United were in action in the Nou Camp last night in the first-leg of the Champions League semi-final, the game did not live up to expectations and the Red Devils were hugely disappointing. Going into this match, we were told that Barcelona were 'really struggling' to find form. The Catalan giants were without Ronaldinho, Henry had been dropped and Messi was only just returning from yet another injury lay-off, added to which there has been suggestions that all is not well concerning Samuel Eto'o. Ferguson's team had their own problems, but in comparison they weren't anywhere near as bad as Frank Rijkaard's, with the rock that is Nemanja Vidic missing due to a stomach bug.
There was every reason to hope that United would win this game given Barca's problems. The visitors got off to a flying start when they were rightly awarded a penalty in the opening minutes, but sadly Ronaldo made a complete hash of it when hitting the crossbar.
From that point onwards, barring another great penalty shout when Ronaldo was felled in the Barca box and Michael Carrick hitting the side netting when he should have done much better, the Reds performance fell way below expectations.
United were not helped on the penalty that wasn't given, by a referee who did not cover himself in glory, the phrase 'homer' springs to mind. But United cannot rely on referees to win them the Champions League and in all honesty to do that last night would be an excuse that would only serve to paper over the cracks of what was in truth an appalling display by the champions.
Fergie had started with Rooney and Tevez up front, which was encouraging from an attacking perspective, well at least it should have been, but Rooney and Tevez were largely anonymous and dire respectively.
If United's forwards were bad, the midfield was even worse. Park, Scholes, Hargreaves and Carrick never got a grip of the game at any stage. On too many occasions the home team picked their way through the United engine room with quick incisive passing - and once again Scholes gave away too many free-kicks in dangerous areas. It's hard to be positive about any of United's front six players, not one of them could have complained if they'd been dragged off at half-time, Ronaldo being the only exception, he was again by far United's most dangerous player.
United's away form hasn't been good of late, drawing with Blackburn and 'Boro, as good as they both were on the day, suggests that the champions are struggling in the latter stages of this campaign away from home.
This coming weekend United travel to Chelsea, who also looked very out of sorts against Liverpool on Tuesday, but the Reds need to improve massively on last night's performance. But if the champions can take a point or win at Stamford Bridge it would give Ferguson's team a huge confidence booster ahead of the return-leg with Barca next week.
However, there must fears that United could be set to bottle it again in Europe, we have been here so many times in the past, so near and yet so far. In the Champions League quarter final in 1998 we had drawn 0-0 with Monaco, but we went out on away goals when drawing 1-1 in the return leg Old Trafford, it was the same in 2000 stage against Real Madrid, the first leg in Spain it finished up 0-0 but we lost at home 3-2. Drawing 0-0 away from home in the first-leg is an ok result, but without that vital away goal it could come back to haunt United again.
Our history of bottling it in Europe means that few United fans will be truly confident of victory given that an under strength Barcelona pretty much dominated possession from start to finish, the Reds were not even at the races. I cannot help think that Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal would have won comfortably if they'd been up against that Barcelona team.
United will in all probability go on to win the league, but you do wonder if once again they will fold in the latter stages of Europe's premier club competition, because collectively and individually United seem to lack self-belief in their own abilities when it comes to the biggest stage. Quite how much of that is down to tactics is open to debate, the performance in the Nou Camp only served to raise more questions rather than provide answers on that score; for example where on earth was Rooney supposed to be playing? Where was he for most of the game?. Why didn't Anderson come off the bench? Had Park been out drinking on the Ramblas all afternoon with the lads?
Ferdinand and Evra did ok, the rest of the United players had game's to forget and we can be thankful that Barca's strikers couldn't hit an elephant’s backside with a banjo - just about any other Barca team of reasons seasons would have pasted the Reds last night. We got out of jail. Let us hope that we make amends with a value for money performance next week. Our home form this season should see us make it to the final in Moscow, but I wouldn't bet a single penny on that given our record.
But by the time the Barca clash comes around we could be de facto Champions again. It could be a very good weekend...
Showing posts with label Champions league. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Champions league. Show all posts
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Saturday, April 05, 2008
United's Champions League hopes given massive boost...
United fans will no doubt be delighted to hear that Ronaldinho is out for the rest of the season after tearing a muscle in his right leg, it's a massive blow for the Catalan club. The good news has been offset with the bad news that Lionel Messi could soon be back in action for Barca in time to face United.
