A quick answer from Old Trafford is no, while the Russian at Stamford Bridge is in favour. There is hardly a universal answer, but most teams sitting at the bottom of the Premier League decided to put the blame on their former managers. It can only be known in May how effective their moves are. The Linesman pre-assesses case-by-case whether the decisions of the board are justified.
Reading: Was it the manager’s fault?
They have surely produced some entertaining football. Two goals in the last ten minutes frustrated Chelsea; leading Manchester United three times was nullified by conceding four goals before the interval; and the improbable 5-7 loss in Capital One Cup, despite leading Arsenal 4-0 at half time.
Yes they can score, but they are better at giving away goals. Brian McDermott could not elevate the team to another level, but in fact, the quality of the squad and their playing style are just short of Premier League standard. Being the best defensive team in Championship last season, limited emphasis were placed on further improving their defence. This only made their mission even harder.
Is solid defence what Nigel Adkins is going to bring? He was more well-known for leading the exciting and attacking Southampton. Even if he is an expert in defence, how influential could he be with six matches to go?
Sunderland: A little bit too late?
In contrast to Reading, the Black Cats can’t quite find a way to score. 7 goals in 9 matches since Danny Graham has joined is not what Martin O’Neill anticipated. The spending on Steven Fletcher, Adam Johnson, as well as the existing talents of Stephane Sessegnon and James McClean hardly manifested on the scoresheet. Martin O’Neill has failed to transform the attacking form he brought to Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light.
The decision to farewell O’Neill only came when the alarm started to ring – currently at the edge of safety zone on goal difference. The aggressive and controversial Paolo Di Canio is appointed, attempting to re-ignite the team. With the Italian made himself available a month ago, has Sunderland left it all a bit too late?
Aston Villa: Staying faithful
The humiliating 0-8 night at Stamford Bridge was followed by two more white-washed defeats. Entering the year 2013 on a low, Aston Villa is starting to discover the way of winning. The somewhat stubborn Paul Lambert is adamant youth is the key to success. There might be more experienced players in the squad than Andres Weimann and Christian Benteke, but their enthusiasm and desires are what Lambert embraces. There are occasionally schoolboy errors, but the growth and improvement throughout the season is encouraging and a sign that Lambert is keen for long-term development rather than a stepping-stone onto a bigger club. Although still far from guaranteeing Premier League status next season, their tolerance and faith towards Lambert is a rarity and at least a partial success in the realistic world.
Southampton: Doing it the right way?
David Puncheon rescued the Saints at Stamford Bridge, but could not save the job of Nigel Adkins. It was a debatable decision to sack the manager on a high. Now it proves Pochettino is indeed the right man to rely upon.
The Argentine is able to bring Southampton to the next level of football with the same crop of players. Utilising the work rate and pace of their frontline, characteristic in the Championship last season, Pochettino advocated a high pressing style, which further eases the pressure at the back. It is a risky tactic but Southampton has been executing it close to perfection, in particular Ricky Lambert and Jay Rodriguez. Victories against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City say it all. There is more work to be done before claiming it safe, but the Saints are looking very confident at this crucial stage of the season.
QPR: It is Just All Wrong
They have got quality players; they knew Mark Hughes’ philosophy did not work; they made the right decision as early as in December. Unfortunately, it is the players that disappoint the supporters and left Harry Redknapp dejected.
The ex-Tottenham manager first restored the order by solidifying the defence. The arrival of Loic Remy, Andros Townsend and Jermaine Jenas represents stage two of the fight for survival — playing to win. Just when it seems they are about to produce a miracle, they self-destructed. Christopher Samba was worryingly clumsy at Craven Cottage, raising doubt if the seldom-used Nedum Onuoha is even fitter. Bobby Zamora’s ruthlessness and more crucially Stephane M’bia’s indiscipline took away the important 3 points against Wigan.
These are all out of Harry’s hands, who has already done a marvellous job to restore hope for QPR. While the board made a logical decision in managerial change, it could be the promised relegation clauses that contributes to the lack of fighting spirit in Loftus Road.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
Fan power is alive and kicking, just ask Chester FC
Saturday 6th April saw one of the most studied football turnarounds completed in record time and I for one was delighted to see Chester FC “Return” to the Conference just three years after going completely out of business. Cast your mind back to March 2010, Chester City FC as was were in the Conference, unable to complete fixtures, fans were boycotting games which in my opinion is the death knell for start! At the same time the club were financially wrecked with players going on strike and the future looked non-existent. It was a difficult time for a club that had realistically been struggling for 20 years since they left their Sealand Road ground then had to play for two seasons at Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose ground, a 70 mile round trip as the crow flies. Yo-yoing between the Football League and Conference did not do them too many favours as perhaps people expected too much from a club and read too much into their potential at a time when they should have consolidated and built on what they had.
