Interpol Shrimper
Member
I am toying with the idea of sticking a tenner on Stoke securing the lowest ever PL points total, can't see them even hitting double figures!
-
Welcome to the ShrimperZone forums.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which only gives you limited access.
Existing Users:.
Please log-in using your existing username and password. If you have any problems, please see below.
New Users:
Join our free community now and gain access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and free. Click here to join.
Fans from other clubs
We welcome and appreciate supporters from other clubs who wish to engage in sensible discussion. Please feel free to join as above but understand that this is a moderated site and those who cannot play nicely will be quickly removed.
Assistance Required
For help with the registration process or accessing your account, please send a note using the Contact us link in the footer, please include your account name. We can then provide you with a new password and verification to get you on the site.
Slipperduke's Slippery Column
- Status
I am toying with the idea of sticking a tenner on Stoke securing the lowest ever PL points total, can't see them even hitting double figures!
Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Newcastle v Chelsea
Chelsea may have made hard work of it, but two well-taken second half goals gave them a vital victory over Newcastle here at St James Park, and set up a nail-biting finale to the season. Level on points, but separated by a yawning gulf of goals, Avram Grant will have to pray that Manchester United get bogged down in the ploughed field at the JJB Stadium, while they do the necessary against a resurgent, but limited Bolton Wanderers side.
Grant may come across as dour in interviews, but his team selection certanly had some hearts fluttering. Out went Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou and, with Nicolas Anelka marginalised on the right wing, the Blues lacked the urgency and energy of their last two performances. Indeed, they were so poor in the first half that they seemed under the misguided belief that a single point would suffice. After a half-time break which Grant presumably spent repeatedly rapping Didier Drogba across the knuckles with a ruler while reading out the league tables, his team were more direct, more focused, and far more dangerous. John Terry sounded alarm bells by crashing a header off the bar from a Florent Malouda corner and then Didier Drogba chipped in a dubiously-awarded free-kick for Michael Ballack to nod home.
Ordinarily, this would be the signal for a Newcastle capitulation, but much has changed in the last three months. There is belief here again and faith in these players' ability to pass the ball on the floor. Last week at Upton Park, Keegan's side came back from two goals down to draw with West Ham. Rather than crushing their spirit, Ballack's goal simply spurred the Magpies into action. Newcastle have improved immeasurably since their terrifying slump in form in the early days of the Keegan revolution. Where once they seemed scared to receive the ball to feet, now they can't get enough of it. The fans are in no doubt whatsoever as to where the credit should go and they sang Keegan's name at great volume, even after Malouda's goal ensured that the game would ebb away to inevitable defeat.
You'd be hard pushed to find a neutral who will be cheering Chelsea on in Moscow and, with some of their antics here, it's hardly surprising. Didier Drogba played the dying swan routine, John Terry argued everything and the whole team refused to accept that you have to be ten yards away from a free-kick before it's taken, a fact that seems to have escaped Steve Bennett's attention as well. Undoubtably, they get results, but they don't win any friends in doing so.
None of that will concern the Chelsea fans, especially the thousands of hardy souls who made the long trip north to witness this vital win. After a season that has seen the end of Jose Mourinho, a prolonged injury crisis that would make even Alan Curbishley faint and the widespread mockery of their manager, Chelsea are so close to a third title in four years that they can practically taste the champagne. Now it all comes down to the final Sunday. Who would have thought that would be the case just one month ago?
(Only an early deadline has prevented me from focusing on an extraordinary Kevin Keegan press conference. The tabloids will make entertaining reading tomorrow!)
Chelsea may have made hard work of it, but two well-taken second half goals gave them a vital victory over Newcastle here at St James Park, and set up a nail-biting finale to the season. Level on points, but separated by a yawning gulf of goals, Avram Grant will have to pray that Manchester United get bogged down in the ploughed field at the JJB Stadium, while they do the necessary against a resurgent, but limited Bolton Wanderers side.
Grant may come across as dour in interviews, but his team selection certanly had some hearts fluttering. Out went Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou and, with Nicolas Anelka marginalised on the right wing, the Blues lacked the urgency and energy of their last two performances. Indeed, they were so poor in the first half that they seemed under the misguided belief that a single point would suffice. After a half-time break which Grant presumably spent repeatedly rapping Didier Drogba across the knuckles with a ruler while reading out the league tables, his team were more direct, more focused, and far more dangerous. John Terry sounded alarm bells by crashing a header off the bar from a Florent Malouda corner and then Didier Drogba chipped in a dubiously-awarded free-kick for Michael Ballack to nod home.
Ordinarily, this would be the signal for a Newcastle capitulation, but much has changed in the last three months. There is belief here again and faith in these players' ability to pass the ball on the floor. Last week at Upton Park, Keegan's side came back from two goals down to draw with West Ham. Rather than crushing their spirit, Ballack's goal simply spurred the Magpies into action. Newcastle have improved immeasurably since their terrifying slump in form in the early days of the Keegan revolution. Where once they seemed scared to receive the ball to feet, now they can't get enough of it. The fans are in no doubt whatsoever as to where the credit should go and they sang Keegan's name at great volume, even after Malouda's goal ensured that the game would ebb away to inevitable defeat.
