The deployment of Wayne Rooney on the right wing for Manchester United’ 0-0 Champions League Semi Final draw in the Camp Nou last night raised many eyebrows, none more so than on the excellent (Irish) RTE television panel. John Giles, Eamon Dunphy and Liam Brady each made a point of singling out Rooney for his professional, unselfish display in an unaccustomed role away from his usual strikers’ position.
It is testament to the professionalism of Rooney that he carried out his duties of closing down the likes Abidal, Xavi, Deco etc. using every last ounce of his seemingly boundless energy without so much as a complaint or shrug to the sideline. It must have been horrible for an out and out striker with his undoubted talents to go a full 90 minutes without so much as a shot on the goal but he still put in the maximum effort for the good of the team.
Now Rooney is no angel and can infuriate ABU’s everywhere with his (regular) petulant outbursts to referees, but he showed his true worth to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United last night with another committed display where he sacrificed his own personal ambitions on behalf of his team mates.
It must be incredibly frustrating for the talismanic striker to be asked to play such a withdrawn role but Rooney responded and while we may not have witnessed the usual lung-bursting runs and individual flicks of brilliance, honed on the backstreets of Merseyside, his contribution was nonetheless every bit as important.
Contrast the Rooney performance with that of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Firstly, no blame should be apportioned to the Portuguese winger for missing that penalty so early on in the tie but the remainder of his ‘performance’ left a lot to be desired. For a player who is fouled so often there is no reason for all the theatrical diving and gesticulating that infuriates opposition players and fans. Win your free kick and just get on with it. Worse still, his continual reluctance to track back and help out his team again went unnoticed last night thanks to the Herculean efforts of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.
There is no doubting Ronaldo’s individual talent as anyone who can score the amount of goals that he has done in one season deserves respect. That is not the issue; it Ronaldo’s lack of professionalism in not carrying out the so-called donkey work and tracking back (a la Rooney) for the sake of his team mates that annoys the most.
Man United fans should not regard these comments as an attack on Ronaldo the player, more a comment on his attitude and professionalism to the rest of his team mates.
If Rooney can put in a 90 minute performance without throwing his arms in the air every time he is tackled, track back when he loses possession and sacrifice his attacking talents on behalf of his team then so should Ronaldo.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
ONE FOOT IN THE FINAL
Liverpool threw away a potential Champions League final appearance following a moment of madness from Jon Arne Riise in injury time at Anfield last night. A goal up despite wasting a succession of excellent second half chances, Liverpool still looked set for a deserved victory. Riise will have nightmares about his attempted clearance that flew past a startled Jose Reina to give Chelsea a decisive away goal going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week.
Chelsea played well below par and Liverpool were little better in a tension-filled match that rarely rose above the ordinary in standard. But the Londoners will be boosted by that late stroke of luck and should be strong enough defensively to progress to the final. Rafa Benitez will have to alter his usual tactics of defending deep and hitting Chelsea on the counter attack and simply must take the game to the Pensioners next Wednesday night to have any hope of making the final.
How the Red’s will be ruing those two Fernando Torres opportunities and that Gerrard rocket that Peter Cech superbly thwarted. If any of those chances had gone in it would have been curtains for Chelsea and most likely Avram Gant too. The Israeli manager has been handed a lifeline by the errant head of Riise and it would take a major catastrophe for Chelsea not to seize the initiative and make it to Moscow.
For all his shot-stopping talents Cech still remains susceptible to crosses and as a result Bentiez may well have to introduce Peter Crouch to the proceedings at some stage in the second leg if a goal isn’t forthcoming. Chelsea will qualify if they can keep it tight and if Carvalho reproduces his performance from last night – covering for the painfully slow Terry – then Roman Abramovich can look forward to a trip to his home town with some confidence.
Chelsea played well below par and Liverpool were little better in a tension-filled match that rarely rose above the ordinary in standard. But the Londoners will be boosted by that late stroke of luck and should be strong enough defensively to progress to the final. Rafa Benitez will have to alter his usual tactics of defending deep and hitting Chelsea on the counter attack and simply must take the game to the Pensioners next Wednesday night to have any hope of making the final.
How the Red’s will be ruing those two Fernando Torres opportunities and that Gerrard rocket that Peter Cech superbly thwarted. If any of those chances had gone in it would have been curtains for Chelsea and most likely Avram Gant too. The Israeli manager has been handed a lifeline by the errant head of Riise and it would take a major catastrophe for Chelsea not to seize the initiative and make it to Moscow.
For all his shot-stopping talents Cech still remains susceptible to crosses and as a result Bentiez may well have to introduce Peter Crouch to the proceedings at some stage in the second leg if a goal isn’t forthcoming. Chelsea will qualify if they can keep it tight and if Carvalho reproduces his performance from last night – covering for the painfully slow Terry – then Roman Abramovich can look forward to a trip to his home town with some confidence.
