Walking through the door at a new club is never easy so filling the boots of arguably the best manager in the world is sure to be a mammoth task.
That is what faces David Moyes, who will leave Everton to take up the post of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford in July.
Moyes certainly has great credentials, having worked wonders in his 11 years with the Toffees on very limited resources. Everton are currently sixth in the table with two games remaining and, although Moyes has never won silverware with the club, he has definitely done a sterling job.
The fact he was recommended for the job by Ferguson, a man known for his impeccable judgement, proves Moyes deserves a chance. Ferguson recently revealed that he had approached Moyes in 1998 about the possibility of becoming assistant boss at Old Trafford.
Moyes didn’t take up the opportunity but the experience and knowledge he has gained at Everton will stand him in good stead for the top job.
It will be no mean feat replacing Ferguson and it will take time for Moyes to settle in and instil his ideas on the Premier League champions. Moyes definitely needs to be given plenty of time and his new six-year deal indicates he should get just that.
It is just as important that the fans remain patient with the new manager. Just because Ferguson continually filled the trophy cabinet with silverware year after year doesn’t mean another Scot will have the same fortune.
Manchester United fans have been blessed with the amount of success they have seen in the Premier League era, but it is hard to gauge at this stage whether this will continue in the immediate future. But, if they really love Ferguson and trust his judgement as much as they claim to, Manchester United fans will get behind the man he chose to succeed him.
It will certainly be a tough job and nothing like what he faced at Everton. He will be working with a longer list of top class players, as well as having to contend with a schedule filled with Champions League football. But no matter how his reign begins Manchester United fans and neutrals alike must not compare the two Scottish managers to one another. They are both top managers in their own right and whoever succeeded Ferguson was going to have a difficult job on his hands.
It isn’t about Moyes doing exactly what Ferguson has done as his predecessor’s achievements are unlikely to be matched for many years to come. Instead, Moyes needs to be given time to make the club his own and progress the club for the future. Moyes’ appointment shows the club are once again thinking about stability and longevity, especially offering the Scot a six-year deal to give him plenty time, something many managers don’t get these days!
It is likely that Moyes will return to Goodison Park to sign some of his former players, with Marouane Fellaini being touted as a possibility. The way Moyes handles Rooney will be interesting as, despite giving the England international his debut, the pair have certainly had their differences. But the duo could see it as a fresh start and Moyes could yet get the best out of Rooney once again.
Whoever Moyes brings in to add to the squad over the summer, he will no doubt be delighted with the players already at Old Trafford....they are not champions for nothing!
Ferguson , who is set to remain at Manchester United as a director and ambassador, will also not be far away should Moyes need any advice or assistance during his reign. But this is a new era at Old Trafford and it is about the Moyes’ way now and everyone connected with Manchester United must get behind him!
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
SIR ALEX FERGUSON: END OF AN ERA FOR A TRUE GREAT
He may have frustrated many people with his constant pointing at his watch but, now Sir Alex Ferguson has called time on his managerial career, it is clear just how much he will be missed.
When Ferguson first walked through the doors at Old Trafford in 1986, few people would have expected him to go on and become the most successful manager in British football history...but he did just that!
Manchester United fans love their manager and most neutrals can appreciate the world class job he has done at Old Trafford. What he has done for the club will never be forgotten. The trophy cabinet at Old Trafford must be close to bursting by now and that is testament to the hard-work and enthusiasm of Ferguson.
Thirteen is often considered an unlucky number and in a way it is for the fans as Ferguson’s 13th Premier League title spells the end of his achievement-filled time in charge.
The famous treble of 1999 (Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup) is just one of many highlights during his time in charge of the club. Two goals in injury-time saw Ferguson’s men lift the Champions League at the expense of Bayern Munich...Ferguson just never knew when to give up. His passion never seemed to fade – year after year Ferguson returned to the dugout to win trophies and still looked as eager for the next one.
But success wasn’t instant for the Manchester United icon. Unlike many clubs today, the Scot was given plenty time to prove himself and it paid off. Not only has he continually won trophies for the club, but Ferguson has also managed some of the best players of the Premier League era. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel have Ferguson to thank for making them the top players they went on to become.
Ferguson has been key to arguably the best period in the club’s history and I for one am surprised to see him retiring. The timing seems a bit bizarre and it certainly came as a bolt out of the blue to many football fanatics. But after winning the title by such a clear margin and with games to spare is maybe the perfect high to end on.
Ferguson’s departure will leave a big hole in the dugout next season but nobody can begrudge him from wanting to retire after all he has given to the game. All the comments that people have been making today show just how much he is respected by managers, players, pundits and fans across the world.
So after having arguably the best manager in the world at the helm for so long, how do a club as steeped in history such as Manchester United even go about replacing him?
A key factor will be stability and longevity. Whilst Jose Mourinho’s name has been mentioned on a number of occasions, I don’t believe he would stick around long enough to be the right man for the job.
David Moyes looks to be the favourite and has done superbly on limited resources at Everton...but is that enough to prepare someone for filling the biggest shoes in football? If he does indeed get the job, he could be a big success providing he is given the same time to develop which I am sure he would.
I’d also like to see the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ryan Giggs on the coaching staff as their passion for the club would be key in helping the huge transitional step forward.
Although a club like Manchester United continually win trophies, if the new man doesn’t bring instant success it is important for the club and fans alike to stay firmly behind the manager. Stability and longevity are vital and, when someone is replacing an icon such as Ferguson, it is never going to be easy.
Manchester United are likely to do right by the new man and who knows, if things get desperate, the club can always call on Ferguson for help...after all he’ll only be upstairs!
As a director and ambassador of the club, Ferguson is likely to be on hand to offer advice when needed next season and beyond. But the new manager needs time to develop and instil his own ideas on the club over time. As tempting as it will be for many, we need to not constantly compare the new manager to Ferguson. The new manager must be allowed to be his own man as he takes the highly-respected club forward.
