Well well well, what can one say after all that eh? That was one hell of a season, the best I can remember in quite a while and I’m getting on a bit. Easily the best Premiership since 1995, well actually, the best ever since 1989, well actually the best in my lifetime, especially after the events last Saturday night….. Yep, West Ham back where they belong!!!

Here are my awards for all the usual awards stuff but without a trophy, just the honour of The Den.

Robin Van Persie was my everybody elses player of the season although Kompany was a close 2nd for me.

Goal of the Season was Cisse’s swiping it from Crouchy at the death.
2011-12 saw a wonderful array of goals that would have won plenty of awards in other seasons.
Suerez, Ben Arfa and the RVP volley, it was also the highest premiership season ever for goals per game. Knowledge is Power.

My Team of the Season.
Hart
Walker
Curlylchini
Kompany
Cole

Yaya
Dempsey
Valencia
Silva
Bale

Rooney
RVP

Manager of the season. Pardew although my totally unbiased* opinion had DiCanio in with a shout.

Back in August i did my usual predictions for what the season was gonna bring us, I got plenty spot on & some desperately off target… a bit like cheque busters Carroll and Torres. Anyway here’s look at those predictions and how you can take mick out of me for getting it so wrong. I’ll start with the top 6.

Manchester City. 1st
Prediction (2). Dexys Diamond. Vincent Kompany
What a spine, what a team and what a performance in the final throes of the season, I can honestly say that for a neutral, I don’t think i’ve ever been so animated after the Survival Sunday Supershow. This was pure theatre and was even better than the brilliant 89 Anfield finale. Hart, Kompany, Yaya, Silva & Aguero. That is a spine any team in the world would be jealous of and Kompany, Silva and Aguero have been outstanding. I said on the dexysden podcast last summer that this rivalry would go right down to the last day and could be settled on goals, bang on. What I didn’t forsee was the Tevez saga, how many more points and goals could Man City have picked up if he didn’t have a hissy fit. It looks good for next season, more dosh will be spent and I can’t see the Manchester Blue Machine being bettered. Next stop, Europe.

Manchester Utd. 2nd
Prediction (1). Dexys Diamond. Ashley Young.
Opps, well I did think i had it right until the 92 minute although it’s their own fault, they should never have let Everton back in the game for the 4-4. Fergie was gutted but I won’t discount him getting the right hump and going hell for leather in the summer for new blood. Giggs, Scholes, Evra, Rio, Berba & Owen are getting on and need to be shipped on over the next season or two, if Hazard joins, I can see Nani parting with The Devils too. A massive loss was Vidic, surely if he had played even half a season, that would have been a couple more points in bag. Anyroad, as for my diamond, Ashley started of like a rocket but faded with the niggling injuries in the middle. He’s looking back to best just in time for The Euros, let’s just hope he don’t trip up like Fergie did by not splashing out on Snieder last August.

Arsenal.  3rd
Prediction (5). Dexys Diamond. Ramsey.
Another terrible start and questions were being asked of Wengers handling of the departure of Cesc and Nasri. The reinforments of Mertesacker and Yossi were hardly inspired although the last minute Arteta deal made up for it who improved with every game and the emergence of the OX. The thing is, if it wasn’t for RVP, I really feel Arsenal would have missed out on the top 4, even if Wilshire had played for half the season, RVP had his best season ever and dragged them back to Champs League places with a lack of his usual injuries but will he stay? I think he’s off. Wenger and the tight arced hierarchy must take the money early doors and get the wants list out. Verma can’t hold it all-together at the back for much longer despite finally having a decent keeper between the Emirates sticks.

Tottenham. 4th
Prediction (6). Dexys Diamond. Van Der Vart.
Fair play to Harry and his magnificent chops. His Spurs side have been a joy to behold this season and if it wasn’t for some of the field interests, I think they could have got one over their North London rivals. Harry’s mutt like jowls were clearly turned by all the England job fiasco and it came as no surprise that his pup parade went to the dogs in the later stages of the campaign. Onwards and upwards though, if they can keep VDV, Luka & Bale from the big boys and get over the harrowing experience of losing out to Champions League fame after last Saturdays spectacle, a trophy may be on the horizon at White Hart Lane, they need to sort out the defence though and Harry needs to have a plan b rather than just put Defoe on when VDV gets tired.

Newcastle. 5th
Prediction (13). Dexys Diamond. Demba Ba.
My barcode scanner again was on the blink when I wrote off Newcastle’s ambition at the start of the campaign. Nolan had left with Enrique, Barton was going and the fans were already scraping on Pardew’s and Ashleigh’s back. What a difference a few months on the Tyne make. Alan is fast becoming the new Silver Foxed Geordie Messiah with his brilliantly organised outfit and in my opinion, one of the best scouting systems in the league. The quality of players they have bought in with Andy Carrol’s money is priceless. Cabeye, Tiote, and Demba who i had down for as a 15 goal a season force at the start have all been sensational. Then midway through the season, they upped the Ba (hoho) and got hold of 13 in 14 Cisse who is quite frankly unhuman, that goal against Tottenham is the best i have seen in years. Good times on the horizon for the high flying Magpies.