Kenna and Rafa
KENNA TAKES THE HELM
Galway United have taken something of a calculated gamble in the appointment of Jeff Kenna as their new manager. Rooted to the bottom of the Eircom Premier League with only a single point on the board so far means the former Republic Of Ireland International will have his work cut out for him from the word go.
His brief is straightforward, keep Galway in the Premier League for next season. Kenna was non-committal on wether or not sufficient funds would be made available in July when the domestic transfer window opens. It is likely he will have to contend with the current squad in an effort to maintain Galway’s top flight status which will hardly fill United’s supporters with much confidence going on the displays they have witnessed so far this term.
It would be a real fairy-tale story if Kenna could keep Galway up at the end of the season so good luck to him and the Galway supporters.
TAKE A BOW RAFA
Rafa Benitez deserves much credit for steering his side towards yet another Champions League semi final meeting with Chelsea tonight. The Spaniard has been on the receiving end of much criticism this term for Liverpool’s failure to challenge for the Premier League title and rightly so. In Europe though, Benitez’s side is purring and hitting form at just the right time.
Amidst the recent boardroom shenanigans Liverpool have embarked on one of their most impressive runs of the season so far which could culminate in a third Champions League final in four years if they can overcome their London rivals over another two-legged semi final, beginning in Anfield tonight.
For all the detractors about ‘squad rotation’ the Merseyside outfit – bar Steven Gerrard – are at full fitness and look a lot more refreshed than Chelsea coming into the final stretch of the campaign. Torres, Babel, Alonso and Carragher should prove too much for a tiring Chelsea and Liverpool should be able to look forward to a date in Moscow and possibly another unforgettable European night.
Galway United have taken something of a calculated gamble in the appointment of Jeff Kenna as their new manager. Rooted to the bottom of the Eircom Premier League with only a single point on the board so far means the former Republic Of Ireland International will have his work cut out for him from the word go.
His brief is straightforward, keep Galway in the Premier League for next season. Kenna was non-committal on wether or not sufficient funds would be made available in July when the domestic transfer window opens. It is likely he will have to contend with the current squad in an effort to maintain Galway’s top flight status which will hardly fill United’s supporters with much confidence going on the displays they have witnessed so far this term.
It would be a real fairy-tale story if Kenna could keep Galway up at the end of the season so good luck to him and the Galway supporters.
TAKE A BOW RAFA
Rafa Benitez deserves much credit for steering his side towards yet another Champions League semi final meeting with Chelsea tonight. The Spaniard has been on the receiving end of much criticism this term for Liverpool’s failure to challenge for the Premier League title and rightly so. In Europe though, Benitez’s side is purring and hitting form at just the right time.
Amidst the recent boardroom shenanigans Liverpool have embarked on one of their most impressive runs of the season so far which could culminate in a third Champions League final in four years if they can overcome their London rivals over another two-legged semi final, beginning in Anfield tonight.
For all the detractors about ‘squad rotation’ the Merseyside outfit – bar Steven Gerrard – are at full fitness and look a lot more refreshed than Chelsea coming into the final stretch of the campaign. Torres, Babel, Alonso and Carragher should prove too much for a tiring Chelsea and Liverpool should be able to look forward to a date in Moscow and possibly another unforgettable European night.
Liam Brady appointed to Irish International Setup
Liam Brady, former Irish midfield legend and current RTE football pundit has finally joined the backroom staff of Giovanni Trapattoni in the new Republic of Ireland international setup. Ger McCarthy analyses Brady’s credentials and the potential issues facing the 52 year old in Ireland’s upcoming friendlies and World Cup qualifying campaign.
Former Republic of Ireland Captain Liam Brady began life as part-time assistant to the new Irish manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, by travelling to the Madejski Stadium in Reading to run the rule over a host of Irish players last weekend. Brady was joined by fellow assistant Marco Tardelli, to watch the Premiership game between Reading and Manchester City where Irish players Shane Long, Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt all impressed. It marks a new beginning for the former Arsenal, Juventus and Republic of Ireland midfielder after agreeing a two-year deal with the FAI. Brady will be maintaining his position as Director of Arsenal's youth academy as Arsene Wenger has agreed to let him combine his new international role as long as it doesn’t interfere with his day to day job with the young Gunners.
"I've been to see Trapattoni and had a good meeting with him."I want to do it now, assist him, and hopefully soon I'll be speaking to the FAI" Liam Brady, prior to being appointed to the Irish international setup.