The club went out of business and literally had to start from scratch, a bunch of die-hard supporters refused to let the game die in the town and hastily got a collective of supporters, professionals, businessmen and ex-players alike to get a team name registered and raise funds to get a club restarted again but without the baggage of its previous regime. The club successfully applied to the Evo-Stik League and was admitted to Step four, which is known as The Evo-Stik League Division One North, featuring sides such as Lancaster City, Cammell Laird, Clitheroe and others. In a way they were lucky to get admitted to such a high level as most new clubs would have to apply at Step six or lower, just as Wimbledon, Maidstone and Aldershot! They secured the lease of the former clubs ground, The Deva Stadium and backed by a tremendous amount of goodwill and support the club gained three successive titles.
The game this weekend which saw Chester win 1-0 at home against Boston at the Deva Stadium was watched by 3685 people, higher than several League Two home games that took place on the same day and shows what potential they will bring to the Conference Premier. A total of 33 wins and an unbeaten run of 30 games shows that Neil Young’s team will not be any pushovers either. Whoever takes on the sponsorship of the Conference levels of football will surely be rubbing their hands at the prospect of a Conference Premier that looks just as strong, if not stronger than its League Two counterpart. The progress through the leagues was swift but effective, yes they swept all before them but they re-learned their trade and have made friends throughout the non-league pyramid, not to mention boosting the coffers of many clubs with much needed away gate revenue. Last season when I was at Marine FC, Chester fans came to the game at the Arriva Stadium, they were respectful to the level of football that they were at, knew their football and contributed to the clubs Floodlight fund collection and that effect was probably similar at lots of clubs at that level.
For me though, the “Return” of Chester to a high level of football shows a lot more than a club being able to steamroller through divisions on a momentum of support and results, it shows eternal hope to fans of many clubs who are struggling or out of touch, or just living on borrowed time. It shows that however much a business or owner can get their hands into a club, the power of a clubs support can ultimately decide whether a club lives or dies. It provides credence to the belief that fan power still exists and that whatever situation a club finds itself in, in this modern age of football there is always hope. I’m not for one minute saying that fans of clubs in severe trouble should start AFC Clubs or abandon their own to re-start for the sake of re-starting but it does show that fans of clubs like Darlington 1883, Scarborough Athletic, AFC Halifax Town and so on are not joking when they say that they will be back. Chester provide a prime example of what a well run fan orientated and operated club can achieve.
The club went out of business and literally had to start from scratch, a bunch of die-hard supporters refused to let the game die in the town and hastily got a collective of supporters, professionals, businessmen and ex-players alike to get a team name registered and raise funds to get a club restarted again but without the baggage of its previous regime. The club successfully applied to the Evo-Stik League and was admitted to Step four, which is known as The Evo-Stik League Division One North, featuring sides such as Lancaster City, Cammell Laird, Clitheroe and others. In a way they were lucky to get admitted to such a high level as most new clubs would have to apply at Step six or lower, just as Wimbledon, Maidstone and Aldershot! They secured the lease of the former clubs ground, The Deva Stadium and backed by a tremendous amount of goodwill and support the club gained three successive titles.
The game this weekend which saw Chester win 1-0 at home against Boston at the Deva Stadium was watched by 3685 people, higher than several League Two home games that took place on the same day and shows what potential they will bring to the Conference Premier. A total of 33 wins and an unbeaten run of 30 games shows that Neil Young’s team will not be any pushovers either. Whoever takes on the sponsorship of the Conference levels of football will surely be rubbing their hands at the prospect of a Conference Premier that looks just as strong, if not stronger than its League Two counterpart. The progress through the leagues was swift but effective, yes they swept all before them but they re-learned their trade and have made friends throughout the non-league pyramid, not to mention boosting the coffers of many clubs with much needed away gate revenue. Last season when I was at Marine FC, Chester fans came to the game at the Arriva Stadium, they were respectful to the level of football that they were at, knew their football and contributed to the clubs Floodlight fund collection and that effect was probably similar at lots of clubs at that level.
