Premier League Football Awards 08-09

It's been a brilliant 2008-09 Premier League season, with some mouth-watering signings in the summer, pulsating matches and all-round brilliance! And as the summer break is here, It's time to take a look at the highs and lows. To start, here's my awards for the players and managers who have impressed.

GOALKEEPER OF THE SEASON:

Jussi Jaaskelainen

The faithful Finn has been in the Premier League since 1997. And he's kept Bolton safe for many a year with his brilliant, athletic shot-stopping. He impressed again this season for me, keeping Bolton firmly safe, including a wonderful save late on this season. A big well done also go to Mark Schwarzer, Brad Friedel and Shay Given.

DEFENDER OF THE SEASON:

Brede Hangeland

The big dane made a big impression this season, with consistent performances and strong leadership qualities. He was integral to Fulham's march to Europe and it will be no surprise if he attracts the attention of some top clubs. Jose Bosingwa, Glen Johnson and Nemanja Vidic have also impressed me.

MIDFIELDER OF THE SEASON:

Stephen Ireland

An odd choice perhaps, but nevertheless a right one I think. Ireland has put in some top-class performances this season, and despite Man City being linked with every superstar under the sun, Ireland has got his head down and got on with it, scoring some important goals. Thumbs up go to Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ashley Young and Tim Cahill.

STRIKER OF THE SEASON:

Nicolas Anelka

A really tough one to call. But I've gone for Anelka despite a dip in performances in the second half of the season. However, finishing off as the league's top scorer he's scored some great goals and star of the show for Chelsea in some parts. Fernando Torres comes close, and so do Wayne Rooney, Robinho and Robin Van Persie.

MANAGER OF THE SEASON:

Roy Hodgson

Despite Fergie's triple trophy season and Hiddink's miracle, I've gone for Roy Hodgson who's quietly built his Fulham side into top-half winners. He's done very well since coming in, as well as some intelligent signings. Congratulations also go to Tony Pulis, Gianfranco Zola and Harry Redknapp.

FUTURE STAR OF THE SEASON:

Rafael da Silva

The Brazilian has done well to come in to the side because of Gary Neville's injury and has been important in some occasions. The eighteen year old will defiantly feature in Fergie's plans next season. Praise also goes to Jack Collison, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling.

BEST ELEVEN (4-4-2):

GK: Jaaskelainen

RB: G. Johnson

CB: Hangeland

CB: Vidic

LB: Evra

RM: A. Young

CM: Gerrard

CM: Ireland

LM: Ronaldo

ST: Anelka

ST: Torres

Taking a break

I will be taking a break from posting for a few weeks due to education commitments. Thanks!

"I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the world. But I was in the top one" Brian Clough

Thanks Guus

So as we say goodbye to the 2008-09 Premier League season, there is one man Chelsea will thank twenty times over. Guus Hiddink's time at Chelsea is over, as he returns to his post as Russia boss and he will be sorely missed by Chelsea fans. Personally, speaking as a football fan I thought what Guus did over that short space of time was incredible. When he took over Chelsea were a team of confused, down-hearted, selfish players. Now, after what he's done Chelsea are a changed team and they have an F.A. Cup to prove it. We now know that it will be Ancelotti who will take his place. But can he fill Guus's shoes? He has said he wants to return to English football one day. I think that's something I and a lot of other football would want. Cheers and Good Luck Guus.

Champions League Final Preview

So here we are. The Champions League Final 2009. And I think it's fair to say it's being contested by the two best teams in the world right now, despite what Chelsea fans might think. Champions of Spain - Barcelona and Champions of England - Manchester United. Are we all set up for one of the greatest finals of all time? Let's hope so. But In my opinion I think the better team is Man United, despite me being a commited Liverpool and personally disliking them. However, I have to admire the way they play, the calibre of players and of course their manager Sir Alex Ferguson. To compare with Barca, they are the better team. For one thing they have the best defence. Even if Abidal and Alves were able to play in the match tonight I would still rate Man U's defence better. Barca's looks vulnerable. I can see Rooney and Ronaldo terrorising Puyol and Pique. Which brings me onto the front lines. Barca's is impecable. Messi, Eto'o and Henry. Three of the best players in the world. And I know that everyone rates them so highly. Yet they have failed to shine against English opposition. Messi has never scored against an English team. It also explains why he was non-existant in the two legs against Chelsea. I think though Man United can match Barca's frontline just about. Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Tevez are all brilliant players. Plus Man United have much more experiance than Barca with the likes of Giggs, Scholes and Neville. Either way, It's a game everyone's looking forward too.

