Championship 2011/12 Top Six Prediction...

Only an idiot would predict what's going to happen in the Championship this season.

With that in mind, here are my predictions for the Championship this season:

Champions: West Ham

With the players that the Hammers had last season, it was nothing short of a travesty that they ended rock bottom of the Premiership table. Under different circumstances, with a different manager and different chairmen, they would have finished comfortably mid-table. Ultimately, if things aren't right upstairs, it becomes harder to succeed on the pitch. You get the feeling that with Sam Allardyce in charge, there will be better communication at the club, and in Allardyce, they've got an experienced and tactically astute manager. He'll be keen to build a team, and grind out results where necessary.

They've also got some decent players; who stays and who goes is another matter, but you'd expect their squad to be strong at the end of August. They possess several talented young stars: James Tomkins and Jack Collison should be playing Premiership football, whilst Zavon Hines, Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas have all got bright futures. Throw in the experience of Rob Green, new signing Abdoulaye Faye, and possibly Scott Parker (surely someone will snap him up though?), and it's a side far too good for the Championship.

And Kevin Nolan will be the league's best player this season.

STAR PLAYER: Kevin Nolan

ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 4/1 Favourites

2^nd Place: Leicester

Only high expectations can stop Sven's Leicester City from getting back to the top tier this season. They've been busy this summer – nine additions to the squad, and they're not done yet, with the former England boss still targeting a striker. With Premiership experience from the likes of Michael Johnson (on loan from Man City), David Nugent (England's most prolific goalscorer – a goal a game!) and Paul Konchesky, you'd have to rate their chances of promotion pretty highly.

STAR PLAYER: Andy King

ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 4/1 Favourites

Play-offs:

Nottingham Forest

Forest always seem to come close, and this year I fancy them to come close once again. They decided to part company will Billy Davies, and have brought in Steve McClaren to do what Davies couldn't. I think it's a shrewd decision from the chairman Nigel Doughty – the side needed freshening up, and the experience of McClaren could prove invaluable. He's still a man looking to rebuild his reputation, and I think he'll be able to get the best out of his players.

The former England and Middlesbrough boss is frustrated with the lack of signings over the summer, but there's still plenty of class, especially with the addition of Andy Reid, George Boateng, and Jonathan Greening. And if Lewis McGugan continues his form from last season, McClaren could have a successful first season as Forest manager.

STAR PLAYER: Lewis McGugan

ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 14/1

Blackpool

The great entertainers of last year's Premiership season: it may have been an ultimately unsuccessful campaign, but Ian Holloway gained many admirers for his side's attacking style of play, and I don't see that changing this season. The loss of Charlie Adam to Liverpool was inevitable after a brilliant season, but his replacement Barry Ferguson brings plenty of experience and quality. Holloway has also signed Kevin Phillips from Birmingham, and you feel that Blackpool's style of play will suit the former Sunderland striker. I wouldn't be surprised to see him scoring 20+ goals, and that will go a long way in helping the Seasiders back to the top tier.

STAR PLAYER: Matt Phillips

ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 16/1

Burnley

At just 33 years of age, Burnley boss Eddie Howe has impressed many in his short managerial career. Taking his old side Bournemouth from League Two to the summit of League One earned him many admirers, including the Clarets, who hired him in January of this year to replace Brian Laws. Last season's 8^th placed finish was satisfactory, but it was hard to judge Howe's efforts, as it was very much an inherited squad. He has a small squad of players to work with, but with the addition of two or three players, I believe the former Cherries boss can add to his already glowing reputation.

STAR PLAYER: Keith Treacy

ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 25/1

Brighton

I predict this as much in hope as I do in expectation. It's a fantastic time to be involved with the club: glorious new stadium, record transfers, top manager, great style of football etc. So the place is buzzing, and so it should be. Last season, the Seagulls beat two Championship sides on their FA Cup run, showing that they are more than capable of competing at this level. However, this is set to be one of toughest Championship seasons ever, with so many big clubs looking for a top 6 place. Brighton have a lot of quality in the attacking areas, and if Gus can get the best out of the likes of Kazenga Lua Lua and Craig Mackail-Smith, they could do a Norwich with back-to-back promotions.

