Crouch the Creator

Tottenham Hotspur’s remarkable achievement of reaching the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League suggests they could become a permanent fixture in Europe’s elite club competition.

After securing qualification to the group stages back in August, the gossip column was in over-drive trying to identify which ‘world-class’ striker manager Harry Redknapp would be recruiting, to ensure that the group stages wasn’t as good as it got for his Spurs’ side.

Such rumours would have left Peter Crouch wondering if he would be joining Roman Pavlyuchenko on the substitute’s bench. Luis Fabiano, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Ruud Van Nistelrooy names all suggested but none prevailed.

However, three months on Spurs have booked a place in the last sixteen of the Champions League whilst Peter Crouch remains a permanent fixture in the front-line, and deservedly so.

Crouch, who has scored seven times this season (five Champions League goals, two in the Premier League) may not be considered a prolific goal scorer but his contribution to the team warrants his place in the starting XI.

In the absence of Jermaine Defoe and the incompatible pairing of Pavlyuchenko and Crouch, Redknapp has employed Rafael van der Vaart as a second striker and this has worked
perfectly.

Although you cannot guarantee that Crouch will win every ball in the air, what you can be certain of is that Van der Vaart will be within a ten metre radius of his striker, ready to win the first or second ball. This is one of the reasons the Dutchman has been able to maintain a unique record of scoring seven goals in seven appearances at White Harte Lane.

Statistics also demonstrate the fruitful relationship of Crouch and former Real Madrid play-maker Van der Vaart, Crouch setting up five of the Dutchman’s eight goals this season.

However, it is not just the suggested long ball that is paying dividends for Redknapp’s side. The team play a direct style, but don’t let this be mistaken for long ball. No, this means putting team’s under enormous pressure by getting the ball forward but also using the wide players to get the ball and move the play into the penalty area.

The return of Aaron Lennon to right-wing; coupled with Gareth Bale’s fine form, makes for a full-backs nightmare as Inter Milan’s Maicon will testify. Here Crouch can be fully utilised and his presence will create uncertainty, it is clear he has a pivotal role to play.

The playing relationship of Bale, Crouch and Van der Vaart is key for Spurs; the re-emergence of Luka Modric is also a huge boost, the Champions League a suitable stage for a player of undoubted quality.

Despite the early season success of this Spurs team, I believe that if the White Harte Lane club are to challenge for major honours, then they will need to bring in a prolific striker. This is not to say in replacement for Peter Crouch, but to perhaps play alongside.

For now though Harry Redknapp and his side can congratulate themselves on job well done and will know greater challenges lie ahead, but it will still be some time before this Spur’s side outgrows Peter Crouch.

Cesena, here to stay?

Massimiliano Allegri tasted defeat for the first time as AC Milan manager, as his side were beaten by newly promoted Cesena, who only reaffirmed their ambition to remain a Serie A club for more than one season.

Milan started the game in typical fashion; Andrea Pirlo working the ball from back to front. Ronaldinho had the first real attempt on goal (10); cutting in from the left and curling the ball towards the top corner, only to be denied by Cesena goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli.

The home-side broke where a dangerous cross from wide-right forced Abbiati into action, Cesena determined not about to roll over for one of the Serie A big boys.

Despite Cesena’s endeavour, Milan were creating the better chances in front of goal. Thiago Silva should have done better when he headed over from a corner (15). 10 minutes later, Alexander Pato was unfortunate to have a goal disallowed for being offside. The latter also shooting wide when fed by new strike-partner Ibrahimovic.

It was however, Cesena who opened the scoring. New signing Stephen Appiah, brought in to replace the departing Guly Do Prado, started the move, fed the ball to the right, which was crossed in for Erion Bogdani to head home (31). Bogdani’s task of scoring was made easier when Milan defender Sokratis inexplicably attempted to volley the ball instead of using his head.

Milan almost responded immediately when Ronaldinho crossed for fellow Brazilian Pato, who was denied by Antonioli’s feet.

It went from bad to worse for Milan as Cesena doubled their lead on the stroke of half time on the counter-attack.

With Milan trying to force an early equaliser before the break; the ball was cleared to Bogdani who carried the ball into the Milan half and spotted an unmarked run from danger man Emanuele Giaccherini who remained cool under pressure to slip the ball past Abbiati (44).


HALF TIME: 2-0

Allegri will no doubt have hoped his half-time team-talk would give Milan some impetus to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. No such luck.

Ten minutes after the interval, Ronaldinho was dragged off to make way for Robinho to make his debut in a black and red shirt. Donning the number 70 shirt, Robinho tried to make an impact, but to no avail. Robinho at least moved away from the touchline, in-field to try and conjure up something, more than his departing team-mate achieved.

To Allegri’s frustration there was no immediate impact, so on came Pippo Inzaghi for the anonymous Gennaro Gattuso, demonstrating exactly why he featured so rarely last season.

