Let me start off by apologising to the fans of Derby County and Nottingham Forest. Brian Clough is an idol at both of these clubs and is a legendary football manager. Andre Villas-Boas is so far proving to be so inept at managing Chelsea that he could be out of a job in less time than any manager under Abramovich, and maybe should be so already. So I apologise for now going on to compare the legendary two-time European Cup winning manager to the Portuguese failure, but I can't help but see similarities between AVB and Clough during his nightmare 44 day tenure at Leeds United.
Player power is where the similarities are seen. Clough was virtually forced out by his players not wanting to play for him. They were Revie's men through and through and to see a young, cocky manager come in who had openly criticised them before, was not something they wanted to see. Villas-Boas did not walk into Chelsea in quite the same way, in fact his arrival seemed to create a buzz and sense of optimism around the club. This guy was the new Mourinho everyone seemed to think. It seems to have been proven however that simply managing the same club before Chelsea, is not a short-cut to the same type of success. This comparison to Mourinho may be AVB's ultimate downfall. Roman thought he was the new Jose, as did the players and fans and to put it bluntly, he's not. It is therefore no wonder the players have rebelled and refuse to play for him. He has treated some of the team's senior players in a disgraceful way. Frank Lampard may not be the player he once was but during the first-half of the season he was scoring when he played, but not playing every game. He can now barely get on the pitch. Didier Drogba may be getting on a bit, but in the last two seasons he has still been a major goalscoring force and one of the best strikers around. AVB has persisted with Torres all season to no avail and although leaving rhe Spaniard on the bench against Napoli may show he has finally lost faith in the former Liverpool man, it may be too late for Drogba to save his manager's job, and if he does then he will be sold.
As with Clough at Leeds, while showing rebellion against the manager, at no point have players stated that they want to leave the club. They have both, particularly Drogba who is desperately trying to secure a new two-year contracrt at the club, shown fierce loyalty to Chelsea, because they both love the club. It is the manager and his poor treatment of them that have caused their morale to drop. At no point during Clough's ill-fated regime did his loyal guard of players express any unhapiness at Leeds United itself, just the manager. Clough attempted to get rid of some of Revie's team so he could build his own, just as AVB is trying to do, but both's actions were wreckless and wrong. It was wrong for Clough to try and completely change a successful team, whether he liked them or not. Meanwhile, yes Chelsea do need rebuilding but why is Villas-Boas trying to get rid of Lampard and Drogba, when he has not found ideal replacements for either yet? Torres certainly cannot fill the Ivorian's boots and as for Raul Meireles who appears to be taking Fat Frank's place most of the time, well he has been woeful for his new club. Until the replacements are found and the foundations for a new team are there, AVB should not be thinking about throwing out the old guard completely.
The main similarities I see between the Clough and Villas-Boas regimes is the stark parallels between Leeds' Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles, and Chelsea's John Terry and the aforementioned Lampard. Bremner was Leeds captain, their rock and probably their best player. While Clough tried to change some of the other Leeds players, Bremner was not on his list of those to be removed. He wanted his new team built around Bremner, a figurehead of the Revie era and wanted Bremner to play as his player, not Revie's. The main problem was that the captain did not want to play for the new manager, the new regime and led the players in rebellion, meanwhile getting himself a long-term ban for punching Kevin Keegan in the Charity Sheild, meaning he was not even able to play for Clough for the remainder of his short time in charge. Villas-Boas has had similar problems with Terry. The Chelsea captain has managed to lose himself the England captaincy with his racist comment to Anton Ferdinand, and currently has a pretty serious knee injury, meaning the manager cannot even build his defence around his captain at the moment (which is leading to hilarious consequences with Sideshow Bob and the world's best mid-table centre back Gary Cahill currently trying to hold together the back line). Terry has not openly criticised his manager, like Bremner, but it would be surprising if he was happy with Villas-Boas' treatment of the Chelsea Golden Era players, despite never being under threat of being sold himself.
Meanwhile Johnny Giles and Frank Lampard have similarities in that they were and are respectively, the number two players for their club. Bremner and Giles, Terry and Lampard, the figureheads of two successful teams and that was not something that should have been messed with. Yet Clough wanted rid of Giles, seeing him as a threat, despite being a genius player. He did not want him at the club but had to play him as he could work magic. He did not want to play for Clough and Clough did not want Giles playing for him but he was not able to get rid of him. What Giles did still want was to play for Leeds. This seems to be the same problem between AVB and Lampard. The manager doesn't want the player playing for him, nor does the player want to play for the manager, but Lampard does still want to be a Chelsea player, and as one of the figuerheads of Chelsea Football Club, no-one would want to see him go. He may be ageing but he still scores goals and however hard Villas-Boas tries, he will not be able to get rid of Lampard. At least not until he was found a replacement everyone is happy with, and Frank's time at Chelsea comes to its natural conclusion. If it ain't broke don't fix it, and Villas-Boas seems more intent on pursuing his own personal mission of removing a not broken Lampard, just as Clough wanted to force out the still very much working Giles.
So this is where I see similarities between Brian Clough and Andre Villas-Boas. They are very different managers in many regards, Clough being successful for a start, but there are no doubt striking similiarities between the former's Leeds days and those AVB is having at Chelsea. AVB may very well become a successful manager. Maybe he will be allowed to stay at Chelsea and rebuild the team over a decade, or maybe he will be successful somewhere else. It certainly looks more likely to be the latter, managers do not get the same chances these days as they used to (such as Ferguson for United between 1986 and 1990), and he will certainly not be given that chance while he does his best to desert the older side of the Chelsea dressing room. Clough did that, and very quickly he was gone.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Don't Do It Harry
Yesterday, my Twitter timeline revealed Henry Winter's latest tweet saying Fabio Capello had resigned. I froze in disbelief, could it be? "#capello" was not trending yet or anything of the sort and so I for a few minutes saw it as a piece of misinformation. I was wrong. I went on to the FA's website and there I saw the news that I had been desperate to arrive since June 2010, Capello was no longer England manager.
Now I am no huge England fan, of course I feel disappointment when we exit a major tournament but England winning a major trophy is not something I'd prioritise. To be completely honest I'd rather United won the FA Cup or beat City and Liverpool a couple of times each than England won the Euros or the World Cup. I may just be saying that as I have never experienced the joy of a successful English side, and if we were to maybe reach the semis or the final of a major competition in my lifetime, then I would feel different. I do admit to having patriotic images of leading a crowd through the streets singing Vindaloo during the last World Cup, but overall, and particularly since the Germany embarrassment in 2010, my affectionate feelings towards the national side have been lacking to say the least.
Yet in spite of this, when I saw the news yesterday I felt a sense of joy, the man who's awful management in 2010 had led to the demise of my support for England had now gone, another of England's evil forces has been eliminated (although this time it is by his own hand). I respect Capello in a way for not backing down, sticking to his principles and it is certainly unfair to an extent that he was not involved at all in the decision making process which saw John Terry's captaincy taken away. But the man has proved that while he may have been a great club manager, as far as leading a national side goes, he is not what the FA bargained for by paying £6million a year, and his lack of sensitivity and understanding towards the Terry issue proves he is not what we want for England. Maybe Fabio was just angry that the decision was taken out of his hands, but at the end of the day he was saying a man who may very well be proved as a racist within weeks of the Euros finishing, should be allowed to skipper his country. As an Italian, Capello was never going rto understand the issue in full, nor would another foreign coach, and this is why the next man who braves the English football throne must be English. But unlike the vast majority of the country, I do not think it should be Harry Redknapp.
Well, as an England fan, I do want Redknapp to be the manager, he is by far and away the best English manager around, arguably one of the best manager's in the world at the moment and he has Spurs playing phenomenal football most weeks, and on the weeks they don't play as well they still seem to grind out results (such as at Anfield on Monday). He has not had to spend big to do this, all he needed was a 40 year old goalkeeper, a 30 year old relegated midfielder and an unreliable, wayward striker. If it weren't for City's billions or United's astonishing resilience in challenging at the top with a fairly average team, then Spurs would be Champions. They are certainly not out of the title race and would be even closer to the top had Jermaine Defoe not missed that chance and Ledley King had not given away that penalty a few weeks ago. It is extraordinary what Redknapp has done with Spurs and with various financial fair play rules coming in that could limit City's spending power, I would not be surprised to see Spurs as title favourites next season if Redknapp is still at the helm.
