Real Madrid has secured another Spanish Championship, Bayern has done the same with the Bundesliga while Inter remains within touching distance of a third consecutive scudetto.
Elsewhere Ligue Une could take an interesting turn this weekend as leaders Lyon are at home to France’s surprise package AS Nancy.
Nancy leaped over Marseilles last weekend and currently occupies the third and final Champions League spot. To grab the final spot Nancy needs to match Marseille's results over the next two games – this weekend at Lyon and after that at home to Rennes.
If it is goals that you are looking for then AS Nancy is not going to be your cup of tea. They have recorded seventeen clean sheets in 36 starts, conceded a miserly twenty-six goals while scoring a parsimonious forty-two goals.
Lyon have recorded a win, a loss and 3 draws in last 5 matches and are dormie two over second place Bordeaux. However, they can take some comfort from their weekend opponents away record this season – only two wins, ten draws and six losses so far.
Lyon finishes with a match against 15th place Auxerre while Laurent Blanc’s Bordeaux faces two bottom half sides in Sochaux and Lens.
The EPL goes into Sunday’s final games with the title, the remaining UEFA Cup spot and two tickets (complete with parachute payments) to the Championship still to be decided. Although Manchester United appears to have the tougher task they also know that they only have to match Chelsea’s result in order to secure back-to-back Premiership titles for the first time since 2001.
Since taking over at the JJB, Steve Bruce has brought some defensive organization and grit to Wigan. With clean sheets in seven of their last eleven games and thirty-two points from Bruce’s 23 games in charge Wigan are enjoying their best run of results since their early splash when they joined the Premiership back in the 2005/06 season.
On the down side Wigan are facing a United side that has a 100% record in five Premiership matches between the the two while scoring 16 goals to Wigan’s three. Strangely all three goals for Wigan have come from defenders. Toss in for good measure that Steve Bruce’s record against Manchester United is nine matches without a win then the league leaders will go into the game with enough good omens to satisfy the most superstitious of fans.
Chelsea are faced with a situation of doing their absolute best but finding out late Sunday afternoon that even that may not be good enough to capture a third Premiership title in four seasons. Theoretically Bolton are still not safe from the spectre of relegation but it requires not only wins for Fulham or Reading but also a huge winning margin combined with Bolton being taken to the Stamford Bridge cleaners.
It is testament to how badly Reading are playing that even a trip to woeful Derby calls into question Reading’s ability to score a goal let alone get three points. Steve Coppell’s side are on the longest current streak in the Premier League without a goal of 6 matches or 551 minutes and need to better Fulham’s result and at least match Birmingham’s if they are to line up in the Premiership in August.
Derby also has a goal (really two goals) going into this game. Derby needs to score two more in order to overtake the Premiership low of 21 in a season set by Sunderland scored five years ago.
Fulham visits FA Cup Finalists Portsmouth with 3 wins in their last four games and last weekend they finally put together back to back wins this season. Fulham are winless at Pompey (2 losses and 2 draws) but appear to have convinced most fans that they can get the win that they need to stay up.
Birmingham is in the most precarious position – the bottom version of Chelsea. They could put in a season-best performance at home to Blackburn but still not beat the drop if other results conspire against them.
Of the nine Premiership matches between these two only one has been decided by more than one goal. Birmingham’s home record (a single home loss since Christmas) has proved to be their flotation device although by the same token the defense has failed to record a clean sheet since the Boxing Day win over Boro.
If Fulham and Reading should both lose then Birmingham could survive with a draw but playing for such an outcome would be a huge gamble.
Craigy-If not showing the "important stuff" stats, essentially, mean nothing, right????
Oh and what difference does it make how he's trying to shift his line up? I'm pretty sure he said he wanted players of size.
Reggae-Hard to say. Obviously Liverpool wouldn't have been as good as they are with him in there but we also would've had 30m in the bank to replace him with.
I can say that I don't think we would've made it back to the CL final and semifinals the past two years if he had left.
SILLY SEASON, ALREADY?
