their best to batter Martin O'Neil's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (which shouldn't be too hard seeing as Sunderland seemed to have reverted to how they played under Steve Bruce in the past month or so). The United game will only add pressure to the City match. These City players don't have the Premier League winners experience that United have, but it shouldn't really matter, QPR at home is an easy fixture to finish up with, and if you'd said to Roberto Mancini 8 games ago all they had to do on the last day is beat the R's at home, he would have licked his lips and flicked his quiff in delight.


Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal are all playing out their own mini-drama in the battle for the 3rd automatic Champions League spot (if Chelsea win against Bayern in a just over a week then 4th place won't mean dick). 4th place will probably be enough as Bayern should beat Chelsea at home in the final May 17th, but it's not worth the risk (and extra games, of finishing fourth and going through the preliminary rounds of the Champions League qualifying.


Tottenham will play Fulham at home, they should smash the Cottagers who have nothing at stake.  The Yids start the day in fourth but will hope to pip north London rivals Arsenal to 3rd to avoid more piss taking about the 'mind the gap' banter earlier in the season.

Arsenal will play WBA for the England's managers last game in charge.  West Brom aren't too bad at home against Arsenal and the Gunners might slip up here and end up in 4th.  Maybe a big performance from the West Brom players as a thank you and fair well to their gaffa, as well as a thank god that we don't have to get drilled so hard in practice from now on!  Wenger has looked nervous all season and I'm sure he'll be clutching his stomach at some stage as he sits in his sleeping bag jacket on the bench at the Hawthornes.  The result against Norwich last week could haunt the Arsenal, who will be playing for their dark tinted spec wearing assistant Pat Rice who is retiring as an Arsenal legend after this game.

Everton will host the other contenders Newcastle, who will fancy scoring at Goodison with Cisse and Ba up top, but will be weary of David Moyes side who hit form late every year and look strong at home.  This could be the last time Newcastle's team plays together before they get pillaged in the summer by 'big' clubs. Cabaye, Tiote, Ba, Krul, Cisse and Ben Arfa will be monitored closely by multiple clubs this summer who know that  Mike Ashley has no problem selling his best assets, and Pardew, the recently voted manager of the year, has already admitted some players may go this summer.  Newcastle have to win, and hope for a slip up from either London club, unlikely.

At the bottom Owen Coyle will be kicking every ball on the side lines (in his full kit with trainers - ODD LOOK!) as Bolton take on Stoke at home.  The Potters lost on the last day of last season to allow Wigan to stay up and the Trotters will hope for a repeat of that.  The 2 late goals conceded to West Brom last week will have kept Coyle up all night this week, but they know that QPR will probably get mullered at the Ethiad so know a win will see them through.  I fancy Stoke to do a number on them here, even though half the team is already on the beach, and one of their most motivated players of late has been Ricardo Fuller (which is saying something!!!)  I'd prefer QPR to stay up because I love the home support at Loftus Road, it's small, compact and a real football ground.  Bolton have been crap all season and without the awful Fabrice Muamba situation I don't think many would have much sympathy  for them if they did get the drop.  Coyle also talks like he needs a drink and has peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth which irritates me wildly in his post and pre-match interviews so I'd prefer to listen to Mark Hughes' drivel next season over Coyles'.  He has a good reputation as a manager and is well liked in football circles, but I'm not sure why, he hasn't done a particularly good job at the Reebok and the off the field drama of this season has detracted a bit from the poor on the field performances, style of play and results.

So... for me, this is how I'd like it to finish...

At the top...

1. Manchester City

2. Manchester United

3. Tottenham Hotspur

4. Arsenal (with Chelsea winning the Champions League so Arsenal don't qualify for the Champions League)

5. Newcastle

At the bottom...

Relegated - Bolton

Safe - QPR

It will probably end up completely different to this, but wouldn't be the worst bet in the world.

End of Season round-ups

It's getting close to that time with the end of the Premiership season drawing to it's conclusion this weekend, and the Championship nearly wrapped up after the playoff final and the Champions League final clash in bit over a week.

The review shows will be full of the goals at Old Trafford when United destroyed Arsenal, and then again for when City destroyed United. It will show the tears of the Wolves and Blackburn fans relegated and the t-shirts of support for Suarez (before his 8 game ban), it will have a montage of Fabio Capello's tenure as England boss, and some of Roy Hodgson's head banging antics in the WBA dugout.

