Team England 2012?

So, England are likely to field a GB soccer team in the 2012 Olympics. About time too.

But what on earth has been going on behind the scenes and can Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales really justify their decision not to be part of the venture?

Isn’t everyone supposed to be proud to be British? And when it comes to the Olympic Games, shouldn’t standing under the banner of the Union Jack be enough to unite us all?

Obviously not. At least Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have raised no objections to England putting in a team and let’s hope this becomes a reality.

All sorts of sports are now included on the Olympic agenda and England participating in the football tournament would substantially raise the game of soccer. Star players like John Terry, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard have already been touted as the senior players likely to make the squad, with the stage given over to the younger emerging talent. It would be a difficult decision for any footballer to opt out of the chance to win a coveted Olympic medal and England would stand every chance of going for gold. A player could win every trophy under the sun, whether an FA Cup medal or the Champions League, but the honour of owning an Olympic gold, silver or bronze must surely be the highest possible accolade.

FIFA has yet to decide the way ahead and there will be big questions to ask about how the team will actually be selected and what nationality they should be. Will it simply be players born in England who can play for Team GB or could stars who have one English parent and another from Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland also be eligible?

The other big question is would we want them to be included? If there countries make the choice not to participate, then surely that sets the rules? It seems a great shame that in these days of so-called equality, huge divides still exist between England and our neighbours. There continues to be antagonism and the days of one country’s fans cheering on another, despite all coming under the umbrella of Great Britain, are a long way off.

It would be nice to think that a GB soccer team would be just that – a team representing the whole of Great Britain. But it won’t and the only fans cheering them on to victory will be predominantly English. If they win, then everyone behind the venture would be well justified for celebrating an English victory, not one for GB as a whole.
Just one final thought. The man who could make all this a possibility? Would you bet against David Beckham having a major involvement? And after England, sorry Team GB, win the gold at the 2012 Olympics, will it eventually be Arise, Sir David?

English dominance will continue.

English dominance in the Champions League will not end after Manchester United’s bitter final defeat last night. Although it was a Spanish club that eventually won the competition it was still England that produced the most clubs who reached the final stages.

Not one of the other English sides who played in this season’s competition would have got even close to Barcelona last night but the point is that it is English football that creates the opportunities and clearly something is going right in the Premier League.

This final was the fifth year in a row that an English side had made it to the final. It was also about the umpteenth time that Chelsea and Liverpool met each other in European competition and there are no signs why all of the English sides won’t carry on dominating Europe’s biggest prize.

All of the English teams play high quality and good standard football. The difference between them and the Spanish league is that Barcelona are clearly much better than anyone else they currently play against. They beat everyone they play off the park but the English sides are always much closer.

This is why when the Champions League starts each year the English sides fly through the early stages and into the final stages with little more than a trip along the way. Domestically there is little to choose between them and they can all get one over on each other every time they meet. Not many people bear in mind that even though United won the Premier League, they had one of the worst records in recent years for playing the other big teams.

The standard of quality over an extended period of time is so much better. The Premier League is a lot more physical and entertaining and although the Spanish style of play is a lot prettier to watch, we do kind of enjoy seeing teams kick each other up in the air in this country.

If Mr. Platini has his way then English dominance will end and it will be a crying shame that the best sides in Europe on a consistent basis are restricted from playing each other and reaching the later stages just because they have proved they play better football more often than any other country in Europe.

There is nothing quite like a European night when two English sides go up against each other for the prize of going onto play other great teams like Barcelona. If this magic is dispelled then the Champions League will lose a lot of its appeal and glamour and the window for the best league in Europe will be shut because of one man.

English dominance of the Champions League will continue because the Premier League is the highest standard of league in Europe. All of the teams are closer and test each other on a weekly basis, which means that when it is time for mid-week Champions League games they would have already played against a high quality team just days before.

Hull boss promised the funds to consolidate.

Hull City manager, Phil Brown, has been promised funds to make sure his side consolidate and stay in the Premier League. Hull managed to scrape through the last day drama at the expense of Newcastle United who will be playing Championship football next season.

To ensure that the club do not find themselves in the same position next season, Hull’s chairman, Paul Duffen, has promised there will be money available to buy bigger named players when the transfer window opens this summer.

He said: “What we lacked in outright quality we had to make up for in blood, guts and commitment and I'm immensely proud that they got across the line. We go into next year with the squad we've got today and then we can improve on that. That's a huge difference to having to assemble an entire Premier League squad from scratch.”

“We're based on a very good work ethic and you need to add a bit of quality to that. It was difficult. I could give you all the platitudes like 'it's the points you get after 38 games' and 'we got a point more than Newcastle and we deserved to be there', but obviously it was heart-in-mouth stuff.”

“We limped across the line rather than burst though the tape. But we did it and now we've got the chance to learn from our first Premier League campaign, strengthen in the summer, and go forward next year a lot wiser.”

It was a very strange season for Hull who stunned everyone early on when they were beating the likes of Arsenal and Spurs with little trouble at their own grounds. However, a dip in this form saw them win only one match out of their last 22 games and there is no doubt that if they continue this abysmal form next season then they will drop out of the Premier League.

They will fancy their chances of a good mid-table finish though as the calibre of clubs coming up, bar Birmingham City, is not massive. There will be tremendous pressure on Burnley as well as one or two other clubs, which could provide Hull with an opportunity to improve and consolidate. They will surely be delighted with any finish that has them nowhere near the relegation scrap they have just gone through.

Hull now know the specific areas that they are weakest in and have the chance to improve. They are backed by a manager who clearly open minded and has a lot of ambition. Other chairmen could well have said you are not getting a penny and will have to improve this club with the players that got us into the mess this season in the first place.

For now the club should enjoy the feeling of staying up and lap up the partying over the next week or so. However, the time for hard graft will rapidly come round again and no one at Hull will want to go through what they have just experienced ever again.

Relegation day

Tears and cheers

You would have needed a very thick skin not to have been moved by the tears at St James Park as Newcastle lost their Premiership relegation battle.

