Madrid draw Barcelona in Champions League Semi-Final

Real Madrid have drawn Barcelona to set up a blockbuster Champions League Semi-final clash. 

Jose Mourinho (right) has taken a lot of stick from the fans, the press and many Real Madrid legends over the style in which his Madrid side plays.

The 'special one'

However I do believe that they are being very harsh. Earlier in the season he watched as his Madrid side were dismantled 5-0 by Barcelona, so to me it is fairly obvious that he is not going to play the same way or even attempt to take them on that their own game. Barcelona are without doubt man for man the best team in the world. However as Mourinho has shown in the last two encounters he is capable of tactically beating them. It isn't pretty but it is attritional. The closing down and breaking up of attacks stops Barcelona playing. This tactic takes an enormous amount of concentration of which he instils into his sides. People say it is boring however it is actually a wonderful watch to see the two styles collide. He knows that Barcelona are the better team however his ability to frustrate them is second to none. He did it with Inter Milan last year and I can see him doing it again this year. It will be a thrilling two legs. Having already played them twice it will be interesting to see if he persists with similar tactics.

Mourinho is known for surprises. The first game showed that. Playing Pepe in front of the back four in which he would break up attacks and then drive forward caught Barcelona by surprise. He, Pepe, was outstanding in the league game. A game in which Madrid had the chances to win. He wasn't so influential in the Copa Del Rey Final however the counter-attacking style did prevail.

The Champions League promises to be fascinating and I do think the winner of that tie will win the tournament at Wembley. You may not like it but you have to appreciate it. It gets results. Would Arsenal fans swap the pretty football for trophies? He is without doubt the best manager in the world at this moment in time.

There is no other manager in the world I would want if my team had to win a one off match.

Arsenal's Woes Continue

Another trophyless season has now been confirmed for Arsenal. Sundays defeat to Bolton was the was final nail in the coffin. The slim hope that Arsenal had of challenging Manchester United for the title is gone. This is now the sixth season without a trophy and the Aresnal fans are more restless then ever. Arsene Wenger's (below right) stubbornness over his policy of not spending money is again damaging the team. 

For years now Arsenal have been lacking a title-winning spine to the team. A world class goalkeeper has been needed, why he did not sign Shay Given years ago no one will ever know. He has persisted with the likes of Almunia and Fabianski who will not win you leagues or cups. They are liabilities. This year Schenzy has had some very impressive performances and is me for is the best goalkeeper at the club but he is still error-prone.

Time for Wenger to spend

The centre of defence has been weak since the likes of Tony Adams retired. Thomas Vermaelen has been impressive however his injuries have affected Arsenal. Without him the defence is weak. Lorient Koscielny and Sebastian Squillaci are in their first seasons but have not impressed. Arsenal are noted as weak from set pieces. Teams such as Bolton and Stoke have always troubled Arsenal in recent years due to their physicality. Wenger always complains however his successful sides would not have had a problem. At the back he had Sol Campbell, Martin Keown and Adams. They were always very strong and gave the team real backbone. 

They also had the likes of Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour to boss the midfield. These were hard players who could easily hold their own. Vieira is the one who they have missed very much. They have never replaced him. Diaby and Song are just not in the same league.

Players such as Ljungberg and Pires have not been replaced. These were great players at the height of their careers. Both were skilful players who the likes of Tomas Rosicky are no where near up to their standard. Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri have their moments and Theo Walcott is a shadow of the player he should be.

Another area where Aresne has seems to have changed tactic in up front. In the beginning he had Nicolas Anelka an unknown at the time that took the league by storm. When he was sold to Real Madrid he was deemed an almost impossible player to replace. The pace, power and clinical finish. However suddenly in comes another reasonably unknown called Thierry Henry. He proved better then Anelka and is one of the greatest Premier League forwards of all time. Another element to the success was that of the masterful Dennis Bergkamp. Now neither have been properly replaced. Robin Van Persie is a great player however his injuries have prevented him from maintaining his form for an entire season. Wenger seems to have gone against his electric frontman tactic which for me is an error. Nicklas Bendtner should not be at the club, the Barcelona game proved that. For me he has the player to fulfill the void and that is Walcott. Why has he never put Walcottt up the middle? He is wasted out wide. When I first saw Walcott, I saw him as a potential Henry for England. His performances for the U21, especially his two goals against Germany were world class. He only came on in the 77th minute. Where has this player gone?

His potential is not being fulfilled and he is rotting on the wing and at Arsenal. Walcott needs to leave Arsenal to both play every week and be put through the middle. He is now a shadow of that player he was and now seems is scared to shoot.

