Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “Barcelona and Real Madrid every year buy two or three players and spend a lot of money. I think for Manchester City it will be the same. We need to improve. We need to have the strength to play Champions League and Premier League. For this we need to have a good team, a strong team with a good mentality, but I’m sure we will do it. We have started a new cycle, but in order to win the Champions League you need more. The Champions League is the next step. The first year was the FA Cup, the second the Premier League and I hope the third will be the Champions League. But we have to improve a lot.” – Roberto Mancini.

Runner-up: ”I will decide about my future after the Euros. I will make the decision where to continue my career. I’m ready for the big tests.” – Luka Modric.

The England Axe: Rio, Richards, Crouch All Out 

Rio Ferdinand out of England Euro 2012 squad (Sun) Rio Ferdinand is out of Euro 2012 — but John Terry has a good chance of surviving. New boss Roy Hodgson will stamp his authority on England’s 23-man squad with some high-profile casualties. Peter Crouch, Micah Richards, Phil Jagielka and Kyle Walker will also miss out when the list is revealed today.

End of an era – and Rio will have a few regrets (Sam Wallace) A top player for England but he missed too many matches, tournaments and that drugs test.

Roy Hodgson facing test of his resolve over possible selection of John Terry for England at Euro 2012 (Henry Winter, Telegraph) The ebullient, popular Ferdinand will be missed. John Terry’s presence is hugely controversial. Storm-clouds gather over Wembley at 1pm on Wednesday.

Roy shows who’s boss (Steven Howard, Sun) In one of the biggest decisions ever taken by an England manager, Hodgson has effectively ended the 15-year international career of former skipper Rio Ferdinand… It is believed Hodgson has also showed his bullish nature by including Liverpool striker Andy Carroll at the expense of Peter Crouch.

Ferdinand misses out on Euro 2012 over fitness doubts… but Terry set for call (Mail) The omission of Ferdinand and Phil Jagielka (understood to have been put on standby) as well as injury to Chris Smalling would suggest Terry has made the cut. But Hodgson could still take only seven defenders, with Phil Jones covering as one of four centre halves and as a second right back alongside Glen Johnson.

Ruthless Roy makes his mark! England look thin at the back after Rio axe (Mail) Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill have had fine seasons for their clubs but this will be some test for them this summer. For Phil Jagielka, too, if he earns selection. On Tuesday night it was thought he might only be named among the five or six players on standby. Defensively, England look rather fragile as a result.

Roy Hodgson must be bold and pick Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Brian Woolnough, Star) Be bold, Roy. For the sake of English football, please be bold.

Gary Neville: England Coach

Roy Hodgson’s calls give form to his and Gary Neville’s England (Daniel Taylor, Guardian) New manager’s assistant had urged a clean-out so a young generation could offer the nation a fresh approach at Euro 2012.

With Neville in the camp, England’s players should not fall prey to indifference (James Lawton, Independent) It will be some time before we know the value of Neville’s appointment and any serious clue about where it might lead, but the instinct is strong that it should be welcomed.

Gary should be focusing on England (Martin Samuel, Mail) For his media employers, however, his appointment is a disaster. Neville may think he can continue writing and talking without pulling his punches, but he can’t. He will soon find there are too many fragile egos around the England squad to have a senior coach out there, telling the truth.

Van Persie: Can Arsenal Keep Him

Robin wrangle (Sun) Robin van Persie could be forced to see out his contract at Arsenal. The Premier League’s top scorer will meet with boss Arsene Wenger and club chief executive Ivan Gazidis for crunch contract talks today.

You are going nowhere, Arsenal to tell Van Persie as crunch talks loom over Dutchman’s future (Mail) Arsenal are ready to offer a three-year deal worth £130,000 a week, plus a £5million signing-on fee.

Kenny In The Crapper

Kenny Dalglish in limbo as Liverpool owners fail to offer assurances (Guardian)

They grilled Kenny (Sun) Kenny Dalglish flew back to England yesterday still sweating over his future at Liverpool. The ominous silence from the Reds’ American owners — and a refusal to issue a public backing — has left the Kop boss fearing the worst.

Outcome unclear as Dalglish returns from America following meeting with Liverpool owners (Mail) There has been no indication of how the meeting went and the fact there has been a deafening silence from FSG in the last 24 hours has increased speculation that Dalglish’s role is in jeopardy.

Dalglish latest: Decision on manager’s future expected within 48 hours (Mirror) Liverpool owners’ end-of-season review continues as Martinez and Villas-Boas are linked with the job on day of claim and counter-claim.

No way to treat a King: Liverpool owners face fan fury over treatment of Dalglish (Mirror) The blaze of rumour over Kenny Dalglish’s future has already been replaced by a furious inferno from his fans.

Dalglish left dangling at Liverpool by Fenway’s lack of backing (Independent)

Tevez Versus Fergie

Tevez begged me to pass him RIP Fergie sign (Sun) A teacher told last night how Carlos Tevez BEGGED her to hand him the “RIP Fergie” sign he waved during Man City’s victory parade. Sue Bradsell, 52, passed the cardboard tombstone to the Argentinian striker as he toured streets by bus to mark City’s Premier League title win.

Tevez Flees Threats (Star) Carlos Tevez was under 24-hour armed guard last night after getting death threats from hardcore Manchester United fans over his “RIP Fergie” prank.

Transfer Lies

Barca line up Drogba (Sun) The Spanish giants want to offer Drogba, 34, a two-year deal worth up to £5million a season to quit Chelsea and snub a move to China, Milan or the USA.

Yaya heading for City exit (Sun) Yaya Toure is ready to leave Manchester City. His agent Dimitri Seluk confirmed he is now inviting bids for the midfielder from his former club Barcelona and Real Madrid.

City shocker as Yaya’s agents invites offers from Barcelona, Chelsea and Bayern (Mail)

O’Neill begins Sunderland shake-up with moves for Fletcher and Bertrand (Mail) Martin O’Neill is ready to test Wolves with a bid for record-signing Steven Fletcher, who is valued at £10m. The Sunderland boss wants to sign three forwards, with Bolton captain Kevin Davies also on his list. O’Neill also likes Chelsea full back Ryan Bertrand, but he reject a move.

Liverpool and Spurs lead chase for Diame with midfielder set to leave Wigan for free (Mail)

Newcastle’s latest French target is Lille right back Mathieu Debuchy, with Danny Simpson set to leave the club (Mail)

Martinez, Lambert and Rodgers top Lerner’s list as Aston Villa owner jets in (Mail)

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “The creation of the tasteless material is in itself reprehensible and, in accepting and brandishing it, Carlos has made a significant error of judgment. The club wish to express their sincerest apologies to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United Football Club for any offence or distress caused.” – an unnamed Manchester City spokesperson.

Runner-up: “Under this manager I don’t have the feeling any more that he will put me in the side every week. I’m under no illusion about playing every week. But I believe I am still good enough to play for Liverpool every week. My physical stats are better than ever before. Last season I was scoring goals all over the place. But this season the manager bought three players who all played in my position. In the rotation system he used, I never found my rhythm again and never felt my old self. Deep in my heart I’d love to stay at Liverpool so I could have full revenge on everyone in my final season at the club.” – Dirk Kuyt.

What’s Next For Manchester City?

Manchester City’s next task is to strike Champions League gold (David Conn, Guardian)

City can sign anyone they want to now (Ian Wright, Sun) I genuinely believe the Etihad Stadium will now turn into one of THE places where any footballer on the planet would want to ply his trade. And yes, you can include the likes of Lionel Messi and even Cristiano Ronaldo in that as well.

Ferguson critical of triumphant City for paying ‘stupid money and silly salaries’ (Ian Herbert, Independent) Mancini retains a keen interest in Edinson Cavani… [while] Cavani’s Argentine team-mate Ezequiel Levezzi, whom Mancini also admires, has a €28m buyout, though he looks more destined for Internazionale. Mancini’s staff have also recently watched Athletic Bilbao’s exciting defensive midfielder Javi Martinez – not a top target but a contender. The £7m-rated Montpellier midfielder, Younes Belhanda, is being monitored, as a Hazard back-up.\

Moneybags Mancini: Roberto rewarded for title win with new £20million contract at City (Mirror)

Tevez & The “RIP Fergie” Sign

Just like Carlos Tevez to rain on Manchester City’s parade of togetherness with tasteless banner (Jim White, Telegraph)

City paint the town blue… but see red over Tevez gaffe as striker aims ill-advised barb at Sir Alex (Ian Ladyman, Mail) Tevez has a rudimentary grasp of English and there were doubts on Tuesday night as to whether the 28-year-old even understands what ‘RIP’ means. It is thought he may have just been caught up in the carnival atmosphere.