So I ask on this basis, why on earth would he leave? The England job is something that all English managers probably aspire to and it can be quite painful if they do not get it, Brian Clough remains the greatest manager England never had and Redknapp could certainly challenge for that crown if he does not take on the job. But Champions League football is all but assured for next season, and with that there will be a feeling of "don't stop us now" around Tottenham. Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are bound to be linked with moves away again, but where would they go? Modric flirted with Chelsea last summer, but I am sure he will feel satisfied as he watches the Roman empire crumble while he is playing for the best Spurs team in decades. Bale is more likely to be linked with a move abroad and although this may be tempting one day, I do not see him leaving Spurs while they are challenging in Europe and on the home front. Champions League football, another crack at the title, and a strong likelihood that their best players will stay and better ones will come in too, Redknapp simply should not leave the haven and safety of Tottenham and make his way down Wembley Way.
'Arry may just be successful for England, he may take us to a final, he may even win something and if this happens then he will have made the right decision. He will bring the team together, with Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand already tweeting their support for him (of course they may just want him away from Spurs before they climb above United in the table), but it does seem to that Redknapp is genuinely the man everyone wants. What if it doesn't work out though? Capello was sacked for speaking his mind and Harry isn't one to mince his words, if has has an opinion he will say it. Will he be given the same freedom in picking his backroom staff and his squads as Capello was? English managers have never seemed to have too much. As for his salary, that will almost certainly be less than Capello's, but he is already earning £4million a year at Spurs so the wage cut compared to Fabio will not doubt have to be less than the FA will have wanted. The other major problem would be possibly tarnishing the fantastic reputation Redknapp has built for himself. Southampton aside, he has been a success wherever he has been and if he became an England flop then it could ruin the image of a manager the whole country respects. His innocence in his tax evasion trial has only consolidated his popularity, and if the risk of being found guilty did not compromise his support, then not much will. One thing that will always hurt the reputation of great managers is the England job. Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan are now bit part pundits on ESPN, Sven has recently been sacked from Championship club Leicester City, and Capello will now forever be remembered as a failure. But the most striking example of a great manager humbled by England is Steve McClaren. The man was a Treble winner as assistant to Fergie in 1999, he won the League Cup with Middlesbrough and took them to a UEFA Cup final, very similar to the achievements of Redknapp with Portsmouth. But since his ill-fated spell in charge of the national side, his previous achievements have been wiped out. He is (unfairly) a laughing stock in this country thanks to his title of the "Wally with a Brolly" and that tremendous Dutch accent on his arrival at FC Twente. Although he has been a success in Holland, failures with Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest have damaged him further. Redknapp is a better manager than McClaren, but their achievements are similar and if 'Arry was to have the same failures as the latter, he would not be remembered as the man who won the FA Cup with Portsmouth and built one of the greatest Tottenham sides ever, but as another failed England manager.
I am not saying Harry will fail, and he is certainly more likely to succeed than anyone else and for this reason it is right that the FA chase him for the job for as long as they can. If he takes it, then it could be a great victory for both parties. Even Spurs could benefit, with Jose Mourinho on the brink of leaving the Bernabeu, Champions League football back in England with Tottenham would no doubt tempt him. But it is for the same reasons Redknapp should stay, he has a comfortable job with Spurs and his team are going to get a lot better before they get worse. His reputation is impeccable at the moment, and if he were to fend off the FA, although disappointing for the national side it may be, he will have earned further respect. Not many managers would turn down the job with their national side, for what could potentially be the last time it is on offer in their career. Staying at Tottenham would be a mark of respect to the board who have always backed him, particularly during his trial, and to the fans and players who adore him. It would be such a great morale boost for Spurs too and success would be ready for Harry to take with both hands. England may be a fascinating and rewarding challenge, but the turmoil that goes with the job and the potential blows to any manager's reputation, make it a much less desirable one to take.
So my message to the FA, please fight, please do all you can to get this man to take the job, he is at the moment, one of the only chances this country has of success. My message to Harry Redknapp? Say no. There is too much at stake by taking the job. At Spurs he has nothing to lose and everything to gain, at England he also will have everything to gain, but everything to lose too.
Friday, 3 February 2012
What next for England?
Ding dong the witch is dead
Which old witch?
The (allegedly) racist witch
Finally, the moment has arrived. John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy, and if he is found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand on July 9th, then it will be for good.
I am being harsh here, Terry is a great captain. particularly for his club, a natural leader and one of the best centre-backs of the Premier League era, however he has absolutely no right leading his country into Euro 2012. In the extremely unlikely event of England lifting the trophy, a man who cheated on his wife with a team-mate's girlfriend and (allegedly) racially abused Anton Ferdinand should not be the face of English football for future generations, alongside Bobby Moore on the shoulders of his team-mates. Within two weeks of the final, the alleged comment to Ferdinand may be proved to be true and forever England will be remembered as a team who won the Euros with a racist as captain. A lovely example to the rest of the world.
Of course, England will not win, but the point stands and I for one do not want to see that man, who I would call "scum" whether he called Ferdinand a "black c***" or not, leading my country into Poland. There are not many men amongst the England team who I would like to see doing that (including Rio Ferdinand who has been so bad this season I do not see why he should play for England anymore, let alone captain them), but there are three stand-out candidates.
Steven Gerrard is of course one of them. Despite being a Man Utd fan I have a lot of respect for Gerrard and think he is one of the finest midfielders to ever wear an England shirt. Like Terry, he is a natural leader and is his club's captain. He has captained England before as vice to both Terry and Rio Ferdinand and is the type of player who deserves to lift a trophy for his national side. There cannot be any more inspiring sights than seeing Gerrard's headed goal in the Champions League final of 2005 when he made it 3-1 and ran straight back to the centre circle, lifting his arms up and down as if to say "come on, we can do this" and they did. At that moment, the country was behind Liverpool, I don't think even the most hardcore United fan could say they were upset at seeing Liverpool lift the trophy in the manner they did that night. Gerrard brought national solidarity, and this is something he would bring to England. On the other hand, he is ageing and has just returned from a serious injury. While this may not matter too much, it cannot be guaranteed how long Gerrard will play international football for, and if injuries continue to hit him then he may think about hanging up his boots, and the captaincy, sooner rather than later. The captain position has been rather unstable since David Beckham gave it up, and a long-term prospect may be what is required.
This is a problem with my second candidate, Scott Parker. At 31 he is no youngster, but unlike Gerrard who may be reaching the twilight years of his career, Parker is only just peaking. He is one of the key reasons for Tottenham's rise this season, being a natural leader, despite not actually being captain. How many of you thought he was West Ham's captain last season? I would assume a fair proportion, but you would all be wrong, it was Matthew Upson. Parker won player of the year last year and although that may have been unfair on many players who actually succeeded with their teams, if it weren't for Parker, the Hammers would have been gone before Christmas. He even managed to bring a lump to the throat of Carlton Cole with his half-time team talk in a comeback against West Brom last year. As for Spurs, he has proven his worth and that he was not just a big fish in a small pond, and has been a stand-out performer for them, probably only second to Gareth Bale. While Ledley King usually holds the captaincy, in the centre of the park he dictates the play and has been rewarded by becoming an England regular. Although he does not have a great number of caps, he is a leader at the peak of his powers and could easily inspire England to success. Not a long-term solution, but having just broken into the England team, he is unlikely to hang up his boots for a few years at least, especially if his current manager Harry Redknapp succeeds Capello. Parker would be my choice for now, and I would want him succeeded by my next candidate, who I wouldn't mind seeing as captain now either.
