Where do Arsenal go from here?

Once again, for the umpteenth year running Arsenal Football Club find themselves facing another trophy less season. The humiliation they suffered last week in the San Siro against AC Milan was repeated at the Stadium of Light against Sunderland on Saturday where they went crashing out of the FA Cup in an all too familiar show of disarray. The distinct lack of quality, aligned with a clear lack or purpose and leadership now means it is seven years since the club last won a trophy. For a club that consider themselves to be one of the top sides in Europe this is simply not good enough.

We all know that they of course lost two of their best three players last summer which would cause any side to enter somewhat of a transitional phase. However, the replacements that the current manager Arsene Wenger brought in before the season began are quite simply not good enough for a team with title aspirations. The season of course couldn’t have started any worse but did improve for a time; however, these recent results will no doubt be the end of their season and there is a distinct possibility that they could collapse again as they have done for the past two seasons.

It is not just the departures that have severely affected the club; the goings on behind the scenes appears to be approaching the farcical stage as reports emerging in recent days suggest serious financial mismanagement. Reports from the club suggest that the wage bill currently stands at £130 million a year which is hampering the club from signing new players because the club simply cannot afford to pay them. Two examples of this are Abou Diaby and Denilson who are both pocketing £60,000 a week; when you consider one is permanently injured and the other one has been sent to Brazil (in an attempt to sell him) this is truly staggering. It has also been revealed that the club employ 71 professionals who are all on the wage bill – 71! Something has gone seriously wrong at the club and a quick fix seems unlikely.

Another interesting and decidedly worrying fact is that the club only earn £14 million from their shirt sponsors. The modern day football world is primarily about making money and for a club of Arsenal’s stature I find this unbelievably incompetent; Liverpool, themselves in turmoil on the pitch, earn £40 million a year – and they don’t even play in the Champions League. How can these things be allowed to happen at a club who pride themselves on their financial prudence?

The problems on the pitch are there for everyone to see. They seriously lack the quality to remain in the top four this season and unless Chelsea and Liverpool’s malaise continues they will not finish in a Champions League place. The distinct lack of defensive quality is now beyond a joke and how they have managed to ignore this when it is clearly something that has hindered them for years must now be put down to ineptitude rather than anything else. The fans barrack Squillaci and others for their individual errors but collectively they stand and together they should all fall. The Belgian Thomas Vermaelen who was regarded as their stand out defender has looked hopeless recently and clearly didn’t deserve his £600,000 loyalty bonus last season (another shocking financial decision as he hardly played).

There is no doubt that Wenger was a fantastic football manager once upon a time but he is managing a sinking ship at the moment and failure against Spurs this weekend should signal the end of his tenure in my opinion. If he cannot galvanise his troops and instil more enthusiasm and effort they surely have to find someone new to develop a new team. However, with the astronomical wage bill and serious lack of quality who would want it?

We have all been lead to believe that Arsenal were going to be the example of how to run a football club off the field and this statement simply has no credibility at the moment. Unless something dramatic happens at the club in the coming months the on field problems could have a lasting effect on the club’s future. Everyone associated at the club called initially for patience but surely that is waring thin now, something has to change, and fast.

How good are Spurs?

This season must be the most enjoyable Tottenham Hotspur fans have had in recent memory; they lie third in the Premier League and look set to be involved in the European Champions League again next season, for only the second time. Having spent many years investing in youth the fruit of their labors is finally there to be enjoyed and the style of their football has probably been the best in the league so far this season.

During the summer they added the experience of Brad Friedel in goal, the rugged determination of Scott Parker in midfield and the much maligned Emmanuel Adebayor up front. All three signings have been integral to their success this season and playing alongside the likes of Gareth Bale, Ledley King and Luka Modric the club appears to be going from strength to strength. After a sluggish start to the season they then went on a ten game unbeaten run which was only ended by Stoke City in December. In January they strengthened their attacking options with the loan signing of Louis Saha from Everton.