Chelsea. 6th
Prediction (3). Dexys Diamond. Luiz.
AVB was lorded as the new Portuguese Special one in autumn but ended up on Romans hitlist as his loss of the dressing room helped Chelsea to their lowest league position in 10 years. It was too much to early and Andre Villas-Boas was well out of depth with big names at the club causing distractions & uprising in the Bridge corridors, (I wonder who that could be). With the task of replicating Barca and shipping out some of the older names, it was mission impossible but as we all know, Head Don Roman and his Roubles do the talking. In came Chelsea old boy Di Matteo to clean up the mess and all has seemed to do is put his arms around everyone Godfather style & peck them on the cheeks. Bellisimo!! The Blues won the FA cup and did the longshot of the season bringing home the Champions League bacon after overcoming Barca and Munich. Di Matteo his now the new King of the Kings Road with his new rejuvenated hitman Torres and Spanish partner in crime in Mata although finding a replacement for Far-East bound Drog will be a mission in itself. I see Robbie in charge for the forsseable….. 1 month at least, The Russian Godfather has more power than the Italian one down in West London.

More to come tomorrow when i look at the Premiership middle ground placings.

*Unbiased means biased in this instance.

Wotcha gang, back once again with the Rengade Dexy. Giving you a quick once-over of the past season. Here’s part 2, the middle ground.

Everton. 7th
Prediction (9). Dexys Diamond. Cahill.
Yet again, Moyes has worked his usual miracle. I stuck my neck out for a Moyes toffeenosed struggle this season but 7th is still very respectable given his budget. A big plus for the has been the form of Baines & the tasty Jelavic who has been awesome over the past few months. Another RVP type scenario, Jelavic’s goals and the power of the more forward based Fellaini has really paid dividends and got the Blues 4 points in front of their neighbours which will please the Everton faithful but they still need more firepower. Cahill has for me been pony and Moyes will again have to work some more sweet transfer magic in time for August if he wants to break into the big 6, that’s if someone doesn’t come in and eat up the Scotsman first.

Liverpool. 8th
Prediction (4). Dexys Diamond. Suerez.
Last week when I started making some notes on the past season, I wrote this down:
“King Kenny’s  record at the moment isn’t much better than Roys, in fact, it may be worse, there are rumours that he may be heading upstairs again. Watch this space.” Say no more, Dalgleish did a Keegan, went back because the fans wanted him after some time out in the game and he became a cropper. Part of me feels sorry for him, the board at Anfield are turning into Chelsea clones avec curly hair and shell suits, not giving managers enough time to bed down. Look where it’s getting them…8th. For a club as big & famous as Liverpool, it’s not on. On the pitch, Suarez started well and scored some of the best goals of the season but didn’t help King Kenny & co with his remarks about Evra and subsequent ban which probably cost them bragging rights with the Toffees above. Andy Carroll took a lot of time to bed in for most of the season along with big money comrades Henderson and Downing but over the last month, he has become a powerhouse once more. He turned JT inside out for the comeback goal in the FA cup and was a big brute of a handful in the last couple of games. He’s also played his way into the England squad, something I agree with. I can’t see Roy winning anything trying to emulate tiki taka so I think it may well be defend like mad and catch teams on the break with a big man to hold it up Drogba style. So, comparisons with Chelsea on the pitch as well as in the boardroom but with only 1 rubbish cup instead of 2 good ones.

Fulham. 9th
Prediction (8). Dexys Diamond. Dempsey.
Clint Dempsey has been a trundling bohemith of a midfielder chipping in with a US XXXXXL sized 18 goals from midfield was it 18, I forget but it was Awesome dude, go Clint!! USA!! USA!!.
That along with Russian Ivan Drago merchant Pavel Pogs late goals helped secure a top half finish for Martin Jol which considering it’s his first season is quite acceptable down by the Thames and the naff MJ statue. The problem i see with big Martin is keeping hold of his best players. Fulham ain’t exactly rolling in the nelsons these days compared to the new billionaires and I fear Clint’s head will be turned any which way if some of the champions league placed outfits come in for the yank. Man U and Arsenal have both been linked and I can see him playing for either of them to be honest in an attacking midfielder /floating striker berth. Mind Jol, he will command a fistful of dollars and Martin could use that to strengthen up in other areas. Murphy and Duff are no spring chickens these days but at least they are bodyguarded by the ever improving Dembele.