Fans, including myself, berate Manchester United and Ferguson at times, often merely through frustration, as the club make things so difficult for us. It’s at times like today we can take a step back and reflect on the amazing job Ferguson has done and just how much the game will miss him.
The final say....
Even though Ferguson put us on the wrong end of some embarrassing defeats, not to mention taking Robin Van Persie from us, I still have the utmost respect for such a quality man. The Premier League is unlikely to see another man like him and his success should be celebrated! Sir Alex Ferguson = Legend!
When Ferguson first walked through the doors at Old Trafford in 1986, few people would have expected him to go on and become the most successful manager in British football history...but he did just that!
Manchester United fans love their manager and most neutrals can appreciate the world class job he has done at Old Trafford. What he has done for the club will never be forgotten. The trophy cabinet at Old Trafford must be close to bursting by now and that is testament to the hard-work and enthusiasm of Ferguson.
Thirteen is often considered an unlucky number and in a way it is for the fans as Ferguson’s 13th Premier League title spells the end of his achievement-filled time in charge.
The famous treble of 1999 (Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup) is just one of many highlights during his time in charge of the club. Two goals in injury-time saw Ferguson’s men lift the Champions League at the expense of Bayern Munich...Ferguson just never knew when to give up. His passion never seemed to fade – year after year Ferguson returned to the dugout to win trophies and still looked as eager for the next one.
But success wasn’t instant for the Manchester United icon. Unlike many clubs today, the Scot was given plenty time to prove himself and it paid off. Not only has he continually won trophies for the club, but Ferguson has also managed some of the best players of the Premier League era. The likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel have Ferguson to thank for making them the top players they went on to become.
Ferguson has been key to arguably the best period in the club’s history and I for one am surprised to see him retiring. The timing seems a bit bizarre and it certainly came as a bolt out of the blue to many football fanatics. But after winning the title by such a clear margin and with games to spare is maybe the perfect high to end on.
Ferguson’s departure will leave a big hole in the dugout next season but nobody can begrudge him from wanting to retire after all he has given to the game. All the comments that people have been making today show just how much he is respected by managers, players, pundits and fans across the world.
So after having arguably the best manager in the world at the helm for so long, how do a club as steeped in history such as Manchester United even go about replacing him?
A key factor will be stability and longevity. Whilst Jose Mourinho’s name has been mentioned on a number of occasions, I don’t believe he would stick around long enough to be the right man for the job.
David Moyes looks to be the favourite and has done superbly on limited resources at Everton...but is that enough to prepare someone for filling the biggest shoes in football? If he does indeed get the job, he could be a big success providing he is given the same time to develop which I am sure he would.
I’d also like to see the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ryan Giggs on the coaching staff as their passion for the club would be key in helping the huge transitional step forward.
Although a club like Manchester United continually win trophies, if the new man doesn’t bring instant success it is important for the club and fans alike to stay firmly behind the manager. Stability and longevity are vital and, when someone is replacing an icon such as Ferguson, it is never going to be easy.
Manchester United are likely to do right by the new man and who knows, if things get desperate, the club can always call on Ferguson for help...after all he’ll only be upstairs!
As a director and ambassador of the club, Ferguson is likely to be on hand to offer advice when needed next season and beyond. But the new manager needs time to develop and instil his own ideas on the club over time. As tempting as it will be for many, we need to not constantly compare the new manager to Ferguson. The new manager must be allowed to be his own man as he takes the highly-respected club forward.
Fans, including myself, berate Manchester United and Ferguson at times, often merely through frustration, as the club make things so difficult for us. It’s at times like today we can take a step back and reflect on the amazing job Ferguson has done and just how much the game will miss him.
The final say....
Even though Ferguson put us on the wrong end of some embarrassing defeats, not to mention taking Robin Van Persie from us, I still have the utmost respect for such a quality man. The Premier League is unlikely to see another man like him and his success should be celebrated! Sir Alex Ferguson = Legend!
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Is this season Gunner be better than last year?
With six games gone in the Premier League Arsenal sit outside the top four on nine points, but there is still reason to be positive.
Three clean sheets shows the defence is improving, although we need to do this on a more consistent basis. New signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla are settling in well and Gervinho looks like a completely new player with several much improved performances.
Up until the home game against Chelsea on September 29, I was relatively pleased with our season to date. Starting the season with two goalless draws against Sunderland and Stoke isn't ideal, but showed a huge improvement in our defensive organisation. A much better display followed against Liverpool as we kept another clean sheet and comfortably won 2-0 at Anfield.
An emphatic 6-1 win over Southampton gave Arsenal fans even more encouragement, especially with Gervinho netting twice and looking a much better player than the one that appeared to go missing for a lot of last season.
We began our Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory at Montpellier without really hitting top gear. It was a good sign to see us able to pick up maximum points despite not being at our best. A point at champions Manchester City showed we are more than capable of coping against the other top sides in the division.
An easy 6-1 win over Coventry in the League Cup continued our positive start to the season and I felt quietly confident going into the game against Chelsea. With both sides unbeaten it was always going to be a tough game, but Chelsea were the better side for much of the first half and deservedly took the lead.
But, after Gervinho’s equaliser, we took control and didn’t want the half to end and looked like we were going to run away with it. Juan Mata’s free kick before the hour mark was poorly defended and frustratingly put Chelsea ahead.
We managed to force mistakes from Chelsea and get the ball into decent spaces but, frustratingly, we failed to do enough with it and didn’t manage to steal a point. Olivier Giroud’s late chance was possibly at a difficult angle, but this isn’t the only time he has left Gunners’ fans frustrated. People will be saying Robin Van Persie would have scored had he still been at the club. That could be the case as I feel Podolski would also have netted had he still been on the pitch. Giroud is still a work in progress and will gain confidence once he scores a few more goals, but these misses are going to pile more pressure on him.
Chelsea more than deserved the win but I don’t think they were as good as some people made it sound like they were. Roberto Di Matteo’s men were on top for large spells but it wasn’t the most solid display for them. Chelsea made mistakes too and we exposed them on a few occasions. Chelsea did the most important thing and got the result and that is something we need to improve on.