You'd be hard pushed to find a neutral who will be cheering Chelsea on in Moscow and, with some of their antics here, it's hardly surprising. Didier Drogba played the dying swan routine, John Terry argued everything and the whole team refused to accept that you have to be ten yards away from a free-kick before it's taken, a fact that seems to have escaped Steve Bennett's attention as well. Undoubtably, they get results, but they don't win any friends in doing so.
None of that will concern the Chelsea fans, especially the thousands of hardy souls who made the long trip north to witness this vital win. After a season that has seen the end of Jose Mourinho, a prolonged injury crisis that would make even Alan Curbishley faint and the widespread mockery of their manager, Chelsea are so close to a third title in four years that they can practically taste the champagne. Now it all comes down to the final Sunday. Who would have thought that would be the case just one month ago?
(Only an early deadline has prevented me from focusing on an extraordinary Kevin Keegan press conference. The tabloids will make entertaining reading tomorrow!)
The General
The Mouse (*)
There was nothing dubious about the free-kick, Slip!
And King Kev's interview was class!
:D
And King Kev's interview was class!
:D
Last edited:
Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
"squeaky-bottom time."
For the first time since 1968, the destination of the title will be decided on the last day between two teams on level points. One slip-up, one mistake, and an entire season's hard work will come crashing down around the ears of one unfortunate manager. Hundreds of millions of people will crowd around their TV sets on Sunday night and tune in for 90 minutes of what Sir Alex Ferguson so charmingly calls, "squeaky-bottom time." But according to Kevin Keegan, this could be the most boring league in the world.
Keegan's remarkable comments came at the post-match press conference following his side's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. I've made no secret of my admiration for Keegan in the past. His enthusiasm and love for the game shines through in everything he does and you can see from the improved performances of the players, and the jubilant reaction of the long-suffering Newcastle fans, just how good a manager he actually is. Despite what you may have read elsewhere, this is no tactical simpleton. Keegan knows football and that's why his comments are so concerning.
"We're a million miles away. This league is in danger of becoming the most boring, but great, in the world. The top four this season will be the top four next season. Maybe the owner thinks we can bridge that gap, but we can't."
Keegan was frustrated that, after a half in which Newcastle matched their opponents and should have opened the scoring, Chelsea were able to look to their substitutes bench and bring on players of the quality of Frank Lampard and Andreiy Shevchenko. He was upset to find that as soon as Chelsea stepped up and played to their best, Newcastle were left choking in their wake.
"It's no longer a division where a team can come up and say what I said last time. 'Watch out Fergie, we're coming for your title," he claimed afterwards. "If West Bromwich Albion's manager said that now you'd wonder what they'd been drinking."
He's got a point. The gap between the divisions has grown wider in recent years, but the biggest problem is not the Premier League, it's the Champions League. You can see the trend across the continent. If the same teams qualify for the money trough that is Europe's premier competition more than three seasons in a row, they find themselves so rich that they can pick and choose from the best of their rivals' players.
But the gap is not as insurmountable as Keegan believes. Everton were sitting pretty in fourth until they lost their two most creative players, Mikel Arteta and more dramatically, Tim Cahill to injury. If you took Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres out of Liverpool's side, they would have struggled to qualify for the UEFA Cup. Tottenham Hotspur were just one bout of food poisoning away from the big time in 2006 and Arsenal's new stadium has meant that they've had to close the chequebook for the foreseeable future. Most damaging of all to Keegan's claim is the fact that Newcastle were themselves one of the elite until 2003 when they lost a penalty shoot-out to Partizan Belgrade in the preliminary round. They know better than anyone that success and status can be all too transient.
Keegan was right on one point. There is a huge gap in the Premier League and despite the excitement at the top, it doesn't make it very interesting for fans of anyone outside the private party. But that gap is not so wide that it can't be bridged. Aston Villa are building slowly, but surely for the future and Newcastle should look to them as the model. Chaos reigns behind the scenes at Anfield and the incoming credit crunch threatens the stability of the heavily indebted, like Manchester United and Arsenal. Football might be frustrating and depressing sometimes, but it never stays the same.
For the first time since 1968, the destination of the title will be decided on the last day between two teams on level points. One slip-up, one mistake, and an entire season's hard work will come crashing down around the ears of one unfortunate manager. Hundreds of millions of people will crowd around their TV sets on Sunday night and tune in for 90 minutes of what Sir Alex Ferguson so charmingly calls, "squeaky-bottom time." But according to Kevin Keegan, this could be the most boring league in the world.
Keegan's remarkable comments came at the post-match press conference following his side's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea. I've made no secret of my admiration for Keegan in the past. His enthusiasm and love for the game shines through in everything he does and you can see from the improved performances of the players, and the jubilant reaction of the long-suffering Newcastle fans, just how good a manager he actually is. Despite what you may have read elsewhere, this is no tactical simpleton. Keegan knows football and that's why his comments are so concerning.