In truth Cesena played for a clean sheet in the second half; creating a solid defensive wall on the 18 yard line, forcing Milan to resort to long-range efforts; Swede Ibrahimovic coming closest.

There appeared to be hope for Milan with four minutes remaining when Inzaghi won his side a penalty. Ibrahimovic was presented with the opportunity to make himself an instant hero and set-up a blockbuster finish. His penalty struck the right-post, this was Cesena’s day.

It finished 2-0 on a memorable day for Cesena. After two Serie A games they have yet to concede and have made more than an ideal start. Already for Milan old and new concerns will be highlighted, there is still much work to be done if a title challenge is to become reality this season.

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Cesena: 2 (Bogdani, 31),(Giaccherini, 44)
AC Milan: 0

Cesena: Antonioli (GK); Ceccarelli, Pellegrino, Von Bergen, Nagatomo; Appiah, Colucci, Parolo; Schelotto, Bogdani (Malonga 80), Giaccherini

Milan: Abbiati (GK); Bonera, Sokratis, Thiago Silva (Abate 46), Antonini; Gattuso (Inzaghi 65), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Pato, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho (Robinho 56)

Can Derby still acheive without Rob Hulse?

Many Derby County fans would have been disappointed with the exit of striker Rob Hulse. The well-travelled striker has won promotion twice in his career and has been purchased by teams who were promoted without his services. Now at Championship table-toppers Queens Park Rangers, he will hope to make it a third career promotion and have a second crack at the Premier League.

Indeed, the first game of the season showed some promise for Derby, who so far under Nigel Clough’s reign have had to endure a transitional period with a massive squad overhaul in the past 20 months in order to create a more manageable wage bill.

Clough, who left Burton Albion after 10 years of service, now faces a new challenge: to revive the fortunes of Derby and once again turn them into Premier League contenders.

An opening-weekend win at Leeds would have given fans early hope. The combination of Paul Green, Kris Commons and Hulse was particularly impressive. The latter of course was a key focal point to this attack and, as many Football League defenders will be aware, is more than a mere battering ram.

However, since the opening weekend of the Championship Hulse has been injured and Derby have had to endure two defeats and a draw at home to QPR. Such has been the extent of the injury list at Pride Park that former Exeter defender Dean Moxey has been used as a makeshift striker in variations of 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations.

Before discussing the importance of Rob Hulse’s departure to QPR, there are a number of factors that need to be considered. Hulse is now 30; although still more than capable at that age, he missed 16 games last season and has only played one so far in the current campaign. More crucial to the decision to sell Hulse was that the money on offer was too good to turn down for a striker with only nine months left on his contract, points highlighted by Derby executive chairman Tom Glick.

Hulse has been the top scorer for the Rams for the two previous seasons, chipping in with 28 league goals in his last three campaigns, and his departure will no doubt harm the Derby’s chances of promotion. In addition, Clough may have to re-think tactics; Dean Moxey cannot be relied upon for an entire season, and naturally as a defender he will not match Hulse’s prolific goal-scoring rate.

The departure of the 6ft 2in striker will not aid Derby’s aspirations this season, but the Midlands club are in no hurry,

While Derby are in the middle of a five-year plan to reach the Premier League, 30- year-old Hulse’s aspirations for top-flight football are more immediate; and under new manager Neil Warnock who would bet against it happening this year.

Atletico make De-Poor Pay

Atletico made it four straight wins in La Liga by beating seventh-placed Deportivo La Coruna at the Vicente Calderon stadium as they aim for an unlikely Europa League position.

The game started a scrappy affair, with both sides attempting to keep possession but more often than not failing to use it in an effective manner. Despite the fact that the game was end-to-end, no real chances were created.

The first chance of note did not arrive until the 16th minute when a Diego Forlan drive was spilt by Deportivo keeper Daniel Aranzubía, only for Kun Agüero to miss the ball and fall to the floor.

Everything from the home side was going through Aguero; as his influence grew so did Madrid’s. Their third corner of the match (20) was cleared only as far as Simão, who crossed for Forlan to head against Aranzubía; the rebound fell to Juanito, who hooked the ball into the back of the net.

The deadlock finally broken, the vibrant home fans expected the game to liven up but to no real avail. La Coruna contrived to get a foothold in the game in the form of Juan Carlos Valerón and Andrés Guardado. Atletico shot-stopper De Gea gifted the away side their first corner of the match by failing to control the ball on the goal-line.

Depor’ failed to score, their wasteful corners matched by the lively Tomáš Ujfalusi’s desire to keep a clean sheet. The side in all white looked most likely to score from a set-piece or cross, hardly surprising given that Atletico have conceded 13 goals from set pieces this season; the worst record in the division. It was easy to see why; the home side had conceded eight fouls within the first 30 minutes.