Wayne Rooney. The man is driven by success, it is as simple as that. Rooney always wants to do better and is the type of player who could single-handedly take England to glory. He is the country's best player, he is United's best player and despite his knack of attracting trouble and attention, will drive his country to succeed whether he is captain or not. He wants to be a captain, he loves being the centre of things and captaining his country would be the pinnacle of that. Both England and United are centred around Rooney, when he is not fit or available, the fans panic. He may have still have a temperament and that of course needs to be harnessed, but when he turns it on he can beat anyone. It may be the case that the pressure is too much and he may crack, he may lash out at an opponent and may need to be stripped of the captaincy if the demands of the job take their toll, it may be that Wayne Rooney should be allowed to do what he does best, play football. If he feels like he is the type of player who needs to just be allowed to play and not be distracted by being the captain, then it is not the right job for him, but you do just get the feeling he is made for the role. No longer will he need to respond to the demands of players who are not as good as him, he will be the country's best player and their leader and he could thrive with that. He would also be a long-term solution, at 26 he could be playing as captain for up to ten years, only if he is successful of course. Wayne Rooney is born to lead and one day should be England captain, whether that is now is a different matter, but he should certainly be a candidate. Although considering he will miss England's first two games of Euro 2012, leading them into Poland could be a problem.
For me, Scott Parker has all the makings of an England captain. Passion, desire and natural leadership skills, he is also a decent bloke it seems, unlike many other players. He deserves to have a go in my opinion, he is a commanding presence and would be perfect for the job. He also has another 3 or 4 years in him and you would not expect controversy, so he could bring some stability to the role for a few years, before handing it over to Rooney.
Which old witch?
The (allegedly) racist witch
Finally, the moment has arrived. John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy, and if he is found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand on July 9th, then it will be for good.
I am being harsh here, Terry is a great captain. particularly for his club, a natural leader and one of the best centre-backs of the Premier League era, however he has absolutely no right leading his country into Euro 2012. In the extremely unlikely event of England lifting the trophy, a man who cheated on his wife with a team-mate's girlfriend and (allegedly) racially abused Anton Ferdinand should not be the face of English football for future generations, alongside Bobby Moore on the shoulders of his team-mates. Within two weeks of the final, the alleged comment to Ferdinand may be proved to be true and forever England will be remembered as a team who won the Euros with a racist as captain. A lovely example to the rest of the world.
Of course, England will not win, but the point stands and I for one do not want to see that man, who I would call "scum" whether he called Ferdinand a "black c***" or not, leading my country into Poland. There are not many men amongst the England team who I would like to see doing that (including Rio Ferdinand who has been so bad this season I do not see why he should play for England anymore, let alone captain them), but there are three stand-out candidates.
Steven Gerrard is of course one of them. Despite being a Man Utd fan I have a lot of respect for Gerrard and think he is one of the finest midfielders to ever wear an England shirt. Like Terry, he is a natural leader and is his club's captain. He has captained England before as vice to both Terry and Rio Ferdinand and is the type of player who deserves to lift a trophy for his national side. There cannot be any more inspiring sights than seeing Gerrard's headed goal in the Champions League final of 2005 when he made it 3-1 and ran straight back to the centre circle, lifting his arms up and down as if to say "come on, we can do this" and they did. At that moment, the country was behind Liverpool, I don't think even the most hardcore United fan could say they were upset at seeing Liverpool lift the trophy in the manner they did that night. Gerrard brought national solidarity, and this is something he would bring to England. On the other hand, he is ageing and has just returned from a serious injury. While this may not matter too much, it cannot be guaranteed how long Gerrard will play international football for, and if injuries continue to hit him then he may think about hanging up his boots, and the captaincy, sooner rather than later. The captain position has been rather unstable since David Beckham gave it up, and a long-term prospect may be what is required.
This is a problem with my second candidate, Scott Parker. At 31 he is no youngster, but unlike Gerrard who may be reaching the twilight years of his career, Parker is only just peaking. He is one of the key reasons for Tottenham's rise this season, being a natural leader, despite not actually being captain. How many of you thought he was West Ham's captain last season? I would assume a fair proportion, but you would all be wrong, it was Matthew Upson. Parker won player of the year last year and although that may have been unfair on many players who actually succeeded with their teams, if it weren't for Parker, the Hammers would have been gone before Christmas. He even managed to bring a lump to the throat of Carlton Cole with his half-time team talk in a comeback against West Brom last year. As for Spurs, he has proven his worth and that he was not just a big fish in a small pond, and has been a stand-out performer for them, probably only second to Gareth Bale. While Ledley King usually holds the captaincy, in the centre of the park he dictates the play and has been rewarded by becoming an England regular. Although he does not have a great number of caps, he is a leader at the peak of his powers and could easily inspire England to success. Not a long-term solution, but having just broken into the England team, he is unlikely to hang up his boots for a few years at least, especially if his current manager Harry Redknapp succeeds Capello. Parker would be my choice for now, and I would want him succeeded by my next candidate, who I wouldn't mind seeing as captain now either.
Wayne Rooney. The man is driven by success, it is as simple as that. Rooney always wants to do better and is the type of player who could single-handedly take England to glory. He is the country's best player, he is United's best player and despite his knack of attracting trouble and attention, will drive his country to succeed whether he is captain or not. He wants to be a captain, he loves being the centre of things and captaining his country would be the pinnacle of that. Both England and United are centred around Rooney, when he is not fit or available, the fans panic. He may have still have a temperament and that of course needs to be harnessed, but when he turns it on he can beat anyone. It may be the case that the pressure is too much and he may crack, he may lash out at an opponent and may need to be stripped of the captaincy if the demands of the job take their toll, it may be that Wayne Rooney should be allowed to do what he does best, play football. If he feels like he is the type of player who needs to just be allowed to play and not be distracted by being the captain, then it is not the right job for him, but you do just get the feeling he is made for the role. No longer will he need to respond to the demands of players who are not as good as him, he will be the country's best player and their leader and he could thrive with that. He would also be a long-term solution, at 26 he could be playing as captain for up to ten years, only if he is successful of course. Wayne Rooney is born to lead and one day should be England captain, whether that is now is a different matter, but he should certainly be a candidate. Although considering he will miss England's first two games of Euro 2012, leading them into Poland could be a problem.
For me, Scott Parker has all the makings of an England captain. Passion, desire and natural leadership skills, he is also a decent bloke it seems, unlike many other players. He deserves to have a go in my opinion, he is a commanding presence and would be perfect for the job. He also has another 3 or 4 years in him and you would not expect controversy, so he could bring some stability to the role for a few years, before handing it over to Rooney.
Friday, 27 January 2012
To Jose or Not To Jose?
As the final whistle sounded at the end of another El Clasico on Wednesday night, Jose Mourinho trudged down the tunnel, looking like a man who was resgined to defeat. He may very well resign from Real Madrid come May.
This was Mourinho's eleventh game in less than two seasons against Barcelona and although for once Real could claim to be unlucky in defeat, having dominated for large periods of the first half and having fought their way back from 2-0 down to 2-2, they still found themselves out of the Copa Del Rey, a trophy which they are the holders of, through Mourinho's only victory over Barcelona as manager of Real in last season's final. Other than that one game, which was only won after extra-time, Mourinho has lost to Bareclona on nine occasions with Real Madrid, and drawn once (the other night's match). It is a record which angers the Bernabeu club's loyal supporters. They expected Mourinho would turn things around and take them back to the top of the tree. Halfway through the La Liga season, he appears to have done this, but this record against Barcelona is a black cloud over what has been a pretty successful year and a half for Jose in Madrid. Until the 38th game is played however, and Real Madrid are confirmed as champions, Mourinho will not be considered a success, and with another game against Barcelona still to play and the knowledge that Guardiola's side are simply a class apart from any other team in the world, it is not not going to be an easy ride to the finish line.
Even if he does win the title, the rumours are growing by the day of a rift between Mourinho and his players, Mournho and the fans, Mourinho and the Real Madrid directors, Mourinho and everyone. If the rumours are true, and there is no doubt that the fans at least are beginning to turn on the self-proclaimed "Special One", then he may well be looking for another job next season. Another challenge.
There is one job that Mourinho has not taken yet, simply because the post has not been available. But we all know he wants it, a large proportion of the fans would want him, and the current manager has not hidden his admiration for him. This post is of course, that of Manchester United. None of us know when Fergie will finally call it a day, we all hope that he never does. But one day he will and United, unless taken on by the right man, could crumble after Ferguson. Throughout all changes at United in players, ownership and success, Fergie has overseen it all and without the right manager at the helm, I think there will be a lot of people both in and around Old Trafford, who will simply not know what to do. Whoever takes on the job will be a brave man indeed. It would be a potentially suicidal career move. There cannot be many men with success in their blood, like Ferguson, who will be able to give United the continuity that the fans will crave. One of the few men who would know what to do, and would almost inevitably bring continued success to the club, is Jose Mourinho.