Career
For those too young to remember Brady will always be remembered as a cultured, left-footed, central midfielder with remarkable technical skills, high-quality passing ability and excellent close control. Born February 13, 1956 in Dublin, Brady began his playing career in London. He made his debut for Arsenal in 1973 and went on to appear in three FA Cup finals in a row between 1978 and 1980 along with fellow Irish international Frank Stapleton. He was crowned PFA Player of the Year in 1979 and finally left the Gunners in 1980 following over 300 appearances to join Italian giants Juventus for a fee of £500,000. Brady’s silky skills and accurate passing made him a firm favourite with the Turin fans and he helped Juventus win consecutive Serie A titles in 1981 and 1982. Unfortunately the arrival of the French star, Michel Platini in the summer of 1982 meant Juventus had to sell the Irish midfielder. This was due to the restriction on the number of foreign players per squad in Serie A at the time. Brady continued his Italian odyssey by appearing for Sampdoria (82 – 84), Inter (84-86) and Ascoli (86-87), before returning to London to finish his playing career with West Ham (87 - 90). He won 72 international caps, scoring 9 goals. Disappointingly, he never represented his country in a major international tournament (Euro 88 or Italia 90) as a result of either injury or suspension. While playing for Arsenal, Brady earned the nickname "Chippy". The name stuck not because of his extraordinary ability to chip the ball with such accurate precision but rather for his fondness for fish and chips!
Credentials
So what does the Dubliner bring to the role and what are the credentials that will benefit the new Irish managerial setup? Firstly, Brady knows both Trapattoni and assistant boss Marco Tardelli well from his time in Italy in the 1980’s. Secondly, he speaks fluent Italian which will be crucial in communicating the instructions of Trapattoni to the Irish players in the early part of the new manager’s tenure. Finally (and most crucially of all) his continental experience as both a manager and player, allied with his excellent work for the Arsenal Youth academy, will hopefully grant him the respect he deserves in the Irish dressing room. “I was a senior international player for 16 years from when I was 18 until I was 34 and I am really looking forward to working with Giovanni Trapattoni and trying to qualify for the World Cup Finals,” said Brady recently on RTE. “I had a meeting with Mr. Trapattoni during which he clarified the role and I am very happy with what he expects of me. He wants me to work with the players - which is of most interest to me - and also to be on the bench and in the dressing room during games. He sees me as someone he can talk to along with Marco (Tardelli). I will also be part of the scouting network and will be going to as many games as I can to monitor the players in the squad and also track the progress of up and coming players,” added the former Irish international. Brady’s familiarity with the current Irish squad from his time on the RTE football panel will be of huge benefit to Trapattoni. Residing in England will also allow the Dubliner to travel to the various Premiership matches with Tardelli and monitor the Irish players progress on behalf of the new manager.
Hazards
Compared to his foreign footballing success and international playing experience, Brady’s managerial career offers a stark contrast. He managed Celtic from 1991 to 1993 and Brighton from 1993 to 1995. Neither spell could be regarded as successful especially at Celtic, where Brady failed to win a single trophy. He left Brighton in acrimonious circumstances in 1995 following a disagreement with the Club chairman. There is also the danger of his influence becoming diluted having to juggle two jobs; Director of Arsenal’s Youth Academy and his new position in the international fold. Brady stated recently "The board of directors and Arsene Wenger are quite happy for me to do this and to keep my job at Arsenal". Arsenal’s recent success at youth level in capturing the FA Premier Youth League and the FA Youth Cup highlights his outstanding work for the North London club. It is the reaction of the current Irish players to the appointment of Brady that will be of most interest to Irish soccer fans. The Dubliner’s criticisms of players such as Aidan McGeady and Stephen Hunt, whilst working for RTE, were sometimes quite harsh. His position on the television football panel required him to express his views honestly on the Irish players and to an extent, the FAI. Respect from the players should come from his experience as an international player, his in-depth knowledge of the European game and more importantly his contribution to Irish football as one of the greatest midfielders ever produced by this country.
There is no doubting Liam Brady’s reputation as a former player, his current influence on the young players at Arsenal and his candid opinions on Irish football as a TV pundit. Brady represents another step in a new, exciting setup for the Republic in an attempt to return the country to the top table of international football. One of the former Arsenal midfielder’s first tasks should be to try to persuade Steve Finnan of Liverpool to re-consider his decision to retire from the international scene. Having an Irishman in the new Italian-styled managerial setup is also important as Brady represented his country with such distinction for many years. I hope Brady will earn the respect of the current Irish squad on the training pitch in the upcoming training camp in the Algarve and be allowed to transfer his vast international experience of over 25 years in football to the benefit of the Irish players. Only time will tell if the appointment of Liam Brady will be a successful one for Irish football.