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is angry at the club's £15m valuation of him. (The Sun)
Why Would Couchy be angry at that?
Silly Season has started early.
TIPS FOR SUNDAY
Brum 1 - Sparky's lot 2
Chelsea 3 - 0 Bolton
Derby 0 - 0 Reading
EFC 3 - Toon 2
'Boro 3 - City 0
Pompey 1 - Fulham 1
Black Cats 2 - Arsenal 2
Spurs 1 - LFC 2
Hammers 1 - Villa 0
Wigan 2 - 4 United
SERIE A
Milan Napoli could be a screamer
Palermo V Samp as well
Roma Atalanta might be worth a look
Can Catania and lazio bounce back from their midweek Coppa Itlaia defeats.
LGB
Burlesconi has done this once before and it's merely a formality. He'll still be the driving force behind Milan, just not on paper. Simple really.
Keep it up, lah!
JONATHAN WILSON
Turgid fop. How about writing a piece that's not just a load of old boolocks for a change.
POTTERS
Shiite town, Stripey team. Going down lads. Mind that you enjoy the experience and use the cash wisely.
Its intresting to hear that hleb most likely will be leaving london as well. it makes me wonder y, and the only thing that can come to mind is money. which is not news to anyone, but i believe fabregas has gotten an improved salary and hleb flamini and adebayor want an increase as well or if they have gotten an increase maybe its not on the same level as fabregas. so naturally wenger(being the cheapskate that he is) was not going to give those three the same amount as the spaniard so they have decided to pack thier things and leave.
Heres another prediction- Ince goes to QPR in the summer
Make that two UEFA Cup spots - England has been awarded an additional UEFA Cup spot (First Round Qualifying) after finishing top of the UEFA 2007/08 Fair Play League. The information was just posted on the UEFA website this morning.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on May 9th at 8:51 AM.
Great piece on Modric. The world would seem to agree except for...
CraggyF: Will you call your local 11 'The Beetles' now that they're sponsorsed by VW? Not pleased I have to miss their upcoming visit to Toronto.
Bobby: Have you been monitoring the furor building amongst Toronto FC fans about the news that the CFL Argos are looking to move into BMO Field? Partly to emulate the Montreal CFL business model, partly to hurry out of the way of the soon-to-relocate Buffalo Bills NFL team. But it looks like the playing surface will have to be lenghtened and any hope oBLEEPrass surface replacing the plastic pitch is fading. Will you make this story the subject of a searing, in-depth investigative report in the fine FOX-TV tradition?
RINGO: Does that 'Fair Play' placing go to the team with the best disciplinary in England or to the next best placed team in the standings?
If it's the latter, and Portsmouth win the FA Cup, aren't Man City out as Everton/Villa are too far in front to be caught?
The three regular UEFA placings would go to Spurs for their Carling Cup win, Portsmouth if they win the FA Cup, Everton/Villa for fifth/sixth and one other team for the fair play ruling.
Which would indeed light a fire this weekend under Blackburn and Portsmouth. Man City will tank as they hate their owner and many will want to leave over the summer.
99% sure it goes to the next highest in the standings.
Exciting twist to the final day! Also a kick in the balls for everyone that was playing out the season as if there was only 1 spot. Man City could of been in the mix.
Quote of the day - Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions. (Evan Esar - comedian)
Statistics are facts, and facts don’t lie. Unfortunately most stats are taken completely out of context and are meaningless. Tiger Woods is ranked 138th on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy this year. On the ATP Tour, Federer ranks 16th in 1st serve %, and 15th in return games won, yet is the undisputed best player in the world. And these stats for individual sports – let alone individual stats for team sports. (I had to look up those stats!)
Craigy-Politics? Really for me? Well I don't think I'm cut out for it. You see my answers don't change and when proven wrong I admit it, I don't try to divert attention to another topic.