For me though, the “Return” of Chester to a high level of football shows a lot more than a club being able to steamroller through divisions on a momentum of support and results, it shows eternal hope to fans of many clubs who are struggling or out of touch, or just living on borrowed time. It shows that however much a business or owner can get their hands into a club, the power of a clubs support can ultimately decide whether a club lives or dies. It provides credence to the belief that fan power still exists and that whatever situation a club finds itself in, in this modern age of football there is always hope. I’m not for one minute saying that fans of clubs in severe trouble should start AFC Clubs or abandon their own to re-start for the sake of re-starting but it does show that fans of clubs like Darlington 1883, Scarborough Athletic, AFC Halifax Town and so on are not joking when they say that they will be back. Chester provide a prime example of what a well run fan orientated and operated club can achieve.
Let the axe fall on the Arsenal players heads and not the managers
The news has again been released that Abou Diaby is set to be out of action for a lengthy period of time. This is disappointing but inevitable news, Diaby seems to be cursed with the constant injuries that look to ravage his promising career. It does seem an unfortunate occurrence that key players at Arsenal to either be consistently injured or under performing. This has left Arsenal with a skeleton selection of trustworthy players and often a floundering team. This may be part of the reason that Arsenal have struggled and suffer with periods of lacklustre performances. The news of Diaby’s 9 month lay off, comes on the same day that Arsenal reported Jack Wilshere would be fit to return in April. This sounds like good news but it just highlights the injury difficulties that Wilshere still can’t get over. Everyone hoped his return from his 17 months injury lay off would bring the renewed start of the rest of his career. Yet, already he is inactive in the Arsenal set up and on the pitch they dearly miss him. Even though there is very little in Arsenal’s power they can do about serious injuries, it is a shame and a bit unusual for two key midfielders to suffer this same fate.
It isn’t just long term injuries that have blighted Arsenals season. They seem to have a small group of players that are inconsistent who do not perform when the club really needs them. I don’t like placing blame but feel I should name names to illustrate who I think are contributing to Arsenal’s issues. These players include Sagna, Mertesacker and Gervinho. All three players have great reputations from internationals and previous clubs and although they haven’t been a huge let down for the club, their inconsistency and often casual performances have an effect. Arsenal need players that really perform, who have grit and want to win. Gunner’s players have been criticised for lack of effort in the past and seeing Jack Wilshere screaming on the pitch for action has been a familiar site since his return. Arsenal need a fighting spirit and too many of the Arsenal core aren’t showing that.
Arsene could do with yielding to fan pressure and attempting to sign some star players. First though, he would need a clear out, there are many players out on loan that aren’t part of Arsenes plans including Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh Nicklas Bendtner. Other bit players could face the chop too. Arshavin and Rosicky have seen less and less football and are not the players Arsenal need to really progress forward.
Arsenal need to hold onto their better players and can’t let players like Wilshere, Walcott, Vermaelen and Oxlade-chamberlain go if they want to avoid being a selling club. They need to bring in some world class players or at least spend money on players of the calibre who can challenge for the title. They rely too much on their injured players and if Diaby can not play they need to find a replacement who can.
Every team looks stronger with a very solid defensive midfielder holding the line and Arteta is not the answer. They need that midfielder who can allow Cazorla and Wilshere to move forward without leaving the team vulnerable. A player like Yann M’Villa, who they were linked with before his move to Rubin Kazan. Arsene needs to get his scouts out searching.
Although Arsenal have scored a lot of goals, they score in fits and starts, scoring 5 or more in over 4 games. They havn’t really replaced Van Persie and need an out and out goalscorer, a match winner. Players like Stevan Jovetic or Loic Remy would win them games. Raiding QPR could really help Arsenal if they could steal Samba as well to strengthen that often leaky defence.
If Arsenal can steer themselves away from being a selling club and bring in players of a better calibre then maybe Arsenal will concrete themselves as a top 4 team again. Even though Arsene Wenger has come under pressure I think it will be on the players where the axe will drop and maybe that’s the best course of action.