The Red Devils have their own injury concerns to star defender Nemanja Vidic who could be out for up to three weeks, but he should be back in time for the Champions League semi-final, should the Reds see off the challenge of Roma at Old Trafford in midweek.
The Red Devils have their own injury concerns to star defender Nemanja Vidic who could be out for up to three weeks, but he should be back in time for the Champions League semi-final, should the Reds see off the challenge of Roma at Old Trafford in midweek.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Chicken Kiev roasted....
Some say that Oleg 'The Horse' Luzhny is still mentally scarred from the six-goal thrashing that his former club Arsenal suffered on a visit to Old Trafford a few seasons ago. Others say that he was just plain chicken. They were among theories as to why the Dynamo Kiev manager left out his top goal-scorer and Rincon who scored in Kiev against United a couple of weeks ago. All we know is that United dished up another four goal feast and roasted Kiev again.
In truth despite the goals, it wasn't one of those memorable European Old Trafford nights. As Wayne Rooney later said 'it was a bit like a training session because Kiev hadn't come to play'.
Going into the game Fergie had said that there'd only be two to three changes, in point of fact he made five. At the back, out went Ferdinand and Brown, in came Gerard Pique - who opened the scoring from a first-half Ronaldo free-kick, which was firstly headed on by Michael Carrick who had been restored to midfield, the ball was then deflected onto the Spaniard who scored with a well directed header into the corner. Danny Simpson came in to replace Brown and he had a decent game, the highlight of his night was a second-half shot from which he nearly scored.
Darren Fletcher was restored to midfield and he worked hard without being outstanding, but it was that sort of night, United only had to do enough to easily beat a fairly down trodden looking Kiev side. Carlos Tevez made it two-nil before the half-time break when he linked up superbly with Rooney, the star-duo played a quick one-two which unlocked the visitors defence and the Argentine's finish gave the keeper no chance.
At half-time, Fergie felt so confident that he sent on Tomas Kuszczak, Van der Sar was apparently suffering with a toe injury. The second half was like the first, pretty much another walk in the park. The Reds extended their lead when Nani who'd replaced Giggs was found lurking wide on the right with an excellent ball by second half substitute Saha, the Portuguese winger played in a lovely dipping curving cross to the feet of Rooney who's stolen in unseen behind the visitors central defenders, Rooney rarely misses in these situations and he did not disappoint as he crashed home a fizzing drive to make it three-nil.
Ronaldo wasn't having the best of games, he looked to be fairly frustrated at times as players overlooked him when shooting instead of playing him in. Rooney was guilty on at least one occasion, but the player of the year got in on the scoring-act late on with a trademark run down the left flank, before cutting inside then outsmarting the full-back with one of his tricks which put him in on goal before finishing in style.
Fergie who has now been manager of United for 21 years cannot have had many easier European nights and many in the media are saying that it could the Reds year again.
In truth despite the goals, it wasn't one of those memorable European Old Trafford nights. As Wayne Rooney later said 'it was a bit like a training session because Kiev hadn't come to play'.
Going into the game Fergie had said that there'd only be two to three changes, in point of fact he made five. At the back, out went Ferdinand and Brown, in came Gerard Pique - who opened the scoring from a first-half Ronaldo free-kick, which was firstly headed on by Michael Carrick who had been restored to midfield, the ball was then deflected onto the Spaniard who scored with a well directed header into the corner. Danny Simpson came in to replace Brown and he had a decent game, the highlight of his night was a second-half shot from which he nearly scored.
Darren Fletcher was restored to midfield and he worked hard without being outstanding, but it was that sort of night, United only had to do enough to easily beat a fairly down trodden looking Kiev side. Carlos Tevez made it two-nil before the half-time break when he linked up superbly with Rooney, the star-duo played a quick one-two which unlocked the visitors defence and the Argentine's finish gave the keeper no chance.
At half-time, Fergie felt so confident that he sent on Tomas Kuszczak, Van der Sar was apparently suffering with a toe injury. The second half was like the first, pretty much another walk in the park. The Reds extended their lead when Nani who'd replaced Giggs was found lurking wide on the right with an excellent ball by second half substitute Saha, the Portuguese winger played in a lovely dipping curving cross to the feet of Rooney who's stolen in unseen behind the visitors central defenders, Rooney rarely misses in these situations and he did not disappoint as he crashed home a fizzing drive to make it three-nil.
