Blues and United could trip up

NOW, I appreciate that, despite a couple of wins in five days at Croke Park, many of you retain reservations about the ability of Steve Staunton to lead the Republic.

But if you really want to feel down try following the fortunes of England.

I have to keep reminding myself that it isn’t only the form of England’s star players that will determine how well their remaining clubs fare in the Champions League quarter-finals this week. Thank heavens the likes of Ronaldo, Drogba and Alonso are also around.

Having said that, reaching ‘squeaky bum time’ in the tournament means optimism should be couched in caution. While I can advance any number of reasons why Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United can succeed in Athens in May, I can also see why each of them might trip up.

Valencia, for a start, are in the last eight because they are far less vulnerable than Barcelona or Real Madrid. They have in David Villa one of the most sought-after strikers in world football, someone who may well be playing in the Premiership at Anfield or Stamford Bridge next season.

How better to promote his cause than by helping knock Chelsea out? And Chelsea are struggling. While Shevchenko has found a bit of form, Drogba finds himself in a trough.

Injuries, too, to key players like Robben and Essien couldn’t have come at a worse time. I tip Chelsea with some trepidation.

It’s likewise with United. While I’m assured Roma are no better than an ordinary Italian side in, Inter Milan apart, an undistinguished Serie A season, I have a bad feeling about this game in the Olympic Stadium.

Suddenly United have been hit by injuries, with Neville and Vidic likely to miss the rest of the campaign and, while Ronaldo continues to dazzle, Rooney is badly misfiring.

There are, as well, worrying forecasts that there will be trouble in the Italian capital on Wednesday. United supporters have been told they’ll be locked in the ground for 90 minutes after the final whistle and they’ve been warned to avoid notorious trouble spots en route to the stadium where the local ‘ultras’ tend to jump on their victims.

The only tie I’m reasonably confident of being successful is Liverpool’s.

It was more to do with Arsenal’s failings that saw PSV eliminate Wenger’s team. They should have been put away at the Emirates and their Chinese left back — how I hope that he’s playing tomorrow night — is probably the worst player I’ve ever seen at this level. Without Alex, who’s injured, I can’t see them troubling Liverpool who’ve already beaten PSV in the group stage. Yet, Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman has a history of success against English sides.

There isn’t any damage, of course, that can’t be repaired in the second legs but I’ll be happiest if Liverpool and United score away goals and Chelsea make sure, whatever they do, that Valencia don’t score.

Alan Green is chief football commentator with BBC Radio 5 Live.