For all our exciting football and improving defensive abilities, we have to learn how to grind out results when things aren’t going your way. We need to find resolve from somewhere to get back into some of our games. I think when Jack Wilshere returns to first team action from his long-term injury it will make a huge difference.
Our next three league games against West Ham, Norwich and QPR will be a huge test of our credentials. If we can pick up seven to nine points from those games, it will boost confidence and show that we can bounce back from defeat and compete near the top.
But, should we drop more than two points from those games, it could end up being another season of simply challenging for Champions League qualification, which isn’t enough. I am hopeful the Chelsea game was merely a blip and we can bounce back and end our trophy drought in one of the competitions this year.
Manchester United’s home defeat to Tottenham and some of Manchester City’s under-par displays shows how tough the competition is in the Premier League this season. Whoever wins the title this year may drop more points than in previous years. But one thing is for sure, it’s going to be an exciting race for the title.
Many people will have written us out of the title race completely and, looking at evidence from previous years, you can possibly understand where some of them are coming from. But I honestly believe we are showing very positive signs and adapting our game well in the post Van Persie era. Gervinho looks totally revitalised and Abou Diaby, up until his injury against Chelsea, put in some excellent displays. It isn’t just about Van Persie now, it is about the whole unit and on the whole they are working together well.
So are we going to do better than last year’s third place finish? Yes
Can we seriously challenge for the title? Yes
But a lot of this will depend on injuries and how we cope with them. I think our starting XI is strong enough but we do not have the depth of some of the other sides. If we can bounce back from the Chelsea defeat quickly and avoid having many big injuries this could be a big year for us.
It is a big if, but it is doable, so let’s get behind the players and will them on to silverware....you just never know what might happen!
Three clean sheets shows the defence is improving, although we need to do this on a more consistent basis. New signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla are settling in well and Gervinho looks like a completely new player with several much improved performances.
Up until the home game against Chelsea on September 29, I was relatively pleased with our season to date. Starting the season with two goalless draws against Sunderland and Stoke isn't ideal, but showed a huge improvement in our defensive organisation. A much better display followed against Liverpool as we kept another clean sheet and comfortably won 2-0 at Anfield.
An emphatic 6-1 win over Southampton gave Arsenal fans even more encouragement, especially with Gervinho netting twice and looking a much better player than the one that appeared to go missing for a lot of last season.
We began our Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory at Montpellier without really hitting top gear. It was a good sign to see us able to pick up maximum points despite not being at our best. A point at champions Manchester City showed we are more than capable of coping against the other top sides in the division.
An easy 6-1 win over Coventry in the League Cup continued our positive start to the season and I felt quietly confident going into the game against Chelsea. With both sides unbeaten it was always going to be a tough game, but Chelsea were the better side for much of the first half and deservedly took the lead.
But, after Gervinho’s equaliser, we took control and didn’t want the half to end and looked like we were going to run away with it. Juan Mata’s free kick before the hour mark was poorly defended and frustratingly put Chelsea ahead.
We managed to force mistakes from Chelsea and get the ball into decent spaces but, frustratingly, we failed to do enough with it and didn’t manage to steal a point. Olivier Giroud’s late chance was possibly at a difficult angle, but this isn’t the only time he has left Gunners’ fans frustrated. People will be saying Robin Van Persie would have scored had he still been at the club. That could be the case as I feel Podolski would also have netted had he still been on the pitch. Giroud is still a work in progress and will gain confidence once he scores a few more goals, but these misses are going to pile more pressure on him.
Chelsea more than deserved the win but I don’t think they were as good as some people made it sound like they were. Roberto Di Matteo’s men were on top for large spells but it wasn’t the most solid display for them. Chelsea made mistakes too and we exposed them on a few occasions. Chelsea did the most important thing and got the result and that is something we need to improve on.
For all our exciting football and improving defensive abilities, we have to learn how to grind out results when things aren’t going your way. We need to find resolve from somewhere to get back into some of our games. I think when Jack Wilshere returns to first team action from his long-term injury it will make a huge difference.
Our next three league games against West Ham, Norwich and QPR will be a huge test of our credentials. If we can pick up seven to nine points from those games, it will boost confidence and show that we can bounce back from defeat and compete near the top.
But, should we drop more than two points from those games, it could end up being another season of simply challenging for Champions League qualification, which isn’t enough. I am hopeful the Chelsea game was merely a blip and we can bounce back and end our trophy drought in one of the competitions this year.
Manchester United’s home defeat to Tottenham and some of Manchester City’s under-par displays shows how tough the competition is in the Premier League this season. Whoever wins the title this year may drop more points than in previous years. But one thing is for sure, it’s going to be an exciting race for the title.
Many people will have written us out of the title race completely and, looking at evidence from previous years, you can possibly understand where some of them are coming from. But I honestly believe we are showing very positive signs and adapting our game well in the post Van Persie era. Gervinho looks totally revitalised and Abou Diaby, up until his injury against Chelsea, put in some excellent displays. It isn’t just about Van Persie now, it is about the whole unit and on the whole they are working together well.
So are we going to do better than last year’s third place finish? Yes
Can we seriously challenge for the title? Yes
But a lot of this will depend on injuries and how we cope with them. I think our starting XI is strong enough but we do not have the depth of some of the other sides. If we can bounce back from the Chelsea defeat quickly and avoid having many big injuries this could be a big year for us.
It is a big if, but it is doable, so let’s get behind the players and will them on to silverware....you just never know what might happen!
Thursday, 16 August 2012
RVP deal is Gunner hurt the most
We have seen several key players come and go at Arsenal in recent years. Losing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri was tough to take last summer, but Robin Van Persie's move to Manchester United hurt a lot more.
Fabregas was always going to return to Barcelona at some point in his career, regardless of whether we were winning trophies or not. Nasri's move was frustrating but he wasn't irreplaceable and it didn't frustrate fans quite as much as the latest saga has.