Some of their attacking play in particular has been breath-taking; with Bale and Lennon on either wing and Adebayor proving to be an immense spear head the goals have come thick and fast but it has been the manor of them that has really made people sit up and take notice. Bale has been a revelation this season and has given them the balance on each wing that they have been striving for. The wingers have also enabled Spurs to allow Modric to truly express himself in the centre where the addition of Scott Parker has taken defensive duties away from the playmaker and allowed him to flourish.

However, the Premier League is an odd place this season with at least three of the supposed top sides going through somewhat of a transition. There is no doubt that Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are not at the level expected of them and there is even enough doubt to suggest that the current Manchester United team is not as strong as those we have seen in the past. At the start of the season Spurs lost convincingly to both sides from Manchester and are about to enter the crucial stage of their season. By the end of March they will have played Arsenal, Chelsea and United in the return games.

There is no doubting that Spurs are a side in the ascendance and thus are a rare commodity in the Premier League. Indeed, if it weren’t for Manchester City I genuinely believe Spurs could have won the title, as it is they look likely to cement third place in the coming weeks. However, there are several things they have to improve on if they are to mount a title challenge next season.

Both of their first choice strikers are on loan from parent clubs which means they could leave at the end of the season and not return. With Jose Mourinho expected to reappear in the Premier League next season Adebayor’s future could be in doubt after the two worked successfully at Madrid last year. It has made such a difference having a focal point who can hold play up and play in the likes of Bale, Lennon and Modric and having finally acquired it they don’t want to lose it.

It is imperative that someone tells Gareth Bale to remain on the left wing! Every time I have seen Spurs recently he is playing through the middle and it is not his area. He is at his best when he is steaming up the left wing and whipping a ball across the six yard box. There is a feeling he is being advised to play more centrally to score more goals but for the meantime it is detrimental for the team (and yes I did see the Norwich goal).

I do not intend to be disparaging about Spurs; they have been a breath of fresh air this season and it will be fascinating to see how they get on in the coming months. A couple of key signings in the summer could well see them established as one of the regular top four and with a new ground on the horizon the future looks bright for Spurs. It is however difficult to assess just how good they are at this moment in time.

City should remain positive

After last nights defeat in Naples Manchester City appear likely to be playing Europa League football in early 2012. It is not what Sheikh Mansour and company expected and wanted but could prove to be crucial for their development as a force in World football.

The club’s expectations have been realistic considering the huge sums of money invested in the club. They have accepted steady progress and playing in Europe’s lesser tournament will stand them in good stead for another assault on the continents most sought after competition next season. The club are making a mockery of the Premier League at this current moment but have not managed to replicate this in Europe, this time.

In time it could prove to be a blessing in disguise as it will give them the platform to learn how to approach big European ties next time around. Last season’s FA Cup triumph appears to have given the squad and the manager more belief in the project and a possible Premier League title will only further this. To go straight into the Champions League only to be drawn against Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal was unlucky but will have taught them much.

It seems unlikely to me that any of the other British sides would have emerged from this group and for a neutral it has actually made the tedium of the group stages watchable. Whilst glancing at the group leaders last week it was immensely predictable and also rather dull. This group has been fascinating and could yet still change in a fortnight with the final round of games.

The manner in which City are dominating the English Premier League this season is quite staggering and alarming for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. However, they have struggled away from home in Europe; the caveat however being that I don’t think many sides will travel to the Allianz Arena or the Stadio San Paulo and come away with anything. We have seen in previous seasons when expectations were sky high that the club have dealt remarkably well with short-term setbacks and I cannot see any difference with this scenario.

If Manchester City win the Premier League this season and have a successful run in the Europa Cup they will be able to attract almost anyone to the club. The defence is still the weak part for me and will prove to be so once the stakes are raised next year. However, every season the club have strengthened suitably during the summer months to be in a position to tackle the next hurdle the following year.

