Champions League Final preview – Barcelona

This Saturday will see Barcelona return to Wembley for the first time since winning their first European Cup triumph in 1992. It seems unbelievable that it took a club of the stature of Barcelona until 1992 to win Europe’s most prestigious prize. Since then they have won two further titles and go into Saturday’s game as favourites for the crown.

I can remember watching the game back in 1992. I watched it with my Dad who was explaining to me that Barcelona had never won the tournament etc. I can picture the moment when Koeman’s free-kick went in and won them the trophy. It began a fascination with the club that has grown since that moment.

The current Barcelona team are the best in the world currently and there is certainly an argument to suggest they maybe the best club side ever. They have the best player in the world and boast the three Ballon d’Or finalists this season in Iniesta, Messi and Xavi.

However, this side is a tired one and one that do look vulnerable. The rest they have enjoyed over the last fortnight could prove crucial in deciding the final. Against Real Madrid in the semi-final they looked jaded and some of their crucial players were a little out of form. They can be got at and I think it is imperative that United attack Barca rather than defending deep as Madrid did.

The side certainly boasts enough experience having reached two of the last three finals. Their manager Pep Guardiola is one of the best up and coming managers in the world and one thing is guaranteed; Barca will not change their playing style. The pitch at Wembley seems to have improved which will certainly suit their preferred method of attack. It is crucial that David Villa regains form as United have look seemingly impenetrable in this seasons competition.

I am sure that the Barcelona coaching staff will have told them to target Rio Ferdinand. For me he is the weak link in the back four; not because of his ability but his lack of mobility is a real problem. After watching him against Blackburn a fortnight ago the man cannot live with pace and against Messi and Villa he will need it.

After the unnecessary furore surrounding their semi-finals with Real I hope we see the football match everyone hopes to see. They are currently the best two sides in Europe, if not the world but Ferguson is sure to have spoken with his friend Mourinho about shutting out the likes of Iniesta, Messi, Pedro, Villa and Xavi. The little Argentian wonder kid has already scored 11 goals in 12 games in this season’s tournament and is only one goal away from breaking van Nistelrooy’s record.

It should be a showpiece final for all football fans to enjoy. Let us hope it lives up to it.

Blackburn’s fate to be decided at Molineux

Blackburn’s Premier League future will be decided one way or the other against Wolves at Molineux next Sunday. After taking an early lead through Brett Emerton they couldn’t quite hold out to take what would have been a crucial three points. With both Blackpool and Wolves winning the pressure will now be immense going into next week’s final game.

The line-up and formation employed by Steve Kean today was spot on. Using Brett Emerton and Martin Olsson as secondary full-backs paid off as Blackburn stopped Nani and Antonio Valencia causing any real damage.

Although Emerton was voted man of the match the stand out players for Blackburn were Jermaine and Phil Jones. The former arrived in January on loan from Schalke and has been an excellent addition to the squad. His energy and work rate have been so important for Rovers in recent weeks, although some of his distribution could certainly improve.

The later, Phil Jones is still only 19 but is fast becoming one of the most exciting English prospects around. After missing much of the season through injury he has slotted straight back into the side effortlessly. Whether Rovers go down or not I think he will be playing for one of the top clubs next season.

Next Sunday is going to be awful, there are no two ways about it! If the work rate and effort remains the same next week Blackburn should survive. However, in a season as weird and unpredictable as this one nothing can be taken for granted.

Premier League title is heading to Manchester United

This weekend should prove to be pivotal in the outcome of the Premier League title. In the early kick off on Saturday Manchester United found themselves two goals down only to win 4-2 after an incredible second half display. Their closest rivals Arsenal then entertained Blackburn in the late kick off but failed to win; the gap is now 7 points with 7 games to go, it is surely over.

There is almost something inevitable about Manchester United; their ability to fight back has separated them from the pack for many years now. As soon as they scored their first goal you just knew they were going to fight back and that is exactly why they will be champions this year.

Whilst there has been renewed optimism surrounding Arsenal’s title challenge in recent weeks they have failed yet again at the crucial stage of the season. Their performance yesterday was abysmal; they lacked the cutting edge and speed to create anything against a very average Blackburn team. It is genuinely quite mystifying after seeing them against Barcelona a month ago when they were outstanding and looked to be serious contenders for all 4 trophies.

It could not have been better for United, who are now able to focus on their Champions League games with Chelsea. It is by no means a vintage United side we have seen this season but they have still done enough and should surely now become England’s most successful club with their 19^th domestic title.

Robinson is England's number one

Almost every English football fan wants to sit down with Fabio Capello and discuss his views on the national team. I would want him to answer one question ‘How on earth can Paul Robinson not be in your squad?’ It is madness; I am not saying that Joe Hart is not good enough but Robinson is currently the best and most consistent performer in the Premier League.

Since signing for Blackburn Rovers in 2008 Robinson has been masterful and kept an impressive 13 clean sheets in the league last season. Having had an exciting start to his career at Leeds he moved onto Tottenham Hotspur where he played for 4 years with varying degrees of success. An error whilst playing for England against Croatia in 2008 epitomised his mixed fortunes over this period. It was Paul Ince who brought him to Rovers at a time when everyone felt he was finished at the top level.

He endured a tricky start to his Blackburn career but when Sam Allardyce came in as manager he seemed to instil the confidence he had been so short of. He has always been a wonderful shot stopper and has become far stronger at coming for crosses in the last 18 months. In 2010 he announced his retirement from International football having been overlooked by Capello for the England squad.

At a time when Joe Hart is having concentration issues and seems more interested in drinking with Gareth Barry it is unbelievable that Capello has not asked for a change of heart from Robinson. He is in my opinion the best English keeper around, Hart certainly has the ability and his time will come but for now Robbo is England’s number 1!

Ronaldinho to Blackburn

This title is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever written; just the idea of it makes me chuckle. Ronaldinho has graced Ewood Park in Pro Evolution and Football manager but seriously in real life??? Not a chance! Football has always been a game of ifs and buts (ask any Arsenal fan) but if this is what the Venky group has in mind for the regeneration of Blackburn Rovers they are deluded.

There is no doubt that Ronaldinho was once the finest player on this planet; his performance in the Santiago Bernebeu to earn a standing ovation from the Madrid fans was one of the finest spectacles ever witnessed. If he had been playing regularly at Milan and playing well I would be incredibly excited about the possibility of him arriving. In reality the once great genius has become a fading force among the footballing elite, the game has evolved and he has been left by the wayside. He will surely return to Gremio where he began his career 12 years ago; he will be the star attraction and will be given free rein to behave how he wants.

It is a statement of intend by the new Blackburn owners but one that is flawed in so many ways. Steve Kean is just starting his managerial career and they want to intrust one of the biggest playboys the game has seen over the last decade, a man who doesn’t train, parties all night and then strolls round the pitch. This is not what Kean needs. If they want to attract big names Rovers need young, hungry and gifted players who can take the club forward. The foreign owners seem to believe that a marque signing makes everything ok when in reality it would turn sour after a couple of weeks.

I am still utterly flabbergasted by what I am seeing at my club. We are sitting in mid table with 25 points so we should survive this season but I am becoming increasingly concerned with the future. Kean seems an impressive man when interviewed, he appears knowledgeable and forthright which is what we need at the moment. However, until we can get a clearer picture of exactly what the Venky’s intentions are I will be a nervous man.