He has always admired Ferguson and Manchester United, United fans secretly love him, or at least love to hate him, and Ferguson admires him. He probably sees himself in Mourinho in some respects. Intellgent, and both craving constant success. The difference between the two is that when Ferguson becomes successful, he tries to build on it at United. He has never got bored of building new teams and looking for new challenges, within Old Trarfford. When United are struggling, it is the same, he builds up a new team and pulls United through. Mourinho is different in a way that when he is successful, he looks for new challenges and new teams, but at different clubs, and when he is unsuccessful, he becomes frustrated and again looks for a new club to try and be the "Special One" at.
That is the one worry with Mourinho, which makes me think he may not be right for the club. Of course he would bring trophies and success, but if he wins two trebles in two years, is he going to wanrt to stay? He will have proven that he can face the toughest challenges, continuing the success of a man who most would say is impossible to follow. But once that challenge is complete, he will want a new one. Maybe the Portugal job, which is something he claims he dreams of doing one day. Meanwhile, if he does not continue the success of Ferguson, he will become unhappy, and look for a club where he can get that success. You would not expect that to be the case, and so the success of Mourinho would be almost guaranteed. The longevity not so much.
What United need to replace Fergie is a man with a similar approach, who can rebuild the club into his own, make them what he wants to be, and even if that takes a few years to get right, in the long-term it will be a whole lot better. The fans want continued success and Mourinho would bring that, no doubt about it, but if he were to leave after two or three years, what man would want to take a job where the shadows of both Ferguson and Mourinho loom over them? The fans may want immediate success and continued trophies, but this may be something we need to sacrifice for the greater good of Manchester United Football Club.
So for me, if Mourinho does leave Real and wants to wait for Fergie to finally say farewell, or even if he takes another job before then, in the long-term I do not think he would be a good choice for the success of the club. There may not be many other managers with the same credentials, but we do not want instability in management, following over 25 years of continuity in that area.
This was Mourinho's eleventh game in less than two seasons against Barcelona and although for once Real could claim to be unlucky in defeat, having dominated for large periods of the first half and having fought their way back from 2-0 down to 2-2, they still found themselves out of the Copa Del Rey, a trophy which they are the holders of, through Mourinho's only victory over Barcelona as manager of Real in last season's final. Other than that one game, which was only won after extra-time, Mourinho has lost to Bareclona on nine occasions with Real Madrid, and drawn once (the other night's match). It is a record which angers the Bernabeu club's loyal supporters. They expected Mourinho would turn things around and take them back to the top of the tree. Halfway through the La Liga season, he appears to have done this, but this record against Barcelona is a black cloud over what has been a pretty successful year and a half for Jose in Madrid. Until the 38th game is played however, and Real Madrid are confirmed as champions, Mourinho will not be considered a success, and with another game against Barcelona still to play and the knowledge that Guardiola's side are simply a class apart from any other team in the world, it is not not going to be an easy ride to the finish line.
Even if he does win the title, the rumours are growing by the day of a rift between Mourinho and his players, Mournho and the fans, Mourinho and the Real Madrid directors, Mourinho and everyone. If the rumours are true, and there is no doubt that the fans at least are beginning to turn on the self-proclaimed "Special One", then he may well be looking for another job next season. Another challenge.
There is one job that Mourinho has not taken yet, simply because the post has not been available. But we all know he wants it, a large proportion of the fans would want him, and the current manager has not hidden his admiration for him. This post is of course, that of Manchester United. None of us know when Fergie will finally call it a day, we all hope that he never does. But one day he will and United, unless taken on by the right man, could crumble after Ferguson. Throughout all changes at United in players, ownership and success, Fergie has overseen it all and without the right manager at the helm, I think there will be a lot of people both in and around Old Trafford, who will simply not know what to do. Whoever takes on the job will be a brave man indeed. It would be a potentially suicidal career move. There cannot be many men with success in their blood, like Ferguson, who will be able to give United the continuity that the fans will crave. One of the few men who would know what to do, and would almost inevitably bring continued success to the club, is Jose Mourinho.
He has always admired Ferguson and Manchester United, United fans secretly love him, or at least love to hate him, and Ferguson admires him. He probably sees himself in Mourinho in some respects. Intellgent, and both craving constant success. The difference between the two is that when Ferguson becomes successful, he tries to build on it at United. He has never got bored of building new teams and looking for new challenges, within Old Trarfford. When United are struggling, it is the same, he builds up a new team and pulls United through. Mourinho is different in a way that when he is successful, he looks for new challenges and new teams, but at different clubs, and when he is unsuccessful, he becomes frustrated and again looks for a new club to try and be the "Special One" at.
That is the one worry with Mourinho, which makes me think he may not be right for the club. Of course he would bring trophies and success, but if he wins two trebles in two years, is he going to wanrt to stay? He will have proven that he can face the toughest challenges, continuing the success of a man who most would say is impossible to follow. But once that challenge is complete, he will want a new one. Maybe the Portugal job, which is something he claims he dreams of doing one day. Meanwhile, if he does not continue the success of Ferguson, he will become unhappy, and look for a club where he can get that success. You would not expect that to be the case, and so the success of Mourinho would be almost guaranteed. The longevity not so much.
What United need to replace Fergie is a man with a similar approach, who can rebuild the club into his own, make them what he wants to be, and even if that takes a few years to get right, in the long-term it will be a whole lot better. The fans want continued success and Mourinho would bring that, no doubt about it, but if he were to leave after two or three years, what man would want to take a job where the shadows of both Ferguson and Mourinho loom over them? The fans may want immediate success and continued trophies, but this may be something we need to sacrifice for the greater good of Manchester United Football Club.
So for me, if Mourinho does leave Real and wants to wait for Fergie to finally say farewell, or even if he takes another job before then, in the long-term I do not think he would be a good choice for the success of the club. There may not be many other managers with the same credentials, but we do not want instability in management, following over 25 years of continuity in that area.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Super Sunday: Review
Sunday 22nd January 2012 was always going to be a big day in the title race. Four of the top five, including the three teams who are considered to be this season's title challengers. I have a Politics exam on Tuesday, but the importance of this day meant I was given permission take (most of) the day off revision. A mistake it may be in the long-term, but in the short-term I'm very glad I took the precious hours off to watch what will inevitably be a pivotal day in the title race. A day which, for me, eliminated one title challenger in Spurs, and showed that City really do have the credentials to go all the way.
Manchester City v Tottenham was the first game up on this mouth-watering Super Sunday, but the first 45 minutes made me want to return to the towers of notes on my desk. Almost nothing of interest could be reported from a first half where the most exciting moments were those of Chris Coleman repeatdely calling David Silva, "Da Silva". With Ray Wilkins and now Coleman on the Sky team, the factual inaccuracies of Sky Sports are no doubt about to increase even further. At least Gary Neville talks some sense. The seoncd half however, was a whole other story. This was one of the most exciting 45 minutes of football I've watched this season, played at the high intensity and fast pace that the first half lacked. The first goal came after 56 minutes and it was a fantastic goal, with "Da Silva" threading the ball through for a man who Spurs fans will hate the face of even more now, former Arsenal star and current Manchester City flop, Samir Nasri.. The best was yet to come however. The second goal was my favourite of the game. Although it made me feel a little bit sick seeing CIty go 2-0 up, and it was a terribly scrappy goal. it provided one of the highlights of my day, with another Chris Coleman pronunciation error, as he declared a goal for "Julian Lescott". A small mistake yes, but it just summed up the hilarious lack of knowledge pundits have these days, that they can't even pronounce the names correctly of some of the country's most well known footballers. But back to the game, it was 2-0 and at this point I could see a City rout. What unfolded was a lot more dramatic, and ultimately a lot more painful than that.
Up until this point Stefan Savic had been solid in City's defence. A surprise to everyone. Something had to give, and it did. A dreadful attempted headed clearance went the wrong way, found Defoe, who took it past Hart and slotted it in. Game on.