Although everyone associated with Manchester City may be feeling a little despondent this morning there is still so much reason for joy. The club have progressed at an incredible rate and they will be back stronger, hungrier and more determined next season, which is worrying for everyone.

Premier League Preview – the battle for 4th place

The battle for the elusive final place in the Champions League will be the most intense it has ever been and is likely to be between Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham. All three sides are only a couple of signings away from being serious title challengers but at this moment in time do not possess enough quality to worry the top three.

Since the return of Kenny Dalglish Liverpool has once again become a force in the Premier League. Their form at the end of last season was that of Champions and if they can start well they could be a force again. The key addition of Luiz Suarez was made in January and it will be intriguing to see how he develops this season; his partnership with Andrew Carroll will be pivotal to the club. They have strengthened in midfield by adding Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson which will certainly provide ammunition for the forwards. The key to Liverpool’s success at the end of last season in my humble opinion was the absence of Steven Gerrard. There is no doubting his importance to the club but the side appeared more balanced in his absence. The addition today of Jose Enrique will also give much needed support to the defence which will be important if they are to qualify for the Champions League again.

The goings on at Arsenal this summer have been rather strange and with the impending departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri it will be difficult for the club to remain amongst the elite. They have strengthened by signing Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but it is surely not enough. There is no doubt that Arsenal still have enough quality to match anyone on their day but losing their two best players is too much at once. If manager Arsene Wenger can bolster the squad before the end of August it could be different but the signs are not good. Last season they set their bench mark against Barcelona but then got nowhere near it as they capitulated yet again at the business end of the season. If they can keep Robin van Persie fit and go some way to replacing Fabregas they could be surprise package but with their start of the season looking so tough it could be a long season for Arsenal fans.

Meanwhile at Spurs the summer has been spent trying to offload players unsuccessfully and retain key players. There are a number of fringe players that they have tried to sell but they have demanded too much money which has effectively ended all interest. Their wage bill has to be lowered due to not being in the Champions League which means they cannot buy until these players go. Although they have been linked with almost every player in Europe there still appears to be no imminent new signings. With Spurs tending to conduct most of their business at the end of the window it could be a busy end to August.

It is almost unprecedented for the competition at the top of the league to be so close and it will be an incredibly interesting season for the clubs mentioned above. It will be very tough to separate Arsenal and Liverpool for 4^th and it is likely to be dependent upon who Arsenal sign in the coming weeks. The whole club needs a lift at the moment and Wenger has to deliver.

Premier League Preview – the contenders

The long summer is almost at an end which means only one thing, the start of the football season is upon us. Every football fan worldwide has been getting more excited by the day about the return of the Premier League. It has been a long three months but at 3pm on Saturday the wait is finally over.

It has been an interesting summer in terms of transfers for the leading sides in the Premier League. With 20 days to go in this transfer window there is still a way to go and the expectation is that several high level deals are still remaining. Whilst the three Northern sides, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have acquired several new additions the London teams, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have stuttered. Indeed the London clubs have spent most of the summer either trying to keep their best players or adjusting to a new manager.

Manchester United began the spending early this summer by signing David de Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young. All three additions are young and should form the core of the United team for the foreseeable future. This writer’s pick of signings would have to be Jones. At 19 he is already at ease in the Premier League and playing in the Champions League will only improve him as player. Whilst de Gea endured some misplaced criticism after the Community Shield he is still the second most expensive goalkeeper in history and will be between the posts at United for the next 15 years. Whilst there is some doubt over Young’s arrival from Aston Villa he has certainly gone to the best place if he is to hone his natural ability and fulfil his potential.

Manchester City have bought well and will be serious title challengers against their city rivals. The addition of Sergio Aguero from Athletico Madrid is excellent and it will be fascinating to see how he progresses in England. Only two years ago he was being likened to Lionel Messi and the general consensus is that he is ideally suited to the demands of this league. They also picked up Gael Clichy from Arsenal who will offer more pace than Aleksandar Kolorov and should prove a decent buy. Almost all summer the side have been linked with signing Samir Nasri from Arsenal but in David Silva they have one of the players I believe could be player of the year. After having an initial year to adapt he should be ready to show his class this season.

