Premiership predictions

Saturday:
Blackburn 2 Stoke 1
Bolton 2 Portsmouth 1
Fulham 0 Middlesbrough 0
Hull 2 Sunderland 2
West Ham 0 Aston Villa 2

Sunday:
Arsenal 1 Liverpool 1
Newcastle 1 Tottenham 2
West Brom 1 Man City 1

Monday:
Everton 1 Chelsea 3

Premier League’s Big One: Arsenal v Liverpool

Arsenal v Liverpool (Premier League, Sunday 21st December 4pm)

The formula for producing your best in the biggest games is one of the most elusive in sport. But after 2-1 victories over rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal seem to have mastered the art of the one-off performance. And that knowledge, despite their infuriating inconsistency, will give the Gunners the belief that they can overcome Liverpool on Sunday.
Liverpool, similarly unreliable against smaller teams, will be desperate add creditiblity to their title challenge.

Team news:
Arsenal - Samir Nasri could return, while Kolo Toure is a doubt with a calf injury and Micklas Bendtner has a knee proble. Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky are long-term absentees.
Liverpool - Striker Fernando Torres could be back next week after a hamstring injury, while full-back Fabio Aurelio (calf) may return to the squad and long-term absentee Martini Skrtel is back in training after two months out.

The bosses:
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he will only spend money in the January transfer window if he spies something very special, but stubborness in his search for perfection will surely concern the club’s fans.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez returns to the bench on Sunday after being hospitalised due to kidney stones.

Result: Arsenal to gain another valuable point against their ‘Top Four’ rivals with a 1-1 scoreline, though it will be a bigger point for Liverpool.

The big one: Tottenham v Manchester United

Tottenham v Manchester United (5.30pm, Saturday December 6)

Manchester United jet off to Japan for the World Club Championships after Saturday’s game and the reigning Premier League and Champions League holders will be desperate to leave the domestic competition on a high note, particularly as rivals Chelsea and Liverpool will be attempting to gather as many points as possible while United are away.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, however, knows a thing or two about beating United hwon against them with Bournemouth, West Ham and Portsmouth in his career.

The bosses:
Despite rumours of his impending retirement, Sir Alex’s Ferguson ’s desire for success seems to be unquenchable and he will relish the crucial month facing United.
The wily Harry Redknapp has overseen a dramatic reversal in fortunes for Tottenham since taking over from Juande Ramos and the former West Ham boss is quickly transcending his reputation as a very good boss into a top manager.

Team News:
Man U - Dimitar Berbatov (Achilles) is struggling to be fit to face his former side. Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra are suspended but Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be fit. Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick are doubts.
Tottenham - tbc

Key players:
Man U - With Rooney definitely out and Berbatov potentially so, the pressure will be on Carlos Tevez to lead the line for United and score the goals.
Tottenham - Heurelho Gomes has come in for massive criticism since his move from PSV but the Brazilian goalkeeper performed well last time out and will need another confident display if Tottenham are to take anything away from Old Trafford.

Tactics - Won and Lost
With nothing less than a win on the mnds of Manchester United, they are sure to come out of the blocks hard.
Harry Redknapp will be aware that his flaky Spurs defence is unlikely to withstand United’s attack all game and so will encourage his side to charge forward whe the opportunity presents itself.
The pace of Aaron Lennon on the counter attack could be especially productive for Spurs especially as Patrice Evra is out.
With Rooney out, Ronaldo could be handed a more central role behind Carlos Tevez. If so the Portugual international will look to run at the heart of Spurs defence, which could be susceptible to the quick changes in direction of the forward, and unleash plenty of early long range efforts on goal.


Prediction:
Spurs to push United but the Premier League champions to prevail 2-1 with Ronaldo scoring the winner.

One to watch: Man U target Adem Ljajic

Adem Ljajic

Position: Attacking midfield/Forward
Age: 17 (29/9/1991)
Height: 5ft 11”
Current club: FK Partizan
Country: Serbia under 21 international
Valuation: GBP10million
Plays like: His sparkling talents on the ball have generated comparisons to Brazil’s Kaka and even take on teh nickname ‘Little Kaka’.
Interested: Ljajic has already spent time on trial with Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to secure the young prodigy’s signature.

See Ljajic in action...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_UOcFAFJ3zw

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAq3BzV9u6s

The Premier League final word

The final words:

Arsenal 1 Wigan 0
Where does this win fit in the narrative of an Arsenal team trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled potential.
A telling battling win borne out of hard lessons learned for a team closing in on their true selves or just another incidental win for a team short of what it takes to win a championship?
The latter seems the likier.

Blackburn 1 Liverpool 3
Self-delusion is the final refuge of a man on the brink of his demise.
Blackburn boss Paul Ince’s claims that his team’s improved performance against Liverpool means they have no cause for concern will be far more terrifying for the team’s fans than the act of shipping three goals against a Liverpool attack spearheaded by Dirk Kuyt.
Blackburn are second bottom and have lost five league games on the bounce.
The effort may have improved, the performance may have improved but they still got stuffed. These are worrying times for Blackburn whatever Ince may claim.

Bolton 0 Chelsea 2
That is 11 straight away wins for Chelsea - the ideal away side.
With the pace of Nicolas Anelka up top and the precise distribution of Deco and Frank Lampard waiting to pounce, they are a potent counter-attacking force.
But they need to find a way of replicating that form at home and teams may now assume more cagey away-from-home tactics when Chelsea come visiting - Didier Drogba could yet have an influential role to play in their title challenge.

Fulham 1 Manchester City 1
Without their Brazilian trio of Elano, Jo and most importantly Robinho, Manchester City had to rely on a more physical approcah against Fulham and it worked until Jimmy Bullard’s fine effort grabbed a point for the hosts.
It may be silly season with the tabloids transfer stories, but expect Manchester City’s novelty-size cheque book to be the first open in the New Year.

Hull 2 Middlesbrough 1
An intoxicating 12 minutes and the man in black decide this one.
Hull boss would have appealed for a bit of luck after going five games without a win and he certainly got it when the referees sent off David Wheater for a foul on Geovanni and award a penalty which Marlon King dispatched with glee.

Manchester United 1 Sunderland 0
A defender’s injury-time winner against ailing opposition - it is what so many cliches about title winning credentials were founded on.
Nemanja Vidic’s late header ensured Sunderland’s situation, which was relatively solid a few games ago, could quickly turn into a full blown crisis.
Sunderland need to fill the Roy Keane void sharpish.

Newcastle 2 Stoke 2
Just because other clubs have claimed the limelight recently does not mean Newcastle are a club out of crisis.
Little has change in the North East, Joe Kinnear is still ranting to no positive effect, teh team are still drawing rather than winning, in-form striker Michael Owen is doing his best to avoid a new contract and Newcastle are still tettering on the brink of the final humiliation of relegation.
Could they fall for the great footballing gods’ trick of ‘crisis, what crisis’.

Premiership predictions

Saturday:
Arsenal 3 Wigan 0
Blackburn 1 Liverpool 1
Bolton 0 Chelsea 2
Fulham 1 Man City 2
Hull 0 Middlesbrough 0
Man U 4 Sunderland 0
Newcastle 2 Stoke 2

Sunday:
Everton 0 Aston Villa 2
West Brom 1 Portsmouth 1

Monday:
West Ham 2 Tottenham 2

Premiership’s big one – Blackburn v Liverpool

Blackburn v Liverpool (3pm, Saturday December 6)
Liverpool are standing tall at the summit of the English Premier League table but without striker Fernando Torres, who will be absent for a further month with a hamstring injury, doubts persist ovre their goalscoring ability. Paul Ince’s Blackburn are desperate for any points they can grab as they face up to the prospect of a ruelling battle to avoid relegation

The bosses:
Blackburn manger Paul Ince is on the brink of the sack. Blackburn are languishing at the bottom of the table and the board cannot contemplate the havoc relegation would create.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is sitting contently at the top of the table despite some critics still questioning whether he has enough quality forward options after their 0-0 with West Ham on Monday.

Team News:
Blackburn - Brett Emerton and Roque Santa Cruz hope to be fit after knocks during the midweek defeat to Manchester United. Zurab Khizanishvili is sidelined out with a groin injury, but defender Chris Samba is fit.
Liverpool - Fernando Torres and Fabio Aurelio are both out for the Premiership leaders.

Key players:
Blackburn - The returning Christopher Samba will have to keep a keen eye on Robbie Keane and hope the livewire Irishman does not expose his lack of mobility.
Liverpool - Rafa Benitez has admitted that striker Robbie Keane has yet to show his best form since arriving from Tottenham in the summer for more than £20 million. With the continued absence of Torres, the pressure will be on the Irish international to provide a ruthless edge to Liverpool’s attack.

Tactics - Won and Lost
The addition of Albert Riera over the summer has given Liverpool greater width to their play but they are still over reliant on Steven Gerrard’s runs and goals from central midfield and just behind the main striker. With neither Keane nor Dirk Kuyt possessing blistering pace, Benitez will demand his striker or strikers operate high up the pitch to create space for the rampaging Gerrard in the centre ground. Also watch out for Albert Riera’s cut backs from the left for Gerrard on the edge of the penalty area.
Blackburn will be desperate for a point, and despite some doubting the dressing room spirit, Paul Ince will ensure his players scrap for everything.
The hosts’ attack will as always revolve around Roque Santa Cruz - if fit - but the question will be whether they can provide himn and the in-form Matt Derbyshire with the opportunities to score. With the Blackburn midfield looking bereft of creativity, they could adopt a direct style against Liverpool and hope that enough chances drop to Santa Cruz and Derbyshire, who can in turn react quicker than the sometimes imobile Liverpool central defenders. However, the Liverpool midfield tend to offer a highly effective shield for their defensive team-mates.

Prediction:
Blackburn to scrape a 1-1 draw at home and prolong the debate over Liverpool’s title credentials.

Who will be the next Premiership managerial casulaty?

After Roy Keane resigned as Sunderland manager this morning, the attention is turning to who will be the next casualty of the mid-season cold snap. With the prospects of relegation battles and challenges for European qualification crowding the minds of chairmen, boards and fans alike, managers are as vulnerable as players in the January transfer window.