Manchester City apologise for Carlos Tevez’s ‘R.I.P Fergie’ banner (Guardian) Tevez was smiling as he lifted the banner above his head on the top of City’s open-top bus parade but later said: “I got carried away in the excitement of the moment and I certainly didn’t mean any disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson, who I admire as a man and a manager.”

The Red Runners-Up

United’s financial reality? Trying to play catch-up (Independent) One-by-one, the competitive certainties which United once possessed in the transfer market are being whittled away. They can no longer say they pay the most, or that they win most and, looming on the horizon albeit possibly three years away, is the crater which Ferguson’s departure will form. From a United perspective, Manchester felt like a cold, unsparing place to be when the sky blue flags flew yesterday.

Reviews Of The 2011/12 EPL Season

A season of SHOCK and AWE! The craziest year football has ever seen (Matt Lawton, Mail) We have never seen more goals – 1,066 in all – and for the 12 million spectators who passed through the turnstiles, and the billions more who have watched around the world on television, there have been some belters… Today there should be a new toast. ‘Vive le Premier League.’ Absolutely bloody amazing.

A Premier League of ups, downs and outs leaves a legacy of flaws (Kevin McCarra, Guardian) The Champions League finalists finish sixth in the league, Manchester United lose an eight-point lead and Manchester City lose five away games but end up winners.

An exciting league season? Without a doubt. But the best ever? No chance (James Lawton, Independent)

Hodgson’s 1st Euro Pick: Gary Neville

Roy Hodgson’s decision to take Gary Neville to Euro 2012 with England makes sense in so many ways (Henry Winter, Telegraph) Gary Neville is England’s new ghost-buster, the new Bryan Robson of the England coaching set-up, brought in to fight the fears. Like Robson at Euro 96, Neville will get into the players’ hearts, easing doubts and inspiring them, while Roy Hodgson gets into their minds, organising them for the tactical tests ahead.

Well I Never! (Shaun Custis, Sun) The man who blasted the FA, backed Harry for England and tried to lead a players’ strike is appointed in England’s backroom team.

New coach Neville seen as ‘future England manager’ (Sam Wallace, Independent) It demonstrates Hodgson’s open-mindedness that he approached Neville over the job two days after the player admitted in his Mail on Sunday column of 6 May that he would have chosen Harry Redknapp as England manager. In the same column, Neville urged Hodgson to pick his backroom staff carefully. He wrote at the time: “I’ve seen England managers who have been surrounded only by mates, people who weren’t experienced at international level, and it didn’t work because they weren’t challenged.”

Get The Eck Out

Roberto Martínez tops Aston Villa shortlist after Alex McLeish is axed (Guardian) Wigan Athletic’s Roberto Martínez and Paul Lambert at Norwich City are the early frontrunners, with Swansea City’s Brendan Rodgers also likely to come under consideration as Villa step up their search for a young and hungry manager capable of reinvigorating the club.

Villa eye Lambert (Sun) Despite Norwich chief executive David McNally issuing a hands-off warning to Villa, it has become clear they are fighting a losing battle to hold on to the 42-year-old Scot, who defied the odds to guide the Canaries to 12th in the Premier League… Sources close to Lambert claim he would jump at the chance to follow in O’Neill’s footsteps and take charge of the ailing Midlands giants.

Villa make Lambert their top target (Independent)

Alex McLeish’s sacking is at least one decision Aston Villa got right (Stuart James, Guardian) Aston Villa’s owner, Randy Lerner, has made two disastrous management appointments. He cannot afford another.

Deja Vu: Can Arsenal Keep Their Captain

City in for RVP (Sun) The Arsenal skipper, will tomorrow hold showdown talks with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger over his future. The Dutch striker, 28, is entering the final year of his £80,000-a-week contract and new champs City are preparing an opening offer of £20million. His agent Kees Vos has been spotted at the Etihad Stadium.

Exclusive: Arsenal to offer £130,000 per week and £5m signing-on fee to keep Van Persie (Mail) Arsenal are putting the finishing touches on a club record £7million-per-season deal to keep Robin van Persie… Van Persie could earn as much as £220,000-per-week at Manchester City and the player’s agent Kees Vos was a guest of executive Brian Marwood at a recent Etihad Stadium match.

Robin van Persie’s curtain call: a platitude or a goodbye to Arsenal? (Amy Lawrence, Guardian0 Arsenal’s directors will look to ensure this week that the Gunners talisman does not bid a farewell to arms.

Is Robin Gunner leave? Manchester City are closing in on sensational £25m deal for van Persie (Mirror) Big-spending City are prepared to more than TREBLE his wages to £250,000-a-week.

Bad Boy Barton

While Joey Barton plays up to middle-class prejudices he remains a prisoner of his own violent nature (Paul Hayward, Telegraph) It was the malice in Joey Barton’s face as he kneed Sergio Agüero from behind that told you what really goes on inside him: not clever Nietzschean discourse or Chomsky-esque rumination, but a need to hurt, a faith in violence that is swiftly followed by a victim stance.

Sacking Barton may prove too costly for QPR (Independent) Queen’s Park Rangers want to dismiss Joey Barton, whom they expect to be banned for up to 11 games following his conduct at Manchester City on Sunday, though the lucrative terms of his long-term contract will make the cost of doing so a staggering £12.5m.

Barton to be shown QPR door as players back Hughes in axing star after rage (Mail)

Transfer Lies

£13m Jan has VIP Spurs visit (Sun) Jan Vertonghen has been given a VIP tour of admirers Tottenham. Spurs are set to pip Arsenal for the Ajax skipper, who was snuck into White Hart Lane to watch the season finale against Fulham, before being shown around their new training ground.

Atletico slap £50m price tag on Falcao as Chelsea plan £15m plus Torres bid (Mail)

Lazio struggling to match Berbatov demands as United striker heads for exit (Mail)

Going nowhere: Cisse rubbishes reports he’s leaving Toon for Real (Mirror)

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “After this I feel 90 years old. I think we have changed the history of this club, and for this we should be proud. I think it was a crazy finish for a crazy season. I have never seen a final day like this. The best team won the title. I think we played the best football, conceded less goals, scored more goals, beat United two times.” - Roberto Mancini.

Runner-up: “They can go on as much as they like. That’s what you would expect. But the history of our club stands us aside. We don’t need to worry about that. I think we have a rich history, better than anyone, and it’ll take them a century to get to our level. For us, it’s a challenge — and we’re good at challenges. We’ll kick on from here.” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Man City’s Epic EPL Title Win (Is It The Greatest Ever?)

Craziest day ever! At 90 minutes, Man City’s title dreams looked dead… but TWO goals in injury time snatch title from United (Martin Samuel, Mail) There were people on the pitch and it was all over. The 44 years, over. The punchlines, over. The mockery, over. Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside, that horrid little ticker at Old Trafford, those long Monday mornings at work having to pretend you didn’t really care. Over, over, over.

Miracle in Manchester as Aguero changes lives forever (Sam Wallace, Independent) With less than four minutes of injury-time remaining, City put their reputation for calamity behind them forever while the unbelievers were already on their way home. They did so in circumstances as dramatic as Arsenal’s title win at Anfield 23 years ago. Their two goals in injury-time were the club’s 1999 Nou Camp moment. The moment they can play on a loop in the club museum. As Sergio Aguero’s 94th-minute winner went in, you could not ignore that feeling football retains to confound and amaze.

Goodbye to the ghosts of 44 years of misery…hello to the greatest title victory of them all (Ollie Holt, Mirror)

Aguero delivers on his promise with golden shot to transform City (James Lawton, Independent) Sergio Aguero not only saved Manchester City’s title in circumstances that had become surreal. He also made his entry in City’s billion-pound title inventory shine with a new brilliance.

Iceman Aguero’s the late, great arrival at the crazy season ball (Jamie Redknapp, Mail) How ironic that Manchester City scored twice, so late in the game. In the period of play that used to be called Fergie Time. Now it’s City’s time.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany proves his worth as greatest buy of all – and he will only get better (Alan Hansen, Telegraph) Make no mistake, at £6 million, Vincent Kompany is arguably the best transfer market buy of all time. By leading Manchester City to the title this season, he has shown why he is on course to become the best defender of the Premier League era.

Miracle Manc (Sun) Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini celebrates his team’s last-gasp title miracle yesterday — hours after he and some of his stars paid a visit to CHURCH.

We won it in Fergie time! (Sun) Manchester City won the greatest Premier League title race in history — and they did it in Fergie time. City scored twice in the final two minutes of ADDED TIME to beat QPR and lift their first title since 1968.

