Whatever Happened To...

Xisco


When Newcastle signed Francisco Jimenez Tejada on transfer deadline day in 2008, a few eyebrows were raised. With the then manager Kevin Keegan seemingly unhappy at his lack on control on transfer activity, it never seemed that ‘Xisco’ was destined for greatness in the North East. However, he did score on debut against Hull City, yet after this there has been very little success. In total the Spaniard, with 11 youth international caps, has only made 9 league appearances for the Magpies, yet he is still contracted to the club. That may come as a surprise to many supporters, who had thought that the forward had left on a permanent transfer. So, what has he been up to, and does he still have a future at the club as he returns this close-season after three loan moves back to Spain?

Signed for 5.7 million, possibly rising to 7 million, it is without doubt that there must have been some potential in Xisco, a robust forward who had scored goals for fun at Deportivo B, and had a decent record for the first team in La Liga. As shown about he hasn’t had any great success for the Newcastle first team, and a red card for the reserves did him no favour either. He left under unhappy circumstances, returning to his native country on loan after failing to turn up to several training sessions.

His first loan spell came at Racing Santander, a mid to low table side in Spain’s top division. Mainly un-inspiring, he did turn in some good performances showing why he had began to make a name for himself at Deportivo. Scoring three times in 23 league appearance is far from prolific, but a large amount were from the bench and he played a vital role in their run to the semi-finals of the Copa Del Rey. Returning to Newcastle he again failed to oust Obafemi Martins, Andy Carroll and Peter Lovenkrands, and despite an entertaining cameo and an assist in the 6-0 mauling of Aston Villa, found himself out on loan again in January 2011. Back at his first club, he scored twice in nine appearances yet couldn’t prevent them staying up, and Deportivo were relegated. He stayed for the entire 2011/12 season, yet didn’t play as big a role as he would have wanted. He did, however, play a big role in their final game of the season as they secured a quick return to the top division, winning promotion. 2 goals in 14 league appearances was again not a great return, but he did show glimpses of real talent.

So, is there a chance that Xisco could make it in the Newcastle first team eventually? It looks as though he will be sold as Alan Pardew attempts to build his squad for a Europa League campaign this season. However, it is without doubt that he has some natural ability, and maybe, just maybe, Newcastle should take a punt on him this season.

HA

Euro 2012 - The Surprise Packages

With the European Championships starting in under a month now, TacticalBet takes the opportunity to take a look at some of the potential dark-horses for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

France - 12/1

Les Bleus suffered a horrific experience in their last major International voyage, crashing out in the group stages in the most recent World Cup in South Africa. Back then they were a rudderless ship destined to sink, with in-fighting and poor performances sealing an early trip home, earning just the single point in a draw with Uruguay. However, under new man Laurent Blanc, they've enjoyed a brilliant run in qualifying, and earned some great results in recent friendlies. With the French domestic league beginning to develop to a new level of prestige, these are exciting times for French football. They'll fancy their chances of topping the group, involving England, Sweden and Ukraine, and if they can manage that then they've got a real chance.

The Hosts - 50/1

Both Poland and Ukraine are priced around 50/1 to win the tournament, and given their pedigree it looks like they have no chance. However, home advantage can never be underestimated. Ukraine will feel they can beat England on home turf, as they did a few years ago in a qualifier for the 2010 World Cup, when Rob Green saw red. With 35 year old Shevchenko on his swan-song, this last chance saloon means that Ukraine will be more than motivated. Poland are probably less likely to advance, but do have the help of being in a very straight-forward group with no real star sides. They've got good players, and could yet spring a surprise. There have been shocks before in the European Championship, and don't bank on this winner being easy to pick.

Portugal - 20/1

The nearly men of previous tournaments, they will go into this occasion knowing that they have a chance, as they always do. Beaten in the semi-finals of previous tournaments, losing a final on home soil, will all have hurt the Portuguese fans, and their players will feel they've got a chance to pay something back here. With arguably the best player in the tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo, their won't be many teams they fear.

Czech Republic - 100/1

They may seem an extraordinarily long-shot, but they shouldn't be overlooked. In the relatively 'easy' Group A, they'll feel they've got a great chance of topping the group. In doing so they would earn themselves a winnable tie in the quarter-final, and then anything can happen. Big odds, but they will believe, and they've got big game players in the form of Petr Cech and Milan Baros.