Former Republic of Ireland Captain Liam Brady began life as part-time assistant to the new Irish manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, by travelling to the Madejski Stadium in Reading to run the rule over a host of Irish players last weekend. Brady was joined by fellow assistant Marco Tardelli, to watch the Premiership game between Reading and Manchester City where Irish players Shane Long, Kevin Doyle and Stephen Hunt all impressed. It marks a new beginning for the former Arsenal, Juventus and Republic of Ireland midfielder after agreeing a two-year deal with the FAI. Brady will be maintaining his position as Director of Arsenal's youth academy as Arsene Wenger has agreed to let him combine his new international role as long as it doesn’t interfere with his day to day job with the young Gunners.
"I've been to see Trapattoni and had a good meeting with him."I want to do it now, assist him, and hopefully soon I'll be speaking to the FAI" Liam Brady, prior to being appointed to the Irish international setup.
Career
For those too young to remember Brady will always be remembered as a cultured, left-footed, central midfielder with remarkable technical skills, high-quality passing ability and excellent close control. Born February 13, 1956 in Dublin, Brady began his playing career in London. He made his debut for Arsenal in 1973 and went on to appear in three FA Cup finals in a row between 1978 and 1980 along with fellow Irish international Frank Stapleton. He was crowned PFA Player of the Year in 1979 and finally left the Gunners in 1980 following over 300 appearances to join Italian giants Juventus for a fee of £500,000. Brady’s silky skills and accurate passing made him a firm favourite with the Turin fans and he helped Juventus win consecutive Serie A titles in 1981 and 1982. Unfortunately the arrival of the French star, Michel Platini in the summer of 1982 meant Juventus had to sell the Irish midfielder. This was due to the restriction on the number of foreign players per squad in Serie A at the time. Brady continued his Italian odyssey by appearing for Sampdoria (82 – 84), Inter (84-86) and Ascoli (86-87), before returning to London to finish his playing career with West Ham (87 - 90). He won 72 international caps, scoring 9 goals. Disappointingly, he never represented his country in a major international tournament (Euro 88 or Italia 90) as a result of either injury or suspension. While playing for Arsenal, Brady earned the nickname "Chippy". The name stuck not because of his extraordinary ability to chip the ball with such accurate precision but rather for his fondness for fish and chips!
Credentials
So what does the Dubliner bring to the role and what are the credentials that will benefit the new Irish managerial setup? Firstly, Brady knows both Trapattoni and assistant boss Marco Tardelli well from his time in Italy in the 1980’s. Secondly, he speaks fluent Italian which will be crucial in communicating the instructions of Trapattoni to the Irish players in the early part of the new manager’s tenure. Finally (and most crucially of all) his continental experience as both a manager and player, allied with his excellent work for the Arsenal Youth academy, will hopefully grant him the respect he deserves in the Irish dressing room. “I was a senior international player for 16 years from when I was 18 until I was 34 and I am really looking forward to working with Giovanni Trapattoni and trying to qualify for the World Cup Finals,” said Brady recently on RTE. “I had a meeting with Mr. Trapattoni during which he clarified the role and I am very happy with what he expects of me. He wants me to work with the players - which is of most interest to me - and also to be on the bench and in the dressing room during games. He sees me as someone he can talk to along with Marco (Tardelli). I will also be part of the scouting network and will be going to as many games as I can to monitor the players in the squad and also track the progress of up and coming players,” added the former Irish international. Brady’s familiarity with the current Irish squad from his time on the RTE football panel will be of huge benefit to Trapattoni. Residing in England will also allow the Dubliner to travel to the various Premiership matches with Tardelli and monitor the Irish players progress on behalf of the new manager.
Hazards
Compared to his foreign footballing success and international playing experience, Brady’s managerial career offers a stark contrast. He managed Celtic from 1991 to 1993 and Brighton from 1993 to 1995. Neither spell could be regarded as successful especially at Celtic, where Brady failed to win a single trophy. He left Brighton in acrimonious circumstances in 1995 following a disagreement with the Club chairman. There is also the danger of his influence becoming diluted having to juggle two jobs; Director of Arsenal’s Youth Academy and his new position in the international fold. Brady stated recently "The board of directors and Arsene Wenger are quite happy for me to do this and to keep my job at Arsenal". Arsenal’s recent success at youth level in capturing the FA Premier Youth League and the FA Youth Cup highlights his outstanding work for the North London club. It is the reaction of the current Irish players to the appointment of Brady that will be of most interest to Irish soccer fans. The Dubliner’s criticisms of players such as Aidan McGeady and Stephen Hunt, whilst working for RTE, were sometimes quite harsh. His position on the television football panel required him to express his views honestly on the Irish players and to an extent, the FAI. Respect from the players should come from his experience as an international player, his in-depth knowledge of the European game and more importantly his contribution to Irish football as one of the greatest midfielders ever produced by this country.