Ronaldo wasn't having the best of games, he looked to be fairly frustrated at times as players overlooked him when shooting instead of playing him in. Rooney was guilty on at least one occasion, but the player of the year got in on the scoring-act late on with a trademark run down the left flank, before cutting inside then outsmarting the full-back with one of his tricks which put him in on goal before finishing in style.
Fergie who has now been manager of United for 21 years cannot have had many easier European nights and many in the media are saying that it could the Reds year again.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Reds shine against Kiev but Anderson is the brightest star...
United went into their Champions League game with Dynamo Kiev knowing that victory would more or less secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition. Paul Scholes missed the game due to sustaining a knee injury and Patrice Evra pulled a muscle in the pre-match warm up.
Despite hinting that he would return at the weekend, Owen Hargreaves didn't figure in Fergie's squad for a game that turned out to be something of a walk in the park. For their part Dynamo looked demoralised and out of sorts, they have already sacked one manager this season, and going off Kiev's performance against United it wont be the last.
The hosts afforded the visitors time and space and when you do that against players of the quality of United then eventually you will pay the price and that is precisely what happened with the Reds rattling in three goals before half time.
It was all very nice to watch, Ronaldo's header in the first half was the pick of the United goals, it came after Giggs evaded the attentions of two defenders to pick out the footballer of the year who scored with a towering and well timed header which left the keeper helplessly rooted to his goal-line.
Before that Ronaldo goal, United had raced into a two-nil lead courtesy of another headed goal by Rio Ferdinand on eight minutes from another cross by Giggs, then Wazza Rooney doubled United's lead on 18 minutes with a tap-in, which had a hint of offside about it.
Just when we Reds looked like they'd take full advantage of Kiev's generosity, United's back four were found wanting from a corner when John O'Shea totally lost Rincon who scored with a well timed header on 33 minutes.
The Kiev goal did not stem the flow of United attacks with Anderson in particular standing out as the Reds star performer. The little Brazilian was popping up all over the field, one minute he was defending deep and running the ball to safety, the next he was supporting the attack and spraying passes to the front three. The former Porto star very nearly scored himself - if he had it would have been richly deserved for a man of the match winning performance.
Ronaldo effectively killed the game off on 68 minutes from the penalty-spot before Bangoura scored a late consolation goal from distance.
The partnership of Rooney and Tevez looks better by the game and Ronaldo is starting to spark and United have Hargreaves, Carrick and Saha to call upon. All of a sudden things are really looking good for the Reds, the questions about why the goals had dried up have all been forgotten with Fergie's side finding their attacking collective stride, in short normal service has been resumed.
Paul Scholes is a new injury concern, but United do have cover and so even if he's out for a few weeks, his loss wont be too much of a setback.
On this form it will take a very good team to knock United out of Europe and some Reds are already genuinely talking about making plans for Moscow next May.
Final score Kiev 2-4 United
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Roma expects victory, but will they once again end up begging for the Reds mercy?
The time for talk is nearly over, as AS Roma are once again set to visit Old Trafford the battle scene of that fabulous 7-1 Champions League trouncing last season.
As ever we've had the usual pre-match hot-air emanating from both camps. From United we normally have Ryan Giggs or Gary Neville telling us the fans that this year the Reds will go all the way to the final, blah, blah, blah.
On the back of his woeful performances of late Giggsy is thankfully keeping schtum and of course our Gary has been out injured and so he too has more pressing things on his mind, like getting fit.
So it has been left to Ronaldo to put his big foot in it. On the eve of the game our Portuguese star has let be known that an unnamed Roma player 'begged for mercy' when pleading with him not to do any more fancy footwork, aka dribbling. You really could not make it up. It's not as if Roma needed any more of an incentive to wipe the bitter memory the last season's mauling is it? In true Basil Faulty style I guess we can forgive Ronaldo because he's from Portugal isn't he.
From Roma's perspective they too have been talking the talk, nothing out of the ordinary, Ludovic Giuly has said that his team-mates are looking for revenge.
