Well , it's all unravelling now..... 3 weeks to England's first game in the European Championship , and the new manager Roy Hodgson has yet to meet his players in flesh. It was evident from his press conference last wednesday he is pretty much fire fighting at this stage , and the manager's lack of preparation time would most likely have an adverse effect on England in the tournament . Nothing particularly wrong that England are not already encamped , but worrying that the new manger might not have the time to implement his ideas . One thing is to watch the players live , or on TV ; but it's another to actually start working with them before a tournament of such magnitude. I would imagine you need to observe how they react to you as a person and vice- versa , your methods , and your tactical drills . These elements impact on players' ability to peak during tournaments .
England are going into the Euro Championship at a crossroads in a number of ways . It's likely the final bow for stalwarts John Terry , Frank Lampard , Ashley Cole , Garreth Barry , Steven Gerrard , Scot Parker. That's practically the nucleus of the current England team , you could argue.... but one thing is for sure , the new manager has to create a new team for Brazil 2014 . We have a number of neophytes emerging - the likes of Phil Jones , Ashley Young , Chris Smalling , Danny Welbeck , Andy Carroll , Gary Cahill bedding in slowly . Those at the middle of their careers are quite painfully thin : you'd be looking to the likes of Rooney , Walcott , Joe Hart , perhaps , then you scratch your head. This serves to highlight the backdrop to England's current situation , and i would have imagined that should have weighed heavily in choosing the new manager . Only the FA can answer that....
Most had assumed Harry Redknapp would get the job , but i support the FA's decision not to even consider him based on the fact that Hodgson was practically out of contract , had more international experience , and actual tournament experience . Most importantly , Roy does not carry a circus with him. People would have had too much expectations , and connections with Harry, and that would have detracted from his work. Perhaps , Harry's Charisma potentially would have worked against him getting the England job , or doing the England job effectively . Too many had bought into Harry's charm , and the FA were right to ignore someone who theoretically might have had to serve more than one master.
Having said that , i do disagree with the timing of Roy Hodgson's appointment . I believe Stuart Pearce should have taken the team to the European Championship because he has worked with the players , and within the ambience for enough time as to have at least a short term advantage over Hodgson - who detrimentally would have to be forgiven if England do badly at the tournament . So , why go with the option of a new manager straight away ? Has Stuart Pearce's time as Capello's assistant counted for nothing , even in the decision making of the FA at such a crucial juncture !
If Roy Hodgson had been named England manager when he was , but to commence official duties in july , it would have made more sense . It would have afforded him time to watch the players, meet with them, plan , and put together ideas for an England team of the future , and mull over a lot more without the stress , nor spotlight on him. For added benefit , the Players Stuart Pearce chose would have been more motivated to play well , now , and for their future , as Roy would be watching. This ought to have been the win-win option.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
ROMAN , DO NOT LOOK PAST ROBBIE...
I am enjoying Roberto Di matteo's incredible personal triumph . The very fact that he has conquered against all odds ; and has become the one who achieved the missing piece of Roman Abramovich's trophy puzzle . I am not surprised Chelsea claimed the champions' League prize , it was destined. I had likened this scenario in my last blog ( hypothetically then ) to the unlikely events in The Euro 92' Championship ( Denmark's fairy tale victory ) and Greece's incredible achievement in winning Euro 2004 . Add to that list of fairy tales - Chelsea : champions of Europe 2012 .
When Roberto Di Matteo broke his leg playing for Chelsea 12 years ago , i was sad for him , and then Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri . Even sadder when his playing Career had to end as a result of the injury. But it's all come full circle now with this " unlikely set of circumstances " ( refer to my previous blog ) being a self-fulfilling prophesy . I certainly feel very happy for the man - someone i see as a nice bloke , a good man manager , and one with an infectious enthusiasm and aura , last but not least : tactically competent .
So , what does Chelsea's owner reckon , after having this long standing desire come true.... not even the great Mourinho surmounted the champions League conundrum this fast for the owner after spending hundreds of millions in player purchase in over 3 years of stewardship . What Roberto Di Mateo has helped the owner do is to conclusively banish the ghosts of The Special one not only from Chelsea's boardroom , but also from the players' lockers . No longer shall it be that success could only come via mourinho's currency. The Club can now lay claim to another layer of success in the aftermath.