"We're a million miles away. This league is in danger of becoming the most boring, but great, in the world. The top four this season will be the top four next season. Maybe the owner thinks we can bridge that gap, but we can't."
Keegan was frustrated that, after a half in which Newcastle matched their opponents and should have opened the scoring, Chelsea were able to look to their substitutes bench and bring on players of the quality of Frank Lampard and Andreiy Shevchenko. He was upset to find that as soon as Chelsea stepped up and played to their best, Newcastle were left choking in their wake.
"It's no longer a division where a team can come up and say what I said last time. 'Watch out Fergie, we're coming for your title," he claimed afterwards. "If West Bromwich Albion's manager said that now you'd wonder what they'd been drinking."
He's got a point. The gap between the divisions has grown wider in recent years, but the biggest problem is not the Premier League, it's the Champions League. You can see the trend across the continent. If the same teams qualify for the money trough that is Europe's premier competition more than three seasons in a row, they find themselves so rich that they can pick and choose from the best of their rivals' players.
But the gap is not as insurmountable as Keegan believes. Everton were sitting pretty in fourth until they lost their two most creative players, Mikel Arteta and more dramatically, Tim Cahill to injury. If you took Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres out of Liverpool's side, they would have struggled to qualify for the UEFA Cup. Tottenham Hotspur were just one bout of food poisoning away from the big time in 2006 and Arsenal's new stadium has meant that they've had to close the chequebook for the foreseeable future. Most damaging of all to Keegan's claim is the fact that Newcastle were themselves one of the elite until 2003 when they lost a penalty shoot-out to Partizan Belgrade in the preliminary round. They know better than anyone that success and status can be all too transient.
Keegan was right on one point. There is a huge gap in the Premier League and despite the excitement at the top, it doesn't make it very interesting for fans of anyone outside the private party. But that gap is not so wide that it can't be bridged. Aston Villa are building slowly, but surely for the future and Newcastle should look to them as the model. Chaos reigns behind the scenes at Anfield and the incoming credit crunch threatens the stability of the heavily indebted, like Manchester United and Arsenal. Football might be frustrating and depressing sometimes, but it never stays the same.
Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
This Summer's Transfer Targets
This Summer's Transfer Targets
Christoph Metzelder
You only had to watch the last 20 minutes of Arsenal's defeat at Stamford Bridge to appreciate how much the Gunners need a big man at the back next season, and it's not going to be Philippe Senderos. Christophe Metzelder was once considered to be among the best centre-backs in European football, but his big money move to Real Madrid hasn't worked out at all. He's huge and commanding and, to my knowledge, has never stormed around a football pitch, sobbing and lashing out at innocent water bottles. A vast improvement on Arsenal's current defensive 'leader'.
Would suit - Arsenal
Will probably go to - Newcastle
Geovanni dos Santos
Barcelona's youth academy is worth every Euro that the Catalans have invested in it. First came Lionel Messi and then, alongside the superb Bojan, came Geovanni dos Santos, a minaturised version of Ronaldinho minus the beer belly. Unfortunately, Geovanni's agent appears to believe that the youngster is already the finished article and repeated demands for a top drawer contract have infuriated the club. The sprightly playmaker is likely to scarper to anyone who can afford him, where he'll impress for two seasons before inevitably demanding a move to a bigger club like...erm...Barcelona. Foolish child.
Would suit - Arsenal
Will probably go to - Manchester City
Mario Gomez
What Newcastle could really do with this summer is Alan Shearer, circa 1995, but unless Kevin Keegan's powers extend to tearing holes in the space-time continium, he'll have to scour the conventional tranfer market. In a league filled with impish Ashleys and Jermaines, the old fashioned English centre-forward is an endangered species, but whatever the English can't do, the Germans can. In Mario Gomez, Stuttgart have developed a striker who is powerful, quick and deadly in front of goal. Player of the Year last season and scoring goals for fun in the Bundesliga, he is essentially Shearer with a German accent.
Would suit - Newcastle
Will probably go to - Real Madrid
Ricardo Quaresma
There's always room in the Premier League for another ludicrously skillful Portugeuese frontman and Liverpool are crying out for a cheeky trickster to replace the industrious plodding of Dirk Kuyt. Porto's Ricardo Quaresma would fit the bill, though his insistence on backheeling the ball over his own head, when a simple, short pass would suffice, could lead to the spontaneous touchline combustion of Rafa Benitez. Quaresma blew his last big move when he left Portugal for Barcelona, but he's older and wiser now. There's nothing he can't do with a football except, of course, kick it sensibly.
Would suit - Liverpool
Will probably go to - Real Madrid
Manuel Neuer
With Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn shuffling off into the sunset, you might think that Joachim Low would struggle to replace them. Not a chance. When it comes to young goalkeepers, Germany are spoiled for choice. The pick of the bunch is Manuel Neuer at Schalke whose penalty saves secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Neuer let one through his legs at Stamford Bridge last year, but he's been far more assured in the Bundesliga. Agile and athletic, he's not afraid to hare off his line like a certain David Hasselhoff lookalike either.