United have injury concerns over Vidic, Brown and Hargreaves. I expect all three to start the game, call it a gut feeling. Van der Sar is out with a toe-injury.
Ahead of the game experts like Alan Hansen have been somewhat predictably telling us mere mortal fans that there will be no repeat of the same Old Trafford result. No exactly a difficult prediction that Al.
The only thing that I will predict with any degree of confidence is that when United visit Rome for the return leg of this double header is that the local police force will be just as useless as they nearly always are. Apparently AS Roma do not stop fans from entering the Stadio Olimpico with knives. Unbelievable, but true apparently.
Let us hope both games pass-off without too much trouble and that the emperor that is 'Ferguson the merciless' has cause to say that this was another of his greatest victories.
As ever we've had the usual pre-match hot-air emanating from both camps. From United we normally have Ryan Giggs or Gary Neville telling us the fans that this year the Reds will go all the way to the final, blah, blah, blah.
On the back of his woeful performances of late Giggsy is thankfully keeping schtum and of course our Gary has been out injured and so he too has more pressing things on his mind, like getting fit.
So it has been left to Ronaldo to put his big foot in it. On the eve of the game our Portuguese star has let be known that an unnamed Roma player 'begged for mercy' when pleading with him not to do any more fancy footwork, aka dribbling. You really could not make it up. It's not as if Roma needed any more of an incentive to wipe the bitter memory the last season's mauling is it? In true Basil Faulty style I guess we can forgive Ronaldo because he's from Portugal isn't he.
From Roma's perspective they too have been talking the talk, nothing out of the ordinary, Ludovic Giuly has said that his team-mates are looking for revenge.
United have injury concerns over Vidic, Brown and Hargreaves. I expect all three to start the game, call it a gut feeling. Van der Sar is out with a toe-injury.
Ahead of the game experts like Alan Hansen have been somewhat predictably telling us mere mortal fans that there will be no repeat of the same Old Trafford result. No exactly a difficult prediction that Al.
The only thing that I will predict with any degree of confidence is that when United visit Rome for the return leg of this double header is that the local police force will be just as useless as they nearly always are. Apparently AS Roma do not stop fans from entering the Stadio Olimpico with knives. Unbelievable, but true apparently.
Let us hope both games pass-off without too much trouble and that the emperor that is 'Ferguson the merciless' has cause to say that this was another of his greatest victories.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Sporting fans show class unlike United...
Manchester United somehow managed to scrape a 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Reds had Cristiano Ronaldo to thank for the win, his second half headed goal was United's highlight on the pitch in an otherwise disappointing performance.
Having scored against his former club Ronaldo bowed as if by way of apology to the home supporters, who in return stood and applauded him in appreciation of the gesture. It was a mark of respect from both the player and the home fans who later gave the United winger a standing ovation when he was withdrawn late on in the second half.
While the Sporting fans were showing class in the stands, their team was having the better of things on a surprisingly poor pitch that was cutting-up at every challenge for the ball. The pitch problems didn't seem to bother the home team, so much so that but for Edwin van der Sar in the United goal Sporting would have been two goals to the good. The Dutch stopper made two top-class saves, one in either half.
At the other end Ronaldo was by far United's best attacking player on the night as once again the Reds tactics in Europe left a lot to be desired, as did the overall performance of United's midfield and forward line.
Ryan Giggs was supposed to be playing in a five-man midfield, but in truth he looked lost and in the first half especially on the few occasions when he actually touched the ball he gave it away. Scholes was marginally better, but his passing was off-key too as was the totally ineffective Nani and Michael Carrick. On the night collectively, United's midfield was not much short of a shambles in an attacking and passing sense, the only plus point was that they did get behind the ball quickly when the opposition had the ball.
Ferguson had opted to start the game with just Rooney up front with Ronaldo supporting from midfield, but it simply did not work and Rooney was all too often left isolated.
Personally I'm hoping that once Hargreaves is fit again United will go with a 4-4-2 because against Sporting, and it has to be said on other occasions when Fergie has gone with 4-5-1 it does not seem to work.
If United had someone like Drogba, then playing with one striker might be an option, but the truth is they don't have a Drogba. Saha is the nearest thing United have to a proper out and out target-man. But Fergie isn't going to leave both Rooney and Tevez on the bench is he?