The big question now is : what happens next ? Di matteo cannot be sacked because he is only an interim manager still contracted as assistant manager ; for a fact his stature has been enhanced courtesy of his FA Cup and Champions League successes , those in power at the Club must realize they have to keep him . With speculation that Fabio Cappello is interested in the job , I would offer Roman a simple piece of advice : Roman , Robbie will save you not only wasted millions , but potentially worse , the specter of being the laughing stock of European foot ball - as a man who has sacked so many managers , blown fortunes in consultancy , and severance packages , and mad enough NOT to make full time manager the one who brought him success at the quickest , and the cheapest , and in unprecedented circumstances . That's a fact . Do you want to tempt fate? Check out Chelsea's final premier league position - 6th . Talk about buying into flawed decision making ! With Robbie , even if you are not convinced ; even if you had some big-wig lined-up , you could offer him a year's contract, with a modest pay rise , spend little , or nothing on transfers for 2012-13 season , keep your aging stars for another year , there is life left in them , and as Robbie has proved , he is just the man to maximize the gains of your investment on the playing side. A Year on " trial " is the least everyone deserves , especially common sense . Heroes sometimes unexpectedly emerge - Liverpool may find an answer to their questions if madness prevails at The Bridge.
When Roberto Di Matteo broke his leg playing for Chelsea 12 years ago , i was sad for him , and then Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri . Even sadder when his playing Career had to end as a result of the injury. But it's all come full circle now with this " unlikely set of circumstances " ( refer to my previous blog ) being a self-fulfilling prophesy . I certainly feel very happy for the man - someone i see as a nice bloke , a good man manager , and one with an infectious enthusiasm and aura , last but not least : tactically competent .
So , what does Chelsea's owner reckon , after having this long standing desire come true.... not even the great Mourinho surmounted the champions League conundrum this fast for the owner after spending hundreds of millions in player purchase in over 3 years of stewardship . What Roberto Di Mateo has helped the owner do is to conclusively banish the ghosts of The Special one not only from Chelsea's boardroom , but also from the players' lockers . No longer shall it be that success could only come via mourinho's currency. The Club can now lay claim to another layer of success in the aftermath.
The big question now is : what happens next ? Di matteo cannot be sacked because he is only an interim manager still contracted as assistant manager ; for a fact his stature has been enhanced courtesy of his FA Cup and Champions League successes , those in power at the Club must realize they have to keep him . With speculation that Fabio Cappello is interested in the job , I would offer Roman a simple piece of advice : Roman , Robbie will save you not only wasted millions , but potentially worse , the specter of being the laughing stock of European foot ball - as a man who has sacked so many managers , blown fortunes in consultancy , and severance packages , and mad enough NOT to make full time manager the one who brought him success at the quickest , and the cheapest , and in unprecedented circumstances . That's a fact . Do you want to tempt fate? Check out Chelsea's final premier league position - 6th . Talk about buying into flawed decision making ! With Robbie , even if you are not convinced ; even if you had some big-wig lined-up , you could offer him a year's contract, with a modest pay rise , spend little , or nothing on transfers for 2012-13 season , keep your aging stars for another year , there is life left in them , and as Robbie has proved , he is just the man to maximize the gains of your investment on the playing side. A Year on " trial " is the least everyone deserves , especially common sense . Heroes sometimes unexpectedly emerge - Liverpool may find an answer to their questions if madness prevails at The Bridge.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Jose , The Blues are coming to get you !!!!
Can anyone remember that scene from from FIRST BLOOD 2 , when Rambo was tortured , and forced by the Russians to radio base ( Wolf Den ) and confirm he had been caught as a spy in vietnam ? When he finally caved in to their demands , what he said to his boss - Murdoch , on whose orders it was to "abort the mission " abandoning him , and evidence that would have ultimately proved there were American soldiers left behind in Vietnam : " Murdoch " , Rambo called over the radio..... , "am coming to get you !! " cue mayhem , as Rambo smashed his way out of captivity .