Manchester City triumph repays some of sheikh’s millions and patience (Jamie Jackson, Guardian) Club could be set for period of dominance in England and Europe with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan’s backing.

Manchester City’s dramatic Premier League title win the first step on a quest for world domination (Paul Hayward, Telegraph) The call will be for City to invade Europe now and place the Champions League alongside the spoils of the last two years. Hold those horses. Progress is obligatory. But holding off domestic predators will be hard enough. United, Chelsea and Arsenal will lead those anxious to stop a frantic win over QPR laying the ground for a dynasty.

Man City: Remembering Gillingham

City never do things the easy way (Steven Howard, Sun) It was back in 1999 that City fans congregated at Wembley a week after United had completed the Treble in Barcelona with another of the greatest comebacks of all time.At stake was promotion from the old Third Division via the play-off final against Gillingham. But it was more than that.Had City stayed down that year they would have struggled to hold on to the few half-decent players they had — and probably lost their main sponsors. With the game into added time, City trailed 2-0. Then, incredibly, they scored twice, finally levelling the game through Paul Dickov with a goal which until yesterday was always hailed as the most important in the history of the club.

Roberto Mancini: Waxing Lyrical

Roberto Mancini cures Manchester City’s old problems with new glory (Daniel taylor, Guardian) The credit has to go to Mancini, a serial champion who can be bruising with his man-management but operates by one clear philosophy: he is always right. Mancini has taken on a talented yet often problematic group of players, epitomised by the Carlos Tevez affair but has almost always given the sense that he is in utter control.

Amid the lavish spending, Mancini’s judgement should not be overlooked (Independent)

Manchester United: Runners Up But Still On Top?

It’ll take City 100 years to catch us up (Sun) Alex Ferguson tried bitterly to spoil Manchester City’s title party, sniping: It will take you 100 years to match our history.

City will get stronger now and Sir Alex knows it (Alan Shearer, Sun) City are now on an upward climb and this title will provide the springboard for greater things. United, meanwhile, are stalling. I think Ferguson has done a remarkable job to have even competed with City for the title this season given the team he has had. It is nowhere near as strong as it was five or 10 years ago. In fact, if I was naming my team of the season I would have just one Manchester United player in it — Wayne Rooney — while I’d have five from City.

Ferguson puts on brave face as title is ripped from his hands (Independent) Phil Jones’ face followed Ferguson’s in the dawning realisation of what horror had just happened. Unlike a man of steel like Ferguson, Jones is young. He has no titles and he was crushed. You understood. Everyone in the Stadium of Light understood. People greeted each other with two words, and they began with F and H and it was justified as there was nothing else you could say. After such gut-wrenching drama, the subtlety of language had been stripped down to its most base level.

Manchester United could almost taste the sponsors’ champagne but in the end cruel fate was against them (Jim White, Telegraph) The Glazers’ cheque book will need a serious airing.

Nemanja Vidic ruled out of Manchester United pre-season tour (Guardian)

Joey Barton: Public Enemy No. 1

Barton at risk of nine-match ban (Independent) At the very least Barton will be banned for four games at the start of next season, three for violent conduct and an extra game for it being his second dismissal of the season. His first red card was against Norwich City on 2 January when he tried to butt Bradley Johnson. Should the FA disciplinary department consider his kick at Aguero violent conduct, he will get another three games banned and a supplementary two for it being effectively his third red card of the season.

Enough is enough! Why time has now run out for Barton the bully after Etihad assault (Mail) This is a team sport and Barton has never understood this. In his mind the spotlight shines only on him and one would imagine it will shine brightly when Mark Hughes kicks him out of the club this summer.

How Joey Barton handed Manchester City the Premier League title (Guardian) The QPR captain’s red card in the second half gave City the man advantage and the vital extra minutes they needed.’

Barton goes berserk: QPR bad boy faces huge ban over triple attack on City players (Mail)

Head case Joey to miss nine games (Sun)

Barton’s behaviour didn’t cost us! Hughes refuses to condemn red card madness as QPR are saved (Mail)

How Did TV Do?

Stelling and Co provide perfect backdrop to ‘Squeaky Bum Sunday’ (Mail) Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday coverage  – on this Sunday,  Gillette Soccer Special – is now a genuine telly phenomenon, led by the imperious plate-spinner of pundits, games and facts that is Jeff Stelling.  It has become compelling viewing for fans who want, yes, goal updates, but also a real sense of occasion to go with it.

England: Euro 2012

Foster rejects Hodgson plea for Euro 2012 (Independent) Ben Foster announced yesterday that he had no plans to end his self-imposed England sabbatical despite Roy Hodgson’s best attempts to change his mind, during his last few days as West Bromwich Albion manager.

Scholes’ Euros chance (Sun) Paul Scholes has not ruled out playing for England at the Euros.

Belgium test just adds to Hodgson’s tough start (Sam Wallace, Independent) It is easy to overlook the fact that Hodgson’s nascent England regime faces an extremely robust test in his first home game at Wembley against Belgium on 2 June, one week after the Norway friendly in Oslo. In any circumstances, facing the great up-and-coming young side of Europe would be a tough assignment. To do so in your home debut and just a week from a major international tournament is one of those many issues Hodgson will wish he had not inherited from Fabio Capello.

Crock stars: Parker and Walker remain doubtful for Euro 2012 (Mirror)

Transfer Lies

United chasing £50m Dortmund trio: Sir Alex eyes Kagawa, Lewandowski and Hummels (Mail) United would have to pay close on £50million for all three, but Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke struck a defiant note by saying: ‘We expect Kagawa to go, but no amount of money will persuade us to sell the others.’

Bale and Modric are staying, insists Spurs chairman Levy ahead of summer interest (Mail)

Feeling peckish? Everton line up £800,000 move for Hungary keeper (Mirror) Olympiacos keeper Balazs Megyeri could be brought in to provide competition for Tim Howard at Goodison.

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I’m up for a challenge. We’re not going away and I’m not either. You better let them know across the road. The odds are stacked against us, but if City win the title, I’d hope that our players would realise things aren’t so black.  We will analyse where we’ve messed up this year and accept the challenge next season. It keeps me going, absolutely. It [City’s rise] has taken three years off me and I’m feeling younger already!” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Runner-up: “I’ll go to Tenerife for six months to hide if Manchester City lose title… This is the most important day of my life as a Manchester City fan. It is as big as that. I went to see Manchester City play for the first time with my Uncle Jed when I was a little boy. We beat Manchester United that day – 5-0.” – Ricky Hatton.

Manchester City: Champs Today, Champs Tomorrow?

Is this now Rooney’s worst nightmare? City set to clean up trophies… and talent (Mail) Make no mistake, the final league table could represent a significant shift in power across Manchester and the whole of English football, even though the two clubs start this morning level on points after 37 games, albeit with City holding a greatly superior goal difference.

Manchester City’s biggest challenge will be how to keep on winning (Gary Neville, Mail) Can they sustain their superiority without unlimited investment with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules coming into force? Can they bring players through their academy? And how do they deal with the disruptive influences of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, players on massive wages who will be difficult to offload?

Roberto Mancini has kept the show on the road for Manchester City (Henry Winter, Telegraph) Manchester City fans remember York City away. Many of those worshippers flocking nervously, excitedly, hopefully to the Etihad today remember Dec 19, 1998, recall losing at Bootham Crescent, slipping to 12th in Division Two, closer to non-League than Premier League.

I followed Manchester City through thick and thin in the bad old days (Will Greenwood, Telegraph) I was there for the incredible Second Division play-off final in 1999, I was there at the last game at Maine Road when we lost 1-0 to Southampton. The comedy of it all!

The Last Word: Why City no longer belong to me (Colin Shindler, Independent) When Carlos Tevez refused to play against Bayern Munich, for whatever trivial reason, something died for me. The juggernaut of a team that was being assembled at huge cost finally slipped its moorings from my increasingly desperate attempts to reconcile it to the club whose fortunes have dominated my waking hours for so long… The team stand proudly at the summit of the Premier League and fully deserve to be there. Yaya Touré, Aguero, Silva, Kompany have all had a wonderful season and I admire them enormously. I admire them but I don’t love them. Not the way I loved Glyn Pardoe, Alan Oakes and Neil Young. That’s my problem.

Ecstasy or not, the exodus will follow at Manchester City (Guardian) In a fire sale unprecedented in this and any other league around £200m worth of City talent will be up for grabs this summer. Add the salaries of the 11 players in question and more than a quarter of a billion pounds of Sheikh Mansour’s investment could walk out of the door.

Mancini wants Mancnificent 7 (Sun) Roberto Mancini cranked up the heat on Alex Ferguson by vowing to win SEVEN trophies in four years.