Three on the brink:

Blackburn manager Paul Ince
The former England midfielder has endured a torrid start to life as a Premiership manager after his summer move from MK Dons. Blackburn are second bottom in the Premiership following seven games without a win and, despite his relative short tenure, Ince’s position is precarious. With a squad that includes Roque Santa Cruz, Matt Derbyshire and Benni McCarthy, Blackburn’s shocking return of four goals at home this season will more than disturb chairman John Williams.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes
Hughes’ previous work at Blackburn generated a reputation in football management – which secured his move to Eastlands - that will not subside easily. But the astronomical cash injection at Manchester City is akin to filling a hatchback with rocket fuel with the obvious hike in expectation of performance from the owners standing at a safe distance. Hughes must someway control this explosive beast if he is not keep his job. However, rumours are already circling that the owners are considering more experienced candidates and with big money to be spent in January, Hughes could be ousted sooner rather than later.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray
Having led West Brom back into the Premier League with a styling and entertaining brand of passing football, Tony Mowbray’s stock could have hardly been higher at the beginning of the season. But reaching midpoint in the season and sitting bottom of the league table, the prospect of relegation will be entering the thoughts of the board. West Brom’s desire to shake the tag of a yo-yo club - bouncing between the Premiership and Championship - and Mowbray’s entrenched tactical philosophy, which has failed thus far, could result in a surprise exit for the manager.

One to watch: Liverpool target Yoann Gourcuff

One to watch: Liverpool target Yoann Gourcuff

Position: Central Attacking midfielder
Age: 22
Current club: Bordeaux (on loan from AC Milan)
Country: France (5 caps 1 goal)
Valuation: £15million
Plays like: The tall, elegant French playmaker has been compared on numerous occasions to French legend Zinedine Zidane.
Interested: Liverpool are thought to be in pole position to sign Gourcuff with his chances of ousting Kaka from the AC Milan midfield slim. But Arsenal are also monitoring the situation.

Gourcuff in action on you tube….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSy9fLLXtrk
Gorucuff vs Zidane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-3qcq4hCf8

Lag-time gives Ronaldo the edge in race for the Ballon d'Or

Lag-time gives Ronaldo the edge in race for the Ballon d’Or

Cristiano Ronaldo appears set to be crowned European Footballer of the Year and thus win the coveted 2008 Ballon d’Or. He will follow in the footsteps of such greats as 2007 winner Kaka, Zinedine Zidane, Brazil’s Ronaldo, Marco Van Basten, and the first winner Sir Stanley Mathews.

Ronaldo has some worthy opponents. Due to the sublime talents of Lionel Messi, Barcelona have been producing some of the best football in Europe at the beginning of the Spanish Primera Liga and, despite Argentina’s trials at senior international level, it was again Messi that led their Olympic team to gold in Beijing. There are also a number of Spanish players rehearsing their speeches just in case, foremost Fernando Torres, after they won the European Championships in the summer.

Were the objectives of the competition to route out the finest footballer currently performing in Europe, Ronaldo may come up short. The Portuguese winger has yet to fully hit his stride this season, despite the occasional virtuoso performance, after an injury and transfer speculation overshadowed the start of his season. Not only that but he failed to shine for Portugal in this summer’s European Championships.

But thankfully for Ronaldo it is a cumulative award taking into account the performances of European based players over the past year and - after defining roles in Manchester United’s Champions League and Premiership winning season - he is a worthy, if annoyingly self-satisfied, winner.

Manchester City 0 Manchester United 1 review

The margin of the result may have been slim but on Sunday Manchester United revealed gulf in class between the two highly touted teams.

How it was won – The biggest shock at half time was that Manchester United were not further ahead. They dominated possession territory and chances and could have been three goals to the good. Despite being away from Old Trafford, United managed to grasp a stifling hold on the game thanks to the pace and lively work of their full backs in a 4-4-2 formation. Patrice Evra and Rafael da Silva constantly pushed forward into midfield and beyond. This allowed central midfielders Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher many passing options when they were on the ball. They had the choice of going square and wide with these full backs, hitting the runs of Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji Sung coming off their flanks high in the oppositions half and looking more directly forward to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, one of whom would drop into a deeper role.

These options and the fast and efficient passing of United allowed them to retain possession high in City’s half despite their opponents having a three-man central midfield, negating Mark Hughes’ men’s numerical advantage. Particularly in the first half, City could not get close to United players or the ball and, subsequently, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men dominated proceedings and created many chances as they threw players forward and overwhelmed the opposition. It only garnered one goal in the first half but it could have been many more and in the second half, when United went down to 10 men after Ronaldo’s sending off, United’s superiority in passing and movement ensured City never had enough ball to win the game.

United’s domination of the game reveals the scale of work facing Mark Hughes and his Manchester City squad.

Premier League predictions

Saturday

Aston Villa 2 Fulham 0
Middlesbrough 1 Newcastle 2
Stoke 1 Hull 1
Sunderland 0 Bolton 1
Wigan 2 West Brom 0

Sunday

Chelsea 1 Arsenal 1
Manchester City 1 Manchester United 3
Portsmouth 1 Blackburn 0
Tottenham 2 Everton 2
Liverpool 3 West Ham 0

Big Game: Arsenal v Chelsea

Arsenal's title challenge is hanging by a thread - if not already dead - and after a disappointing week Chelsea will be desperate regain some form and extinguish any lingering optimism around the Emirates.

Key players:
Arsenal - All eyes will be on the Gunner's new captain Cesc Fabregas, but if Arsenal are to get any return from this game his midfield partner Denilson will have to establish a platform from which their attacking forces can operate.
Chelsea - Nicolas Anelka faces his former team on one of the hottest streak in his career. He has scored 12 goals in 15 league games and with Joe Cole a doubt the pressure will once again be on the Frenchman to convert the chances.

Injuries:
Ars - Abou Diaby, Kolo Toure, Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Eboue all out.
- Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna and Samir Nasri fit.
Che - Juliano Belletti, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho and Franco di Santo all out
- Alex fit, Joe Cole doubt.

Suspensions:
Che - Drogba

Won and lost:
The battle for middle turf - Chelsea's physical and combative three in midfield will look to dominate the middle ground preventing Fabregas from pulling the strings and forcing Arsenal to move the ball wide against the inclination of their centrally minded midfielders.

No Drogba - Arsenal with draw comfort from the absence of Didier Drogba - an Arsenal tormentor in the past - which should ensure their Achilles heel of failing to defend aerial bombardments is less exposed. But the Blues will look for enjoy as Anelka, supplied by Deco, runs in behind the sometimes clumsy Silvestre.

Arsenal forced to go wide on counter - As Chelsea revert to a 3-4-2-1 in pssession with the full backs bombing on and Obi stepping back into defence, Arsenal will have to find space in the vacated full back areas with the wingers and full backs pushing forward - a risky but necessary ploy. This will peg back the Chelsea full backs and allow the Gunners a foot hold in the game.

Turning the titanic - With teh robust but often immobile pairing of John Terry and Alex at the back for Chelsea, Arsenal will also look for Fabregas to play in the tricky Robin Van Persie as a sharp turning rapid firing option.

Frantic - With the pace of both sides they will look to hit on the counter attack so expect at times a some frantic and open exchnges.

Result:
Arsenal to scrape a draw and prolong the ambituity that engulfs them. 1-1.

Transfer eye - Spurs in for German international

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is considering a move for German international Lukas Podolski in the January transfer window.

The Bayern Munich striker, who has scored 31 goals in 60 games at international level, is unhappy in Germany and handed in a transfer request earlier this week.
Having secured the services of Landon Donovan for the second part of the Bundesliga season, Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann is willing to grant Podolski’s wish and allow him to leave.

With Darren Bent, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Fraser Campbell the English side’s only options up front, Redknapp is desperate to land a proven goalscorer in the transfer window. And the Spurs boss believes Podolski can catapult Tottenham away from the relegation zone and up the Premier League table.

The German international would also represent good value with money tight at White Hart Lane. A bid of GBP5million should force the German to sell a player who is becoming more trouble than he is worth. The Tottenham hierachy are still keen to sign Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Asharvin, as is Redknapp, but the Russian side’s daunting valuation of GBP20million means a deal is unlikely leaving Podolski as the primary target.

Monday debate - Should Wenger get rid of Gallas?

Arsenal's season is already on the ropes and William Gallas' recent outburst has heightened the sense of discontent at the Emirates stadium. Having stripped the international defender of the captaincy, should Arsene Wenger rid himself of the disruptive Frenchman in January?

Yes - Not only has Gallas been a destabalising influence as capatian, he has also been a destabilising presence in defence. The French international has had a poor season and has failed to show the required command as the senior figure in Arsenal’s defence. Gallas has previous in this respects. Last season he famously sat on the turf as Arsenal endured another tough game against Birmingham.
Wenger needs to reconstruct the centre of his defence and, given his tempremental attitude and waning ability, Galla sis no longer a long-term prospect. Wenger must begin the search for his replacement immediately whether that is from within the club or via the January trnsfer window. Any extra cash the Frenchman would generate would be welcome.

No - Arsenal’s defensive frailties are more accute than ever. The days of a back four cut from granite is long gone and, since the departure of Sol Campbell, Arsenal’s title ambitions have continually been undermined by a meek defence. It is staggering that Wenger has not shown more urgency in strengthening this area. Arsenal’s lack of height and stomach for a tackle, have made them vulnerable to crosses and even long throw ins - as exercised by Rory Delap - this season.
Gallas may be a bad influence, but when on his game he is still Arsenal’s best centre half. There will be few world class defenders on offer in January and Arsenal’s youngsters are not ready to step into the massive breach.

Verdict - Time for Wenger to take out the trash.

Germany vs England - Review

The vitriol following England's win over Germany has been emphatic. But the greatest significance of the night was a German team, playing in their capital city, and little more than a shell of the once great footballing super power.

England’s performance was decent, ever more when considering it was a back-up side, and there were some promising displays from the likes of Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson, Shaun Wright Phillips and Stewart Downing. But you could scarcely believe they were playing the mighty Germans.