I am sure Abramovich would relate to that scene assuming the climax of the plot i am envisaging comes true - A REAL MADRID VS CHELSEA champions league final . Watch out Jose, your old chums would have a nice slice of your bum in munich - pay back time, baby !! i can imagine The Chelsea benefactor conceiving , with a wry smile when Captain John Terry holds aloft the greatest prize in European football.
Pay back ? yes , for Jose Mourinho has said in the past : he won " a lot of trophies ", and Chelsea a " few" since he departed Stamford Bridge . Mourinho has always alluded Abramovich made a mistake sacking him , and Chelsea have been worse of for it . Probably true , but hypothetically , the stage is being prepared for the Blues and Abramovich to stick-it to their former manager , and say : " we got the one major prize you never could give us " . In addition , they would have stolen the thunder of the truculent Portuguese . We all know how Real Madrid covet The Champions League , and if Mourinho fails to win it this season due to a Chelsea triumph in the final , Abramovich would have gotten even with Mourinho for his jibes before the Champions League semi-final 2 years ago while the latter was still Inter Millan's Manager .
Get real , i hear you blurt ! But strange things do happen in soccer - remember the Danes winning Euro 92 when they were a last minute replacement for Yugoslavia ! More recently , in 2004 , we witnessed Otto Rahhagel inspire the Greeks to an unexpected victory in The European championship . If the Chelsea players dare to dream to the same proportion as their elevated performances lately , they can make their owner's dreams come true. On paper , they are the weakest of the 4 semi-finalists , and cannot match the pedigree of Madrid , Barcelona , nor Bayern Munich. But under Roberto Di Mateo , they have regained a lot of the elements they had under Mourinho's tutelage . Notably , being solid , and difficult to beat. I know Chelsea have to first get past the wounded Barcelona , and if they are unlucky to face a Barca backlash tomorrow night , then this hypothesis would remain just that. But i do have a hunch we are set for some of the most un-usual set of circumstances this illustrious competition has seen.
As for Real , i am almost certain they are going to breeze past Bayern on wednesday night . Madrid's fire power is simply awesome , and the Bavarians shall wilt at The Bernabeu . Jose Mourinho's team have power , pace , and goals.... and the special one has transformed them into a side with an extra-ordinary desire to win . That is till they match-up with Chelsea in the final . Unlikely events lay in wait .
I am sure Abramovich would relate to that scene assuming the climax of the plot i am envisaging comes true - A REAL MADRID VS CHELSEA champions league final . Watch out Jose, your old chums would have a nice slice of your bum in munich - pay back time, baby !! i can imagine The Chelsea benefactor conceiving , with a wry smile when Captain John Terry holds aloft the greatest prize in European football.
Pay back ? yes , for Jose Mourinho has said in the past : he won " a lot of trophies ", and Chelsea a " few" since he departed Stamford Bridge . Mourinho has always alluded Abramovich made a mistake sacking him , and Chelsea have been worse of for it . Probably true , but hypothetically , the stage is being prepared for the Blues and Abramovich to stick-it to their former manager , and say : " we got the one major prize you never could give us " . In addition , they would have stolen the thunder of the truculent Portuguese . We all know how Real Madrid covet The Champions League , and if Mourinho fails to win it this season due to a Chelsea triumph in the final , Abramovich would have gotten even with Mourinho for his jibes before the Champions League semi-final 2 years ago while the latter was still Inter Millan's Manager .
Get real , i hear you blurt ! But strange things do happen in soccer - remember the Danes winning Euro 92 when they were a last minute replacement for Yugoslavia ! More recently , in 2004 , we witnessed Otto Rahhagel inspire the Greeks to an unexpected victory in The European championship . If the Chelsea players dare to dream to the same proportion as their elevated performances lately , they can make their owner's dreams come true. On paper , they are the weakest of the 4 semi-finalists , and cannot match the pedigree of Madrid , Barcelona , nor Bayern Munich. But under Roberto Di Mateo , they have regained a lot of the elements they had under Mourinho's tutelage . Notably , being solid , and difficult to beat. I know Chelsea have to first get past the wounded Barcelona , and if they are unlucky to face a Barca backlash tomorrow night , then this hypothesis would remain just that. But i do have a hunch we are set for some of the most un-usual set of circumstances this illustrious competition has seen.