One point was all the Geordies needed to survive but, once again, fate stepped in to change their history.Seeing the anguish on the faces of supporters as the final whistle blew tugged at the heart-strings. Chaps like these probably never even cry at their child’s school play or at their daughter’s wedding but then football is a very different kettle of fish.

Caretaker manager Alan Shearer remains a hero, of course, and there were immediate calls for him to stay on, take the team by the scruff of its neck and head the Championship table next season.

Let’s face it, it’s going to take an awful lot of work. There was so much talk on relegation day about why such a great team like Newcastle have under-achieved and why they were unable to stay up. Shearer summed it up simply. They were just not good enough.

Shearer’s sensible talk is one of the reasons why he has endeared himself to the nation. No back-sniping. No whinges. No bitching.Shearer always had faith that Alex Ferguson would put out a Manchester United squad which could beat Hull. He did and they did. But that defeat was no good unless Newcastle achieved at least a point against Aston Villa.

How cruel is fate. Damian Duff could have put Newcastle ahead and in the driving seat within the first ten minutes. Instead, as Villa took a strike on goal, the ball took a cruel deflection off Duff whose name went down on the own goal list.

Every script-writer in the land was praying for Michael Owen to come on and score the winner in injury time. It was not to be. Owen hardly had a touch of the ball and looked a pale shadow of his former self. There was only one person who could have come on and saved the game and that would have been Shearer himself. As a player, he never ever gave up, always leading from the front, always going for every ball and never giving up until that last whistle blew.

Of course, it was probably an impossible task for Shearer to save Newcastle, having been brought in with just eight games to go. The damage had already been done with a succession of managers and a team which just didn’t know which way it was going.

Sadly, that direction is down but at least Newcastle can make their mark on the Championship and surely must be promotion contenders even at this stage.Sunderland meanwhile were celebrating staying in the Premiership to the cost of their biggest rivals. But how unsavoury was the reaction of some of their fans?

Before the game, Alan Shearer had the guts to wish them luck, although not too much, he had added with a wry smile.How did the Sunderland supporters respond? With placards asking everyone to laugh at Newcastle’s plight. Ha ha ha.

Come on Sunderland. That’s not just British. Better to follow the example of some of your colleagues who chose humour instead. Who is going to be your next saviour, they asked? Ant or Dec? Hopefully, the answer will be Alan Shearer himself.

England injury list gets longer

Fabio Capello’s injury headache seems to be getting worse by the day with Shaun Wright-Phillips the latest high calibre player to join the injury list. Capello already faces a dilemma in the goalkeeper and defensive positions for England’s big summer qualifiers for the World Cup next year.

The big first choice players all look like they will take part without any problems but the worry is that without much back up then if a Gerrard or Lampard gets injured, there is very little to come in and replace them. It is a thorn in the side for the Italian because he will be hoping that England can secure qualification with six points from their next two qualifying matches.

The depth of the problem is highlighted by the fact that Capello has handed a call-up to veteran right back, Gary Neville of Manchester United. He may also be joined by Nedum Onuoha of Manchester City and the manager of the latter, Mark Hughes, says Onuoha would be the better pick: “''He has really come on this season. He has always been viewed as a kid with huge potential. As an athlete he had the tools to be a top-rate player.”

“If he did get in the full England squad it wouldn't faze him. He is a very level-headed guy.”

England should not have any problems with this current qualifying campaign. They look a lot stronger and tougher than the days of failure to qualify for Euro 2008. The injury news could be pounced upon by a number of players wanting to make an impression. This could well end up lifting the spirit of the side and turn out to be quite refreshing for all concerned.

Opportunities are starting to arise that would otherwise have not been available and whoever gets given the nod by Capello will want to prove to him and all England fans that they are good enough to be able to warrant a regular place in the side. These players will want to make sure that we are all crammed into pubs by midday next summer hoping to cheer success in our thousands.

There is still the massive Champions League final to be played on Wednesday night and no doubt Capello will have one eye on proceedings hoping that no more of his high profile stars goes off with a little niggling injury that keeps them out of any international plans.

However, England should not be down at the injury problems they are facing. It was not too long ago that we took a side over to Germany that was heavily unfavoured by everyone before promptly beating the old enemy with a brilliant display of guts and determination.

This could be the opening of a door for a lot of players, a massive chance to be seized upon and the opportunity for individuals to never look back. It is unlikely that this could happen in any position other than with one of the goalkeepers, but there are a lot of hungry English players and they won’t care who the opposition is if they are given a start.

Ticket prices

Cuts are just the ticket

At last! Premiership football clubs are finally getting the message that ticket prices are just too high. Top outfits like Blackburn Rovers and Bolton are leading the way where others now need to follow.

Clubs in lesser divisions have known it for years. You can’t expect full stadiums if you charge the earth to get in. Even the most die-hard fans are having to take a look at their hard-pressed finances during this prolonged economic recession and it’s not just the cost of the ticket. You have to take into account everything from travelling to the game, whether by car or on public transport, food and drink and, in some cases, overnight accommodation too.

Top clubs who continue to charge vast amounts for tickets need to come down a peg or two. No-one can afford to be conceited any more and think their star players or a great performance on the pitch is enough to secure the fans.

In any event, reduced ticket prices are a way of repaying the loyalty of supporters and breeding new fans amongst the young. There’s nothing so disheartening as seeing a half-full stadium and, conversely, nothing so cheering as a full one.

Of course, sceptics say clubs like Bolton are only reducing their prices because they can’t fill their seats because of their performance. If or when they became highly successful, ticket prices would soon soar.

This is, however, the fourth straight season that Wanderers have either frozen or reduced their prices. For the 2009/2010 campaign, the cost of an adult season ticket goes down by eleven per cent. Tickets for supporters under the age of 21 will be slashed by 39 per cent and those over 65 benefit from a reduction of 22 per cent.

Chairman Phil Gartside says the reductions are a direct result of consultation with fans and a way of saying thank you for their support, as well as encouraging families in these challenging times. Let’s take that as gospel. If the truth is they can’t fill their stadiums, there is no reason not to admit it, regardless of whether it’s because of the recession or the appeal of the club.