In truth England were given an easy ride. Johnson and Wayne Bridge were rarely tested at full-back, John Terry and Mathew Upson enjoyed a hassle free evening in Munich and Carrick and Gareth Barry were afforded the run of the midfield, being given time and space to create and dictate at will. The intimidating, bullying and beguiling Germans of previous years were replaced by a fragile rabble that have struggle under the wieght of national expectations for a few years.

We have known for a long time that Germany have lost their individual skill but their collective belief looks as though it has finally run dry. The truth is Germany’s power have been on the wane for the past decade. They have reached a world cup final in 2002 and came close in 2006 as they did in 2008, but on those occasions it was down to a remarkable reserves of mental strength and a tactical cohesiveness rather than a formidable force of individuals. And, while tactics and belief are great for plucky performances, they are the preserve of the underdog and not those that aspire to be the to dogs. The best teams have it all.

With any dynasty belief and confidence out lives ability. The mental certainty gathered over years of triumph can often endure for some time after the decline has set in, but set in it has and the German’s have realized their own mediocrity with devastating effect.

Prior to the game, Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff criticized the English Premiership for having too many foreigners and not producing enough England players. He should look more closely at the state of affairs in his own nation. Germany need to find some players and quick. For England they must remember that it was ‘only Germany’ – it still sounds slightly bizarre but is increasingly accurate.

Time for Shearer to be Newcastle manager?

Former Newcastle midfielder Robert Lee believes Alan Shearer is ready to take over at St James` Park.

While the ex-England striker has admitted he would be interested in taking over the club at some stage in the future, he has consistently denied he was ready to fulfill his destiny. But now could be the time.

Owner Mike Ashley is closing in on a new owner, they are out of the relegation zone and, best of all for a potential new manager, Joe Kinnear has decimated any expectations. The presence and antics of Ashley and Kinnear at the top of the club has deprived Newcastle fans of notions of grandeur. Where at the start of the season there were hopes of a top six finish, now survival in the top-flight is the goal and the person who delivers it will be an instant success. They are in a mire and immediate aspirations are out the window.

A manager is always judged relative to their predecessor, and so Harry Redknapp`s fine start to life at Tottenham has assumed god-like status. With Shearer already enjoying messiah-like acclaim at St James’ Park, the current situation would grant him even greater time to enact his reforms.

The current managements running into the ground of the club has tempered expectation and so even with the great Shearer at the helm Newcastle fans hopes may stay in check. Now all the former hit-man needs is a billionaire backer to blast away the current hierarchy.

Transfer talk - Liverpool eye Elano

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez could offer Brazilian Elano an exit route from Manchester City in the January transfer window.

The Brazil international is increasingly frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities at the Eastlands and is now considering his options with Benitez monitoring the situation closely.

Manager Mark Hughes is not a man to tolerate his authority being undermined and Elano’s recent public criticism of the management could have created an irretreavable rift between the two.

Manchester City would demand £10million for the midfielder, but the Liverpool manager believes he can sign the 27-year-old for £8million. Benitez is keen to bolster his midfield optiions as hopes continue to rise of a first title in 18 years.

With Albert Riera, backed up bey Ryan Babel, solving many of the questions on the left flank, a right sided player is Benitz’s priority especially with Jermain Pennat set to leave the club in January.

Newcaslte and Aston Villa are also showing an interest in the developments at the Eastlands stadium.

Monday debate: First team experience or first class grooming?

Everton manager David Moyes has suggested clubs should be limited in the number of players they can sign at youth levels so the talent is more evenly distributed among the league clubs. The argument continues that it would allow young players to gain first team experience rather than languish in the academies of the ‘big teams’. Which is better first team experience or first rate grooming?

YES - That scenario would give a larger number of players what they want, an exposure to first-team football at an earlier age. It would open the eyes of youngsters to the requirements of truly competitive football with players surely making rapid progress in physicality as they face up to seasoned pros and learn important lessons. Lower league clubs would benefit through access to better players and potential earnings.

NO – By scooping up the best talent from across the globe, the elite club’s of the Premiership offer the best education for young players of all nationalities. The quality of the facilities, coaching and back-up is far better than can be offered from lower league teams. The exposure to top rate coaching and ideas can develop players of greater technical and tactical aptitude. These are the defining element of a player’s future potential. Elite academies also reveal to youngsters what is necessary to become world class by watching international players around the club and measuring themselves against peers from all over the world at an earlier age.

VERDICT – Proof is in the outcome. Arsenal has consistently produced the brightest English prospects over the last few years with players like David Bentley, Ashley Cole and Jack Wilshere coming through with potential to reach the top of the international game.

Are Arsenal really back in the title race?

The football story of the weekend is that Arsenal have answered their critics, dispelled the doubts and revived their ailing title challenge with victory over Manchester United.

Just 24 hours after stirring up suggestions that the Arsene Wenger era may come to a premature end, the media have been remorseless in vindicating Wenger and hailing his master plan. ‘How could they doubt Wenger?’ ‘Crisis, what crisis?’

But the only problem is that the Gunners will not win the title and victory over Man U will not change that. A single victory can have a huge impact on a team’s season, but this was not such a win.

It does not make up for the losses to Stoke and Fulham that revealed fragility and flakiness, which will be targeted by all in the Premiership and will not be easily rectified. Gone is there aura of invincibility that often guarantees safe passage and straightforward points. Arsenal will have to battle in every game from now on in - Chelsea are the only side to retain the image of an irresistible force that make teams quiver.

With a squad light on numbers and experience they needed a flying start, as they got last season, to build the belief in the camp that could prevail over the deep reserves, physical and mental, of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Arsenal have been beating the top teams and losing to some of the bottom ones for years. Victory was no emancipation or meaningful turning point, it does not set them on the path to the title just as victories over the top four in previous seasons have not led to silverware.

Rather it is another example of vast potential in an infuriatingly erratic narrative.

Arsenal vs Man U

Manchester United scent a wounded animal and on Saturday the Euyropean Champions could all but kill-off their rival’s title hopes.

It’s been a disastrous few weeks for Arsenal - as well as some poor results, a sensitive and weak underbelly has once again been exposed - but it could get worse. Arsenal’s title bid could be terminally damaged before mid November.

Key players:
Ars - With a number of injuries to important players, there will be huge responsibility on Cesc Fabregas as a leader and player especially as the side are still lacking a specialist holding midfielder.
Man U - Cristiano Ronaldo is finally coming back to his best form and his ability to run at players as well as shooting early from distance could prove decisive.

Injuries:
Ars - Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle), Emmanuel Eboue (knee) out. Doubts over Theo Walcott (shoulder) and William Gallas (thigh)
Man U - Wes Brown doubt.

Suspensions:
Ars - Robin van Persie

Won and lost:
Despite their attacking reputation, Arsenal may be forced to retreat into a disciplined defensive display as United go for the jugular at the Eimrates.
Arsenal will set-up with a very compact formation - to prevent Rooney and Ronaldo from causing havoc in between the opposition’s midfield and defence - and look to hit United on the break with the pace of Walcott (if playing), Gael Clichy and the trickery of Samir Nasri, using Niclas Bendthner as a rallying point in attack.
If Arsenal drop too deep, a distinct possibility, United will rely on the Berbatov lay-off ability of Berbatov, and Rooney’s and Ronaldo’s long range shooting ability.

Result:
United to have too many options in attack and win 2-1.

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Wenger's stubborness betrays confusion

There was a time when RAFA BENITEZ was the most stubborn man in the Premiership League.

His convictions were that Steven Gerrard should play nowhere near the centre of the pitch and that rotating his squad would preserve their title ambitions.

But the Spaniard has mellowed in his dogma. Now ARSENE WENGER has replaced him as the man to muddle conviction with stubborness with delusion.

Arsenal are already out of the league and Wenger's claims his young side is strong enough and mature enough to win a title against the established and proven professionals of Chelsea and Man U is absurd wnough for everyone to see.

Paper talk

Barcelona’s long-term pursuit of Cesc Fabregas took another turn when it was revealed they are preparing a £30million bid.

The prospect of returning to Spain and Barcelona must be growing more and more apeealing to the Spaniard.

As Arsenal leap from triumph to disaster, being simultaneously brilliant and despairing, Pep Guardiola is creating a Barcelona team seemingly more technically gifted and, critically, more effective.

The chance to form the foundations - alongside Xavi - that enable the likes of Henry, E’too, Messi and Bojan to fly, may soon be too much for Cesc. And Arsenal will have once again lost a player to a lack of ambition.


Michael Owen is reportedly a transfer target of Chelsea with a figure quoted as £3-5million.

Eventhough his contract is counting down, it is a derisory figure for a top striker and a big game player.


On a par with big city bonuses rewarding bankers for ruining the economy, Juande Ramos will receive £1.7m in compensation from Tottenham after his exit in October. A figure being half of what was his annual salary

Lewis Hamilton's destiny transformed in a blink

Breaking into the penultimate corner at the Interlagos circuit on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton was a serial loser and a man beset by demons; emerging out of the final corner he was a free man speeding into the record books as the youngest world champion in history. Rarely are destinies re-aligned so abruptly.

The flip side to Hamilton’s dramatic accession was Felipe Massa’s demise. When the Ferrari driver passed the finish line, in front of his adoring fans, he was the champion-elect and his entourage in the pit lane went into a frenzied celebration. But by the time he joined them, the race winner was a broken man. Massa had done what he had to do, but - somehow, someway - so had Hamilton, by the skin of Tino Block’s tyres.

After an era of tedium and predictability in the late 90’s, early 00’s, motor racing is once again a sport of hi-octane excitement.

Cricket bites Stanford in the butt!

The underlying premise of STANDFORD, the root of many objections, was that it sort to find a villain and humiliate him on the grandest stage cricket has ever created.

By placing a winner-takes-all, million dollar bounty on victory, they hoped the game would come down to the final ball with the outcome decided by a four, a six, a wicket or best of all a steepling shot into the night sky and one fielder standing under a $20million catch with enternity to wait - would they be blinded by the glint of falling riches or would they see nothing but a ball - the ultimate examination of nerve.

In the end, England’s universal inadequacy on the night cost the organisers their car-crash moment when a player would rob his team mates of a $1millions each.
The PR people seek to make modern sport an individual’s pursuit. It is a product of an era of over-emphasised personality driven by the demands for celebrity. But as a England proved cricket, and all team sports, are one and lost as a unit.