Bloggers, journo's and twitterers will all have their say on the season so here is mine...

This is a great time to look back on my good, bad and the ugly for the season.

The good - Papisse Demba Cisse, 'The Cockney Mafia' the 'Toon'.

He's been a revelation for a wonderful Newcastle side this year, with his 9 million pound move in January showing that smart and effective deals can be done in the window and guys that score in German can score in England. His second goal at Stamford Bridge a couple of weeks ago during Newcastle's brilliant 2 nil win has my vote for goal of the season, with Peter Crouch's stunning chest and volley against Manchester City a close second, and Luis Suarez's long distance blast against Norwich picking up the bronze. Cisse has scored remarkable goals since his move, bettering Alan Shearer's record for goals in his first 12 games, NOT an easy feat. Newcastle have been terrific for the majority of the season, and although I think Alan Pardew is a complete weapon, it's hard to argue with the job that he, and the Cockney Mafia have done at St. James, oops, I meant the Sports Direct Arena this season. Will it finish with Champions League football a year after being in the Championship? We will see.  Pardew has done a good job and is in the running for manager of the year, he's not my cup of tea however and I'm interested to see how he fares next season now other teams are aware of Newcastle and they will probably sell some players this summer.

Swansea have been sensational too, and I really enjoyed watching Paul Lambert's Norwich City.




The bad - Liverpool (and Arsenal)

Arsenal haven't been good, like Chelsea and Liverpool this season, when a lot was expected from them. A truly terrible start from them including the refund inducing performance that ended in a 8-2 hammering at Old Trafford where a pissed up Tony Adams would have offered more backbone than the players on show looked like it could end Arsene Wenger's time in charge of the Gunners. He survived and so did they, but without the goals of RVP they wouldn't be anywhere near the Champions League places, and it's only really down to his goals and the poor play of the other teams around them that they are in with a shout. Tottenham should have had 3rd spot, or 2nd sown up. Chelsea have had a mad season sacking AVB, bringing in Di Matteo, winning the FA cup final, losing 3rd, 4th, or even 5th in the league, by solely concentrating on the Champions League final, which they won't win. Arsenal, will be there or there abouts, because they do have the PFA player of the year and golden boot winner RVP (for now at least). Liverpool with that man would probably be where Arsenal are now. Instead they have a 35 million quid caveman who didn't score enough, a Urugyuan superstar who missed 9 games of the season through suspension at a crucial time and fires hot and cold, and a squad of piss-poor players. Everton may well finish above their city rivals this year for the first time in recent memory, fans will blame long cup runs, and bad luck in front of goal this season for not getting more points on the board. 30+ times the Reds have hit the woodwork at home this season, and missed more penalties than anyone else, but so what? You have to get the ball in the net and make your own luck. Dalglish's signings (Adam, Henderson, Downing, Carroll) haven't lived up to expectations or been anywhere near good enough all season. It's back to the drawing board for King Kenny as he finds his team as close to the relegation zone as they are to the Champions league spots. Not good enough for a moneyball inspired team of highly paid players. Without the cup runs (and in truth, even with them) this has been a bad, bad, bad season for Liverpool.




The Ugly - Blackburn Rovers, Steve Kean & Venky's.

Steve Kean has held 'dignity' in the face of torrents of abuse throughout the whole season. Venky's the Indian poultry firm stood firm with him even after protests, sit in's and planes flying over head with messages of distaste for the Scotsman. The Venky's group bought the team with promises of Champions League football within 4 years, they achieved relegation and the hate of most of the home support within 2. The rumour mill had them signing players like Ronaldinho, but instead the agent put in charge of the clubs transfer dealings signed his own son (who is yet to play a first team game), and put one of the men he represents, Steve Kean, in the hot seat. Steve Kean should step down, there is nothing heroic in what he's doing, pledging to stay on. It's been an awful season, he's been an awful appointment and sadly for Blackburn, if it'doesn't make changes, will turn into a truly awful club. All this after good old Jack Walker had helped win them the Premiership in 1995 (still one of only 4 teams - soon to be 5, to do so). Steve Kean said "We're absolutely devastated. The players are numb inside the dressing room" after the turgid defeat to Wigan (who have been excellent over the past 8 games in comparison to Blackburn's hideous form). Kean seems to be 'numb' himself to the reality that surrounds him. As long as he is at the helm and Venky's run the club, there will be a poisonous atmosphere around the club. Kean looked like a drowning rat during Monday night's defeat and subsequent relegation, sadly for Blackburn he doesn't look like he's going to jump ship!
Wolves were crap, Bolton too.