There is no doubting Liam Brady’s reputation as a former player, his current influence on the young players at Arsenal and his candid opinions on Irish football as a TV pundit. Brady represents another step in a new, exciting setup for the Republic in an attempt to return the country to the top table of international football. One of the former Arsenal midfielder’s first tasks should be to try to persuade Steve Finnan of Liverpool to re-consider his decision to retire from the international scene. Having an Irishman in the new Italian-styled managerial setup is also important as Brady represented his country with such distinction for many years. I hope Brady will earn the respect of the current Irish squad on the training pitch in the upcoming training camp in the Algarve and be allowed to transfer his vast international experience of over 25 years in football to the benefit of the Irish players. Only time will tell if the appointment of Liam Brady will be a successful one for Irish football.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Liverpoool and Chelsea continue self-destruction
SAD STATE OF ANFIELD AFFAIRS
Hard to believe that this is the same Liverpool football club that dominated English and European football back in the 1980’s. The Anfield club were fabled for the manner in which they ran the club off the pitch as much as the exquisite football they played on it.
The latest comments from Rafa Benitez following Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Blackburn represents yet another sound-bite in the growing war of words between the manager, Hicks, Gillett and now Rick Parry.
The in-fighting at boardroom level seems all the more childish and unnecessary in the week the club remembers the Hillsborough disaster from 19 years ago. What would the great Bill Shankly make of it all?
GRANT OUT OF TIME
Avram Grant can do no right in the eyes of Chelsea fans at the moment. The chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” seem to constantly echo around Stamford Bridge these days. Last night’s demoralising 1-1 draw with Wigan will surely prove the final straw for the Israeli in a week neither Bruce Buck nor Peter Kenyon would publicly back their manager.
The decision to get rid of Jose Mourinho now looks to have backfired on the London club. Despite a Champions League semi-final with rivals Liverpool to look forward to the likelihood of Ballack, Drogba and even Lampard remaining Chelsea players beyond the summer looks less likely with each passing game.
Grant simply has to pick his team up and go for it in Goodison Park on Thursday night. He has nothing left to lose and should deploy Joe Cole, Anelka and Drogba from the start. Chelsea fans will not want to see Manchester United celebrating the Premier League title on their home ground, but it looks a distinct possibility as the Blue’s self-implosion shows little sign of abating.
Hard to believe that this is the same Liverpool football club that dominated English and European football back in the 1980’s. The Anfield club were fabled for the manner in which they ran the club off the pitch as much as the exquisite football they played on it.
The latest comments from Rafa Benitez following Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Blackburn represents yet another sound-bite in the growing war of words between the manager, Hicks, Gillett and now Rick Parry.
The in-fighting at boardroom level seems all the more childish and unnecessary in the week the club remembers the Hillsborough disaster from 19 years ago. What would the great Bill Shankly make of it all?
GRANT OUT OF TIME
Avram Grant can do no right in the eyes of Chelsea fans at the moment. The chants of “You don’t know what you’re doing” seem to constantly echo around Stamford Bridge these days. Last night’s demoralising 1-1 draw with Wigan will surely prove the final straw for the Israeli in a week neither Bruce Buck nor Peter Kenyon would publicly back their manager.
The decision to get rid of Jose Mourinho now looks to have backfired on the London club. Despite a Champions League semi-final with rivals Liverpool to look forward to the likelihood of Ballack, Drogba and even Lampard remaining Chelsea players beyond the summer looks less likely with each passing game.
Grant simply has to pick his team up and go for it in Goodison Park on Thursday night. He has nothing left to lose and should deploy Joe Cole, Anelka and Drogba from the start. Chelsea fans will not want to see Manchester United celebrating the Premier League title on their home ground, but it looks a distinct possibility as the Blue’s self-implosion shows little sign of abating.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wenger and Keane
WENGER STICKS TO HIS GUN (NER)S
If we are to believe today’s media reports Arsene Wenger looks set to once again stubbornly refuse to open the Arsenal chequebook this summer and keep faith with the majority of his current squad for next year’s campaign. If this week has taught the Frenchman anything it should be that his squad is paper-thin in terms of quality when is comes to the latter stages of the Champions League.
It is all very well integrating the likes of the talented Vela and Merida into his squad for next year’s campaign(s) but neither will possess enough Champions League experience to make a significant contribution for the Gunners.
If Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea lifts the coveted trophy in Moscow next month the pressure will continue to increase on Wenger and his squad to deliver in Europe next time out. Otherwise the current Gunner’s squad will always be remembered as the English side that played the most attractive football of their generation but failed to deliver the trophies that their rivals managed.
KEANE TO IMPROVE
Roy Keane is in bullish mood and why wouldn’t he be. His Sunderland side has successfully steered clear of the Premier League drop zone and are only a few points away from deservedly securing their top-flight status for next season. Keane has been quick to tell anyone that will listen about his ambitious plans for next term and the money he will need to spend (€50 million) during the summer to achieve that goal.