It isn’t just long term injuries that have blighted Arsenals season. They seem to have a small group of players that are inconsistent who do not perform when the club really needs them. I don’t like placing blame but feel I should name names to illustrate who I think are contributing to Arsenal’s issues. These players include Sagna, Mertesacker and Gervinho. All three players have great reputations from internationals and previous clubs and although they haven’t been a huge let down for the club, their inconsistency and often casual performances have an effect. Arsenal need players that really perform, who have grit and want to win. Gunner’s players have been criticised for lack of effort in the past and seeing Jack Wilshere screaming on the pitch for action has been a familiar site since his return. Arsenal need a fighting spirit and too many of the Arsenal core aren’t showing that.
Arsene could do with yielding to fan pressure and attempting to sign some star players. First though, he would need a clear out, there are many players out on loan that aren’t part of Arsenes plans including Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh Nicklas Bendtner. Other bit players could face the chop too. Arshavin and Rosicky have seen less and less football and are not the players Arsenal need to really progress forward.
Arsenal need to hold onto their better players and can’t let players like Wilshere, Walcott, Vermaelen and Oxlade-chamberlain go if they want to avoid being a selling club. They need to bring in some world class players or at least spend money on players of the calibre who can challenge for the title. They rely too much on their injured players and if Diaby can not play they need to find a replacement who can.
Every team looks stronger with a very solid defensive midfielder holding the line and Arteta is not the answer. They need that midfielder who can allow Cazorla and Wilshere to move forward without leaving the team vulnerable. A player like Yann M’Villa, who they were linked with before his move to Rubin Kazan. Arsene needs to get his scouts out searching.
Although Arsenal have scored a lot of goals, they score in fits and starts, scoring 5 or more in over 4 games. They havn’t really replaced Van Persie and need an out and out goalscorer, a match winner. Players like Stevan Jovetic or Loic Remy would win them games. Raiding QPR could really help Arsenal if they could steal Samba as well to strengthen that often leaky defence.
If Arsenal can steer themselves away from being a selling club and bring in players of a better calibre then maybe Arsenal will concrete themselves as a top 4 team again. Even though Arsene Wenger has come under pressure I think it will be on the players where the axe will drop and maybe that’s the best course of action.
Could Chelsea cope without a manager?
After Rafael Benítez’ inevitable departure at the end of the season, Roman Abramovich will have seen four Champions League winning managers leave his club, only one of whom has succeeded in leading Chelsea to a Champions League final. Despite high-profile managers coming and going on a regular basis, Chelsea’s two Champions League final appearances have come during periods of transient management following a sacking of a high profile manager: Avram Grantin 2008 who replaced Jose Mourinho and Roberto Di Matteo in 2012 who took charge following André Villas-Boas’ departure. Roberto Di Matteo of course went one further than Grant, leading Chelsea Football Club to their first ever Champions League title whilst serving as ‘Interim Manager’; however there is much doubt as to how much of an effect he really had on Chelsea’s success following the sacking of the unsuccessful André Villas-Boas.
Much of Villas-Boas’ failure at Chelsea came from his inability to overcome the renowned player power at Stamford Bridge, resulting in him dropping Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard for the away leg of Chelsea’s clash with Napoli – a game which Chelsea went on to lose, and Villas-Boas was sacked not soon after. After taking over in early March, Di Matteo resorted to the simplest solution to the evident player power problem at the club – work with it, as opposed to fruitlessly attempting to hold it back. Immediately he began to perform in opposition to Villas-Boas’ previous management, bringing back both Lampard and Cole for the home tie against Napoli, who along with Terry, Drogba and Čech, contributed to Chelsea’s unexpected come-back, and took Chelsea through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Having gone off injured in extra –time, Terry was seen barking orders on the touchline – as if he was the manager himself, and from that moment on, the question was raised as to who was really in control of the Chelsea squad; Di Matteo, or a subdivision of the squad itself.
A similar scenario developed under Avram Grant’s management in 2008 following the sacking of Mourinho – the club’s (at the time) greatest ever manager, and father-figure to a majority of the squad. Rather than go into the dressing room and implement his own ideals and disciplines, Grant simply continued Mourinho’s legacy, befriending the players, and granting (excuse the pun) power to the influential players within the dressing room. The result of this was a team that each game went out onto the pitch with 5 or 6 captain figures, who worked alongside each other, and carried their team all the way to the Luzhniki Stadium, culminating in Chelsea being a few inches away from Champions League glory.
