I have wanted to write this blog on so many occasions but things get in the way and the life and times of a Maestro has been a busy one! I was fortunate, thanks to the generosity of the Hartley family to watch Manchester United play Real Madrid in the Champions League at Old Trafford a few weeks ago; being there was an education. Having watched England struggle to draw against Montenegro was illuminating. Observing so many managers being shown the door has been mind-boggling.
Let's start with the National team. England are, in world terms, a reasonable unit with one or two notable players but are developing a soft underbelly. Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard proved what great footballers they are, Danny Wellbeck, Michael Carrick and Joe Hart earned their growing reputation, the rest are a reasonable bunch of Premier League players who have learned how to exist at the top table. Tonight, one or two of them proved that when the pressure is truly on, they are found wanting. Joleon Lescott is generally a good honest defender, tonight was his opportunity to show the world that worrying about the absence of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry was a wasted emotion; he failed to achieve that but was good enough...just. Chris Smalling could one day be a top class defender, but right now he lacks enough nous to deal with nights like these at this level, and with Johnson giving away the ball more times than my late Sunday School teacher Uncle Jack handed out Jelly Babies, such was the charmed existence of the defence in the second half. In the first, Rooney silenced his harshest critics and scored a critical early first goal; his performance was exemplary and dispelled the myths that his form was on the wane; his team-mates, despite controlling the first half should have pursued a ruthless second but it didn't materialise. Television pictures showed Roy Hodgson, at times, looking more like a hopeful punter playing roulette than an assertive England manager prowling the technical area, during the intensity of the second half. He must now know he should have switched things before the equaliser came. His opposite number, who revelled in the full glare of media scrutiny during the build-up, by contrast sensed blood and made bold substitutions that both ignited the crowd and tellingly seized the initiative but thankfully, due to poor finishing, in the final analysis they were just like us...too reasonable to find that winner. In the ITV studio, Roy Keane pulled no punches and declared England to be far too toothless, given the true stature of the opposition; unlike the Madrid game he called it right! On reflection that underbelly has been with us since 1970 and will probably take more than a few abdominal crunches to tighten!
THAT eagerly awaited Champions League fixture at the beginning of March was a true spectacle and until Nani's sending-off, an evenly poised tie. But, where Hodgson failed with England, Jose Mourinho had that instinct to seize the moment and win the match. These are the moments that define great managers and he proved his worth in the match when Kaka and then Modric were introduced; two magicians who had the ability to unlock the tie and ultimately allow Cristiano Ronaldo to score a decisive winner. All 22 players on that pitch were World Class, the quality was truly that good. Wayne Rooney's selection on the bench was a tactical one, that nearly paid off - all the hysterical speculation that followed was nonsensical; both parties need one another. For me the F.A.Cup loss to Chelsea proved that decisively. BUT! Did Nani deserve to be sent off, when I watched it live in the stadium, I first thought the foul was being given the other way!! Having watched the replays, I think that the foot was high but at worst, it was a booking. We will never know whether Manchester United would have won the tie, but my gut feeling is that Real Madrid would have sneaked it, but don't tell my groom Ben Hartley, he's still moaning now!!
Elsewhere in the Champions League, I am excited about the remaining matches in this great competition. Despite the heroics, Arsenal were always destined to struggle against a strong Bayern Munich outfit packed with experience. Bayern and Juventus, for me is still the tie of the round although I expect Bayern to push through their two-nil advantage in the usual efficient German way. Watch out too for Borussia Dortmund, an under-rated German machine of chillingly ruthless quality that could embarrass one of the leading lights; they will cast lowly Malaga aside with a routine swagger; despite a tepid first leg stalemate this week. Paris Saint German are playground bullies in a weak French League, but the Champios League is another level; and after a well fought first leg avoid defeat, expect the fluent Catalan outfit to win the second leg easily. Galatasaray and their fans were mere passengers in an exhibition match of gentle torture with Real Madrid to lose three-nil in that first leg. Jose Mourinho wants to win this trophy very badly and will probably order his troops to destroy the Turkish Champions ruthlessly in Istanbul to put down a marker for evryone else to ponder. All the second leg ties will be mouth-watering fayre, but without any British involvement, for the first time in a while. That though really is not significant, because with a couple of transfer windows big names can dramatically migrate into our league and transform the wider spectrum. Who will win? I think the winning captain who lifts the trophy will be in Spanish colours, but cannot decide which of them it will be.