There was a time when RAFA BENITEZ was the most stubborn man in the Premiership League.

His convictions were that Steven Gerrard should play nowhere near the centre of the pitch and that rotating his squad would preserve their title ambitions.

But the Spaniard has mellowed in his dogma. Now ARSENE WENGER has replaced him as the man to muddle conviction with stubborness with delusion.

Arsenal are already out of the league and Wenger's claims his young side is strong enough and mature enough to win a title against the established and proven professionals of Chelsea and Man U is absurd wnough for everyone to see.

Tottenham players absolved of responsibility with potentially dangerous consequences

So all is well again at White Hart Lane. Tottenham are still bottom of the league but with Harry Redknapp installed as manager few envisage them remaining there much longer. The terminally bad smell around the club has disappeared instantly. Or has it?

Though Ramos and his crew have gone, the players - seemingly absolved of all blame - still remain after failing to win a game in their opening eight matches. And no doubt most of them will continue on under Redknapp and the new regime because they are ‘highly talented’. Tottenham’s failure, however, has been their failure and can they be trusted to take them up to the high altitude and pressure of challenging the top six.

So much for generating a culture of personal responsibility among the players, absolving them of accountability now could return to haunt Tottenham in the future.

Maradona appointment from the heart

Emotion, however misguided, continually trumps logic in football.

Diego Maradona has been confirmed as the new Argentina national coach and it is a decision straight from the heart.

Despite one of the greatest playing careers of all, Maradona’s coaching career consists of three wins, 12 draws and eight defeats in two managerial stints with Racing and Deportivo Mandiyu.

It is an appointment based on no more than celebrity.

Although Argentina are struggling in their bid to qualify for the World Cup, inspiration is something that they are not short of with Messi, Riquelme, Tevez and Aguero in the team.
What they require is the direction of a proven tactician and leader.

Barton's moment of glory reveals dark side

Joey Barton, the Newcastle midfielder, demonstrated once again on Tuesday night why he is a fearsome footballer and a tormented sole.

When Shola Ameobi was brought down by Ryan Donk in the 10th minute of the Premiership game between West Brom and Newcastle, Barton ignored instructions from the bench and team-mates - he seized the moment, grabbed the ball, placed it on the spot and fired the Geordies into the lead.

His manager Joe Kinnear was full of praise for his defiant midfielder. “He showed a lot of bottle to do that,” said Kinnear told the BBC after the 2-1 victory. “He stuck it away well and he's trying to prove a point - all he wants is to play football and be given a chance.” Kinnear, however, also admitted that Barton was not the designated penalty taker - Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins was. “He’d have been in trouble if he'd missed, but fair play to him, he’s obviously a very confident lad,” joked Kinnear.

The way in which the midfielder, who was returning for a six-match ban for assaulting his former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo, thrust himself back into the spotlight with such force of character and confidence was in many aspects admirable, and yet it revealed an unnerving and highly destructive element of his personality.

By snatching the ball and claiming the moment all for himself, Barton defied the all authority around him (his team-mates and manager), displayed an incredibly arrogant streak and exercised self interest in the extreme. For Newcastle, desperately needing a win, it was crucial to take the lead, but Barton saw only personal gain and pushed aside the player deemed most qualified to take the spot kick. Brave, maybe, but it was certainly selfish and his “stick it to them”, “prove a point” attitude could have cost the team dear.

Sound familiar? It is this over-fuelled ego and deep-routed malice (mistakenly viewed as courage) that has causes him such trouble off the pitch in the past and will no doubt do so in the future.

Ronaldo auditions for Fifa award

Cristiano Ronaldo was named FIFPRO world players of the year yesterday.

Many, most notably Ronaldo himself, expect the award to be a prelude to assuming the mantle of Fifa world player of the year, which is announced in December. The Manchester United winger, not one to suffer from self doubt, has done a number of self-congratulatory interviews recently that have the ring of a campaign trail.

There is only one problem. He is not the best player in the world, Lionel Messi is.

Simpson Daniel out again

It is as depressing as it is inevitable.
James Simpson-Daniel has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and will miss England’s autumn tests starting against the Pacific Islanders on November 8.
The Gloucester winger, 26, has won 10 caps for England - a travesty considering his undoubted genius.
In England possibly only Danny Cipriani comes close to Simpson-Daniel in skill levels and imagination on a rugby field as a player that so often defies his lack of height and bulk.
The thoughts persist that he could have lighted up the international arena in the same dazzling running and impromptu idea as he has at a domestic level - he was player of the season last year - and given a clear run he could have become England’s version of Shane Williams or even, dare I say it, David Campese.
A genius that makes the game worth watching.
Is it obscene ill-fortune or a fragile body that continues to hamper his international career? Probably a bit of both.
But each time an injury strikes our burgeoning hopes of seeing Sinbad in the white shirt of England are shattered again, and we are disappointed with ourselves for believing this time could be different.

Arsenal not exempt from fear

Wenger’s youngsters not exempt from fear
Arsene Wenger insists his young gunners have “no fear”. The Arsenal side that took the field against Fenerbache in the Champions League on Tuesday had an average age of 22 and they trashed the Turkish side 5-2 with unbridled confidence.
And that is the point of youth, particularly when highly talent - dare we say precocious.

Very often they have no fear because they have no experience of failure. In the sanitised world of youth team football they score a hatful of goals each game, and reach the top having never endured criticism, the jeers of fans or 4-0 drubbings - never tasting self doubt or confidence lapses. But it is a temporary state.

Defeat, humiliation and criticism is an inevitablity. The exhilarating promise of Walcott, Vela, Ramsey, et all will sooner or later encounter disappointment and be forced to face the demons that emerge with failure. If defeat against Hull and a draw with Sunderland have not already derailed Arsenal’s title bid, relying on the callow beliefs of youth will come back to haunt them again at some stage in the race.

It is there, at the sharp end of title races, that experienced players prove themselves. They may not ride as high from a searing performance as their younger countrerparts, but crucially they know how to deal with failure when it materialises, and ovrecome it with greater mental reserves.

For this reason Arsenal will not win the Premiership or the Champions League this season.
They say exceptions prove rules and in that vein Alan Hansen’s preoclamation that ‘you can’t win anything with kids’ has rung true over the past decade after Man U’s younsters won the title in 1996 - it is a far tougher Premiership more than ten years on.

Harewood poor bait

According to the Daily Mirror, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Niell is planning on using Marlon Harewood as bait to secure Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

In size Harewood may be a heavyweight but with seven goals in 32 games - admittedly most from the bench - compared to Santa Cruz’s 21 strikes in 44 games, he is pound for pound no big fish.

And hardly great bait when trying to lure a £15million striker.

Does the potential dismissal of Comolli mis the point for Tottentham?

The news being leaked out of White Hart Lane is that Damien Comolli, rather than Juande Ramos, will be the man to be sacrificed for Tottenham’s disastrous form.

The tide of opinion has turned against the director of football who has enjoyed such influence over the past few years. With two points from eight games a change is needed. Not just to appease the increasingly incensed fans but to act as a watershed moment, a rallying point and stimulate a new belief in the players to countering the sense of doomed destiny.

The problem is that as much as Comolli has cocked things up in his role as recruitment chief in the past few seasons, particularly in the recent transfer window, his influence over performance is minimal. His job has been done for now and it is not until January that would see him emerge again as a key player in the Tottenham story. Comolli’s departure will make little difference to Tottenham’s clamour for points. It is Ramos and his players – of which there are plenty of good ones – that must play their way out of trouble.

So the predicted dismissal of Commoli is a punishment for previous mistakes and pre-empting future errors, but it does little curtail Tottenham’s current ills. The only hope for Spurs is that the players and management can cling on to the idea of change, endow it with as much meaning as possible and somehow gain a fresh perspective from it.

Otherwise, a year and a half after dismissing Martin Johl for his inability to shoot for Champions League football, they will drop into the Championship.

Chelsea reaffirm title credentials

To what extent can one game inform you about the destination of the title fought out over by 38 encounters? Often no more than any other.

Chelsea’s systematic demolition of Middlesbrough, however, retains significance beyond the three points gathered and the - even if it was followed by Liverpool’s dramatic comeback against Wigan, Arsenal’s less dramatic but as engaging comeback against Everton and Manchester United’s win against West Brom.

Boro offered little threat and even little resistance, but a injury savaged Chelsea team swatted them away with disdain. It not only does this prove the resolve within the camp but demonstrates the extent of quality in the squad - even Kalou is hitting form.

Man U will fight, it is what they do under Ferguson, but Chelsea are looking stronger than ever.

They are developing a belief that not only boosts the team but destroys others. An inevitable momentum is beginning to emanating out of Stamford Bridge and could in time invade the thoughts of opponents and rivals like a plague.

Bellamy a shining example for Ramsey??

Craig Bellamy has reportedly offered to mentor Welsh sensation Aaron Ramsey.

Now I am not sure whether Arsene Wenger reads the Daily Mirror as a matter of routine, but if he happens to catch Bellamy’s comments over his morning skinny latte and butter croissant in a North London cafe, Arsenal fans can only hope a paramedic is passing by.

Bellamy certainly knows a thing or three about the darkside of stardom and injury setbacks after a volatile career in the spotlight, but nothing in his recent past suggests he has found any answers or any sense to pass on to the young Ramsey. Surely the Welsh can find a more suitable role model for the 17-year-old midfielder - Britney Spears perhaps.

If Bellamy carries out such threats of a quiet word or two in the Arsenal player’s ear, Ramsey will surely succumb to a plague of anonymous “knocks” prior to international engagements and Wenger will whisk his precious youngster away from the Welsh border on the Ryan Giggs express way.

That said, John Toshack may encourage a relationship between Bellamy, the upstart, and Ramsey over one with Giggs, the no-start.

Has Capello introduced humility to England's super ego's?

There is something very different about the England squad at present, something emanating from the players, something transforming the previous perceptions; A shift in attitude and in culture. A whiff of humility perhaps?

Much has been written - more has been said - about the iron fist of Fabio Capello and the new dictatorial regime instilled from top down, but it is a point worth pausing on and developing. The truth is, the treatment of the squad has affected the fans as much as the players.