Arsenal have good players but not great. They lack leaders throughout the team. Until this is rectified no trophy will be coming Arsenal's way. The Carling Cup was a prime example of this. This was a defining moment in the season. Too many weak links and no winning mentality has cost them. Arsenal never grind out results like Chelsea or United do. Arsenal's football is fantastic but has no cutting edge. They try to play Barcelona style however don't have the Lionel Messi and David Villa at the end of it. I honestly believe Wenger's time is coming to an end. In the last few weeks he is losing the plot, the comments to Kenny Daglish after the Liverpool game proved that. Arsenal need a new approach; either a new man like Jose Mourinho who will maybe not give the style but will provide trophies or a Pep Guardiola to continue the style but add the end product. Alternatively Wenger needs to cull the weak links and failures and spend, which I cant see happening.

Ins-Golakeeper, centre half, dominating centre midfield like Yaya Toure and clinical forward.

Outs- Bendtner, Rosicky, Denilson, Almunia, and thats just for starts.

Harry's Challenge

Big test for Harry's men tonight

Tonight Harry Redknapp's (right) Tottenham side takes on Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in what will be a pulsating tie. Tottenham have performed very well so far in the tournament and have produced epic performances against both AC and Inter Milan. Granted AC Milan are not as strong as maybe the name gives the illusion of but still the performances were of real class. Tottenham deserve to be in the quarter finals and this is their chance for a memorable tie.

Real Madrid are very tough opponents however have been stuttering in La Liga and are once again in the shadow of their rivals Barcelona. For Real and Jose Mourinho the Champions League is their only real hope. Their weekend defeat possibly shows that they were concentrating on this game. However they are beatable, as Sporting Gijon proved, and Tottenham can do it. Tonight's result is key. At the Bernabeu Jose will be hoping for a 2-0 victory (which is 11-2 with Skybet). This will be a very good result for them. No away goals and nice lead. Whereas Tottenham would take a draw and an away goal that could prove vital.

Tottenham will have to be resilience and tough. I imagine they will play a similar way to the way they played at the San Siro, counterattacking when possible. With Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale this is a very dangerous outlet and one which Real will be fearful of. Also Rafael Van der Vart going back to his old club will be looking to prove a point. He has had a fantastic season and has proved to be a terrific capture by Redknapp. He is creative and very dangerous around the box. Real will know of his capabilities all too well. Peter Crouch will have his part to play and will do so with his usual style. If Jermaine Defoe is on he must take his chances, he wont get many if any. For me his is too inconsistent and at this level you have to be clinical.

One of Madrid's danger men- Ronaldo is a real threat

Madrid threat will come from Cristiano Ronaldo if he is in fact fit, which I doubt. He is their main man and goalscorer. If Ronaldo is not on top form then I can see Tottenham being able to contain them. Emmanuel Adebayor and Mesut Ozil both top players but can see Tottenham containing them. Real Madrid have many stars however if they will turn on the style tonight we will have to wait and see. If they do then Tottenham will have to be at their best to avoid a drubbing.

I expect a close encounter in which the score will finish 1-1 (8-1 Skybet).

Blatter To Stand Down

Today we are greeted with the wonderful news that Sepp Blatter will be leaving his post as Head of Fifa in 2015. I sincerely hope that he wont be re-elected in June however I think he will stay on.

Only when Blatter leaves this post can real change happen. He is stubborn and has discredited the game with the goal-line technology issue. The new head of Fifa needs to be visionary. Football needs to change and a strong leader is needed if this to happen. Goal line technology is obviously a must and needed as soon as possible. It is ludicrous that a game worth millions and watched by millions all over the world does not have technology used in it. The World Cup issue of England's goal, Luis Suarez's hand ball and even before with Ireland being cheated. It shows how arrogant Fifa and the football governing bodies are that they feel football does not need such technology. It is used in both codes of rugby as well as cricket and tennis so why not football. Their arguments against are weak as they worry about slowing the game down. Seriously, it takes 30 seconds. Also I would rather wait 30 seconds and get the correct decision then have an instant wrong one. With the game worth so much and tensions running high it has to be used. If it is used then arguments will decrease. It would also take the pressure off the referees who have a hard enough job as it is. An official up in the stands should not be able to be intimidated by the on field players or the crowd. Extra officials have shown they do nothing, it is a moronic idea.

Bin Hammam seems to have plenty of ideas and I do feel we need change and this man should be given the chance to change things. Fifa is a joke, the World Cup voting showed that. It is so amateurish. The corruption is laughable as is so blatant. However not just Blatter but Michel Platini needs to go. He is another holding Fifa back. Dumb and dumber.