When talks of Van Persie leaving began, I remained hopeful he would stay. Although Wenger isn't known as a big spender, I thought the board would at least allow him the funds to offer Van Persie whatever deal it took to keep him.
The scenario of a key player looking to leave was all too familiar for us Arsenal fans. Lack of silverware over the last seven years hasn't helped and must have been playing on his mind, but I genuinely believed he would end up staying for at least one more year. A move to Manchester United doesn't necessarily guarantee that his wait for a trophy will end but maybe he felt it was time for a new challenge. Money may well have influenced his decision too, but only Van Persie himself will know the true reasons!
Arsene Wenger stuck by RVP through some tough times. Even when he kept being struck down by injury, Wenger stayed loyal to the striker and even gave him the captaincy for the 2011/12 season when another manager might have taken different action. Wenger helped make Van Persie into the top class player that he is, but I just wish we could hold onto our top talent better.
But I think one of the aspects that makes it hardest to take is the timing of it all. Van Persie released a statement on his official website on July 4 indicating that he would not be signing a new deal, yet he didn't leave the club until a few days before the new season was due to start. Having your best player leave so close to the start of a new season is bad for morale, so I can only hope that the players can respond quickly.
I think the club should have make more effort to tie players down to longer deals before they get into the final year of their contract. I hope Wenger sorts this to avoid any similar situations arising next time. But at the same time, you can't force a player to stay. In the modern game, money talks more than loyalty or even trophies and clubs are not immune from financial problems and have to be careful.
Wenger has come in for a lot of criticism as he keeps selling star players. I can't hide my frustration but I also have a degree of sympathy for our boss as there is only so much you can do. You cannot force a player to stay and even the best persuasion techniques might not be enough! Earlier in the summer Van Persie's father had been quoted as saying his son would not join another Premier League club, and other reports suggested he was settled in London.
I kept expecting Juventus to be his destination if he left. Yet Van Persie did join another English club which may make some people question how much he loved our club. I believe he did truly love our club but the way he left and the timing has left a bitter taste in the mouth of some fans. He should have said more to the fans and properly explained his reasons but this is the modern football era, money talks more than loyalty these days!
No trophies in seven years and key players leaving is unacceptable, but we mustn't forget all the positive work Wenger has done. The trophies he won in his earlier years, the year of the Invincibles, buying players cheap and selling for huge profit and great work with youngsters. The likes of Jack Wilshere might not have become a first team regular as early at another club and it's great to see players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain developing into quality players.
The other difference with Wenger this time around is he had already spent over 30 million on new players prior to Van Persie's departure. It is too early to say if the arrivals of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla will prove the difference, but I am definitely glad we have added this depth to our squad. If Wenger can persuade Alex Song to stay it will be crucial as he can provide the assists for several goals.
It is important for the club and all the players to try and stay positive so we can avoid starting the new season as poorly as last time. We need a strong start!
It isn't all doom and gloom at Arsenal. Yes, losing a key player in yet another summer is frustrating but, if Wenger can lift the morale quickly, we do have a squad capable of challenging near the top. Ideally, we need to add another one or two more players. But if Wenger has spent the amounts Manchester City had in recent seasons players we rate so highly now such as Song may not have got regular game time.
So let's put this frustration behind us and put our energy into getting behind Wenger and the Arsenal boys! COYG!
Fabregas was always going to return to Barcelona at some point in his career, regardless of whether we were winning trophies or not. Nasri's move was frustrating but he wasn't irreplaceable and it didn't frustrate fans quite as much as the latest saga has.
When talks of Van Persie leaving began, I remained hopeful he would stay. Although Wenger isn't known as a big spender, I thought the board would at least allow him the funds to offer Van Persie whatever deal it took to keep him.
The scenario of a key player looking to leave was all too familiar for us Arsenal fans. Lack of silverware over the last seven years hasn't helped and must have been playing on his mind, but I genuinely believed he would end up staying for at least one more year. A move to Manchester United doesn't necessarily guarantee that his wait for a trophy will end but maybe he felt it was time for a new challenge. Money may well have influenced his decision too, but only Van Persie himself will know the true reasons!
Arsene Wenger stuck by RVP through some tough times. Even when he kept being struck down by injury, Wenger stayed loyal to the striker and even gave him the captaincy for the 2011/12 season when another manager might have taken different action. Wenger helped make Van Persie into the top class player that he is, but I just wish we could hold onto our top talent better.
But I think one of the aspects that makes it hardest to take is the timing of it all. Van Persie released a statement on his official website on July 4 indicating that he would not be signing a new deal, yet he didn't leave the club until a few days before the new season was due to start. Having your best player leave so close to the start of a new season is bad for morale, so I can only hope that the players can respond quickly.
I think the club should have make more effort to tie players down to longer deals before they get into the final year of their contract. I hope Wenger sorts this to avoid any similar situations arising next time. But at the same time, you can't force a player to stay. In the modern game, money talks more than loyalty or even trophies and clubs are not immune from financial problems and have to be careful.
Wenger has come in for a lot of criticism as he keeps selling star players. I can't hide my frustration but I also have a degree of sympathy for our boss as there is only so much you can do. You cannot force a player to stay and even the best persuasion techniques might not be enough! Earlier in the summer Van Persie's father had been quoted as saying his son would not join another Premier League club, and other reports suggested he was settled in London.
I kept expecting Juventus to be his destination if he left. Yet Van Persie did join another English club which may make some people question how much he loved our club. I believe he did truly love our club but the way he left and the timing has left a bitter taste in the mouth of some fans. He should have said more to the fans and properly explained his reasons but this is the modern football era, money talks more than loyalty these days!
No trophies in seven years and key players leaving is unacceptable, but we mustn't forget all the positive work Wenger has done. The trophies he won in his earlier years, the year of the Invincibles, buying players cheap and selling for huge profit and great work with youngsters. The likes of Jack Wilshere might not have become a first team regular as early at another club and it's great to see players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain developing into quality players.