STAR PLAYER: Kazenga Lua Lua

ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 18/1

Who'll get the goals?? 

If Shane Long stays in the league, he'll be up there on the top scorers list. Nicky Maynard will hit the back of the net for whoever he's playing for this season, whilst Brighton's record signing Craig Mackail-Smith scored 35 times in League One for Peterborough last season, and will want to prove himself at a higher level.

There's also a lot of former Premiership players around this season, and you'd expect the West Ham strikers to do well: Carlton Cole, Frederic Piquionne and Kevin Nolan should score plenty. Cardiff have got goals in them as well, with Robbie Earnshaw returning to his old club, and Ipswich's new striker Michael Chopra is always a threat.

THREE UP, THREE DOWN...

THREE UP: West Ham, Leicester, Forest

THREE DOWN: Coventry, Barnsley, Doncaster 

 

If we needed any more proof that Capello shouldn't be England manager...

Yesterday evening I uttered six words that I never thought I'd say:

“What a relief Montenegro only drew”

It really is a sorry state of affairs when the mighty English national team are struggling to top a group that features four other nations who have rarely, if ever, shocked the world of football with their quality.

Fair play to Montenegro. They've proved that they should certainly be taken seriously as a footballing nation; they started out as the lowest ranked team in Group G, and then in the space of a few matches became the 24^th best country at football, according to the people at FIFA. And FIFA don't get things wrong.

Wins against Wales, Bulgaria, and Switzerland, as well as a goalless draw against England at Wembley in October, have put Montenegro joint top of Group G, with only inferior goal difference preventing them topping the group. Three points last night in the return match against the Bulgarians would have put Zlatko Kranjcar's side into pole position to grab the automatic qualification for Euro 2012. However, Ivelin Popov cancelled out Radomir Djalovic's second half strike, and they were left to rue a missed opportunity.

Meanwhile, 1102 miles away, Fabio Capello was reflecting on two more dropped points at Wembley Stadium, after a lacklustre performance from his England side. It was the 2-2 draw against an impressive Swiss team that generously presented Montenegro the chance to top the group. But whilst it was a spirited performance from the visitors, once again it was shown that Capello and England are wrong for each other.

We all rejoiced when the seemingly stubborn Italian altered England's playing style for the 2-0 win against Wales. From the rigid and lifeless 4-4-2 formation, suddenly we were watching exciting, free flowing football with Rooney, Young and Bent as a three man attack. Naively, people (myself included) assumed that this could be the start of something beautiful, forgetting that the team we had just beaten were Wales. And not just any Wales team – a Wales team without the PFA Player of the Year, Gareth Bale.

Two and a bit months on, and our new lethal 4-4-3 formation was mercilessly unleashed upon the Swiss. Except, this time round, we were playing a pretty good side, and Wayne Rooney was suspended and getting his hair done. And for some bizarre reason, Capello opted to leave Ashley Young, one of the major plus points of the Wales match, on the bench, as James Milner started on the left. Arsenal's Theo Walcott was placed on the right, and Darren Bent kept his place to play through the middle.

After 35 minutes, England were 2-0 down, and Wembley was shocked into near silence, aside from the jubilant section of Swiss red that coated a large section of the stadium. It was two poor goals to concede as well; inept defending for the first, as Rio Ferdinand misjudged a Tranquillo Barnetta free kick, and then James Milner decided to leap out of a well placed two man wall, as the same Swiss midfielder curled another free kick past the despairing dive of Joe Hart.

It was two individual mistakes that embarrassed England, but in fairness, Switzerland weren't fortunate to have a two goal lead. The midfield trio of Parker, Wilshere and Lampard were struggling to get a foothold in the game, whilst Milner and the increasingly frustrating and frustrated Theo Walcott rarely threatened, leaving Darren Bent isolated.

England did manage to pull a goal back before half time, after the ever impressive Jack Wilshere was fouled in the area by fellow Gunner Johan Djorou, and Frank Lampard converted the penalty. The scoreline flattered England slightly, and at the interval Ashley Young was finally introduced, immediately impacting on the game with a neat finish to level the match. It was a better second half performance from the English, with the lively Young proving that Capello was wrong to leave him out of the side.