As for Real , i am almost certain they are going to breeze past Bayern on wednesday night . Madrid's fire power is simply awesome , and the Bavarians shall wilt at The Bernabeu . Jose Mourinho's team have power , pace , and goals.... and the special one has transformed them into a side with an extra-ordinary desire to win . That is till they match-up with Chelsea in the final . Unlikely events lay in wait .
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Have Barcelona peaked ?
Okay , I shall do the unthinkable.... I will state what may amount to heresy in some quarters : Barcelona are in decline !! I am just as enthusiastic an admirer as anyone of this all conquering team , and it's Argentinian maestro LIONEL MESSI . I am not here to recite all what they have won and achieved in the last 4 years , nor all the personal achievements and accolades Messi has deservedly won . This current Barcelona team will undoubtedly be ranked alongside the great teams foot-ball history has recorded .
Anyhow , when i take off the rose-tinted spectacles , i do honestly reckon they are in decline . Messi's goals in basket-full has well masked some of their deficiencies as it has kept them winning matches , and maybe we start to repeat the superlatives, the cliches , and it grows into a chorus that has become automotive , perhaps laced with bias . Barcelona's 11 straight La liga wins to date is their best winning sequence this season . It's no surprise they trail Real Madrid in The La Liga standings , even though winning 11 on the bounce has helped cut the lead to 4 points . Last season , by the 3rd week of January , Barcelona had won 16 on the bounce - a record achievement . Pedro scored no less than 22 goals ( in total ) last season ; this season , I doubt if he has 8 goals to his name - being in- and- out of the side due to injury , and form ; not to add David Villa's injury robbing them of fire-power , and goals . Messi has simply taken on more of the goal scoring burden the afore-mentioned have not been able to help out with this term . Very few observe Iniesta is treading water - for me no longer possessing twinkle toes , nor the magic he had to get past players like he did 2 years ago ; So too with Busquets : Not at the level he was a couple of years back ; the only ones you still give the usual kudos is probably Xavi , Dani Alves , and Puyol . Alexis Sanchez has not quite settled- in , Fabregas has been mercurial . Decay usually starts from with-in , and it's typically unnoticed from the outside . When a great team cannot boast the performance of individuals is continuing to rise , to me that indicates a decline . There is only one player apart from Messi whose stock is on the rise , that would be mascherano . Winning , and having lots of plaudits masks these sort of issues , and often people are merely extrapolating in a very subjective , and misleading way.
Matters shall come to a head starting with failure to beat Madrid tonight . Frankly , i fancy Madrid to win tonight ( even if i cannot stand mourinho ) and go on to be La Liga champions . Against Chelsea on tuesday next week : i do estimate Chelsea to go on and win the tie after all. I did say the first game was not going to be easy for Barca , and so it turned out to be. I am thus emboldened to suggest chelsea will make it through . I hope i am wrong , because i love Barcelona , their identity , and values ; but i can emphatically say the team has peaked , and running out of steam . Who is on the bench to bring on ? Cuenca , or Thiago ? the depth does not exist , the power in the spine of the team is relatively weaker , and i do not see them having what it takes to win La Liga , nor the champions League this season. Sometimes , the more you look, the less you do see . This much romanticized , and legendary team is set for diminishing returns. I'll be delighted to eat my words.
Anyhow , when i take off the rose-tinted spectacles , i do honestly reckon they are in decline . Messi's goals in basket-full has well masked some of their deficiencies as it has kept them winning matches , and maybe we start to repeat the superlatives, the cliches , and it grows into a chorus that has become automotive , perhaps laced with bias . Barcelona's 11 straight La liga wins to date is their best winning sequence this season . It's no surprise they trail Real Madrid in The La Liga standings , even though winning 11 on the bounce has helped cut the lead to 4 points . Last season , by the 3rd week of January , Barcelona had won 16 on the bounce - a record achievement . Pedro scored no less than 22 goals ( in total ) last season ; this season , I doubt if he has 8 goals to his name - being in- and- out of the side due to injury , and form ; not to add David Villa's injury robbing them of fire-power , and goals . Messi has simply taken on more of the goal scoring burden the afore-mentioned have not been able to help out with this term . Very few observe Iniesta is treading water - for me no longer possessing twinkle toes , nor the magic he had to get past players like he did 2 years ago ; So too with Busquets : Not at the level he was a couple of years back ; the only ones you still give the usual kudos is probably Xavi , Dani Alves , and Puyol . Alexis Sanchez has not quite settled- in , Fabregas has been mercurial . Decay usually starts from with-in , and it's typically unnoticed from the outside . When a great team cannot boast the performance of individuals is continuing to rise , to me that indicates a decline . There is only one player apart from Messi whose stock is on the rise , that would be mascherano . Winning , and having lots of plaudits masks these sort of issues , and often people are merely extrapolating in a very subjective , and misleading way.