TacticalBet's Predictions -

Group A - Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Greece
Group B - Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Denmark
Group C - Spain, Italy, Croatia, RO Ireland
Group D - France, Ukraine, England, Sweden

Winners - Netherlands

HA

Five Things We Learnt From Chelsea's Triumph

Petr Cech's Penalty Prowess 

It must have been said at least a thousand times as the Champions League final headed towards a penalty shootout that the Germans 'don't lose' in the dead-ball scenario. Therefore, it was going to take something special to stop them, especially right infront of their home crowd. Czech Republic keeper Cech did just that, guessing right for all five of Bayern's penalties and crucially saving two. That now means that the last seven penalties Cech has faced, he's gone the right way. There is nothing lucky about that, despite the old adage of the penalty shootout being a 'lottery'.

Spirit Over Skill

You can have all the skill in the world, the finest technique known to man, but perhaps the greatest quality of all is that 'never say die' attitude which seems to typify this Chelsea side. Refusing to be beaten, they pulled another rabbit out of the hat by striking late on to level the match when all had looked lost. Furthermore, they were 2-0 and then 3-1 down in the shoot-out, yet still failed to buckle. The team may change, but you can rest assured that the spirit will never end. This Bayern Munich team, while possibly providing a visage of being together, were at loggerheads earlier in the season. While Chelsea might have had issues with their long line of managers, you can't deny that this group of players are all united.

Gomez Disappoints

You simply do not expect your 40 goal a season striker to miss the kind of chances that Mario Gomez did on Saturday night. In the semi-final, he may of scored the decisive goal in the home leg late on, but he also missed a raft of chances throughout both ties. Here, he was at it again, heading over a presentable chance, mis-controlling when only six yards out, and most heinously blazing over when brilliantly placed. Is Gomez merely struggling under the pressure, or is the standard of the German league such that he is overrated?

The 'Beautiful' Game 

There is no set way to play football, and Chelsea proved that it doesn't matter how you play, it's all about the result. Bitter Tottenham, Barcelona and Munich fans can moan long into the night about Chelsea's defensive set-up, but realistically football is all about winning. Chelsea got their name on the Cup, and in 10 years time that's all that will be remembered. The debate will go on though, yet should more teams adopt defensive strategies like Chelsea in order to succeed? It does appear that while Arsenal continue with their free flowing football, they will never win the Champions League, as their are better sides at it than they are.

Roman's Empire

The obsession has been satisfied, the dream complete. Ambramovic's dream of sealing European glory has finally been achieved, and surely nobody can criticise him after what he's done in his 9 year spell in West London. Chelsea's motto has been 'making history, not re-living it', and they certainly made a huge chunk of it with this step into immortality. The side the Russian oligarch built currently stands on top of the world, and it owes a lot to his money and work.

HA

May's Update

As things reach a peak of excitement in the month of May, it's time to take a quick stock-take on what action we've seen so far, and what's to come.

Football - Chelsea clinched the Champions League after an extraordinary victory over home side Bayern Munich, 4-3 on penalties. Despite TacticalBet, along with most of the footballing world, tipping the Germans, Roberto Di Matteo's men pulled off one of the most memorable upsets ever to grace the biggest of stages. Thomas Muller looked to have won it for Bayern with 8 minutes to go, before Drogba, like a pheonix from the flames, pulled Chelsea out of the depths of despair to drag the game into extra time. Those thinking the drama couldn't get any greater were sorely mistaken, as Drogba preceded to give away a penalty which ex-Chelsea star Arjen Robben went on to miss. It was beyond fiction, and in extrodinary circumstances, Drogba again proved the man for all occasions as he slotted the final penalty in the shoot-out. Elsewhere, West Ham returned to the Premier League thanks to their 2-1 victory over Blackpool, and York similarly earned promotion beating York in the Blue Square Premier final. In the 4th final of the weekend, Hearts thrashed Hibs to win the Scottish Cup, after an all Edinburgh affair.

Rugby - Leinster continued their dominance in the Heinenken Cup with a third triumph in four seasons, beating Ulster 42-14 at Twickenham. Biarritz claimed the Challenge Cup seeing off Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon in a tight, no try match. Up next is the Aviva Premiership final, which will be between Leicester and Harlequins. If that wasn't enough, there's the Championship play-off final between the Cornish Pirates and London Welsh, a result which could have great significance for the relegation places in the Premiership.