MY PREDICTION:
Manchester United 2-1 FC Barcelona

MY PREDICTED TEAMS:
FC Barcelona: Valdes, Pique, Puyol, Toure, Keita, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Eto'o, Henry.
Man United: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Park, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov.

Premier League - Final Day

So here we are. The Final Day of the Premier League. All 20 teams playing on one Sunday at one time. With the title already decided and the first relegated club being West Brom, 2 clubs out of Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland and Hull need to go down. Hull's season had a terrific start in the season, finding themselves in 6th place early on, and managed to get a magnificent result at Arsenal, thanks to Geovanni's free-kick, and by Christmas everybody had put strong bets on them staying up. But in the New year Hull slipped and slipped until they found themselves right in the mix with the rest. Middlesbrough's season never really got going, neither did Newcastle's, so it's not surprising they are down there. Sunderland found themselves in a fairly comfortable position for most of the season but as the season went on, they found it more difficult to get results, and also last the chance to secure safety on Monday by losing 3-1 to Portsmouth. Elsewhere, only pride is at stake. Arsenal face Stoke at the Emirates, Man City welcome Bolton. Blackburn play West Brom, Wigan play against Portsmouth, Fulham can claim a Europa League spot against Everton while Liverpool take on Spurs. Here's my predictions:

Arsenal 3-0 Stoke
Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle
Blackburn 2-0 West Brom
Fulham 1-1 Everton
Hull 1-0 Man United
Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham
Man City 1-0 Bolton
Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea
West Ham 1-0 Middlesbrough
Wigan 2-2 Portsmouth

MY FINAL TABLE:
Pld Pts
1. Manchester United 38-87
2. Liverpool 38-86
3. Chelsea 38-83
4. Arsenal 38-72
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5. Everton 38-61
6. Aston Villa 38-59
7. Fulham 38-54
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8. Tottenham 38-51
9. West Ham 38-51
10. Man City 38-50
11. Stoke City 38-45
12. Wigan 38-43
13. Blackburn 38-43
14. Portsmouth 38-42
15. Bolton 38-41
16. Hull 38-38
17. Newcastle 38-37
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18. Sunderland 38-36
19. Middlesbrough 38-32
20. West Brom 38-31


So for me, Middlesbrough are going down. I just can't see where they are going to get the goals from, there is just no quality in the side except for Tuncay and Downing. I do think however, Newcastle will stay up, with a narrow win at Villa. Newcastle have got more passion than the others, and more belief that they can do it. I think Hull will stay up, especially as they are playing what will probably be a Man United youth side. Sunderland will go aswell, I can't see them winning at Chelsea really.

I would also just like to spare a moment, to thank Sami Hyypia, for a wonderful 10 years at Liverpool. I wish him luck at his new club Bayer Leverkusen next season. Cheers Sami.

Premier League roundup - 16/05/09-18/05/09

As the final day of the Premier League draws nearer. Last weekend we found out who won the Barclays Premier League Title for 2008-09. A 0-0 draw with Arsenal was enough for Manchester United to snatch the title from Liverpool. Celebrations were beginning at Old Trafford, but a long wave from Carlos Tevez to the fans as he was substituted seemed like a wave goodbye to Man U. Elsewhere West Brom were finally relegated after putting up a real fight, after they were beaten 2-0 by a Liverpool side who realized that 2nd place was their destiny this season. After it seemed there was a light at the end of the tunnel for Newcastle United they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham, despite having a Mark Viduka goal disallowed. Middlesbrough gave themselves a bit more hope with a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, but the odds are still firmly stacked against them. Hull missed the chance to save themselves despite being so colse to taking the game from Bolton, who had Jussi Jaaskelainen to thank. Everton triumphed 3-1 over West Ham. There was a part atmosphere at the Britannia after Stoke won 2-0 against Wigan. While a Robbie Keane penalty helped Spurs to a 2-1 victory over Man City.



On Sunday, as I mentioned West Brom were relegated by Liverpool, and Chelsea won comfortably 2-0 over Blackburn in a laid-back game. Florent Malouda getting the pick of the goals with a powerful header. On Monday, Sunderland failed to cement a place in the Premier League next year after losing 3-1 against Portsmouth, putting them very much in the mix for relegation next weekend.