RE: Babel/Walcott. Babel is only 2 years older. The Dutch international who will be playing at Euro 2008 is bigger, stronger, faster and has a more powerful shot than little Walcott (who as a consequence of his small size is a better dribbler). Also, it says a lot that Babel will be in the Netherlands side, while Walcott would have been watching the tournament even if England qualified...and I think we all can agree that the Netherlands > England.
RE: Liverpool strikers needing to be spanish. What a bunch of BLEEP. Morientes didn't pan out and Benitez was quick to cut his losses on that one. I would be extremely crest-fallen if Babel were forced out. I (obviously) think very highly of him (and not just because he looks like my cousin Jeff).
RE: Crouch 15m...A player is worth what someone is willing to pay. I don't think anyone would be willing to pay 15m for Crouch, but someone will pay more than what most think he's worth (partially because he's English).
RE: After fullbacks what does Liverpool need...depends largely on what they lose. If nobody outside of Kewell, Riise and Crouch leave than I, personally, would move Babel up to striker and find a quality winger.
"The FA has confirmed the berth will be awarded to the highest-ranked side in the Premier League fair play table that has not qualified for Europe by other means"
And City has a .5 advantage over Everton at the moment.
Fair play ruling: That's very interesting. There were reports that Shinawatra was yanking Sven from the manager's chair because of a failure to qualify for Europe.
Wonder if the City boys will go on a red-card rampage just to spite him? What's the point of helping City if you're a player planning to leave?
Any word on who's listed after Everton? Be a laugh if it was Derby.
So Roseboy, you are not convinced by Adebayor after a season where he scored 24 goals in the Premiership. And you'd rather take the unproven Manucho or Roque Santa Cruz, who has had one good season but apparently proven himself more than Adebayor?
So, to sum up your argument, it is better to take a player who hasn't played a minute of Premiership football or another one who has scored fewer goals in one season because somehow Adebayor hasn't proven himself even though he's scored more goals in a single season than all but a handful of Premiership players? Wow, well those answers speak for themselves. My reasoning and facts are clearly wasted here. I'll move on.
Last edited by albertagooner on May 9th at 8:59 AM.
Bobby, I wondered what your thoughts are now as to whether Rangers can win all four competitions? Do you still think it is unlikely. Being a true blue I think they have the squad to do this as well as the most clever coach in Britain.
Aldoray-I think the disagreement is still there but the argument is done.
Bobby-Not sure if you've followed the O'Niell-Benitez fiasco but do you think MON just came out with his latest response so that he doesn't upset the Villa supporters?
Or do you think Benitez is actually crazy and had an imaginary conversation with MON?
Yes, words are definitely marked. I was actually going to go back to the Peter Crouch debate to dig up some old quotes, but thought better of it.
aldoray, LGB, verbal,
Apologies, just had to respond to a rather remarkable statement in the previous thread. I've said my piece and am at peace. lol Redirect the thread to Spanish strikers, Babel or a debate on the sanity of MON and Benitez. Somebody is fibbing. In those situations, you need to question who has the most to gain out of the situation going public. In the case, I'd wager it's Rafa, who probably doesn't mind redirecting the media and supporters in wake of the CL exit and the civil war in the boardroom. It also conveniently provides a misdirection from the speculation about his own future before the season winds down. MON had less to gain -- it publicly unsettled his captain and forced him to punt Berger before a game that they need to win.
Honestly, this Garreth Barry situation makes me want to take a shower. And it's not even the day of the week when I usually shower.
Obviously Martin O'Neill is telling the truth here and it's very sketchy. But it's not the first time Rafa's been sketchy about transfer dealings and I'm sure it won't be the last.
I think the best part is if you use Rafa's crazy math and if O'neill was even blind enough to want Crouch he would still owe Pool 5m pounds. Now that would be robbery!
"Obviously Martin O'Neill is telling the truth here and it's very sketchy."
Hhmm. Depends how you define "truth", perhaps.
According to Auntie, MON said he told Rafa "no" to the Barry transfer: "'What idea did I have other than getting off the phone after telling him the player wasn't available?'