Cricket - County cricket remains in full flow, with the weather steadily improving, and England are back in action with a three test series against the West Indies. The hosts looked in control for the majority of the first four days, but will have a testing chase ahead of them, needed 191 to win and closing on 10-2. However, you would still have to have Strauss' men down as strong favourites,

In the season that just keeps giving, next up is the European Championships, held in Poland and Ukraine. We'll be here in the build up to the tournament with all the insightful articles and tips you could wish for.

HA

England's European Championship Squad - The Debate

New England manager Roy Hodgson today confirmed the 23 man squad he will take to Poland and Ukraine for the European Championships next month, and it wasn't an announcement without controversy and debate. It began with the farce of the squad slowly being leaked before the set time when it was supposed to become general knowledge, and ended with #HodgsonOut already trending on Twitter before the mid-afternoon. So, just what are the calls that has got everybody talking?

England Squad for the Euro's -

Goalkeepers - Hart, Green, Ruddy
Defenders - Johnson, Jones, Terry, Lescott, Cahill, Cole, Baines
Midfielders - Parker, Barry, Milner, Gerrard, Lampard, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Young, Downing
Forwards - Rooney, Welbeck, Defoe, Carroll

There are three main areas of debate to be considered, and we'll offer a judgment of how we think the new man in charge has called it.

John Terry vs Rio Ferdinand

It's such a difficult call to make, but Hodgson has stated he's made the call based purely on 'footballing reasons' and if that is the case, to us it looks like he's made the right call, albeit it just. There were arguments for the inclusion - and exclusion - of both central defenders, but the logic does decree that is should be the Chelsea man taking his place on the plane. Ferdinand has played just once for England since missing out on the World Cup in 2010 due to injury, and it seems right that Terry should be given the chance to compete in the tournament he helped qualify for. At 33, there are also question marks over how many games Ferdinand can manage in a short space of time, such is the way International tournaments are structured.

Form vs Reputation

So, Andy Carroll has made the squad based upon two good performances in recent weeks. In all honesty, until his recent games against Chelsea, he had been very poor in the Premiership this season, and at times struggled to even make a floundering Liverpool side. While there is an argument for Hodgson taking those players in good form, it highlights a horrific sense of in-consistency throughout the squad. Stuart Downing is picked with a total of 0 goals, and 0 assists this season in 36 Premiership game. It is astonishing that a player with such stats can be selected to represent his county on one of the biggest stages of all. Furthermore, Steven Gerrard is named as captain despite having barely played this season, and being distinctively average in most of the games he has featured in. Players who have had good seasons, like Michael Carrick, Grant Holt and even Swansea duo Danny Graham and Scott Sinclair have been left out in the hope that these players can re-live their past glories. Yet, Carroll has been included on almost the complete opposite grounds. Where's the logic in that one, Roy?

The Oxlade-Chamberlain Gaffe 

Given all the other controversy, it wouldn't have been complete without a live on air blunder from the new manager. Upon being asked about the Arsenal youngsters inclusion, Hodgson responded by stating he had seen Oxlade-Chamberlain 'deal very well with' Pirlo and Ambrosini when Arsenal met AC Milan at the Emirates. The only slight issue with this, is that it is an impossible scenario. Pirlo transfered to Juventus last Summer, and Ambrosini wasn't even on the bench for the game. So, being live at the game, just what did Roy Hodgson really see? It seems as though this horrific error highlights the lack of serious thought gone into the selection. Perhaps it's understandable given the way that he was West Brom manager until Saturday, but maybe that's a reason why the FA shouldn't have given him the job? Either way, he completely made up that he'd seen Chamberlain play against Pirlo and Ambrosini, for it simply never happened. Nobody is really complaining about the inclusion of the 18 year old, but the rational thought process behind it would appear to not exist.

TacticalBet's England Squad -

Goalkeepers - Hart, Green, Ruddy
Defenders - Richards, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cahill, Cole, Baines
Midfielders - Parker, Barry, Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick, Walcott, Sinclair, Johnson
Forwards - Rooney, Defoe, Welbeck, Holt, Sturridge

HA

Team of the Season - Premiership 2011/12

So, here ends the 2011/12 Premiership season. And what a campaign it has been. From the opening few matches, to the last dramatic seconds, it was a truly gripping spectacle right the way through. How fitting that Sergio Aguero should score the goal that won the title, 9 months after he’d lit up the scene in August with two debut goals. There will be happiness, coupled with heartbreak and disappointment, but nobody can deny the overall standard of entertainment has been nothing short of spectacular. It wouldn’t be a complete season though, without a team of the year to end it. Here’s our selection.