The other difference with Wenger this time around is he had already spent over 30 million on new players prior to Van Persie's departure. It is too early to say if the arrivals of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla will prove the difference, but I am definitely glad we have added this depth to our squad. If Wenger can persuade Alex Song to stay it will be crucial as he can provide the assists for several goals.
It is important for the club and all the players to try and stay positive so we can avoid starting the new season as poorly as last time. We need a strong start!
It isn't all doom and gloom at Arsenal. Yes, losing a key player in yet another summer is frustrating but, if Wenger can lift the morale quickly, we do have a squad capable of challenging near the top. Ideally, we need to add another one or two more players. But if Wenger has spent the amounts Manchester City had in recent seasons players we rate so highly now such as Song may not have got regular game time.
So let's put this frustration behind us and put our energy into getting behind Wenger and the Arsenal boys! COYG!
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Spain superior once again!
When you look through Spain's 23-man squad it is hard to find much of a weakness, so it was hardly surprising to see the pre-tournament favourites defend their European Championship title.
At times, Spain didn't hit top gear, but they still finished as group winners with a credible seven points before dispatching of France, Portugal and Italy on their way to the trophy.In fact, the only goal Spain conceded was in their 1-1 draw with Italy in the opening Group C game.
A sublime attack and midfield, and strong defence, that rarely concedes in knock out football, with a class veteran goalkeeper behind them - this Spain team really are immense! The 4-0 win over Italy in the final showed just how good they are and why they have been so successful over the last three major tournaments. They make it look so easy!
Italy were written off by many before the start of the tournament but they were always going to be in with a chance and they proved their credentials by reaching the final. The Italians' preparation was overshadowed by off the field problems, but once they were on the pitch they let the football do the talking and can be very proud for having reached the final. The final proved a step too far for Italy, but at least they proved they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Italy were too good for us in the quarter final and we hung by a thread to force penalties. Cesare Prandelli's men were probably expected to go no further after that as semi final opponents Germany had looked like the best team in the tournament up to that point. But Italy again triumphed and can hold their heads up high after reaching the final, even though the end result didn't go their way. They can go to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with renewed hope and maybe won't be written off quite so quickly by some people next time.
As for Spain, the people that seem to think they are boring need their heads testing. To win three consecutive major tournaments proves just how talented they are and that they are definitely doing something right! It is hard to find many negatives to say about the Spain squad, but the question that keeps coming to my mind is, where do they go from here? It is a magnificent achievement to win three major tournaments on the trot, but just how much better can it get? Spain will no doubt go into the next World Cup and European Championships as favourites and again have huge expectations on their shoulders. They are likely to be able to handle the expectation and deliver the goods. It is a great era for Spanish football, but it will have to come to an end at some point and it will be interesting to see who are the next nation to dominate when that eventually happens.
But for now, let's just sit back and continue to enjoy the fantastic talent of Spain over the next few years!
So what about Euro 2012 as a whole?
Co-hosts Poland and Ukraine made headlines for all the wrong reasons before the tournament even started. Some of the media coverage during the early stages of the tournament also didn't show the countries in a very good light. But were they good hosts? The football was very enjoyable and the players, on the whole, conducted themselves well. I also saw some very positive comments from fans out there at the tournament about what their experiences had been like.
Spain winning the tournament may have been predictable, but the Euros did spring some surprises. Russia thumped Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening group game, but then failed to reached the knock out stages as the Czechs went through instead. Holland, who were expected to reach the final, finished bottom of Group B with 3 defeats from 3 games. England topping Group D could also have been considered a surprise as France had been tipped by many to top the group, while England were written off as no hopers. Losing on penalties in the quarter final was the same old story for us England fans, but I think we can still be proud. There was so much negative press about England's chances and the appointment of Roy Hodgson. But in the short space of time Hodgson had with the squad, we didn't look too bad, especially after a gutsy 1-1 draw with France in the opening group game. Hodgson needs more time to mould his squad, but I think he is the right man for the job and I think we all need to get behind him. Then maybe, just maybe, we can progress further in Brazil.
There were also some great goals at Euro 2012.Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored arguably the pick of the bunch with his acrobatic effort against France. Mario Balotelli's overhead kick against Ireland, Roman Pavlyuchenko's stunner against Czech Republic...we really have been treated to some great goals this summer.
So was Euro 2012 a success?
As an Englishman it was disappointing to see us not get further than the quarter final, left wondering what could have been. But the tournament as a whole was a success for the several people watching in Poland and Ukraine and those watching on television. I just hope the next tournament provides us with more of the same from a neutral point of view...and hopefully England will perform better too!
Roll on Brazil 2014!
At times, Spain didn't hit top gear, but they still finished as group winners with a credible seven points before dispatching of France, Portugal and Italy on their way to the trophy.In fact, the only goal Spain conceded was in their 1-1 draw with Italy in the opening Group C game.
A sublime attack and midfield, and strong defence, that rarely concedes in knock out football, with a class veteran goalkeeper behind them - this Spain team really are immense! The 4-0 win over Italy in the final showed just how good they are and why they have been so successful over the last three major tournaments. They make it look so easy!
Italy were written off by many before the start of the tournament but they were always going to be in with a chance and they proved their credentials by reaching the final. The Italians' preparation was overshadowed by off the field problems, but once they were on the pitch they let the football do the talking and can be very proud for having reached the final. The final proved a step too far for Italy, but at least they proved they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Italy were too good for us in the quarter final and we hung by a thread to force penalties. Cesare Prandelli's men were probably expected to go no further after that as semi final opponents Germany had looked like the best team in the tournament up to that point. But Italy again triumphed and can hold their heads up high after reaching the final, even though the end result didn't go their way. They can go to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with renewed hope and maybe won't be written off quite so quickly by some people next time.