Within 5 minutes, the scores were level, and I was on my knees, bowing down before the second greatest left-footed Welshman to ever grace the Premier League, Gareth Bale. It was a sublime goal, taken first time with a sweep of his magic wand of a left-foot, and past Joe Hart from 25 yards. Stunning. From that moment Spurs seemed more likely to win the game, in a comeback similar to the one they had at the Emirates last year, coming from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2. Sadly it was not to be. We all thought it was. For a few moments, we all thought the comeback would be complete. There can't have been many people watching when Savic gave the ball away on the halfway line, leading to a trademark Gareth Bale run and low cross, who thought Jermaine Defoe would miss. He slid towards the ball, he made contact, but agonisingly for him and most of the country, the ball was poked wide. It was a bad miss, and had Emmanuel Adebayor been eligible, or had anyone just an inch or two taller been in Defoe's position at that moment, Spurs would have had all three points and the title race would have very much been one with three horses. As it was, within three minutes, that third horse fell. More specifically, Ledley King's leg fell into the path of Mario Balotelli who went over for what was a stonewall penalty. Mario should not have been on the pitch, and has rightly been charged for his stamp on Scott Parker in the 84th minute which somehow some pundits are claiming was accidental. But Howard Webb did not seem to notice it which meant in the 94th minute, the nation held its breath as Mad Mario stepped up to the plate to take the penalty himself, and as cool as you like, beat Friedel and the points were City's. For any United fan, it was a sucker punch. For years we have watched our team score dramatic late winners and win games through gritted teeth, without playing at full throttle. For the whole season up until last Monday at Wigan, City had either won well, or not at all. Us United fans had said until City learnt to grind out games or keep going till the very last to win, then City could not be champions. Sadly the 1-0 win at Wigan and this win over Spurs, are without doubt the results of a team with title credentials.
City however, are not the champions yet, and although that result will be vital at the end of the season and certainly proves they can truly win this league (let's also not forget they were missing their two best players in Kompany and Yaya Toure), the current champions are going to push them right to the finish line. This is in no small part thanks to a much deserved win against Arsenal in the day's second game.
The game will be remembered mainly for THAT substitution, and yes, Wenger was wrong to take off "The Ox", especially when he was replaced by the "most disinterested player in the Premier League" as Gary Neville rightly said, a man who I like to call "The Meerkat", Andrey Arshavin. What happened to the man who scored 4 against Liverpool in 2009? This is not the same player and Arsenal will be lucky to get £4 for him when they inevitably attempt to offload him, let alone 4 goals. He was at fault for the winner, as was Wenger for putting him on, but the game should have been dead and buried by the end of the first-half, United were completely dominant. As it was, they did not score until added time at the end of the first half, but it was a fine header from my United player of the season, Antonio Valencia, made by our man for all seasons, Ryan Giggs. Valencia would be vital again in making the winner, assisting Keith Lemon sound-a-like Danny Welbeck by forcing the half-hearted challenge from Arshavin, which poked the ball into Welbeck's path for the winner.
Prior to that, Arsenal had improved in the second half, Wenger making a decent substitution and replacing the beyond woeful Johan Djourou with a Toyota Yaris, or Nico Yennaris to give him his proper name. The Premier League debutant proved a lot more apt at dealing with Nani than the man who started the game. But it was a man making his first league start, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was making the biggest impact, working tirelessly for his team, unlike his replacement Arshavin who worked tiredly. Chamberlain was Arsenal's best player and showed this with a fantastic through ball to the world's best striker, Robin Van Persie, who equalised, redeeming for a terrible miss earlier in the half following a rare error from Chris Smalling. Arsenal had momentum, and it was Chamberlain and Van Persie, not Valencia and Welbeck, who looked the more likely to produce a winner. For three minutes anyway. Chamberlain was removed to the sound of boos echoing around the Emirates and from that moment only one team was going to win, and it wasn't Arsenal.
It was a great win and a deserving win for the 19 times Champions, and keeps us within touching distance of City. There were negatives to take away from the game. Phil Jones' injury did not look too good, although apparently it is not as bad as first feared, hopefully the few weeks he is layed off for, should give him time to clear his head, get some rest, and regain the form he had before the New Year's Eve horror show against Blackburn. Nani's injury could also be a damaging blow if that is serious, but we will hope not and wait to hear further informtion on what damage has been done. Rafael's performance at right-back was also a cause for concern. I remember our defeat here in 2008/09 when the young Brazilian came on to score a beautifully taken consolation goal in a 2-1 loss. The player who played yesterday, and was subbed off having already been subbed on, was a long way short of the talent he showed back in his first two seasons at the club.
Overall, however, a successful day for United, we are still very much in the title race and it will surely go to the wire. But let's be mindful of the past, as United have proven over the last 20 years, grinding out results and scoring dramatic late winners is something you need to win the title, and City are getting the hang of that at just the right time.
Manchester City v Tottenham was the first game up on this mouth-watering Super Sunday, but the first 45 minutes made me want to return to the towers of notes on my desk. Almost nothing of interest could be reported from a first half where the most exciting moments were those of Chris Coleman repeatdely calling David Silva, "Da Silva". With Ray Wilkins and now Coleman on the Sky team, the factual inaccuracies of Sky Sports are no doubt about to increase even further. At least Gary Neville talks some sense. The seoncd half however, was a whole other story. This was one of the most exciting 45 minutes of football I've watched this season, played at the high intensity and fast pace that the first half lacked. The first goal came after 56 minutes and it was a fantastic goal, with "Da Silva" threading the ball through for a man who Spurs fans will hate the face of even more now, former Arsenal star and current Manchester City flop, Samir Nasri.. The best was yet to come however. The second goal was my favourite of the game. Although it made me feel a little bit sick seeing CIty go 2-0 up, and it was a terribly scrappy goal. it provided one of the highlights of my day, with another Chris Coleman pronunciation error, as he declared a goal for "Julian Lescott". A small mistake yes, but it just summed up the hilarious lack of knowledge pundits have these days, that they can't even pronounce the names correctly of some of the country's most well known footballers. But back to the game, it was 2-0 and at this point I could see a City rout. What unfolded was a lot more dramatic, and ultimately a lot more painful than that.
Up until this point Stefan Savic had been solid in City's defence. A surprise to everyone. Something had to give, and it did. A dreadful attempted headed clearance went the wrong way, found Defoe, who took it past Hart and slotted it in. Game on.
Within 5 minutes, the scores were level, and I was on my knees, bowing down before the second greatest left-footed Welshman to ever grace the Premier League, Gareth Bale. It was a sublime goal, taken first time with a sweep of his magic wand of a left-foot, and past Joe Hart from 25 yards. Stunning. From that moment Spurs seemed more likely to win the game, in a comeback similar to the one they had at the Emirates last year, coming from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2. Sadly it was not to be. We all thought it was. For a few moments, we all thought the comeback would be complete. There can't have been many people watching when Savic gave the ball away on the halfway line, leading to a trademark Gareth Bale run and low cross, who thought Jermaine Defoe would miss. He slid towards the ball, he made contact, but agonisingly for him and most of the country, the ball was poked wide. It was a bad miss, and had Emmanuel Adebayor been eligible, or had anyone just an inch or two taller been in Defoe's position at that moment, Spurs would have had all three points and the title race would have very much been one with three horses. As it was, within three minutes, that third horse fell. More specifically, Ledley King's leg fell into the path of Mario Balotelli who went over for what was a stonewall penalty. Mario should not have been on the pitch, and has rightly been charged for his stamp on Scott Parker in the 84th minute which somehow some pundits are claiming was accidental. But Howard Webb did not seem to notice it which meant in the 94th minute, the nation held its breath as Mad Mario stepped up to the plate to take the penalty himself, and as cool as you like, beat Friedel and the points were City's. For any United fan, it was a sucker punch. For years we have watched our team score dramatic late winners and win games through gritted teeth, without playing at full throttle. For the whole season up until last Monday at Wigan, City had either won well, or not at all. Us United fans had said until City learnt to grind out games or keep going till the very last to win, then City could not be champions. Sadly the 1-0 win at Wigan and this win over Spurs, are without doubt the results of a team with title credentials.
City however, are not the champions yet, and although that result will be vital at the end of the season and certainly proves they can truly win this league (let's also not forget they were missing their two best players in Kompany and Yaya Toure), the current champions are going to push them right to the finish line. This is in no small part thanks to a much deserved win against Arsenal in the day's second game.