The silence from Niall Quinn and the Sunderland board has been deafening.
Quinn has not been forthcoming in recent weeks with any sort of response to his manager’s overtures except for the usual bland sound-bites. The summer months could prove to be interesting times at the Stadium of Light as the clash of Keane’s demands and the reality of the potential Sunderland board’s investment collide.
For all his tremendous achievements since taking over the Black Cats, Keane would do well to remember that the only thing in the life of a football manager is the sack.
If we are to believe today’s media reports Arsene Wenger looks set to once again stubbornly refuse to open the Arsenal chequebook this summer and keep faith with the majority of his current squad for next year’s campaign. If this week has taught the Frenchman anything it should be that his squad is paper-thin in terms of quality when is comes to the latter stages of the Champions League.
It is all very well integrating the likes of the talented Vela and Merida into his squad for next year’s campaign(s) but neither will possess enough Champions League experience to make a significant contribution for the Gunners.
If Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea lifts the coveted trophy in Moscow next month the pressure will continue to increase on Wenger and his squad to deliver in Europe next time out. Otherwise the current Gunner’s squad will always be remembered as the English side that played the most attractive football of their generation but failed to deliver the trophies that their rivals managed.
KEANE TO IMPROVE
Roy Keane is in bullish mood and why wouldn’t he be. His Sunderland side has successfully steered clear of the Premier League drop zone and are only a few points away from deservedly securing their top-flight status for next season. Keane has been quick to tell anyone that will listen about his ambitious plans for next term and the money he will need to spend (€50 million) during the summer to achieve that goal.
The silence from Niall Quinn and the Sunderland board has been deafening.
Quinn has not been forthcoming in recent weeks with any sort of response to his manager’s overtures except for the usual bland sound-bites. The summer months could prove to be interesting times at the Stadium of Light as the clash of Keane’s demands and the reality of the potential Sunderland board’s investment collide.
For all his tremendous achievements since taking over the Black Cats, Keane would do well to remember that the only thing in the life of a football manager is the sack.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Champions League -1/4 Final Reaction 1
The moment that encapsulated last night’s breathtaking Champions League Quarter Final occurred in the dying minutes of a never-to-be-forgotten encounter. Ryan Babel thundered towards the Kop at break-neck speed and whacked the ball into the net sending the home side through to the last four.
Cesc Fabregas cut a forlorn figure as he tried in vain to prevent the winger from scoring but sheer tiredness prevented the talismanic midfielder from reaching his opponent and within seconds Arsenal were out of the Champions League.
That brief cameo demonstrated the benefit of Benitez’s squad rotation and never-say-die attitude but also just how exhausted and jaded looking the whole Arsenal side has become in the final weeks of the season. For all Arsenals’ electric football and individual brilliance, they exit another Champions League tournament because of defensive frailties and a paper-thin squad without enough quality to see them through the really tough European nights.
Many will feel the penalty incident involving Ryan Babel and Kolo Toure was the turning point in the match but the truly pivotal moment occurred once Flamini had to withdraw through injury. Arsenal were overrun in midfield once the Frenchman departed and the Gunners sorely missed his seemingly boundless energy and non-stop running. Flamini has become the one player Arsenal can rely on to cover every blade of grass but once his influence went missing Liverpool exploited the situation to the maximum and the tide quickly turned in their favour.
Rafa Benitez has endured his fair share of criticism over his side’s repeated failures to challenge for the Premier League title but his charges are ominously hitting form in Europe once again at just the right time. Gerrard, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, and especially Torres look refreshed thanks to the Red’s early season squad rotation. They will certainly not fear Chelsea in the semis, especially with the prospect of possibly facing arch-rivals Manchester United in Moscow.
Another season goes by and yet another European failure for Arsene Wenger. His side contributed to a magnificent game but looked worn-out in the final quarter of an hour despite coming within 7 tantalising minutes of reaching the semi finals. Despite all the scintillating football Arsenal has produced over the past three seasons the Emirates Stadium trophy cabinet remains bare. Worse still, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and Anfield have each welcomed domestic and European trophies during that period.
Quality reinforcements simply must arrive to bolster the squad in key areas such as defence and in midfield during the summer which may mean spending heavily in the transfer market. This scenario seems to go against the better judgement of Arsene Wenger but even he will have to admit after last night’s crushing defeat that the time has come to add much needed experience to his young squad so as to be able to maintain both a European and domestic challenge next season.
Will Gooners everywhere be able to stomach another trophyless season next term at the expense of United, Chelsea and Liverpool? I doubt it.
Cesc Fabregas cut a forlorn figure as he tried in vain to prevent the winger from scoring but sheer tiredness prevented the talismanic midfielder from reaching his opponent and within seconds Arsenal were out of the Champions League.