Take tat and party: Mancini challenged to honour his tattoo promise (Mirror) The Manchester City boss vowed to get inked with the club’s crest if they win the Premier League title.

Manchester City hero Ken Mulhearn recalls edging out rivals Manchester United to win the title in 1968 (Telegraph)

Manchester United: Runners-up

Losing the title today will haunt United for ever (Roy Keane, Sun) When Alex Ferguson reviews the season, he’ll know when the league was lost — the final 10 minutes against Everton when they conceded twice to draw 4-4… What you’ve got to remember as well is that United will have Nemanja Vidic, Tom Cleverley and, please God, Darren Fletcher back fit for next season. You don’t want to make excuses but their absence has been a factor.

Wayne Rooney’s contract stand-off was an early warning sign for Manchester United (Mark Ogden, Telegraph) For all of Sir Alex Ferguson’s defiant talk of a response to the challenge laid down by their supremely-wealthy neighbours, the reality is that United have been losing ground to City ever since Wayne Rooney’s contract stand-off forced the club into a fight they simply cannot win.

The Champions League Race

I’d happily trade in all my goals and awards for Champs League spot (Robin van Persie, Sun) You know what? All the goals I have scored this season, all the awards I have won — I would trade them all in an instant for us to win today.

The Drop Zone

Could QPR have a chance of survival despite themselves? (Guardian) Everyone expects QPR to lose on Sunday afternoon. But would it not be typical QPR if they were somehow to steal a draw – only for Bolton to belt nine past Stoke and send the Hoops down on goals scored – unlikely of course, all but impossible but somehow very Rangers.

Bolton rely on swing and a prayer (Independent) Coyle believes his team have the momentum and urges his players to prove they are worth a new contract and a place in the Premier League.

£100m-in-debt Bolton reach crisis point as Coyle faces up to relegation disaster (Mail)

EPL 2011/12: The Reviews

Said & Done: The 2011-12 awards (David Hills, Guardian) Roughest justice Ghana: Accra Hearts of Oak, given a “strange and contentious” £1,000 fine in November for delaying kick-off against Ebusua Dwarfs. The delay happened after two of their players “were forced out of the stadium by Dwarfs fans and made to buy tickets to get back in again”. Both players were also fined. Hearts: “They got a raw deal.

Enjoy the big finish, this could be as good as it gets… (Des Kelly, Mail) This has undoubtedly been a campaign of continual upsets and excitement. And if it delivers one more drama when Manchester City look to claim their first title in 44 years, separated from their rivals Manchester United only by goal difference, then there is no argument. It is the best.

Ten small moments with a big impact on the Premier League title race (Guardian)

England Ahead Of The Euros

Roy Hodgson gets no second chances with England’s Euro 2012 squad (Guradian) On Wednesday the new England manager will name his 23-man squad for Euro 2012. He has to get it right first time.

Hodgson’s choice: Roy told rift between Rio and Terry is too big to send both to Euro 2012 (Mail) The rift between Rio Ferdinand and John Terry will force Roy Hodgson to choose one or the other when he names his Euro 2012 squad on Wednesday — and it looks increasingly likely that former England captain Terry will miss out.

England’s John Terry is too tired for Euro 2012 – yet so are the alternatives (Jim White, Telegraph)  Terry may be self-evidently dead on his feet, his performance on Tuesday may be a thin parody of his best, all logic may well insists he is given the summer off. But what real alternative does the manager have? Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are just as drained, Gary Cahill, Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka all compromised by injury. The truth is, anyone who is any good will be as tired as Terry. And anyone who is not tired will not be any good.

Fergie has Rio fear (Sun) Sir Alex Fergsuon fears Rio Ferdinand will not be fit enough for Euro 2012.

Transfer Gossip

United line up £10m Dembele bid as major rebuilding begins in earnest (Mail) Manchester United are considering a £10million bid for Fulham’s attacking midfielder Mousa Dembele with Paul Scholes still to make a decision over whether he will play on next season.

Mourinho’s £15m Ivanovic raid (Sun) Real Madrid are ready to pay £15million for the 27-year-old and Chelsea have not ruled out doing a deal as long as the Spanish giants are prepared to meet their own £20m valuation.

Eden Hazard poised for £35m City bid (Sun) Hazard, who was named France’s Player of the Year yesterday, said on Twitter: “Two games more to play in the colours of Lille.”

Kop out! Dalglish on the brink of leaving Anfield (Mirror) Liverpool are preparing for life after Kenny Dalglish. As the list of senior executives axed by the club’s American owners reaches six, with the imminent ­removal of legal adviser Nathalie Wignall, there is a growing belief inside Anfield that King Kenny’s days as manager are numbered.

Liverpool Eye Roberto Martinez (Star) If Fenway Sports do decide to part company with Kenny Dalglish then Spaniard Martinez, 38, will be their top target.

Spurs like £16m Loic (Sun)

Fergie takes time out from title shootout to watch Kagawa shine in German Cup final (Mail)

Reading eye ambitious move for out of favour Spurs striker Defoe (Mail)

Real Madrid legend Raul opts to join Qatari outfit Al Sadd after ending Schalke stint (Mail)

Friday, May 11th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “That’s why I came here – to help the team, to help the club go forward and make it bigger than any other club in the world. I wanted to come to the club to make a story and my decision was to come to City. I think I made the right choice. This Sunday coming, we have to deliver. It’s very important. For me, when you are a football player, you want to go where you will be loved and be the best player. At Barcelona, I was a good player. But at City, I’m an important player for the team.” – Yaya Toure.

Runner-up: “The start of the season was catastrophic. We lost key players from our system. There was late recruitment of new players and the mayonnaise needed time to ‘take’. There was the thrashing at Old Trafford. The whole world buried us. But you don’t lose your football like that. It can happen that a small grain of sand jams the engine and after that you start to doubt your own qualities, the club, the coach and everything else. We needed to sort that out. Everyone got down to doing just that, the coach, the club.” – Laurent Koscielny.

The final day of the Premier League

£1m Mark! Hughes set to land mega bonus if he saves QPR… and spoils City’s party(Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail) “Mark Hughes is in line for a £1million bonus if he keeps QPR in the Barclays Premier League on  Sunday with a result that could also stop his former club Manchester City winning the title. The QPR manager’s trusted aides, Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki, will also land hefty pay-outs if Rangers stay up.”

Fergie needs £100m (Steven Howard, Sun) “Should Manchester City, as expected, win their first title in 44 years this Sunday, Ferguson will have to come up with the greatest master-plan of his 25 years at Old Trafford just to keep City on the radar. Failure to do so and Roberto Mancini could well be half the way down the road towards creating football’s next dynasty. The bottom line to all this is pretty simple — and makes desperate reading for United fans. While Sheikh Mansour has ploughed £1BILLION into City, the Glazers have taken out half a billion just to service their original £526million loan to purchase United in 2005. United’s latest yearly accounts revealed revenue streams had grown to a record £331m and an operating profit of £110m. Yet almost HALF that went in paying interest on debt.”

Manchester United have cause for complaint as unique survey highlights Premier League errors (Daily Telegraph) 

Portuguese police to question Manchester United over Bébé transfer (David Conn, Guardian) “Police in Portugal are planning to question Manchester United about the club’s €9m (£7.2m) signing of the striker Bébé from the Portuguese club Vitória Guimarães, as part of their criminal investigation into the deal. The judicial police national unit for combating corruption, part of the Justice Ministry based in Lisbon, is investigating the 11 August 2010 transfer, by which United paid that fee for a player whose only competitive experience was a single season in the Portuguese third division.”

England

Roy Hodgson takes time before talking to John Terry and Rio Ferdinand (Daniel Taylor, Guardian) “Roy Hodgson is expected to wait until after the final round of Premier League fixtures before speaking to Rio Ferdinand and John Terry about the breakdown in their relationship ahead of naming his squad for Euro 2012. England’s new manager wants to establish whether the two defenders can be included or whether it would be too divisive when Terry is due in court during July for using alleged racist abuse to Anton Ferdinand, Rio’s younger brother, when Chelsea lost at QPR in October. Terry denies the charge. Hodgson names his squad next Wednesday and the two players do not expect to hear from him before Sunday’s games.”

