Angry Fans
GALWAY United have taken something of a gamble in the appointment of Jeff Kenna
as their new manager. Rooted to the bottom of the Eircom Premier League with only
a single point on the board so far means the former Republic Of Ireland International
will have his work cut out for him from the word go. His brief is straightforward:
keep Galway in the Premier League. Kenna was non-committal on whether or not sufficient
funds would be made available in July when the domestic transfer window opens.
It would be a real fairy-tale story if Kenna could keep Galway up at the
end of the season so good luck to him and the Galway supporters.
Yeah, good luck to Kenna and the
Tribesman — but I still think they were ridiculously hasty in getting rid
of Tony Cousins.
ALEX Ferguson might have dropped his gum in the tunnel
at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, but more importantly he could also have dropped
the Premier League trophy. Just what was the man thinking of playing a weakened
team against a fired-up Chelsea? It was arrogance of the highest order and it
has come back to bite him on the bum. As soon as I saw the team selection I knew
it was a mistake. You have to beat the opposition that’s in front of you,
and not worry about the next game. That will take care of itself.
JUST where was Drogba when the big balls
moment — the penalty — came along on Saturday afternoon? Ballack was
there wanting it. As one of the papers said today, Drogba may have won the battle
over who takes free-kicks outside the area, but it was the German who won the
war.
A LOT has been
made of Ferguson dropping Ronaldo on Saturday, but the Portuguese rarely has a
good game against Chelsea in general, or Ashley Cole in particular and I could
see why he did it. What is apparent from that game is that Nani is probably two
more seasons away from being an acceptable replacement; that Anderson is too young
and inexperienced to be pitched into a Premier League match like that; and that
Carrick is nowhere near the quality of a €23m central midfielder. Ferguson
got what he deserved. The word of the day is hubris. I also hope that those lads
from Tralee waving the Irish tricolour in the front row of the United section
in the Shed Upper not only enjoyed their trip to Stamford Bridge but also the
after-match entertainment that our ground staff organised for them.
WE’VE been hearing all season that Barcelona
is a busted flush, that Rijkaard is finished there, and that Henry is having a
miserable time. Me, after watching the game on Wednesday night, I’m worried.
Barcelona were quicker, more inventive, and had midfielders playing with intelligence.
I simply can’t see them not scoring at Old Trafford; in fact they could easily
get two. United are either going out or we’re in line for the game of the
season.
I THINK Saturday’s
contribution by Rio Ferdinand — lucky not to be sent off for mobbing the
referee and then, post-match, kicking a wall, missing it, and hitting a female
steward instead says everything we need to know about his credentials for international
captaincy, don’t you Liam?
Well, he subsequently handed over a bouquet of flowers
so at least he’ll be good in the exchange of pennants before kick-off. As
for Finbarr Lynch on tonight’s match at Old Trafford — ever thought
that United could go out and we could still have the game of the season? Mind
you, for all Barca’s possession in the Nou Camp, I don’t recall them
creating too many clear-cut chances. Still, United have to come out to play this
time so, if nothing else, this should be a pretty lively affair. Anything else.
Oh yeah, a red for Cork Blue, which he can wave when Liverpool reach the final.
I GUESS that Tottenham’s haste to sign Luka Modric from Zagreb before
the end of the season can only mean one thing . . . that Dimitar Berbatov is on
his way. I only hope that it’s out of the Premier League and over to Spain
or Italy. Not to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge, thank you very much.
Arsenal would be
okay then, yeah?
YOU’VE got to laugh at Johnny Giles sometimes.
When he was on the RTE panel the other night he was asked whether Manchester United
or Chelsea will win the league. “United” he said, without a second thought
“by five or six points.” I do wonder whether these pundits actually
go to football any more. Most people know that United have been playing poorly
recently. I still expect them to take the title . . . but “by five or six
points?” My old nan could make better predictions.
“My old nan”? That’s
no way to speak about Eamon Dunphy.
SO there are four Arsenal players
in the Professional Footballers Association team of the season. But the votes
are taken half way through the campaign. Which explains everything . . . because
they’ve all gone missing since February.
CAN’T really quibble with the PFA team of the year
. . . but David James ahead of Petr Cech with the vote being taken before Portsmouth
had even reached the FA Cup Final? That’s got to be nonsense hasn’t
it?
A
veritable calamity, you might say.
THE top of the table clash got the
headlines this weekend, but that game between Villa and Everton was fascinating
as well. I really think Villa have got what it takes to break through if they
can just make a couple of sensible signings this summer, and also hold onto Gareth
Barry. He’s doing a good job there on the quiet is O’Neill, as I always
thought he would.
Ecxuse me if I can’t come over all agog with excitement about
the doubtless pulsating race for a Uefa Cup spot.
Come on Liam . . .
who do you think’s going to win the big one? Will it be Toulouse or Munster
for you?
Too close to call, Mick, but given it’s a European cup final, I wouldn’t
rule out Liverpool .
NICE TO hear that Sven is safe “for now.”
He’s had a decent enough first season and introduced some good players (as
well as some bad ones). Taking six points off United’s not so dusty and he
should have the chance at another campaign with City.
Steve, you have no hope of ever
becoming a football owner/chairman if you continue to spout complete sense like
this. Have out Letter Of The Week prize by way of consolation.
IS goal
difference really the best way to settle a league title over 38 games? Very few
of the other main sports adopt this yardstick, and in Spain it’s based on
the head-to-head record between the main contenders (in which case United would
win 3-2). Given the number of weakened teams that are put out at various stages
of the season by various clubs there’s got to be a more rational way to settle
the argument.
I know! How about a play-off between the top two — a 39th step, if you
will — in, say, San Diego. It’s so crazy it might just work!