Blatter at his best.

Relegation Fears Become Very Real As Season Nears Its Climax

With eight games to go many Premier League teams are still at risk of relegation. Currently Wigan,West ham, Woves, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Blackpool, West Brom, Fulham, Newcastle United and even Sunderland are involved. None of these are safe.

Wigan have been struggling all year and are my favourites to go down. They just don't have enough to survive. The likes of Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia are the key men and will have to produce if Wigan are to survive. They have picked up results recently however I feel that they will go down.

Ba is West Ham best hope for goals 

West Ham were in trouble for a long time however have picked up dramatically and with players like Demba Ba (left), Scott Parker and Victor Obinna they have a chance to survive. Demba Ba is a player I really like and am sure many Premier League teams will want to sign him this summer. Upton Park is a very tough place to go and they will have to pick up points there and fast. 

Woves are a terrific battling team and it is this that i think will see them safe. They will continue to get results and think they will make it. The likes of Kevin Doyle, Stephan Hunt and Matt Jarvis will see them safe. 

Birmingham are in really danger. Poor performances have left them in a very dangerous position. They are tricky at home which is where I see there points coming from. With Nikola Zigic and the arrival of Obafemi Martins i can see them just surviving.

Asron Villa is the one who have an outside chance of going down. They have no ability to grind out results. No fighting spirit. I look at Villa I see a beaten team, no team morale or spirit. Defeat to Woves was crucial. They just don't have the players willing to battle to see them safe. The key man is Darren Bent, his goals will be key. It a bold claim and would be a real shock but for me Villa will go down. Best bet 7-1 got to be worth a punt.

Great character--Holloway 

Blackpool have become many peoples second team after this season. With Ian Holloway (right) at the helm, Charlie Adam, terrific spirit and the way they play I hope they survive. They are on a poor run but I am hoping they can turn it around as they are great to have in the Premier League. 

West Brom will be very close to going down however under Roy Hodgson they will just make it. Three points against Arsenal would have been huge. They are a side improving and battling.

Blackburn are the another team who for me will go down. In freefall and no sign of that ending. 

Fulham will also see themselves safe. They will pick up draws that edge them towards safety. Bobby Zamora's return is key.

Newcastle are also in a dire run of form with only one win in nine. However think they will survive. They have crucial games away at Villa and Blackpool and home games against Birmingham and Woves where the safety points will come from. However they should be wary and they could easily drop back down to the championship.

Sunderland should be safe. Cannot really see them going down. Would be incredible but see them finishing 4/5 points from safety.

Prediction : Blackburn, Aston Villa, Wigan DOWN.

Is a bold claim but can see it happening.

Foolish Fabio Reinstates Terry As England Captain

What have you done Mr Capello?

The decision by Fabio Capello to reinstate John Terry as the England captain is one that has come under  much scrutiny and is quite honestly baffling. 

This is a man whom for me does not deserve to be in the team let alone being the captain. John Terry is a relic and a reminder of failure. He is a product of the failed World Cup squad should be shown the door. We need new, young and hungry players. The only World Cup squad members to survive should be Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney who now seems back on his game. For years the English public have seen the same team, same players and same tactics fail with different managers. It is same old England all the time. The fans have been let down by the England team so much. I do not think there is a team in which so many of the individuals in it I detest. It seems unless you indulge in adultery, have gambling problems and scandal you don't get in. I have lost all interest in England recently. This decision just cements it amateurish status.

Capello is clueless and England will never win anything with him. So many promises and claims of which none have been followed through. Terry is another classic example along with the World Cup squad. The moment the squad was announced England were doomed. His treatment of players is appalling. I am no fan of Rio Ferdinand but this is awful. To win any tournament you need a team. Team sprit is crucial and this decision does nothing for morale.

They are all pulling in different directions and are not a team. They are a group of arrogant players who couldnt give a damn no matter what they say. They have never and will never produce. As Rafa Benitez would say that is a FACT. I would rather lose with young players and different people then with these lot. They will fail again no doubt. They should qualify for Euro 2012 however they will be no where near winning it. This I have no doubt. The talk will continue but the inevitable disappointment will follow.

This fact saddens me however until things change my interest in England will remain at an incredibly subdued level.

Eastmond Heads To Bath As League Continues To Lose Its Stars

Eastmond on his way to bath 

With the recent announcement that Kyle Eastmond is leaving St Helens to join Bath it is a sad day for the game. One of the future stars in Rugby League will have left at the age of 21. He has conquered nothing in Rugby League with no winners medals.

