It was revealed last month that Ghana international Andre Ayew would sign for Swansea City on a free transfer on the expiry of his Marseille deal.
Still only 25 years old, he comes to the Premier League with vast experience both in Europe and at international level. Many of Europe’s top clubs had registered interest in him, with it being confirmed early that the African star would not be signing a new deal at l’OM due to the financial constraints at the club.
Son of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele, much pressure was shovelled upon the shoulders of Andre and his brother Jordan, but it is the older of the two, Andre, who has taken on the talismanic status for the Ghana national team. Andre seems to have the much better attitude of the two, amusing considering he is very much known as a fiery character.
2014/15 was the season he came of age. Coming off the back of impressive performances as captain of the Ghana in the World Cup in Brazil, he took on more responsibility, contributing 10 league goals in 28 appearances and committing fewer fouls, while maintaining his urgency and vigour. His only aberration came in the 3-2 loss to eventual Ligue 1 champions Paris-Saint Germain in early April, effectively setting about a decline in the fishing city’s title challenge.
Despite an eventual fourth place finish, Ayew’s consistent performances brought much applause on completion of his eventual final game at the Stade Velodrome against Bastia. Well used to playing within a high pressing possession-based attacking outfit, as shown under Bielsa’s tutelage last season, he should slot seamlessly into Garry Monk’s side next term.
Able to play anywhere across the front four, he will go a long way towards replacing departed Ivorian, Wilfried Bony. Whilst not the same stature as the Manchester City player, he could prove a similar sort of focal point.
Looking destined to work well with midfield talents Ki and Shelvey, he makes intelligent runs with finishing to match. His determination and passion will endear him to the Swansea faithful for years to come, too.
The Swans have proven that they do business consistently well and this looks like a further extension of their philosophy. Swooping early to wrap up this deal, they could well prove to have already acquired their best signing of the season.
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He is the type of player they will take to down at the Liberty Stadium providing he settles in. Already having an embarrassment of riches in regards to speedy and tricky attackers, Ayew could show himself to be the best of them. If he continues his form of the last 18 months. Taking the step into his prime, he could turn into a terrace favourite.
He will be a pleasure to watch in the Premier League next season.
The summer of 2014 saw Manchester United bring in big attacking names, as newly appointed boss Louis van Gaal prepared to drag the Old Trafford side back into the Champions League. A year on, it is the positions further back in the side that the Dutchman has spent close to £80million on to fine tune his squad.
For a team so top-heavy last season, with big names failing to perform, the onus seems to have shifted to sorting out the back line. Though no big name centre back has walked through the door just yet, United seemed to have addressed another issue that has plagued the side for a number of years.
Since club icon Gary Neville retired, the Manchester side have struggled to adequately replace their former captain. Rafeal has recently left the club for pastures new, and despite a cult following picked up as a result of some heroic performances against Liverpool – never truly convinced in the role.
Antonio Valencia has been shifted back into the role, though his defensive qualities leave a lot to be desired. Basic mistakes as a makeshift defender pretty much summed the red side of Manchester up over the past few years.
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Perhaps the most understated of the new arrivals is Italian international full back Matteo Darmian. A £12.7m acquisition from Serie A side Torino, the athletic right back impressed on his competitive debut for the Red Devils, in their opening weekend victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
If his performance against Spurs is anything to go by, Darmian can address the right back issue. Singled out for his display by his manager, the former Palermo defender, along with Luke Shaw on the opposite flank, bucked the trend of a modern day full back – and made defending his priority.
Effective and efficient over flashy, the speedster expertly closed down Spurs’ attacks during the game, preventing the likes of Nacer Chadli, Christian Erkisen and Harry Kane from getting a sniff at the United goal.
Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling have significantly upped their games recently, and the addition of the Italian gives the Red Devils three quarters of top defence. Their new right-back perfectly slots into the system deployed by their Dutch boss.
Bigger names such as Nathaniel Clyne and Dani Alves were linked with filling the right-back berth for United, and the signing of the 25-year old perhaps came as somewhat of a surprise.
His dynamite defensive display was coupled with exciting attacking play. His new manager waxed lyrical about his new man ‘he played a good match in the Spurs half and when the opponents had the ball.’