Deportivo then missed two headed opportunities within the space of ten minutes which would have seen them equalise. The first came on 33 minutes when Sergio’s free-kick was headed wide by Colotto, with striker Adrian repeating the feat minutes later when he attempted to angle the ball beyond the Atletico’s keeper.

After the break it was still an even contest but Miguel Angel Lotina’s side failed to make their possession count as they were quite frankly hopeless in the final third of the pitch. The side in red and white were more efficient at winning the ball and their technical superiority enabled them to make better use of their possession, with Tiago and Jurado pulling the strings.

Lotina attempted to change his team’s wastefulness by replacing midfielder Valerón with the more attack-minded Riki. However, it was not to be his day; as quickly as Riki had entered the field of play the opposing side had doubled their lead through Uruguayan striker Forlan (57).

Daniel Aranzubía, Depor’s number one, was guilty this time. His miss-kick allowed Jurado to unleash a shot which then fell to Simão. Aranzubía almost atoned for his mistake by saving the Portuguese’s effort, only for the ball to fall kindly for Forlan to head home and ensure a fifth straight win at the Vicente Calderon.

The second goal killed the game. Depor’ had lost their three previous league games and it showed; their early-season promise has not been fulfilled and their aim of a Europa League spot looks less likely by the week in contrast to Atletico, who before kick-off lay in tenth place.

The home side applied the pressure and the away side crumbled.

The industrious Ujfalusi was allowed to drive forward effortlessly from right-back throughout the entirety of the game. The Czech combined with Forlan before skipping past Lopo and crossed for the influential Tiago to finish the move and end any remote hope that remained for the travelling fans.

Florez was now rewarded with the opportunity to take off Forlan and Aguero ahead of a vital Europa League quarter-final second leg at home to Valencia on Thursday.

The only moment of note for the Galician club was a 30-yard free kick from substitute Perez, whose audacious effort was spectacularly saved by David de Gea.

The remainder of the game was merely a formality for Atletico who took their foot off the pedal with Thursday’s game clearly in mind, but not before the demolition of a faltering Depor’ who will look to their next fixture at home to relegation-threatened Racing Santander before the formality of Barcelona away.

For the regular fans at the Vicente Calderon it’s a completely different story to the first half of the season. A new manager and the introduction of the experienced Tiago has provided a visible lift, with the target now a Europa League spot; after watching tonight’s encounter, who can bet against them finishing above the not-so-Super Depor’?

Saints on the march?

Its was 1976 when Southampton won their only major trophy at Wembley; since then the club has enjoyed promotion back to the old Division 1, an FA Cup Final in 2003 and a brief European tour to Bucharest. Relegation to the third tier of English football, administration and watching their nearest and dearest rivals winning the FA Cup in 2008 followed.

Now though the turbulence of recent years is beginning to calm for the Solent club.

Sunday’s triumph at Wembley could may well be the point that Southampton have announced themselves back into English football, as they embark on a journey to take them back to the ‘promised land’ of top-tier football.

Alan Pardew has been tasked with the job of getting Saints out of League 1, into the Championship and then straight out of the Football League altogether. Nicola Cortese has provided him with the tools to do so. 32-goal striker Rickie Lambert is the most high-profile acquisition and the most successful. Markus Liebherr’s cash injection has also seen the arrival of big-money signings such as Jose Fonte, Jason Puncheon and Lee Barnard.

However, Pardew’s relative success this season cannot be put down to money alone. The former Charlton manager has also proved to be shrewd in finding bargains. Dan Harding was picked up as a free agent, and what a signing he has been. The left-back has been the Saints’ most consistent performer this season. Radhi Jaidi, a player whose experience is invaluable, has also been bought into to ‘beef up’ what was last year a very frail defence.

Cortese has gone on record to say that league results have not been good enough this season and that the club’s position in the league is not satisfactory considering the money spent. Cortese may have seen the books last year but he certainly wouldn’t have seen the team. This squad is so much stronger this season and contains winners, experience and belief. A complete contrast to last season’s relegated squad of youth players who went down with a whimper.

Pardew and his team, however, have been able to make use of the talented players from last season, two of whom have become key components of his JP trophy winning side: Morgan Schneiderlin and Adam Lallana.

Schneiderlin, the French under-21 captain, has all the attributes to be a top player but his first year of football across the Channel has not been a happy one on the pitch. Being relegated with Saints is what marked his debut season in English football. The cultured midfielder came under criticism for his lack of strength and lack of fight, a lot for a 19-year-old player to take.

This season, however, his game has changed. Now the young midfield magician has added bite and fight to his game. Although he is yet to score a senior goal he certainly contributes towards the large number of goals scored by Saints. Southampton’s number 19 will have been deeply disappointed to have missed Sunday’s final through injury, but he will probably return to Wembley one day for a bigger competition, with or without Southampton.