West Brom. 10th
Prediction (10). Dexys Diamond. Odemwengie.
Bang on in the predictions with is one. Hodgeson cut the mustard no end and his efforts ensured that England have a half decent chance at the Euros. Stonewall defending, easy on the eye playing-making and some big Odemwengie inspired wins catapulted the Hawthorns to mid table and everyone body gave good old Roy a nice slap on the back, he even got one over on his old pal Kenny in Scouseland. James Morrison was majestic at times and whoever takes over must ensure he is not swiped form the Hawthorns nest. Another player I like to see more of is Keith Andrews, he didn’t have a bad season and I see him as the fulcrum from which to build for Ireland team who take on the might of Spain and Italy in a few weeks. Another Paddy i’ve got a lot of time for is Northern Ireland Chris Brunt who I fancy to be in Psychos Olympic Squad, there isn’t many better left foots in the league. As for Roy, he will be fondly remembered in these parts who turned West Brom from relegation robins to mid table mallards. (Sorry only bird i could think of with M which wasn’t Magpie).

Swansea. 11th
Prediction (19). Dexys Diamond. Sinclair.
Brenden oh Brenden. We will be seeing a lot of him in the future. I’ll happily admit I hadn’t watched much of Swansea before the start of the season and had them down as premiership cannon fodder. How wrong could I have been, Swansalona have lit up the league with a style of tiki taka that only Barca can emulate. In fact, Swanseas midfield had a better pass completion rate than the mighty Xavi & co on a few occasions which is mind-blowing, this doesn’t happen in newly promoted teams. How can teams beat Swansea if they can’t get the ball of of them? the possession statistics say it all and with a keeper of Vorms class backing it all up, they had one of the stingiest defences in the table.  Brenden, i doth my cap, this is a man who will go onto great things. He is actually going to the Euros with the Spanish set-up to gain more insider knowledge from the masters. I see a top 10 finish next year and possibly Europe if they can squeeze a few more goals out of all that dominant possession, SInclair and Graham will be up for it i reckon, both have had excellent seasons and will only get better.

Norwich. 12th
Prediction (15). Dexys Diamond. Holt.
Paul Lambert has worked a small miracle in getting little fancied Norwich to the top dozen. I knew his Norwich outfield could play some good forty and had them as high as 14th in my initial pre season picks. Jock Lambert has excelled in getting his Canaries chirping at the bit and i can see the only way is up if he stays. I think he will as well. He has a well organised hungry group of players who nobody gave a chance at the start of last season after being in league 1 not long ago. The likes of big guns like the superb Ruddy and Holt have had the press calling for an England call-up. Maybe not this summer for Holt but if he can carry on the good form and goals, he is definitely a striker to keep in mind and will join compatriot Ruddy in the England set-up. My only concern for Norwich is the lack of cash the club have to spend, a good spirit can only last for so long in this league. Maybe Delia can cook the books in the boardroom……………..sorry that was terrible.

Sunderland. 13th
Prediction (7). Dexys Diamond. Seb Larsson.
Steve Bruce, the most over-rated manager in Premier League history, i didn’t even rate him much as player compared to the Man U diehards. I think if i was playing alongside the might of Pallister, Irwin and big Pete in goal, i would have keep a few good clean sheets without kicking a ball. Anyway, back to the Stadium of Light. Brucy balls-up fails again to motivate his team even though they had bought in some quality players in the side and I had them as Euro contenders. A dismal run of results and it was time to get boot-face the boot. Enter O’Neill, Northern Irelands best gift to football since dear old Belfast Boy Georgie. It didn’t take him long to give the black cats a overhaul. In came paddy fringe player McLean and suddenly Sunderland were well on there way up the table. Granted it didn’t last the entire season but O’neill is a brilliant manager and he will do a good bit of moulding this summer. Sessegnon was a revelation floating around the front but will need another decent target man to play off if Bendtner goes back to the Gooners. (not that Bendtner is that decent a target man, whatever he says).

Stoke. 14th
Prediction (8). Dexys Diamond. Pennant. 
A bit of a mixed season for Tony Pulis and Stoke, they had a decent run in both cups to make up for the not so decent league form. Big old Crouchy has done the biz for Pulis with a good crop of goals & another big player for me has been Ryan Shawcross’s presence in the back four. I know he isn’t everyones cup of tea and fellow podcaster Jim Bear Baker thinks he is just a aggro but some players are built lie that. Look at Juve’s Chiellieni, he’s a proper old skoll ruffhouse but he also keeps plenty of goals out of the onion bag. Shawcross who was on Man U’s books years ago could well be back there if he carries on this fine form. Stoke will need him if they are to improve, I really thought they would be top 10 material this year. There is some changes to be made, there is a lot of fringe players i think should be outed for straight up first teamers in all areas of the pitch. Pennant is good on his day but if he could speed as well on the pitch as on the roads, he’d be a superstar.