As for Spain, the people that seem to think they are boring need their heads testing. To win three consecutive major tournaments proves just how talented they are and that they are definitely doing something right! It is hard to find many negatives to say about the Spain squad, but the question that keeps coming to my mind is, where do they go from here? It is a magnificent achievement to win three major tournaments on the trot, but just how much better can it get? Spain will no doubt go into the next World Cup and European Championships as favourites and again have huge expectations on their shoulders. They are likely to be able to handle the expectation and deliver the goods. It is a great era for Spanish football, but it will have to come to an end at some point and it will be interesting to see who are the next nation to dominate when that eventually happens.
But for now, let's just sit back and continue to enjoy the fantastic talent of Spain over the next few years!
So what about Euro 2012 as a whole?
Co-hosts Poland and Ukraine made headlines for all the wrong reasons before the tournament even started. Some of the media coverage during the early stages of the tournament also didn't show the countries in a very good light. But were they good hosts? The football was very enjoyable and the players, on the whole, conducted themselves well. I also saw some very positive comments from fans out there at the tournament about what their experiences had been like.
Spain winning the tournament may have been predictable, but the Euros did spring some surprises. Russia thumped Czech Republic 4-1 in their opening group game, but then failed to reached the knock out stages as the Czechs went through instead. Holland, who were expected to reach the final, finished bottom of Group B with 3 defeats from 3 games. England topping Group D could also have been considered a surprise as France had been tipped by many to top the group, while England were written off as no hopers. Losing on penalties in the quarter final was the same old story for us England fans, but I think we can still be proud. There was so much negative press about England's chances and the appointment of Roy Hodgson. But in the short space of time Hodgson had with the squad, we didn't look too bad, especially after a gutsy 1-1 draw with France in the opening group game. Hodgson needs more time to mould his squad, but I think he is the right man for the job and I think we all need to get behind him. Then maybe, just maybe, we can progress further in Brazil.
There were also some great goals at Euro 2012.Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored arguably the pick of the bunch with his acrobatic effort against France. Mario Balotelli's overhead kick against Ireland, Roman Pavlyuchenko's stunner against Czech Republic...we really have been treated to some great goals this summer.
So was Euro 2012 a success?
As an Englishman it was disappointing to see us not get further than the quarter final, left wondering what could have been. But the tournament as a whole was a success for the several people watching in Poland and Ukraine and those watching on television. I just hope the next tournament provides us with more of the same from a neutral point of view...and hopefully England will perform better too!
Roll on Brazil 2014!
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
England - Group D Winners: The dream is still alive!
We may not have played the best football, but we still managed to finish top of the pile in Group D despite many people saying we would not finish above France. It also means avoiding Spain in the quarters, but that doesn't mean it gets any easier as Italy cannot be underestimated...more on that later!
Before the tournament some fans and media were criticising the appointment of Hodgson and being very negative about our chances, implying second place would be our best hope. Yet we have gone and won the group! So can we defy the odds further and get all the way to the final!? On paper the answer would have to be no, but football isn't played on paper...so I for one will keep on believing!
With all the negativity surrounding England's chances, it was a pleasant surprise to see England have a real go at France in the opening group game. There were still one or two worrying signs at the back, but on the whole we played well. Roy Hodgson took a gamble by starting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. As an Arsenal fan I was delighted to see him get a chance and it was also a bold statement from Hodgson that he is willing to take chances.
I was sat in the hotel bar in Greece watching the game and the jubliant fans leapt up as Lescott headed us in front....just at the point I had gone to the bar to get a round in! We continued to play better than expected but were hit back by Samir Nasri's equaliser. It was a nervy end to the game but we defied expectations to take a point off the group favourites.
The second game against Sweden was topsy turvy. Andy Carroll put us ahead, but when Sweden turned it around to lead 2-1 many people were no doubt thinking 'same old England'. But we refused to give up and Theo Walcott's great strike gave us renewed hope before Danny Welbeck's excellent finish meant all three points were going to England.
Going into the final game against co-hosts Ukraine, we were still expected to finish runners-up to France. It looked like it may be going that way, or we could even be going out, as Ukraine started on the front foot. Ukraine looked far more dangerous than us, but luckily they seemed unable to finish their chances so we somehow stayed in the game.
Far too much pressure had been piled on Wayne Rooney before the game so it was no surprise to see him miss a sitter of a header. But Rooney made amends with a simple finish from Steven Gerrard's deflected cross. Shortly afterwards, Sweden took the lead against France, and suddenly the chance of finishing as group winners looked like a possibility.
John Terry, who had an excellent game, denied the hosts an equaliser, although the goal-line technology debate once again raised it's ugly head as many felt it had crossed the line. I think it actually did, but England fans won't complain.
We didn't play great for the rest of the game and never really hit top gear but a 1-0 win, coupled with a 2-0 defeat for France (which included a contender for goal of the tournament from Zlatan Ibrahimovic) meant we defied expectations to finish as group winners. So Hodgson has already done more than some were expecting...but I bet he still gets unfairly criticised, probably even before the Italy game. I think we need to get behind the boys as they'll need all the support they can get behind them to help give them as much chance as possible of winning the quarter final clash.
Many people were pleased to see us avoid a quarter final with Spain despite the fact they have yet to hit top gear in this tournament and haven't been at their best. Italy could prove an easier opponent, but I fear people are underestimating them. Italy's off the field problems were highlighted before the tournaments and few gave them hope, but they have looked dangerous at times and we certainly can't take them lightly.
It is all set to be a great tie. We shouldn't underestimate Italy and we definitely have to improve our own game to give ourselves a chance. But we also shouldn't play with fear. We should have belief that we can actually pull a result out the bag and reach the last four. It is not impossible for us and I hope all England fans will join me and keep believing this could be our year...you never know!
COME ON ENGLAND!
Before the tournament some fans and media were criticising the appointment of Hodgson and being very negative about our chances, implying second place would be our best hope. Yet we have gone and won the group! So can we defy the odds further and get all the way to the final!? On paper the answer would have to be no, but football isn't played on paper...so I for one will keep on believing!
With all the negativity surrounding England's chances, it was a pleasant surprise to see England have a real go at France in the opening group game. There were still one or two worrying signs at the back, but on the whole we played well. Roy Hodgson took a gamble by starting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. As an Arsenal fan I was delighted to see him get a chance and it was also a bold statement from Hodgson that he is willing to take chances.