Fans from St. Mary’s are still holding onto slim hopes of reaching Wembley for a second time this season, after waiting more than 15 years since their last trip. Without the points deduction they would find themselves two points from the play-offs. 12 points to make up in nine games seems unlikely but not impossible considering the fixtures for both Southampton and their play-off-chasing rivals.

The men with money talk and Cortese certainly does; the man charged with managing the finances expects more. But a question that Saints fans have asked themselves, and one for Cortese to consider, is this: at the start of the season with a 10-point deduction, a squad in tatters and a manager joining less than a month before the start of the season, would you have been happy with a top-ten finish and winning a trophy at Wembley?

The answer for most is yes. Even Southampton great Matthew Le Tissier has given Pardew his public backing; take note Cortese.

The last few years of football on the South Coast barely tell a story of success. Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth and even Weymouth have suffered financial woes and now relegation.

The story of Southampton should provide inspiration to fans of these other clubs that the good times can arrive as quickly as the bad times. Portsmouth fans may not wish to emulate Southampton but if the Saints can continue on their current track they could be the model for clubs beyond the South Coast.

Return of Ronaldinho?

After being discarded by FC Barcelona in 2008, it appeared it was the beginning of the end for Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. The two-time World Player of the Year was to join AC Milan where many may have expected the flamboyant attacker’s career to peter out. However, as we approach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa there may be one last chance for Ronaldinho to remind the world just why he was once of the of the world’s best.

This season has seen an improvement in the form AC Milan’s number 80, and goals have come with it, including one each against Real Madrid and Manchester United in the Champions League.

The season that followed the 2002 World Cup was to be Ronaldinho’s last at Paris Saint-Germain, where he made his name, capturing the attention of Barcelona’s President Joan Laporta. After completing a £32.5 million move to the Catalan club, things only got better.

Ronaldinho was quickly becoming one of the best players in the world and the amount of trophies he was winning was only helping his case. Following World Cup success in 2002, he went on to win the Champions League in 2006, in the process picking up the FIFA World Player of the Year Award.

Only two seasons later the story was very different for the former PSG player, as was the case for Barcelona on the pitch. The 2007/2008 season saw the Spanish giants finish without a trophy. This was quite simply unacceptable. Manager Frank Rijkaard did not survive, and neither did an injury-plagued Ronaldinho.

The former European Player of the Year was not only at a loss for form and fitness, but question marks were beginning to be raised over his weight and his desire to play football. Was he to suffer the same fate as his predecessor Ronaldo?

Ronaldinho was moved on from Barca at the end of the season, which subsequently saw him face a new challenge in Serie A for AC Milan at the San Siro.

His first season was unspectacular and did nothing to suggest that he was going to recapture the form he had shown a few years previously; he scored scoring only 10 goals from 35 appearances.

However, this season has seen a rejuvenated Ronaldinho under the new management of Leonardo. A slow start to the season suggested that the red and black half of Milan were going to suffer another season of frustration. Come February 2010 this is not the case.

Milan have advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League, beating Real Madrid away 2-3 in the group stages, and currently lie second in Serie A, albeit four points behind league leaders and bitter rivals Inter.

Ronaldinho has himeself bagged 12 goals, three of which have come in the Champions League. His performance in the first-leg defeat at home to Manchester United was reminiscent of the player once witnessed at Barcelona. This match demonstrated that he still has the desire to compete at the highest level and is still desperate to be in the Brazil squad for the World Cup finals. On current form, is he not surely worthy of a place in the squad?

Critics may point to that the fact that Ronaldinho has been left out of the squad for Brazil’s friendly against Ireland at Wembley on March 3rd, as evidence that he does not feature in Dunga’s plans for the World Cup. But the other side of the argument is that the Samba Kings' chief does not need to pick Ronaldinho because he knows exactly what he is getting. Dunga is fully aware of the player’s capabilities and his ability to perform on the biggest stage.

He may not be the player of old, but who better to come off the bench to change a game, and inject creativity and a spark into a side than Ronaldinho? One thing for certain is that Milan’s attacking midfielder will need to continue his current form, and what better stage to prove his point than the second leg of a Champions League tie at Old Trafford?

Fiorentina see red, the officials didn't.

The form book suggested only one winner in this Champions League tie, Bayern Munich. Fiorentina didn’t read the script, unfortunately the referees did.

Fiorentina’s fine away performance was marred by a succession of poor decisions made by contentious Norwegian referee Tom Henning Overbo. A name and face Chelsea fans do not wish to remember, now football fans from Florence can be added to that list.

Arguably Marco van Bommel should have been sent off in the first half for two rash challenges. A booking he received should have been a straight red on 28 minutes. The Dutchman then chose to take a dive on 39 minutes in no-mans land, but no card arrived. This was then followed by a controversial decision to send off Gobbi, for an alleged elbow to Man of the Match Arjen Robben.