The most memorable moment of the match came in the 70^th minute, when Darren Bent was unable to convert a gilt-edged chance after the Swiss keeper Benaglio could only parry Ashley Young's effort to the striker. With the goal gaping, Bent fired the ball high over the crossbar, proving that he certainly isn't an England number nine. Replays of the opportunity made it all the more unforgivable, especially a particularly cruel camera angle which showed how much of the goal was available to the former Sunderland and Spurs forward. That miss kept the scoreline at 2-2, and that's the way it finished in North London.

So what did we learn? Well, 4-3-3 worked against Wales, but didn't really work against the superior Switzerland. Imagine what might have happened if England were playing Brazil or Spain – it doesn't bear thinking about! But formations aside, this still isn't a happy group of players, and it won't be happy until Capello leaves after the next tournament. With the players available to the Italian, it is fairly astonishing that England have failed to beat both Switzerland and Montenegro at Wembley Stadium.

Bad decisions and poor man-management skills are further damaging Capello's reputation, and although England will almost certainly qualify for next year's tournament, once they get there, they're in serious danger of getting embarrassed by better teams.

Football is run by people who don't understand passion...

Sometimes its frustrates me that football is run by people that don’t seem to understand the game. They don’t understand the passion that it evokes, and how important it is to both players and spectators. Season after season, I witness moments on the football pitch where bad decisions are made, and whether or not those decisions end up being pivotal, it annoys me that they could have been prevented.

One such moment that certainly wasn’t pivotal, occurred on Sunday afternoon in the match at the Reebok Stadium. Bolton’s Tamir Cohen was brought on for the final five minutes against Arsenal, and from a corner in the final minute, he headed home the winning goal. In honour of his late father Avi Cohen (a former Liverpool player) who was killed in a motorcycle accident, he took his shirt off to reveal a t-shirt with a picture of his father.

A poignant moment. However, referee Mike Jones was forced to caution the Israeli as removing your shirt is a bookable offence. I don’t blame the referee; I’m sure failure to show the yellow card would have resulted in Jones getting suitably punished for not following the guidelines.

In this instance, Cohen’s booking was irrelevant. Bolton won the game, and it was a fitting tribute to Avi Cohen. But what if there were different circumstances? What if it was a cup final, with thirty minutes remaining, and Cohen had already been booked? Referees can’t be sentimental, and surely it should make no difference what the scenario is. Therefore, he would have been sent off for displaying a genuine moment of emotion. Even if a player takes their shirt off for no real purpose other than to express passion, why is it deemed an offence worthy of a yellow card?

FIFA don’t know.

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct: "A player who removes his jersey when celebrating a goal must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour."

Yes we know that, but why?

FIFA don’t know.

Baring the torso? Potentially revealing something offensive underneath? Time-wasting? Inciting the crowd?! They all seem very unlikely and utterly ridiculous. Yet this is a rule which could play a major role in a game of football.

Here’s poor Eric Hassli, striker for the world famous Vancouver Whitecaps, getting a second yellow card for removing his shirt after scoring a penalty. (Hilariously, he has an identical shirt underneath to try and get away with it!)

There are some rules in football which I disagree with, but can sort-of understand why they exist. If you jump into the crowd to celebrate a goal, fans could possibly get crushed as they rush down to celebrate with the goalscorer. Therefore you deserve to get booked for risking the safety of the fans.

But I don’t believe there is any risk involved with removing ones shirt. It’s a moment of passion, and I can only assume that the people who make the rules don’t know what that is. They certainly don’t know what it’s like to score a goal.

I’m just glad that Tamir Cohen's had the opportunity to pay tribute to his father. And it only cost him a yellow card.   

The closest relegation battle in years - but who will survive?!

The top of the Premiership table appears to be fading towards a predictable conclusion; and whilst it is naïve to assume anything this season, it looks as though Arsenal’s frailties and Chelsea’s terrible mid-season spell have gifted an underwhelming Manchester United side their 19th league title.