Would suit - Arsenal
Will probably go to - Bayern Munich
Klass-Jan Huntelaar
As sure as night follows day, the top scorers in the Dutch Eredivsie will end up in the Premier League. Like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt before him, Klass-Jan Huntelaar is destined to ply his trade in England. Huntelaar is one of those natural goalscorers who occasionally shoots without backlift, leaving defenders wondering how on earth their net is bulging when they didn't even see his foot move. He's quick, tall and potent and after three seasons, he's ready to try his luck outside of Holland. Mind you, we said all this about Mateja Kezman.
Would suit - Man Utd
Will probably go to - Chelsea
Ezequiel Garay
Racing Santander got their hands on the bargain of the year when they snapped up Ezequiel Garay from Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. The young centre-back is tall and intelligent and has been an indomitable force in La Liga. Like Rio Ferdinand, he's more than capable with the ball at his feet and he's even been known to take set-pieces. His performances have been catching the eye of scouts from the Premier League to Serie A and he's just broken into the national side, so expect a transfer fee that will make your eyes water.
Would suit - Man Utd
Will probably go to - Real Madrid
Jefferson Farfan
Tottenham fans will remember in far too much detail just how dangerous Jefferson Farfan can be. The Peruvian winger humiliated Gilberto on his White Hart Lane debut, nicking the ball away from him and poking it past a surprised Paul Robinson, before the Brazilian had time to even whimper in protest. Farfan has been delighting PSV supporters with his scorching pace, but there are still doubts about his ability to pick out the right pass due to his annoying habit of dropping his head and sprinting the ball out of danger. That said, it never harmed Milan Baros' career.
Would suit - Tottenham
Will probably go to - Newcastle
This Summer's Transfer Targets
Christoph Metzelder
You only had to watch the last 20 minutes of Arsenal's defeat at Stamford Bridge to appreciate how much the Gunners need a big man at the back next season, and it's not going to be Philippe Senderos. Christophe Metzelder was once considered to be among the best centre-backs in European football, but his big money move to Real Madrid hasn't worked out at all. He's huge and commanding and, to my knowledge, has never stormed around a football pitch, sobbing and lashing out at innocent water bottles. A vast improvement on Arsenal's current defensive 'leader'.
Would suit - Arsenal
Will probably go to - Newcastle
Geovanni dos Santos
Barcelona's youth academy is worth every Euro that the Catalans have invested in it. First came Lionel Messi and then, alongside the superb Bojan, came Geovanni dos Santos, a minaturised version of Ronaldinho minus the beer belly. Unfortunately, Geovanni's agent appears to believe that the youngster is already the finished article and repeated demands for a top drawer contract have infuriated the club. The sprightly playmaker is likely to scarper to anyone who can afford him, where he'll impress for two seasons before inevitably demanding a move to a bigger club like...erm...Barcelona. Foolish child.
Would suit - Arsenal
Will probably go to - Manchester City
Mario Gomez
What Newcastle could really do with this summer is Alan Shearer, circa 1995, but unless Kevin Keegan's powers extend to tearing holes in the space-time continium, he'll have to scour the conventional tranfer market. In a league filled with impish Ashleys and Jermaines, the old fashioned English centre-forward is an endangered species, but whatever the English can't do, the Germans can. In Mario Gomez, Stuttgart have developed a striker who is powerful, quick and deadly in front of goal. Player of the Year last season and scoring goals for fun in the Bundesliga, he is essentially Shearer with a German accent.
Would suit - Newcastle
Will probably go to - Real Madrid
Ricardo Quaresma
There's always room in the Premier League for another ludicrously skillful Portugeuese frontman and Liverpool are crying out for a cheeky trickster to replace the industrious plodding of Dirk Kuyt. Porto's Ricardo Quaresma would fit the bill, though his insistence on backheeling the ball over his own head, when a simple, short pass would suffice, could lead to the spontaneous touchline combustion of Rafa Benitez. Quaresma blew his last big move when he left Portugal for Barcelona, but he's older and wiser now. There's nothing he can't do with a football except, of course, kick it sensibly.
Would suit - Liverpool
Will probably go to - Real Madrid
Manuel Neuer
With Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn shuffling off into the sunset, you might think that Joachim Low would struggle to replace them. Not a chance. When it comes to young goalkeepers, Germany are spoiled for choice. The pick of the bunch is Manuel Neuer at Schalke whose penalty saves secured a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Neuer let one through his legs at Stamford Bridge last year, but he's been far more assured in the Bundesliga. Agile and athletic, he's not afraid to hare off his line like a certain David Hasselhoff lookalike either.