I was sat in the hotel bar in Greece watching the game and the jubliant fans leapt up as Lescott headed us in front....just at the point I had gone to the bar to get a round in! We continued to play better than expected but were hit back by Samir Nasri's equaliser. It was a nervy end to the game but we defied expectations to take a point off the group favourites.
The second game against Sweden was topsy turvy. Andy Carroll put us ahead, but when Sweden turned it around to lead 2-1 many people were no doubt thinking 'same old England'. But we refused to give up and Theo Walcott's great strike gave us renewed hope before Danny Welbeck's excellent finish meant all three points were going to England.
Going into the final game against co-hosts Ukraine, we were still expected to finish runners-up to France. It looked like it may be going that way, or we could even be going out, as Ukraine started on the front foot. Ukraine looked far more dangerous than us, but luckily they seemed unable to finish their chances so we somehow stayed in the game.
Far too much pressure had been piled on Wayne Rooney before the game so it was no surprise to see him miss a sitter of a header. But Rooney made amends with a simple finish from Steven Gerrard's deflected cross. Shortly afterwards, Sweden took the lead against France, and suddenly the chance of finishing as group winners looked like a possibility.
John Terry, who had an excellent game, denied the hosts an equaliser, although the goal-line technology debate once again raised it's ugly head as many felt it had crossed the line. I think it actually did, but England fans won't complain.
We didn't play great for the rest of the game and never really hit top gear but a 1-0 win, coupled with a 2-0 defeat for France (which included a contender for goal of the tournament from Zlatan Ibrahimovic) meant we defied expectations to finish as group winners. So Hodgson has already done more than some were expecting...but I bet he still gets unfairly criticised, probably even before the Italy game. I think we need to get behind the boys as they'll need all the support they can get behind them to help give them as much chance as possible of winning the quarter final clash.
Many people were pleased to see us avoid a quarter final with Spain despite the fact they have yet to hit top gear in this tournament and haven't been at their best. Italy could prove an easier opponent, but I fear people are underestimating them. Italy's off the field problems were highlighted before the tournaments and few gave them hope, but they have looked dangerous at times and we certainly can't take them lightly.
It is all set to be a great tie. We shouldn't underestimate Italy and we definitely have to improve our own game to give ourselves a chance. But we also shouldn't play with fear. We should have belief that we can actually pull a result out the bag and reach the last four. It is not impossible for us and I hope all England fans will join me and keep believing this could be our year...you never know!
COME ON ENGLAND!
Monday, 14 May 2012
Arsenal 2011/12 season review: Captain Vantastic needed more support in inconsistent season
Although there were some positives in our season and Robin Van Persie was simply superb, inconsistency and injury problems ultimately saw the season end without silverware. Although Arsene Wenger has done a tremendous job since taking charge of the club, seven years without a trophy is not good enough. Some people want him to go, others want him to stay. Personally, I think he should stay, changing managers doesn’t guarantee success and people need to remember what a good job he has done. No manager can win things every year and trophy droughts do happen, it’s part and parcel of the game.
We were just too inconsistent this year. We put together some good runs but then undid them with some poor results. The first few months, including the 8-2 defeat by Manchester United, were largely a disaster. But the way we turned things around and clawed our way back to take 3rd place was a great achievement. Turning things around like that was a big positive, but to end the season without a trophy again was hard to take. We need to be a lot more consistent and learn how to kill games off sometimes.
We had great games like beating Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge, winning 1-0 against champions Manchester City with a dominant display. When we came back from 2-0 down against Tottenham to win 5-2 that was a tremendous show of character. Winning 2-1 at Liverpool despite being on the back foot for large spells showed a lot of grit and determination. The second leg against AC Milan in the Champions League was excellent, but a little too late after the game had been all but ended with a poor first leg. We seem to do so much right, but at the same time too much wrong, we need to be a lot more consistent.
Manchester City and Manchester United also had blips in their season, but did far better at recovering from them and thus finished 19 points ahead of us. To finish that far behind the top two is unacceptable and we must improve. Several people thought we’d not even finish in the top four this season especially after the first half of the campaign, so to finish 3rd is testament to Wenger and the squad. But, while it was a good achievement, it isn’t enough and we should be challenging for honours a lot better than we have been in recent years.
After such a mixed season, how have the players faired and what needs to be done?
Van Persie had a sensational season and it was great to see him able to play more games this year and showcase his true potential. But there were not enough other players scoring goals to take the pressure off him. Although I’d love to see a few more players bought in, the most important piece of business Wenger can do is to get Van Persie to sign a new deal. I’d rather keep Van Persie and only sign a few more than sign loads and lose him.
Gervinho looked good taking people on but in terms of his end product he simply did not score enough goals and was not worth the money we paid. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks a superb talent for the future and played well when he was used. But we definitely lacked a natural goalscorer to play alongside Van Persie. So when the news of Lukas Podolski’s signing was announced, I was delighted. If he can produce the goods in England as he has in Germany we have a great player on our hands. But the Premier League is totally different so it is hard to tell yet whether or not he will be a big hit…but I am hopeful! If Van Persie stays, their pairing could help us put together a more serious title challenge.
If we lose Van Persie, however, I fear he will be very hard to replace and it will have a big effect on the overall team morale, which is not the way you want to start a season. It is not the same as when we lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri as Van Persie is an even better player, but if he did leave it could create a similar situation and we cannot afford a poor start to the next campaign. But until anything is announced all the talk surrounding Van Persie is merely speculation and I am hopeful he will stay….just hope I am right!
In the midfield area, Alex Song had a largely excellent campaign and Mikel Arteta seems to have slotted in quickly, with Yossi Benayoun putting in some good displays. Having Jack Wilshere unavailable all season didn’t help but that is no excuse. Despite all the individual talent, we sometimes lacked the composure to kill games off. Our football is often great to watch but sometimes we try to play too many passes instead of just putting the ball in the net.