The manager’s position at Chelsea has changed yet again and they begin this season with Portuguese sensation Andre Villas-Boas. It is not the first time Chelsea have hired a successful coach from Porto and the fans will be hoping they have unearthed another football genius. The only real business Chelsea have done thus far is adding Oriol Romeu from Barcelona. It looks like being a positive signing as most La Masia graduates are remarkably good technically and physically. It is understood that they remain in the market to sign a creative midfielder and Luka Modric has been consistently linked.

I have written about these clubs in the order I believe they will finish this season. The signings United have made will enable them to easily manoeuvre the new players into the existing set up which will make them formidable. The recent speculation surrounding the possible signing of Wesley Sneijder from Inter would only make the league more of a formality if he signs.

The closest challengers I believe will be Manchester City. Now they are competing in the Champions League they are able to attract the next level of player which has made them significantly stronger than last season. The addition of Aguero should hopefully make them open up a little and we may finally see an attaching City side, although it is still relatively unlikely under Roberto Mancini. One feels that he has to deliver this season after another hefty outlay this summer.

Unlike many other pundits I generally feel Chelsea do have a chance in this title race but it is all depends on getting the best out of Fernando Torres. There are several key players at the wrong end of their careers at Stamford Bridge and if Villas-Boas can get el nino firing again they could be the surprise package in the top three. Defensively you would expect them to be sound but they have to buy another creative central midfielder if they are to get the best out of Torres.

This season promises much already and I will review the contenders for that elusive fourth place tomorrow. It is a position that will be the most sought after ever this season with Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs are fighting to qualify for the Champions League.

Transfer window looks set to be eventful

We are only eight days into the transfer window and already the whole football world seems to have gone a little crazy. With rumours circulating left right and centre the ability to tell fact from fiction is almost impossible. With the Premier League’s top six sides all set to spend heavily the domino effect will surely come; one big transfer will have knock on effects throughout the game.

Bizarrely the quietest side so far appears to be Manchester City who will surely spend huge sums again this summer after qualifying for the Champions League. It appears that Liverpool could be the first to splash the cash with Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson apparently very close to agreeing a deal. The rumour has the deal at £20 million which is staggering but after signing Andy Carroll for £35 million anything is possible.

Every window Spurs are linked with almost every possible player in world football and it certainly appears the case again. From Rossi to Lavezzi to Lassana Diarra all within eight days is the norm for the North London club. The club generally end up doing their business in the final hours of the window but maybe their Chairman Daniel Levy has changed his approach.

For the second summer in a row the issue at Arsenal appears to be who will be leaving. Their young French playmaker Samir Nasri is stalling on a new contract and some of Europe’s biggest clubs are rumoured to be hovering. However, it does appear to be more of a Rooney approach rather than a real desire to leave the club. The reports have stated that he has asked for the same money as the club captain Cesc Fabregas which is not unreasonable in my opinion. He was sublime in the initial months of last season having not featured in the World Cup and must remain at Arsenal if they are to challenge next season.

The current Champions Manchester United have already stated that they will bring in three players this summer. It is understood that the deal to bring David de Gea to the club has already been completed and they will surely look to strengthen their central midfield that was so exposed in the Champions League final. Their main rivals Chelsea must first address who will be manager next season; Guus Hiddink appears to be the obvious candidate and would represent a great addition to the club. However, they need youthful reinforcements for an ageing squad and most of that will depend on how deep Mr Abramovich wants to delve.

One thing is guaranteed; it will be an eventful summer.

United set to spend big this summer

This summer looks set to be one of the most active in recent memory as the top sides look to consolidate and prepare for next season. With Manchester City having finally won a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League they will definitely bring in some expensive stars. Meanwhile, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Spurs will also be spending big.