Following Di Matteo’s success, Abramovich took a number of months to decide whether or not to hand the Chelsea legend a permanent managerial contract. During this period, Chelsea signed Eden Hazard and César Azpilicueta, both of whom during their times under Di Matteo would have known that they might not necessarily have been in Di Matteo’s transfer plans. The same can be said for the likes of Torres and Shevchenko who were reportedly forced upon their respective managers at the time of their arrival.
Knowing that their manager may not want them in the squad, a player cannot attach himself to his boss in the way that the Barcelona squad did with Pep Guardiola for example. Under Guardiola’s management, Barcelona went on to conquer the football-world, partly down to the strong bond between Guardiola – the managerial leader-figure – and his immensely talented squad. Upon his arrival, Guardiola set about removing those he deemed to be surplus – including former world player of the year Ronaldinho – and completely reshaped Barcelona from top to bottom. Appreciating that Barcelona would see through Guardiola’s project and not sack him in the way the Chelsea board tend to do, the squad bought into his methods, and developed into arguably the greatest club team ever.
Under both Grant and Di Matteo, the Chelsea squad consisted of a number of cliques, all attached to separate managers. Rather than try to win them over in the way that Scolari, Villas-Boas and even Ancelotti to an extent failed to do, the ‘interim’ bosses instead permitted these players to work to whichever conditions suited them. Being intrinsically linked with the glory days under Mourinho; Terry, Lampard and Drogba were naturally the leaders of the dressing-room, which both managers used to their advantage, allowing the powerful players to fill in for the missing presence of the ‘special one’, and it is no coincidence that both saw their team reach un-expected heights during their provisional periods. As long as the so called ‘big-names’ in the dressing room are contracted to Chelsea, this division will continue – making it near impossible for any manager to bring sustained success to the club. As we saw under Ancelotti, given time the player power will overcome any boss who tries to contain it, thus making Chelsea’s best chance for success short periods of caretaker management.
The question as to whether or not the club even needs a manager depends on how we define ‘manager’. Tactically, the players themselves are inept and would never be able to suppress a team like Barcelona as Chelsea achieved under Di Matteo; therefore as a tactician, a ‘manager’ is most certainly required. As a motivator and leader however, nobody but Mourinho himself would be able to overcome the influence of those linked with his time at the club, meaning whoever manages the club would have limited control over his own squad. Of course Chelsea would never do such a thing as let Terry, Lampard and Co. run the team as player-manager like figures (just imagine a different player each week attending post-match managerial press conferences and shaking hands with the opposition manager before each game); however by maintaining a constant cycle of managers in and out of the club, Abramovich is simply fuelling the player-power within the squad, which in the short-term allows interim bosses to come in and bring success to the club, however until the ‘old-guard’ of Chelsea leave the club, long-term sustained success is most definitely out of the question.
Much of Villas-Boas’ failure at Chelsea came from his inability to overcome the renowned player power at Stamford Bridge, resulting in him dropping Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard for the away leg of Chelsea’s clash with Napoli – a game which Chelsea went on to lose, and Villas-Boas was sacked not soon after. After taking over in early March, Di Matteo resorted to the simplest solution to the evident player power problem at the club – work with it, as opposed to fruitlessly attempting to hold it back. Immediately he began to perform in opposition to Villas-Boas’ previous management, bringing back both Lampard and Cole for the home tie against Napoli, who along with Terry, Drogba and Čech, contributed to Chelsea’s unexpected come-back, and took Chelsea through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Having gone off injured in extra –time, Terry was seen barking orders on the touchline – as if he was the manager himself, and from that moment on, the question was raised as to who was really in control of the Chelsea squad; Di Matteo, or a subdivision of the squad itself.
A similar scenario developed under Avram Grant’s management in 2008 following the sacking of Mourinho – the club’s (at the time) greatest ever manager, and father-figure to a majority of the squad. Rather than go into the dressing room and implement his own ideals and disciplines, Grant simply continued Mourinho’s legacy, befriending the players, and granting (excuse the pun) power to the influential players within the dressing room. The result of this was a team that each game went out onto the pitch with 5 or 6 captain figures, who worked alongside each other, and carried their team all the way to the Luzhniki Stadium, culminating in Chelsea being a few inches away from Champions League glory.