O'Neill added: 'It was not a prolonged conversation. 'No' doesn't take too long to say.'"
Seems clear ... but ...
A little further down in the article, we read MON's actual words, as he recalled them: "'He made a phone call to me - I did not initiate the phone call. He asked about Gareth Barry and I said: 'Well he's got a testimonial and two years left to run and he's our best player.' So what would the reaction be?'"
Could mean "no sale"-- could also mean "your offer needs a little more meat before I'll give you a serious listen ..."
Take your pick.
Last edited by Ursusarctos on May 9th at 11:07 AM.
"'United play for the double on back of £58m losses last year'
...
After the leveraged takeover [of United], the Glazer family loaded their borrowings on to the club and the [previously debt-free, cash-flow positive, and profitable] position has changed.
[snip]
... supporters groups continue to protest that they are paying the debts of a takeover they opposed [through ever-rising ticket prices]. 'It is outrageous that supporters are paying the huge interest on these borrowings, which are worrying for the club's future," said Sean Bones of the Manchester United Supporters Trust. "Our money is pouring out to pay the Glazers, while they have not put a penny into the club.' [emphasis added]"
Change a few details slightly, and these comments could just as well apply to another club based a little further west along the M62, also recently the victim of a US-based LBO ... and whose financials, when released, will be just as ugly in relative terms ...
I'm no United fan, but they are currently the "canary in the coal mine" for LFC supporters in terms of managing the consequences of no-money-down leveraged buyouts by foreigners who couldn't tell a penalty kick from a corner kick, so best to wish them well-- and, hopefully, learn from their mistakes ...
continued ...
Last edited by Ursusarctos on May 9th at 11:21 AM.
And then there is this piece of disingenuous bulls.h.i.t. by a Glazer family spokesperson from the same article:
"The spokesman for the Glazer family pointed to the club's success on the field, and in generating income off it, as evidence of the family's competent management."
Comment: And so what? Competent management of the existing assets is not the issue-- the manner of financing their acquisition is ... and the constraining effect that financing will have on future management choices ...
"'The interest payments are more than covered by the cash generated.'"
Comment: Actually, the article stated that the "total interest payable by the club on its borrowings was £81m, although only £42m was actually paid", meaning that the rest of the interest was capitalized-- so whether operating cash flow could cover the interest, it is not in fact.
And even that misses the point: £81m of useless interest expense (related directly or indirectly to the LBO of the club) every year means more or less £81m less (after tax-related interest deductions) available for productive investment every year, such as player acquisitions or commercial development ... or even to invest in a long-term "rainy day" fund, for the day that the club's results are worse than required to maintain the existing business model. Instead, current debt means that in the event of a future cash flow shortfall, further borrowing will be required, with a resulting increased interest burden ...
Last edited by Ursusarctos on May 9th at 11:15 AM.
I assume you are going to be reading this blog in the next 1-2 years. I bet Babel will leave Liverpool by then. I am conviced about it.
Gerrard may leave too... but may be that's a long shot, but at times, he seems frustrated by RAFA. Replacements? David Villa, end some other obscure player from La Liga.
TH, time will tell. My answer now is while there's always a possibility that both will leave, especially Babel, I sincerely hope that they stay for many years.
Ursus, you're correct. I should have qualified what I thought O'Neill was telling the truth about, namely the timeline of the calls and transfer inquiry. But if the "right" price comes in, I'm betting Barry would be allowed to leave.
I'll be flying to Florida tomorrow morning!
It amazes me that anyone would go to Florida on purpose :)
The clear numbers on Man U's finances makes me feel a whole lot better about what Arsenal are trying to do with their wage structure. People keep screaming Arsenal will have to spend to keep up with Man U and Chelsea but in reality I rather a lower chance of trophies and the club to keep its integrity instead of building a house of cards.
Before I was half joking that Ronaldo would be on his way out but now its pretty much a fact once the right offer comes in hes off. The same cant be said for Cesc who could honestly play at Arsenal till hes 30 or at least as long as Wenger is around which might be some time still considering hes 58 to Fergusons 66.