There are some key re-enforcement’s needed at United next season due to retirement. The goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is set to hang up his boots which will leave a huge hole in the United defence. Since his move from Fulham in 2005 he has been phenomenal; having already played at Ajax and Juventus his career was considered over when he went to Fulham but he has now become one of the stand out keepers in world football.

There has been much speculation surrounding David de Gea, the Athletico Madrid keeper. Although only 20 he has been identified as the successor and few would be surprised to see him turn up at Old Trafford this summer. He maybe young but has impressed Sir Alex Ferguson’s scouts on many occasions. After making some errors in replacing Peter Schmeichel he will not make the same mistake again.

Elsewhere midfield is certainly an area they are lacking in. There is no secret in Ferguson’s admiration for Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan who the press certainly feel will be brought in this summer. The creativity from central midfield is not what it was at United and this is probably the biggest signing. Whoever it is will have to replace Paul Scholes which will certainly not be an easy task.

One player who I feel maybe a United player next season however is Andre Ayew who plays for Marseille. He was one of the few players Ferguson spoke of very highly this season and has had a good season domestically and in Europe.

Having won the Premier League and possibly the Champions League United are in an incredibly strong position this summer. Whilst they have won trophies this year there remains a feeling that this side need something more. With Ferguson still in charge there is no doubt that the squad will be strengthened. It looks set to be an intriguing summer.

Fascinating summer ahead for Manchester City

It has been a long wait but Manchester City have finally won a trophy and have qualified for next seasons Champions League. This is where their owner Sheikh Mansour intends them to remain after injecting a fortune into the club. However, as Tottenham have found, it is one thing qualifying for the tournament, it is another thing staying in it for many years.

On the one hand it is great that the so called top four has been broken up, but on the other it highlights the fact that success can simply be bought. The monopoly that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have enjoyed has ensured that their wealth far outweighs any of their counterparts. However, with City and their bottomless pit of cash anything is now possible.

They have struggled to attract the top level players as they have lacked a Champions League place. With this now assured the spending could be astronomical this summer. In 2009 they had a £100 million offer accepted by Milan for Kaka only to be rejected by the player as he felt City was a step down. Following the outcome of this season anything is possible.

There have already been links to several of the World’s top players although some seem very far-fetched; Iniesta and Xavi for instance. But, one article I did read suggested that some of these players might want one last pay day and they can pretty much name their fee at City. Football has been a business for a long time now but even with UEFA’s new rules coming in the clubs will still act as they please.

City have made massive strides this season but the true test will come next year. It will be fascinating to see what they do over the summer; one assumes it’s going to be busy.

Liverpool continue to progress under Dalglish

The first few months of 2011 have been fantastic for Liverpool Football Club and their supporters. After enduring a horrible end to 2010 their side have gone on an impressive run since the return of Kenny Dalglish. He has won 30 points in 15 games in the Premier League that has lifted them to 6^th in the table and within touching distance of a European place.

It was a very strange start to the season with Liverpool’s new manager Roy Hodgson. He just never looked settled at the club and it was inevitable that he would go before the end of the season. The presence of ‘King Kenny’ would have been unsettling as well although the board should have appointed him over Hodgson initially.

The sale of Fernando Torres in January had to happen and it has made the club stronger. He looked unhappy and disinterested in the opening months of the season; it was rumoured that he asked to leave last year and was promised the chance last summer. However, with the £50 million they were able to buy Andy Carroll and Luiz Suarez who already look like forming a formidable partnership next season.

There has also been the emergence of several of the academy graduates who have settled into life in the Premier league effortlessly. There have been a number of impressive youngsters making an impact; John Flanagan, Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson and Jay Spearing amongst others. There is almost a feeling of Liverpool returning to the way they used to be managed; bringing through young players and adding some genuine quality alongside.