Following Di Matteo’s success, Abramovich took a number of months to decide whether or not to hand the Chelsea legend a permanent managerial contract. During this period, Chelsea signed Eden Hazard and César Azpilicueta, both of whom during their times under Di Matteo would have known that they might not necessarily have been in Di Matteo’s transfer plans. The same can be said for the likes of Torres and Shevchenko who were reportedly forced upon their respective managers at the time of their arrival.
Knowing that their manager may not want them in the squad, a player cannot attach himself to his boss in the way that the Barcelona squad did with Pep Guardiola for example. Under Guardiola’s management, Barcelona went on to conquer the football-world, partly down to the strong bond between Guardiola – the managerial leader-figure – and his immensely talented squad. Upon his arrival, Guardiola set about removing those he deemed to be surplus – including former world player of the year Ronaldinho – and completely reshaped Barcelona from top to bottom. Appreciating that Barcelona would see through Guardiola’s project and not sack him in the way the Chelsea board tend to do, the squad bought into his methods, and developed into arguably the greatest club team ever.
Under both Grant and Di Matteo, the Chelsea squad consisted of a number of cliques, all attached to separate managers. Rather than try to win them over in the way that Scolari, Villas-Boas and even Ancelotti to an extent failed to do, the ‘interim’ bosses instead permitted these players to work to whichever conditions suited them. Being intrinsically linked with the glory days under Mourinho; Terry, Lampard and Drogba were naturally the leaders of the dressing-room, which both managers used to their advantage, allowing the powerful players to fill in for the missing presence of the ‘special one’, and it is no coincidence that both saw their team reach un-expected heights during their provisional periods. As long as the so called ‘big-names’ in the dressing room are contracted to Chelsea, this division will continue – making it near impossible for any manager to bring sustained success to the club. As we saw under Ancelotti, given time the player power will overcome any boss who tries to contain it, thus making Chelsea’s best chance for success short periods of caretaker management.
The question as to whether or not the club even needs a manager depends on how we define ‘manager’. Tactically, the players themselves are inept and would never be able to suppress a team like Barcelona as Chelsea achieved under Di Matteo; therefore as a tactician, a ‘manager’ is most certainly required. As a motivator and leader however, nobody but Mourinho himself would be able to overcome the influence of those linked with his time at the club, meaning whoever manages the club would have limited control over his own squad. Of course Chelsea would never do such a thing as let Terry, Lampard and Co. run the team as player-manager like figures (just imagine a different player each week attending post-match managerial press conferences and shaking hands with the opposition manager before each game); however by maintaining a constant cycle of managers in and out of the club, Abramovich is simply fuelling the player-power within the squad, which in the short-term allows interim bosses to come in and bring success to the club, however until the ‘old-guard’ of Chelsea leave the club, long-term sustained success is most definitely out of the question.
Swansea City the Premier Leagues surprise package
Swansea’s recent rise and successful retaining of their Premier League status has been outstanding but with the club seemingly going from strength to strength they now have the chance to really stamp themselves as a top 10 team. This would be huge for a club that was only promoted to the Premiership in 2011 and now are one of the most exciting and dangerous teams outside the European places. So what has given Swansea such an epic rise from underachieving football league team to Premier League starlets?
First of all is the man who has over seen this rise since taking over ten years ago, Swansea Chairman Huw Jenkins. His plan for Swansea has worked excellently, starting with building a stadium and building the club and allowing the team to move smoothly up the ranks whilst bring stability to the club. The method of Swansea’s rise has been sensible and Jenkins has recently called himself “dull” enough to take over the Swansea reigns. I’d call it rational Huw.
A large part of the success at the Liberty Stadium has been down to the fantastic succession of managers that have graced Swansea. Firstly it was Roberto Martinez who pulled Swansea into the Championship, before Brendan Rodgers again got them promoted. After an impressive debut season, his departure left a worry the Swans would struggle. Again, though, they bought in a manager who would continue to improve the team: Michael Laudrup. One the main strong points of the small succession of managers is that they have been prepared to continue from where the last left off rather than to change the style of the team. There have been very little periods of adjusting, with Swansea continuing under new ideas rather than faltering as new initiatives are established and tried. The team has stayed quite similar in itself as well, with some players staying with The Swans through the leagues. This has been important for the Welsh club as it means that players blend in easier when they are bought and new managers know precisely what to expect in training.