Would suit - Arsenal
Will probably go to - Bayern Munich
Klass-Jan Huntelaar
As sure as night follows day, the top scorers in the Dutch Eredivsie will end up in the Premier League. Like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt before him, Klass-Jan Huntelaar is destined to ply his trade in England. Huntelaar is one of those natural goalscorers who occasionally shoots without backlift, leaving defenders wondering how on earth their net is bulging when they didn't even see his foot move. He's quick, tall and potent and after three seasons, he's ready to try his luck outside of Holland. Mind you, we said all this about Mateja Kezman.
Would suit - Man Utd
Will probably go to - Chelsea
Ezequiel Garay
Racing Santander got their hands on the bargain of the year when they snapped up Ezequiel Garay from Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. The young centre-back is tall and intelligent and has been an indomitable force in La Liga. Like Rio Ferdinand, he's more than capable with the ball at his feet and he's even been known to take set-pieces. His performances have been catching the eye of scouts from the Premier League to Serie A and he's just broken into the national side, so expect a transfer fee that will make your eyes water.
Would suit - Man Utd
Will probably go to - Real Madrid
Jefferson Farfan
Tottenham fans will remember in far too much detail just how dangerous Jefferson Farfan can be. The Peruvian winger humiliated Gilberto on his White Hart Lane debut, nicking the ball away from him and poking it past a surprised Paul Robinson, before the Brazilian had time to even whimper in protest. Farfan has been delighting PSV supporters with his scorching pace, but there are still doubts about his ability to pick out the right pass due to his annoying habit of dropping his head and sprinting the ball out of danger. That said, it never harmed Milan Baros' career.
Would suit - Tottenham
Will probably go to - Newcastle
BaileytheQuitter
Spelling Guru
Disapointed to see none of them will probably be plying their trade at Roots Hall.
Bentley's Absurd Gait
Guest
Huntelaar is a fantastic player, and will score goals in the Premiership. I am saddened that Ajax cannot keep its star players, but I wish him well. I think he might end up with Spurs if Berbatov leaves.
Pubey
Guest
the giro club
Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Reserve League Play-Off Final
Liverpool's senior side may not picked up any silverware this year, but on Wednesday night at Anfield, Gary Ablett's reserve team were on hand to show them how it's done. Having won their regional divisional with room to spare, the youngsters were sent out to face Aston Villa's second string for the Reserve League Play-Off Final, and they put in a performance that will comfort and assure the club's supporters. With an emphatic 3-0 victory, on the pitch at least, the future looks bright for Liverpool.
For the majority of Ablett's side, who play their league games in nearby Warrington, this was an Anfield debut. The old stadium wasn't full by any means but, while the players were flanked by empty sides, the Kop was nearly full. Liverpool weren't aided by the loss of their inspirational captain, Jay Spearing, to an ankle injury last week. Spearing watched the game from the stands, visibly disappointed not to be involved, but he's got so much potential that it won't be long before he's playing there for the senior side.
Aston Villa manager Kevin McDonald, a former Liverpool midfielder himself, was desperate to impress at his old stomping ground and somehow managed to convince Martin O'Neill to allow him the use of Marlon Harewood and Wayne Routledge. With former Arsenal stopper Stuart Taylor between the posts, they were no pushovers, but as the first half wore on, Liverpool's superior class began to tell. Kristian Nemeth opened the scoring after a fine move, started by Nabil El Zhar and aided by great link-work from Jordy Brouwer. It was a finish very much in the mould of one Fernando Torres. It certainly worried the watching O'Neill, because he came down from the stands to watch the second half from the dug-out. Not a huge vote of confidence for McDonald.
Liverpool fielded four players who have already represented the senior side. The most experienced, Lucas Leiva, was quiet until he popped up with the final goal, but his partner in midfield, Damien Plessis was superb throughout. The former Lyon midfielder is tall and gangly, but he has a wonderfully delicate touch and, after breaking up attacks, he was able to spread the play nicely with some fine passing. Nabil El Zhar, who has failed to impress on his sporadic outings in the cup competitions, was another who will be happy with his contribution. The Moroccan winger was a real handful, stretching the Villa defenders with his pace.
Aston Villa were much stronger after the break, but when Emanuel Insua, another to have played for Rafa Benitez, stopped Routledge in his tracks with a crunching tackle, Nemeth was able to return the favour and set up Brouwer for a decisive second goal. Lucas slammed home the third not long afterwards and Villa were a spent force. It wasn't all about the frontmen though. Ronald Huth and Mikel San Jose were excellent at the back, showing exactly why this side rarely concede goals.
There may not have been anything to cheer about for the superstars this year and you can bet that these triumphant youngsters will be putting them in their place at training tomorrow. Some of them may find themselves stepping up a grade next season, some won't ever get that chance, but this victory will be a memory that will stay with all them forever. Now, if Liverpool could just sort that boardroom out...
Liverpool's senior side may not picked up any silverware this year, but on Wednesday night at Anfield, Gary Ablett's reserve team were on hand to show them how it's done. Having won their regional divisional with room to spare, the youngsters were sent out to face Aston Villa's second string for the Reserve League Play-Off Final, and they put in a performance that will comfort and assure the club's supporters. With an emphatic 3-0 victory, on the pitch at least, the future looks bright for Liverpool.