With a respectable pass success rate of 86.1%, the 25-year old is clearly comfortable in possession, as van Gaal looks for his side to play out from the back. Three tackles and five clearances during his maiden 81 minutes in England show how solid he is when back in own half.
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A powerful runner, the man who impressed against England during last summer’s World Cup clash in Brazil looks to be a great fit for his new side. A man of the match performance during his country’s 2-1 win over England on that muggy night in Manaus, coupled with another MOTM display during his debut in the Premier League is extremely promising.
While it is premature to mention the new man in the same breath as a stalwart like Gary Neville, the Italian’s early form is promising. Darmian can at least go some way in filling the void left since the former England international’s retirement over four years ago.
Newcastle United and the loyal St. James’ following simply don’t possess the smoothest record when it comes to signing strikers in the Premier League. On the contrary, most deals set up in the forward department on Tyneside invariably end in less than perfect circumstances for the Magpies, desperately trying to return the good times back to the North East.
From previously ill-fated forays into the often trepidatious transfer market, including both largely forgotten figures of Albert Luque and Xisco, to several more recent striking failures at St. James’ Park, such as Emanuel Riviere and Facundo Ferreya to name but a few – Steve McClaren’s new side ultimately haven’t had a great deal of success amongst their forward options, arguably since the day Alan Shearer retired at the club.
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So then, in splashing out close to £12.5 million on 20-year-old Serbian striking sensation, Aleksandar Mitrovic, this summer, Newcastle United have seemingly carried out yet another massive gamble ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The former Anderlecht man has already picked up two yellow card cautions and one ridiculous sending off so far this season without scoring a goal, despite only possessing a grand total of four Premier League appearances to his name.
In light of such somewhat characteristic madness on Tyneside this term, the rest of the English top-flight are seemingly left to ask one question, and one question only – will the signing of Aleksandar Mitrovic eventually work out for the Magpies this season, or has Steve McClaren ultimately sourced a madman in the fiery Serb?
Well, for anyone who has watched Newcastle’s latest addition to their striking department do his thing in the early stages of the 2015/16 campaign, the answer to such a question remains somewhat obvious…
Yes, Mitrovic looks like he could well turn into the Premier League’s latest madman, and a pretty entertaining one at that. Whether it be through is inability to keep out of the referees note-book for the duration of the 90 minutes, seeming lack of control in the tackle and somewhat unusual approach without the ball at his feet, or simply because his collection of multi-coloured hair-styles have certainly painted out an unusual reputation for him in the past – Aleksandar Mitrovic could turn out to be a real character of the modern era.
Whilst the Serbian’s unpredictable nature and maverick qualities could admittedly prove the source of much frustration down at St. James’ this term, perhaps Mitrovic is actually just the kind of player Steve McClaren requires going into the new campaign. Newcastle lacked any form of cutting edge under the ill-fated reign of John Carver last season – yet with a striker as hungry and as desperate to make a name for himself as the former Anderlecht hit-man – the Tyneside faithful could potentially be witnessing some improved fortunes in front of goal in 2015/16.
Mitrovic undoubtedly brings with him a solid goal-rate to the Premier League, even if the Belgian Pro League isn’t quite the best test for players looking to make that all-important step up to the English top-flight. Nevertheless, McClaren’s side simply need more goals to fly in if they are to be successful this campaign, and that is something Mitrovic at least has the potential of delivering sooner rather than later.
However, whilst the young Serbian’s credentials out on the pitch certainly remain promising for Newcastle at this stage in the game, was there really no other striker out there offering a more stable package than Aleksandar Mitrovic? £12.5 million is a fair investment for a player of only 20-years-old after all, especially someone with distinctly clear anger issues that need to be seen to before it’s too late.
It seems as if Newcastle have potentially signed the Premier League’s next Mario Balotelli, which will likely succeed in dramatic style, or flop rather characteristically on Tyneside along with many of the club’s other gambles in the striking department. At this stage however, it’s certainly fair to say that Aleksandar Mitrovic hasn’t won himself many fans among the Premier League’s wider following as of yet.
He currently looks like a clueless headless-chicken clumsily ploughing himself into challenges without much thought of the consequences. Yes, he has remained a threat in front of goal partially this term, but so far the results have ultimately been less than convincing for the player himself, as well as the club as a whole.