Over the past few years a chasm has grown between the fans and the footballers, most keenly felt at international level.

The perception (and probably the reality) was that the players were intoxicated with the life style of the rich and famous, an addiction that was indulged under Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren. Egos were routinely massaged, Bentleys were bought, WAGS were tolerated and football matches were lost. This fostered resentment among fans - as expressed in the booing of Ashley Cole on Saturday. This may have been something the players were aware of all along, and their outward apathy and warped priorities may simply have been a media concoction, but I suspect not.

But no longer do trips abroad resemble all-expenses-paid company jaunts to Spain. Capello has instilled some austerity to the previous material culture, with bans on mobile phones and WAGs as well as shifting the focus to football and professionalism. By doing this, he has reintroduced the concept of sacrifice and cold showers to the pampered players and with it, perhaps, even some humility.

An added sense of modesty should stand them in good stead for challenges on the pitch. And for all us fans - jealous of the mega wages, model girlfriends and blacked-out BMWs (especially with the somber mood of the impending credit crunch) - it is reassuring to know there is still place for cold showers and much sweat.

Barry fails audition?

Gareth Barry is now seen a regular in the England midfield and last night’s game against Belarus will probably not have diminished those sentiments. But there will be tougher nights for England and when they come England will need a quality defensive midfielder. On the evidence of last night and previous ones, question marks still surround Barry.

The ‘holding’ midfielders role has two primary functions. Firstly, when your team has the ball the ‘holding’ player must act as a century on duty, searching the horizon for potential counter attacks and creating a visual presence to deter teams from launching directly at the goal. Aesthetic long-range passes and ‘tippy tappy’ football are an appreciated extras, though not obligatory.

The second function of the defensively minded man in the middle is to make vital interceptions and yes tackle opponents who are intent on skipping around the penalty box with malice of forethought.

Now Barry performed task one quite comfortably against Belarus, as he generally has during his burgeoning England career and even added the garnish of a well-executed progressive pass or two.

But when Belarus took control of the match after England’s first goal, Barry did not control the zone around the around the D. In Belarus’ goal, three times the Aston Villa man could have made a challenged but he lacked the snap to stop the move.

Barry was once a fine centre half but that does not make him a fine defensive midfielder. Many great defenders have failed in that role, including Jamie Carragher against Germany in 2000 at Wembley, because the different positions require different attributes. Defensive midfielders need aggression (much underestimate, see Tom Huddlestone), discipline/tactical awareness (see Steven Gerrard) and mobility/sharpness (see Gareth Barry).

Indeed Barry would never claim to be a ‘holding player’ and it is not where he operates for Aston Villa. Were he as high profile as too Gerrard or Lampard, no doubt he too would be offering suggestions as to “how to get the best out of Gareth Barry”.

Who knows if he can develop that snappiness, acceleration and aggression to become an effective shield for England? At this stage Owen Hargreaves is still a better long-term bet.

Time for players to take responsibility?

Gareth Southgate made a telling remark recently when he admitted that his Middlesbrough squad lacked leaders. It was not so much a slight on his players but a comment on the footballers at large with the former Boro captain citing the lack of communication skills and leadership qualities in modern day footballers. Those deficiencies are most clear in crisis.

We are entering a minefield of Alan Hansen-esc clichés here - “if you are talking about pride and passion”, “grit and determination” and “wear the shirt with pride” etc. There is, though, an over emphasis on these overt displays of aggression or chest thumping moments.

Danny Guthrie’s attack on Craig Fagan, which broke the midfielder’s leg, was an exaggerated show of aggression in a misconceived attempt to justify his role. It revealed only stupidity. The outcome was a red card and a ban, which damaged his prospects and had a detrimental effect on his team. It is worrying that Joe Kinnear believes Joey Barton embodies the type of character that can rescue Newcastle.

What is required from Tottenham and Newcastle players is mental courage as much as physical toughness. With a few exceptions, players from those sides have not performed to anywhere near their potential and for that they must take responsibility. Where as manager are vilified for airing excuses, players are often afforded the luxury of moaning - “playing out of position”, “poor tactics” or a ‘lack of confidence” without recrimination.

It is up to the players on the pitch to assume greater authority. To have the mental strength to perform their role and play their natural game, whether that is running at defenders with pace and conviction, commanding the penalty area, hitting the target or to continue to ‘try things’.

The plight of Newcastle and Tottenham – who despite criticism retain some top class players - reveals just how fragile, and ultimately hollow, the footballer’s super-sized egos can be. Too often this season Newcastle and Tottenham players have subconsciously accepted the media’s premise that bogeymen (Mike Ashley, Damien Comolli etc) are defining their fate, they have shrunk in front of disgruntled fans and submitted to self-doubt. Players have been indulged in the notion that they are ‘suffering’ from ‘crises of confidence’ and ‘fear of failure’. Such states of mind are not constant or crippling and can be overcome or diminished by approach and attitude, for which it is again the player’s responsibility.

But as Southgate suggested player responsibility is waning in the modern game. Whether it is because of too much playstation at a young age (as he suggested) protection from coaches, concerned about fragile egos, obscene wages, and little consequence for poor performance or the media’s taste for an individual scapegoat.

Both Newcastle and Tottenham are in the bottom three when they have teams easily capable of top half finishes. Managers can make a difference, but in the winning and losing of games there is no bigger factor than the players on the pitch.

Usain Bolt can confirm freak status in 100m final

Are the Chinese 'evil'?

There is one story, and one story alone, that the media are intent on telling us about the Beijing Games. It is the story of a despotic, oppressive regime incomparable with anything in the West and a naïve, complicit populace unrelated to the rest of us.

One story to tell them all! How insulting to the Chinese? And, more pertinently, how insulting to us the audience?

China, it should be said, has a terrible record with human rights, pollution, Tibet and international relations and it is a country that must do far more, far quicker, to resolve these issues. The international community along with the IOC are making the right moves in recognising the Games but also condemning and bringing publicity to such issues.

But the media’s attempt to characterise a population of 1 billion and a country of more than 9,000,000 square kilometres in such a simple and rigid narrative of good and evil (us and them) is woefully insufficient and offensive. I am already bored of their single-agenda reporting where everything is presented as having a sinister and evil undertone. One report toured the Beijing traffic control centre – who would have thought it masks a clandestine big brother operation that controls and oppresses the residents with digital precision. The reporter went on to ask an official whether people were allowed to enjoy the games - is fun tolerated?

Apparently, the people are paralysed by fear and offer only the stern faces of a repressed and robotic nation. Having lived in China before, I know his not to be the whole truth.

What of the Chinese athletes inspired by the prospect of a home Olympics, the warmth of receptions, the classic landscapes and modern skylines, the diversity of culture and the people so proud to be finally on the world stage?

It is representative of the lazy journalism, increasingly found in today’s media world, where the complex is reduced to the palatable at the expense of understanding. China is becoming increasingly important beyond the borders of sport and it is up to us to learn about the nation in full and not to regress into the fear of the unknown.

Humiliation continues for poor old Paul

As if it a series of humiliating blunders followed by a series of humiliating axings were not enough. Now in an inflated market, that shows no signs of hitting the wall, Paul Robinson has joined Blackburn Rovers for £3.5million. In Premiership terms it is half a bag of peanuts.

For an England international, who is closing in on his finest years, to command such a pultry sum in the crazy football economy must be tough for Robinson to take. A humbling thud at the end of his near-on two year fall. He might as well turn up to the next England meet, if selected, driving a 2007 mini such will be the dent to his status in the young millionaires club.

Not only did he fail to break eight figures, the once England number one has been traded on the same level as Lee Cattermole(Middlesbrough to Wigan) and Brad Friedel (Blackburn to Aston Villa). Had Boro been in the market a straight Cattermole-Robinson swap could have been the ticket.

A fine keeper Friedel maybe, but he is 37 to Robinson's 29 years and Cattermole is little more than a decent midfielder who will trade off the tag former England under 21 for time to come. Now Robinson can only dream of standing on the same shelf as £10million Andrew Johnson and he can forget about his former team mate Robbie Keane at £20million.

The limited comfort that Robinson can take is that Blackburn are still a respectable top half side, thanks largely to Mark Hughes, but whether this will continue under Paul Ince's is only gambler's business.

Robinson has endured a torrid few year, but he is youngish and decentish - has he really stumbled so far? If his confidence was not derailed previously, it must surely have flat-lined now, but worryingly for Robinson - Ince dependent - it may not be his final humiliation.

Ferguson’s posturing betrays only fear

Sir Alex Ferguson insists he is “unconcerned” about the threat of Chelsea to his team’s Premiership crown. The enduing Scot laying down an early challenge to his new rival in a pre-season mind-game skirmish? More like a premature outburst revealing Fergie's fear as Big Phil bears down upon him.

Ferguson claims Chelsea are too old, in capable of developing and Manchester United 's only rivals play in red (Arsenal and Liverpool). The argument is unconvincing and the jostling tactic is unwise.

Chelsea start the season with a team of proven title winners, a new coach with a world cup stamp in his passport and an owner with deep, deep pockets and long, long arms. While both Arsenal and Liverpool are severely depleted with aps appearing not only in thier squads but in their starting line-ups, and they will struggle to recruit sufficient in time for the start of the season. Forget the acquisition of kaka, Robinho or whoever else touted, Chelsea - as they prove last season - are ready to take on United.

Scolari has fired back with an oblivious silence. But Ferguson's disregard and disrespect will have registered at Stamford Bridge, not only in the manager's office, but in the changing room and the board room. After the Champions League final defeat Chelsea would have needed no more motivation, but motivation is an endless scale. And this will have riled them.

It is hard to imagine Ferguson indulging in such early skirmishes with Avram Grant - largely because he saw little threat. The arrival of a World Cup winning coach with a reputation almost on a par with the Manchester United coach's has induced reaction fuelled by a fearful disrespect and reveals nore about fergie's anxieties for the coming season than Chelsea's inadequacies.

Grass could be browner for Adebayor in Milan

Emmanuel Adebayor should watch his wishing. Being coveted by two of the most attractive teams in Europe seems like a dream scenario, and it is, but his footballing future (not his financial future of course) could be more precarious than it appears.