At the other end of the pitch, Wojciech Szczesny put in several good performances and kept us in more games than he should have had too. Personally, I would like to see us buy a new second choice goalkeeper for in case Szczesny gets injured as I am not convinced by Lukasz Fabianski. The defence has been plagued by injury this season and many players have been forced to play out of position and this has been where our season has been affected most.
Laurent Koscielny is progressing well considering a few years ago he was playing in the French second division. But, despite some positives, the defence on the whole was not good. Injuries didn’t help, especially to the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna. But that cannot be used as the sole excuse. I am unsure what to make of Per Mertesacker following his first season and Andre Santos seems a bit suspect at the back. But we are definitely still lacking some solidarity at the back and need to add more depth in that department.
The foundations of a great squad are there, but I’d like to see Wenger buy a new second-choice goalkeeper, another defender and possibly one more midfielder. It may also be worth bringing in an extra back-up striker to cover for injuries as Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho simply do not score enough goals and Park seems unlikely to get enough game time to prove himself.
It is really hard to say whether or not we will be competing more seriously for honours next season. If we make a few additions we have the potential to be right up there with the two Manchester clubs, but we have to start strong. There is no reason why that can’t happen, providing we keep Van Persie, but whether we do is another question. Next year could be a big year, but whatever happens I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
Although there were some positives in our season and Robin Van Persie was simply superb, inconsistency and injury problems ultimately saw the season end without silverware. Although Arsene Wenger has done a tremendous job since taking charge of the club, seven years without a trophy is not good enough. Some people want him to go, others want him to stay. Personally, I think he should stay, changing managers doesn’t guarantee success and people need to remember what a good job he has done. No manager can win things every year and trophy droughts do happen, it’s part and parcel of the game.
We were just too inconsistent this year. We put together some good runs but then undid them with some poor results. The first few months, including the 8-2 defeat by Manchester United, were largely a disaster. But the way we turned things around and clawed our way back to take 3rd place was a great achievement. Turning things around like that was a big positive, but to end the season without a trophy again was hard to take. We need to be a lot more consistent and learn how to kill games off sometimes.
We had great games like beating Chelsea 5-3 at Stamford Bridge, winning 1-0 against champions Manchester City with a dominant display. When we came back from 2-0 down against Tottenham to win 5-2 that was a tremendous show of character. Winning 2-1 at Liverpool despite being on the back foot for large spells showed a lot of grit and determination. The second leg against AC Milan in the Champions League was excellent, but a little too late after the game had been all but ended with a poor first leg. We seem to do so much right, but at the same time too much wrong, we need to be a lot more consistent.
Manchester City and Manchester United also had blips in their season, but did far better at recovering from them and thus finished 19 points ahead of us. To finish that far behind the top two is unacceptable and we must improve. Several people thought we’d not even finish in the top four this season especially after the first half of the campaign, so to finish 3rd is testament to Wenger and the squad. But, while it was a good achievement, it isn’t enough and we should be challenging for honours a lot better than we have been in recent years.
After such a mixed season, how have the players faired and what needs to be done?
Van Persie had a sensational season and it was great to see him able to play more games this year and showcase his true potential. But there were not enough other players scoring goals to take the pressure off him. Although I’d love to see a few more players bought in, the most important piece of business Wenger can do is to get Van Persie to sign a new deal. I’d rather keep Van Persie and only sign a few more than sign loads and lose him.
Gervinho looked good taking people on but in terms of his end product he simply did not score enough goals and was not worth the money we paid. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks a superb talent for the future and played well when he was used. But we definitely lacked a natural goalscorer to play alongside Van Persie. So when the news of Lukas Podolski’s signing was announced, I was delighted. If he can produce the goods in England as he has in Germany we have a great player on our hands. But the Premier League is totally different so it is hard to tell yet whether or not he will be a big hit…but I am hopeful! If Van Persie stays, their pairing could help us put together a more serious title challenge.
If we lose Van Persie, however, I fear he will be very hard to replace and it will have a big effect on the overall team morale, which is not the way you want to start a season. It is not the same as when we lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri as Van Persie is an even better player, but if he did leave it could create a similar situation and we cannot afford a poor start to the next campaign. But until anything is announced all the talk surrounding Van Persie is merely speculation and I am hopeful he will stay….just hope I am right!
In the midfield area, Alex Song had a largely excellent campaign and Mikel Arteta seems to have slotted in quickly, with Yossi Benayoun putting in some good displays. Having Jack Wilshere unavailable all season didn’t help but that is no excuse. Despite all the individual talent, we sometimes lacked the composure to kill games off. Our football is often great to watch but sometimes we try to play too many passes instead of just putting the ball in the net.
At the other end of the pitch, Wojciech Szczesny put in several good performances and kept us in more games than he should have had too. Personally, I would like to see us buy a new second choice goalkeeper for in case Szczesny gets injured as I am not convinced by Lukasz Fabianski. The defence has been plagued by injury this season and many players have been forced to play out of position and this has been where our season has been affected most.
Laurent Koscielny is progressing well considering a few years ago he was playing in the French second division. But, despite some positives, the defence on the whole was not good. Injuries didn’t help, especially to the likes of Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna. But that cannot be used as the sole excuse. I am unsure what to make of Per Mertesacker following his first season and Andre Santos seems a bit suspect at the back. But we are definitely still lacking some solidarity at the back and need to add more depth in that department.
The foundations of a great squad are there, but I’d like to see Wenger buy a new second-choice goalkeeper, another defender and possibly one more midfielder. It may also be worth bringing in an extra back-up striker to cover for injuries as Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho simply do not score enough goals and Park seems unlikely to get enough game time to prove himself.
It is really hard to say whether or not we will be competing more seriously for honours next season. If we make a few additions we have the potential to be right up there with the two Manchester clubs, but we have to start strong. There is no reason why that can’t happen, providing we keep Van Persie, but whether we do is another question. Next year could be a big year, but whatever happens I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!
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