For the majority of Ablett's side, who play their league games in nearby Warrington, this was an Anfield debut. The old stadium wasn't full by any means but, while the players were flanked by empty sides, the Kop was nearly full. Liverpool weren't aided by the loss of their inspirational captain, Jay Spearing, to an ankle injury last week. Spearing watched the game from the stands, visibly disappointed not to be involved, but he's got so much potential that it won't be long before he's playing there for the senior side.
Aston Villa manager Kevin McDonald, a former Liverpool midfielder himself, was desperate to impress at his old stomping ground and somehow managed to convince Martin O'Neill to allow him the use of Marlon Harewood and Wayne Routledge. With former Arsenal stopper Stuart Taylor between the posts, they were no pushovers, but as the first half wore on, Liverpool's superior class began to tell. Kristian Nemeth opened the scoring after a fine move, started by Nabil El Zhar and aided by great link-work from Jordy Brouwer. It was a finish very much in the mould of one Fernando Torres. It certainly worried the watching O'Neill, because he came down from the stands to watch the second half from the dug-out. Not a huge vote of confidence for McDonald.
Liverpool fielded four players who have already represented the senior side. The most experienced, Lucas Leiva, was quiet until he popped up with the final goal, but his partner in midfield, Damien Plessis was superb throughout. The former Lyon midfielder is tall and gangly, but he has a wonderfully delicate touch and, after breaking up attacks, he was able to spread the play nicely with some fine passing. Nabil El Zhar, who has failed to impress on his sporadic outings in the cup competitions, was another who will be happy with his contribution. The Moroccan winger was a real handful, stretching the Villa defenders with his pace.
Aston Villa were much stronger after the break, but when Emanuel Insua, another to have played for Rafa Benitez, stopped Routledge in his tracks with a crunching tackle, Nemeth was able to return the favour and set up Brouwer for a decisive second goal. Lucas slammed home the third not long afterwards and Villa were a spent force. It wasn't all about the frontmen though. Ronald Huth and Mikel San Jose were excellent at the back, showing exactly why this side rarely concede goals.
There may not have been anything to cheer about for the superstars this year and you can bet that these triumphant youngsters will be putting them in their place at training tomorrow. Some of them may find themselves stepping up a grade next season, some won't ever get that chance, but this victory will be a memory that will stay with all them forever. Now, if Liverpool could just sort that boardroom out...
EastStandBlue
Life President
- Joined
- May 29, 2005
- Messages
- 15,519
Nemeth is supposedly incredibly highly thought of at Liverpool... Will be on the fringes of the first team next season.
Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
The play-offs
The Premier League may be coming to an end, but the divisions beneath it are just gearing up for their most exciting games. The play-offs start tonight and I'm all of a tremble because my beloved Southend are involved, preparing to battle away for a place in the Championship and a chance to further depress Derby County fans. For once, I'll actually get to see them as well.
The play-offs were introduced in 1987, removing the existing 'three-up, three-down' structure and replacing it with this extraordinary end of season knock-out tournament. It was a masterstroke, extending the interest in the season and giving smaller clubs the chance to play at Wembley. The four teams outside the automatic promotion places are drawn against each other, highest against lowest, and they play home and away with the victors going to Wembley for one game to decide the season. The winners are promoted. It doesn't get much tenser than that.
Next week, four teams will fight it out for a place in the Premier League. Watford will face Hull, while Crystal Palace take on Bristol City. The Championship play-offs are the most critical, but not because a chance to visit Manchester United and Liverpool is at stake. The TV revenues in the top flight are so high that just one season up there can transform a football club's fortunes for years. One season however, may be all that they get. The only drawback of the play-offs is that it allows teams who have only finished 6th, sometimes tens of points behind the leaders, to jump up before they're ready. Try pointing that out to any of the fans though. As far as they're concerned, a place in the play-offs is a winning lottery ticket.
The lottery analogy is a good one. There is no logic that can be applied to these games. They are less about technique and more about heart and bravery. There was once a theory that the team who just missed out on automatic promotion would be too devastated to focus and would crash out, but that's not necessarily the case. That said, it is often the team that approaches the play-offs in the best form that makes on final push for promotion. I certainly hope that's the case because Southend have only lost one game since I braved a journey to Millwall back in February.
Southend face Doncaster Rovers tonight at Roots Hall, a stadium that can politely be described as 'old school'. With its corrugated iron roofing and rickety old floodlights, it's a million miles away from the opulence of The Emirates Stadium, but that doesn't stop the fans revering it as if it were a pre-renaissance cathedral. Southend move to a shiny new home soon and this may be the old girl's last big game, so the supporters will be in full voice. The general view from the stands is that the club have performed extremely well just to reach this stage. Relegated from the Championship last season, they were forced to sell their top goalscorer of the last three seasons, Freddy Eastwood. Manchester United fans will certainly remember that name. Manager Steve Tilson rebuilt the side quickly, replacing Eastwood with former Tottenham player Lee Barnard, who has contributed 9 goals since his move in January.