The game will be remembered mainly for THAT substitution, and yes, Wenger was wrong to take off "The Ox", especially when he was replaced by the "most disinterested player in the Premier League" as Gary Neville rightly said, a man who I like to call "The Meerkat", Andrey Arshavin. What happened to the man who scored 4 against Liverpool in 2009? This is not the same player and Arsenal will be lucky to get £4 for him when they inevitably attempt to offload him, let alone 4 goals. He was at fault for the winner, as was Wenger for putting him on, but the game should have been dead and buried by the end of the first-half, United were completely dominant. As it was, they did not score until added time at the end of the first half, but it was a fine header from my United player of the season, Antonio Valencia, made by our man for all seasons, Ryan Giggs. Valencia would be vital again in making the winner, assisting Keith Lemon sound-a-like Danny Welbeck by forcing the half-hearted challenge from Arshavin, which poked the ball into Welbeck's path for the winner.
Prior to that, Arsenal had improved in the second half, Wenger making a decent substitution and replacing the beyond woeful Johan Djourou with a Toyota Yaris, or Nico Yennaris to give him his proper name. The Premier League debutant proved a lot more apt at dealing with Nani than the man who started the game. But it was a man making his first league start, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was making the biggest impact, working tirelessly for his team, unlike his replacement Arshavin who worked tiredly. Chamberlain was Arsenal's best player and showed this with a fantastic through ball to the world's best striker, Robin Van Persie, who equalised, redeeming for a terrible miss earlier in the half following a rare error from Chris Smalling. Arsenal had momentum, and it was Chamberlain and Van Persie, not Valencia and Welbeck, who looked the more likely to produce a winner. For three minutes anyway. Chamberlain was removed to the sound of boos echoing around the Emirates and from that moment only one team was going to win, and it wasn't Arsenal.
It was a great win and a deserving win for the 19 times Champions, and keeps us within touching distance of City. There were negatives to take away from the game. Phil Jones' injury did not look too good, although apparently it is not as bad as first feared, hopefully the few weeks he is layed off for, should give him time to clear his head, get some rest, and regain the form he had before the New Year's Eve horror show against Blackburn. Nani's injury could also be a damaging blow if that is serious, but we will hope not and wait to hear further informtion on what damage has been done. Rafael's performance at right-back was also a cause for concern. I remember our defeat here in 2008/09 when the young Brazilian came on to score a beautifully taken consolation goal in a 2-1 loss. The player who played yesterday, and was subbed off having already been subbed on, was a long way short of the talent he showed back in his first two seasons at the club.
Overall, however, a successful day for United, we are still very much in the title race and it will surely go to the wire. But let's be mindful of the past, as United have proven over the last 20 years, grinding out results and scoring dramatic late winners is something you need to win the title, and City are getting the hang of that at just the right time.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Noisy Neighbours must change their mentality
Last week I logged onto Twitter and Facebook following United's 3-2 win over City in the FA Cup and found what I was expecting to be plastered over my timelines. Manchester City fans treating their defeat, at home, to their nearest rivals, as if they had just won the FA Cup. Yes, City were plucky in the second half and certainly deserve some credit. Going back to the infamous 6-1 match at Old Trafford earlier in the season, United lost by that scoreline after having 10 men for 40 minutes. City had 10 men for 80. This was of course picked up on by Roberto Mancini and the majority of City fans as they basked in the glory of their defeat.
Here's a thought for City fans. You lost the game.
Forget how many players they had on the pitch and how brave their team was in the second half, nearly pulling off a glorious comeback. They NEARLY pulled it off. They did not complete. The game finished 3-2 to United and the holders were out of the cup to their nearest rivals. This is not the Manchester City of old who would have accepted a plucky 3-2 defeat of this sort and treated it as a moral victory. This is a new Manchester City who are top of the Premier League and were holders of the FA Cup. No defeat for a team looking for success, should be treated as a victory, particularly not one in a derby. When Darren Fletcher scored to make the score 3-1 to City in October, in search of another couple of goals United became sloppy and conceded another three instead. But let's say someone had popped up to make it 3-2, only for it to finish that way. Would the United fans have been happy? Of course not, we would have been devastated, whatever the scoreline, to lose to our local rivals in such a big game.
That is where the two clubs still differ. Yes, City were very good in the second half last week (although a lot of the comeback was to do with United flaws as much as their strengths), but they lost the game and are now out of a major competition. Moral victory or not, it was a defeat and if City really have the ambition to become as big a club as United, they need to learn to treat defeat like defeat. A friend said to me in defence of City last week, "people need to realise that City aren't s*** like they were 5 years ago". I agreed with this view, but it is the City fans who still have that mentality. A big club has a big mentality where only a win will do. Losing to your nearest rivals in a competition which you are the holders of and treating it like a victory? That is a sign of a small club with a smell mentality.
So, City fans, be proud in defeat. But it was not a victory. Until that mentality is changed, you will still be the noisy neighbours.
Here's a thought for City fans. You lost the game.
Forget how many players they had on the pitch and how brave their team was in the second half, nearly pulling off a glorious comeback. They NEARLY pulled it off. They did not complete. The game finished 3-2 to United and the holders were out of the cup to their nearest rivals. This is not the Manchester City of old who would have accepted a plucky 3-2 defeat of this sort and treated it as a moral victory. This is a new Manchester City who are top of the Premier League and were holders of the FA Cup. No defeat for a team looking for success, should be treated as a victory, particularly not one in a derby. When Darren Fletcher scored to make the score 3-1 to City in October, in search of another couple of goals United became sloppy and conceded another three instead. But let's say someone had popped up to make it 3-2, only for it to finish that way. Would the United fans have been happy? Of course not, we would have been devastated, whatever the scoreline, to lose to our local rivals in such a big game.
That is where the two clubs still differ. Yes, City were very good in the second half last week (although a lot of the comeback was to do with United flaws as much as their strengths), but they lost the game and are now out of a major competition. Moral victory or not, it was a defeat and if City really have the ambition to become as big a club as United, they need to learn to treat defeat like defeat. A friend said to me in defence of City last week, "people need to realise that City aren't s*** like they were 5 years ago". I agreed with this view, but it is the City fans who still have that mentality. A big club has a big mentality where only a win will do. Losing to your nearest rivals in a competition which you are the holders of and treating it like a victory? That is a sign of a small club with a smell mentality.
So, City fans, be proud in defeat. But it was not a victory. Until that mentality is changed, you will still be the noisy neighbours.
Midfielders Needed
How many of United's starting XI would make it into City's? For me a combined team of players would look like this:
Hart
Richards, Kompany, Vidic, Evra
Nani, Barry, Toure, Silva
Rooney, Aguero
That's seven City players, and four United. If the Reds are going to compete with their bitter rivals next season, there must be drastic changes made. The obvious place to start is in midfield. Although a couple of defenders and maybe a new striker would help United's cause, midfield is where they struggle most.
Nani and Valencia must be kept by the club. Neither can afford to be sold based on the performances of both over the last couple of seasons. Valencia should be ok but there are always rumours flying around Nani, and there is no doubt he can see himself in the white of Real Madrid one day. One day must be how it remains. Other than Rooney, Nani has been United's best attacking player since Ronaldo's departure and his assists and goals are vital. On the wing United also have Ashley Young who certainly has the potential to be an Old Trafford legend, if his first few games before the injuries kicked in, are anything to go by.
There is then the problem of central midfield. Tom Cleverley is going to be a fantastic player, and already is very good, but he cannot be relied upon, partcularly when you take into account his injury record this season. Michael Carrick still puts in a good shift, despite all the criticism he gets, but he does not score enough goals or strike fear into opponents' eyes. He is a very good squad player and is useful against certain teams, in certain games, but for Untied to make progress he needs replacing. Darren Fletcher of course is taking an extended break and it would be an incredible and extraordinary story if he was to come back as good as he was at his peak in 2009. I think deep down, we all know that if he does return, he will not even be half the player he used to be. Meanwhile it is extraordinary that Ryan Giggs can still play at the level he does, but this will not last forever. The return of Paul Scholes is bizarre and even if he can play at a decent standard then it is still not a long-term option (I personally am strongly against his return anyway, it just shows desperation). On the other end of the scale, Phil Jones has seemed to be a better option as a midfielder in recent games than as a defender, but he is still developing his game and should really be seen as a future United centre-back than midfielder.