The 'Magic' of the FA Cup final - Dwindling

The FA cup final used to be the only game televised all year when I was a boy on my terrestrial TV back in England, and it was the season's best game (because it was the only one everyone could see!) It was the biggest of the footballing calender, something that everyone would be at least aware of if they weren't watching the game live.  Nowadays you can watch 50+ games from across the world's top leagues in just one week!  Maybe it's this or rise of the Champions League and the money of the Premiership but England's, and the worlds oldest club competition, has steadily declined in sync with the Premier and Champions Leagues' ascent.

Steven Gerrard has just realised that Stewart Downing has 3 years left on his current deal

Now the FA Cup kick off is shifted around on a day with Premiership games.  It's almost an afterthought after both semi finals have been hosted at Wembley.  I refer to it as Wembley, and not 'the new' Wembley like so many, seeing as it's not that new anymore having opened in 2007.  Two big teams fought out this seasons 2012 Budweiser sponsored FA Cup, Chelsea and Liverpool.  These two teams are no strangers having played over 30+ times against each other in the past 8 years which is quite staggering.  Maybe it was the fact that it was these two teams playing each other, again, the late kick off, the fact Liverpool aren't very good or that Chelsea have one eye firmly fixed on the Champions League final but there was no spark or excitement surrounding the build up to this game, compared to say, that of the recent Manchester derby or the Champions League semi-finals first and second legs.


The first hour of the game was incredibly dull.  After Jay Spearing gave the ball away in a bad area for the 6,000 time this season Ramires' energy and pace put him past a decaying Jose Enrique and his shot straight at Pepe Reina was straight through the Spaniard (who's suffered his worst season in his 7 at Anfield this year) and that was the only moment of note in a slow, and bland first 45.  After Didier Drogba had his customary Wembley goal Liverpool looked completely dead and buried.  The introduction of Andy Carroll did change Liverpool's attacking impetus and finally Luis Suarez had another red shirt inside the opposition half with him!  Jordan Henderson, Jay Spearing and Stewart Downing all had atrocious games and one wonders what was ever seen in them.  Spearing was a product of the Academy (which doesn't bode well as he's dire) and the other two were signed for close to 40 million quid by good old King Kenny!  Incredible to think about that waste of finances for two players who wouldn't stand out in a league 2 side.  The 'Caveman' Carroll got his second Wembley goal in a matter of weeks (adding to his semi final winner over Everton) and his decent return in big games (he also scored on his England debut at Wembley) but alas, it was too little, too poor, too late for the Reds, and Chelsea, by default rather than incredible play, were rightly Cup winners for the 4th time in the past 7 years.

Chelsea. FA CUP Winners...again

I miss the magic of the FA Cup, the giant killings, the small minnows of the non-league taking on the big dogs of the top tier, the support, Wembley way, the suits, the walking out onto the Wembley pitch, the iconic trophy being hoisted aloft after the long trudge up the Wembley steps for the valiant losers... These are all distant and past memories like the Crazy Gang beating Liverpool in '88, Charlie George in '71 and Crystal Palace taking Man U to a 3-3 draw in 1990.
Even the cup final of 1992 between Liverpool and Sunderland was more exciting.  I was up at the crack of dawn wearing my full Liverpool kit, drinking squash out of my Liverpool mug and swinging my Red scarf around my head as I went nuts in the living room 6 hours before the game even kicked off.  The anticipation was extraordinary.  I barely remember the game or the goals, but I can clearly remember the excitement of it all, the fantasy of one day maybe I'd be playing in final, what it would be like to lift the old trophy and get a medal from a member of the Royal family.  All that magic is still alive in me, but not for the current versions of the FA Cup, I wonder if  kids nowadays whip themselves into a frenzy for this game, or if they'd rather play out their own cup final on the Playstation on FIFA 2012?!  I must be getting old and bitter as I'm reminiscing about the 'good old days' of FA Cup finals and football, but I don't think I'm the only one that wants to recast the magical spell of the FA Cup back over English football once again.  