MY PREDICTIONS:
I GOT TWO RESULTS RIGHT AND ONE PREFECT SCORE

The Newcastle United Manager-go-round

I think it's fair to say it's been a season to forget for Newcastle United. With their Premier League position still not secure with the final day looming, it could get even worse for them. But whether or not Newcastle get relegated they will want to make a fresh start next season. To start from the summer, Kevin Keegan was the man in charge. Having finished 12th last season, I'm sure Newcastle thought that they could make a real fight for a place in Europe, and with signings from abroad like Jonas Gutierrez, Sebastian Bassong and Fabricio Coloccini, the squad was filled with experienced and quality players - despite James Milner being sold to Aston Villa and Emre to Fernerbache. But as the season began, things started to turn sour. First off, on September 2nd 2008, there were incredible rumours surfacing that Kevin Keegan had resigned or had been sacked by the Newcastle board, however the club later denied these reports. But then two days later it was confirmed that Kevin Keegan had resigned following several days of negotiations with the board. This shocked Newcastle supporters, who were distraught and angry at what had happened. They blamed the board, but mainly Mike Ashley, the club's controversial owner who loved to fit in with the Newcastle faithful by sitting with the fans drinking beer and wearing his Newcastle shirt. But now he was the villain of the piece. The fans protested outside the ground chanting and displaying flags and some even boycotted home games as they wanted Keegan back, and soon Ashley started to feel the pressure.

On the 14th of September, he announced his intention to sell the club, because of the opposition the fans had to his running of the club, 3 days later he was rumored to have rejected a £200m bid from a consortium from Dubai, wanting £481m instead. As an eventful September drew to a close Joe Kinnear was surprisingly named the interim manager of Newcastle, despite being out of work since 2004. Things didn't improve for Newcastle however, as the results didn't go their way. Defeats to the likes of West Ham, Blackburn, Tottenham and to rivals Sunderland meant that Newcastle saw themselves slipping lower and lower down the table as the New Year approached. On the 28th of November Kinnear was named as the manager for the rest of the season. Newcastle still weren't winning enough games but the fans settled with Kinnear, hoping that he could turn the season around by the new year. As well as this Mike Ashley called the sale of the club off for the time being, and it almost seemed that Newcastle were just trying to scrape through the 08-09 season, before having time to make radical changes in the summer. The January window gave Kinnear a chance to refresh the squad with Bolton captain Kevin Nolan joining up, with ex-Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands and Ryan Taylor from Wigan with Charles N'Zogbia going in the other direction. But another down point for Newcastle was when they lost star keeper Shay Given to Man City, after he'd fianally had enough. In mid-February, just as Newcastle seemed to be looking to get their season back on track Joe Kinnear underwent a triple heart bypass operation, it would keep Kinnear out of the managerial seat at St. James' for the rest of the season. This meant that Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood took temporary charge, with Newcastle fans thinking what - What next?

But as Toon Army supporters woke up on April Fools' Day, of all days they couldn't believe the headlines. Newcastle legend Alan Shearer had agreed to take charge of them until the end of the season. Many people thought the stories were false because of the date on the calendar, but the reports were confirmed by Shearer which put to bed all doubt. But could Shearer save Newcastle from relegation? We still don't know, but more defeats and draws meant that all wasn't bright despite a spirited 3-1 win over Middlesbrough which got people believing again. But as I said Newcastle aren't safe, far from it. They face a dog-fight with Hull, Sunderland and Boro, as two of the three teams will go down this Sunday. So, why are Newcastle in such a massive mess and can't get the goals the need? The players are all there - Martins, Viduka, Owen, Duff. But still not many goals were found, although injury plagued a bit of Martins, Owen and Viduka's seasons. But I think mainly it's because of the managerial changes. 5 managers in a whole season, all with different ideas and policies with the team, not to mention the turmoil behind the scenes. All is not helped either by Joey Barton's ridiculous conduct on and off the pitch. Newcastle need a miracle against Aston Villa, and I think they'll make it despite the hitches they have experienced. Next season, it could be all change, if Alan Shearer decides not to extend his stay and Joe Kinnear feels he can't come back to management. Of course, we are yet to see if one of the biggest football clubs in England, will remain in the Premier League....