So what needs to be done? I personally believe two central midfielders must be bought. One could be enough, and he could play alongside a rotated trio of Carrick, Cleverley and Jones, but the best teams seem to have solidity in their midfield. This season, three central midfield partnerships have stood out for me. One is Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry for City, another is Scott Parker and Luka Modric for Spurs, and of course the domineering Newcastle pairing of Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye, who ran rings around United a few weeks ago. For me, Cheik Tiote is a must buy. He controls the midfield, tackles brilliantly, passes accurately and his presence is fearsome. No player wants to come up against Cheik. Cabaye has been a phenomenal find by Pardew and would be a fantastic addition to United too, but you cannot buy everyone and I'm sure when the bids inevitably come in for both midfielders in January/ the summer (as well as for Demba Ba who I'd also love to see in a red shirt), Newcastle will want to prove they are not a selling club. Despite this, one purchase at least should be possible with the right money offered, and if Ferguson is to put his hand in his pocket for anyone before next season, I would like it to be Cheik Tiote. He would without doubt add an extra dimension to United's midfield and would help bring them onto a par with City.
Who would play alongside him though? Well there is a long list of potentials. Cabaye is unlikely for reasons just stated, and then there is Luka Modric who would be perfect for any team, and in my opinion is the best midfielder in the Premier League at the moment. It would however, take ridiculous amounts of money to prise him away from Tottenham and by the end of this season, Spurs may have finished ahead of United anyway! Realistically, there is one man who I think could partner Tiote and turn United into a dangerous force in the long-term. It is a name that is constantly floated around and linked to joining the Reds, Jack Rodwell. He is a great player already and has the potential to be one of the best midfielders to grace the Premier League. Young and English, he could be around for a long time and would help take United in the right direction in the future. In my opinion, the biggest positive is that Rodwell would be another addition to the growing array of young, English talent at Manchester United, and Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup could have a squad of players dominated by United. You would expect Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young to be there as part of the more experienced side of the squad. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck are all expected to go to the Euros this summer, and if Tom Cleverley can recover fitness and form he will have a chance too. By 2014 they are more than likely to be regular starters. Add Rodwell to the equation and you have seven Manchester United players, all in the main England squad and very possibly in the starting XI. The majority of Spain's players play together week in, week out at Barcelona and Real Madrid, meaning they understand each other and can play together easily. Having Rodwell at United would not just bring about success to the Reds, but to England too, if the players are playing together every week as well as on a national level, success becomes much more realistic.
United's midfield needs change. There needs to be a vision, the future needs to be taken into account. City will without doubt pull away over the next couple of years if United do not address this issue with a couple of big buys soon. Tiote and Rodwell are two of the brightest sparks in Premier League football at the moment, both are very different players and both would fit nicely into United's squad. There are obviously other options but as far as realistic and very good purchases go, Tiote and Rodwell seem to be the best options.
Hart
Richards, Kompany, Vidic, Evra
Nani, Barry, Toure, Silva
Rooney, Aguero
That's seven City players, and four United. If the Reds are going to compete with their bitter rivals next season, there must be drastic changes made. The obvious place to start is in midfield. Although a couple of defenders and maybe a new striker would help United's cause, midfield is where they struggle most.
Nani and Valencia must be kept by the club. Neither can afford to be sold based on the performances of both over the last couple of seasons. Valencia should be ok but there are always rumours flying around Nani, and there is no doubt he can see himself in the white of Real Madrid one day. One day must be how it remains. Other than Rooney, Nani has been United's best attacking player since Ronaldo's departure and his assists and goals are vital. On the wing United also have Ashley Young who certainly has the potential to be an Old Trafford legend, if his first few games before the injuries kicked in, are anything to go by.
There is then the problem of central midfield. Tom Cleverley is going to be a fantastic player, and already is very good, but he cannot be relied upon, partcularly when you take into account his injury record this season. Michael Carrick still puts in a good shift, despite all the criticism he gets, but he does not score enough goals or strike fear into opponents' eyes. He is a very good squad player and is useful against certain teams, in certain games, but for Untied to make progress he needs replacing. Darren Fletcher of course is taking an extended break and it would be an incredible and extraordinary story if he was to come back as good as he was at his peak in 2009. I think deep down, we all know that if he does return, he will not even be half the player he used to be. Meanwhile it is extraordinary that Ryan Giggs can still play at the level he does, but this will not last forever. The return of Paul Scholes is bizarre and even if he can play at a decent standard then it is still not a long-term option (I personally am strongly against his return anyway, it just shows desperation). On the other end of the scale, Phil Jones has seemed to be a better option as a midfielder in recent games than as a defender, but he is still developing his game and should really be seen as a future United centre-back than midfielder.
So what needs to be done? I personally believe two central midfielders must be bought. One could be enough, and he could play alongside a rotated trio of Carrick, Cleverley and Jones, but the best teams seem to have solidity in their midfield. This season, three central midfield partnerships have stood out for me. One is Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry for City, another is Scott Parker and Luka Modric for Spurs, and of course the domineering Newcastle pairing of Cheik Tiote and Yohan Cabaye, who ran rings around United a few weeks ago. For me, Cheik Tiote is a must buy. He controls the midfield, tackles brilliantly, passes accurately and his presence is fearsome. No player wants to come up against Cheik. Cabaye has been a phenomenal find by Pardew and would be a fantastic addition to United too, but you cannot buy everyone and I'm sure when the bids inevitably come in for both midfielders in January/ the summer (as well as for Demba Ba who I'd also love to see in a red shirt), Newcastle will want to prove they are not a selling club. Despite this, one purchase at least should be possible with the right money offered, and if Ferguson is to put his hand in his pocket for anyone before next season, I would like it to be Cheik Tiote. He would without doubt add an extra dimension to United's midfield and would help bring them onto a par with City.
Who would play alongside him though? Well there is a long list of potentials. Cabaye is unlikely for reasons just stated, and then there is Luka Modric who would be perfect for any team, and in my opinion is the best midfielder in the Premier League at the moment. It would however, take ridiculous amounts of money to prise him away from Tottenham and by the end of this season, Spurs may have finished ahead of United anyway! Realistically, there is one man who I think could partner Tiote and turn United into a dangerous force in the long-term. It is a name that is constantly floated around and linked to joining the Reds, Jack Rodwell. He is a great player already and has the potential to be one of the best midfielders to grace the Premier League. Young and English, he could be around for a long time and would help take United in the right direction in the future. In my opinion, the biggest positive is that Rodwell would be another addition to the growing array of young, English talent at Manchester United, and Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup could have a squad of players dominated by United. You would expect Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young to be there as part of the more experienced side of the squad. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck are all expected to go to the Euros this summer, and if Tom Cleverley can recover fitness and form he will have a chance too. By 2014 they are more than likely to be regular starters. Add Rodwell to the equation and you have seven Manchester United players, all in the main England squad and very possibly in the starting XI. The majority of Spain's players play together week in, week out at Barcelona and Real Madrid, meaning they understand each other and can play together easily. Having Rodwell at United would not just bring about success to the Reds, but to England too, if the players are playing together every week as well as on a national level, success becomes much more realistic.
United's midfield needs change. There needs to be a vision, the future needs to be taken into account. City will without doubt pull away over the next couple of years if United do not address this issue with a couple of big buys soon. Tiote and Rodwell are two of the brightest sparks in Premier League football at the moment, both are very different players and both would fit nicely into United's squad. There are obviously other options but as far as realistic and very good purchases go, Tiote and Rodwell seem to be the best options.
Crisis? What Crisis?
Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, a steady decline has no doubt hit Manchester United. However, United have played two and a half seasons since and despite a few lacklustre permormances, the success of the club has not disappeared. In the first of these Ronaldo-less seasons they pushed a very strong Chelsea side to the final day of the Premier League season, won the League Cup and were unlucky to lose to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final. Last season they won the league and reached the Champions League final where they were beaten by possibly the greatest club side this planet has seen. No shame in that. This campaign Ferguson's ever-evolving army has been criticised even more harshly, and with some justification. Humiliation in the league against Man City and early eliminations from the Champions League and Carling Cup have sparked talks of a "crisis", but the Reds are still within 3 points of City and only last week they beat their nearest rivals in the FA Cup, albeit with a shambolic second half performance. It was however, a win and United are still very much on course for a Double, not forgetting they are now the "Pride of Europa" as one United fanzine put it.