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In any case, the St. James’ faithful certainly seem to have found themselves an excitinng character at the very least – it’s just that the jury currently remains out in regards to how well Aleksandar Mitrovic will actually do in his first season in the Premier League. Time will simply have to tell…
Once again it seems that the team with the best defence will win the Premier League this season. This is why Man United currently sit top of the division, because of their impressive defensive record so far. There is no doubting that Man City started the season impressively themselves. However their glittering goal scoring displays have paved over some significant cracks in their defence.
Chelsea proved last season that if you have a solid defence then you have at least half a chance of success. Unfortunately for Mourinho his parked bus isn’t running as smoothly as it once did, and it seems John Terry is the chosen bus driver Mourinho has decided to blame.
Pellegrini’s City has so far avoided resorting to Mourinho’s defensive tactics, despite its success last season. The Sky Blues were the league’s top scorers in their last campaign, and the year before that. Therefore to spend so lavishly on more attacking talent like, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne, seemed odd given City’s already exceptional array of talent in that area of the field.
The new boys have done well though, and City’s powerful attack looks hard to stop. Although their early season offensive prowess has been overshadowed by recent defeats to West Ham, Juventus and Tottenham respectively. Few would disagree that these are tough opponents, although the Citizens would have been confident given their supreme form.
Since Pellegrini took charge in 2013 he has brought in a big name central defender to partner club captain Vincent Kompany at the start of every season. This summer’s central defensive arrival was Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia, costing the club £32million.
It is too early to tell whether the Argentine will reverse the trend of expensive defensive flops for City. After Eliaquim Mangala’s unimpressive debut season last year, and three-year club veteran Martin Demichelis’ inconsistent form, how many times do City want to audition the role of centre back?
Over recent years it has almost become a problem position for City, since the departure of Joleon Lescott, the former Premier League champions have struggled to find a reliable partner to play alongside Kompany.
Not only this but the big spenders lack an equivalent to Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic in defensive midfield. Matic was seen as one of the main factors to Chelsea’s rock solid defence. This is another position Man City has dallied around with in the transfer market.
Nigel De Jong, Gareth Barry and Javi Garcia have all come and gone, and the likes of Yaya Toure and Fernandinhio are thought to be too attack minded to reliable play the role.
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So until Man City can find a solid centre back partnership like Ferdinand and Vidic, and a strong defensive midfielder like Claude Makelele, then City will continue to win trophies infrequently, instead of building a legacy of dependable success.
Jurgen Klopp has recently pointed out fans have been leaving Anfield before full-time. It was a cry for support to the final whistle and perhaps a subtle dig. Liverpool fans aren’t the only ones that head for the exits prematurely.
Manchester United fans can’t sit through the full 90 minutes if the result is going against them, especially if it’s a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of neighbours Manchester City. The Citizens themselves have been practising fire drills not long after the 80 minute mark recently. Those pictures of empty seats at the Etihad are often conveniently taken late on.
Here we take a look at games that seemed over or where fans had given up hope of a last minute goal. A few famous games have been omitted, like Nayim chipping David Seaman in the final minute of extra time in the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final.
It was an unforgettable moment, clear proof how a game’s never over, but none of the fans that day were leaving the stadium. The world was poised for penalties until Nayim got his lob on and left Seaman trailing back to the gaping hole.
What follows is ten of the best football comebacks and late shocks…
Gillingham 2-2 Manchester City, 1999
When Robert Taylor put Gillingham 2-0 up in the 87th minute of the 1999 Division Two Play-Off final at Wembley stadium, even the most hardened City fans felt the world open up. The pain of disappointment when they suffered relegation to the third tier had been seen at the lowest point City could fall to. Facing another year there after a trip to Wembley picked away at the still open sore and invited in even more despair.
Citizens started to trickle out of the famous old stadium, deflated and seemingly defeated. Then “Super” Kevin Horlock pulled a goal back in the 90th minute and for those that remained a flicker of hope reappeared.
After five minutes of tense play, Paul Dickov grabbed an unlikely City equaliser. His sliding celebration epitomised the cries of all the fans of the Manchester club. Those that had left attempted to get back to seats, the ones that remained saw City clinch promotion thanks to Nicky Weaver’s heroics in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.