One of the most important attributors to Swansea’s accomplishments is their playing style. Their sharp passing and possession tactic has worked wonders allowing them to overcome many of the major teams in the league. Their ability to keep the ball and make more triangles than Dairylea has made them a feared team in the English top flight. This tactic has been carried on through Rodgers and Laudrup, both seemingly happy to keep the general style with their own managerial tweaks. The ethos of Swansea in recent years is of evolution and not revolution, a commendable philosophy for a football club.
On the other hand, a club seemingly fighting above their weight division could easily evolve into a selling club. Joe Allen, Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham have all left the club for substantial fees in 2012 and 2013, though the latter was because of missing out of the starting XI. Even so, with reported interest for star man Michu and Vice-captain Ashley Williams, only the ambition and depth of Swansea’s pockets will seal the futures of the clubs finest players. With the first piece of silverware in their history and a European spot for next season, you would hope Swansea’s expectation of success is surely met.
First of all is the man who has over seen this rise since taking over ten years ago, Swansea Chairman Huw Jenkins. His plan for Swansea has worked excellently, starting with building a stadium and building the club and allowing the team to move smoothly up the ranks whilst bring stability to the club. The method of Swansea’s rise has been sensible and Jenkins has recently called himself “dull” enough to take over the Swansea reigns. I’d call it rational Huw.
A large part of the success at the Liberty Stadium has been down to the fantastic succession of managers that have graced Swansea. Firstly it was Roberto Martinez who pulled Swansea into the Championship, before Brendan Rodgers again got them promoted. After an impressive debut season, his departure left a worry the Swans would struggle. Again, though, they bought in a manager who would continue to improve the team: Michael Laudrup. One the main strong points of the small succession of managers is that they have been prepared to continue from where the last left off rather than to change the style of the team. There have been very little periods of adjusting, with Swansea continuing under new ideas rather than faltering as new initiatives are established and tried. The team has stayed quite similar in itself as well, with some players staying with The Swans through the leagues. This has been important for the Welsh club as it means that players blend in easier when they are bought and new managers know precisely what to expect in training.
One of the most important attributors to Swansea’s accomplishments is their playing style. Their sharp passing and possession tactic has worked wonders allowing them to overcome many of the major teams in the league. Their ability to keep the ball and make more triangles than Dairylea has made them a feared team in the English top flight. This tactic has been carried on through Rodgers and Laudrup, both seemingly happy to keep the general style with their own managerial tweaks. The ethos of Swansea in recent years is of evolution and not revolution, a commendable philosophy for a football club.
On the other hand, a club seemingly fighting above their weight division could easily evolve into a selling club. Joe Allen, Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham have all left the club for substantial fees in 2012 and 2013, though the latter was because of missing out of the starting XI. Even so, with reported interest for star man Michu and Vice-captain Ashley Williams, only the ambition and depth of Swansea’s pockets will seal the futures of the clubs finest players. With the first piece of silverware in their history and a European spot for next season, you would hope Swansea’s expectation of success is surely met.
Can Gervinho revive his Arsenal career?
Before last Saturdays game against Reading, the vast majority of Arsenal fans would have said that Gervinho should be one of many victims of a summer clear-out at the Emirates. Although, his confident performance against Nigel Adkins new side may have caused second thoughts.
It’s fair to say that Gervinho hasn’t won many fans since his move to the Emirates in the summer of 2011. He has never really got his career going, which may be down to having to depart to the African Nations during January and some of February. Reports were coming in last week that Wenger was ready to have a summer clear-out including Szczesny, Podolski, Gervinho, Rosicky, Sagna, and other fringe players.
After his performance it might be that Wenger takes Gervinho off that list. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Wenger had this to say:
“He finishes well now, much better than when he arrived and he will get better and better. But his finishing is linked with his psychology.
“To be honest he is not clinical however when he is completely relaxed he is quite good. He rushes his finishing because when he arrives in front of the goal he wants to get rid of [the ball].
“But you can gain experience and calmness. He wants to do well. He is a hard worker and, physically, you cannot fault his effort. Even when he had a bad period, he has always tried very hard.”
So, with seven games left, will there be enough time for Gervinho and his team mates to save their Arsenal career and qualify for the Champions League?
It’s fair to say that Gervinho hasn’t won many fans since his move to the Emirates in the summer of 2011. He has never really got his career going, which may be down to having to depart to the African Nations during January and some of February. Reports were coming in last week that Wenger was ready to have a summer clear-out including Szczesny, Podolski, Gervinho, Rosicky, Sagna, and other fringe players.
