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Trouble in Paradise

Following the news that a group of wealthy fans, dubbed the ‘Red Knights’, are planning a takeover move for Manchester United, Alex Ferguson has moved to quickly quash rumours that he is himself putting some of his personal fortune behind the bid. Ferguson has left no doubt in his response to this by saying that the rumours are “absolute rubbish - there is not an ounce of truth in it”.

Reported debts in the region of £700 million is of great alarm to fans, who were used to a profitable club before the Glazer family bought the club. This has caused many of the United fans to resort to wearing the yellow and green of Newton Heath - a direct protest against the money problems at the club. Although Ferguson has previously said that he did not mind the United fans showing their displeasure, the manager will not be putting his money behind the bid.

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

Following a season of relentless disappointment and let-down, Pompey fans were celebrating victory in the FA Cup quarter final against Birmingham City. Two very different finishes (one a tap-in, the other a quality finish) from Frederic Picquionne sent the Pompey faithful into delirium at a packed Fratton Park to send them back to Wembley for the third time in three years.

However, this joy may yet be short-lived. The FA are believed to be discussing the possibility of kicking the Blues out of this year’s tournament due to their off-field problems. The levels of their financial difficulties has been mentioned ad infinitum this year, but it could yet lead to further problems. Following months of dedicated and passionate support for a team that is destined for relegation, this is surely the last thing that the fans of Portsmouth deserve.

The season is taking shape

The past few games in the Premier League have really told us a lot with regards to the race for the title. While Arsenal have slipped up against Manchester United and now Chelsea (again), they host Liverpool tonight, live on SKY TV, hoping to consolidate the third spot rather than push on to be Champions. It should be a good game with the Gunners looking to prove doubters wrong that they aren’t a one dimensional team that cannot cope with the counter attack.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are going from strength to strength and are still in the hunt for three trophies (Premiership, Carling Cup and Champions League), and Chelsea likewise (Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League). It looks like it is going to be a battle until the end for the Premiership and the game between these two at Old Trafford on 3rd April will go some way to deciding it.

The Champions United play Aston Villa away tonight while Chelsea visit Everton, so there is still all to play for. The battle for fourth spot also intensified last night with Citeh beating Bolton and moving behind Liverpool on goal difference. Spurs are away at Wolves and can move into the coveted spot for the time being albeit having played a couple of games more than their closest rivals.

18 and that’s a fact!

This weekend we saw Manchester United crowned the champions of England for the 18^th time and boy was this number emphasized. You see, United’s arch rivals Liverpool are also currently on 18 league titles. Now that United are level their fans saw fit to rub this in a bit, especially since Liverpool haven’t won the league since 1990.

It was even more of an issue because of Rafa’s rant earlier in the season where he strangely produced a piece of paper during a press conference which had a list of what he kept referring to as facts. This was too many people’s amusement, especially United’s fanbase, and many commented that “Rafa was cracking up” which has been chanted at a few grounds this season.

Bring on the day that United were set to face Arsenal at Old Trafford - only a point was needed - and a point is what they got. United’s fans turned out in thousands, 75,468 of them to be precise, with a variety of banners of which the majority referred to the fact that it was their 18^th.

Now United can look forward to the champions’ league final in Rome, where they face Barcelona. If they win it could mean they repeat the success they had last year and then some - roll on Rome.

Giggs takes Player of the Year Award

Manchester United’s legendary midfielder Ryan Giggs has been awarded the PFA Player of the Year at the awards ceremony held in London last night.

Giggs fought off competition from team mates Nemanja Vidic, Christiano Ronaldo and goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar as well as from Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.

It is just reward for the Manchester United man after he rolled back the years to produce some inspirational performances. These have already secured the Carling Cup and with the Premier League championship and the Champions League within reach, the season may well have a successful ending for the Welshman.

Surprisingly, this is the first time which Giggs has picked up the accolade and he has moved quickly to dilute suggestions that he is set to retire at the end of the season. Speaking straight after the awards, Giggs sated that as long as he is still enjoying the game and feels as though he is offering something to the team then he will carry on playing.