The last minute turnaround was the first, vital, step in Manchester City’s journey back to the Premier League. Had they lost to Gillingham that day they would have probably become Division Two’s version of Leeds, and there’d have been no Sheikh Mansour and all that followed.
Newcastle United 4-4 Arsenal 4, 2011
The next match on the list shows how one incident can totally change a game. Arsenal, away from home playing Alan Pardew’s Newcastle United, found themselves three goals clear after just ten minutes. By the end of the first half they added another and no one would have been blamed for thinking the contest was over.
That was until Abou Diaby got sent off for losing his head and pushing Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan. Barton was criticised for inciting trouble but Diaby should have known better. Barton scored twice from the spot, with Leon Best getting one in between those strikes, and suddenly the game was on.
The confidence visibly drained away from Arsenal and Cheik Tiote put an end to their misery by removing any uncertainty and grabbed an 87th minute equaliser.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-5 Manchester United, 2001
When Tottenham Hotspur walked in 3-0 up against Manchester United in their 2001 Premier League encounter at White Hart Lane, they were deserving of the lead. For 45 minutes they’d outplayed United and the wide margin was justified.
During half-time Alex Ferguson must have given one of his best team-talks while the Spurs dressing room switched off. The following half saw a complete role-reversal. United gave a master-class, starting with an Andy Cole goal within a minute of the restart.
When Ruud Van Nistelrooy equalised in the 72nd minute there was only going to be one winner. Veron and Beckham added the gloss to a remarkable turnaround.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-4 Manchester City, 2004
They say lightning doesn’t strike twice. At half-time during their FA Fourth Round replay against Manchester City, Tottenham once again found themselves 3-0 to the good against a side from Greater Manchester.
To ease any highly unlikely fears, City midfielder Joey Barton got himself sent off for dissent on 45 minutes. Spurs would have to be really unlucky to be pegged back at this point.
Well, twenty minutes after Sylvain Distin had scored what looked like a consolation goal, City received some good luck when a Paul Bosvelt shot took a nasty deflection. Then Shaun Wright-Philips scored a chipped goal over Casey Keller, with cries of offside.
The ground prepared for an unexpected period of extra time. It never came. Jon Macken got on the end of a deep cross as he made his way into the box, he headed to the far corner and scored a shock winner.
It was his most memorable moment for the club and gave the FA Cup another moment of magic.
Liverpool 3-3 West Ham United, 2006
The 2006 FA Cup showcase has been renamed ‘The Gerrard Final’ in honour of the protagonist that turned around his team’s fortunes. Within thirty minutes Liverpool found themselves 2-0 down. Djibril Cisse did pull one back within five minutes but the first half very much remained in West Ham’s hands.
Liverpool captain Gerrard managed to get an equaliser on the 54th minute but it lasted less than ten minutes before West Ham deservedly went ahead once again with a Paul Konchesky goal.
The Hammers seemed to have hung on, Gerrard even went down with cramp, but mustering up a moment of excellence, he half-volleyed a West Ham clearance from 35 yards out to take the game to extra time.
Liverpool won the game on penalties but the West Ham players were broken in their minds the minute Gerrard’s 87th minute equaliser hit the net.
England 2-2 Greece, 2001
The next one is a throwback to when the nation was fully invested in England internationals. The one in question was a World Cup qualifier against Greece at Old
Trafford.
For the Three Lions to progress they needed a draw and after 68 minutes Teddy Sheringham grabbed an equaliser and the country breathed a sigh of relief – for a whole minute. England fell behind again and there was twenty minutes of agony as it appeared Sven Goran Eriksson’s men would need to go through the play-off route and face Ukraine.
Cometh the hour, cometh Beckham. Deep into injury time, and having already wasted five long range free kicks, he stepped up for one final effort. What followed was one of the most iconic Beckham goals, perhaps his best ever in an England shirt.
Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan, 2005
Liverpool again and another 3-3. This time it wasn’t about exchanging goals toward a climax, by half-time they were 3-0 down against European royalty on the grandest stage of all. But Liverpool are no paupers on the continent and the second half saw a comeback fit for a king.
Gerrard’s role this time was to start the fightback, he scored in the 54th minute and by the 59th Smicer and Alonso had drawn the Merseysiders level. Momentum is like an avalanche and confidence can be crushed by it. When the Milan ‘keeper, Dida, made a mess of Smicer’s long range effort, allowing Liverpool to get their second, the tone of the tie changed.