If the finale to the title race turns out to be slightly anti-climactic, the battle to stay in the Premier League will more than makes up for it. I can’t remember so many teams fighting for their lives at this stage in the season - it is truly remarkable to see eight teams still in trouble with just seven games to go. Mick McCarthy got it spot on responding to a question regarding a sufficient points total for survival, “I just keep cracking on and hope we end up with more points than three other teams at least”.

Since the 1995/1996 season when the number of clubs competing in the Premiership was reduced to twenty, only Sunderland (1996/97), Bolton (1997/98), and West Ham (2002/03) have suffered relegation despite reaching 40 points. Considering all twenty teams this season have already reached the 30 points mark, 2010/11 may be another rare season where 40 points isn’t enough to survive.

So as we approach the run-in, let’s take a look at the sides still in danger, and whether they have what it takes to get enough points to stay in the division:

Wigan, current position: 20th, played - 31, points - 31

Momentum: The Latics have enjoyed a couple of decent results; first of all beating fellow strugglers Birmingham City with a last minute Maynor Figueroa strike, and then earning a point against Spurs on Saturday. Their next three matches are away from home, so understandably they’re everyone’s favourites to go down.

THAT player: Charles N’Zogbia - Wigan’s player of the season last year, and hard to argue against him winning it this time around. The Frenchman will need to be in top form to inspire his side for the remainder of the campaign.

Goals: Or lack there of. The league’s lowest scorers, and top scoring Hugo Rodallega has only managed 7.

Verdict: Relegated. The four points earned against Birminham and Spurs were vital, but with five of their remaining seven matches away from home, I can’t see Martinez masterminding a revival.

Wolves, current position: 19th, played - 31, points - 32

Momentum: Mick McCarthy’s side have generally played well all season, but have been unable to convert good performances into good results. But the last few weeks have seen them earn valuable points against Spurs, Blackpool, West Brom, and most recently, neighbours Aston Villa. Saturday’s defeat at Newcastle was a setback, and the loss of Kevin Doyle to injury is a massive blow, but their final seven games are against sides from seventh downwards, so if they can re-discover their good form, survival is a very real possibility.

THAT player: Jamie O’Hara - a really wise loan signing, and has already made an impact. Wears his heart on his sleeve and works incredibly hard for the team.

Goals: Mick McCarthy must be cursing his luck with Doyle ruled out for the remainder of the season, but the likes of Steven Fletcher and Sylvan Ebanks Blake will get goals, whilst Matt Jarvis will be on a high after his call up to the England squad.

Verdict: Safe, just. Mick McCarthy’s side have started to show a winning mentality which has been missing all season, and there’s enough talent in the team to win games.

West Ham, current position: 18th, played - 31, points - 32

Momentum: What a strange season it has been, especially at Upton Park. Back in January, it was reported that West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal was Avram Grant’s last in charge. And then suddenly, he had the full backing of the board. Only those involved really know what was going on, but since that day, the Hammers have only lost two league matches, beating Blackpool, Stoke, and Liverpool along the way. The return of Thomas Hitzlsperger, and the signing of Senegalese striker Demba Ba have added an unexpected sense of optimism around the club. The manner of the defeat to Man United on Saturday was disappointing, but with crucial games against Wigan, Aston Villa and Blackburn still to come, there’s plenty for the Hammers to be hopeful about.

THAT player: Scott Parker should be an England regular in my opinion. He brings so much to the West Ham team, and without his passion and ability, they’d be relegated already.

Goals: Demba Ba has been a revelation - such a handful for defences, and his goals have been key to their current resurgence. Elsewhere, the likes of Cole, Piquionne, Hitzlsperger and Parker will all contribute with the odd goal.

Verdict: Safe. Why? Two words: Scott Parker.

Blackpool, current position: 17th, played - 31, points - 33

Momentum: As Ian Holloway’s side welcomed the new year, the Seasiders were in the top half of the Premiership, having experienced a wonderful first half of the season. Four months later, and Blackpool are in freefall, having gained just eight points from fourteen matches in 2011. If the league table started from January 1st, they would be rock bottom. Having said that, the recent 3-1 win against Spurs proves that this team are fearless and capable of getting results. The question is, can they find their 2010 form?