'One that left earlier'
Ashton proved great success in Union

I could understand if he had won everything and wanted a new challenge like Jason Robinson did. I do believe that losing these players at an increasingly early age should worry the RFL. Before it was the older players Robinson, Andy Farrell and Henry Paul but recently Chris Ashton and now Eastmond both in their early 20's. Lee Smith also left and although he came back it is worrying how many good young players are being tempted. Maybe it is the money, Rugby Union has far greater financial power. Maybe its the prospect of playing in competitions such as the Heineken Cup or on the International stage in the Six Nations or in World Cup's in front of 80/90 thousand. League lacks these competitions competitiveness. 

Despite New Zealand's recent triumphs in League, which has been great to see, it is still only them and Australia. England are a far away third and after that you really are struggling. Union is now thought of by the world when people say Rugby. The Rugby Football League (RFL) were slow to react and Union stole a march and the initiative. As a result League has been left behind. The game itself is great  and as a spectacle is second to none. It has a host of famous fans from others sports including the likes of Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney. The newer rules introduced are good e.g. the idea of the 40/20 in 1999. 

Forward thinking- Video Technology 

It move to a summer sport has been a success and it has always been trying to improve e.g one of the first sports to use video technology in 1996, another major success. This has since been copied by Union as well as many other sports. It is a different game to Union as has pace, freedom and constant play. However the people who run Union have got the marketing side right. I know there is an argument for the coverage Union gets over League for many reasons such as background and snobbery however for me the RFL could and should have done more. In Union players have higher profiles due to the marketing and they have spread the game worldwide. Though still true that there is only 9 genuine teams. Although they have developing sides and the game is very strong in France (unlike League) and South Africa where League is non-exsistent. Having been left behind it is very tough for League to compete. The losing of stars also doesn't help. If Sam Tomkins of Wigan was now to leave it would be a disaster. The RFL must act as otherwise the game will go into further decline. It can not survive in England with many of the teams coming from only two counties. 

For too long people in the North of England want the game to be kept in the M62 corridor. They like it as 'their game' that no one really knows about. However this attitude for me must change if the sport is to get national recognition and international success.

Many will argue that it is flattering that other sports come and take the players and that the system of youth development is so good these players will be replaced and the game continued. For example I hear Jonny Lomax is to replace Eastmond. He is another young up and coming star. However despite the fact that I agree with this view I do not think it is healthy for the game. 

I do not really understand Eastmond's decision as he could have achieved so much and I would liked him to have seen the Australian NRL as a bigger challenge then going to Union. Union domestic game is poor as the only care is for the Heineken Cup and so for me the International pull and money may have done it. I wish him all the best however feel it is a mistake that he will later regret.

Arsenal Tough Task

Tonight Arsenal without Theo Walcott and huge doubts over both Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, who even if play will not be fit, face the might of Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Barcelona are one of if not the best team in the world at the moment. Despite Arsenals stunning comeback at the Emirates they have to expect an all out assault tonight from Barcelona. Scoring goals is never a problem for Barcelona and at the Nou Camp they are almost a cert to score. Arsenal will not hold out. 

Last season Mourinho's boring yet masterful game plan of defending and shutting the game out worked. However they did concede and that was with the incredibly rigid and tight organisational unit that was Inter Milan. 

Wenger must be fearful of what could happen

Arsenal are not the same, they do not have the players to do it. They are not strong enough. As a result Arsenal must score goals and with Barcelona missing Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol they must fancy scoring. However I don't think they will as they lack the fire power. A not fully fit RVP and no Walcott means that a real genuine threat seem to be lacking. Having said that players such as Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin have the ability and will have to step up to the plate.

I just see Barcelona's midfield as too strong and can see Arsenal chasing shadows for much of the night. The forward line is also frighting and with the Arsenal defence not being dependable I can see many Barcelona chances. If Arsenal don't get going early they could easily find themselves 3/4 down by half time.

This will be a real mental and physical test for Arsenal. They will have to do more work off the ball then usual and shut men down early. If Arsenal go all out attack I do fear for them as that is clearly not the way to play. They don't have the players. To win this one Arsene Wenger (left) will have to go away from his perfect football idea and be prepared to win ugly. Although I have no faith that he will. He needs to forget those principals tonight as it is all about, as Charlie Sheen says, "Winning" the aggregate tie to progress. It is this mindset that separates Jose Mourinho from Wenger. Arsene ideas have won him nothing in recent years whereas Mourinho's cabinet is bursting.

 I am looking for a stirring performance from Arsenal and hope they go through, although my head tells me it is going to be a depressing night for Arsenal fans.