It has been a mixed reaction from fans and the media to Roy Hodgson’s England squad selection for Euro 2012 but it would appear that the vast majority are giving the 23 man squad the “thumbs down” with suggestions that it will not be good enough to qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Question marks have been raised over the inclusion of all John Terry, Stewart Downing, Frank Lampard, Andy Carroll, whilst conversely, similar questions have been asked over the omissions of Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, Micah Richards, Aaron Lennon and Adam Johnson.

Of course everybody is entitled to an opinion but surely Hodgson must have realised that this was an opportunity to bring in a number of young players and dispensing with those older players who have failed at so many times before and are unlikely to be involved in major tournaments in the future.
The selection of Terry over Ferdinand is particularly surprising in light of Terry’s impending court case for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton. If Hodgson was to also consider Terry’s thuggish foul on Barcelona’s Alexis in the Champions League Semi Final and his woeful display in Chelsea’s league game against Liverpool last week, then no-one would have been surprised to see him dropped. As it stands though, it would appear that Hodgson has sided with Terry over Ferdinand in the quest to try and keep peace in the dressing room and with both Chelsea and Man Utd equally well represented in the squad, this may not be guaranteed!

Lampard’s inclusion makes no sense at all as all it will do is raise the same old question of whether or not he can play in the same midfield as Steven Gerard. The two have never performed alongside each other before and with Gerard being named captain of the squad then he will start with the soon to be 34 year old Lampard either sat on the bench or raising questions about Hodgson’s ability to be proactive in his approach to bringing about change in the England team.

At best, his selection of Stewart Downing is foolhardy. The winger has not made a single assist or scored a goal for Liverpool this season so selection on form cannot be the excuse for his inclusion. He does not have the explosive pace of a player like Aaron Lennon, a player who at least has the ability to add a new dimension if needed.

The decision to include Andy Carroll is also a very risky one, although the Liverpool striker did show signs of good form towards the end of the season. There is no doubt that he has ability but he will need to strike up a partnership very quickly with Jermaine Defoe who will almost certainly be alongside him in the first match. Scoring goals is what football is all about and Carroll has hardly been close to topping the charts with his efforts in front off goal this season, while Defoe has started most games for Spurs this season from the bench.

Peter Crouch is not everybody’s idea of a great international striker but at least he has a respectable scoring record for England and has been hitting the net regularly for Stoke City this season. He certainly would have been a better option to partner Defoe up front as the two have played successfully together at club level as well as for England. He is very unlucky not to have made the trip.

Also unlucky is Manchester City’s Micah Richards who has matured into one of best right full backs in Europe. He would get most votes over Glen Johnson to play at right back particularly as he would be bringing a winning mindset to the squad after his club won the Premier League this season and his presence at the back with Hart and Lescott would surely have brought about a sense of stability and familiarity to the XI. This is not to say that Glen Johnson is a bad player because he is far from that but the exclusion of Richards after the excellent season he has enjoyed is a little unfortunate.

Ultimately, England fans are powerless and whether or not we agree with Hodgson’s squad selection is irrespective and all’s we can do is support the team in their three group games and hope that the former Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom manager knows what he is doing. The changes are far from radical and it would be no surprise to see a repeat of the debacle in South Africa two years ago but saying that, a lot has been said about Hodgson’s experience and knowledge of the European game so for the time being, he gets this author’s benefit of the doubt but many questions about the players he’s picked and how he will approach games tactically remain unanswered. We can only wait and see!

Heart says Euro 2012 winners, head says going home after the Ukraine game…

It is normally England that are desperately hoping one of their star players are fit for a major tournament. Whether it be David Beckham, Michael Owen or Wayne Rooney, there has always been something to worry about.

This year though, those over at http://euro2012onlinebetting.com/spain note how it is reining European Champions Spain that are sweating on the fitness of their star striker David Villa. The Barcelona man has been out for a while now and it is touch and go whether he will make it to Poland and Ukraine.

Speaking about the situation, Spanish Football Federation president Angel Maria Villar has said that he is desperate for the former Valencia man to prove his fitness.

He said: “I want David Villa to go to Poland and Ukraine. I do not know if he will be able to attend, but hopefully he will be with the team at the Euros.”

“I do not know who will go to the tournament. Vicente del Bosque has not told me anything.
He will inform me a minute before telling a news conference to the media!”

It will certainly be interesting to see whether Villa makes the squad. Even if he does, is he going to be at his best? Spain of course have plenty of other talent, but is it worth the risk with Villa?

The short answer is that yes, it probably is. Most over at http://euro2012onlinebetting.com/spain will probably agree too. Villa is a world class striker and if he did make the squad, you wouldn’t bet against him grabbing a crucial goal or two.

Spain are already without Carlos Puyol of course, so they could really do without another senior player missing out. When it comes to the pressure of major tournaments, you need as many experienced players as possible. Especially when they have the talent of Villa.

Spain name their squad on the 29^th May 2012 and their first game of the tournament is a mouth watering contest against Italy.