GK – Joe Hart

While honorable mentions go to Michel Vorm and Ali Al Habsi, two under-rated keepers who had huge parts to play in their respective sides success, there really is only one option for this position. A stalwart of the Manchester City side who won their first title for 44 years, Englishman Hart was right at the middle of the success. Crucial saves earned Mancini’s men important points along the way, memorably at Aston Villa, Wigan and Liverpool.

RB – Kyle Walker

Another young English talent, Sheffield born Walker earned the title of PFA Young Player of the Year, and had a great season in the full back role for Tottenham Hotspur. Solid defensively, he was always offering a good outlet wide and in aggressive areas for Spurs, and crowned his season with two stunning goals, one of which proved the winner in the North London Derby.

CB’s – Vincent Kompany and Fabricio Coloccini

After lifting the title on the final day of the season, the towering figure off Vincent Kompany simply had to make every team of the year, didn’t he? A superb leader on and off the field, he gave some magnificent defensive performances, and also popped up with a few crucial goals at the other end. His partner in our side is Newcastle skipper Coloccini, another captain who led his team superbly. Solid and dependable, much of what the Magpies achieved this season wouldn’t have been possible without him.

LB – Leighton Baines

Not an easy position to pick, this one, although mostly down to the lack of run-away candidates. Jose Enrique of Liverpool did well for large parts of the season, but had a terrible end to the season. Baines was always there for Everton, setting up numerous chances with his great left foot, and also helps contribute to a good back-line that David Moyes’ men possess. A useful asset, and could find himself a transfer target from the big guns.

RM – Antonio Valencia

Sweeping both Player of the Year awards for Manchester United at their end of season dinner is no mean feat, and that’s why he’s a justified pick in our XI of the season. A willing contributor defensively, he always manages to cause danger to great effect in opposition territory. It spoke volumes that his selection – or lack of it – was one of the main talking points in the Derby defeat to rivals City in the ending weeks of the season.

CM’s – Yaya Toure and Yohan Cabaye

Two recently new arrivals to the Premiership, both who had had tremendous impacts upon their sides success. Ivorian Toure epitomizes everything powerful about Manchester City, and his performances have been nothing short of exemplary. His two goals against Newcastle went a long way to securing the title, and he is now one of the best players in the division. Cabaye came into the league on a very small transfer budget compared to Toure, but has shown his brilliance. His range of passing is phenomenal, he’s shooting from distance memorable, but he also made the most tackles out of any other midfielder in the Barclays Premiership this season.

LM – Juan Mata

The only player in the league to create over 100 chances this season – the last four to do so have all been Chelsea players – deserves his spot in this end of season ‘elect’ eleven. In a troubled and at times farcical campaign, Mata was always there for Chelsea causing problems and tirelessly working. He might have struggled to impact on the bigger games, but his stunning goals against Arsenal and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge suggest otherwise.

ST’s – Robin van Persie and Sergio Aguero

It must be noted that Wayne Rooney had a very good season, and there were other great candidates like Grant Holt or Danny Graham, but there is simply no getting past these two. Van Persie ended with the golden boot, and Aguero hit 23 goals – including that winner at the weekend to clinch the title. Without these players, respective sides Arsenal and Manchester City would have been hard placed to achieve the same as they did.

Manager – Alan Pardew

Yes Mancini has won the league, but in terms of money spent and un-thinkable success, it has to be Londoner Pardew. Nobody’s choice when he took over, he’s taken the Toon into fairytale land – aka the Europa League with a 5^th placed finish. Those barmy fans will relish a few nights out across Europe, and it’s well deserved. 

Stick Or Twist For Ashley?