To top this, the linesmen failed to acknowledge Miroslav Klose being a yard offside before poking in the winner in the 89th minute. Robben cut in from the right, saw his shot parried, for Olic to head to the unmarked and offside Klose.

Fiorentina came to play counter-attacking football in a bid to prevent Bayern Munich from turning 12 straight wins into 13. The first 35 minutes suggested this was more than possible.

Indeed Bayern were very slow to start and the team from Florence looked the more likely to score with the lone figure of Gilardino posing their biggest threat. Frank Ribery anonymous in the first half and a shaky centre back partnership of van Buyten and Demichelis gave the Italian club hope, but half chances came and went.

Despite the home side’s inability to control midfield, Robben’s direct-runs and attempts to link up with Mario Gomez finally paid dividends as the home side won a penalty in first-half stoppage-time. Frank Ribery was fouled in the box by former Everton defender Per Kroldrup, as Gomez tucked away the loose ball. But the celebrations were cut short as referee Tom Henning Overbo had already pointed to the spot.

The manner in which the goal was conceded and the timing of it may have suggested that Fiorentina would struggle to find a way back in, but after half-time that is exactly what they did.

A goal arrived from Kroldrup in the 49th minute to give the away side a vital goal that their play deserved. A Fiorentina corner ran deep, hit Jovetic’s leg and found its way to the Danish defender who tuner to finish at the near post.

The much coveted Stevan Jovetic began to show glimpses of why he is one of Europe’s biggest prospects. A one-two with striker Gilardino almost led to a second goal seconds after an equaliser.

However, this marked the end of Fiorentina’s attacking intentions for the remainder of the game. The team in violet now had their focus on taking a draw away from the Allianz Arena.

Jovetic, a two goal hero against Liverpool in the group stages of this season’s competition is still a raw talent. His defending and tracking back are areas for improvement, as is his tackling. Predominately an attacking player, on more than one occasion the young starlet was guilty of giving away needless free-kicks. But this is certainly forgivable for a player making only his second start.

Bayern played some pretty football but failed to penetrate a determined Fiorentina defence frequently. A lack of movement appeared to be a problem due to the set-up of the away side; it was not until play reached the final third that Bayern really came to life.

Hitzfeld turned to Miroslav Klose and Olic in a bid to bring new life to a fading attack. The move paid off as Bayern began to apply more pressure and won successive corners. Although it was not until the sending off of Gobbi that the game really turned in the home-side’s favour.

Gaps now became more frequent in midfield as van Bommel and the ineffectual Schweinsteiger found more space. However, only Robben and Ribery were able to truly exploit a tiring Italian defence.

It appeared Bayern had wasted the chance to take a lead into the second leg when Klose failed to convert from 10 yards out after a pull back from Philip Lahm.

Not to fear the Norwegian officials contrived to find a winner by allowing Klose to score what can only be described as an unfair goal, which denied the Fiorentina players a draw that their determined and disciplined performance had deserved.

The German side will now enter the second leg as favourites with the opportunity to score away goals. Fiorentina can take heart from this match, and barring a repeat performance by the officials, should have the belief that they can turn this tie around.

Cutting the Cost

This year’s January sales were a non-event, clubs focusing more on saving money rather than spending it. Perhaps the news coming from Portsmouth nearly every week of new financial troubles has begun to have an effect on more than just one club.

For some clubs a successful transfer window can be holding onto your best players to help fight against the drop, West Ham fit the bill. A takeover from lifelong Hammer’s fans David Sullivan and David Gold has enabled manager Gianfranco Zola to keep his star players and reinforce his front line in a bid to retain Premier League status.

Sullivan, an outspoken character has criticised the way finances have been managed by his Icelandic predecessors. In recent interviews given, he has re-opened the debate about the need for a salary cap in football – it continues here.

Leeds United are a club everybody likes to identify when using an example of a top four Premier League side that has suffered financial meltdown due to overspending and financial mismanagement, whom now find themselves in League 1 and recovering 9 years after a Champions League Semi-Final appearance.

However, it appears not enough people have learnt from the past mistakes of Peter Risdale, maybe the men in charge should be more aware of Portsmouth’s plight.

F.A Cup success in 2008 has come at a price. Administration looms, relegation almost certain, and a winding up order in place. Why?

Outside the elite ‘top four’ and beyond the Premier League every club seeks success. Quite simply the majority of clubs cannot attract players of the best calibre without huge financial strain on the wage bill.

The players brought to Fratton Park under Sacha Gaydamek’s reign certainly were not attracted to a modern football stadium and great training facilities, but with an option to earn a packet! Of course not every player can have this labelled at them.