That brief cameo demonstrated the benefit of Benitez’s squad rotation and never-say-die attitude but also just how exhausted and jaded looking the whole Arsenal side has become in the final weeks of the season. For all Arsenals’ electric football and individual brilliance, they exit another Champions League tournament because of defensive frailties and a paper-thin squad without enough quality to see them through the really tough European nights.
Many will feel the penalty incident involving Ryan Babel and Kolo Toure was the turning point in the match but the truly pivotal moment occurred once Flamini had to withdraw through injury. Arsenal were overrun in midfield once the Frenchman departed and the Gunners sorely missed his seemingly boundless energy and non-stop running. Flamini has become the one player Arsenal can rely on to cover every blade of grass but once his influence went missing Liverpool exploited the situation to the maximum and the tide quickly turned in their favour.
Rafa Benitez has endured his fair share of criticism over his side’s repeated failures to challenge for the Premier League title but his charges are ominously hitting form in Europe once again at just the right time. Gerrard, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, and especially Torres look refreshed thanks to the Red’s early season squad rotation. They will certainly not fear Chelsea in the semis, especially with the prospect of possibly facing arch-rivals Manchester United in Moscow.
Another season goes by and yet another European failure for Arsene Wenger. His side contributed to a magnificent game but looked worn-out in the final quarter of an hour despite coming within 7 tantalising minutes of reaching the semi finals. Despite all the scintillating football Arsenal has produced over the past three seasons the Emirates Stadium trophy cabinet remains bare. Worse still, Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and Anfield have each welcomed domestic and European trophies during that period.
Quality reinforcements simply must arrive to bolster the squad in key areas such as defence and in midfield during the summer which may mean spending heavily in the transfer market. This scenario seems to go against the better judgement of Arsene Wenger but even he will have to admit after last night’s crushing defeat that the time has come to add much needed experience to his young squad so as to be able to maintain both a European and domestic challenge next season.
Will Gooners everywhere be able to stomach another trophyless season next term at the expense of United, Chelsea and Liverpool? I doubt it.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Champions League 1/4 Finals 2nd Leg
UNITED INJURY SCARES
Make no mistake about it Manchester United’s European and domestic success now rests on how quickly Vidic and Ferdinand are able to return to the first team. Pique and O’Shea are each capable defenders in their own right, but Sir Alex Ferguson needs his first choice centre-back pairing back in action as soon as possible with Roma, Arsenal, Chelsea and possibly Barcelona on the horizon.
For all United’s vast array of attacking talent the absence of a steady defence behind them will undermine their title aspirations. The two injured centre-backs are mostly responsible for conceding a paltry 17 Premier League goals this season. This remarkable defensive record has been completely overshadowed by the silky skills of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez.
If United are to round off their season without a brace of trophies they will need to maintain their undervalued defensive discipline. Ferdinand & Vidic must return for that to occur or else a season that promised so much will end in failure.
ARSENAL MUST DELIVER
Arsene Wenger needs victory in tonight’s Champions League encounter with Liverpool much more than Rafa Benitez does. While the Gunners look unlikely to lift the Premier crown this season, any success in the Champions League would be viewed as a bonus for a perceived young and in-experienced squad.
That excuse will not wash with Arsenal supporters for much longer though and another barren trophy cabinet at the Emirates at the end of the season will only fuel further unrest. Wenger simply has to invest in further strengthening his squad during the summer break otherwise his side will again fail to the wrestle the Premier League title from the mega-squads of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Arsenal’s domestic form has dropped off alarmingly in recent months through tiredness and with the Premier League title moving further away nothing short of an unexpected victory over the English side most suited to the European knockout competition will suffice this evening.
Make no mistake about it Manchester United’s European and domestic success now rests on how quickly Vidic and Ferdinand are able to return to the first team. Pique and O’Shea are each capable defenders in their own right, but Sir Alex Ferguson needs his first choice centre-back pairing back in action as soon as possible with Roma, Arsenal, Chelsea and possibly Barcelona on the horizon.
For all United’s vast array of attacking talent the absence of a steady defence behind them will undermine their title aspirations. The two injured centre-backs are mostly responsible for conceding a paltry 17 Premier League goals this season. This remarkable defensive record has been completely overshadowed by the silky skills of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez.
If United are to round off their season without a brace of trophies they will need to maintain their undervalued defensive discipline. Ferdinand & Vidic must return for that to occur or else a season that promised so much will end in failure.
ARSENAL MUST DELIVER
Arsene Wenger needs victory in tonight’s Champions League encounter with Liverpool much more than Rafa Benitez does. While the Gunners look unlikely to lift the Premier crown this season, any success in the Champions League would be viewed as a bonus for a perceived young and in-experienced squad.
