What a Sunday! Spurs v Birmingham was on television, but I spent the afternoon glued to the BBC match tracker while listening to TalkSport’s radio coverage of the final day of the English Premier League season. At various times throughout the day Wigan, Wolves, Blackpool and Birmingham swapped places in the relegation zone. It was compelling viewing. In the end Blackpool and Birmingham joined West Ham in being relegated to the Championship. Most football fans will be disappointed to see Ian Holloway’s side go down, but few neutrals will shed a tear for the boring Brummies.
Arsenal fans, can you please tell me how your team came fourth in a two horse race?
Arsenal fans, can you please tell me how your team came fourth in a two horse race?
What do Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Phil Scolari, Steve Clarke, Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink, Ray Wilkins, and Carlo Ancelotti have in common? All nine are successful, knowledgeable and respected football men. And, all nine have recently either left Chelsea Football Club of their own volition, or been forced out by their meddling oligarch, Roman Abramovich. Porto’s, Andre Villas-Boas is one of the names being mentioned to replace Ancelotti. The Portuguese coach is on the fast track to coaching stardom and with a number of high profile clubs interested in his services does he really want to take on the poisoned chalice that is the Chelsea manager’s job?
Tottenham’s, Sebastien Bassong is the latest example of a professional football player who is out of touch with reality. According to the Frenchman he has gone through “hell” this year because he is no longer a starter for Spurs. “Hell,” Sebastian is dealing with the aftermath of the Japanese Tsunami; or fighting for one’s country in Iraq or Afghanistan; or losing your home in a tornado; or being fired on by your own army for daring to march in support of democratic reform. Despite what Arsenal fans might think, “hell” is not being highly paid to sit on the bench at White Hart Lane.
Who was the idiot that scheduled the first royal visit in 100 years and the first ever UEFA final in Dublin on the same day? The Queen of England became the first British monarch to visit Ireland since 1911. She was in the city at the same time as thousands of Porto and Sporting Braga fans were at the Aviva Stadium, sorry Dublin Arena (silly UEFA marketing rule) for the Europa League final. By all accounts security in the city was exceptionally tight and transportation severely restricted. One shudders to think what UEFA and Irish authorities would have done had Scottish side, Rangers qualified for the final.
Manchester City will be one of the team’s competing for the 2011-12 English Premier League title, but only if they manage to convince Carlos Tevez to stay at the City of Manchester Stadium. City without Tevez are pedestrian, one dimensional and lack creativity, despite the best efforts of David Silva. Tevez provides City with more attacking intent and an end product that some of his teammates cannot replicate. Should he leave City as now seems likely, they will only win the league if manager, Roberto Mancini can persuade Cristaino Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to sign for the blues.
US midfielder, Lindsay Tarpley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee and will now miss the Women’s World Cup in Germany. Tarpley is a talented and experienced player and will be a major loss to Pia Sundhage’s side. The US can win the World Cup without Tarpley, but they will have no chance in Germany if anything happens to forward, Abby Wambach.
US midfielder, Lindsay Tarpley tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee and will now miss the Women’s World Cup in Germany. Tarpley is a talented and experienced player and will be a major loss to Pia Sundhage’s side. The US can win the World Cup without Tarpley, but they will have no chance in Germany if anything happens to forward, Abby Wambach.
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