After his performance it might be that Wenger takes Gervinho off that list. Speaking to Arsenal.com, Wenger had this to say:
“He finishes well now, much better than when he arrived and he will get better and better. But his finishing is linked with his psychology.
“To be honest he is not clinical however when he is completely relaxed he is quite good. He rushes his finishing because when he arrives in front of the goal he wants to get rid of [the ball].
“But you can gain experience and calmness. He wants to do well. He is a hard worker and, physically, you cannot fault his effort. Even when he had a bad period, he has always tried very hard.”
So, with seven games left, will there be enough time for Gervinho and his team mates to save their Arsenal career and qualify for the Champions League?
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Are Real Madrid favourites for the Champions League?
The Spanish giant ended last season’s champions league campaign in a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich on penalties in the semi-finals. Having won the title in nine occasions and the most recent one was back in 2001, since then Real Madrid have struggled to get back in to their champions league form. Different coaches have tried to get the tenth title of the competition within the years of 2001 till date; the likes of Pelligrini, Fabio Capello and Juande Ramos have all tried and failed to deliver. Jose Mourinho was signed two year ago from Inter Milan and has shown great promises as he came very close last year.
The beginning of this season was a one to forget for all Real Madrid players, fans and everyone associated to the club as they suffered to get their domestic form in the top flight and they now thrill 12 points behind the league leaders, Barcelona. But the domestic form is not affecting their European form as they emerged out of the group that is known as the group of death constituting, the German champions, Dortmound, the English champions, Manchester City and the Dutch Champions, Ajax. Loosing just a game from six and finishing second was not bad even though much was expected from them.
Manchester United was next for Real Madrid as they qualified for the next round, a lot of questions were asked as to who is going to stop the Dutch striker Robin Van Persie as well as the goal machine Christiano Ronaldo who has been reunited with his old team mates and of course his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson who branded Ronaldo the best player before the game. The last time these two teams met was back in 2003 were real Madrid became victor over the two legs. Jose Mourinho was also reunited with his colleague manager, Sir Alex from his time at Chelsea as they always have good contest in the English premier league
The first led ended in a stalemate as Ronaldo canceled Wellbeck’s strike at the Santiago Bernabeu with Real Madrid dominating the game but could not capitalize on that and Manchester united got the advantage as they go back to Old Trafford with an away Goal. United have made some good counter attacks as they look to defend their precious away goal and got a goal from the foot of Real Madrid’s captain of the night, Sergio Ramos. Moment later, a controversial decision from the referee saw Nani out of the game and Madrid took advantage of that to get a two goals from Modric and the ever-reliable Ronaldo.
The question is can Real Madrid win the champions league considering the form of the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus, Dortmound as well as bitter rivals Barcelona
The beginning of this season was a one to forget for all Real Madrid players, fans and everyone associated to the club as they suffered to get their domestic form in the top flight and they now thrill 12 points behind the league leaders, Barcelona. But the domestic form is not affecting their European form as they emerged out of the group that is known as the group of death constituting, the German champions, Dortmound, the English champions, Manchester City and the Dutch Champions, Ajax. Loosing just a game from six and finishing second was not bad even though much was expected from them.
Manchester United was next for Real Madrid as they qualified for the next round, a lot of questions were asked as to who is going to stop the Dutch striker Robin Van Persie as well as the goal machine Christiano Ronaldo who has been reunited with his old team mates and of course his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson who branded Ronaldo the best player before the game. The last time these two teams met was back in 2003 were real Madrid became victor over the two legs. Jose Mourinho was also reunited with his colleague manager, Sir Alex from his time at Chelsea as they always have good contest in the English premier league
The first led ended in a stalemate as Ronaldo canceled Wellbeck’s strike at the Santiago Bernabeu with Real Madrid dominating the game but could not capitalize on that and Manchester united got the advantage as they go back to Old Trafford with an away Goal. United have made some good counter attacks as they look to defend their precious away goal and got a goal from the foot of Real Madrid’s captain of the night, Sergio Ramos. Moment later, a controversial decision from the referee saw Nani out of the game and Madrid took advantage of that to get a two goals from Modric and the ever-reliable Ronaldo.
The question is can Real Madrid win the champions league considering the form of the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus, Dortmound as well as bitter rivals Barcelona
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