By extra time Milan had lost their heads and some heroics from Jerzy Dudek ensured Liverpool won the European Cup for the fifth time, a feat they rarely mention.
Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal, 1989
Friday night matches and last minute title deciders may sound like a modern invention but the 26th May 1989 combined both of these elements in the old First Division.
It was between title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. The fixture had been rearranged after the original April meeting was cancelled due to the Hillsborough disaster. The only room for it was after the FA Cup final, which Liverpool won after beating Everton.
The Reds came into the last game, three points clear and looking for a league and cup double. For the Gunners to upset them they needed to win by two goals, this would give them the title on goals scored.
Alan Smith grabbed a goal for the London side after 52 minutes and a sense of foreboding came over Anfield. What followed was an exercise in hanging on until Arsenal manager George Graham made attacking substitutions and opened his team up to the counter attack.
Liverpool ran the clock down and all seemed lost for Arsenal. Lee Dixon played a long ball to Smith who found Michael Thomas. He charged toward Bruce Grobbelaar’s net and slotted in Arsenal’s second, with 25 seconds left on the clock.
Man United 2-1 Bayern Munich, 1999
The 1999 Champions League final is remembered as the most famous comeback in European finals history and the peak of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United team.
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Mario Basler gave the German side a lead after 6 minutes with a swerving free kick. It didn’t allow them to take control of the tie, though. Manchester United had most of the possession but couldn’t carve out any decent chances. The pre-match fear they’d miss the suspended duo of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes began to grow.
The second half saw a lively Bayern side and they even hit the woodwork. There was a feeling the game was starting to slip from United’s grasp.
Then, as the game entered three minutes of injury time, the Red Devils won a corner that even Peter Schmeichel went up for. It was only cleared as far as Ryan Giggs whose poor attempt at goal found Teddy Sheringham, he promptly scored. United were back in the game and heading to extra time.
But Ferguson’s men smelt blood and within 30 seconds forced another corner. With extra time assured Schmeichel stayed in his own area this time. He wasn’t needed, the ball found Sheringham again, this time he headed across goal. The baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer smashed the ball into the top of the net.
The Bayern players were rocked so hard some couldn’t even stand to see out the remaining seconds and United completed an historic treble.
Manchester City 3-2 QPR, 2012
Heading into the final 90 minutes of the season all Manchester City needed to do was win at home to QPR to ensure their first top flight title in 44 years. This would be enough to to pip Manchester United on goal difference unless the Red Devils produced a cricket score at the Stadium of Light. If United failed to pick up the expected victory, City only had to match the result.
Despite Wayne Rooney scoring after 20 mins against Sunderland, placing United top of the live table by two points, there was still no need to worry at the Etihad. This was highlighted almost 20 minutes later when Pablo Zabaleta scored, starting scenes of premature celebration.
But it wouldn’t be City if they did things the easy way. A few minutes into the second half and Djibril Cisse grabbed the battling QPR a leveller. Joey Barton added to the heightened sense of occasion by getting sent off, not content clashing with just Carlos Tevez, the former City man kicked out at Sergio Aguero before eyeing up Vincent Kompany. It took Micah Richards to calm the situation.
The extra man only served to galvanise The Hoops and Jamie Mackie compounded the misery by putting them ahead.
At the 90 minute mark Manchester United were all smiles in Sunderland. They had done their bit and just had to sit out whatever injury time was left in Manchester before celebrating an unlikely title win.
Enter Edin Dzeko. From a feeling of despair came hope and inevitability. He scored two minutes into added time and those City fans that had remained dared to believe again. Moments later Mario Balotelli made the most important assist of his career, from a grounded position he scrambled the ball to Sergio Aguero.
Amid the mayhem, with 93:20 on the clock, the Argentine found the net. He moved forwards as if inspired and created the Premier League’s defining moment. The Etihad erupted and the term ‘Typical City’ changed its meaning forever.
Ross Barkley has taken the wonderkid tag and failed to live up to it for several seasons, but this doesn’t seem to be stopping Everton fans from seeing him as the messiah.
In a world where fans struggle to see the brilliance of Mesut Ozil, its hardly a surprise that Barkley is so over valued. The Everton man is having a good season, but so many of the tweets you will see in this article just show how poor the UK is at judging talent.