THAT player: Charlie Adam, who else? According to reports, he was minutes away from heading to Tottenham. Blackpool fans can thank their lucky stars that the move fell through, and he stayed in the north west. He seems to be key to everything good that the Tangerines do.

Goals: Once again, if Adam stays fit, he will get crucial goals - penalties, free-kicks, tap-ins, and if he can add a few more to his current tally of nine league goals, they’ve got a great chance of surviving. Unfair not to mention DJ Campbell, who’s also scored nine, and when he returns from suspension, Blackpool’s attack will be more potent.

Verdict: Safe, just. With their remaining fixtures, the home matches against Wigan, Newcastle and Stoke stand out as season defining contests.

Aston Villa, current position: 16th, played - 31, points - 34

Momentum: The Aston Villa fans have made it clear how they feel about Gerard Houllier. The Frenchman has shot himself in the foot on a number of occasions: first, carelessly indulging in his past, stating he would rather lose to Liverpool than any other club, and then, somewhat bizarrely leaving out key players as his side surrendered to Manchester City in the FA Cup. Since that 3-0 defeat at Eastlands, the Villains have lost at Bolton, and more painfully were beaten by neighbours West Brom at Villa Park. Chief Executive Paul Faulkner has backed the under fire boss, and now the Villa faithful must do the same.

THAT Player: Ashley Young. Villa boast several young talented English players, and none more talented than their versatile midfielder. He’s attracted attention from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, and therefore his final role as a Villa player could be to inspire his side to the two or three wins they require for safety.

Goals: Darren Bent. He’s scored five times since joining Villa, and with talent from wide and behind him, he’ll get plenty of chances.

Verdict: Safe. Is the phrase, “too good to go down”, a kiss of death? With the players they’ve got, they should be in the top ten.   

Birmingham, current position: 15th, played - 30, points - 34

Momentum: Winning the Carling Cup will give Blues fans many happy memories of that day at Wembley, but the bigger picture is that it may have dented their chances of survival. Since the final on February 27th, they’ve suffered defeats to fellow strugglers West Brom and Wigan, and lifting that trophy must seem a distant memory. The win against Bolton on Saturday was crucial, and with struggling Sunderland visiting St Andrews, and a trip to Ewood Park in the coming weeks, McCleish’s side need to continue the momentum.

THAT player: Craig Gardner - Local lad and Blues fan, represents what Alex McCleish demands from his players. His passion, but more importantly, his ability, could prove to be crucial.

Goals: Only Wigan have scored less this season, with Nikola Zigic and Cameron Jerome failing to have the desired effect.

Verdict: Relegated. Lack of goals being the determining factor.

Blackburn, current position: 14th, played - 31, points - 34

Momentum: The award for Strangest Decision of the Season goes to the Blackburn Rovers chicken loving owners, who thought getting rid of Sam Allardyce would be a good idea. They replaced the vastly experienced Allardyce with the vastly inexperienced Steve Kean, and that decision could come back to haunt them come May. Winless since January 23rd, Rovers are in big trouble unless they start winning.

THAT player: Chris Samba - inspirational captain and defender, and is the second highest scoring defender in the league with four goals (behind Robert Huth). He may need a few more goals to keep his side in the league.

Goals: Rovers don’t have a prolific scorer, which could be a big problem for Steve Kean. However, they do have players capable of scoring - the young Canadian David Hoilett looks a good prospect.

Verdict: Relegated. They’ll need at least two wins from their remaining games, and I can’t see them getting that.

West Brom, current position: 13th, played - 31, points - 36 

Momentum: Roberto Di Matteo may consider himself a tad unlucky to have been sacked, but Roy Hodgson has steadied the ship somewhat, and is still unbeaten as Baggies manager. The win against Liverpool on Saturday was Hodgson’s first home victory as boss, and the side looks more defensively sound. This unbeaten run will only boost confidence within the camp as they head towards the business end of the season.

THAT player: Peter Odemwingie has scored almost a quarter of West Brom’s goals this season, and if he can get a few more, it’ll go a long way in keeping them in the league.

Goals: Aside from the Nigerian, the Baggies do have plenty of players capable of scoring, even if the stats suggest otherwise. No-one apart from Odemwingie has managed more than four league goals this season, but James Morrison and Chris Brunt will get on the score-sheet.