This list might very well create some controversy (hopefully positive) and that is fine. Choosing this list is much like choosing who England should take to Euro 2012, everyone will have an opinion and this opinion can be debated down at the pub until closing time. But I do want to set a list of ground rules for my Premier League MVP XI.

First I shall define what I consider an MVP (Most Valuable Player) to mean. There is a difference between most outstanding and most valuable. Most outstanding is simply the best, the player who has just excelled over all others this season. While most valuable are those players who are needed. Those players whom if they did not play week in and week out their respective team would not have as successful a season if they were not in the lineup. A player who can qualify as most outstanding could also qualify as being most valuable.

Secondly to qualify for this list the player must have been playing for the entire season (sorry to Paul Scholes and Lucas Leiva) and could not have joined or left their team during the January transfer window (sorry here to Samba, Cisse and Sigurdsson). It is okay if they had left their team for the Africa Cup of Nations, because they are still playing regular football.

And finally I have setup my team in a 4-4-2 formation just because it is easy to evenly distribute the players. Although I have chosen the top four defenders and midfielders regardless of where they play on the pitch. I have also allowed for seven subs including a goalkeeper, 2 defenders, 2 midfielders and 2 strikers. With teams being able to have more than one player on my MVP list (and they do).

GOALKEEPER

Tim Krul (Newcastle United)

Who had Newcastle battling for a Champions League position? Anybody? Who in Newcastle had Newcastle battling for a Champions League position? Anybody? Well shouldn’t this wonderful resurgence show how the Magpies needed Tim Krul in net this season? Alan Pardew made a very gutsy choice in picking the Dutchman to be in goal this season over the established Steve Harper and it has paid off and for that Tim Krul get my choice at the most valuable goalkeeper this season.

DEFENDERS

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)

Can a person be more valuable when they lead their team to their first Premier League title in 44 years? Can a person be more valuable when they are handed the armband after a controversial captain, and then just go out and lead by example? Can a person be more valuable by their absence? As in Kompany’s suspension this season, right around the time when Manchester City started to struggle? Can a person be more valuable when in the biggest game of their season against their crosstown rivals they score the winning goal? Nobody really had any idea of how valuable Vincent Kompany was going to be for City when he was brought in, but he is certainly deserving of this list.

Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)

John Terry has not been his usual self this season in the Premier League. Now whether that is just the physical demands of getting older and losing a step or due to injury reasons the Chelsea captain has not looked in the form he has in the past. Plus with David Luiz and Gary Cahill not ready yet to hold the back line for Chelsea is has given Ivanovic a chance to really show his worth in the Chelsea’s central defense. He might not have the offensive skills, nor might he get all the glory, but this is about being valuable not being the best or most talented.

Leighton Baines (Everton)

Another season on the blue side of the Mersey and again another typical Everton season. Not a lot of money spent, top ten in the Premier League and no trophies. So why is Leighton Baines on this list? I have put him here because of the work that puts into Everton holding the back line and helping to keep Everton competitive. Not only does he hold the back line but he scores as well, notching four goals this season. Baines has been a constant for Everton, and even more so this season with the lackluster performance from Tim Cahill. Baines should be taken to the Euro’s this summer and he should be looked at as a strong summer signing for teams looking to improve their back line, Arsenal perhaps?

Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

I have always thought that Spurs are always fantastic to watch offensively but just dreadful at times defending. Watching Walker this season though has shown me that Spurs can in fact be a top defending team. I feel that he should be the backbone (along with Michael Dawson and Younes Kaboul) that Harry Redknapp builds from going forward. Sure things could become a little more boring some nights at White Hart Lane, but there could also be more Champions League nights in the future if they learn to defend against the powerhouse teams in Europe.

MIDFIELDERS

Clint Dempsey (Fulham)

Hopefully now people will realize how strong of a force Clint Dempsey can be in the Premier League. 17 league goals this season put him behind only Aguero, Rooney and Van Persie, and make the American the top scoring midfielder this season. I’m not sure why Dempsey seems to be going a bit unnoticed outside of South London, but Dempsey is a rare breed. An American who wants to play in the Premier League rather than toil in MLS (such as Landon Donovan and Brian McBride) because he seems to want to further his skills and become an elite Premier League player, despite being American. Regardless, no chance are Fulham in the top ten this season without Dempsey

Leon Britton (Swansea)

Anyone think I am a fool for this selection? Anyone have Swansea being as competitive as they have been this season? Anyone actually watched what Leon Britton does during a game for Swansea? Britton just sits in the middle of the pitch and makes pass after pass after pass pushing Swansea forward and creating chances. Sure Britton has only 3 yellow cards to show for this season in the league but being an MVP is not about scoring goals, it is about being vital to your teams success. And that is what Leon Britton has done this season for Swansea and not getting the recognition I feel he deserves.

Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle United)

Probably the player on this list who came from nowhere this season and had no expectations surrounding them after coming in from Lille. But Cabaye could easily be Alan Pardew’s strongest summertime signing. He just continues to impress and adapt to the Premier League and has been a box to box force for Newcastle. Cabaye has also helped Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse become legitimate goalscoring threats every game, and being an MVP means you should help make the players around you better.

Yaya Toure (Manchester City)

Probably the best example I can use in terms of defining what an MVP means. In no way is Toure the most skilled player on Man City, but he is extremely valuable in terms of how City need him in their lineup. He is the bull in that midfield, the link between the defense and the forwards and from what I see, the heart and soul of the team. This really became clear when he left for the Africa Cup of Nations. When watching City you could see that they just were not the same team without Toure, and then upon his return they kicked it back into gear looking like the team at the start of the season. That is what an MVP should do. And of course scoring two goals against Newcastle United when asked to play a little bit forward does hurt either.

FORWARDS

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Not your typical Wayne Rooney season. No controversy, no suspensions (in the Premier League), no injuries, no real headaches. Because of that is seems as though the press have chosen not to focus on the striker and his 27 goals this season. Sure things are more glamorous and exciting when negative press can be written about Rooney rather than positive, but should more not be written about this season? I mean twenty-seven goals.

Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)

I saved the easiest for last. Van Persie this season embodied how a person can be the Most Outstanding and Most Valuable to their team. Do you feel Arsenal even get a whiff of the Champions League without the season he has had?

SUBSTITUTES

Michel Vorm (Swansea), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur), Demba Ba (Newcastle United), Grant Holt (Norwich City)

Again this is a personal list, and yes there are some people who will certainly feel that I’ve left some players off this list (such as Joe Hart) but please remember again. This list is to show who has been the most valuable this season, not the best.

Over the past seven years Arsenal’s defensive inadequacies have been there for all to see. The same amount of time the team has failed to win a trophy. It’s also no coincidence it’s seven years since Patrick Viera left the club too.

Arsenal fans must feel like they are caught in a very long version of Ground Hog Day. The team have forgotten how to defend.

No other top-flight side has committed so many defensive bloopers in that period of time. Conceding 8 goals at Old Trafford takes some beating, although the pathetic mistake to gift Birmingham the Carling Cup comes a close second. In fact, there are way too many to mention, so lets concentrate how the team can end the Catch 22 situation they find themselves in.

With the news that Pat Rice will be standing down as assistant manager after 48 years with the club could quite possibly be the catalyst for change at The Emirates.

Arsenal need a strong character who will challenge Wenger, a man to get them defending as a team. A man who is strong enough to tell the players off for their indiscipline’s. It’s all well and good playing attacking football but if you can’t defend it’s a waste of time and effort.

I believe in Steve Bould The Gunners have their man. An old school defender who played under George Graham. Back then Arsenal had the tightest defense in Europe. It wasn’t pretty but that side knew how to hold onto a lead, something the current team have absolutely no idea how too.

Bould, 49, has been working with the youth academy since 2001. He led the club’s youngsters to the FA Youth Cup in 2009 and to the Premier Academy League title in 2008 and 2009.

With Bould on board, the managerial team can at least inject some much needed discipline to an Arsenal team who pride themselves on scoring goals and not keeping clean sheets. Only time will tell but lack of school boy errors will be an indication if things have changed.

The Japanese International has been linked with a move to a London club in recent reports.

He has also said he would love to play in England.

So which club in London would he move to? I know he won’t choose the other North London club. Chelsea have already signed Marin, I wouldn’t rule them out though.

A move to Arsenal would fit Shinji, because of his style of play. I have seen a lot of matches where he Stared for Dortmund.

He is a very clever player who tries things that other players don’t.

Since Nasri and Cesc left we have lacked that bit of imagination in our midfield that Shinji Could bring.

He has Also been Heavily linked with a move to Man U. So Arsenal would really need to show some serious intent to land his signature.

The whole Yann M’vila Saga has got to me really. I hope that the deal goes through but I’ve got a bad feeling this is only just another Mata saga.

Let’s hope for the best Gunners

Don’t Forget To Follow Me On Twitter For The Latest News@MaQTheGunner

Two days ago “A reliable source” source @YouAreMyArsenal reported that Arsenal were close to securing the signature of Yann M’vila and that the deal was to be confirmed possibly after the final game of the season.

Yann had Expressed his desire to work with a French manager, So this lead to people claiming he wanted to join Arsenal.

London based French Journalist @LaurensJulien Reported that a four-year £60k-a-week deal was 99% done, with Arsenal paying Rennes €22m for his services, An Arsenal Record.

Every Gooner hoped that this deal would be Confirmed Soon.

But Now it seems like we need to hope for the best But Expect the very Worst.

Reports that the deal is yet to be completed, along with Arsenal denying that a deal is in place, isn’t helping calm my nerves ONE BIT.

There’s always hope, Arsenal denied a deal was in place to bring in Podolski. But I can’t help but have a bad feeling about this.