Matters shall come to a head starting with failure to beat Madrid tonight . Frankly , i fancy Madrid to win tonight ( even if i cannot stand mourinho ) and go on to be La Liga champions . Against Chelsea on tuesday next week : i do estimate Chelsea to go on and win the tie after all. I did say the first game was not going to be easy for Barca , and so it turned out to be. I am thus emboldened to suggest chelsea will make it through . I hope i am wrong , because i love Barcelona , their identity , and values ; but i can emphatically say the team has peaked , and running out of steam . Who is on the bench to bring on ? Cuenca , or Thiago ? the depth does not exist , the power in the spine of the team is relatively weaker , and i do not see them having what it takes to win La Liga , nor the champions League this season. Sometimes , the more you look, the less you do see . This much romanticized , and legendary team is set for diminishing returns. I'll be delighted to eat my words.
WHOLLY TACTICS : Arsene , How about some Salsa on the Flanks !
In the last 2 years or so , i have become one of Arsene Wenger's harshest critics , especially at the beginning of this current season , and how issues involving sale and purchase of players unraveled . Before i launch what probably sounds like another round of criticism of his tactics , it's only fair to applaud the magnificent run of winning league games especially . To be 3rd on the table with 4 games to go , and a champions' league place arguably in the bag ( once more ) means the Manager deserves a lot of praise ; he got the team playing quick incisive foot ball again , and significantly with a pretty new and hastily assembled team after the shambles of a crushing 8 - 2 defeat at the theatre of dreams last August . Arsenal rose from the ashes of that nightmare , and that is entirely to his credit !!! .
On monday night , just like many , I turned-up to view ARSENAL take on relegation haunted WIGAN.
Surely , Wigan won't stand a chance to the in-form team at the Emirates..... well , we all know the outcome. It was a repeat of what has happened many times when Arsenal play at home... the less-fancied team takes the lead - smash and grab style , only to retreat into a barricade . Arsenal then have all the possession , but labour in-vain for a break through . This recurring theme highlights a tactical flaw in Wenger's attacking philosophy , particularly since the move to The Emirates. I'll spell it out - Wigan being a case study. They take the lead , The Gunners begin firing in an attempt to blast a hole through Wigan's middle . Yes , predominantly going for one-two's to un-hinge Wigan's centre-halves ; or recycling the ball from flank to flank , but all in front of Wigan's defensive positions . This action was so repetitive one would be forgiven if they thought they were watching a game they had seen before . This tact is easy to defend against not because it is ineffective , but due to Arsenal's lack of disguise , and variance in attack. Most of the attacking play is channeled through the middle , the wide players included have to come in-wards too often ; while taking the Wigan defense on the outside , forcing it wide , with pace and skill fragments it potentially ; if Walcot , or Benayoun took on the full back , took him to the bye-line, before whipping a low ball in - trust me the barricade is less fortified ; and most importantly it starts to feel vulnerable . This tact should have been used in conjunction with attacking at the heart . From this angle , Wenger has been negligent since Jose Reyes departed. Walcot and Gervinho have not mastered this concept . They ought to take lessons from ANTONIO VALENCIA and incidentally VICTOR MOSES
These two force the issue by pinning the full-back down - teasing and tormenting time after time... . This can be unnerving for the full-back , and consequently the entire defense. There is nothing as terrible for an attack like a defense comfortably repelling it . It was amazing to see Victor Moses tear Bacary Sagna to shreds to set-up wigan's winning goal ; did anyone see Phlipp Lahm work on Real Madrid's full back before delivering a cross close to the by-line for Bayern's winner in the champions league semi-final on tuesday.... Wenger certainly needs a bit of this to ally his favoured approach , and unpick well locked defenses at the Emirates .