Verdict: Safe. They’ve got a tricky run-in, with Chelsea and Spurs around the corner, but Roy Hodgson will keep it tight at the back and earn enough points to keep them up.

PREDICTION:

13th West Brom
14th West Ham
15th Aston Villa
16th Wolves
17th Blackpool
18th Birmingham
19th Blackburn
20th Wigan

How to beat Barcelona...

Last night, Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by a far superior Barcelona side. There’s no shame in that; I don’t think anyone will succeed in overcoming the Catalan giants in this year’s tournament. They aren’t perfect though - Arsenal scored six times in the four encounters between the two, and possibly should have scored more. If you attack them, you might score, but by doing that you’re leaving yourself open at the back and they’ll probably score more than you.

Jose Mourinho proved with his Inter side last season that Barcelona are beatable, but that was courtesy of one of the finest defensive displays ever witnessed in the Champions League. To beat them by attacking them is another thing. It’s an almighty task for any opponent, and you could argue that succeeding against them is as psychological as it is technical. You need: a) patience, b) concentration, and c) most importantly, luck. In the second leg at the Nou Camp, Arsenal managed, at most, one out of three.

It must be incredibly frustrating chasing shadows as most teams do when facing Guardiola’s side - mentally exhausting, and I have sympathy with Arsenal’s attack, who failed to manage one shot on goal last night. Once they managed to get the ball off them, they couldn’t find space; they were surrounded by blue and red, and on the rare occasion that space became available, they couldn’t take advantage.

So how do you beat Barcelona?

1) Pace

Arsenal looked most dangerous when running at the Barcelona defence. I thought Wilshere and Nasri were excellent - Nasri made several dashes down the left, and one of those led to the corner from which Busquets headed into his own net. For me, this highlighted how much they missed Walcott last night. He has his critics - decision making perhaps isn’t his forte, but his lethal pace frightens the life out of defences. Barcelona play so high up the pitch, so there is a vast area of space to run into if they give the ball away (see Bendtner goal last season).

2) Set Pieces

Barcelona don’t do set pieces. When they get a corner, they normally play it short, or look for a pass to start another 200 pass move. So inevitably, defending corners makes them uncomfortable. They aren’t a big side, so any crosses into the box can be a problem, as seen by the panic which resulted in a clumsy own goal last night. Nikola Zigic is a pretty hopeless player, but Barcelona would have been scared stiff of him if he was in an Arsenal shirt last night.

3) Don’t play them at their own game

They have the three most technically gifted players in world football: Xavi, Iniesta, and Messi. The speed in which they can find space, control the ball with the perfect touch, and then play it to a team-mate is incredible. Arsenal are excellent at this type of football; the best in the Premier League, but they struggled to string together three passes in a row last night. Off the ball, Barcelona are as good as they are with the ball. They don’t worry about the player who is free, they just make sure the ball doesn’t get to him. This makes it even more important to play to their weaknesses - pace, width and height.

4) Have a full strength first eleven  

There isn’t much a manager can do to guarantee the fitness of his first choice eleven. It’s a long season, and if you want to compete in all competitions, you will get injuries. Arsenal certainly would have been a greater threat to Barcelona had Walcott been available, and a fully fit Cesc Fabregas may have influenced the game as he would have hoped. Whether Arsenal would have beaten them is another matter, but there are enough frailties in Barcelona’s defence to suggest that they are far from invincible.

5) Get lucky

Arsenal had their share of luck over the two legs: Messi had a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside in the first leg, and at the Nou Camp, the same player may have felt hard done by when the referee didn’t give a penalty for a blatant foul. Whether it was inside the box is debatable, but it was one of many decisions that referee Massimo Busacca got horribly wrong. The major piece of luck that Arsenal did not receive, was the crazy second yellow card shown to Dutch striker Robin Van Persie for kicking the ball away after the whistle was blown. Whether he heard the whistle or not is irrelevant; how the referee deemed it as time-wasting is baffling. It’s not like he kicked the ball into row Z, and it wasn’t the 89th minute, so wasting time at this point in the game wouldn’t have been in Van Persie’s mind. However, common sense didn’t prevail, and the Dutchman was sent off, making Arsenal’s task near impossible. If he had stayed on the pitch, would he have converted the chance that Nicklas Bendtner missed? Possibly. It would have been a win coated with fortune for the Gunners, but injustice in football is common, and in most cases, required, to beat the mighty Barcelona.