England manager Roy Hodgson could be looking for ‘good lads’ as he picks squad for Euro 2012 finals (Jason Burt, Daily Telegraph) 

Arsenal

Tributes paid to Pat Rice who quits Arsenal after 44 years (Jack Pitt-Brooke, Independent) ”Arsène Wenger paid tribute yesterday to Pat Rice, who is stepping down as his assistant manager and will be replaced by the former defender Steve Bould. Rice has worked for Arsenal for 44 years but will leave at the end of the season. ‘It’s difficult to measure,’ Wenger said of Rice’s contribution to the club. ‘He’s just been tremendous. It’s a sad, sad, sad day. His life was linked with Arsenal and Arsenal have been privileged to have him as a player, a captain, a coach, and personally I’m very grateful for his contribution to my period here.’”

It was so grim we even doubted Wenger (Sun) 

Tottenham

Arsenal and Spurs’ battle over Premier League third place brings back memories of Lasagna-gate (Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph) “Arsenal and Spurs hurtle into a last-day duel for third place with echoes of the infamous Lasagna-gate denouement of 2005-2006. Spurs’ Champions League ambitions ended at Upton Park with 10 of their players struggling with a virus which the club claimed was induced by some hotel pasta. The Health Protection Agency later cleared the hotel, the London Marriott in West India Quay, of any blame. Tests on the players indicated that one was suffering from norovirus which may have spread to his team-mates. The Spurs manager that day was Martin Jol, who takes his Fulham side to White Hart Lane on Sunday.”

Defoe interview: Why I asked to leave Spurs in January and more (Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror)

Liverpool

Dalglish stays: Liverpool boss won’t be axed… but his budget will (Alan Nixon, Daily Mirror) “Liverpool are ready to let Kenny Dalglish carry on as manager – but with a vastly-reduced budget for signings. The Kop chief spent £108million on just six players, including Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, in 2011. But it has been made clear to him that those days are over and he has now started to seek bargain signings instead – including free agents.”

Radamel Falcao

Flying Falcao’s stock rises even higher after Europa League success (Andy Brassell, Independent) “Next step is surely the big league for striker who scored twice in Europa final, but will it be with Atletico Madrid or will other suitors gather? It turned out, then, that the tiger won the fight with the lion. ‘El Rey Leon’, Fernando Llorente, who may well lead Spain’s attack into Euro 2012, and his Athletic Bilbao side were forced to take a back seat in the Europa League final to an Atletico Madrid side led by “El Tigre”, Radamel Falcao. Where this competition is concerned, Falcao is the undisputed king of the jungle. In successive seasons, the 26-year-old has managed to make the extraordinary into an almost regular occurrence. His seventh-minute rocket into the top corner in Bucharest’s stunning National Arena was reminiscent of his solo effort in the semi-final first leg that knocked the stuffing out of Valencia. His second, just after the half-hour, took his total to 29 goals in as many games spanning two Europa League campaigns.”

Gossip

Manchester City poised to pounce on hot shot Cavani if Napoli slip up (Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail)

Pogba to seal switch to Serie A champions Juventus on July 1 (Daily Mail)

Weng in for Shinji (Sun)

Wolves to appoint Stale Solbakken as their new manager (Stuart James, Guardian)

Goal-line technology

Football for dummies: Goal-line technology inches closer to reality (Robin Scott-Elliot)

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “Robbie is determined to go for glory against Bayern, even though he’s resigned to leaving regardless of what happens in Munich. He has tried to talk to the club’s hierarchy about pre-season training for next season and been given very short shrift. That convinced him he really is just an ‘interim’ manager, filling the post until a full-time appointment can be made. He’s hugely disappointed after the miracles he has worked here since taking over from Andre Villas-Boas in March. Two Cup finals is an amazing success after inheriting that mess.” - A senior Chelsea source, according to The Sun.

Runner-up: ”Van Persie is a great player. He is a complete player and would be useful to any team. But he still has one year left in his contract with Arsenal. We will try to put the icing on the cake this summer but the important thing is that the mix is good.” - Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta.

Atleti: Europa League Winners

Prolific Falcao batters the Basque Euro dream (Pete Jenson, Independent) It was meant to be a fairytale first European trophy for the last team in Europe who still draw all their players from their own region, but instead it was decided by a €40m (£35m) striker whose ownership is clouded by the vagaries of third-party investment funds. Radamel Falcao has now scored 30 goals in his last 29 Europa League games. He got the winner in the final last year for Porto, and last night in Bucharest’s National Stadium he delivered the first-half brace that saw Atletico Madrid win a second Europa League trophy in three years.

Radamel Falcao’s Atlético Madrid rout Athletic Bilbao (Jonathan Wilson, Guardian) Marcelo Bielsa paced, he squatted, he sat down, he shouted, he looked on pensively, but whatever he did his Athletic side rarely threatened to make an impression on an Atlético Madrid team coached by one of his former players, Diego Simeone. Whatever Athletic have brought to theEuropa League this season – which is a lot – however much the neutral might have wanted another of their displays of relentless attacking, tonight they were well-beaten.

Eye On The Euros

Why Andy Carroll should be in Roy Hodgson’s England squad (Paul Wilson, Guardian) You can stop that sniggering now, because the answer is probably yes. England are that desperate. Wayne Rooney is banned for the first two games, Darren Bent has missed the past two months through injury. Jermain Defoe has become a bit player at Spurs, and while Peter Crouch is getting regular football at Stoke he has not exactly made an unanswerable case for himself with his form or his goals. If it came down to a choice between Crouch and Carroll, who would you choose? Crouch might have the edge in international experience, but Carroll is younger, more direct, and on his day – just ask Chelsea – capable of terrorising defenders. Still not convinced? Nor am I, actually. How old is Grant Holt again?

Ferdinand and Terry should get on with it if they are professionals (James Lawton, Indepenedent) When you think about it for a second, this question of whether Ferdinand will deign to play with Terry is an absurdity. It is an unwelcome throwback to the days of the alleged Golden Generation, when David Beckham once summoned Eriksson from his dinner table to deal with talk of player insurrection over that Ferdinand affair.

England’s John Terry is too tired for Euro 2012 – yet so are the alternatives (Jim White, Telegraph) After watching Tuesday night’s match at Anfield, at least Roy Hodgson’s first conundrum as England manager appeared to be resolved: he surely now knows what to do about John Terry.

Buying The Premier League

Manchester City’s £930 million spending spree to turn club into Premier League title contenders (Telegraph) Barring any slip up against Queens Park Rangers this weekend, Mansour will have a Premier League trophy to show for his investment, but it will have come at a 10-figure cost.

The Final Day of the EPL

Premier League final Sunday: 10 matches, 10 issues on the last day (John Ashdown, Guardian) From the title to top scorer via some wanted and unwanted farewells, there’s a lot going on this Sunday.

Black Clouds Over Blackburn

Steve Kean confident Blackburn will avoid sharing Portsmouth’s fate (Guardian) Steve Kean has denied that Blackburn Rovers will become another Portsmouth and drop rapidly from the Premier League into League One, and insisted he and Venky’s, the owners, are at the club for the long term.

Kean’s wife dragged into mounting chaos at Rovers (Independent) Steve Kean was forced to defend the relationship between his wife Margaret and Venky’s owner Anuradha Desai on another extraordinary day in Blackburn Rovers’ disastrous season.

Robbo’s Rovers poser (Sun) Paul Robinson is considering his future at relegated Blackburn — and West Ham will lead the fight for his signature.

Reviews of the 2011/12 Season

Jamie Redknapp’s team of the season: A fine Kompany… packed with pace and power (Mail) It’s Kompany alongside Coloccini for me at the heart of the defence, two excellent foreign defenders, flanked by two English full backs, Walker and Baines. My line-up is beginning to take shape.

Premier League 2011-12: The top 10 games of the season (Mail)

Revealed: the financial health of the Premier League laid bare (Telegraph)

Transfer Lies

Juve not for me, says Van Persie as striker hints at Arsenal stay (Mail) Robin van Persie has given the clearest hint yet that he is ready to stay at  Arsenal after indicating it would take an ‘extraordinary’ offer to make him leave.

Arsenal confident of deflecting Juventus interest in Robin van Persie (Guardian) Van Persie, who has 30 Premier League goals this term, is not thought to be keen on moving to Italy, with his instinct to remain at Arsenal for at least one more season, encouraged as he has been by the signing of Lukas Podolski from Köln for £10.9m, with the promise of further ambitious transfers to come. Only the tantalising offer of a potential move to either Real or Barça would test that commitment though, even then, the London club would need to sanction any departure given the player remains under contract.

Bayern to rival Arsenal for Hoilett signature as race for starlet hots up (Mail) Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett is being targeted by Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach. The 21-year-old Canada international is out of contract and has attention from Arsenal, Tottenham, Stoke, Everton and Sunderland.

Drogba ditched: Chelsea to risk fans’ wrath and let talisman leave (Mirror) The 34-year-old’s demands for a new two-year deal have fallen on deaf ears,as the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are determined to build the team around fellow forward Fernando Torres.