Turning our attentions to our domestic league, who will be relegated from the Premier League? There are many serious contenders:
Despite having Harry 'Houdini' Redknapp, after watching Queens Park Rangers lose to Fulham, I had to agree whole-heartedly with Sky Television pundit Gary Neville when he surmised that the West London side are making too many defensive errors. Their forward line is excitng and full of goals, which any team chasing success needs in abundance but at the back, their lack of concentration will condemn them. For all the talk of endeavor and honest grit, Reading are just a little too short on top end excellence to survive this season, despite appointing Nigel Adkins this week as their manager to succeed Brian McDermott. There is a widely held argument that many of the remaining fixtures are winable, but my observation of this league is that tight matches such as these are won by moments of brilliance; Reading do not have those individuals. Everyone was shocked when the news emerged about Brian McDermott sacking but on closer examination of the Adkins media briefing it emerged that funds were available in the transfer window for McDermott according to Reading owner Anton Zingarevich. One senses that he was irked by the suggestion in the press that a system of austerity was hanging over the manager like a cloud. I think that decision makers at football clubs need to come clean and face the full glare of the media so that we, the fans cannot appreciate the full facts. Whilst Adkins' former club Southampton baffled us all by removing him so swiftly just before Christmas, a frank explanation in person from Nicola Cortese would have gained him greater respect from us the fans but, it must be said that in Mauricio Pochettino they have a bright new manager who, given time, could make a huge impact; the only question about this young Argentinian, is an ability to win enough Bread and Butter matches consistently. For the big fixtures, he has despatched the high marquee opposition with relative ease, but has stumbled in less glamorous company. That is the DNA of a great cup winning side, but these days despite the continuing romance of the 'Capital One' and 'F.A. Cup' the Premier League is everything, ask Birmingham City!! Martin O'Neil has been widely acknowledged as a talented man-manager but somehow at Sunderland with significant investment, his apparent midas touch desserted him very dramatically. My feeling is that the operational aspect of coaching and managing elite footballers has maybe passed him by. His sacking at the weekend was an indication that an obsessive desire to retain Premier League status is a chillingly harsh reality for all Premiership chairmen. The stats, sadly for Martin O'Neil, did not lie, they were bottom of the form league for a considerable time before plummeting down the table over time. Ellis Short has probably been contemplating the axe for sometime, and despite upbeat words in Saturday's match programme against Manchester United, the manner of defeat was probably a step too far. espite all the debates about his alleged political stance, it is widely considered that appointing Paolo Di Canio is a huge risk at this level. When I quizzed the current Cobblers boss recently about his ill-fated stint as manager of Watford in the Premier League; he was at pains to point out that the wider spectrum of media scrutiny was near impossible to deal with on top of the portfolio of the job itself. Paolo Di Canio may have enjoyed being centre stage as Swindon's emigmatic boss, but being pursued by the Fleet Street hacks is a different ball game to those friendly awe-struck folks at the Wiltshire Gazette and the Swindon Advertiser. I expect for all his passion and good intentions for the whole thing to end in tears; I hope to be proved wrong because watching him holding court will be compulsive viewing! But, for all the talk of being entertaining, only one thing matters and that is results. Then, there is Wigan who are currently winning those defining 50-50 matches and fighting this campaign with familiar strength, technique and desire; but could this be, despite some big performances, a step too far. They could be saved by the fact that Manchester City and Chelsea remain in the F.A. Cup, so realistically they won't be expected to win it, which could work in their favour; just ask Everton! Once again Roberto Martinez knows his position is safe; once again that simple knowledge that your chairman REALLY backs you is a huge boost and THAT my friends gives him the greatest advantage of all. Also in the mix is Aston Villa! Paul Lambert, a man who is in danger of taking one of the biggest clubs down to the Championship in Premier League history. How and why the Villa are in this predicament, is a mystery. I cannot yet decide whether the catalyst is Randy Lerner himself, the over-spending of past managers or Paul Lambert believing that a Brendan Rogers-type ethos of nurturing young talent to manage the finances will suffice to 'tread water for a season or two' before the youngsters 'grasp the script' with a few older heads sprinkled in. If the latter is true then Villa really do have a problem. Darren Bent is a proven goalscorer who has England pedigree, but somehow Lambert doesn't fancy him; which has left everyone bemused. The truth will emerge one way or the other, and I for one will be intrigued to hear the facts of the piece. But for the present, Villa need to win games and amass points. Relegation will not be a disaster but humiliation as a word does not even touch the sides! I am concerned for them, because the other teams, Reading and Q.P.R. apart have hit their stride and will do just enough to escape the drop. The critical character is the new Sunderland manager, he will either explode the team into life or implode, the latter, could be Villa's saviour. Despite a few wobbles, I am expecting Alan Pardew to avoid being sucked into the whirlpool of despair but, next season he needs to address the backbone of his team as a matter of urgency or he WILL be playing Middlesbrough regularly in the Championship once more!
Are Liverpool making progress? Yes, but could do a lot better. Steven Gerrard has for too long been the talisman in a club that has been in desperate need of a manager that knows how to fight battles and win major honours. Re-building Liverpool Football Club is a simple job, competing with the Gladiators of world club football is an immense task. The world has changed immeasurably since Liverpool dominated the domestic scene; in football terms. It currently resembles a mini-market compared to the gargantuan hyper-market brands a stone's throw away down the M56 that exist as their opponents. The words 'This is Anfield' do not match the tingling feeling I felt when uttering the words 'The Theatre of Dreams' when I performed at Old Trafford last week on Good Friday for the Hartley/Course wedding. And that is the type of ascent Liverpool need to be making. It is a complete package that is needed and the club needs to make major signings who can dictate the Marketing Campaigns of the Corporate and Merchandising Departments off the pitch as well as attracting more marquee names onto it. I have already stated on other media forums that Manchester United is a smart organisation from top to bottom that leaves everyone else standing. Having Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge leading the line next season is an absolute must for the reds, and Brendan Rogers needs to fight to keep those two players and then sign a top quality central defender and a charismatic midfield general with something to prove. There is much more work to do...
I cannot write an Easter blog without mentioning the mixed fortunes of my two clubs; Middlesbrough and Northampton Town. Aidy Boothroyd has nurtured a winning team and despite losing at Cheltenham on Easter Monday, should have enough gas to achieve automatic promotion to League 1. On the other hand, the 'Boro have fluffed their lines time and time again, like Liverpool, that real cutting edge has deserted them at critical times; Wolves should have been put to the sword on Saturday long before Half-Time, yet they managed to lose that game as well. An exasperated Tony Mowbray needs a win to get the Teeside engines firing again and build a winning run in the business end of the season. Reading emerged victorious last season from a very tight league, and will, as discussed above, sadly return to the Championship but any team with a late burst can make the cut; let's hope that we can those goals and instigate a few shut-outs! Come on 'Boro!!!
So much to debate, discuss, dispute! The clocks are forward, British Summer Time is here, The wedding season is underway and the conclusion is nigh! Dust down those Barbeques, the weather will improve...eventually!
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