As Newcastle began to re-establish themselves within the Premiership after a year spend in the second tier, the players at the heart of this relative success were starts such as Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Andy Carroll. As the Magpies consolidated, comfortably avoiding relegation, the Toon could reflect upon a successful campaign. All of the three starts above, however, were sold and supporters could only really hope for more of the season, another mid-table finish. Yet, in selling those players for around £50 million, Newcastle replaced them with a series of foreign-based players for merely a fraction of the price. It was a risky strategy, without doubt. But, now 12 months on and heading into the last day of the season still with an outside chance of snatching a top four finish, it’s been a categorical success. Built upon the likes of Yohan Cabaye (£4.3 million) along with a strike force of Demba Ba (free transfer) and Papiss Cisse (£10 million) and other under valued stars, Newcastle have taken the Premier League by storm. Owner Mike Ashley had previously had to endure great criticism from the passionate fans of the Northern club, but surely now he can take great credit for the boardroom decisions taken regarding transfers.

However, what now for Ashley? If Newcastle keep a similar squad to the current one, it will be very difficult to improve upon what they already have achieved this season. It is also unlikely that they board possess the kind of money the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea do, so big money signings without any exits is again unlikely. Therefore, Ashley and his team have a big dilemma. They could stick with what they have now, fend off as many bids as they can, and deliver similar next season. Or, perhaps they could gamble. With Cheik Tiote (signed for under £5 million) courted for around £20 million, and 17-goal striker Demba Ba similarly in demand, Newcastle could offload them for big money. Is it conceivable that Newcastle’s scouting network could pull off some more coups for the club? Graham Carr has certainly done a fantastic job this year, and the dilemma is whether to gamble again in the European network. It must be noted that there have been previous mishaps in terms of transfers , players like Albert Luque, Xisco and Claudio Cacapa all came in from Europe and struggled to make an impact. Another similar set of errors and Newcastle could undo all of the work they’ve achieved this season in placing themselves in the top five. Pull of more transfer inspiration, and they could become genuine regular top four contenders. It’s going to be a big close-season on Tyneside, and whatever happens there is certainly exciting times to come for all the Newcastle fans out there.

Who do you think should come and go this season at St James’ Park? Get in touch in the debate, and you can find me on Twitter by searching @aitkenheadhj

The Unforgivable Error Of Judgement

Chelsea began Tuesday's game against Liverpool knowing that they could still have a slight outside chance of finishing in a coveted Champions League spot. The build-up to the game centered around this pursuit of 4th place, with Juan Mata saying that Chelsea still 'believed' that they could achieve their goal, and manager Roberto Di Matteo seeming to suggest his team selection would suggest this belief. A few thousand fans travelled up to Anfield - a good effort given two recent trips to Wembley wouldn't have been cheap and a journey to Munich will certainly cost them dearly. Yet, Chelsea were beaten embarrassing 4-1 by a rampant Liverpool side, and put out a markedly weakened side. With 11 days to the Champions League final, there seemed no logical reasoning behind this. Is this pitiful display of 'white-flag' waving acceptable in the modern game?

Chelsea crumbled to an early 3-0 deficit, but did manage to pull one back and there was faint hope of salvaging some pride. With Lampard, Mata and Kalou all available on the substitutes bench, fans could be forgiven for expecting to see some kind of response. The only sub used was Romelu Lukaku, the 18 year old who continues to look hopelessly out of his depth at this level. He may only be young and can still have a great career ahead of him, but this is no scenario for him whatsoever. It could be argued that Chelsea still had a decent side out there, with Torres deployed as a lone striker (some second string, costing £50 million) but this arguement is quickly evaporated when his service is considered. Oriol Romeu gave one of the worst individual performances since Ali Dia's cameo for Southampton all those years ago, and Michael Essien went even better and was ten fold worse. There is simply no debate against it - Roberto Di Matteo selected this side with the knowledge that he had no intention of getting a result here. Any success would have been a bonus, but he wasn't truly aiming for it. He's conned the fans here, and surely this has some answering to.

And for what? With a week and a half until Munich and their date of destiny, Chelsea will know go into that tie in poor form and with morale at rock bottom. A defeat to Liverpool is bad enough, but this was an embarrassment. Under Di Matteo, Chelsea have now lost 3-0 times in the Premiership, and drawn with three London rivals. The only wins came narrowly against 10 men Stoke, and against two of the League's woefully out of form sides in QPR (home) and Aston Villa (away). Whatever people say about the job Di Matteo has done, this is not good enough.  He leaves the side further away from the top four than when he took over - thus failing his job description. Chelsea were 5th, 3 points behind 4th placed Arsenal when Villas Boas was sacked, and now they lie 6th and 5 points behind the Champions League qualification. Resurgence? 