Three trophies United could still win, yet we are a club who with every defeat are seen as being at breaking point, with Fergie's empire apparently crumbling. There have been times in the past when criticism of United has been fair and for a time between 2003 and 2006, it seemed it was the beginning of the end for the Ferguson regime. For three seasons United failed to win the league and following two consecutive knockouts in the Round of 16 in the Champions League, they failed to get through their group in 2005/06. Three seasons of discontent, it is no surprise that criticism flew in from all angles and a "crisis" was spoken of. Yet Fergie picked himself up out of the rubble, dusted himself off and went onto win four more league titles and reach three Champions League Finals (including one victory), before this current "crisis".
It has not been three seasons of no league title, it has been half a season, and United may very well be champions of England for a twentieth time come May. Ferguson and his players know better than Mancini and his (or even Redknapp and his Spurs squad) what it takes to win a league title, and if United do pull off the surprising feat of pipping City at the post, then all this talk of a crisis will seem bizarre. Along with the dismal performances seen against City, Blackburn and Newcastle (to name a few), United have played some exhilirating football this season in the 8-2 humiliation of Arsenal, the first half of the 3-1 victory over Chelsea in September, as well as more recently against QPR, Fulham and City in the first half of last week's cup tie. Although there is a certain inconcsistency in United's performances, they have more experience of winning titles and title run-ins than their rivals. It is said that the Reds hit good form in the last few months of the season, and this means more often than not they are champions. However, it is not so much a case of United getting better, but their rivals getting fatigued and their form becoming more inconsistent, with injuries and the pressure of a title battle hitting the players. Often United's performances towards the end of the season are worse than at earlier stages, they just become more clinical and can deal with the pressures. One thing we all know United can do is fight till the very last.
Meanwhile injuries have been a running theme in United's campaign. When was the last time Ashley Young was at full fitness, following his bright start to life at Old Trafford? Or Javier Hernandez? Not forgetting constant injuries to the Da Silva twins and Michael Owen, the ever-decreasing fitness and form of Rio Ferdinand, spells on the touchline for Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley, Anderson and Danny Welbeck, and the long term absence of the world's best defender Nemanja Vidic. In spite of all of these United are still plucking away at the top, and you would have thought things can only improve with regards to these injuries. City on the other hand have spent the best part of the season relatively absentee-free, but have seen their form start to drop in recent games, and they are missing arguably their two best players, Vincent Kompany and the man-mountain Yaya Toure. David Silva has also struggled with an injury in the last couple of games and if he was to be absent for a longer period of time later in the season, or if Sergio Aguero was to pick up a knock or two along the route to the finish line, then no doubt City could find themselves struggling. The English contingent of City's starting XI in Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and James Milner have all been fantastic for Roberto Mancini but if any were to get injured (particularly Hart, Richards or Barry), then that could also lead to major problems in City's title bid.
Of course it is easy to say "what if" with regards to injuries, and who is to say that any City player will be ravaged by injury between now and May. At the same time an injury to Wayne Rooney would cause collateral damage to United, not forgetting the contributions of Nani and Antonio Valencia this season, both of whom would be sorely missed if they were to fall by the wayside. Yet one gets the feeling that United have had their spell of bad luck for this term, and maybe, just maybe, the tables will turn.
It is on this basis that United cannot be ruled out of winning the league title. If United do win it then it would be ridiculous to suggest they are a club in crisis. However, while the media make it seem as if United are in the midst of a crisis at this moment in time, the problems they point out as causing damage right now certainly need to be addressed as soon as possible by Ferguson and the hapless Glaziers. Although United could push City all the way this season, the experience of a title race that City will gain will be taken on board for future campagins. There is no doubt whatsoever that City's squad of players is better than United's and the main thing going for United in this title race is experience. They are not a club in crisis, they have some brilliant players but have been dreadfully unlucky with injuries this season. Certainly they are not the force they once were but a club in crisis? If a crisis is the potential of winning three trophies between now and May, then I think many more people would want to be in a crisis like United's.
Three trophies United could still win, yet we are a club who with every defeat are seen as being at breaking point, with Fergie's empire apparently crumbling. There have been times in the past when criticism of United has been fair and for a time between 2003 and 2006, it seemed it was the beginning of the end for the Ferguson regime. For three seasons United failed to win the league and following two consecutive knockouts in the Round of 16 in the Champions League, they failed to get through their group in 2005/06. Three seasons of discontent, it is no surprise that criticism flew in from all angles and a "crisis" was spoken of. Yet Fergie picked himself up out of the rubble, dusted himself off and went onto win four more league titles and reach three Champions League Finals (including one victory), before this current "crisis".
It has not been three seasons of no league title, it has been half a season, and United may very well be champions of England for a twentieth time come May. Ferguson and his players know better than Mancini and his (or even Redknapp and his Spurs squad) what it takes to win a league title, and if United do pull off the surprising feat of pipping City at the post, then all this talk of a crisis will seem bizarre. Along with the dismal performances seen against City, Blackburn and Newcastle (to name a few), United have played some exhilirating football this season in the 8-2 humiliation of Arsenal, the first half of the 3-1 victory over Chelsea in September, as well as more recently against QPR, Fulham and City in the first half of last week's cup tie. Although there is a certain inconcsistency in United's performances, they have more experience of winning titles and title run-ins than their rivals. It is said that the Reds hit good form in the last few months of the season, and this means more often than not they are champions. However, it is not so much a case of United getting better, but their rivals getting fatigued and their form becoming more inconsistent, with injuries and the pressure of a title battle hitting the players. Often United's performances towards the end of the season are worse than at earlier stages, they just become more clinical and can deal with the pressures. One thing we all know United can do is fight till the very last.
Meanwhile injuries have been a running theme in United's campaign. When was the last time Ashley Young was at full fitness, following his bright start to life at Old Trafford? Or Javier Hernandez? Not forgetting constant injuries to the Da Silva twins and Michael Owen, the ever-decreasing fitness and form of Rio Ferdinand, spells on the touchline for Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley, Anderson and Danny Welbeck, and the long term absence of the world's best defender Nemanja Vidic. In spite of all of these United are still plucking away at the top, and you would have thought things can only improve with regards to these injuries. City on the other hand have spent the best part of the season relatively absentee-free, but have seen their form start to drop in recent games, and they are missing arguably their two best players, Vincent Kompany and the man-mountain Yaya Toure. David Silva has also struggled with an injury in the last couple of games and if he was to be absent for a longer period of time later in the season, or if Sergio Aguero was to pick up a knock or two along the route to the finish line, then no doubt City could find themselves struggling. The English contingent of City's starting XI in Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and James Milner have all been fantastic for Roberto Mancini but if any were to get injured (particularly Hart, Richards or Barry), then that could also lead to major problems in City's title bid.
Of course it is easy to say "what if" with regards to injuries, and who is to say that any City player will be ravaged by injury between now and May. At the same time an injury to Wayne Rooney would cause collateral damage to United, not forgetting the contributions of Nani and Antonio Valencia this season, both of whom would be sorely missed if they were to fall by the wayside. Yet one gets the feeling that United have had their spell of bad luck for this term, and maybe, just maybe, the tables will turn.
It is on this basis that United cannot be ruled out of winning the league title. If United do win it then it would be ridiculous to suggest they are a club in crisis. However, while the media make it seem as if United are in the midst of a crisis at this moment in time, the problems they point out as causing damage right now certainly need to be addressed as soon as possible by Ferguson and the hapless Glaziers. Although United could push City all the way this season, the experience of a title race that City will gain will be taken on board for future campagins. There is no doubt whatsoever that City's squad of players is better than United's and the main thing going for United in this title race is experience. They are not a club in crisis, they have some brilliant players but have been dreadfully unlucky with injuries this season. Certainly they are not the force they once were but a club in crisis? If a crisis is the potential of winning three trophies between now and May, then I think many more people would want to be in a crisis like United's.
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