Financial incentives like this are vital to keep the game alive. Take my home side, Swindon Town FC for example. Last summer, one of their initiatives was to invite early applications for season tickets. If enough materialised – and the target in this case was 4,000 – then supporters would benefit from a substantial saving. All you had to do was pay half up front which also helped the club’s cash flow.

Unfortunately, the target fell short but it was a great idea which will probably work better the second time round. Everywhere you go at the moment, there are special offers in the shops and stores. Buy one, get one free. Huge discounts. Money back offers. Buy now, pay later.

Football clubs might also like to invest in some good marketing companies to come up with new ideas. That would be money well worth spent and produce a benefit to all.

Trying selling tickets for a good home game at ten pounds, for instance, and let’s see how the stands fill up. If they don’t, at least it won’t be through lack of effort.

Surprise star voted best player.

Manchester City midfielder, Stephen Ireland, has been named the club’s player of the year beating a whole host of bigger names to the club’s highest accolade. Ireland has developed tremendously as a player this season and the award is just what he deserves for having the ability to break through a growing squad filled with bigger names than himself.

City are improving as a club all the time and the financial power the club holds is now public knowledge. The point is that taking this all into account makes what Ireland has done even more impressive. Robinho arrived at the club for big money and Ireland, a youth product, has been deemed as a better player over this season.

However, the good news also brings with it a heavy element of bad news. Ireland’s representatives have so far been unable to strike a deal with the club over a new contract for their best player. The terms of what can’t be agreed on are not known but this is a player that the club need to get to commit if they are going to develop further.

Ireland’s demands are apparently relatively modest considering the wealth of the club and if his requested wages is the main issue then the club need to stop stalling and offer a ‘whatever you like’ type agreement or risk losing a player that has held together a side that has been consistently uncertain of itself this year.

Ireland has the same character as Steven Gerrard of Liverpool. He can drop off and link up with the defence, play off the front man and create space for other players or play out wide and cause headaches to opposition left backs. He also runs his socks off for entire games and never complains when something negative is written about him or when the manager unduly subs him off of the pitch.

The fact that the players in second and third place for player of the yea are both defenders shows that City need much more of an attacking emphasis next season. No doubt this will be reflected in the way they act in the transfer market, but goals, goals and more goals are the only way City will progress and start winning things.

It is also a valid point to make that until they do actually start winning things, they will not actually be able to attract the high calibre players they would like. Although Robinho joined for lucrative wages, the club have failed in a bid to sign Kaka from AC Milan and Barcelona wouldn’t even talk about Lionel Messi, they probably thought it was an insult.

So praise where praise is due, well done to Ireland for a successful season in which he has shown what he can do. City need to bear in mind that sometimes they will have to look a lot closer to home in order to find the players that are going to make a real impact. It is refreshing to see someone who hasn’t been bought for millions or swayed to the club by cash as the person who is getting their biggest award of the year.

Cannavaro makes the move back home.

Fabio Cannavaro has left Spanish giants Real Madrid to return home to Italy and play for his old side, Juventus. The Italian club has signed a one year contract for the side he left in 2006, after Juve were relegated automatically to the second division of Italian football.

This earnt him a massive amount of criticism at the time for effectively jumping ship on a team he was meant to completely represent. However, hopefully these feelings can be eradicated by the fact he has returned and will most likely retire at the club where he played his best football.

The move probably comes at the right time for both teams as well. Madrid will be looking to make big changes this summer and as Cannavaro is getting on in age, a valuable space in the playing squad has been created. Juve have just sacked their manager and look like they will be facing Champions League qualifiers in August.

The Italian side probably needed a lift after all of the negative news that has been coming out of the club over the last week and this could well be the signing that ignites inspiration from within. Whatever has happened in his absence, Cannavaro will want to walk straight back into Juventus and put things straight.

His return carries with it an additional pressure. Due to the way Cannavaro actually left the club, a lot of people will be looking in his direction when it comes to big games. Fans may think this is virtually his club but whether he still has the hunger and desire is questionable.

Speaking in the Italian media, Cannavaro seems relatively happy. He said: “I am happy to be back in Turin and to have the opportunity to again wear the black and white jersey.”

In his short spell at Madrid a lot of Cannavaro’s frailties were exposed. It was quite clear that he was unable to cope with the technical and high paced football, exposed even further by Liverpool when Madrid lost 4-1 at Anfield. The much more relaxed style of the Italian game should suit him better, after all this is where he was brought up and learnt his art.

The decision may well further his career by a couple of seasons. The lack of physicality in Italian football is one of the main reasons Paolo Maldini has probably been able to play for so long. If it were another highly rated and fast paced European league he had moved to then his body would have told him a lot more quickly that it was time to pack it in.

However, for every Juve supporter across Europe, for now they should rejoice in this news. It is a small positive to a club that has been struggling to make strides this season and a club that has all too often under achieved. Although Cannavaro is clearly not as good as he once was, there can be no doubt around the fact that he will kick the club into shape.

Milan rivals join the race to sign Adebayor

AC Milan’s great rivals, Inter Milan, have reportedly joined the race to sign Arsenal forward, Emanuel Adebayor. Adebayor has been linked constantly with a move to AC Milan over the last few days but new reports are appearing in the Italian media that Inter are poised to make a surprise bid to poach him from under the noses of their city rivals.

Jose Mourinho is thought to want Adebayor to link up with Zlatan Ibrahimovich in the Inter front line and create a striking partnership that could penetrate the defence of any team in Europe. Adebayor has been taunted by his own fans in the last couple of games that Arsenal have played, a lack of support that has resulted from all the reports emerging about his future.

It is unlikely that Arsene Wenger would want Adebayor to go to either side but this summer could well be the time for him to move on. Inter seem the better proposition, they are the best team in Italy and have proved they have a lot of fight for the European game. However, AC have been interested for a lot longer and are unlikely to miss out on a target they may have been preparing a bid for over a long stretch of time.

AC also have the added advantage of previous contact with Arsenal, they had an offer for Adebayor turned down last summer before an actual deal could be struck. It could simply be a case of picking up where both sides left the situation. Considering that Mourinho does not want to pay as much as AC Milan have already offered suggests that Arsenal could only be looking in one direction.