Mighty - yes. Perfect - no. They have weaknesses, and if you try to exploit those flaws; run at them and get some high crosses into the box, they are beatable. However, you’ve also got to hope that they have an off day and you get the rub of the green. Possible. Unlikely, but possible.

Ronaldo wasn’t the luckiest, but he definitely was one of the best

Every lover of football has a hero from when they first started watching the great game. I, amongst many others my age, was extremely fortunate to witness the skill, strength, and speed of the Brazilian legend Ronaldo whilst I was growing up. He must have inspired millions of children all over the world to start playing football, and there must be thousands of current professionals who owe a debt of gratitude to Il Fenomeno for educating them on how to play the game properly.

Today, Ronaldo announced his decision to retire from professional football at the age of 34. He had been plying his trade at Brazilian side Corinthians, and was expected to retire at the end of the season, but defeat in the Copa Libertadores (the South American Champions League) has led him to quit the game prematurely. However, his move away from Europe and AC Milan in 2008 was effectively an unspoken retirement. His lack of fitness meant he could no longer perform at the highest level, and the injury he sustained at Milan when jumping for a cross against Livorno was the beginning of the end.

In that match in 2008, Ronaldo ruptured his kneecap ligament, and it was not the first time he had suffered such an injury. On several other occasions earlier in his career, during his time at Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, he was sidelined because of his knees. These injuries have led many to query whether his spells out of football define his career with the question: “what if?”. But as someone who has always admired the many qualities of the Brazilian, I believe that his ability to return from injury on many occasions, at different clubs, in different leagues, and still perform to an incredible standard, make him the most talented footballer of the last twenty years.

He played for four of the greatest and most famous clubs in world football: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and AC Milan, and left his mark on all. My favourite memories of him were whilst he was playing at the Nou Camp at the beginning of his career. Whilst it was only a short spell, some of the goals he scored were beyond belief. At Barca, he scored 47 times in just 49 appearances, and the majority of them were great goals.

He had the knack of getting on the end of a through ball even if the defender had several yards on him; his speed and strength made him resemble a steam train, barging his way through defences. And then when he found himself one on one with the keeper, it was impossible to guess what he would do. Such was his speed, the goalkeeper barely had time to react to a first time strike, and if he chose to round the keeper, his quick feet left his opponent wrong footed and on their backside, watching the ball being rolled into an empty net.

There were headers, penalties, tap-ins, the occasional 25 yard screamer, and he didn’t mind using his left or right foot; both were effective during his glittering spell at Barcelona. That’s not to suggest that when he left the club he didn’t continue in that vein; Inter Milan and Real Madrid benefited greatly from his goals and performances. It’s true that injuries did spoil his time in Milan and Madrid, but the stats confirm his greatness throughout: 59 goals in 99 appearances for Inter, and 104 in 177 for Real, which of course included that famous hat-trick in the quarter final of the Champions League against Manchester United, where the Old Trafford faithful stood and applauded the Brazilian’s performance.

If that wasn’t enough, his CV also boasts 15 World Cup goals, which no other player in history can match: those goals helping his country to lift the trophy on two occasions. Throw in some awards: three time World Player of the Year (only matched by Zinedine Zidane), two time European Player of the Year, the 1998 World Cup Golden Ball, the 2002 World Cup Golden Shoe, and us Brits recognised his qualities as well, awarding him the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.

The fact that he achieved so much despite his injuries, highlight what a phenomenon he really was. Of course people will ask the question, “What if?”, but Ronaldo should not be looked back on by questioning what he could have achieved. He was unlucky with injuries, and quite possibly made bad decisions when choosing clubs, but judge him by what he did on the pitch, which was sensational. At the end of Messi’s career, will people question his greatness if he fails to win a World Cup with Argentina? There seems to be a criteria that has to be matched in order for a footballer to be given legendary status, but like all professions, an element of luck aids great success. Ronaldo wasn’t the luckiest, but he definitely was one of the best - a legend. 