Yes, Chelsea may go on to win the Champions League. That would be a truly fantastic achievement, without doubt. But this result here has some serious explaining to do, and the ramifications of it may be felt beyond Munich. 

What do you think of Di Matteo's selection? Think Chelsea can win in Munich? Get in touch, find me on Twitter @aitkenheadhj

HA

Another Unheralded Star On The Toon

Mike Williamson – The Unsung Hero?

Newcastle’s back four and goalkeeper this season have received so many accolades and plaudits for their efforts, and rightly so. Fabricio Coloccini has been ‘Captain Fantastic’ in the middle, but not so much has been mentioned about his partner, Mike Williamson.

In the absence of Steven Taylor, Williamson has had to step up this season, and he has done spectacularly. While there was that one blemish on his record in giving away the penalty against Sunderland at St James’ Park for a tug on Michael Turner, by and large he has been dependable and strong when needed. Signed from Portsmouth in 2010 with the Magpies in the Championship, he hardly got the fans imaginations racing. But, at 6’4 he offers a commanding presence at the heart of the defence, and has made huge strides this season, without doubt. His performance on Wednesday night against Champions League finalists Chelsea was perhaps the crowning moment, and a sign that he should maybe start receiving more recognition for his performances. He handled Torres and Drogba with consummate ease, and this also shows his potential versatility. When Spaniard Torres was deployed as the lone striker, Williamson recognized the difference in pace and defended deeper, meaning there was no space for the in-form number 9 to run in behind, and allowed Tiote to shut down the space in front of the back four. With Drogba, he got much tighter and allowed the Ivorian no space to ‘bully’ him, as well as dominating in the air. It was merely the latest great performance from the 28 year old, a real success story this season.

Tony Adams for Wycombe Wanderers once signed Williamson, and on evidence like this season there is certainly a touch on the way Adams used to play at Arsenal in his game. If Newcastle do make the Champions League this year, can they rely on players like Williamson to perform at the highest club level there is? There is definitely a question mark over this. However, what must be said is that without players in the mould of him, they wouldn’t even be near to achieving the previously unthinkable and securing a Champions League spot.

Here's my top five Newcastle goals of the season :

1)   Papiss Cisse vs Chelsea – A simply superb swerving volley to clinch a historic victory for Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. He had no right to take the shot on from the left hand side of the pitch, but try he did and just look at the outcome. A memorable effort in a memorable season.

2)   Hatem Ben Arfa vs Bolton – In a drab game, the Frenchman produced an absolute stunner. Picking the ball up just inside his own half, Ben Arfa breezed past the Bolton midfield, through Reem and past Ricketts before slotting into the corner whilst a hapless Bogdan watched on. Even better as it set the Toon on the way to a vital three points.

3)   Yohan Cabaye vs Manchester United – A stunning free-kick from the talismanic Frenchman, beating Lindergaard with a curler right from the top drawer. Using the wind to his advantage too, this one nestled right in the top corner.

4)   Hatem Ben Arfa vs West Bromwich Albion – A scintillating counter-attack crowning with Ben Arfa dispatching the ball into Ben Foster’s net. A goal which summed up so much of Newcastle’s away form this season, clinical as ever. In truth, this goal and Cisse’s 2^nd in the same game could have either made it in, both swift counter attacks carried out to perfection.

5)   Ryan Taylor vs Sunderland – Way back in August now, for a Magpies side containing Joey Barton against the arch enemy managed by Steve Bruce, Taylor struck a majestic free-kick from an unlikely angle to provide all three points.  It arrowed into the top corner and despite the best efforts of his namesake Steven to get a touch, the goal was all Ryan’s making. The start of a special season, and what a way to kick start it.

Get involved, think Williamson could star in Europe next season? What's been your favourite goal this season in the North East?

HA

FA Cup Final - Chelsea Triumph Again

Chelsea Football Club continue their monopoly of England's premier cup competition, landing their 4th FA  Cup in 6 seasons at Wembley today. Their 2-1 win may be attributed to some degree of fortune, withstanding Liverpool's late surge towards their own fans, but overall it was a merited victory. So, just where was the game won and lost?