The Togo marksman was a revelation last year. He made the transition from a no-man to a hit man in suitably startling fashion, scoring good goals and lots of them. He scored 24 in the league. But before he is invited to the top table at the strikers’ convention and his £35 million valuation is verified, there are mitigating circumstances that should delay the jury.

With a supply line of Fabregas, Hleb, Rosicky etc, how many goals would Van Persie contributed or Eduardo? Have his exploits this season justified a ten-fold increase in valuation from the £3 million Arsenal paid Monaco to the £35 million now mooted.
Adebayor has been a benefactor of his previous anonymity and low expectations. The season before last he contributed 12 goals in 44 games - a modest return that hardly deserves head swelling.

But most of all it is Adebayor's assumption that his career will only climb. Arsene Wenger rescued him from a bench in Monaco and gave him a platform to become a Premiership star. It would be unwise to dismiss those circumstances. A bench is a bench whether it is in Monaco or Milan and those that leave their French mentor do not always prosper. Overmars, Petit, Anelka, Vieira, Henry, all thought they were moving on to bigger things and better times, only to realise they never had it so good. Only to realise that it was they alone after all.

Ronaldinho restores some faith

Football's premier partyboy Ronaldinho has chosen Milan over Manchester. On the surface it seems the glamorous and obvious choice - and to a large extent it probably is. But it is also a reassuring and re-affirming choice.

He has renounced his right to 15% of the fee, will earn less wages and Barcelona, to their credit (or more accurately their debt), have accepted an offer £8 million less than that of Manchester City's. The acceptance of AC Milan's offer must have owed much to Ronaldinho's insistence on not going to Manchester (for the second time in his career). Hard core cash was not the primary motivation - it seems.

Of course the sums being talked about are ridiculous anyway. But given the current climate, I half expected the Brazilian World Cup winner to wind down his career - at the age of 28 - attempting to import samba to the north, making guest appearances at Rio Ferdinand's Christmas bashes, and setting up a Copacabana night club in the city centre. And the occasional visit to the City of Manchester stadium for treatment on his terminal migraines. Basically doing everything except playing.

But this move shows a semblence of desire and passion to return to the highest summits of the game. It shows a willingness to subject himself to the rigor and scrutiny of the world press, a demanding boss and expectant fans. He will have to perform in Milan - on the pitch. He wants to recue his reputation and tussle with the big boys again. A footballer making a choice on football grounds. Not a big ask of any professional but at least it shows they live one planet closer to earth.

Barry in vicious cycle of the under and over rated

To be exposed as “overrated” takes an instance, to be celebrated as “underrated” takes a lifetime.

After a rapid rise to prominence in the late 1990’s as a classy centre back, Gareth Barry endeavoured to slip surreptitiously into the “underrated” bracket over the last decade. He achieved this. And now he is on the verge of an abrupt succession into the “overrated” category. The £18 million price tag that trails him is as much an expression of his mispercieved ability as the over inflated market. Good in defence good, good in attack and an all round decent bet, but exceptional in any - come on!

It takes years of consistent ‘soundness’ to continually evade the radar and retain the right to one day earn your spurs as under appreciated. Eligability for this unique group is inextricably linking to the personality type. When long service has been completed, ‘decent’, ‘honest’, ‘steady’, ‘hard working’ players earn their testimonials of a sudden recognition. It is the unspectacular, uninteresting players, the plain boring ones that no-one, but the keenest watchers, notice. (And of course there lies the origin of the term - to distinguish the knowledge of the ‘purists’). In every drab artisan there is a genius wating to be praised, as stars veer violently in fans and managers perceptions.

But, of course, once the day of sudden acclaim comes, and the player is hailed as “underrated”, the chances are they have reached saturation point and are already “overrated”.

It is, like the cycle of extreme capitalism to extreme communism, a natural progression where one is a prelude to the other.

Roger vs Rafa show

What if Tiger Woods had walked St Andrews with Jack Nicklaus at his peak,
What if Lance Armstrong had tried to break Miguel Indurain in the Alps,
What if Michael Schumacher had chased with Ayrton Senna around Monaco,
What if Muhammed Ali had gone toe to toe with Joe Louis at Maddison Square Gardens,

Bring on Sunday and men's final at Wimbledon.

Spain's victory untainted by luck.

Spain were the best team at Euro 2008 and they won - what a relief.

The Spaniards defended, they passed, they created and they scored - all better than any other team, from beginning to end. How reassuring. Football is not, afterall, a lottery of erratic moments that starts with a coin toss and finishes with penalties. Cause can lead to effect, good football can win you football matches.

In recent years knockout competitions, particularly at international level, have become shoot out of chance. Four years ago Greece were a disciplined and conditioned
outfit that, in a few critical instances, caught the kiss of fortune and won the European Championships. More recently Turkey beat Croatia in a fit of insanity, governed as much by blunder as by brilliance. It makes for unrivalled drama, but makes little sense.

The appreciation of the match, in such circumstances, is based on the personalities and not the art. It is a Hollywood blockbuster compared to a cinematic classic. And once the euphoria of shock has dissipated, it is that much emptier for it.

But the Spanish have redressed the imbalance by marginalising luck in all its forms, and it is a triumph for the game. Football makes sense again, and means so much more for it.

Wenger's champ man fever

Whenever I play championship manager, for some reason, I always target the stars of the future, the next Peles, the new Zidanes, the original ‘mr x’. I shun the established internationals, even if they are on free transfers, in order to unearth a hidden gem in South America or Africa or Scandinavia – the more obscure, the less known, the better. It just seems more of a challenge, more fun to create a championship team from scratch, and ultimately build a dynasty.

With flair and magic they destroy teams 3-0, 4-0, 5-0; playing some of the finest football seen on a subuteo-like simulation graphic. But, inevitably, it ends in shattered dreams with the team of future legends falling short in the final days of the season and winning only plaudits and sympathy. But I draw comfort in the idea they are potentially the greatest team in the world.

I fear Arsene Wenger is similarly addicted to the promise of tomorrow. Last season Arsenal lost the league by points and a million miles. This season they will not be favourite. After they limped to the line in May, in have come a 17-year-old (Ramsey) and a 21-year-old (Nasri), both of whom will be fresh for the season after long stints resting on benches. And out have gone a 24-year-old (Flamini) and a 27-year-old (Hleb), both of whom were reaching a peak. Wenger may not have wanted them to depart but it is difficult to imagine their replacements influencing the title race like a Terry, a Rooney, a Lampard, a Ronaldo, a Torres. The big guns at United and Chelsea will probably decide the end game.

It is said that wise old Wenger is just thrifty. But with outlays of £13 million for Nasri and £18 million for Walcott (and in the past 12 million for Francis Jeffers) suggest he is a visionary with a flaw. Wenger is a genius at discovering youngsters and nurturing into internationals of high value stock but his obsession youth potential this is becoming a weakness.

Shearer fluffing auditions

ALAN SHEARER is increasingly looking like the most uncomfortable person at Euro 2008. With the thunder and lightning terrorising the Austrian night sky, the former England captain figgeted and twitched on the BBC sofa as Germany gave Turkey a taste of their own miracle medicine.

But it was the Martin O'Niell that made him squirm. Perching on his shoulder and interjecting at every opportunity, O'Neill trumped Shearer in every discussion. The Geordie renowned for his pride has slowly been reduced to a stammering, nervous wreck in this Championships, often looking across to Hansen and Lineker for a lifeline.

"Can i just disagree with you there Alan," O'Neill says with the authority of a successful manager. Something his fellow couch potatos cannot compete with.

For Shearer, who harbours managerial ambitions, it is worse. It is an audition. One in front of millions, including chairmen and players, as he pits his tactical wits against a potential rival. Though young, Shearer has suffered as much in his ideas as his fight and conviction.

Ironically the up shot of it all is that Shearer is more settled than ever in his pundits chair. After being snubbed by Newcastle, he turned down Blackburn in favour of his TV commitments. Now he looks like a man whose confidence has burst and a venture out of the studio and onto the training pitch is the last thing he wants.

No end to Scolari tears

WHEN the tears stop for Scolari, the cold sweats will set in. His fresh start at
Chelsea will include a reunion with three of Portugal's back four that aided
the Germans into the semi finals of the Euros. Boswingwa, Ferreira and Carvalho
not only failed to deal with club mate Michael Ballack and his domineering
Germans at set pieces, but also in open play. All three had a wayward foot in the
opening goal.

England cry mercy

England cry mercy

AFTER the mauling in Auckland last Saturday the overriding call eminating from the
England camp is "mercy".
Of course the official line does not deviate from the progressive and positive as
players and management insist that opportunity still outwieghs the potential for
disaster. But it is a sound bite that is increasingly difficult to swallow. Recent
allegations surrounding four members of the squad are at worst an uncomfortable
development.
But it is in the selection of the second test team that England have publicised
their weakness and shown their fear. Not that weakness were hard to spot. It is the
first team pick with Martin Johnson's paw print on it. By removing a creative and
attack oriented player in Barkley with the defensively robust but out of position
Jamie Noon, England are attempting to plug holes in the sinking ship. It is a
negative step that the All Blacks will feast on.
History shows that olicies of containment rarely work. They only serve to encourage
and motivate aggressors as the fear in the opposition is revealed. The crucial
mental battle is up. The aggressors thrive on the confidence while the pacifiers
quiver in the reinforce knowledge of inferiority.
The only guarantee with a damage limitation policy is that there will be damage and
where the All Blacks are involved it is often substantial.

Small guys light up euros; Zero20 vision; England's trauma contiues

A FIST from the grave as Buffon resurrects the World Champion. The Croatians shock the ordinary Germans. The Dutch, the Portuguese and the Spanish struttting, the Swiss, the Greeks and the Austrians faltering. The Euros are beginning to simmer. But the highlight so far has to be the flourishing of the small players that many feared extinct - Deco, Villa, Van der Vaart, Sneider, Modric, Xavi, etc. Not least the playmakers in the centre dictating tempo, manipulating direction and plotting attacks, while runners orbit around the side's nucleus. The small players were once an endangered species, with their place threatened by the physically domineering box-to-boxers or the suffocating ‘holders’, but are now thriving in Switzerland and Austria. In recent years they have been marginalised and ostracised to the flanks- for a time the best, Zidane, was operating on the left for Madrid - or thrust upfront as inside forwards. Xavi, Deco, Sneider, Modric - the midfield shemers are back and re-establishing their authority.