Former and current England players: Sol Campbell, David James, Glen Johnson, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch, none of whom were cheap. £7 million spent on David Nugent!

The Premier League is a competition, but only between four teams it appears. Manchester City are attempting to buck the trend, how? Spending millions of pounds. People say this is the nature of the game today. But why should teams like Portsmouth, Wigan, Bolton, Fulham and newly promoted clubs not have the same opportunity to bring in better players without jeopardising their future.

How would a wage cap help?

Firstly, it would give the chance for all clubs to have a star player, someone the fans can look to, and someone who can inspire the next generation of footballers at a local club.

The game of football is forever changing. Elder fans still pine for the golden years of football, when the players were one of them, loyalty existed and the lifestyle of players were not on another level to the average fan. A salary cap coupled with a reduction in wages may make some fans feel that footballers aren’t super human, and the relationship between the fan and football players is of mutual respect not complete idolisation or jealousy.

This isn’t helped by the fact fans are now paying an awful lot of money to watch their team play. Big money is spent to pay wages of these players, some of whom don’t match their degree of pay with the same level of effort.

Of course it would be unfair to aim this criticism at all players. But it appears now that the home-grown hero is becoming something of an extinct commodity. In the lower leagues there are better examples of stalwarts and great club servants, but in the Premier League, it seems you can count them with all 10 fingers.

David Sullivan, in this week’s papers has stated that he has now “warmed” to the idea of a wage cap and that it could in-fact help save many clubs.

It is hard to imagine many businesses in other industries being allowed to run with as much debt and borrowing as football clubs are. Fifa President Sepp Blatter has warned of his intensions to introduce a rule whereby clubs cannot operate under debt. A salary cap could be the first small step to help ensure clubs can adhere to this rule whilst remaining competitive.

Of course there are arguments against the idea of a salary cap. The most successful clubs will argue that they should not be punished for their success and ability to spend more money than their rivals as a result. Perhaps gone are the days when Manchester United fans will make such a case, with the club in debt of reportedly around £600m.

Spare a thought for the fans of Stockport County, Crystal Palace, Chester City and Darlington; they too are suffering from financial woes of their own.

A wage cap may not be a popular solution within the game, but I believe it is a necessary one. No-one wants to experience what Portsmouth are currently going through, but as David Sullivan has warned, they may not be the only club in English football if changes aren’t made soon.

Howe does Eddie do it?

Being a manager in the Football League is never an easy task, but few young managers will experience the difficulty that Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has faced off the pitch and the short-term success experienced on it.

Howe, a product of the Bournemouth youth system, spent the majority of his playing days at the club, and when forced to retire through injury in 2007, the defender was already a player-coach under former manager Kevin Bond.

Having lost his job, alongside Bond, Howe was brought back to the club as assistand manager by newly-appointed Jimmy Quinn, as Assistant Manager.

In the 2007/2008 season, the Cherries were plunged into administration, and as a result of a ten-point deduction were relegated to the Football League’s bottom tier. Since then it has been problem after problem, but now under Howe’s stewardship there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel.

The 2008/2009 season started with a 17-point deduction from the Football League, with the club's league status under severe threat, as well as its very existence. A frustrating summer followed, as several takeover bids to save the club collapsed.

The experienced Kevin Bond was unable to turn round Bournemouth's fortunes on the pitch and was relieved of his job in September 2008. Quinn was appointed caretaker-manager and brought fans’ favourite Howe back to the club. Quinn, like Bond failed to move the Cherries away from the relegation zone, and suffered the same fate as his predecessor.

The boardroom looked now for inspiration. Howe was given the job of caretaker-manager and despite losing his first two games, was appointed as full-time manager on 19 January 2009. This was to be the club’s third manager of the season, not usually a recipe for success.

Bournemouth had an 86-year tradition as a Football League club to maintain, and Howe’s divine intervention made sure that this was still intact at the end of the season.

By March, the youngest manager in the League had seen his side lose only two of their previous eleven matches and find themselves two points above the relegation places with 10 games remaining. Bournemouth survived, finishing nine points above relegated Chester City and Luton Town, who would go on to have serious financial woes themselves.

This, however, is not the full story.

12 months later, while the club is still in financial difficulty and a transfer embargo has prevented Howe from reinforcing the squad, the Cherries find themselves in second place.

Centre to this revival is striker Ben Pitman who, while often considered a figure of frustration in past seasons, is now showing his full potential. This season he has already netted 17 goals, compared to his total of 14 last season. The young striker collected also the Player of the Month Award for September. Despite his age 37-year old Steve Fletcher is still around chipping in goals. Howe’s side can also boast having the most clean sheets in League 2 (11), joint with big spenders Notts County.

Such a contrast in fortunes goes to show that money does not always buy success and that having the right men in charge can provide success on the pitch.