Experience

Liverpool looked a little nervous and apprehensive, something which will worry Kenny Dalglish as this was their third trip to the national stadium this term. Jay Spearing was hopeless in midfield and made two poor errors in both Chelsea goals, but defensively they were uncharacteristically shaky. Enrique and Reina made bad mistakes in the opener, and in contrast Chelsea's men did their jobs well. Perhaps this was down to experience, with the Chelsea players boasting numerous trophies while Liverpool's highest successor only has three victories - Steven Gerrard.

Lampard vs Gerrard

There was only one winner in this contest, and it was vitally important to the outcome of the game. Gerrard has never scored in a game where he has lined up against his fellow England midfielder, and furthermore Lampard has proven a constant thorn in Gerrard's side. The pair first met in 1999 when the then young West Ham midfielder inspired a shock 1-0 win for the Hammers, and since then the pair have met 30 times with Gerrard only tasting victory 8 times. This game, on the biggest stage of all, was simply a further example of Frank's dominance. Gerrard failed to impact on the game, drifting all over the place but to no avail. Lampard, in contrast, stuck manfully to his task of dominating the middle of the part, and did it with aplomb. His pass to Drogba in the build up to the second goal summed it up, the vision and unselfishness which has become a hallmark of his game this season shown perfectly.

Dalglish's Errors

Andy Carroll should have started, no doubt about it. But, there was more to it than just personel, Liverpool's tactics left a lot to be desired. Matching Chelsea in a 4-2-3-1 formation, there was simply no structure whatsoever. Gerrard, Downing and Bellamy drifted all over the place and this does not help the balance of the team. Henderson was completely anonymous, and this left youngster Spearing to cover the middle of the wide Wembley pitch on his own. The Liverpool academy product is only 23 and with only 30 odd league appearances it was ridiculous of Dalglish to leave him this task. Is there any real plan of action with the Scotsman in charge? There was a serious lack of tactics on show from Liverpool, and sadly for them it's been a re-occurring theme for a long time now.

So, Chelsea roll onto Munich with the FA Cup safely back in their trophy cabinet, where is almost seems to belong this season. For Liverpool, it's ultimately been a poor season, despite the Carling Cup win. It's sure to be an interesting close-season at Anfield.

HA

Is English Rivalry Too Much?

As the triumphant Bayern Munich touched down back in home territory on Thursday morning after clinching their place in the Champions League final, they were greeting by a guard of honour from the staff at the airport, a haggle of adoring fans, and giant letters spelling the world ‘FINAL’ out next to their plane. Over in Spain, as Barcelona crashed out on Tuesday night, Wednesday’s Madrid based press lamented their unfortunate exit and praised their efforts and also the style in which they continued to play.


In England, Barcelona’s conquerors Chelsea faced QPR in a Sunday lunch-time clash and the visiting R’s were asking to form a guard of honour to clap Chelsea onto the field and celebrate their achievement. They refused, with manager Mark Hughes saying ‘no chance’. QPR lost 6-1.

Being brutally honest, it is simply pathetic that Queens Park Rangers opted not to applaud the Chelsea side out. Yet, this is merely the latest example of English opposing teams and their fans refusing to show any support to any side but their own. Whether it be Wayne Rooney repeatedly saying how much he ‘hates’ Liverpool, Chelsea fans interrupting the Hillsborough silence,Liverpool fans chanting about the Munich air disaster, or Arsenal and Stoke fans taunting each other over the incident which saw Aaron Ramsey injured last season, there is simply no respect shown to each other. It could be argued that this helps fuel the competitive nature of the Premiership, but respect is something which can bear no negatives, and the lack of it is fundamentally damaging the league’s reputation, and also the national side.

In Spain, almost half the side ply their trade for Barcelona, yet the captain is from the arch enemy,Iker Casillas of Real Madrid. Is there any animosity towards the goalkeeper from any fans in the country? In England, whether the leader be Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand or John Terry, they face continued criticism from all around them except their own clan. It’s no co-incidence that Spain have gaining astronomical recent success internationally compared to a floundering English side.


It is a sad state of affairs when a superb effect from Chelsea, knocking out the holders and best team in the world Barcelona, cannot be applauded by fellow English professionals. It is an even worse one to think that the majority of footballing fans will be cheering on Munich come May the 19th. While Newcastle, Tottenham and maybe still Arsenal will have legitimate reason too, there is no reason why all other football fans in England shouldn’t be cheering on their home nation side in the Champions League final. But, fuelled by hate and jealously, they won’t be – and the main loser of this is the English national side and the image of the Premier League on the whole.

HA