Apart from Ronaldo's goal and Van der Sar's saves, the other major plus point on the night was that the partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand, which is looking better by the week, as once again they were rock solid.
While United did not play well as a team on the night, they got the thing that mattered most, a win on their travels, which is the best possible way to start a European campaign.
Going into the game Graeme Sounses commented 'I honestly don't think Fergie knows what his best team is'. Quite. The thing is, the United manager has been without key players until this week. Now Fergie has the luxury of having a virtually fully fit squad barring Hargreaves and Neville, but both should be back soon and in an attacking sense United can only get better.
However, Fergie has to get his formation right in Europe. In 1999 United won the Champions League with two strikers up front in Yorke and Cole. We need to get back to that, because that is the United way. We do not do boring negative football well, we never have and I doubt we ever will.
Having scored against his former club Ronaldo bowed as if by way of apology to the home supporters, who in return stood and applauded him in appreciation of the gesture. It was a mark of respect from both the player and the home fans who later gave the United winger a standing ovation when he was withdrawn late on in the second half.
While the Sporting fans were showing class in the stands, their team was having the better of things on a surprisingly poor pitch that was cutting-up at every challenge for the ball. The pitch problems didn't seem to bother the home team, so much so that but for Edwin van der Sar in the United goal Sporting would have been two goals to the good. The Dutch stopper made two top-class saves, one in either half.
At the other end Ronaldo was by far United's best attacking player on the night as once again the Reds tactics in Europe left a lot to be desired, as did the overall performance of United's midfield and forward line.
Ryan Giggs was supposed to be playing in a five-man midfield, but in truth he looked lost and in the first half especially on the few occasions when he actually touched the ball he gave it away. Scholes was marginally better, but his passing was off-key too as was the totally ineffective Nani and Michael Carrick. On the night collectively, United's midfield was not much short of a shambles in an attacking and passing sense, the only plus point was that they did get behind the ball quickly when the opposition had the ball.
Ferguson had opted to start the game with just Rooney up front with Ronaldo supporting from midfield, but it simply did not work and Rooney was all too often left isolated.
Personally I'm hoping that once Hargreaves is fit again United will go with a 4-4-2 because against Sporting, and it has to be said on other occasions when Fergie has gone with 4-5-1 it does not seem to work.
If United had someone like Drogba, then playing with one striker might be an option, but the truth is they don't have a Drogba. Saha is the nearest thing United have to a proper out and out target-man. But Fergie isn't going to leave both Rooney and Tevez on the bench is he?
Apart from Ronaldo's goal and Van der Sar's saves, the other major plus point on the night was that the partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand, which is looking better by the week, as once again they were rock solid.
While United did not play well as a team on the night, they got the thing that mattered most, a win on their travels, which is the best possible way to start a European campaign.
Going into the game Graeme Sounses commented 'I honestly don't think Fergie knows what his best team is'. Quite. The thing is, the United manager has been without key players until this week. Now Fergie has the luxury of having a virtually fully fit squad barring Hargreaves and Neville, but both should be back soon and in an attacking sense United can only get better.
However, Fergie has to get his formation right in Europe. In 1999 United won the Champions League with two strikers up front in Yorke and Cole. We need to get back to that, because that is the United way. We do not do boring negative football well, we never have and I doubt we ever will.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Platini presents another unwelcome and unworkable idea...
Ever since he won the election to become UEFA's new president Michel Platini has been making suggestions for 'improvements' to Europe's premier club competition, the Champions League.
He first mooted the idea of reducing the number of clubs from four to three for Europe's top leagues. This predictably went down like a lead balloon. That was Platini's first bad idea and not surprisingly the leading clubs including the G14 were quick to tell Platini that his idea stunk.
Next the former European footballer of the year suggested that winners of the domestic Cup competitions should be allowed to enter the Champions League at the expense of the club who finished fourth in their respective leagues. Again, Platini was told that his idea wasn't a good one by the G14.
Platini's very latest big idea comes in letter form, apparently he's written to Gordon Brown telling the Prime Minister that there's too much money going into the game. What does Platini expect the government to do about this 'problem'?
Football Clubs are run as businesses and as such they have obligations to fulfil, as do any other businesses, which include completing tax returns and profit and loss accounts etc, etc.