Bournemouth can boast a more impressive range of statistics which make for good reading. Howe and his staff have only used 26 players in the league this season, the third smallest total in League 2, compared to Darlington, the league’s bottom club, who have used 50 players.

More evidence of this came with Saturday’s 2-1 win away to Crewe, with Howe taking just 15 fit players to Gresty Road.

Howe’s success is not going unnoticed. In November last year Darren Ferguson was strangely dismissed as manager of Peterborough despite two successive promotions. Barry Fry came for Howe, only to be knocked back.

Despite the young manager’s obvious commitments to his home-town club the question remains Howe long (excuse the pun) Bournemouth can hold onto their man at the top.

United take Arsenal back to school

Fresh doubts will have been raised about Arsenal’s ability to turn promise into silverware, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s and Manchester United’s title ambitions were merely reaffirmed.

The title was never going to be won or lost today, but a win for either side would have given them the confidence that they can go on to win the Premier League.

Pre-match team news suggested the game would be a closely contested affair; however, what actually happened on the pitch was a completely different story. Arsene Wenger would have been pleased with the absence of both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, but a lightweight Arsenal attack failed to exploit any flaws in an imperious United display.

United were at their best today and gave a perfect lesson on how to play counter-attacking football, led by an in-form Wayne Rooney who capped a tremendous performance by scoring his 100th Premier League goal for the reigning champions.

Rooney though was not alone in producing a match-winning performance. United fans will also have noted a marked improvement from Nani in recent weeks, all of which came to fruition today. From the start of play he tormented Gael Clichy, who was restricted to playing in his own half as on a rare occasion Nani’s tricks and flicks were turned into chances and goals. Indeed, this is how the first goal occurred.

It was Nani’s audacity to beat two players by the corner flag before beating Vermaelen in the box, and crossing for Almunia to turn into his own net that the deadlock was broken on 32 minutes.

If anyone wants to see an example of how to beat your man this is it.

Arsenal had threatened early on in the form of Andrey Arshavin, who was wasteful in front of goal. The Russian’s lost cause wasn’t helped by a lack of support up front. Arsenal have by no means struggled for goals this season. But when facing both Manchester United and Chelsea, the need for an out-and-out striker has been painfully exposed. The loss of Van Persie has been dealt with well due to goals scored by Fabregas, but the lack of fire power in the final third was all too clear to see.

A key component in Arsenal’s ability to score goals and compete among the top echelons of the league is the playing relationship of Fabregas and Van Persie, one that is not as effective with the Arsenal captain and Arshavin.

The away side were able to kill the game only four minutes later. Arsenal were pressing with a corner, only for United to demonstrate again how to counter-attack.

Rooney collected the ball just outside his own box, released to Nani who carried the ball into the Arsenal half, as Rooney roared into the box and dispatched Nani’s return pass beyond a helpless Manuel Alumina. A goal highly reminiscent of United’s third goal at the Emirates to secure a place in last season's Champions League Final.

Unfortunately for Arsene Wenger, so was Arsenal’s performance.

At halftime Sky Sports’ football anoraks scrambled to find out the last time Manchester United led 2-0 and lost. There wasn’t one to be found, a record that remained intact at full time.

Nani had one of his best games in a United shirt; not only did he expose an out-of-sorts Gael Clichy, but he also carried out his defensive duties.

United’s third and final goal on 51 minutes killed the game for Arsenal, despite a late consolation goal by Vermaelen. Ji Sung Park, a player Ferguson regularly employs in midfield for United’s toughest opponents, opened his account for the season, with another beautifully-worked goal by Manchester United.

Michael Carrick created the goal with a perfectly weighted pass over the Gunners' back line which set Park through one-on-one with Almunia: 0-3. Carrick himself gave his best performance of the season. Throughout he collected the ball from defence and looked to be his old self once more.

Arsenal are often touted as the team who produce the best football, but their opponents were undoubtedly a cut above today, something that will not have been ignored by Chelsea, who now retain a lead of one point at the top of the table.

Many lessons can be learnt today, but one that won’t be new is that you can never write off Sir Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United side.

De Jong the Protector

An intriguing game at Eastlands resulting in a 2-1 lead for Manchester City leaves next week's match at Old Trafford finely balanced and one to relish.

Neither team will want to miss out on a place in the Carling Cup Final at Wembley and just as importantly, city bragging rights.

Carlos Tevez scored the vital goals (and what a penalty), Shay Given kept goal impeccably but Nigel De Jong must take credit for his protection of the back four, perhaps leaving Patrick Vieira wandering if first team football is a certainty.

United certainly started the stronger team and looked more assured on the ball and were rarely pressed. Ryan Giggs scored his first derby goal in 14 years to give United a lead after 16 minutes. It was not until a controversial penalty given by Mike Dean for a shirt pull on Craig Bellamy, which was converted by Tevez, that City came to life.