Buy Baines: United owners give Fergie green-light to raid Everton (Mirror) Manchester United will step up their efforts to sign Leighton Baines with a £10million offer.

Clear-out! Mancini will bin EIGHT of City’s (probable) title winners (Mirror) De Jong, Dzeko and Johnson among those set to be moved on as Blues boss plots domestic dominance and a challenge for the European Cup.

Poyet in demand as Villa, West Brom and Wolves eye move for Brighton manager (Mail)

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “It’s not just tonight that has cost us. We lost many points earlier in the season as well, and that has influenced things just as much. It is the 37 games that count and have shaped where we are, not one defeat here at Anfield. I thought Liverpool were very good tonight and scored at the right time. They were better than us. We hit the post at 0-0 which could have changed the game a little bit. We know how demanding it has been for us and we played a team fresh and more energetic to give us a better chance. We played every three days in the last eight weeks and only by utilising the squad have we reached the finals and still had a chance of fourth with two games to go.” – Roberto Di Matteo.

Runner-up: “We’ve got a bit of silverware back in the cupboard after six years, we’re back in Europe at the first time of asking, we were near to winning the FA Cup final. Not a bad first season.” – Kenny Dalglish.

Liverpool 4 – Chelsea 1

Chelsea and John Terry made to suffer by Andy Carroll as Liverpool turn it on too late in 4-1 victory at Anfield (Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph) “Liverpool will need to strengthen in the summer but there was much to encourage the Kop here, even taking into account Chelsea’s second-string nature. They still had their captain, Terry, who is suspended for Munich yet he endured a wretched night. Talk persists about whether Terry should go to the Euros because of any negative impact he might have on the dressing-room dynamic; on this evidence, there are significant footballing reasons for leaving him behind. Suárez had already nutmegged Terry once even before the goal-rush.”

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish manages a smile after victory over Chelsea but future remains uncertain (Chris Bascombe, Daily Telegraph) 

Liverpool exact final revenge thanks to Chelsea errors (Andy Hunter, Guardian)

Will John Terry go to the Euros?

Terry crisis: England boss Hodgson set to ditch Chelsea captain for Euro 2012 (Matt Lawton, Daily Mail) “John Terry is in danger of missing the European Championship as Roy Hodgson agonises over whether he can have both the Chelsea captain and Rio Ferdinand in his squad. The new England manager still plans to speak to the centre backs before naming his squad in a week and only after having those conversations – neither of which have taken place yet – will he decide on the best way forward. But as Sportsmail revealed last week, Hodgson thinks it will be difficult to take both of them when Terry’s trial for a racially aggravated public order offence that involves Ferdinand’s brother, Anton, will not take place until after the tournament.”

Hodgson’s choice: Ferdinand or Terry?(Sam Wallace, Independent) “The new England manager will not take both to the Euros – and the smart money is on the Chelsea captain receiving the dreaded tap on the shoulder.”

Phil Neville for England 

Phil Neville in frame to be called into England coaching set-up (Sun)

‘Roberto Martínez would have been brilliant as England manager so why FA overlooked him I do not know’ (Dave Whelan, Daily Telegraph)

Manchester City close in on the title

Mancini set for mega new deal (Neil Custis, Sun) “Manchester City want to celebrate Premier League glory by handing Roberto Mancini a whopping new £22million contract.Mancini’s four-year deal will make him the country’s best-paid boss, alongside Alex Ferguson. City planned to offer Mancini the £2m-a-year pay rise — taking his salary to £5.5m a year — even if they failed to win the title. But they are even more eager to get the Italian to sign after he masterminded City’s amazing fightback from eight points down to overhaul neighbours United. The two clubs stand level on points but City’s goal difference is eight better.”

City fans must get used to big club baggage but at least they won’t ever draw with Tranmere again on a Friday night (Oliver Holt, Daily Mirror)

Bring it on: Barton “can’t wait” for chance to spoil City’s title party (Neil McLeman, Daily Mirror)

Blackburn’s relegation

Blackburn Rovers facing their nightmare scenario (David Conn, Guardian) “With increased parachute payments of £48m over four years, clauses which reduce players’ wages on relegation, and some coveted performers, notably Junior Hoilett, who could be sold, Rovers look financially quite able to withstand relegation and, even if crowds plummet, very unlikely to fall into administration.”

It’s a shame for the fans, but don’t stop crazy clubs from failing… (Martin Samuel, Daily Mail)

Owners left Kean to take the flak, sitting in India counting their millions (Alan Shearer, Sun)

The Europa League final

Stand by for Europa final to savour as Spanish sides go for goals (Pete Jenson, Independent)

Europa League finalists typify a tournament that makes Thursdays fun (Kevin McCarra, Guardian)

Gossip

Wenger wants Vorm to provide competition for Szczesny as Arsenal No 1 (Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail)

Lost in translation: Assou-Ekotto insists he’s committed to Spurs (Daily Mirror)

Sunderland join race for Hoilett but Bendtner returns to Arsenal (Martin Hardy, Independent)

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: ”I will sit down with the owners and discuss a plan on how to assemble a squad to help us bounce back up straight away. We need to try to keep the majority of the squad together and add one or two experienced players that can help us, so from the first game of the season we are ready to bounce back and make sure we are in the division we should be in. I have spoken with the owners, like I do every day. We haven’t mentioned what has happened tonight but I am confident we will have a sit-down and have a plan in place as quickly as possible. I do believe I’ll be here next season.” – Steve Kean.

Runner-up: ”If we could close it out it would be unreal. You dream of these things. I never once thought, ‘Yeah, I’m bound to win the Premier League’, but it was always in my mind. It will be crazy days if we win it.” – Joleon Lescott.

Blackburn Go Down

Blackburn Rovers owners’ paltry investment comes home to roost with relegation following defeat to Wigan Athletic (Mark Ogden, Telegraph) Instead of Real Madrid and Barcelona, it will be Bristol City and Brighton on the fixture list next season, but the concern for a club once regarded as one of the best-run in the country now centres on how bleak the picture might become. Will Venky’s possess the appetite to invest the sums required to make Blackburn competitive in the Championship? As it stands, Kean’s team does not have the look of an outfit likely to push for promotion. And if Venky’s decide that their investment has been waste of time and money, what happens next?

Chickens come home to roost for sorry Blackburn (Tim Rich, Independent) It is hard to imagine any club that would employ Kean again in a hurry. His responsibility for the disasters that have overtaken Blackburn runs very deep… Kean, sooner or later will lose his job. However, once his contract is settled, he will walk away a millionaire. The same cannot be said of the people in the ticket office, in corporate hospitality and who have to sell a ruined, relegated club to advertisers. They will have no parachute payments and Blackburn in 2012 is an awful place to find yourself without work.

Rover, but not out! Kean insists he’ll stay at Ewood Park and get Blackburn promoted at first go (Mail)

Blackburn Rovers suffer season of struggle and revolt (Sachin Nakrani, Guardian) Protests and poor performances have marked the 2011-12 campaign of Steve Kean’s team.’

Man City: Almost There

QPR’s Mark Hughes heads back to Manchester City with double agenda (Louise Taylor, Guardian) Mancini, whose side have not lost at home all season, will be mindful that Hughes and his staff possess rare, possibly invaluable, knowledge of various City players’ little-known technical flaws, tactical weaknesses, preferred tricks and on-pitch foibles. He is also conscious that his Welsh counterpart continues to feel deeply wronged by his dismissal after only 18 months in charge and at a time when City were sixth in the Premier League and had lost only twice since the start of the 2009‑10 season.

Manchester City’s players shine away from the pitch too and it’s time to ditch the mercenary tag (Henry Winter, Telegraph) Manchester City are the club of immense wealth, of controversial individuals such as Carlos Tévez and Mario Balotelli, spicy themes that tend to dominate headlines.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini could join managerial greats by winning Premier League (Alan Hansen, Telegraph) Roberto Mancini will elevate his managerial status by claiming the Premier League title, deservedly taking his place among a select group of elite coaches.

City shade it in this Manc dream team (Ian Wright, Sun)

The Red Half Of Manchester

Time to walk away? No chance. Fergie is up for his toughest fight (James Lawton, Independent) Some might say that of all his achievements at Old Trafford, last season’s title and the fact that United, with just one game left, still have an at-least theoretical interest in the current race, are among the most astonishing.

Manchester United poised to pay a £20m price if they finish without a trophy for the first time since 2005 (Mark Ogden, Telegraph) Manchester United are facing a shortfall of at least £20 million if they end the season without a trophy for the first time since 2005.

