Kate (or should we like the Broadcast Media call her Catherine!) has married William. The nation learned how to be a community once more; most of us enjoyed something akin to the Christmas period...without the family politics. It's been a great weekend!
Since I last entered my distinguished thoughts on the blog, a great many unusual things have happened in the great game we call Football. What the hell is happening to Tottenham? How did Arsenal suddenly become a great side, now that they cannot win a thing! Where did Liverpool come from to be in 5th place? Why have Manchester City started to become a team? And how did Berbatov miss THAT chance at Wembley? Did Middlesbrough really just spank Cardiff City in their own backyard? Could Chelsea really pip United to the Premier League title? Who will really be relegated from the top league? Let's discuss:
Tottenham! Has that first leg defeat in Madrid really shown them how far behind the true power-brokers they honestly are. Until THAT match, everyone I seemed to speak to was suggesting that 'Arry's got the midas touch. Not anymore! Swimming with the sharks is an acquired skill; cast your minds back, Manchester United took six years to win the Champions League finally in 1999 and have only won it once since; and if we're truly honest both victories were fortuitous. And if we're brutally honest, they may beat Schalke on Wednesday but when I hopefully take my seat at Wembley for that end of May final, it will surely be Barcelona lifting the trophy that night, or will it? I fear that Tottenham have been naive, they have enjoyed the run so much that they have forgotten that they needed to leave something in the tank to qualify for next season. Sadly, they may not even make the Europa Cup which is a shame. Harry, for me, on that evidence has not proven himself to be ready for any meeting of the greatest minds in International Football.
Arsenal! Come on Mr Wenger! I can hear the fans moaning...under their breath. They dare not say it out loud because we all know how fab the Emirates is on a first visit and how the football is as lyrical as a Rossini Aria. But we real fans, that pound the motorways and have stood in dreary uncovered away ends on freezing nights of driving rain with no more that the stadium king-size burger and chips for respite, not to mention over-zealous stewards, that when your team wins the match: Everything was worth it. When I look at Arsenal fans, I think of lads on the pull who at the end of the night have loads of new numbers in their mobiles but no conquest about which to blag on Facebook. Arsene, come on man, you know the script by now, pay the money get the fans an ugly hero that terrorises the opposition and gives the Gunners' fans a new chant to learn.
King Kenny is quietly restoring consistent respect to Merseyside. On quiet reflection, Liverpool look frighteningly good (as good as the 'Boro did this evening when they played Cardiff off the park!). A Liverpool team back in September would have struggled to despatch this Newcastle team that are led so honestly by Alan Pardew; he'll never be more than a sandwich filling, nothing personal but the Geordies need an icon, but that's for another blog! Watching Torres floundering and Andy Carroll flourishing, Daglish conducted the right piece of business at the right time. Keep your eyes on Liverpool next season; they will win at least one trophy.
I am genuinely pleased for Roberto Mancini, that he finally defeated Manchester United in a high-profile Semi-Final. As he himself acknowledged, The Red Devils and their followers know the Filling Stations on route to places like Wembley without the use of Google Maps, but for City, it WAS a big deal. That belief is evident everywhere now, even the fans' voices on the Radio Phone-in shows have more presence, they feel that they belong now; more importantly, I strongly believe that they will defeat a good Stoke City team and lift the F.A. Cup and win their first trophy on top of that 4th Champions League spot.
Fernando Torres will justify his £50 million fee instantly, if he scores on Sunday against Manchester United and Chelsea win the match; it's that simple. I am not convinced that he is the same player he was prior to his injury last season. I believe that he will score goals, but unless Chelsea completely overhaul the playing staff to suit his playing style, his existence at Stamford Bridge will be a frustrating experience similar to Andy Schevchenko. I hope that I am proved wrong because I think that the Premier League currently lacks real Box Office stars and Torres has the pedigree to be one.
Manchester United could very easily end this season without a trophy. Like Chelsea and Arsenal before them, they are in a most definitive 8 day period of their season, and have already lost the first match, to Arsenal, which has increased the pressure. We will learn just how good a manager Sir Alex Ferguson truly is in the month of May. Assuming that United can negotiate Schalke, he will be pitting his wits against a talented young manager in Pepe Guardiola or the Master Psychologist Jose Mourinho in the Champions League. To add to that burden, he has to outfox the battle-hardened Carlo Ancelotti this Sunday in a must-win battle at the Theatre of Dreams and motivate, freshen and inspire an experienced, alert and innovative squad that in all honesty is depleted of great depths of energy. To achieve one trophy will be a great success, to add the Champions League he would deserve Sainthood. Let's wait and see if he and the Late John Paul become equals.
Despite the fact that we are entering the silly season of Weddings, Concerts, Events and seemingly a million other things, be rest assured that I will not be far away from the concluding business of our great football season. I have one wish, and that is for Blackpool to survive for another season in the top flight because in the absence of numerous true football stars, we need that romance. I honestly think that West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers will depart from the Premier League. Apart from that, I will accept any outcome with open arms, whoever wins will have deserved it, and really, we are all winners because it's been the most compelling football season most of us have enjoyed for some considerable time.
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