Poor defending from United gifted Tevez a second goal and Man City a lead going into the return leg at Old Trafford next week. The most worrying part of this for Sir Alex Ferguson is that United’s vulnerability in defence is a common sight this season.

United did however press for an equaliser. De Jong covered almost as much ground as Tevez and countless times closed down a determined Wayne Rooney, and along with Gareth Barry and Zabaleta kept United’s midfield in check.

Ferguson then turned to Michael Owen to try and find a vital goal. No such luck. A neat one-two with Rooney put the latter through on goal, but Given was there again, the Irishmen showing exactly why he is City’s number 1, giving a flawless performance.

This will give Mancini confidence. The task when arriving at Eastlands was to sure up the defence. Given is certainly a key foundation in this. The pairing of Lescott and Toure is yet to fulfil its potential, but the Eastlands manager can certainly have faith in De Jong protecting the defence.

De Jong does not provide creativity, but does possess the quality of reading the game well, good positional sense and has a strong work rate to complement it. Perhaps the arrival of Vieira has given him extra motivation to perform; no such luck with Robinho!

Statistics can be a useful measure of the quality of a player and in measuring a performance. De Jong can boast a ‘successful tackle’ rate of four out of four for tonight’s match, whilst also completing 27/37 passes. Good reading to match the performance.

The Dutchman arrived at Eastlands with a glowing reputation from Hamburg. Last season he was solid but not outstanding. If the feisty midfielder can continue this level of performance matched with the commitment shown he will keep his place in Mancini’s side and can secure a place in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup.

The contribution of Tevez and Given cannot be ignored. Two goals against his former club will send the City home very happy, but with the second leg only a week away, Mancini will be relying on the spine of his team to repeat the heroics of tonight to book a place in the final at Wembley.

A Tall Order

Scoring the winning penalty and lifting the F.A Cup as Arsenal Captain in 2005 appeared to be Patrick Vieira’s last act in English football. Since the departure of the commanding Frenchman Arsenal have failed to win a single trophy and have failed to replace the presence that Vieira left, both on and off the field.

Now though as one of Europe’s most decorated players returns to the Premier League with Manchester City, he may be about to witness the rise of a new Gunners hero, Abou Diaby.

Since Arsene Wenger’s creation of the unbeatable team in 2004, Arsenal have only gone on to win one trophy and have seen the squad dismantled and rebuilt, on promises of young players producing the beautiful football seen at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium, as well as more trophies to follow, the latter of which has not occurred.

The Arsenal manager has put his faith in young players such as Cesc Fabregas, Denilson, Gael Clichy, Alex Song and Theo Walcott. With Arsenal still firmly in the title race at the halfway point of the season, it seems that his infant side have learnt from broken seasons and are finally showing true signs of winning some elusive silverware.

Diaby is one of the players to have really stepped up to the plate. Fabregas is a well-documented talent, even Alex Song is beginning to command a regular spot in the starting eleven, but Diaby looks to be the most natural successor to take over Vieira's mantle. A comparison publicly acknowledged on Arsenal’s website by the manager “They are the same stature, the same size and have the similar style.”

Not an inaccurate comparison. Diaby is even beginning to add goals to his game. The third goal against Aston Villa is certainly a goal Fabregas, or indeed Vieira would have been proud to have scored. But a future leader? Only time will tell.

A combination of injuries and inexperience has given Diaby limited appearances in his infant years at the club, but with the Gunners competing strongly in the Champions League and domestic competitions (ignoring the 3-0 humbling at Eastlands in the Carling Cup) there seem to be plenty of matches where the Arsenal number 2 can continue to demonstrate his quality.

With Alex Song away for the African Nations, and injury problems that hold a curse over Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky, it is the perfect opportunity for Diaby to make himself one the first names on the team sheet.

Diaby has already made 16 appearances this season and scored 5 goals, not bad for a defensive midfielder.

The long-legged midfielder has made only 2 appearances for the French national team, and with a queue of talented players ahead of him it is not surprising. But with Raymond Domenech (France Manager) under huge scrutiny and scraping qualification against Ireland, new options are likely to be explored. If Wenger has faith in Diaby, shouldn't Domenech too?

Patrick Vieira himself has cited a seat on the plane to the World Cup in South Africa as one of the key reasons for joining Manchester City. Roberto Mancini has inherited a dysfunctional defence at Eastlands, the purchase of a midfield protector not a necessity but experience you can’t put a price on (or you can at reportedly £150,000 a week?).

“In Arsene We Trust” is a popular phrase around the Emirates Stadium; his decision to let his captain leave in 2005 and no trophy since may have suggested it was the wrong one. But with Vieira coming towards the twilight of a glittering career, who is to say that Wenger’s new commander may not be on the plane with the former Highbury veteran, or even in place?