For Southend, the challenge is simple. Beat Doncaster, home and away, and win the chance to play off for promotion against Leeds or Carlisle at Wembley. For me, it's much more difficult. Squeezed into a tiny press box, I'm going to have to stuff both hands in my mouth and remember that for one night, I'm a reporter, not a fan. Let's hope we both pass the test.
The Premier League may be coming to an end, but the divisions beneath it are just gearing up for their most exciting games. The play-offs start tonight and I'm all of a tremble because my beloved Southend are involved, preparing to battle away for a place in the Championship and a chance to further depress Derby County fans. For once, I'll actually get to see them as well.
The play-offs were introduced in 1987, removing the existing 'three-up, three-down' structure and replacing it with this extraordinary end of season knock-out tournament. It was a masterstroke, extending the interest in the season and giving smaller clubs the chance to play at Wembley. The four teams outside the automatic promotion places are drawn against each other, highest against lowest, and they play home and away with the victors going to Wembley for one game to decide the season. The winners are promoted. It doesn't get much tenser than that.
Next week, four teams will fight it out for a place in the Premier League. Watford will face Hull, while Crystal Palace take on Bristol City. The Championship play-offs are the most critical, but not because a chance to visit Manchester United and Liverpool is at stake. The TV revenues in the top flight are so high that just one season up there can transform a football club's fortunes for years. One season however, may be all that they get. The only drawback of the play-offs is that it allows teams who have only finished 6th, sometimes tens of points behind the leaders, to jump up before they're ready. Try pointing that out to any of the fans though. As far as they're concerned, a place in the play-offs is a winning lottery ticket.
The lottery analogy is a good one. There is no logic that can be applied to these games. They are less about technique and more about heart and bravery. There was once a theory that the team who just missed out on automatic promotion would be too devastated to focus and would crash out, but that's not necessarily the case. That said, it is often the team that approaches the play-offs in the best form that makes on final push for promotion. I certainly hope that's the case because Southend have only lost one game since I braved a journey to Millwall back in February.
Southend face Doncaster Rovers tonight at Roots Hall, a stadium that can politely be described as 'old school'. With its corrugated iron roofing and rickety old floodlights, it's a million miles away from the opulence of The Emirates Stadium, but that doesn't stop the fans revering it as if it were a pre-renaissance cathedral. Southend move to a shiny new home soon and this may be the old girl's last big game, so the supporters will be in full voice. The general view from the stands is that the club have performed extremely well just to reach this stage. Relegated from the Championship last season, they were forced to sell their top goalscorer of the last three seasons, Freddy Eastwood. Manchester United fans will certainly remember that name. Manager Steve Tilson rebuilt the side quickly, replacing Eastwood with former Tottenham player Lee Barnard, who has contributed 9 goals since his move in January.
For Southend, the challenge is simple. Beat Doncaster, home and away, and win the chance to play off for promotion against Leeds or Carlisle at Wembley. For me, it's much more difficult. Squeezed into a tiny press box, I'm going to have to stuff both hands in my mouth and remember that for one night, I'm a reporter, not a fan. Let's hope we both pass the test.
BILLERICAY BLUE
Rose Tinted Brigade Member⭐⭐
Top post Slipper as per usual
The General
The Mouse (*)
"Slipper in going to a Southend game shock"
;)
;)
leeblue
Members⭐
am I missing something? did you say playing tonight
class
SZ's Official Accountant⭐
The article will go out Friday you'll probably find...
The General
The Mouse (*)
Ignore Leeblue, he is a little s-l-o-w at times, Bill!
:cricko:
Nice piccies on FB, BTW!
;)
class
SZ's Official Accountant⭐
Haha, cheers mate.
;)
;)
Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Chelsea v Bolton
In scorching heat against brutal opposition, Chelsea were comfortably
keeping their side of the bargain and beating Bolton Wanderers, but
with ten minutes remaining, the Stamford Bridge faithful suddenly fell
silent and for a moment the only sound was the pinging of thousands of
SMS messages bearing bad tidings from The JJBStadium. Simply winning
the game just wasn't enough anymore. Chelsea, for all of their efforts
and all of their consistency, fell short on a resource that Manchester
United have rarely found hard to come by. Goals. Heads dropped, morale
plummeted and it was almost inevitable that Bolton should poke home a
late and somewhat undeserved equaliser.
Sir Alex Ferguson had voiced fears before the game that Bolton
Wanderers wouldn't be trying particularly hard, having practically
secured their Premier League status the weekend before, but that
certainly wasn't the case. Gary Megson's players defended as if they
were still very much in the drop-zone, keeping Chelsea at bay with
lines of white shirts so compact that they were essentially playing
with nine at the back. They flew into tackles, snapping at the Chelsea
players' ankles and provoking a furious response from an increasingly
nervous crowd.