On monday night , just like many , I turned-up to view ARSENAL take on relegation haunted WIGAN.
Surely , Wigan won't stand a chance to the in-form team at the Emirates..... well , we all know the outcome. It was a repeat of what has happened many times when Arsenal play at home... the less-fancied team takes the lead - smash and grab style , only to retreat into a barricade . Arsenal then have all the possession , but labour in-vain for a break through . This recurring theme highlights a tactical flaw in Wenger's attacking philosophy , particularly since the move to The Emirates. I'll spell it out - Wigan being a case study. They take the lead , The Gunners begin firing in an attempt to blast a hole through Wigan's middle . Yes , predominantly going for one-two's to un-hinge Wigan's centre-halves ; or recycling the ball from flank to flank , but all in front of Wigan's defensive positions . This action was so repetitive one would be forgiven if they thought they were watching a game they had seen before . This tact is easy to defend against not because it is ineffective , but due to Arsenal's lack of disguise , and variance in attack. Most of the attacking play is channeled through the middle , the wide players included have to come in-wards too often ; while taking the Wigan defense on the outside , forcing it wide , with pace and skill fragments it potentially ; if Walcot , or Benayoun took on the full back , took him to the bye-line, before whipping a low ball in - trust me the barricade is less fortified ; and most importantly it starts to feel vulnerable . This tact should have been used in conjunction with attacking at the heart . From this angle , Wenger has been negligent since Jose Reyes departed. Walcot and Gervinho have not mastered this concept . They ought to take lessons from ANTONIO VALENCIA and incidentally VICTOR MOSES
These two force the issue by pinning the full-back down - teasing and tormenting time after time... . This can be unnerving for the full-back , and consequently the entire defense. There is nothing as terrible for an attack like a defense comfortably repelling it . It was amazing to see Victor Moses tear Bacary Sagna to shreds to set-up wigan's winning goal ; did anyone see Phlipp Lahm work on Real Madrid's full back before delivering a cross close to the by-line for Bayern's winner in the champions league semi-final on tuesday.... Wenger certainly needs a bit of this to ally his favoured approach , and unpick well locked defenses at the Emirates .
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
THE TACTICAL PLOT : SPURS NEVER HAD A CHANCE !
Forget about all the talk of controversy surrounding the FA cup semi final clash between Spurs and Chelsea due to Chelsea's erroneous second goal .
Discount the fact that the major match official let a lot of people down with that decision , Spurs would never have beaten Chelsea , even if that match carried on for the rest of the evening .
Here is why : Both teams lined-up to a similar tactical formation - 4 - 3 - 3 / 4 - 5 - 1 ( all the same , really ) The difference being the sort of performance individuals put on in the first place - notably in mid-field . Chelsea's quintet of Mikel Obi ; Frank Lampard ; Ramires ; solomon Kalou , and Juan Mata played broadly in mid-field , when Chelsea had possession , and also , maintained sufficient compactness at all times
Then throw in the ability of Ramires to burst into space ; mata's poise, guile , and invention - Spurs not only were second best , but could not fashion a counter threat in midfield . The icing on the cake for Chelsea being Didier Drogba , who played like a proper centre forward- with attitude , and effectiveness . His goal being a snapshot of his performance . Spurs were too wide apart - their wing wizards - Bale and Lennon isolated and sporadic ; Modric , supposedly the Fulcrum of their attack gave a weak performance..... Van der vaart and Adebayor were certainly out-performed by Mata and Drogba. Harry Redknaap said Spurs were "too open " in their defeat to Norwich , allegedly because of the formation he employed for that game ( 4-4-2 ) it was much the same on sunday night. Harry knows best , but in my humble opinion , Lennon ought to have been sacrificed for Sandro to make for 3 central mid-fielders. Particularly , when you consider Ramires' flight into space , and mata's poise on the ball...... it seemed to constantly allow Chelsea get behind Spurs' defense - a recipe for defeat .
For long i had wondered how Adebayor compared to Drogba ! On the evidence from a big game like sunday's , history lent me a hand too , Drogba is certainly the better striker , and he has the capability and attitude to make the difference when it matters. Eat your heart out Manu .