Expecting Gordon Brown and his government to do anything about the running of the professional game is like believing in father Christmas. The idea is plainly ridiculous and once again Platini is in danger of being looked upon as a tiresome would be dictatorial meddler.
Not only that, most English fans would no doubt agree that foreign ownership and the new money that has been sloshing around the Premier League has largely benefited the clubs concerned.
On the field of play, where it really matters, Aston Villa have looked better this season than they have done for some considerable time, the same applies to Liverpool and Manchester City.
Portsmouth are another club that has a new foreign owner, they have already drawn with United and Liverpool, I predict that they will go on to have a good season.
So let's look at the those clubs who aren't doing well. Tottenham for starters. They've spent a fortune, but they're near the bottom of the league but they are run by a Brit in Daniel Levy. Derby County and Bolton are also owned by Brits both clubs are currently finding the going tough.
Others like West Ham United and Reading are really struggling, both clubs have succumbed to foreign ownership. So on the face it, it doesn't really matter who owns these clubs, those that are well managed and run are doing well, the others less so. That is the nature of football and always has been. The size of the transfer fees involved are undoubtedly much, much larger but the principle remains constant.
The amounts of money coming into the game are not in my humble opinion the problem. It's the mismanagement of funds that can often lie at the heart of the problem when things go wrong horribly at football clubs, that and clubs over-stretching themselves in financial terms.
A case in point was Leeds United who in 2001 were competing in the Champions League semi-final, but things went horribly wrong not long after when they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The Yorkshire club had banked everything on qualifying for Europe's premier club competition and when it did not happen, the walls came tumbling down and Leeds have been in free-fall ever since having dropped two divisions.
The owners of Leeds United were not foreigners, they were die-hard born and Yorkshire bred. Led by Peter Ridsdale, the Whites former chairman and his board were responsible for putting their club into hock with the banks and anyone else who'd lend them money to fund their massive spending. It was a gamble that failed big time.
Another case in point is my beloved United. Many people within the game and those who understand finance fear for the future of Manchester United under the current ownership of the Glazer family.
The Glazers have plunged United into a sea of debt to the tune of £660m and rising. Sadly, there's nothing the government can do about that either. The fact is that the club's American owners could only borrow such massive amounts because prior to the takeover United was so well run, it didn't have any debts at all.
United's only hope for the future is that someone comes in with a massive offer to buy out the Glazer family - you do wonder what Platini will have to say about that should it happen?
I'm sure that one day Platini will come up with something worthwhile. Perhaps the most interesting of all, is his bid to give football special status in European law. If that happens then UEFA might be able to impose rules about the numbers of overseas stars at any one club at any given time. As things stand there is a danger that British talent could be overlooked due to the influx of players from the continent.
Here's my own priority list for Platini:
All clubs to make provision to make football affordable to watch for all pockets. By definition, this would mean that 70% of capacity would be made affordable at each club. Without the fans, there will be no football in the future. They are the life-blood of the game not Uefa, the players or the managers.
Impose strict rules to ensure the safety of visiting fans across Europe. Be definition, this means that European home games are stewarded and policed properly.
Stop awarding European finals to clubs with stadiums that are clearly too small.
Award more tickets to the competing clubs in European finals and reduce the number of tickets that go to national associations and Uefa cronies.
Do more to ensure clubs develop their own home grown stars.
Spot the good idea: Platini's targets when he was first installed into his new job:
Gaining recognition of football's special status in European law
Developing all Uefa competitions, including Intertoto Cup, youth and women's championships
Combating racism, xenophobia and fraud (Talk is cheap where UEFA is concerned - let's see some stiff penalties being dished out and not the usual slap of the wrist from UEFA as so often happens)
Correcting inequalities and establishing equal opportunities
Reducing the maximum number of teams per country in the Champions League to three
In creasing co-operation with Fifa
A hands-on presidency and more decision-making by Uefa executive
He first mooted the idea of reducing the number of clubs from four to three for Europe's top leagues. This predictably went down like a lead balloon. That was Platini's first bad idea and not surprisingly the leading clubs including the G14 were quick to tell Platini that his idea stunk.
Next the former European footballer of the year suggested that winners of the domestic Cup competitions should be allowed to enter the Champions League at the expense of the club who finished fourth in their respective leagues. Again, Platini was told that his idea wasn't a good one by the G14.