Whether it's wright, or it's wrong... it's Woy

England team under Woy the Boy Hodgson: Wobinson; Wichards, Tewwy, Wio, Bwidge; Gewward, Cawwick, Wodwell, Bawwy; Cawwoll, Wooney????????????????????????

Regal, educated, articulated and gentlemanly all words that would not have been associated with the England Manager had 'Arry Redknapp been offered, and taken the poison chalice. Instead it's old man Roy Hodgson who fluffed his lines at Liverpool and got the sack quicker than you can say 'King Kenny' and has instead turned his hand to doing what he does best, taking smaller clubs with poor sides and make them over-achieve, so there is hope for England in the Euro's yet!


At the FA's unveiling of Hodgson the press pack were already sharpening their knives, they had to really, after clearly backing their buddy, Redknapp, and now seeing this intruder they'd all written off in the big chair in front of their camera's, pen's and professional reputation. They've subsequently slaughtered him. The English press are a wonderful bunch really, fickle, one minded and over-reactionary. They think that just because they helped get a manager fired (Capello) they have the right to hire his successor. Of course the dismally run FA had different ideas and in their true 'up yours' to the press, and general public they didn't even interview the man the bookies had stop taking bets on 8 games ago! It was also cheaper for the FA with Hodgson out of contract this Summer and Redknapp with an expensive buy out clause with Tottenham, and after the money pissed away on Capello, the FA could probably do with balancing the books a little.


Is Woy the right man for the job? Sure, why not? He fits the bill. For starters he's English, so that's good, second he's experienced in International football with Switzerland and Finland and did relatively well with both (getting Switzerland to the 1994 US World Cup - something Graham 'Turnip' Taylor failed horrifically to do with England) and has won a plethora of trophies during his time in Sweden, Denmark, Italy and the UAE. He's managed two truly 'BIG' clubs in Inter Milan and Liverpool and had mixed success in Italy (losing the 1997 UEFA cup final on penalty's) and had a well documented failure at Liverpool. Redknapp's 'BIG' clubs, a emerging Tottenham side and West Ham?! Not quite on the same level some might argue. A look at their CV's shows Hodgson has more experience and a better win percentage to boot 

Roy Hodgson
Halmstad
Allsvenskan (2): 1976, 1979


Malmö FF
Swedish football champions (2): 1986, 1988
Allsvenskan (5): 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
Svenska Cupen (2): 1985–86, 1988–89


Inter Milan
UEFA Cup Runner Up (1): 1997


Copenhagen
Danish Superliga (1): 2000–01
Danish Super Cup (1): 2001


Fulham
UEFA Europa League Runner Up (1): 2010
Individual


LMA Manager of the Year (1): 2010


Harry Redknapp
Bournemouth
Football League Division Three: 1986–87
Football League Trophy: 1983–84


West Ham United
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999


Portsmouth
Football League Division One: 2002–03
FA Cup: 2007-08


Tottenham Hotspur
Football League Cup runners up: 2009
Premier League Manager of the Year: 2009-10

But, it's what these lists don't mention that is the real problem here.  Harry isn't a great coach, and in fact famously does very little on the training ground other than having a natter on his blower and a bit of a giggle with Kevin Bond before disappearing into his office to get a copy of the Racing Post out and ave a flutter.  Redknapp wouldn't show any interest in the new National Football Center at Burton and would just do the job in front of him without any long term planning or thought.  He is a man of the moment, famously excellent at motivating players and keeping them as happy as any modern manager can keep an over-paid and uneducated footballer 'happy'.  He's charismatic, funny and a little bit cheeky.  Whereas Hodgson will be trying rope around players to get them in a strict bank of 4 on the training ground, 'Arry is more likely to put the players in touch with his slippery accountant from the East End!  The other main problem with international football and Harry Redknapp? Transfers- you can't do them, there's no selling, wheeler dealing or any of that, you've got what you've got and have to make the most of it...

I like Harry, and I'd have liked him more as England manager as he would have bought some of the fun of international football back to the national side, something we haven't seen since Venables in the mid 1990's.  Instead we will have a dignified and almost apologetic failure at this summers fast approaching Euro's with a man at the helm with all the qualifications, but none of the verve or joie de vivre of football that Harry may well have seen in.  Spurs fans are happy as the curse of the England job is lifted (they had a horrible run with no away goals in 4, and only a small amount of points after Redknapp was linked with the job by the press) and WBA fans will be pleased to say that their manager went on to the England job.  If Woy can do what he did at West Brom with England we'll be in fine shape.  We're the equivalent of a West Brom or Fulham on the national stage, and maybe that makes England the perfect job for Woy, formerly of the (Blackburn) Rovers, and now top of the pile in English football.

notBigSam ‏ @TheBig_Sam

Look at the state of Hodgson at this press conference. He looks like an elderly GP who's been accused of manslaughter.