Well done Roberto Di -Mateo ! He has shown that sometimes , management is about dealing properly with simple , but crucial aspects of a team's tactical approach ; and wise man-management too. I tip Chelsea to win the FA cup , the care taker manager to get the job full time ; and folks shall be surprised Chelsea will not be mince meat for Barcelona tonight . I expect a much closer contest , even if Barcelona ultimately prevail on the tie .
Discount the fact that the major match official let a lot of people down with that decision , Spurs would never have beaten Chelsea , even if that match carried on for the rest of the evening .
Here is why : Both teams lined-up to a similar tactical formation - 4 - 3 - 3 / 4 - 5 - 1 ( all the same , really ) The difference being the sort of performance individuals put on in the first place - notably in mid-field . Chelsea's quintet of Mikel Obi ; Frank Lampard ; Ramires ; solomon Kalou , and Juan Mata played broadly in mid-field , when Chelsea had possession , and also , maintained sufficient compactness at all times
Then throw in the ability of Ramires to burst into space ; mata's poise, guile , and invention - Spurs not only were second best , but could not fashion a counter threat in midfield . The icing on the cake for Chelsea being Didier Drogba , who played like a proper centre forward- with attitude , and effectiveness . His goal being a snapshot of his performance . Spurs were too wide apart - their wing wizards - Bale and Lennon isolated and sporadic ; Modric , supposedly the Fulcrum of their attack gave a weak performance..... Van der vaart and Adebayor were certainly out-performed by Mata and Drogba. Harry Redknaap said Spurs were "too open " in their defeat to Norwich , allegedly because of the formation he employed for that game ( 4-4-2 ) it was much the same on sunday night. Harry knows best , but in my humble opinion , Lennon ought to have been sacrificed for Sandro to make for 3 central mid-fielders. Particularly , when you consider Ramires' flight into space , and mata's poise on the ball...... it seemed to constantly allow Chelsea get behind Spurs' defense - a recipe for defeat .
For long i had wondered how Adebayor compared to Drogba ! On the evidence from a big game like sunday's , history lent me a hand too , Drogba is certainly the better striker , and he has the capability and attitude to make the difference when it matters. Eat your heart out Manu .
Well done Roberto Di -Mateo ! He has shown that sometimes , management is about dealing properly with simple , but crucial aspects of a team's tactical approach ; and wise man-management too. I tip Chelsea to win the FA cup , the care taker manager to get the job full time ; and folks shall be surprised Chelsea will not be mince meat for Barcelona tonight . I expect a much closer contest , even if Barcelona ultimately prevail on the tie .
WAS THERE EVER REALLY A LOT WRONG WITH MAN CITY ?
That's the pertinent question the soccer fraternity would be asking on the morning of tuesday , April 17th 2012 , after the last 2 rounds of league games , with city taking maximum points.
I'll boldly state that manchester City are actually the best team in in the premiership even if they are 5 points behind man ttd . I do take a somewhat contradictory stance , given that i also believe Alex Ferguson's men shall be crowned champions for 2011 / 2012 season.
My point shall be proved when City triumph over Utd at the Etihad in their clash at the end of the month - meaning City do the double over united . In addition , Man city shall win all their remaining fixtures ; and same United, obviously bar one.... that keeps them tops ahead of City by 2 points come the end of the season.
Why this crazy prophesy i hear you ask ! Hold on folks , it comes on the back of some analytical work. City topped the league for over half the season , and up to date have scored more , and let in fewer goals than Man utd ; On the playing side : City are as just as good as Utd ; probably more pleasing on the eye than the Red half. Player for player , i reckon City edge it narrowly. I hear the dissenters say : " why aren't City in pole-position..... " simple , teams that run into bad weather in februrary / march tend to struggle for between 5 - 8 games . It can be such a miserable period to be in at that time of the season - with fate dealing you a hard blow. Ask Spurs about it ! confirm the answers with Newcastle ; then corroborate from Arsenal - teams that have sealed their fate by having a good run in this period ; while spurs spluttered.... Man City have failed to buck the trend , while Alex Ferguson has mastered his destiny in this aspect. My point is - but for this period ! the blue half would have clinched it.