As his side take on Newcastle, Barkley’s poor decision making and subsequent relinquishing of possession must be so infuriating for the Toffees, yet he seems a nailed on England starter.
We know Barkley is good, but so many Everton fans have simply got out of control and deluded.
Here are some of the silliest tweets..
Some fans seem to believe that he could beat 11 men all on his own..
You’d think he was a reincarnation of Roberto Baggio the way they go on about him!
Barkley might be good, but even he admires how damn good Ozil is…
It seems like Liverpool fans have had the impact they would have wanted and the world is finally listening to them: Ticket prices are getting ridiculous.
Liverpool were 2-0 in the 77th minute and then the Kop walked. Paparazzi and press flashed and recorded as the decibel level around Anfield dropped lower and lower and lower.
Then the noise levels erupted – Sunderland scored. And when Jermaine Defoe turned Sakho to smash home a late equaliser, the only thing you could hear into the Anfield sunset was the cheers of Sunderland supporters: “We are staying up, say we are staying up” they shrilled.
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This was the impact that supporters groups Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906 would have wanted. Off course they wanted their team to win but without the famous Kop crowd, Liverpool couldn’t perform.
Say what you like about the importance of fans but without them, football becomes 22 players running around a pitch and nothing more. Fans are the colour, the passion and the voice of every single football club in the world and without them the game becomes meaningless and empty.
The build-up was tense and nobody could have predicted what could have happened. After all, there had never been a walkout at Anfield before. Ever. This was new territory for the Reds’ fans and despite how bad it has been in the past, the supporters have always stood by their players.
But this was nothing to do with the players, management or results on the pitch. This was direct action in protest to the movements made by the Fenway Sports Group, who raised ticket prices to as high as £77 for one game this season. £77 – let that figure settle in your mind.
For two matches at Anfield at that price you can get a season ticket at non-league Hereford FC, who are regularly cheered on by over 3,000 fans at their romantic Edgar Street home. Yes, they are in the ninth tier of English football but that’s what makes the revival all the more pleasing and it’s an absolute bargain.
An £8.5billion TV deal has just been put into practise and still these greedy owners feel the need to raise prices for the true figures behind the club. They know people will pay, its in their blood to watch their team, at whatever the price.
But this is manipulation and tactlessness at its finest. There is no need to raise the prices just because they know people will pay it. These are their fans, their people and to treat them like this warrants such a response.
Emergency meetings and executive discussions will follow, but that has little importance compared to the events that took place during the walkout.
Up to 10,000 Liverpool fans left the ground and the world watched in awe as they did so. If there is a particular group of supporters that can make an impact its Liverpool fans.
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And as they continue to wave their black flags and fight against the modern-day treatment of fans I’m sure the rest of the country will stand with them as they do so.
Just a few days ago Arsenal had to endure a replay against Championship outfit Hull City, today they’re facing Watford for a place at Wembley for the third year running.
Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott were the main saviours as Arsene Wenger’s men trounced Steve Bruce’s side 4-0 at the KC Stadium on Tuesday night – setting up an intriguing encounter with fellow Premier League side Watford as an FA Cup quarter final awaits today at The Emirates Stadium.
This is probably Arsenal’s and the Hornets’ best chance of claiming any silverware this season. The Gunners are drifting away from the title race with inconsistent domestic form while Watford have all but secured top flight status meaning both sides are set to do all they can in order to force through a chance to play at Wembley.
With the North Londoners bidding to win the FA Cup for the third consecutive season – they will have to do it without several key players meaning Quique Sanchez Flores will most definitely fancy his chances. Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Petr Cech are all sidelined, yet Arsenal name as strong a team as they possibly can only days before a trip to the Camp Nou. The injuries, however will encourage Watford to aim for some Cup success in this solid 2015/2016 campaign.
Ok, Shakespearean quotes might be a bit much for some football chat, but transport the line from Verona to Glasgow and it perfectly represents the city’s two main footballing factions: Celtic and Rangers.
With a rivalry that goes back to the late 19th century, when the two clubs were part of the 11 founders of the Scottish League, the pair may have been separated in recent years due to Rangers’ past in-discrepancies, but the political, religious and social divide represented by the pair has endured.
