The business period of the domestic football season is upon us; twists and turns, sackings and appointments. Cup upsets have been and gone and now it's the fight for promotion, survival or qualification for Europe. Only those experiencing mid-table boredom are free from attacking the drinks cabinet. From Premiership to League 2, it's a proper scrap and no-one is daring to predict the outcome.
The great Manchester United, masters of the big stage in British football were truly found out in the F.A. Cup by a fluent and eager Arsenal side containing recent discard Danny Wellbeck; who scored the winning goal. The fact that Wellbeck, a player Van Gaal confidently suggested could not score enough goals, executed a crucial one to extinguish his former employers, mentors and heroes (we might be forgiven for saying family because that is what United meant to him) until they dumped him at the Emirates for a measly £16 million bargain. British football has entered a brand new era; the history books will read that Manchester United failed to secure silverware for the second season in a row. At least David Moyes was able to lift the Charity Shield! Watching the entire game on Terrestrial BBC Television, somehow felt properly old-fashioned and free to all without betting adverts bombarding us for a change! The job for Van Gaal though is now critical, philosophy or not the next 5 fixtures locking horns with rejuvinated opponents will surely define his and United's season in ruthless fashion: Spurs, Liverpool, Villa, Manchester City and Chelsea await and the world is watching, Corporate Manchester United is holding it's breath, if not already calling the Samaritans. There really is no more to add, let's wait and see!
So, Chelsea won their first trophy under Mourinho at Wembley, at a canter. It came as no surprise that the clinical juggernaut would roll them over the line and very few of us are looking anywhere else for the winners of the title race, in truth. As it happens, Chelsea have stuttered but so too have their rivals. The true examination of high-end quality at the Bridge comes when they line up against Paris St Germain. So much hinges on this, not least the racial dynamics following incidents on the Paris metro with a certain French commuter of colour. Chelsea have to get all aspects of this game right; on the pitch, the diplomatic front and in the stands; the responsibility of football's morals suddenly sits on their shoulders. But, in reality, it should be a straightforward victory, with the said gentleman being given the treatment of a royal dignitary and sterner tests await in later rounds. This is a trophy Chelsea quietly want to win; and be seen to be winning with all the integrity of European giants. Failure would invite ridicule given the financial investment afforded to Mourinho - many here and abroad especially in Madrid are following closely.
Manchester City have endured a wretched time recently. The artists of Catalonia beat them with such a gulf in class, one had to be reminded that it was a competitive Champions League fixture; viewing was frankly painful. For all his bravado, Pellegrini is fooling no-one with his sound-bytes about being still in the tie; quite simply they are not. Losing at Anfield to the ever improving Liverpool was a double blow and Pellegrini knows it. I feel that his season ended the moment the team chose to return late on Friday night following their warm weather break in the Far East, before losing to my team Middlesbrough at home the following afternoon. I find it inconceivable that Mourinho, Wenger or Ferguson would have made that error and then try to dress it up as trivial nonsense. It is upon such small details that titles are won or thrown away ask Kevin Keegan.
Liverpool are, despite losing Luis Suarez, a realistic proposition for the top four. Their victory over Manchester City was conclusive and Phillipe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling alongside a refreshed Daniel Sturridge are starting to look the part, with each league match. Sadly, they failed to progress in the Europa Cup and also have made heavy work of attempting to beat Blackburn Rovers in the F.A. Cup but one senses that the gathering of experience for future battles is the intention for the club. Improvement is being plotted very carefully and the strategy is quietly effective. How Manchester United must wish that Ian Ayre and not bungling Ed Woodward was their Chief Executive! Steven Gerrard leaves at the conclusion of this season and everyone is hoping that he does with F.A. Cup trophy raised aloft on his birthday at Wembley. Regarding his departure, sentiment had to be second to sound reasoning and a move to America is the best outcome for everyone, will it be with THAT winners medal?
Arsenal remind me of a few thrifty acquaintances that are one step away from really enjoying life to the full if only they would open their wallets and spend some cash! Arsene Wenger is without doubt a very smart man; his press conferences are akin to high level university lectures. He talks a great game, is highly respected etc but now the bar in world club football has been raised and he needs a squad that can compete at the highest level. The victory at the Theatre of Dreams was significant psychologically but the capitulation of the team against Monaco was pitiful, being bullied and out-thought by players such as Dimitar Berbatov did hurt Gunners fans everywhere and watching neutrals. With the belief of momentum begun in Manchester, Arsenal unlike Manchester City do have the ammunition to overturn this fixture. Arsene the academic lives and breathes football for this type of challenge, so expect a robust rearguard action and for Giroud to find his shooting boots with Walcott, Cazorla and Sanchez as his assistants. The Gunners traditionally reveal a soft under-belly around this period of the football calendar but this season, following that timely F.A. Cup boost, a fiercely competitive run-in could become reality.