That excuse will not wash with Arsenal supporters for much longer though and another barren trophy cabinet at the Emirates at the end of the season will only fuel further unrest. Wenger simply has to invest in further strengthening his squad during the summer break otherwise his side will again fail to the wrestle the Premier League title from the mega-squads of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Arsenal’s domestic form has dropped off alarmingly in recent months through tiredness and with the Premier League title moving further away nothing short of an unexpected victory over the English side most suited to the European knockout competition will suffice this evening.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Champions League Quarter Final Round-Up
The strength in depth of Manchester United’s squad was clearly evident in their comprehensive 2-0 in Rome during the week. Paul Scholes rolled back the years with an imaginative display in the centre of the park. His delicate pull-back for Ronaldo’s headed goal was the highlight in a vintage performance from the mercurial midfielder. Wayne Rooney demonstrated his seemingly boundless energy with another unselfish display while Ronaldo finally sparkled in an important European tie.
United will never have a better opportunity to lift Europe’s most prestigious football trophy than this season. Should they progress as expected past Roma, a Barcelona club in disarray awaits in the semi finals. Sir Alex Ferguson has utilised his squad superbly thus far and as the run-in to the end of the season begins in earnest, few would bet against the Govan native lifting the Champions League trophy for a second time.
One potential sting in the tale for Alex Ferguson's side is the injury to centre-back Nemanja Vidic. Although it appears the Croatian will be out for up to three weeks any long term problems could ultimately scupper United's chances of lifting the Champions League. It is a fact that Rio Ferdinand plays better with Vidic to cover for him in the centre of United's defence and the break-up of this prolific partnership (a meagre 15 league goals conceded so far this season) at such a critical time of the season could prove fatal.
As for the remaining Premier League clubs the quarter-final ties clearly demonstrated the short-comings in each side’s turbulent end to the season. Arsenal visibly tired towards the end of their incessant second half attacking performance. The minute the Gunners conceded an away goal to Dirk Kuyt they were forced to attack at every opportunity and failed to breach a disciplined Liverpool rearguard. For all Benitez's critics on his squad-rotation policy, his Liverpool side - despite defending for much if the second half - look the sharper coming into the final weeks of the season. Granted the Anfield side lost too many winnable games at the start of the season but Torres, Gerrard, Mascherano and Babel all looked much fresher than their North London opponents did on Wednesday night and Benitez should take some credit for that.
Chelsea continue to look and play like a club in constant inner turmoil after their surprise 2-1 defeat in Turkey. Most worryingly for Avram Grant, his Chelsea defence conceded another two goals and the murmurs of results such as this never occurring under ‘the Chosen One’s’ tenure refuse to go away. The Blues should have enough quality to turn the tie around in Stamford Bridge next week but a resurgent Liverpool are their likely opponents in the semi finals where Grant’s future will be decided depending upon the outcome of that semi final encounter.
United will never have a better opportunity to lift Europe’s most prestigious football trophy than this season. Should they progress as expected past Roma, a Barcelona club in disarray awaits in the semi finals. Sir Alex Ferguson has utilised his squad superbly thus far and as the run-in to the end of the season begins in earnest, few would bet against the Govan native lifting the Champions League trophy for a second time.
One potential sting in the tale for Alex Ferguson's side is the injury to centre-back Nemanja Vidic. Although it appears the Croatian will be out for up to three weeks any long term problems could ultimately scupper United's chances of lifting the Champions League. It is a fact that Rio Ferdinand plays better with Vidic to cover for him in the centre of United's defence and the break-up of this prolific partnership (a meagre 15 league goals conceded so far this season) at such a critical time of the season could prove fatal.
As for the remaining Premier League clubs the quarter-final ties clearly demonstrated the short-comings in each side’s turbulent end to the season. Arsenal visibly tired towards the end of their incessant second half attacking performance. The minute the Gunners conceded an away goal to Dirk Kuyt they were forced to attack at every opportunity and failed to breach a disciplined Liverpool rearguard. For all Benitez's critics on his squad-rotation policy, his Liverpool side - despite defending for much if the second half - look the sharper coming into the final weeks of the season. Granted the Anfield side lost too many winnable games at the start of the season but Torres, Gerrard, Mascherano and Babel all looked much fresher than their North London opponents did on Wednesday night and Benitez should take some credit for that.
Chelsea continue to look and play like a club in constant inner turmoil after their surprise 2-1 defeat in Turkey. Most worryingly for Avram Grant, his Chelsea defence conceded another two goals and the murmurs of results such as this never occurring under ‘the Chosen One’s’ tenure refuse to go away. The Blues should have enough quality to turn the tie around in Stamford Bridge next week but a resurgent Liverpool are their likely opponents in the semi finals where Grant’s future will be decided depending upon the outcome of that semi final encounter.
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