Aston Villa’s Ashley Young capped a great season by securing the PFA Young Player of the Year award whilst one of the biggest surprises of the night came when the PFA Premier League Team of the Year was introduced yet did not include striker Wayne Rooney

WIE plays tribute to the Hillsborough 96

Twenty years ago, ninety six Liverpool fans died as a result of the Hillsborough tragedy.
They had travelled to the home of Sheffield Wednesday for the FA Cup Semi Final against Nottingham Forest not knowing of the carnage which would unfold.
A hold up on the motorway meant that many Liverpool fans were late arriving at the ground and as they approached the Leppings Lane End, they would have seen a frantic rush for the turnstiles developing.
This led to the exit gates being opened and people entering the ground through this method.
What then followed will live in the memory of everyone who was present for the rest of their lives.
The crowd became crushed to the point that they could not breath and this was particularly the case with those stood at the front of the terrace.
In the struggle to get out and save themselves many people saw scenes which will never be forgotten. Advertising boards where used as make shift stretchers and people tried to save the lives of those around them as well as their own.
It was truly the blackest day in English football and must never be forgotten or repeated.
WIE plays tribute to the Hillsborough 96 – may you rest in peace.

United dumped out of FA Cup

The quintuple is officially off. Manchester United were knocked out of the FA Cup yesterday by an Everton side who have reached their first final since 1995.
Ironically, it was United who Everton beat 14 years ago where a Paul Rideout goal ensured that the FA Cup made its way to the blue side of Liverpool.
Although yesterday’s match was by no means a classic, Everton fans will simply not care less – they are in the final and that is all that matters.
However, I for one was slightly concerned with Ferguson’s team selection which perhaps did not respect the competition. The United Manager opted to play an array of second string players and therefore can not argue with being dumped out.
Ultimately they were to fail during a penalty shoot out with Berbatov’s miss one of the most pathetic spot kicks which you will ever hope to see.
Any one of the vast crowd within the stadium could have made a better attempt at the spot kick which Tim Howard saved with ease.
United deserved to go out, if nothing more for the relaxed attitude which they seemed to have from start to finish.
Everton will meet Chelsea in the final after they overcame London rivals Arsenal in Saturday’s other semi final.

Football in the sun anyone?

Every now and again, somebody comes up with an idea which may change the face of football forever. At the moment, there are plans to introduce video technology as well as a third linesman for example. However, trawling through the masses of literature on the internet, I became interested in another concept which does seem plausible.

This surrounds moving the football season so it encapsulates the summer months rather than the cold hard winter. Now many years ago, when I was a child, I became incredibly frustrated that just as the weather warmed up, and everyone had the chance to go out and play, the goalposts were taken down everywhere you looked – how annoying is that?

In terms of generating attendances, particularly at the lower end of the football spectrum – moving the season to the summer could also have major benefit in terms of attractiving the floating fans. People are more likely to stand outside and watch football when the weather is nice rather than freezing cold aren’t they?

Saying that though – isn’t becoming freezing cold at a football match part of it’s tradition and appeal.

What do you think? Would you be in favour of a summer move ?

Liverpool destroy Villa

Steven Gerrard rendered the title race wide open after his hat trick helped see off Aston Villa at Anfield this afternoon.

The Liverpool skipper helped to ensure that his side’s poor home record did not continue against a Villa side who still have very real hoped of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The Reds have had a perfect weekend with both United and Chelsea slipping up which has raised their belief that the title race is still very much on. They are now just one point behind their deadly rivals although United do have a game in hand against struggling Portsmouth.

Realistically. Liverpool will pretty much have to win every game from now until the end of the season to see off their rivals at the final reckoning. But this afternoon will give them every confidence that they can go on and do that.

You have to say that after back to back defeats, United will come back strongly and are still the team to beat, but it is good for the neutrals if we have a genuine title race this season.

Liverpool could also go head to head with United in the Champions League final in May and realistically this could well be their only hope of securing a trophy this year.

Come on all you “United fans” - lets be ‘avin you!

I would not say that I am a Manchester United supporter by any stretch of the imagination. Pretty much anywhere you go in the country you will see people with the famous red shirts on complete with names and numbers on the back, who state that they support the Old Trafford outfit. The question which we all have to ask is how do you define “support”.

United are said to have the largest fan base in the world and there is no doubt that they are a massive global brand. However, does the fact that you have bought their latest shirt and occasionally watch them on Sky make you a “supporter”.

The reason I am bringing this up is that too many people say that they support successful teams and as a result consciously ignore their local teams as a result. If you look in the Manchester vicinity for example, you will see many teams, both league and non league who are struggling to find people to come through their turnstiles.

How many of these people are choosing to watch Soccer Saturday instead? In my mind they should take a hard look at themselves and consider the joys of live football in their local area. Watch United on the television for sure – but not at the expense of your local side who really do need you!

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