CRICKET have always been towards the studios, patient and even intellectual end of the sports spectrum. But when the cash man cometh they are as crazy as the rest of us. I am struggling, like most i think (the players, administrators and officials included), to understand all these policies, proposals, ideas and inuendo that are flooding into the game. Like global warming no one seems to know what will happen, when and which governing body can make the most money out of it? There seems to be no long term vision or sensible planning, just a mad gold rush. There is no doubt that with these opportunities come with pitfalls and it will be a testing time for test cricket. Let's hope five years down the line we are not cheering for home runs or rounders.

NEW ZEALAND'S rehabilitation begins: England's trauma continues. Despite a competitive opening quarter England were sliced and diced by the brutal All Blacks led by the mercurial Dan Carter. It was a merciless initiation to the the rugby caldron of Auckland. In such situations international futures are decided. Some walking away wounded to fight on, others strapped to the life support machine and refibralators charging. As he was against Argentina at Twickenham two years ago, Charlie Hodgson was halled off like a scolded schoolboy before the 50 minute mark. It apppeared then that time was up for the gifted but fragile fly half, but injuries sent a reprieve in the post. Even a plague declared on all other English fly halfs may not be enough now. He was the sole white shirt to be left grappling with night air, as England's tackling was atrocious, and others will be dented by the occassion. There were chinks of light principally created by Ojo and Rees, who took their chance with gutsy resolve. But with a game to go and a team - particularly the midfield - in tatters there could have more casualties.

Ronaldo's outing; Germany NO! South Africa champions

SO Cristiano Ronaldo has finally come out of the closet - and he is wearing a Real Madrid shirt. No wonder a fuming Sir Alex Ferguson has threatened to go to Switzerland and drag him back by his diamond-encrusted earrings. No wonder Ronaldo has retreated to the sanctuary of the Portuguese squad and the arms of Big Phil Scolari.

Beyond fulfilling his mother’s dreams, the question must be why? It is difficult not to see these flirtations as a cosmetic operation to enlarge his already swollen head, an exercising of his well-established ego.

He has won everything in England and to play in Spain would be a challenge, but at the age of 23 he is (scarily) still developing and sculpting his career. A sudden shift to Spain could disrupt that precarious progress. But more importantly it would be a career path chosen on the romantic notions of the white shirts of the old Real and the glitz of the modern Madrid, image over reality. Madrid claim to be the most famous club in Europe but United can claim to be the best club in Europe. Right here, right now.

It is difficult to see this as anything more than impetuous greed, in the name of money (£150,000 a week some suggest) and stardom. Not necessarily evils, but Ronaldo could be so much more. He must be careful not to trade, or confuse, fame with success.

GERMANY are going to win the European Championships according to the bookies and the pundits; please, please No! This has no jingoistic origins. They have effectiveness, teamwork and the draw but, with Bayern reserves throughout the side and an Aston Villa reject on the left (Hitzleperger), they are not the most talented team out there. France have youth and experience in enticing measures, Holland are as talented and unstable as ever and Spain shimmer with potential. It does not happen often, but with England excluded for once we can back the best team to win.

TWO English cricketers must be pretty miffed at present. Two track records, one of patchy brilliance and the other of constant belligerence, but neither are enough for Harmison and Hoggard find a place in the team. They were ruthlessly, and rightly, jettisoned from the England Test team when their performances dropped below the brilliant and the constant. But they must feel aggrieved to see Collingwood and Bell continuously protected in the face of recurrent failure. And how about Bopara and Shah. Maybe, after the pairs latest failing in the third test, the benevolence is set to end and the selectors are preparing for another clinical axing.

SOUTH AFRICA have served notice – they will be rugby World Champions in both title and deed. By beating Wales, the Six Nation Champions 43-17, they ended the, oh so, romantic Warren Gatland/Sean Edwards honeymoon in the high altitude of Bloemfontain.

England and Rooney four years on; Andy Murray and Lawrence Dallaglio

A FEW nights ago England beat Croatia in Euro 2004 on ESPN Classic – so much, and yet so little, has changed since then. The personalities are almost identical, the image irreconcilable. There was a freshness, excitement and anticipation surrounding the team. Granted they were in a major tournament but it was a team in its infancy, a team of unforeseeable potential, and a team to show off to the world. In Sven we trust was the mantra; Roonaldo was the chant. With heart stopping energy and guaranteed spontaneity, the raw 18-year-old Wayne Rooney personified the team, and so the faith festered. But it was all in the mind’s eye.

Four years on and it’s a tainted band of capped internationals, dulled by defeat and sullied by failure. What a good player Rooney has become, but the legendry status we assumed a formality is not guaranteed and the succession is precarious. In those early days he traded on physicality, allied to an accomplished skill level, to defy his tender years and enhance his precocious reputation. Now something extra is needed to hit the Messi and Ronaldo heights, and similarly England need something extra. The aura of potential greatness has slipped by. Hope has sprung a leak. Still Capello seems the right man to introduce a steel-capped dose of realism.

DESPITE its obvious appeals, tennis is often a tedious sport to watch but Andy Murray renders it indigestible. My timing must be poor because each time I see his matches one thing strikes me: 11th best in the world, how? But more infuriating than his consistent errors, perplexing shot selection and mental frailties is his ugly and uninterested demeanour. The hunched shoulders, the scuffing trainers, and the muttering grumbles – protestation requires passion – are all so sapping and tiresome. Sports fans are all failed sports stars, and when the privileged few appear apathetic to their fortune, lethargic in the face of opportunity and fail even to raise a smile to their circumstances, it is hard to find the enthusiasm. More unjust criticism for the maligned Murray? Or is our summer sports(recreational) culture too soft?

IT takes a brave man to steal Lawrence Dallaglio’s thunder. But in the retiring international’s own ball-breaking style, young back row colleague’s James Haskell and Tom Rees did just that as Wasps won the Guiness Premiership yesterday. In the first half particularly, the two snarling flankers blitzed Leicester’s lumbering back row as though they had been caged and starved for months. The most complimentary aspect of Dallaglio’s legacy is surely fearsome predatory instincts of his protégés, who guarantee a healthy future for Wasps and England.

Forget right or wrong - Will foreign quotas happen?

'But it is against the law', they say. European legislation has long been the trump card to the perennial debate over limiting foreign players. A Fifa congress will convene later this week to discuss quotas as Sepp Blatter, like a desperate exiting premier, attempts to secure his legacy. Forget right or wrong - could it actually happen?

Consensus states that the law is clear cut and impermeable. But it is anything but introvertable, and there could their be leaks in the legislative wall. There are concessions already. Football as with most sports is based on an alien concept to the rest of the working world - the transfer system. Players are bought and sold on the market as commodities rather than employees, and only at the end of a contract or in its final few years can a 'move' be guaranteed. This is an exception to the laws on freedom of movement guaranteed under the Maastricht Treaty.

The transfer window, which states that players can only move between clubs at a certain stage of the season, further exaggerates these discrepancies between European ideals and football's reality. In Scotland teams are required to have a designated number of young Scottish players in their match day squads - so that would be a quota system then (deciding who should be employed based on nationality rather than ability).

Whatsmore these exceptions are recognised in law. The latest EU constitution - the treaty of Belgium signed in December - guarantees for the first time the unique nature of sport, the 'specificity of sport', allowing exceptions in certain circumstances. But it is a map rather than a trodden path. These exceptions exist because they have no objectors, they are tolerated and yet to be thrown to the court house wolves.

But quotas in the domestic leagues is another matter. This time the Premier league, the clubs and the owners will stamp their feet and hire the most obscene lawyers to ensure their pursuit of global domination is not compromised by second rate nationals imposed upon them. This issue is no skirmish, it is the war they will not lose.

But as a Fifa official has suggested, along with compromising there are other avenues to be explored. They could also contest the bureaucrats of Brussels over European competition laws and create alliances with sports like basketball (who also rebel).

But as ever the fate of things lies delicately in the hands of the lawyers.

England in Europe - best and worst

"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”

England are the best in Europe. England are the worst in Europe. The pantheon of club competition, the European Cup, will soon be in the English hands (whether they are Ferdinand’s or Terry’s) and yet in a couple of months when Europe’s finest gather European Championships both will be barred. How can such a dichotomy exist? How can they

The truth of course is both representations are inaccurate, and should be treated as impostors. But how representative are the highest echelons – the filthy rich four – of the quality of the league in entirety?

Three out of four champions league semi finalists cannot be baulked at, but is the English premier league really the world’s premier league. The cooing of pundits and promotion of clubs searching for a billionaire to fall for would suggest so, and the scandal induced demise of the Italian league and struggles of Spain’s top clubs offers substance to the assertion. But the monopolising of the Champions League is not an expression of the omnipotence of the English clubs.

While the champion’s league confidently says yes, the UEFA cup screams no! The middle tier English clubs have been shown up by their continental counterparts. This season has brought new meaning to the anonymity of mid-table mediocrity - West
Ham have coasted to a top ten finish, a glitteringly average Newcastle side have won seven in a row and Bolton Wanderers have avoided relegation! Derby, Sunderland, Reading, Birmingham, Bolton, Fulham and so on - so many candidates only three vacancies. Has the relegation reaper ever had such choice?

Beyond the top four, beyond the mega bucks, beyond the foreign influence, the Premier league is no that premier. And when it comes to the top four how English are they anymore? Like any cheeseburger flogging multinational, the roots of their identity are increasingly submerged by their reliance on foreign investment, importation of skills and dedication to overseas markets. Admittedly a solid core of English internationals and faithful British fans give them a home-grown facade, where would Chelsea be if were not for Abramovich. Certainly not in the Champions League final. Had the band of billionaires chosen the economically less attractive Spanish and Italian leagues over England, would the monopolising top four be as domineering? No. Although Arsenal with Wenger and United with Ferguson would have had a chance. English European success is built on foreign cash, and so if it is English success, it is substantially diluted.