However, stranger things have happened in football and when you take into account the fact that Adriano has left Inter to go back to Brazil, it could push the Inter boss into forking out as much as is necessary in order to get his man.

From Arsenal’s point of view all they really have to do is sit back and wait. Wenger is happy to keep Adebayor who has flourished under his management and on the other hand they will quite happily let a bidding war develop between the two Italian clubs.

AC are just starting to get back the momentum they lost a couple of seasons ago when the corruption in Italian football was exposed and high calibre clubs were severely punished. The fact that Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly about to leave the managerial position there could risk the bid for Arsenal’s main striker. However, they will fight, as a number of other people involved in the original bid for him will still be at the club.

Arsenal would do well not to let Adebayor go anywhere. It is clear how far the club are from being as good as they once were and this is precisely the sort of player they need to hang onto if they are going to get back to the golden days. The booing by fans does not help and could well be one of the things that pushes this under rated striker out of the door.

Italian giants let Ranieri go

Italian giants Juventus have sacked their manager, Claudio Ranieri, after a poor run of results saw them make little progress in Serie A. Youth team coach Ciro Ferrara will replace him for the foreseeable future.

Ranieri will be known to most lovers of English football for the stint he spent in charge of Chelsea. It was in West London that he built his reputation as a great tactician and a character that many people found it hard not to fall in love with.

Juventus are fourth in the Italian league, which means the prospect of having to play Champions League qualifiers. The reason that so many teams are dreading the prospect of this is because the rules have been changed to create an open field.

Basically Juventus could get anyone from an established team like Arsenal to a not so established team from elsewhere in Europe. This decision proves the pressure that modern day managers are under in order to go and get high profile results on a consistent basis.

No doubt Ranieri will now have a spell out of the game to regroup all of his energy and passion in order to return better than ever before. There will be a host of clubs chasing his signature and one or two from the Premier League could make an enquiry as he does have the experience of the fast paced English game.

He also has a wealth of experience in European football and showed when his side met Chelsea in the Champions League that despite any gulf between the two sides in terms of quality, he could still work and inspire a team to give anyone a run for their money.

It is a shame he has been given the sack because many people in Italy would probably be the first to admit that he is the exact sort of person you could go for a friendly chat or drink with, without even knowing him. The decision has been made based on purely football reasons only and in a strange way this is a compliment to the Italians character.

Ranieri clearly got on well with the club, there were no rumours flying around for months before hand that he disagreed with the board or the powers at be at the club. All parties concerned just felt that the football was not moving forwards any more and for this reason the manager had to change. He had a good run but could not fulfil the ambitions of the club.

Ranieri will not be the sort of person that would want his next side to meet Juventus in a competition and stuff them out of sight, however satisfying this may be. He would want to meet them and display the gracious character for which he is so admired, proving that they were wrong to let him go and proving that he still has fire inside him to keep him fighting in a game that all so often throws up various injustices. Good luck to him wherever he now goes.

United wrap up the title with goalless draw

Manchester United have wrapped up their third Premier League title on the bounce after a 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford. It becomes the first time since 1999 that United have clinched the title in front of their own fans and caps off yet another efficient league campaign.

In a strange match, it was actually Arsenal who were the more dominant and probably should have spoilt the party. However, United appeared determined to not be broken down and saw out the match, which was met with mad scenes at the final whistle.

United have now drawn level with Liverpool’s domestic record of 18 league crowns and Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping to gain 19 by this time next year. The side will enjoy the next few days but will have the Champions League final against Barcelona in the back of their minds as well as the fact they owe to the rest in the relegation scrap to compete against Hull City on the final day.

Ferguson said: “The great challenge now is to try and win it next year because that would be something special. A 19th league title would give us a special place in the club’s history.”

Minds will have already started thinking about next season and the drama that is unlikely to unfold over the summer. The two main tasks for the United boss is to make sure that two of his best players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, are both wearing the shirt of Manchester United at the start of next season.

Tevez’s substitution yesterday was met with a chorus of boos around Old Trafford and the scenes of Tevez waving to every corner of the ground as he trundled off could well tell a subconscious story.

This was shortly forgotten however, as club captain Gary Neville hoisted the trophy into the air. Neville said: “The best thing about this season is that you can’t name our best side. The whole squad contributed, whether they played enough games to win a medal or not.”

“Liverpool have finished in title-winning form but we have not panicked, we have fought hard and had to show some guts to win it this time.”

United’s rivals will now know just how hungry the manager still is and they will all have to improve if they are to stop United creating history next year. This is clearly the best United squad in history and if it can be kept together then the thoughts of what the side is actually capable of is frightening. The prospect of three titles in a row as well as back-to-back European Cups is truly majestic.

It makes the mind boggle as to what actually keeps Sir Alex going. He has achieved everything he can in football but he will not lie down and retire until he has set a new title record. For as long as his health allows him he will continue to manager the football club and based on this season, they will continue to win things.

Rafa puts the difference down to cash

Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, says the main reason that Manchester United are ahead of his side in the Premier League table is the amount of cash they have to spend. Benitez continues to rattle off the words and excuses as it now seems all but certain that United will wrap up another league crown later today.

Benitez’s point is that every single player in the United squad carries a price tag and capital of a big sum of money, making the side a lot further away from the other teams that many think. However, it is a hard point to believe or go into when you consider the fact that Liverpool spent big money on Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane, the latter of which was sold back to Tottenham at an £8 million loss.

This in irony is one of the reasons United are financially more savvy than Liverpool. You very rarely see Sir Alex Ferguson going and spending £20 million on a player who he then decides he doesn’t like half a year later and then sells him off at a loss.

It is also important to remember that Ferguson built the success of United without the big money that he is now able to spend and it is this original success that attracted the better players and the bigger sponsors.

Liverpool have not had this success and although they may appear lucrative to sponsor because of the stature of the club and the history, in terms of modern success they are a little way off other clubs.

Speaking today, Benitez said: “When you talk about United, you are talking about a side that spends big, big money on every single player, every season. For me that is the main difference between the teams.”

