Weakened teams - a final kick in the crotch?

Whatever transpires on ‘survival Sunday’ – as Sky have dubbed it – there can be no complaints. Should Hull stay up thanks to Manchester United fielding a team of youngsters or should Middlesbrough or Newcastle profit from playing sides with nothing to play for (West Ham and Aston Villa), there can be no objections. Of course there will be, but we should be dismissed with disdain.

Everyone hopes to avoid the antics of a few seasons ago when Neil Warnock whined and wailed about the injustice of Sheffield United being relegated (he is still going). The Carlos Tevez case apart, he had no case then and nor will Hull’s rivals should Phil Brown’s team turnover Manchester United (an eventuality that looks unlikely). Teams play fixtures as they come and they must play the league table as it comes as well. They are in the position that they deserve and will be at the final whistle. More than luck and more than external factors, their final standing will depend on their own qualities or inadequacies over the season.

Manchester United have earned the right as Premier League Champions to field a ‘weakened’ team ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona, as Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle have failed to secure their place in the topflight next season. I hope Sir Alex Ferguson does not pander to the of and field a team based purely on his teams own interests than attempt to intervene in some kind of justice mission to temper the guilt of a few seasons ago – he should have none. (Quite why Sheffield United were doing watching the announcement of the Manchester United team to play West Ham when they should have been preparing for their own game needing just a draw I don’t know).

There is an argument that a team of ravenous youngster and fringe players fighting for a place in the starting XI and on the bench for the Champions League final would be a stronger team. Certainly some of the bigger players will be anxious of playing a full game three days before the biggest game of their lives (no one wants to be robbed of the Crisyiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi showdown in Rome).

Come Monday morning there can be no complaints. The teams who have failed to justify their place in the English topflight will have been exposed and cut adrift. Any manager who begs to differ and wails at the ‘injustice’ of it all should be shunned into submission.

Final word on the weekend - Fear of future fuels Benitez’s bitterness

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez refused to congratulate Sir Alex Ferguson on winning Manchester United’s 18th Premier League title this weekend. Many angry words have been exchanged between the rivals this season – more than previous rivals in previous years – and the feuding is set to continue into next season.

But it is not just the present or the past that fuels Benitez’s frustration. It is a fear and trepidation of the future.

If Benitez had had the stomach to sit through any of United’s celebrations at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon he will have countered many emotions but one thing will have tortured him more than any other. United want more.

As Ferguson moved among his players after the final whistle there was plenty of back slapping and jubilation, but as the celebrations progressed their desire for further glory was evident. Their thirst for further titles was deepening with every touch of the trophy. The grins that adorned the faces of Rooney, Ronaldo and Ferdinand among others foretold further success.

Ferguson has accumulated a squad with the same insatiable appetite for glory that has driven his own career. But it is also a squad of huge talent and significant youth. With the likes of Danny Welbeck, the Da Silva brothers, Rooney, Jonny Evans and Federico Macheda United have a wealth of young talent to supplement any superstar signings Ferguson makes over the next few years. Even the potential loss of Cristiano Ronaldo appears manageable.

And to top it all of Ferguson shows no signs of relenting to the conventions of managerial life-spans. By surrounding himself by the likes of Rooney he is as sharp and determined as ever.

It is likely Benitez’s thoughts would have briefly swayed to next year’s title chase before Saturday’s coronation. He would have known United will have the quality and youth to retain their title once again next year. But what Saturday will have proved - and what is infuriating Benitez so much - is that the desire at Old Trafford is as ravenous as ever.

Final word on the weekend: Will Arsenal ever be good enough?

It is time for Arsenal to stop hiding behind the mask of ‘youth’.

Once again the consensus was that Arsenal lacked the experience as their season self-destructed with defeats to Manchester United in the Champions League semi final and Chelsea in the Premier League (a defeat that cost them a tilt at third place and automatic qualification for the group stages of the Champions League). The ability is not in doubt and there time will come was the prevailing view. But after four years without a trophy, will their time come? Are they really good enough?

There are undoubtedly world-class players in their dressing room, such as Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Andrey Arshavin. Then there are those will the potential to turn in world-class performances such as Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin Van Persie and Kolo Toure. And there is much potential in Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela.

However, what of the supporting cast? Yes they are young but will they ever be good enough – technically, mentally and physically - to win trophies at home and abroad against the toughest opposition. Will Alexandre Song ever match Mathieu Flamini’s industry in midfield? Will Abou Diaby ever be able to command the touch and authority of Patrick Vieira, will Adebayor ever sacrifice his ego? Will Nicklas Bendtner ever be able to control his flailing limbs sufficiently to compliment Arsenal’s slick attacking play?

There is an underlying suspicion that for all the potential of Arsene Wenger’s new class, they lack that extra bit of quality and ability.

And, of course, Arsenal are not without experience. Players such as Kolo Toure, Mikael Silvestre, Manuel Almunia, Adebayor and Arshavin are all players who can draw on events of the past to shape the future. But are Silvestre and Almunia good enough players to lead Arsenal to European Cups? The overwhelming suspicion is no.

With Manchester United, Liverpool and to a degree Chelsea constantly raising the bar, it will require more than the one or two experienced players Wenger is promising this summer for Arsenal to catch up with the pace-setters. Arsenal need an injection of quality as much as experience, especially in some key areas such as central defence, goalkeeper and defensive midfield.

It is time for Arsenal to stop hiding behind the excuse of youth.

Alan Shearer - The plight of the uncharismatic leader

Despite the dense stench of desperation emanating from the corridors of power at St James’ Park as Newcastle faced up to the prospect of Championship football next season, there seemed some reasoning behind the appointment of Alan Shearer as caretaker manager at the beginning of April. He was an injection of optimism required to lift them out of trouble. He was a figurehead for a wayward but talented team. He was a saviour in waiting.

However, Shearer’s return was not logical. It was inevitable. Sometimes a one can masquerade as the other.

And how it has all unraveled. Three games and one question remain for Newcastle. So what can the suited Shearer do to save them from relegation?

Shearer is no tactical grand master. Anyone who watched the BBC’s coverage of Euro 2008 will testify to that. Sitting next to Martin O’Neil on the pundit’s sofa, Shearer squirmed constantly. By the end of the tournament he was visibly fearful of his colleague’s persistent interjections and corrections. A seasoned football man though Shearer is, he appears no closer to solving the chalkboard equations. His recent experimentations with three at the back have proved as fruitless for him as it did for their previous high-profile employer Steve McClaren.

But such criticisms, of course, miss the point of the appointment. Shearer was recruited to galvanise the players, staff and supporters. His instruction was to inject confidence and pride. He was to win over the crowd who, in turn, he would lend to the players. He was to unite the fragmented club. He was recruited for his personality.

However such expectations are to misinterpret the Shearer phenomenon. The Shearer legend was created on the pitch through his predatory powers not through his uniting personality. His early experiments in team building and man-management have fallen short. His public backing of Michael Owen could have worked but has ended in a climb down and no doubt a number of the Newcastle squad were displeased with the air-time their new manager spent eulogising their team-mate. Shearer the player was never in question. Shearer the manager has many to answer.

Shearer’s legend was created in boots not suits, on the pitch rather than off it. Which begs the question: what can he offer Newcastle now?