Brighton vs. Hartlepool, Saturday 12th February, Kick-off: 3pm

Sports Saturday with Ben Holt, 2-6pm, Juice 107.2, www.juicebrighton.com
 
Build up to the game begins at 2pm, featuring interviews with manager Gus Poyet, and midfielder Gary Dicker, and from 3pm we'll have regular updates from the Withdean and around the country. Plus, the chance to win an Brighton & Hove Albion home shirt.
 

February is the month where Albion will see who their real promotion rivals are. It’s not particularly clear at the moment - as soon as a team look to be the one to challenge, they concede a last minute goal and drop points (see Bournemouth and Southampton last Saturday).

So who are the main title and promotion contenders?

The in-form team at the moment is Lee Clark’s Huddersfield, with a finely balanced squad including plenty of goalscorers - Jordan Rhodes, Gary Roberts, Anthony Pilkington, and returning striker Danny Cadamarteri, all on the score-sheet recently. An excellent run seeing them earn 17 points from a possible 21 has placed them in 3rd position, a point behind Bournemouth with a game in hand. We may find out in the next couple of weeks if they are the team to challenge Albion, as their next two games are against fellow promotion hopefuls Oldham and Bournemouth.

Southampton are still second favourites with the bookies, but despite all the talent they’ve got, last Saturday’s 4-4 thriller at London Road will be a worry for Nigel Adkins. The Saints led by two goals twice, but were pegged back by the Posh and dropped two vital points. Since thrashing Oldham 6-0 last month, they’ve only managed five points from a possible twelve. They host Carlisle on Saturday; a must-win for Adkin’s side.

Charlton have done well since bringing in Chris Powell; they’ve won three and drawn one, and still have a couple of games in hand over the teams around them. Bradley Wright-Phillips is a perfect signing for them, as he’s shown already with two goals in as many games, and with experienced players such as Johnnie Jackson and Christian Dailly, they’ve got a great chance of getting automatic promotion. Their last three matches have seen three wins and three clean sheets, but on Saturday they face Peterborough, who have scored nine in two matches.

As for Bournemouth, how costly will conceding that Dean Cox equaliser last Saturday prove to be? The Cherries are being written off for a top two finish because of the number of games they’ve played, but credit where credit is due, if the Cherries had avoided a last minute Orient equaliser on Saturday, Lee Bradbury would have taken 13 points from 5 games as manager. With trips to strugglers Walsall and Bristol Rovers coming next, it’s a great opportunity to keep the pressure on Albion. But anything other than 6 points from those two games, and a play-off spot will surely be their best chance of gaining promotion.

For Brighton & Hove Albion, it’s very simple: keep doing what they’ve been doing and the wonderful new stadium at Falmer will be hosting Championship football next season. A win against Hartlepool on Saturday would almost guarantee top-spot for another week. It’s a remarkable achievement to think that they’ve been top since September, but they don’t want to surrender their spot at the summit. Maintaining 1st place is somewhat out of Gus Poyet’s hands; if Bournemouth win all their remaining games in February, they will go top, but having played four more than Albion. The important thing is for Brighton to ignore the teams around them and the league table, and instead focus on themselves. The pressure is on the rivals to keep getting results, and that is not a pressure which Gus Poyet envies. 

Last 5 matches:
Brighton:
W (2-4 Bristol Rovers away)
D (0-0 Leyton Orient away)
W (0-1 Watford away)
W (2-0 Colchester home)
L (1-0 Bournemouth away)

Hartlepool:
W (1-0 Colchester home)
L (4-0 Oldham away)
D (1-1 Notts County home)
L (4-0 Peterborough away)
D (0-0 Bristol Rovers away) 

Albion's starting line-up vs. Bristol Rovers (last game):
Ankergren, Greer, El-Abd, Calderon, Painter, Bennett, Dicker, Bridcutt, Barnes, Murray (Sandaza), Wood (Noone); Subs not used: Brezovan, Elphick, Taricco, Battipiedi, Holroyd