The Manchester Derby

I'm a little late getting to the party on this one as every conceivable angle has been taken, dissected and discussed in pubs, offices and in column inches about this mega Manchester derby, so I'll keep it short, (without the sweetness).

The build up was borderline ridiculous with everyone and their dog having a say on what was labelled the biggest game in Premier League history and certainly the biggest Madchester Derby in over a generation.  With all the media hype including twitter feeds blowing up with talk of what was actually a bit of a damp squib of a game showed the power of the brand of the Barclays Premier League in full effect.  The most exciting things from the game, for me, were...

• The appearance of El Diego at the Eithiad. He knows how to make anything a spectacle and certainly added to the drama of the occasion from his box on high. Also his facial hair and smile make me happy.
• Fergie and Mancini nearly coming to blows in the technical area after giving it the bunny hand gesture for their verbals to the 4th official, and then Fergie's bright red hooter looking on the verge of blowing as he told the mop headed Italian to 'Fuck off" in his finest Glaswegian snarl.  Class.
• The support.  The Blue half of Manchester has waited in the wings for a while now, but with their new wealth, stadium and superstar roster they are known as the 'noisy neighbours'.  At the Etihad on Monday night they were deafening.  At half time, moments after Captain fantastic Vincent Kompany had nutted them into the lead, the place was jumping.  It was almost as if they'd won the league there and then.  The atmosphere from those fans made it the occasion it was, because regardless of the on-the-field actions, the crowd made the evening one to remember, and their noise, joy and energy transcended across the Atlantic and into my TV as I watched, mesmerized by the passion, humour and love for the Citizens.
• Liam Gallagher.  They play his music before the games, they play his music at half time, but at the end, they played his favourite band, The Beatles, and 'Hey Jude'.  Watching the Beady Eye front man belt out the "Naa Naa Naa na na na NAA!" at the top of his lungs with the rest of the home support was amazing, and so were his comments after the game. "I love Mancini, he's nearly as cool as me" he said, and I'd agree.
• Sir Alex.  He said he's never sent his team out to play for a draw and wouldn't for this game.  He lied.  United were terrible, didn't have a shot on target or even at goal and Joe Hart was rarely called into anything like action.  It's amazing how a midfield containing Scholes and Giggs is called "classy" and "experienced" when they win, but labelled "old, past it" and "gone" when they lose.  Fergie should blame the Glaziers who bought his beloved club and rather than channeling some of the income of the biggest, richest club in the world into the playing staff, they have used it to make money and moves on other ventures resulting in Ferguson signing the Reserve team Coach to his side this season, and a few other players who he signed after getting rid of many in a summer clear out (De Gea and Jones came in for decent money, but Gibson, Obertan and Brown were all sold, Neville, van der Saar and Scholes* all retired, freeing up money from the wage bill. (Scholes was the Reserve Team Coach when he re-signed with United 15 games ago.)  If City do go on to win the league even with their tough run in (Newcastle away - who are chasing Champions League football, and QPR who are scrapping for their lives compared to United's rather easy run in with Swansea who could only draw with a relegated Wolves last weekend and a Sunderland team who started their Summer holidays about a month ago) Ferguson will put severe pressure on the Glazier's to break open the cheque book and spend big this summer.
• Vincent Kompany - Not considered a mercenary in a team of multi-millionaire players.  I'm sure he's on a few quid a week but his attitude, application and aptitude on and off the pitch has made him a man loved by the home fans and respected by opposition players and fans a like. His headed winner was simple enough by a player of his standard, but it's potential impact on where the league trophy goes this season cannot be underestimated.  It may well be the most important thing he's done in his career
• Super Mario - He managed to stay off the pitch and out of the news.  That's note worthy in itself.

This is leads us to the last 2 games of the season. Hopefully City beat Newcastle to keep it interesting and it all comes down to the last day.  That's the drama the neutrals want, and I'm sure that the blue half of Manchester would take that, especially after being 8 points behind their red neighbours 4 games ago!