Mario Balotelli has been made the poster-child for Man city's implosion / impending failure. How wrong! Correct - that the boy is infuriating , and yes , still only BOY !!!!! , however , it won't be fair to make him the sole scape goat. The owners , the manager , the players have a fair share of blame . Having reached the top of the premier league for a few months , they mishandled the oppurtunity to bring in a player or two , with fire-power in January , whilest losing The Toure Brothers to the A.N. C ; The sequestration of Tevez did not help their cause...... but the catalyst to that was Mancini's publicly stated pre-conditions for reinstating Tevez back in the squad . Such matters ought to have been done in private to avoid the sort of impasse it inevitably created in the end . There was little room for a climb down once daggers are drawn so publicly. Then there is the players : they simply lost courage and believe in a strange way when it mattered most.
This is no way an indictment or a post-mortem of City's season , as they may go on to prove me wrong ; but paradoxically a message that : but for small details they did not fulfill their true potential . That says a lot - the glass is half-filled for the club. What Man City have attained from this season is arguably precedent and pedigree . These are essential building blocks for championship success. Provided all is kept together, heads calmed , and the owners leave their sword in it's sheath, if not this season , certainly next the premiership crown shall be coming their way.
For United , they must know there is fresh competition again... Fergie has seen-off a few in his time , but it's getting narrower than ever - it is in real terms , a dead-heat . An intriguing clash of experience and cash
I'll boldly state that manchester City are actually the best team in in the premiership even if they are 5 points behind man ttd . I do take a somewhat contradictory stance , given that i also believe Alex Ferguson's men shall be crowned champions for 2011 / 2012 season.
My point shall be proved when City triumph over Utd at the Etihad in their clash at the end of the month - meaning City do the double over united . In addition , Man city shall win all their remaining fixtures ; and same United, obviously bar one.... that keeps them tops ahead of City by 2 points come the end of the season.
Why this crazy prophesy i hear you ask ! Hold on folks , it comes on the back of some analytical work. City topped the league for over half the season , and up to date have scored more , and let in fewer goals than Man utd ; On the playing side : City are as just as good as Utd ; probably more pleasing on the eye than the Red half. Player for player , i reckon City edge it narrowly. I hear the dissenters say : " why aren't City in pole-position..... " simple , teams that run into bad weather in februrary / march tend to struggle for between 5 - 8 games . It can be such a miserable period to be in at that time of the season - with fate dealing you a hard blow. Ask Spurs about it ! confirm the answers with Newcastle ; then corroborate from Arsenal - teams that have sealed their fate by having a good run in this period ; while spurs spluttered.... Man City have failed to buck the trend , while Alex Ferguson has mastered his destiny in this aspect. My point is - but for this period ! the blue half would have clinched it.
Mario Balotelli has been made the poster-child for Man city's implosion / impending failure. How wrong! Correct - that the boy is infuriating , and yes , still only BOY !!!!! , however , it won't be fair to make him the sole scape goat. The owners , the manager , the players have a fair share of blame . Having reached the top of the premier league for a few months , they mishandled the oppurtunity to bring in a player or two , with fire-power in January , whilest losing The Toure Brothers to the A.N. C ; The sequestration of Tevez did not help their cause...... but the catalyst to that was Mancini's publicly stated pre-conditions for reinstating Tevez back in the squad . Such matters ought to have been done in private to avoid the sort of impasse it inevitably created in the end . There was little room for a climb down once daggers are drawn so publicly. Then there is the players : they simply lost courage and believe in a strange way when it mattered most.
This is no way an indictment or a post-mortem of City's season , as they may go on to prove me wrong ; but paradoxically a message that : but for small details they did not fulfill their true potential . That says a lot - the glass is half-filled for the club. What Man City have attained from this season is arguably precedent and pedigree . These are essential building blocks for championship success. Provided all is kept together, heads calmed , and the owners leave their sword in it's sheath, if not this season , certainly next the premiership crown shall be coming their way.
For United , they must know there is fresh competition again... Fergie has seen-off a few in his time , but it's getting narrower than ever - it is in real terms , a dead-heat . An intriguing clash of experience and cash
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