"The clear numbers on Man U's finances makes me feel a whole lot better about what Arsenal are trying to do with their wage structure. People keep screaming Arsenal will have to spend to keep up with Man U and Chelsea but in reality I rather a lower chance of trophies and the club to keep its integrity instead of building a house of cards."
The United "house of cards" has nothing to do with its wage structure-- indeed, absent the interest owing on the Glazer acquisition-debt, it seems clear that United would have no trouble meeting even a larger payroll than the current one, entirely from operating cash flow, i.e., with no borrowing.
The Arsenal situation is entirely different, since the existing debt is primarily (entirely?) related to the construction of the Emirates, and will be thus paid off from the higher revenues generated by the new stadium (as compared to Highbury).
In that case, there is nothing stopping the Arsenal Board from committing to a larger wage structure, except for their own choice not to-- unlike the dangers that United is flirting with ...
The clear numbers on Man U's finances makes me feel a whole lot better about what Arsenal are trying to do with their wage structure. People keep screaming Arsenal will have to spend to keep up with Man U and Chelsea but in reality I rather a lower chance of trophies and the club to keep its integrity instead of building a house of cards.
But every Arsenal fan would like to see a trophy next season no matter the cost. Including me :) Spend $100m and let's get a trophy pls.
"if the "right" price comes in, I'm betting Barry would be allowed to leave."
Agreed.
I think MON is largely engaged in an old-fashioned exercise in butt-covering (with Villa fans who might be angry to see the skipper and most popular player "allowed" to leave), coupled with that other old-fashioned game of talking up the sales value of one's goods as much as possible.
Once Barry was quoted in the press saying that he was impatient to play CL-- without denial from him or comment from MON-- the whole exercise went from "IF" he leaves, to "WHEN" and "TO WHOM"-- and therefore, from Villa's perspective, the most important question-- "HOW MUCH".
"The total owed to all creditors, including the banks, was up to £764m and includes £56m that United owe to other clubs in transfer fee instalments on players Sir Alex Ferguson has signed."
Thats Nani, Anderson, Tevez and Hargreaves right there. Just because they post an operating profit the costs are hidden in delayed payments they still owe other clubs.
As for the wages between Ronaldo, Rio and Rooney they conservatively get paid 100k a week thats 15+m a year in wages alone to 3 players not including bonuses. Would be interesting to see what Tevez, Giggs, Scholes, Vidic, Evra and Carrick are at or more importantly will be asking for in the future.
The Arsenal wage structure is very much in place so they cant be taken hostage by the Wes Browns of the world for 50k a week just because everyone else is making allot.
No thanks TH I don't want to buy a trophy like Chelsea and really Man U has. Build a squad of players who love the club not the money. I rather see the players we develop lift a trophy then some merc.
We really don't need a trophy just continual improvement from this year. You have to remember Wenger is building a real squad of players he wants to stick together. 83 points this year if we win on the weekend and were leading the league and in the race for a long time. Next year if we even lose but take it to the wire thats good enough for me. Semi finals of the CL fine by me also.
Hleb can leave now, 11 goals 3 seasons. Not the type of scoring record I'm looking from an attacking third player. Diego please!
Gallas will be 32 I think by the end of next season and might be on his way out anyways.
and Cesc is not going anywhere no matter what the Spanish tabloids try to stir. Its pretty clear Wenger is trying to keep players who share his vision. Ade and Cesc strike me as the type of players that do and also the type Wenger is willing to bend the wages structure for.
edit: About Hleb again if he could leave on a Bosman like Flamini he would already be gone. Its clear he wants the money Inter are willing to throw at him. Would you be willing to give him that raise for what hes shown us?
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts.
PS - If you have questions please post them on the regular Monday blog. I am unable to answer e mails posted to the inbox on this site.
And one more thing. If you have questions or complaints or compliments about programming please contact Fox Soccer Channel or Fox Sports World Canada directly. I have no control over what the stations televise.