And so the national team is not the best in Europe, but nor is it the worst. Despite the furore about their doomed Euro 2008 campaign in terms of calibre of player available the 1990s were darker days. You only have to look at, yes, the Champions League. Scholes, Ferdinand, Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney etc - they have been among the main protagonists. Sure we could do with more top quality, a Ronaldo here, a Messi there, but England are not poor. But they have underachieved in the international arena. There will be no three lions renditions this summer, but in terms of player quality there have been darker – may be that is the real angst. There is talent, no matter how tarnished, and under Capello they should qualify for the World Cup and what happens then who knows.

But it is not a time for true despair – that should kept in reserve – nor is it the time for Premier League elation. The two impostors must be treated the same.

Man Utd vs Barca

Key players:
It is always tempting to say Messi and Ronaldo. But given the attacking talents booting up for this one, someone needs to halt the shooot out.
Barca - Victor Valdes will have to be at his shot stopping best, as well as having to contend with the aerial threat of Ferdinand and Vidic. much to prove after being ommitted from Spain's provisional Euro 2008 squad.
Man U - Rio Ferdinand. With Vidic a doubt, Ferdinand is set for another strict examination.
In fine form in recent months, the central defender will be severely scrutinised by the menacing Messi and Henry(?) drifting in off their flanks and into central areas. Will be looking to restore growing reputation and England captaincy credentials after the fiasco and the Bridge.


The chalk board:
Finally the contest the neutrals have been asking for. United, concious that the Catalans can score at anytime, will be looking for a two goal cushion and go for the heart of fragile Barca defence. Barca will be similarly intent on showcasing their attacking triumvirate.
The question is will Ferguson plump for Fletcher? The midfielder would added a new competitive dimension if the idea is to press Barca play makers into submission - a risky strategy which could open up space for the nimble feet of Xavi, Iniesta and Deco to exploit. Scholes and Carrick are not adept to that game anyway.
Ferguson will probably let Barca have the ball to a degree, demand that Carrick and Scholes/Anderson control the ball better than their opponents, and back Ronaldo and Rooney on be decisive.


The 11:
Van der Sar
Zambrotta Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Xavi Toure Scholes
Messi Ronaldo
Rooney

Prediction:
Man U 2-1 Barca

Wing and a prayer

Jonah Lomu, David Campese, Jason Robinson and Bryan Habana - some are set appart. But when half of their oval ball incarnation is spent being left out to graze on the wide expanses, how do you tell the true class of a winger?

The Heineken Cup semi-finals this weekend, largely played out in the enabling sunshine, served up a gorge of lacerating running lines and enterprising pace. The wingers, whether from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa or Tottenham, naturally blazed the trail. Ojo, Ratuvou, Tagicakibau, Howlett and Medard, they were on fine form and revelled on the hardened tracks of late Spring - this is the time of year for the wide boys take centre stage. It is also the time of the year when the silverware is engraved.



Other positions - in the backs at least - are easier to judge, or rather easier to expose.
The full back is peppered with high balls and battered by on rushing back row forwards, the
centres are charged with the defensive lead and attacking penetration, and the half backs
are charged with conducting an entire team. Cracks are more obvious in these areas, and
easier to gouge out.
But the winger, especially on a muddy winter's field, can be as obvious as the balll boy.
And catching and ferrying kicks in touch, they can be as useful. The prerequisites are simpler
for the winger - run like a .
finisher.banahan

GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Chelsea vs Man U

With sky cameras in tow, both teams vying for league ascendancy and the European dream there is only one game of the weekend - Everton vs Aston Villa. But we will focus on Chelsea vs Man U.

Key players:
Chelsea - Drogba - It's time the found some of his ferocious form if Chelsea are going to get anything from the season beyond another new manager.
Man Utd - Rooney - Again a poor showing in midweek, albeit out of position, but should be restored to a more prominent role in United's attack.

The fridge magnets:
At Stamford Bridge Chelsea will do what comes naturally - get physical. Man Utd are tough enough up front and at the back, but in midfield there is still a vulnerability about Carrick, Scholes and Anderson. The more the likes of Essien, Ballack and Obi can intimidate and dictate the centre ground and push United further back, the shorter and more accurate the balls into Drogba can be. And the more support the lone striker will get from deep and out wide. Chelsea need it tight and compact and tough.
Perversely this could also aid United. They will aim to play on the break and utilise the pace and trickery of Ronaldo and Rooney, via express Scholes delivery, to get at the increasingly immobile Terry.

Top scorers:
Man U - Ronaldo 28
Chelsea - Lampard 10

Last meeting:
9/23/07 Man U 2 Chelsea 0

Result:
Chelsea 1-1 Man U

Dream 11:
Cech
Essien Ferdinand Vidic Cole
Lampard Hargreaves Scholes
Ronaldo Rooney
Drogba

Barcelona vs Man Utd

BATTLE ROYALE:
The press say Messi and Ronaldo - but often in these situations more earthly players claim their moment. Midfield is cruicial -Deco vs Hargreaves.

THE FORGOTTEN ONE:
Ronaldinho, Henry, Deco - Take your pick from Barca's illustrious stars. All epitomise the cliche about class and form but will any of them play and have the chance to prove it. Watch out for HENRY!

THE LIABILITY:
Man Utd - Wesley!
Barca - Marquez!

THE FRIGE MAGNETS:
Barca at the Camp Nou - it matters not how off colour they are, they will attempt to monopolise possession with their measure passing game. United will be quite happy hunting for the break - with Ronaldo at the apex of the attack as he was against Roma in the quarters.
Lionel Messi coming inside, off the right touch line will be looking to expose Patrice Evra's left foot dependency and lunging tendacies. So Fergie is likely to station the Rooney on the left for United but he is unlikely to get a nose bleed from spending most of the match tracking back. A tactical tight affair before they cut loose at Old Trafford.

THE GAFFERS:
Fergie - His one European Cup is perversely becoming a burden - it reaffirms that in 14 years of dominance in England, Europe has not fallen to the will of Ferguson.
Riijard - The end is nigh for the Dutchman at Barca. His inability to enforce discipline on Deco, Ronaldinho and Marquez is undermining the glittering array of talent in his squad.

Chelsea vs Liverpool: the runners and riders

Battle Royale: Torres vs Terry

Form suggest a torrid night for Terry. Torres has been making a mockery of 'no nonesnse' English defending since the matador flashed onto the scene - he is surely the top striker in the league at the moment. Terry has endured a mediocre season after his enforced split from the special one and injuries have hampered the healing process, and the England defender will be vulnerable to the pace and electricity of the Spanish forward. Torres to score at Anfield.

Returning heroes: Gerrard and Lampard
Both midfielders are available to play. These two, whether it be for club or country, continue to shadow each others careers with a menacing and it seems to be Gerrard that ultimately set himself appart - especially in Europe. But with Ballack an injury doubt, the added responsibility could push Lampard to extraodinary performance. Could, but probably won't.

Just chalk dust:
Rafa Benitez is shrewdest of chess players on these occassions and his maturing goatie portrays a Mr Miyagi level of wisdom, while Avram Grant has been deemed tactically illiterate after his Carling Cup faux pas. But the management egos which turned Mourinho vs Benitez matches into footballing cyanide will be removed. As ever the players decide these ones.

Will Chelsea Kop it?
Nothing rouses the Scousers than a European adventure - even if the opponents are as far away as London. Grant will be glad to have the first leg at Anfield which should temper the influence of the scary singing fans.

Half way score:
Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1 - an ominous away goal for Grant and his legion of protestors.

Flame burns brighter after relay.

The Olympics demeaned’, ‘London damaged’ and ‘China unrepentant’, the fall out from Sunday’s flame-bearing procession has been wide spread. But all has failed to reach the point. The torch relay was a triumph.

Sure the mysterious men in blue were eerily thuggish in appearance and deed, but the flame was not tarnished by the protests nor was it shown up to be without meaning. The event proved a potent instrument to publicise the plight of Tibetans and persecuted Chinese, as well as promoting the Olympics and endowing a new resonance to the ideals first endorsed by its founder Baron Pierre De Coubitan. The protests attacked not the athletes, not the Olympics, not the officials but its host nation. It was a legitimate statement that China has fallen short of its obligations as an Olympic city. That it must do better.

Those who believe the Olympic creed that politics and sport can retain a separation are deluded. The torch relay, from Athens to the city of the forthcoming Olympics, was conceived by the Nazis. Sport is too important, to too many people, to be insulated in a benign sphere away from the real world. The significance that the Olympics attain ensures it will, forever be affected by issues that draw the deepest emotions (more than mere politicking).

A boycott though would be an empty exercise and harmful to all involved.

Roll up to see the Dwain the rugby playing freak!

The circus that has become Dwain Chambers’s career stopped at Castleford this week. It is unlikely to be there long, about a month. Whether the next tour date is at the High Court to fight for his Olympic life or another small town on the road to obscurity, a statement is expected soon.

Sure a man with a golden tooth and biceps belonging to Charles Bronson - even post designer steroid days - can draw the crowds but can the freak play rugby. My suspicion is not a cat’s chance in doggie heaven. He has the physical attributes – the pace and the power – but what of the technical and mental sides to the game. Rugby union and league players have struggled to convert to the corresponding code and more often than not – with a few sparkling exceptions - slunk back to their own and reverted to type. But foremost, these are rugby players with the skills and aptitude forged on pitches, training grounds and living rooms for many years, and yet they have failed to mutate into their alter egos.

So what hope for Chambers? Will he learn even the basics satisfactorily – to time a pass, to read a play, to tackle the reflection that runs at him? And the hit–loving hard men of league will take much pleasure in dispatching this light footed speedster into the advertising boards and out the other side. No, Chambers is destined to spend most of his time skating on thick mud in golden spikes, ranking bruises in the local A&E waiting room by size and colour, and searching for diamond earrings - or a golden tooth - in the furrowed pitches of the North. There are certainly more glamorous ways for world silver medallist to find redemption.

But if by some fluke of occurrence Chambers does achieve the press release aim and his time in rugby league lasts longer than the perfunctory media flirtation, then he will have earned the respect and acceptance he so urgently craves. But the odds suggest the freak show is just starting out.