All we can do is hope, Some Reports also claim that he wants t move to Arsenal even if we don’t qualify for the Champions League. Let’s get him before a another team with more intent and more resources joins the race. I don’t want a repeat of the Mata saga, No Arsenal Fan Does.

Don’t Forget To Follow Me On Twitter @MaQtheGunner

• New study demonstrates player fatigue is distorting European football
• Clear performance deficit suffered by teams playing after only two days’ recovery
• Domestic title and European qualification outcomes affected
• Study author, Raymond Verheijen, calls for mandatory three-day gap between matches

‘If Atletico Madrid beat Atletic de Bilbao in the Europa League Final tonight, their ‘success’ could end up costing them a place in next season’s Champions League,’ contends  international football coach, Raymond Verheijen unveiling a new 27,000 match study he has undertaken into the effects of player fatigue.

‘Equally, the fact that Spurs are still well placed to qualify for the Champions League is absolutely down to Harry Redknapp’s refusal to play his first team in the Europa League,’ he continues.

The new study, which incorporates top tier league, Champions League and Europa League matches across seven countries and ten seasons, offers emphatic proof that teams playing every three days are substantially disadvantaged by player fatigue, and for the first time quantifies this disadvantage across a season.

Verheijen contends that if Atletico Madrid had not played in the Europa League this season, they would have accumulated six more points and been placed fourth, rather than fifth, in La Liga with one more match to play. Spurs would probably have dropped points and now been out of the running for automatic qualification.

To restore fair play, its author, Raymond Verheijen, is calling upon national leagues, associations and international federations to make a three-day gap between matches mandatory in all fixture scheduling.

Across the study, teams playing after just two days’ recovery against teams who had enjoyed at least a three-day gap were found to be 39% less likely to win at home and 42% less likely to win away.

Where both teams had just two days’ rest, the away team suffered more, showing a 26% reduced likelihood of victory.

In terms of league points lost, teams playing on the Saturday following a Wednesday night Champions League fixture were found to reap 0.55 points less than average, and teams playing on Sunday following a Thursday night Europa League match were 0.41 points per game worse off.

This season, Celtic have fared 0.94 pts per game worse after Europa League fixtures than in other weeks. In the 2010/11 season, Stuttgart’s form after their elimination from the Europa League improved by 1.08 pts per game, and they rose from bottom of the table to finish 12^th.

The study also focused upon 71,251 goals and when they were scored during games. In parallel with winning less and losing more after just two recovery days, teams scored 0.52 fewer goals per game, scored 0.3 goals less in the final third and conceded 0.45 more goals than average in the final half hour.

Verheijen, world football’s foremost authority on player periodisation, has witnessed the effects of insufficient recovery throughout his career, in terms of both performance and player injury rates. The study now underlines what he knew to be true, that full recovery is not possible in just two days.

‘The results are clear,’ comments Verheijen, ‘on the basis of this evidence, I don’t see how the game’s authorities can continue to ask teams to play twice in three days. It is simply not fair play.’

He contends, however, that this need not create issues for football’s governing bodies. ‘There is a lot of debate at the moment about player fatigue and injuries due to too many fixtures. The problem is not the number of fixtures, but the scheduling. The differences in performance between teams after a three and a six-day gap are almost imperceptible. In Portugal, for example, where the FA offers clubs involved in Europe the chance to play on Friday or Monday to allow full recovery, this effect does not exist.’

Verheijen continues, ‘only two days recovery does not automatically mean a bad result, but most bad results can be explained by only two recovery days.’

‘Look at the Premiership teams’ attempts to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League this season. The eight worst results all came after two-day gaps: Manchester City’s away defeats to both Bayern Munich and Napoli, Manchester United’s home draws against Basel and Benfica, Chelsea’s away draw with Genk and defeat to Leverkusen and Arsenal’s draws with Dortmund and Marseille.’

The outspoken Verheijen has worked alongside Guus Hiddink, Dick Advocaat and Frank Rijkaard at the last three World Cups and three European Championships, as a consultant for Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona, Zenit St. Petersburg and Feyenoord, and until recently worked alongside Gary Speed to elevate Wales into FIFA ranking’s top 50 nations.

Last year, Verheijen joined forces with Guus Hiddink to launch the World Football Academy, an institute dedicated to bringing the world’s best coaches and professionals to the doorstep of  football people at all levels of the game.

For full details of the study, visit:  www.worldfootballacademy.com

Say what you want about Roy Hodgson’s England appointment, the cultured manager certainly likes his target men.

In my view, this will suit England perfectly with Wayne Rooney’s badly-judged sending-off in the qualifiers opening the door for Peter Crouch, who has consistently impressed as an England player under any manager.