Those nerves weren't helped by a stream of misinformation from other
grounds, notably in the 20th minute when a huge roar began to roll
around the ground, gathering in volume as it went. Supporters danced
in the stands, jubilantly embracing, but it was all for nothing. Wigan
hadn't scored. Had Sir Alex Ferguson deployed his agents into the
crowd on a mission to shatter morale? The Bolton fans, in contrast to
their hosts, were having the time of their lives, bouncing beach-balls
around the stands, until the dastardly home stewards got hold of them
and let the air out. They sang in the sun, knowing that only a
ludicrous turn of events could relegate them.
Chelsea were stronger in the second half with two strikers, but still
struggled to pass their way throuh their stubborn opponents. When
Shevchenko messily bundled home the leftovers of a Frank Lampard shot,
there was hope, but the next bulletin from Wigan crushed it in an
instant. The players appeared for a lap of honour after the full-time
whistle, with the PA announcer desperately trying to lift spirits for
Moscow and that's where their thoughts must lie now.
Their fans will await news of the injury to John Terry with bated
breath. The Chelsea captain was pole-axed in a collision with Kevin
Davies and Petr Cech and was rushed to hospital with a dislocated
elbow before half-time. He took his place on the pitch afterwards with
his arm in a sling, but his agent moved quickly to dispell any notion
that he will miss the European Cup Final. It would be prudent to
remember that we all thought Terry was dead when Abou Diaby kicked him
in the face in last year's Carling Cup Final, but he still rose off
the slab to join his team-mates for a beer on the same night. The man
is invincible.
Avram Grant walked behind his players afterwards, shaking hands with
supporters and listening to their songs. Just for once, they weren't
telling him that he didn't know what he was doing. Just for once they
weren't cheering for a certain Portuguese manager. They were singing
his name. On a day when Chelsea lost their chance to regain the title,
Grant could at least console himself with the knowledge that he had
finally won the respect of the fans.
In scorching heat against brutal opposition, Chelsea were comfortably
keeping their side of the bargain and beating Bolton Wanderers, but
with ten minutes remaining, the Stamford Bridge faithful suddenly fell
silent and for a moment the only sound was the pinging of thousands of
SMS messages bearing bad tidings from The JJBStadium. Simply winning
the game just wasn't enough anymore. Chelsea, for all of their efforts
and all of their consistency, fell short on a resource that Manchester
United have rarely found hard to come by. Goals. Heads dropped, morale
plummeted and it was almost inevitable that Bolton should poke home a
late and somewhat undeserved equaliser.
Sir Alex Ferguson had voiced fears before the game that Bolton
Wanderers wouldn't be trying particularly hard, having practically
secured their Premier League status the weekend before, but that
certainly wasn't the case. Gary Megson's players defended as if they
were still very much in the drop-zone, keeping Chelsea at bay with
lines of white shirts so compact that they were essentially playing
with nine at the back. They flew into tackles, snapping at the Chelsea
players' ankles and provoking a furious response from an increasingly
nervous crowd.
Those nerves weren't helped by a stream of misinformation from other
grounds, notably in the 20th minute when a huge roar began to roll
around the ground, gathering in volume as it went. Supporters danced
in the stands, jubilantly embracing, but it was all for nothing. Wigan
hadn't scored. Had Sir Alex Ferguson deployed his agents into the
crowd on a mission to shatter morale? The Bolton fans, in contrast to
their hosts, were having the time of their lives, bouncing beach-balls
around the stands, until the dastardly home stewards got hold of them
and let the air out. They sang in the sun, knowing that only a
ludicrous turn of events could relegate them.
Chelsea were stronger in the second half with two strikers, but still
struggled to pass their way throuh their stubborn opponents. When
Shevchenko messily bundled home the leftovers of a Frank Lampard shot,
there was hope, but the next bulletin from Wigan crushed it in an
instant. The players appeared for a lap of honour after the full-time
whistle, with the PA announcer desperately trying to lift spirits for
Moscow and that's where their thoughts must lie now.
Their fans will await news of the injury to John Terry with bated
breath. The Chelsea captain was pole-axed in a collision with Kevin
Davies and Petr Cech and was rushed to hospital with a dislocated
elbow before half-time. He took his place on the pitch afterwards with
his arm in a sling, but his agent moved quickly to dispell any notion
that he will miss the European Cup Final. It would be prudent to
remember that we all thought Terry was dead when Abou Diaby kicked him
in the face in last year's Carling Cup Final, but he still rose off
the slab to join his team-mates for a beer on the same night. The man
is invincible.
Avram Grant walked behind his players afterwards, shaking hands with
supporters and listening to their songs. Just for once, they weren't
telling him that he didn't know what he was doing. Just for once they
weren't cheering for a certain Portuguese manager. They were singing
his name. On a day when Chelsea lost their chance to regain the title,
Grant could at least console himself with the knowledge that he had
finally won the respect of the fans.
- Status
ShrimperZone Sponsors
ShrimperZone - Player Sponsorship
Southend United Away Travel
All At Sea Fanzine