I want to say that Tottenham will be in the conversation for Champions League football, with Harry Kane scoring for fun and Pochettino running the show but somehow, they just lack the extra ounce of quality to unlock the golden gate to an elite existence. Despite that, their progress this season has been resolute and I expect them to be realistic challengers for the top 4 next season if they fail this time around; as I suspect they will.
I also want to include Southampton in the mix but even with the excellent Ronald Koeman at the helm, something steely, resolute and creative is lacking from their fighting artillery. A Europa place would be a deserved achievement given the negativity that pervaded the air around St Mary's following the huge number of high marquee players leaving last summer. The bottom line is very healthy and the business model is looking a great deal smarter than many of us were predicting but to become and stay a top 6 side they cannot afford another exodus of players.
Mid-table obscurity has been well earned by Stoke and especially West Ham whose manager Sam Allardyce has been nothing short of brilliant - but don't ask the West Ham board to agree with me! Forget playing the West Ham way, forget the romanticism of 'I'm forever blowing bubbles,' if big Sam leaves their expansive football may return but, mark my words, they will drop back to the Championship once again. The Hammers must learn to be careful what they wish for; occupation of that Olympic stadium is getting closer. Gold and Sullivan need to say to Allardyce "Same again Sam, carry on as before. We'll back you!" Otherwise they too will be hoping to appoint Tony Pulis next January for a crash course in survival!
Down at the bottom, the battle for survival is terrifyingly close. Logic suggests that the three sides that came up will return, but my heart wants to disagree strongly. Burnley have learned the ability to compete and roll the dice; it may land in their favour - fortune does favour the brave. Leicester sadly need a cool head on the touch-line and Nigel Pearson has, for me, cracked too many times under pressure and the business end of the season will like nothing he has experienced so far. As for Q.P.R. they just seem to be a couple of notches below the required level in too many departments to survive. I sense that Harry, despite his obvious talent as a motivator is fighting a losing battle. Although I am yet to be convinced by Tim Sherwood as a manager, Aston Villa will stay up as well as Roberto Martinez and Everton. Both managers have a huge task next season especially Martinez whose players simply did not do the business for him. Lukaku simply hasn't delivered enough times for his club and his lack of goals has created tremendous pressure on the rest of the team and sadly challenged the belief system of a very talented and capable squad. On the other hand, Sherwood has to deal with the passengers amongst his playing staff, discard them, re-invigorate them, fine-tune the squad for next season otherwise the Villa will be looking on from the Championship next time around. Hull will always scrape by, but Steve Bruce has an excellent and hard-working squad that deserve to survive and continue to empower the people of Humberside. Further up the coast, Sunderland despite such an array of talent always seem to be one step away from a disaster; Gus Poyet is an excellent manager but like Nigel Pearson, he is developing a talent for self-destruction that he needs to swiftly discard, or he and the Wearsiders could be overtaken by Burnley.
My team Middlesbrough are involved in a tight battle for the top spot with Bournmouth, Derby, Ipswich, Norwich, Watford and Brentford all seperated by 5 points! An impressive group of very slick units marshalled by fabulous managers with excellent play-makers and goal scorers. Because all the top sides are playing one another, the scenario should become clearer by mid-April, but I am ever hopeful for the 'Boro, with their impressive manager Aitor Karanka; a man who everyone is becominging evermore aware that he was Mourinho's assistant at Real Madrid. His quiet but confident efficiency has impressed many and ultimately the big stage of Premier League football will be richer for his presence. Let's be frank, the top league will benefit greatly with any of those managers are striving for glory.
The money pouring into Premier League has made the pursuit of success a desperate cause for some clubs. Greed is beginning to overtake the considered view and one senses that could be a defining moment for a club as they edge towards and ultimately down the trap-door. Although the game we love and adore is a ruthless business, somehow it has retained it's excitement as a spectacle for us the watching fans. One hopes that the substance continues to be given due consideration though because it must be noted that despite that much desired finance, our best teams seem to be getting found out more and more by middle ground European teams at the high table. Let's hope that is a blip and that the greats of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea can rise again to roar our British presence (cue the music for 'Land of Hope and Glory!') against the best of the rest. Closer to home, it's 'squeaky bum' time as a certain Scotsman used to say! Come on!!
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