Well arguably United now stand as the third richest club in England when it comes to funds available for transfers, behind the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. The point is that it is not the amount of money that breeds the success, it is how it is used.

Take the example of Everton who have been one of the only teams in the last few years to break into the top four and this is without lavish spending and working on a shoe string budget. It proves that there is still room for hard work in football and although Benitez may believe that money is the main difference, this just seems like the Spaniard grabbing at an excuse as his side’s title challenge has now failed.

Furthermore United have proved that they have a wealth of gifted youngsters at the club, all ready to step into the first team and have a big future as professionals. These are all young men that have not been bought at the peak of their career from another club. It proves that the United academy is functioning well and shows that efficient coaching is another reason for the success.

No doubt Liverpool will spend big this summer, they have to, in order to get closer to United. The point is that it is how Benitez spends the money, not the quantity. This is what sets aside the teams.

Leeds United and play offs

Watch the body language

Who would have predicted it? The Coca Cola Division One play-off at Wembley on May 24 will be between Scunthorpe and Millwall. Hardened punters would have put their money on MK Dons and Leeds United and, let’s face it, they are the two teams which should really be there.

Both played their hearts out during the season, only to be denied at the final hurdle. Scunthorpe and Millwall might well produce a thrilling match but Leeds versus MK Dons would really have lifted the roof. Ironically, it was penalties which played a major role in both Scunthorpe’s success and the failure of Leeds.

A thrilling encounter between Scunthorpe and MK Dons ended without goals after 120 minutes of non-stop action, with the Dons eventually losing out 7-6 in the shoot-out. Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins said afterwards “I enjoyed it” but he must have been the only one. Fans on both sides had no nails left by the end of it.

However, Adkins perhaps provided the clue to their success by revealing his players regularly practise their penalties and their body language and the latter is often the difference between slotting home between the posts or hitting over the bar. “They all looked as though they meant business,” he said.

Scunthorpe keeper Joe Murphy was certainly on fine form and was hailed the hero of the match. Not surprisingly, MK Dons were bitterly disappointed, with manager Roberto Di Matteo believing they deserved to go up after a long hard-fought season and few would disagree. But, as Nigel Adkins conceded, it’s all a bit of a lottery.

Leeds meantime are still counting the cost of a missed penalty by star striker Jermaine Beckford who had been so instrumental in Leeds’ push for the top. His missed spot-kick was incredibly the fifth time Leeds had failed from the penalty spot this season.

Leeds have now failed to make the play-off final for the third time in four years and face a third season in the third tier. A bitter pill to swallow given they had lost only two of their last 17 matches.

Interestingly, manager Simon Grayson and chairman Ken Bates had apparently already made plans for both Championship and League One football next season before the play-offs. A wise move given the previous financial history of Leeds, with the club at least knowing in advance where it stands with players and budgets. It does beg the question, however, of whether there was any tiny element of disbelief that Leeds would be unable to clinch the prize? Just like body language with penalties, can body language be detected amongst club officials too?

One thing is for sure. MK Dons and Leeds will both be gunning for automatic promotion next season and will be leaving nothing to chance. Perhaps fitting in a few more penalty training sessions might be advisable just in case.

Owen on the brink of quitting Newcastle United

Michael Owen is on the verge of quitting Newcastle United at the end of the season as the club continues to be scarred by the prospect of relegation from the Premier League.

Owen is arguably the most high profile player contracted to Newcastle and despite Alan Shearer dismissing the speculation it could well be the case that Owen will start to look for a move elsewhere in order to save his football career and chances of playing for England.

Owen is not a player carrying an ego, everyone on the game, professionals and pundits alike, would admit that Owen is one of the most decent individuals around and his apparent decision is just a case of him doing something he has to do.

It should not attract him negative press or a bad reception from Newcastle fans. All he is doing is trying to adapt to the situation Newcastle find themselves in and if they do go down then a bid of a high amount will have to be taken to help Newcastle cope with the financial impact Championship football would have.

Speaking today, Shearer said: “Michael is a big name player and sometimes you attract headlines. I’m 100% sure he will be playing in the Premier League. Whether that is here or anywhere else, that’s for a discussion at the end of the season.”

Although Mark Viduka and Joey Barton have already publicly promised their commitment to the club you really would not blame Owen from trying to get a move. The days where he was tearing apart defences and ripping into the heart of the Argentina national side now seem long dead.

The point is that Owen still has it in him to play at the highest level and if Newcastle do manage to stay up then there is no doubt that he will stay at the Toon and try to help them consolidate to make sure the current situation never happens again.

He needs to be playing in the top flight and he needs to be playing at a club that has big ambitions both domestically and on the European scene. Many would have seen Owen as an England regular for years to come but injury and circumstance has seen him lose his place that he must be itching to get back.

If he has to leave Newcastle then he is not being selfish and leaving the club high and dry. He is just making the most logical decision at his disposal and you can’t really blame him for not wanting to stay at a club that would mean him simply take another step backwards in his career.

He still has it in him to score over 20 Premier League goals each season but we have just been kept from seeing it for such a long time that his career is starting to suffer. However, while he is wearing the black and white shirt of Newcastle it is pretty obvious that he will sweat blood for the team, but how much longer he is there for is unknown.

Arsenal fans must give Arsene Wenger patience

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has asked the fans to give him the time and space needed for him to rebuild the Arsenal side of his golden age. Fair enough the fans would be quite within their rights to kick up a fuss.

After all it has been four years since Arsenal last won a major honour but the point is that the inadequacies that have recently been shown up in the Arsenal side will not be fixed over night.

The current crop of players that Wenger has been nurturing is just not good enough, besides from one or two names. The current philosophy at Arsenal is a good one, but it is one that needs work with clever activity in the transfer market, as well as clever tactics and faith from the fans.

The side is very talented but it is lacking the special something that links everyone together in the way that Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry did in their spells at the club. Once this is found then it will be the football and only the football that everyone is talking about.

The current pressure on modern football for instant success is very high but if Arsenal want to create a side that demands such respect on a weekly basis then they will have to be patient with the manager, who will be under intense pressure to improve things at the Emirates quickly.