Eye On Europe

Black cloud over Köln as the shambolic club goes down in smoke (Raphael Honigstein, Guardian) Poor performances from the boardroom, the managers and team have seen the club relegated for the fifth time in 15 years.

Granada lose their bottle and respect by pointing finger at referee (Sid Lowe, Guardian) Granada’s fury at their defeat was inexcusable but the league organisers do not help ease the concerns of suspicious minds

England: Euro 2012

Roy Hodgson spoilt for choice if he decides to go back to basics (Michael Cox, Guardian) [Grant] Holt is a genuinely intelligent forward. His record of 14 goals in his debut Premier League campaign is even more impressive when considering he’s only started 23 times, with 12 substitute appearances, but his age and lack of international experience will probably count against him. Hodgson is probably left with three genuine options: Zamora, Crouch and Carroll.

United ace Smalling hands first Euro injury KO fear to new England boss Hodgson (Mail)

Review of the 2011/12 EPL Season

Premier League 2011-12: Top 10 worst signings of the season (Mail) [8. Samir Nasri] At Arsenal he was crucial to the midfield with his keen eye for goal and talent to display a defence splitting pass making him one of the Premier League’s most exciting stars. Since joining City, the 24-year-old has become a bit-part player. The talent is still there but his displays are being far overshadowed by his team-mates and his stock has fallen.

Has this been the best Premier League yet? (Independent) For the 369-game body of the season, the thrills and entertainment have been better than they have been for quite some time. A new shade to the title race, some daring attacking football and a quantity and quality of goals far outstripping what we had grown used to.

The Transfer Lies

Arsenal boss Wenger ramps up interest in £17m M’Vila and free agent Hoilett (Mail) Arsenal have scouted other targets in case their attempts to sign M’Vila end in failure; Athletic Bilbao playmaker Javi Martinez and Anderlecht central midfielder Lucas Biglia have both been watched.

Yann’s a Gun man (Sun) Emirates boss Arsene Wenger must now sit down with the player’s agents to talk wages, with the club ready to offer around £60,000 a week.

City line up Belhanda as alternative to Hazard as move stalls over wage demands (Mail) [Belhanda] can play on either wing or behind a centre forward and is valued in the £10million bracket as opposed to Hazard’s £30m price tag. City are still exploring their chances of luring Robin van Persie from Arsenal this summer as Mancini reshapes his attacking options. Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez are unofficially up for sale after their problems this season but City will not accept less than £20m for either player.

Take it or leave it, Didi (Sun) Didier Drogba will be given one last chance to sign a new Chelsea contract. The striker has already rejected a new one-year deal on his current salary of £100,000-a-week.

Double Dutch: Fulham close on £10million Heerenveen pair (Sun) Dutch league stars Luciano Narsingh and Oussama Assaidi are set to agree personal terms on a five-year contract after Heerenveen accepted a joint offer for the highly-rated wingers.

Second time unlucky: Chelsea fail with fresh Guardiola bid (Mirror) Blues are offering £12million-a-year deal and huge funds to raid Barcelona’s squad, but the answer is still no – which is good news for Di Matteo.

Hijack? Manchester United launch bid to swipe Vertonghen (Mirror) Sir Alex Ferguson has made a last-ditch move to try to hijack Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen’s move to the Premier League.

Newcastle target one-time Man United trialist Boilesen in £5m deal from Ajax (Mail)

Let me leave! Maxi wants to rip up Liverpool contract after falling out of favour (Mail)

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “Mark [Highes] knows his job. He was sacked by City in a very unethical way and he will remember that. Mark Hughes’ teams always fight but QPR players are fighting for survival. The whole future of the club could be resting on the game and I only wish Sparky was playing… Mark going back to the Etihad is a great incentive for him. The biggest incentive is that his team need a result to stay up.” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Runner-up: “We’ve still got a difficult game against QPR on the last day. If we think we have won the Premier League title it will be a big mistake. All the players have to keep their feet on the floor. I cannot talk about what it would mean to win the title, not until next week. We know the history of the club but we can only talk about winning the title at 5pm next Sunday.” – Roberto Mancini.

Bacary Sagna: “He [Bradley Johnson] trod on my leg. I think he did it on purpose… He trod on me in the same place as the previous fracture was. That’s what caused the pressure. It cut in two. Now I’ll start all over again. I’ve come back before and I’ll come back even stronger a second time.”

Champions Elect: Man City

Only an act of God can stop Rob being crowned on Sunday (Steven Howard, Sun) QPR difficult? Come off it, Roberto — not even the greatest doom-mongers among City’s notoriously sceptical fans will fall for that one. If there was one team you would want to play to wrap up the title, it would be QPR — despite Rangers still requiring one more point to be certain of avoiding relegation.

Mighty Yaya… and mighty Micah (Jamie Redknapp, Mail) You get two players for the price of one with Yaya Toure. In the first half, he was Manchester City’s enforcer and in the second half, their match winner.I have no problem with Robin van Persie being the double Footballer of the Year, but no player has had a greater influence on the current standings in the League than the mighty Yaya.

City one game from glory as Touré delivers in style (Sam Wallace, Independent) Great title-winning teams have the wherewithal to find a goal from somewhere. That was the case on 70 minutes yesterday when Touré exchanged passes with Aguero and curled his shot just inside Tim Krul’s left post.

Yaya Touré, the Manchester City colossus, proves worth every penny (Louise Taylor, Guardian) Majestic midfielder justifies superstar fee and salary by firing Manchester City to the brink of Premier League glory.

Roberto Mancini replicates Manchester City’s winning formula (David Pleat, Guardian)

Fergie’s Final Mind Game

Ferguson turns to Hughes in last throw of title dice (Independent) Sir Alex Ferguson has made a last-ditch attempt at the sort of mind games he has become famed for in an attempt to stop Manchester City securing the Premier League title next weekend…. Ferguson picked away at the wound inflicted on Mark Hughes when he was controversially sacked as City manager at the end of 2009. Hughes takes Queen’s Park Rangers to the Etihad on Sunday, knowing they need a point to guarantee survival after their 1-0 win against Stoke yesterday.

United relying on favours as City have ‘two hands on prize’ (Ian Herbert, Independent) [Fergie's] wish that “Sparky were playing” in that game and his distaste for the way Hughes was sacked in 2009 may be viewed with a certain amount of amusement by the Welshman, a wise and intelligent man who knows the working of Ferguson’s mind as well as any. What an extraordinary last twist this could be – Hughes, the man first entrusted with the keys by City’s Abu Dhabi owners, potentially denying them now.

Chelsea: FA Cup Winners

Memo to Roman: halt the Stamford Bridge revolution (Martin Samuel, Mail) The job done by Di Matteo has been outstanding. He rejected the notion that Chelsea required overhaul and instead acknowledged the immense quality at Stamford Bridge, regardless of advancing years. He then put players where they were best suited and worked hard building confidence… [Yet] the inescapable conclusion is that the owner does not agree, almost that he is restless unless the club is moving forward, like a dead-eyed shark. Hence the ever-changing roster of managers, the constant transfer market activity, the sense that nothing – and certainly not Saturday’s FA Cup final triumph, the fourth in six years – is good enough.

Di Matteo looks just the man for evolution, not revolution (Glenn Moore, Independent) It is evolution, not revolution, which is required at Stamford Bridge. Their dressing room has to be worked with, not taken on, but with a cadre of younger players coming through in Ramires, Gary Cahill, Juan Mata, John Obi Mikel and David Luiz there is no need to fight the older ones. They need merely to be assured they have a part to play and for those words to be followed through often enough in team selection.

Losers Liverpool

What now for Kenny? Dalglish set for talks over his Anfield future (Mirror) Chairman Tom Werner reiterated last week the manager has his full support, but stopped short of confirming Dalglish will be in charge next season. Despite a disappointing league performance after a season of rebuilding his squad, the feeling from within the club is that the Anfield legend should be given more time to effect the changes he believes are still necessary to turn his team into top four challengers.

Jekyll and Hyde: Liverpool have been two teams this season, admits Gerrard (Mirror)

Get In The Cameras

Carroll didn’t score but incident underlines loss of trust in officials (Graham Poll, Mail) The accuracy of the decision is no longer the issue; the loss of trust in the officials is. There have been too many high profile goalline errors this season. The result is a lack of trust in the ability of human arbiters to judge them accurately. Goalline technology cannot now be introduced quickly enough for all involved — it’s a question of credibility not accuracy.

Review Of The Season

Premier League 2011-12: Top 10 players of the season (Mail) With notable mentions to Vincent Kompany, Tim Krul, David Silva and Gareth Bale (who we just couldn’t squeeze inside the list) Sportsmail gives you the lowdown on the top 10 players of the season.