Hodgson attempted to sign the Stoke City striker when at Fulham in 2009 as a replacement for Bobby Zamora but difficulties involving Premier League Chairman Sir David Richards got in the way.
Some may say that Andy Carroll, Darren Bent, Grant Holt and Kevin Davies may protest about the inclusion of Crouch but I can’t see past the gangly striker. You could argue that Hodgson still has a admiration for Crouch as the striker turns 31.

He scores more than a goal every two games for England and was the second highest top goal scorer in the 2006/2007 Champions League season.

Although he has attracted criticism and derision for joining up with a Stoke City team that rely on set-pieces and throw-in’s to get their goals, Crouch remains a top-class striker. His wonder strike against Manchester City was a telling that his technique and eye for the spectacular is still very much part of his game. He can adapt.

I can see him being a hit at the Euro’s as there is little pressure on England to win the tournament, as most level-headed Englishman accept the fact that the Spanish and the Germans are the likeliest candidates to win.

Roy brings in players from exile and doesn’t turn his nose up at quality players.

Crouch can do the business for England in Poland and Ukraine this summer.
Come on England!

Ho Hum, another home game another poor showing at Anfield.

It seems as though that can be written every week after a Liverpool home game, and that really upsets me. Liverpool are a club with a great history and a great tradition and since 2005 I do not get the same feeling about the club anymore. The last few season of course have been mired with poor ownership and some questionable transfer signings that have left the team with an uphill climb back to respectability.

New ownership (especially when replacing a terrible outgoing one) always comes with new hope and new optimism. Businessmen who are eager to succeed, choose the Premier League as their new outlet to help fatten their wallets and further their business acumen give supporters hope. Hope that new players will be brought in, big names who will be cheered at The Kop and whose jerseys will be worn around the streets at Anfield. This hope really got started last season in January when Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez were signed for a considerable amount of money.

There were strong showings leading up to the end of the 2010-11 season where Liverpool finished strong and Luis Suarez was looking as though he would be a great replacement for outgoing Fernando Torres. And then all the summer signings to hopefully step up Liverpool’s push for a Top 4 finish. Who could have predicted that at the beginning of May Liverpool would be 8th in the table and over 30 points behind Manchester City?

Who also could have predicted that the opening match of the season, a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield, would be the common occurrence at home this season? Just five wins at home and numerous dropped points makes Anfield seem like just another ground. Shouldn’t Anfield strike fear into opposing players the way Old Trafford and The Nou Camp do? Shouldn’t home games against teams such as Wigan, Norwich, Blackburn and Fulham be a pretty sure 3 points?

Of course there are positives this season, such as a Carling Cup trophy, and the very important FA Cup final against Chelsea. As a Liverpool fan, this is a very important FA Cup final. It is a final that will pretty much define whether this season is a boom or a bust.

Supporters of any sport have short memories and if Liverpool do win the FA Cup and pull of the double those same supporters will forgo all the struggles at home this season. It can just be chalked up to a rebuilding season. There are teams this season (Arsenal, Spurs, potentially Man City and Chelsea) who will come away from this season with nothing. Granted winning the Carling and FA Cups is an unusual double, but it not as though Liverpool are not familiar with an odd trophy filled season.

Hopefully fans remember the 2000-01 season where Liverpool did the unusual treble, with a Carling an FA and the UEFA Cup. At the time Liverpool still had not won a League title in 10 seasons, but these three trophies brought hope. Liverpool had young players named Gerrard, Carragher and Owen who still were yet to discover their full potential. It would be wonderful for an FA Cup win against Chelsea for young players named Carroll, Henderson and Coates to discover their full potential.

A lot of questions will be asked this summer regardless of the result against Chelsea at Wembley. What does ownership make of this season? Where does Liverpool go in the future in terms of building their squad? What players will be brought in and sold in the transfer window this summer? What is Kenny Dalglish’s future at Anfield?

The difference between and win and a loss though make these questions either easy or difficult to answer.

Arsenal have reportedly completed a deal to bring the Belgian International to The Emirates.

“Agent_ITK also got Podolski to Arsenal & Bendtner to Sunderland moves spot on, months before deals
were confirmed. #ReliablyInformed”

“Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle with Ajax for defender Jan Vertonghen, according to very reliable sources. (via @MickTheGooner )”

“Just waiting for confirmation of Arsenal signing Jan Vertonghen from Ajax, fee agreed #AFC”-(via @Fourth_Official)

Seems like things are changing at the Emirates!

These reports plus the Confirmation of the Podolski Deal, shows that we have learned our lessons and we are tired of just participating!

The 2012-2013 Season belongs to Us Gooners.

This is Going to be a long, long Summer. Luckily we have the Euros to Entertain us.

I can’t wait to watch Poldi tear up defenses in the league. Will we also sign M’vila?, Or Eden? I never know what to except from Arsenal these days! Hopefully these reports are true we sign Vertonghen, and Eriksen.;-)

The glory days are almost back Gooners!I’ve Got a good feeling about Next Season!

Come On You Gooners!!!

Follow Me On Twitter