Platini's very latest big idea comes in letter form, apparently he's written to Gordon Brown telling the Prime Minister that there's too much money going into the game. What does Platini expect the government to do about this 'problem'?
Football Clubs are run as businesses and as such they have obligations to fulfil, as do any other businesses, which include completing tax returns and profit and loss accounts etc, etc.
Expecting Gordon Brown and his government to do anything about the running of the professional game is like believing in father Christmas. The idea is plainly ridiculous and once again Platini is in danger of being looked upon as a tiresome would be dictatorial meddler.
Not only that, most English fans would no doubt agree that foreign ownership and the new money that has been sloshing around the Premier League has largely benefited the clubs concerned.
On the field of play, where it really matters, Aston Villa have looked better this season than they have done for some considerable time, the same applies to Liverpool and Manchester City.
Portsmouth are another club that has a new foreign owner, they have already drawn with United and Liverpool, I predict that they will go on to have a good season.
So let's look at the those clubs who aren't doing well. Tottenham for starters. They've spent a fortune, but they're near the bottom of the league but they are run by a Brit in Daniel Levy. Derby County and Bolton are also owned by Brits both clubs are currently finding the going tough.
Others like West Ham United and Reading are really struggling, both clubs have succumbed to foreign ownership. So on the face it, it doesn't really matter who owns these clubs, those that are well managed and run are doing well, the others less so. That is the nature of football and always has been. The size of the transfer fees involved are undoubtedly much, much larger but the principle remains constant.
The amounts of money coming into the game are not in my humble opinion the problem. It's the mismanagement of funds that can often lie at the heart of the problem when things go wrong horribly at football clubs, that and clubs over-stretching themselves in financial terms.
A case in point was Leeds United who in 2001 were competing in the Champions League semi-final, but things went horribly wrong not long after when they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
The Yorkshire club had banked everything on qualifying for Europe's premier club competition and when it did not happen, the walls came tumbling down and Leeds have been in free-fall ever since having dropped two divisions.
The owners of Leeds United were not foreigners, they were die-hard born and Yorkshire bred. Led by Peter Ridsdale, the Whites former chairman and his board were responsible for putting their club into hock with the banks and anyone else who'd lend them money to fund their massive spending. It was a gamble that failed big time.
Another case in point is my beloved United. Many people within the game and those who understand finance fear for the future of Manchester United under the current ownership of the Glazer family.
The Glazers have plunged United into a sea of debt to the tune of £660m and rising. Sadly, there's nothing the government can do about that either. The fact is that the club's American owners could only borrow such massive amounts because prior to the takeover United was so well run, it didn't have any debts at all.
United's only hope for the future is that someone comes in with a massive offer to buy out the Glazer family - you do wonder what Platini will have to say about that should it happen?
I'm sure that one day Platini will come up with something worthwhile. Perhaps the most interesting of all, is his bid to give football special status in European law. If that happens then UEFA might be able to impose rules about the numbers of overseas stars at any one club at any given time. As things stand there is a danger that British talent could be overlooked due to the influx of players from the continent.
Here's my own priority list for Platini:
All clubs to make provision to make football affordable to watch for all pockets. By definition, this would mean that 70% of capacity would be made affordable at each club. Without the fans, there will be no football in the future. They are the life-blood of the game not Uefa, the players or the managers.
Impose strict rules to ensure the safety of visiting fans across Europe. Be definition, this means that European home games are stewarded and policed properly.
Stop awarding European finals to clubs with stadiums that are clearly too small.
Award more tickets to the competing clubs in European finals and reduce the number of tickets that go to national associations and Uefa cronies.
Do more to ensure clubs develop their own home grown stars.
Spot the good idea: Platini's targets when he was first installed into his new job:
Gaining recognition of football's special status in European law
Developing all Uefa competitions, including Intertoto Cup, youth and women's championships
Combating racism, xenophobia and fraud (Talk is cheap where UEFA is concerned - let's see some stiff penalties being dished out and not the usual slap of the wrist from UEFA as so often happens)
Correcting inequalities and establishing equal opportunities
Reducing the maximum number of teams per country in the Champions League to three
In creasing co-operation with Fifa
A hands-on presidency and more decision-making by Uefa executive
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