Eye On The Euros

Hodgson’s late booking offers prospect of thrills in Europe (Sam Wallace, Independent) So much of the new England manager’s preparation for Euro 2012 will be done on the hoof that the temptation is to write the whole thing off, but it is a personal view that it might not be as bad as all that. In fact, for once, it feels quite hopeful. Not in the sense that England might win it, more that a familiar burden has been divested.

Holt’s more than a target man and deserves his England chance (Martin Keown, Mail) Wayne Rooney is the only Englishman to score more Premier League goals than Grant Holt’s 14 this season and the Norwich striker showed again against Arsenal why he needs to be taken seriously. It is an unfair misconception that he is just a target man – he offers much more – and if I were Roy Hodgson, I would take a look at him in the two friendlies ahead of Euro 2012.

Lightning Holt: ‘Unfashionable’ Norwich striker waiting for England call (Mirror) Grant Holt is prepared to miss out on five weddings this summer if he is selected by Roy Hodgson for Euro 2012.

Transfer Gossip

Now Wenger has Clint in his eye (Sun) Arsenal will make the first move in the race for Fulham’s Clint Dempsey.

Ancelotti’s PSG eye a summer move for City striker Adebayor (Mail) The wealthy French club are prepared to meet Adebayor’s massive wages of around £170,000 a week, if City let him go for £12 million.

Come to the Lane! Van der Vaart tells £8m-rated Vertonghen to join Spurs (Mail) Manager Harry Redknapp this week admitted the 25-year-old defender was a player he admired, but he denied having made an approach for the Belgian.

Teenage kicks: United and Spurs set to do battle for Crewe youngster (Mirror) Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to battle with Tottenham for Crewe whizz-kid Nick Powell.

Swede dreams: Everton keeping tabs on Baggies defender (Mirror) Jonas Olsson’s Hawthorns contract expires at the end of the season and he is stalling on a new deal.

Give the Drog a bone (Sun) John Terry has urged Chelsea to thrash out a new deal to keep Didier Drogba.

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “You look at big players like Didier and Lamps — when it’s the big occasion, they always step up to the mark. It is incredible. The momentum we get from this will help us in the Champions League final. When the team have their backs to the wall, that is when we are dangerous. People can question us all they like but the hunger in the squad is incredible. The spirit has been excellent throughout.” – John Terry.

Runner-up: “It’s been an ­insane transfer market for a long time and I think clubs like City create that. They can buy all the players and put a marker on all the ­players and that makes it ­difficult for clubs then to be ­reasonable. There’s no chance of that calming down and I don’t see how the financial fair play can work. No-one can match City’s financial power – ­no-one. We have to accept that, so we do it a different way. We’ll try to look at young ­players with the potential to develop in the club, which we’re good at, so we’ll stay with that. We’ll assess where we are going in terms of players. We’ll no doubt be bringing players in. Maybe two or three, who knows? It depends on the type of market we’re dealing with and player availability. But Scholes and Giggs are coming to the end so it’s a fact that we have to guard against that. It’s difficult to think you can get a Giggs or Scholes falling off trees. Tom Cleverley has got fantastic potential and Michael Carrick has still got years left in him. But we’ll probably add someone to the squad. There’s nothing settled for Berbatov. We’re waiting for someone to make an offer. He won’t go for nothing.” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea win the FA Cup

Chelsea and Roberto Di Matteo kept in credit by bank manager’s call (Daniel Taylor, Observer) “There was the width of a cigarette paper in it. On the far side, a sunrise of a smile had broken out on Kenny Dalglish’s face. He was punching the air, convinced Liverpool had pulled level. Andy Carroll had begun his celebration run, pursued by his team-mates. An hour after the game, the striker was still arguing his header had gone over the line. At least this time, unlike Chelsea’s semi-final against Spurs, the officials got it right. It will go down as outstanding goalkeeping from Petr Cech aided and abetted by the eyesight of Andrew Garratt, the assistant referee, who kept his flag down as the ball ricocheted off Cech’s glove against the underside of the crossbar, down and out. Garratt, a bank manager from Walsall, got it spot-on and, half an hour later, the Chelsea players were giving Roberto Di Matteo the bumps in the goalmouth. It is turning out to be one hell of a job application Di Matteo is putting together for Roman Abramovich. The small print says: sacked by West Bromwich Albion, turned down by Birmingham City. The top of the page says: Champions League final and FA Cup victory. All achieved in two months.”

Didier Drogba proves his value to Chelsea is more than just as a Wembley talisman as he downs Liverpool (Henry Winter, Sunday Telegraph) “Oft criticised, oft written off, the Chelsea striker is now the first player to score in four FA Cup finals, the man who has struck eight goals in eight competitive games at Wembley yet he is still expected to leave Chelsea. The club need to answer a question from their fans. Why? Why let Drogba go? The talisman with the occasional tantrum in him always has a goal in him. The player who always seems to have the final word in finals does not have the final word in his Chelsea career. At 34, Drogba wants a two-year contract at the Bridge, which the club are loathe to offer as they seek to rejuvenate the squad. He is still a force, still a goalscoring threat, and still apparently booked on a slow boat or fast plane to China and the riches of Shanghai Shenhua. The way he kissed a post and touched the Wembley turf amidst Chelsea’s post-match celebrations looked like a man saying his farewells to a favourite venue.”

Rob is a special one… sign him up (Rob Beasley, Sunday Sun)

Kop fury at ghost goal (Shaun Custis, Sunday Sun)

Ramires key to Chelsea’s future after impressive FA Cup final display (Dominic Fifield, Observer)

Carroll cameo comes too late for lonesome Luis to use his craft (Glenn Moore, Independent on Sunday)

The title race

I’ve got doubts about Evra as United’s leader(Roy Keane, Sunday Sun) “In my view, Manchester United need to strengthen this summer. Not their squad but their team. We’re not talking drastic surgery here and I’m a little bit surprised about all of the doom and gloom around United. Sure, the last few weeks haven’t been good but they are still level on points at the top of the table and it won’t exactly be back to the bad old days if they do finish second. But it has been a frustrating season and, of course, Alex Ferguson has never been one to settle for second best. They were just that against City on Monday and I think it was the performance more than the result that really alarmed people. You were waiting for the late onslaught and a goal, like United have done so many times. But maybe we’re all guilty of living in the past.”

Even if they win the Premier League it is clear Manchester United are a team in decline rather than transition (Jim White, Sunday Telegraph) 

Fair play, City will make money as well as spend it (Steve Tongue, Independent on Sunday)

Wayne Rooney had a point about Manchester United’s spending power (Daniel Taylor, Observer)

Sir Bobby’s magic still inspiring Newcastle as statue is set to be unveiled (Joe Bernstein, Mail on Sunday)

Could Arsenal finish 5th?

Arsenal leave their fate in the hands of others (Jack Pitt-Brooke, Independent on Sunday) “This game, which could be Robin Van Persie’s last at this ground, told the story of his and Arsenal’s season. After watching so many dismal minutes he was very close to personally transforming failure into success. Van Persie’s efforts, though, were not enough. The draw against Norwich City means that Champions’ League qualification is no longer in Arsenal’s hands. Van Persie must have despaired. He was little more than a spectator for 70 of the worst minutes of football seen here this season, as Arsenal were outrun by Norwich before two more of his goals turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. It seemed to have delivered three crucial points, which would have secured Arsenal’s hold on third place. But Steve Morison’s strike, with five minutes left, ended that.”

Arsenal 3 Norwich City 3: match report (Sunday Telegraph) 

Roy Hodgson & England

Hodgson’s first job? To get the right backroom team (Gary Neville, Mail on Sunday) “No one can deny that it was a shock on Sunday night when it became clear that Roy Hodgson had been approached to be England manager. Everyone had been lured into thinking that Harry Redknapp would get the job, and that is who I would have picked as my candidate. But once the initial surprise had gone and you examined their records, and their strengths and weaknesses side by side, it was impossible to say that Harry Redknapp’s credentials were a million times better than Roy Hodgson’s. They were both good candidates offering very different qualities for the job, and you can make a good case for either. And though there has been a lot of negative reaction to the appointment of Hodgson in certain newspapers, I actually think that is going to work in his favour in rallying people behind him. When it comes to dealing with pressure, you don’t get much more in club football than managing Inter Milan and Liverpool.”

Hodgson has spent his career becoming perfect for England (Patrick Collins, Mail on Sunday) 

Is British football scared of brains? (Andrew Anthony & David Baddiel, Observer)

Gossip

You got the Luuk: Premier League big guns chasing FC Twente striker (Sunday Mirror)