Wenger said: “If we do not deliver in the next one or two years then I will be responsible. It is the most important moment in the life of this club and we have to be strong now and support this team.”

He is right. The side can easily go one of two ways. The first is down a path that will lead to success, but this will only come if Wenger buys right this summer and gets some experience into the side that for all too long has been evidently missing. The other is down a path of doom that will see the current side be overcome by the developing quality in the Premier League.

It is unlikely that Wenger will allow the second of those possibilities to become a reality, as he obviously knows what he is doing in terms of setting the standards of good football. The point is that everyone connected with the club is losing patience having to wait for the first option to happen again.

Wenger knows how to deal with the set backs of football and there is no one better suited to guide Arsenal through this summer than the Frenchman. He knows there is a lot of pressure on him but he also knows that spending money at random will not solve Arsenal’s problems.

If he is given the time, space and respect that he will start turning wrong decisions into right ones then Arsenal will slowly improve. If he can start buying some higher calibre players instead of signing 15 and 16 year olds from established clubs, then Arsenal will slowly improve.

Over all Arsenal are going to slowly improve and it is just the case of whether the board and the fans have the patience to wait for something that could be majestic again.

Manchester United and Real Madrid battle it out for Wigan winger

Manchester United and Real Madrid will battle it out to get the signature of Wigan Athletic winger, Luis Antonio Valencia, at the end of the season. The news could well mean an end to the pursuit of Spurs’ Aaron Lennon by United, as Sir Alex Ferguson seeks a cheaper and more versatile option.

It is also no secret that Madrid are planning a big change of playing staff during the summer and it is thought that Valencia will fit into the La Liga style of play very well. It is much less physically demanding than the Premier League, which could be a big factor when Valencia has to make his decision.

Wigan manager, Steve Bruce, has all but given up on attempts to try and keep Valencia, now admitting he is likely to move. He said today: “It is inevitable Antonio will leave, but where to I am not quite sure. There have been no deals done so far, I keep reading the story but nothing has been done so far.”

So it seems that all parties involved may be waiting for the official end of season or the opening of the transfer window to happen before any action is made. It is a well known point in football that at this point in the year the rumour mill is normally in full flow and this may just be a case of a story getting way out of hand.

However, it is important and necessary to look at where would be best for Valencia if there are some elements of truth. United have proved themselves to be by far and away the strongest team in Europe over the last two seasons and there is no where better for the prospect of success than at Old Trafford.

Valencia also has first hand experience of how good United are and is already settled in England. He is likely to have already learnt the basics of English and if United make a bid then there is little doubt that he would snap the hand off of whoever makes the offer.

However, the history and calibre of Spanish football and Real Madrid is also very lucrative. Valencia is not a big person and he may suit the more gentle style of Spanish football, no doubt the quality would not be the same over the course of the season but he may well be up for the challenge.

Although Bruce is unlikely to disfavour United, having once played for them, he may prefer a bid from Spain as he would not want to see one of his main assets leave to go and play for another English club.

A move to Spain would also move Valencia back to a more familiar setting as it would feel closer to his South American roots despite the geographical gulf. This is a factor that money can’t buy and something United can do nothing about if this is what Valencia is looking for.

Where he ends up is right now a complete mystery. Wigan will have to take the offer that is right for the player and right for the club. United will probably be favourites but the solidity of their interest is unknown.

Carlo Ancelotti close to Chelsea switch.

Chelsea are close to securing a replacement for Guus Hiddink as further reports have emerged that AC Milan’s, Carlo Ancelotti, will step into the Stamford Bridge role at the end of the season.

Ancelotti is rumoured to be increasingly unsettled at Milan and with Hiddink poised to return to his full time post with the Russian national side, Chelsea have been forced to rapidly seek alternatives for the managerial role.

According to English newspaper reports today Ancelotti has agreed a deal in principal to become Chelsea boss when the current season finishes. The problem is that Milan insist their man is going no where and appear likely to be as uncooperative as possible if Chelsea try to force the move through.

Speaking in the Italian media, Milan’s head, Silvio Berlusconi, said: “After Inter drew with Chievo on Sunday I thought we had been given another chance, but Juventus's equaliser against us has blown our chances.”

“It's all Ancelotti's fault. With the players we have we could easily go head to head with Inter. Lots of times this season we have made tactical mistakes. We should have used Ronaldinho more. Too often we gave away goals in the last few minutes of the match. If we lose the Scudetto then it is all down to Ancelotti.”

Ancelotti would be a very high calibre replacement for Hiddink and one that does not know the English game at all well. However, he obviously has a gifted eye in terms of transfers and the European game. He made the move of Ronaldinho to Milan a reality and has been in charge of one of the only teams to break English dominance in the Champions League in recent years.

The most probable reason as to why possible negotiations are cauisng so much unrest at Milan is the simple fact that the season has not finished yet and Milan still have important games to play for. The gap between themselves and their city rivals, Inter, has been huge this season and many blame this on Ancelotti’s constant distractions.

Whether or not he is the best man to take charge of Chelsea is debateable. They would do well tp negotiate with the Russian FA and try to get Hiddink to stay on in a permanent role. This is for the simple reason that yet another new manager would otherwise come in and change things around yet again.

This seems pointless when Chelsea seem to have setled under a simple system and under a manager who does not appear to have a big head. Given the choice Hiddink would probably like to stay there if his Russian ties were taken away. After all England is one of the few countries he hasn’t made it in yet and the players all seem to like him.

The introduction of Ancelotti could turn out to be a master stroke but it could also turn out to be disastrous. There seems no point in throwing away a gifted boss without a fight and destroying what has become a settled team. The fact that Chelsea missed out on the Champions League final by seconds should not be something that is factored in.

Sheffield United secure their place in the £30 million match

Sheffield United have secured their place in the Championship play-off final after beating Preston North End 1-0 last night and 2-1 on aggregate. A bullet header from Greg Halford in the second half was enough to see United through a feisty encounter that never seemed to stop from start to finish.

Both sides were quite rightly going for it and Preston must be praised for soaking up so much pressure and doing themselves and their fans a massive amount of good. However, wave after wave of United attack was too much to hold out and the result probably justified the performance of United over the two ties.