And with Rangers’ imminent return to the top-flight of Scottish football, the pair will be able to renew their compelling rivalry on the pitch once more. And boy does Scottish football need it. We will get a teaser of the famous Old Firm clash next month as the pair face each other in the Scottish Cup semi-final on April 17.
The rivalry is the backbone of Scottish football and one of the biggest in the world, the decline in football north of the border is, in part, due to the blue side’s demotion to the bottom rung in the league ladder. But they’re on the way back up, and it won’t be long before the pair are back to their antagonistic, warring best.
But what about the two sides being granted entry to the English FA Cup? For years the idea that they should join the English leagues has been mooted, and while this might bring with it a whole different set of problems – not least the reliance on the duo from the rest of Scottish football – there is a genuine argument to suggest they could compete in the (English) FA Cup.
As two of the biggest clubs in the British Isles, having the Bhoys and the Gers competing for the famous old trophy would add an extra dimension to the whole thing. It could have a rejuvenating effect on a competition that has been struggling in recent years, the demands of domestic and European football too much for some with the FA Cup suffering as a result.
But the lure of seeing the famous Glaswegian clubs in England’s premier Cup competition, pitting their wits against England’s finest, would be significant enough to draw in bigger audiences and therefore an injection of money and interest. It would also enliven the England/Scotland rivalry, one nearly as big as that between the two clubs themselves.
How they would fare remains to be seen. The quality of Scottish football is likely akin to the middle of the Championship at best, so their progression in the competition is by no means a given. But the inherent size of both clubs and the accompanying volume of support would lend themselves well to the competition regardless of the quality of either side.
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However, problems could arise should either of the sides go on to lift the trophy, resulting in qualification into Europe. As per Cardiff City in 2008, the FA would need to offer special dispensation to allow the clubs to represent England in Europe. As members of a different FA, the situation is liable to cause consternation and dissenting voices from other clubs, Rangers and Celtic taking up European spots that could be assigned to English clubs. Whether they would represent Scotland by winning an English competition is a potential banana-skin to the idea.
And given the ineptitude of the FA regarding far more simple matters, the situation is liable to cause much disruption and wrangling between the two FAs. But should the English and Scottish FA’s find a way to mediate the possible inclusion of the ‘Old Firm’ into the FA Cup without damaging the traditional set-up of either league or cup competitions, I see no reason why fans would not welcome the chance and flock to see a possible Celtic v Liverpool or Rangers v Chelsea quarter-final clash.
Just as it is easy to see the foundations being set into place for the new stadium, the foundations can be seen as firmly in place for a team and manager to have what could potentially be the most exciting and successful period Spurs have ever known.
After years of wasting money on ‘big name but no clue signings’, we now have a manager that has the confidence and boldness to promote talent from our fantastic youth academy, along with buying the right players to compliment the current team.
I believe that this coming season will not see many changes at White Hart Lane, but will see some additions that will bring the team forward that little bit further to challenge on both the domestic and European front without suffering the ‘hangovers’ we have become synonymous with.
There are two players that seem to be repeatedly linked on forums; one being Ousmane Dembele and the other being Michy Batshuayi.
Both players would be welcome additions and fit the Pochettino criteria of being hard-working, fast and young. I would go so far as to say Ousmane Dembele could have a similar impact to Dele Alli this season. Batshuayi has an advantage in that he has already had some schooling in the way Pochettino works as he was managed previously by Marcelo Bielsa – a man the Argentine regards as his mentor, and the man responsible somewhat for the way he trains his players.
The only issue I see going forward is keeping any additions to the squad happy because the current team are very much established now and Pochettino is a manager that prefers to play the same players each week, but I believe he will only sign players that he knows will buy into his philosophy, which can only be a good thing.
So my season’s verdict is this: yes Leicester are champions, but our team has performed far beyond the expectations we harboured at the start of the campaign, and it is looking like things can only get better.
Taking nothing away from Leicester, but where do they go from here? The party of all parties will be had in the next couple of weeks, but once the dust settles and the excitement of next season starts to ramp up, maybe one or two players such as N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez will be sold for massive profit, and Leicester will find next season a totally different kettle of fish with the Champions League to contend with – as Spurs are well aware sometimes the Champions League can make a club go backwards instead of forward.
Anyway, I can finally say with total confidence now that the future is bright and the future is Lilywhite.
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