Despite the victory however, one or two problems were highlighted in the game that Reading and Burnley would do well to pay attention to. The defence, lead by veteran Chris Morgan, looked slow and vulnerable to someone with real pace. Also, as always with Sheffield United, they looked a bit lacking in the personal discipline department as on more than one occasion players getting riled was more than evident.

These are areas they will have to sort out ahead of the final because teams are obviously going to look to exploit them. Kevin Blackwell was quite rightly over joyed and feels the promotion would be justice for the club’s debatable relegation from the league in 2007. He said: “A lot of people have contacted the club. They feel it would right a wrong. I don’t think that sits well in English football.”

Well the point is whether you love them or loathe them United are a side with a lot of ambition, but they do need to curb this rearing ugly head that lets them down so many times in terms of arrogance and player discipline. If they don’t then whoever finds themselves in the final beside United will bring a lot more riled fans, ready to make a lot more noise and give their side the extra added push they will undoubtedly need.

Preston can take pride from the fact they got into the play-offs in the first place from an unlikely position. They should not feel down about the defeat but inspired to push on next season and make sure they are promoted automatically in a league that is bound to have a couple more big names coming down.

Alan Irvine has shown himself to be one of the modest and gifted managers in the football league and there is no doubt that he is destined to be at the helm of greater things, if not with Preston then with another big side.

At the moment United probably won’t care who they play in the final but the point is that it is going to be a tougher test than they have just had. Reading will want revenge for the 1-0 United defeat the recently suffered and this is all new territory for Burnley which could mean they have stronger feelings than anyone in the United side. Bring on the final.

Everton and Spurs linked with Welsh winger

Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Welsh winger, Joe Ledley, of Cardiff. Ledley has not signed a new contract for Cardiff and looks to be seeking a move to the Premier League after his current side missed out on a play-off spot.

Everton and Spurs have been reported today as leading the running to sign Ledley if he chooses to leave Cardiff ahead of next season. David Moyes could well get his signature as this is a classic example of his club operating on a shoe string budget and dipping into the Championship to poach the best talent that could easily play at a higher level.

The theory behind a Spurs bid however, is a lot more interesting. Ledley is a player who can operate on either the left or the right flank, in a similar vein to Aaron Lennon. This could be the first signs of a strong hint the Lennon could be on his way out of the club, with Manchester United reportedly ready to make a big bid for him.

An insider at Cardiff has said: “We offered Joe a contract that included a get-out clause which would allow him to leave for a Premier League club but he did not want to know. There is no way we would let him walk away for nothing.”

This is the very problem that Cardiff are faced with. If Ledley sees out the length of his current contract and does not sign anything else which ties him down, then the only bid another club would have to make would be over personal terms as he would become a free agent.

Cardiff quite rightly must try everything they can to make sure that one of their best players does not leave the club for free. Ledley should see sense and make sure that Cardiff are able to net a decent amount of money from his move but it is unlikely that he will want to relinquish any personal virtues that would come his way.

If he does leave then realistically Everton would be his best choice. Spurs will be going for a Champions League spot next season and are much more likely to bring on high profile and better calibre players than Ledley. This would mean if he went to Spurs that he would be sitting on the bench for a large part of his early Premier League career.

Regardless of any amount of personal wealth there is nothing a professional football player hates more than having to sit on the bench and not play. Therefore Everton would offer him a better chance, as they are not at their strongest in the flanking positions.

He would also compliment the Merseyside club’s style of football, which likes to blend experienced players with raw talent and flair. There is no doubt that Ledley will one day get a Premier League move, but let’s hope the personal issues that surround Cardiff are quickly dealt with so both parties can move onto a better future.

Late penalty gives Burnley the edge

A dramatic late penalty gave Burnley the edge in their Championship play-off tie as they secured a 1-0 victory at Turf Moor. Graham Alexander stepped up to score from the spot for Burnley after Reading defender, Andre Bikey, had hauled down Steven Thompson.

The goal gives Burnley a slender lead going into the second leg in what was an otherwise lacklustre match. Reading played out of their skins and probably should have won the game at a canter. The Royals dominated large periods of possession but could never seem to find the cutting edge in the final third.

To make things even worse for Reading Bikey was then later sent to the showers early after he was sent off for a stamp on Robbie Blake. The frustration was all to clear to see on Reading faces as they battled so hard but could not quite get their noses in front. Combined with the inability last week to secure an automatic promotion spot, Steve Coppell’s men now have their work cut out if they are going to make the play-off final at Wembley.

This match was similar to the Preston North End v Sheffield United encounter in the respect that it was so obvious what was at stake for both sides. As these stakes are so high neither team wants to go out flying and virtually secure the match in the first leg and due to this we are treated to not as great football.

Reading’s new system of 4-3-3 didn’t seem to work. It narrowed the side, as the two players supporting the main striker did not drop off enough to make the team a lot wider. They will have to play more freely in the return leg at the Madejski stadium if they are to overturn this difference and run away with the tie.

The score line really did not reflect the match but now Burnley have a chance to regroup and reorganise to make sure they are a lot more compact. Reading played a good game but it is likely to be even better on their own ground, meaning that Burnley will have to be doubly disciplined to make sure they do not throw away their early advantage.

So far there has been a marked difference between the play-offs this year and the play-offs last year. Last year it seemed that the sides were a lot more willing to play expansive and attacking football in order to get a big advantage moving into a second game. The stakes are similar to last year, if not slightly bigger, so there is a slight understanding for more caution this time round.

However, both Championship play-offs are fascinatingly poised. It really is difficult to call at this stage but it would not be a surprise in the slightest if the finalists for this season are decided by the medium of extra time or penalties. Burnley will be happier of the pair so far but Reading are by no means out of it and showed how dangerous they can be at key times.

Reading begin their bid to get back into the top flight of English football

Reading will begin their bid to get back into the Premier League later this afternoon as they meet Burnley in the second of the Championship play-off matches. Burnley by no means must be counted out and will provide an interesting match to the determination that Reading are sure to display.

After missing out on automatic promotion last weekend at the hands of Birmingham City, Reading will be doubling their efforts to make sure that they do not miss out on promotion at the first attempt. Burnley arrive at the match on a fantastic run of form and will be looking to cause the bookmakers an upset.

Burnley will also have the home advantage for the first leg and will be looking to stamp their authority on the tie before the two teams travel back to the Madejski stadium in Reading. Rhys Williams, who has been in top form for 6th placed Burnley, will not feature as his loan deal from Middlesbrough has expired.

They will also have two players facing late fitness tests but otherwise they go into the match at virtually full strength. Former Burnley player, Glen Little, could well feature in the match and will look to cause a big upset to his former side.

Kevin Doyle is likely to replace Dave Kitson after the latter’s poor performance against Birmingham last weekend, but Steve Coppell has no other major injury concerns ahead of the game.

It is a tie that will have big financial benefits and will offer a place in the Premier League to play against England and Europe’s best. Whoever comes out on top over the 180 minutes will have to have played majestically and will be inspired on from their success.

For Reading they will not want another crack at life in the Championship. After the bitter heartbreak of relegation from the Premier League last season they will want nothing more than to set the record straight. Although Burnley shouldn’t feel the under dogs they may feel just this way and approach the game as though they have nothing to lose.

This is a dangerous attitude to adopt but one that could easily turn the first leg of the tie into a massive advantage. If they go out all guns blazing then they could get a one or two goal led, which ultimately could be enough considering Reading’s poor home form of late.

It is a game that guarantees magnificent and passionate football. The stakes are high and both sets of fans will be up for it. The players will either experience sheer ecstasy or the worst feeling a professional football player can probably feel.

A lot depends on the other tie between Sheffield United and Burnley but for now these two will want to take care of their own business and approach the second leg and a possible day out at Wembley in great form. They won’t like the fact that they have to go for it through the play-offs but if it all comes off then what a prize they have waiting at the end of the tunnel.

The race for the biggest prize in football is about to start

The race for the biggest and most lucrative prize in football will start tonight as Preston North End take on Sheffield United in the Championship play-offs. The eventual winners of the final will receive a place in the Premier League, which brings with it nearly £30 million to compliment the endless glitz and glamour.

Sheffield United will be slight favourites for the match, they finished in third place in the normal league table and just missed out on an automatic slot. Preston on the other hand will be buoyed by the fact they managed to sneak into the play-offs from a near impossible position just a couple of weeks ago, something that could well see them through.

Preston will have the home advantage in the first leg and will welcome back winger, Ross Wallace, after a one game suspension. Richard Chaplow and Michael Hart are the only absentees through injury. Sheffield United are missing two players through injury but are otherwise at full strength.

Neither team can afford to sit back and either of the semi-final legs and it will be a classic cup tie atmosphere with the likely winner being the club that just wants it more. A day out at Wembley is not the prize that will be though of, the chance of playing against the best teams in Europe will be.

Drama, passion and excitement are all guaranteed and after the League Two play-offs kicked off last night, the Championship games will move onto the centre stage.

United’s strength in squad depth could see them get an edge after this game. They have the good combination of talent and experience, but the unpredictable nature of manager, Kevin Blackwell, sometimes shoots the club in the foot and hopefully for them this will not be such an occasion.

Preston will do everything they can to get through the tie. The support they have received from the local community could have an impact on the match, in a similar fashion that has been happening at Stoke in the Premier League. Preston have also been at the head of some of the most dominant performances in the Championship this season and there is no doubt that if they are on song then it could be a long night for Blackwell’s men.

Obviously goal advantage is handy but in a match like this it is more necessary not to fall too far behind. The players raise themselves for a big second leg performance so a one or two goal advantage can easily be over turned as the history of the play-offs has shown.

From a neutral perspective many will want Preston to win over the 180 minutes to see yet another new side having a chance at Premier League glory but United have the added advantage of having been there before and no doubt the players that suffered their previous Premier League relegation will not want to let it happen again.

So the advice is sit back and watch the drama unfold, if you have your team to support then get right behind them. For the winners after the two games, their future looks very good.

Arsenal set to offer manager a new contract

Arsenal are set to offer manager, Arsene Wenger, a brand new contract as he continues his search for the formula that means perfect football. Arsenal have now gone a number of seasons without winning a trophy but the club have not forgotten how lucky they are to have one of the best managers in the game in charge.

Wenger’s football philosophy is a brilliant one that makes his Arsenal side one of the most attractive to watch in the modern game. Wenger was in charge of a team that once went a whole league season in the Premier League without losing one game and the club clearly still see something in him to show faith.

The club’s chairman, Peter Hill-Wood said: “Arsene's future is not in question, although I am sure there will be people who have nothing better to do trying to suggest it is. He has another season left on his contract and if he was to ask for an extension we would be delighted. But he hasn't discussed it with us and we haven't discussed it with him. There are other things to think about.”

The news is accompanied by the chairman’s promise to release any funds that Wenger desires this season to improve the squad of Arsenal, whether it be an established big name or yet another up and coming star. This is obviously an area in the club that needs to be addressed after the gulf in class between them and Manchester United was displayed for everyone to see the other night.

Wenger is a good tactician and has a very good football brain. There will be no issues associated with the new contract or stipulations that the Frenchman has to adhere to. He still has it in him to win trophies and he is still passionate to win his first European Cup.

Arsenal would find it very difficult to replace Wenger if the club let his contract run down and decided not to offer him a new one. It is for this reason that they want to secure his services for future seasons as Wenger is constantly being linked with moves to Spain, Italy and other European countries.

Arsenal is very much his club and he is the reason for all of their modern success. He can recreate this, his curent side and development just needs a few tweaks to become better and turn the poor results thay have had in the last couple of seasons into stunning victories.

With everything that Arsenal were winning just a few seasons back, neutrals could not help but hold their hands up and admire the way Arsenal were playing football. Wenger knows what he is doing and a healthy and lucrative contract would be the show of faith that he may look for shortly.

It would also give him and the club confidence to push on and challenge again when fans may start to be thinking that the golden age may never be recreated. Arsenal could do a lot worse.