It appears likely that Dalglish will be appointed full-time manager by John W. Henry at some stage in the next few months. He has instilled a work ethic and pride back into the Liverpool players that was missing earlier in the season.

I believe it has also helped not having Steven Gerrard available. He is the Liverpool talisman but is not the player he was and forces the side to play in a particular way. His positional discipline is appalling and always has been; it lead to rows with Benitez when he was the manager as Gerrard would often do things his way rather than how he was instructed. It has given Raul Meireles more freedom which has brought the best out of the Portuguese International.

All in all things are looking good for the red half of Liverpool. With some good purchases this summer they should be back in contention for a place in the top four next season which is where a club of Liverpool’s stature should be.

United surely have one hand on the trophy

After Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford this afternoon the Premier League title is now surely within touching distance. They are now 9 points clear with 4 games remaining; surely the title is now theirs.

It has been one of the strangest seasons in living memory with the top sides continually dropping points. The title race has ended up going to the wire when it could and probably should have been decided many weeks ago. There have been more anomalies this season that any of the recent ones put together. Every time the title has looked over surprise results have been thrown up which has given their rivals more hope.

United now face Arsenal at the Emirates and Chelsea at home knowing that they require seven more points to lift the title. It could even be won at the Emirates (depending on other results) next weekend where Arsenal are on a horrible run. It will see United being crowned League champions for the 19^th time which will take them ahead of Liverpool and make them the most successful English club.

It is an incredible achievement for the club and most of the credit must go to Sir Alex Ferguson who has yet again proved what an incredible manager he is. It is by no means a great side he has this year but he has made them very difficult to beat. He must also take credit for the buy of the season – Javier Hernandez. He has now scored 19 goals in all competitions and looks set to be a United hero for many years to come.

Arsenal’s title hopes all but gone

Justice was done this afternoon at the Emirates stadium where Arsenal conceded a last second penalty to deny them victory over Liverpool. The home side had huffed and puffed but failed to offer anything convincing until Spearing brought down Fabregas in added time.

The converted penalty by Robin van Persie was their first league goal at the Emirates since 23^rd February. It is ironic that as their away form has improved, their home form has fallen to pieces. Currently they lie six points behind Manchester United in the table which is exactly how many points they have dropped at home in the last three games.

Nothing should be taken away from Liverpool though who battled and contested throughout. There was real danger on the break from Dalglish’s team who look full of confidence after their impressive victory over Manchester City last Monday. Their new look striker partnership looks as though it cause defences a lot of problems next season. The impressive Jay Spearing cleaned up everything in central midfield and Lucas, who was highly criticised under Hodgson, was magnificent.

There were too many average performances from the Arsenal side this afternoon. Their captain, Cesc Fabregas had a poor game for someone of his ability. Their central midfield three of Diaby, Fabregas and Wilshire were completely overrun by Liverpool until Wenger put Wilshire at the base of the three. The Frenchman Abou Diaby simply looked terrible; for someone so big and athletic he moves around the pitch too slowly and offers nothing defensively or offensively.

The real let down again was Theo Walcott. Time and again Arsenal fans have said how much better he is this season; I just cannot see it. He was screamed at by van Persie in the first half when he smashed his cross straight at Reina rather than passing to the Dutchman. Being a winger can be tricky on occasions; you are told to put the ball into the area of uncertainty for the defence (between the penalty spot and the six yard box) if there is no obvious ball. Something Walcott has done this season is follow that, but, unfortunately he does it all the time now. I have said before he lacks vision and a basic football brain and unfortunately both of these traits were on display today.

Unless something dramatic happens at Manchester United it is now 6 years since Arsenal won the a trophy, the question is now, what does Stan Kroenke do next??

Ferguson gets it wrong twice in a week

It is incredibly difficult to criticise Sir Alex Ferguson, after all, he is probably the best manager there has ever been- but I am going to. In the games against Chelsea and Liverpool this week he has got things wrong which have resulted in them losing their grip on the Premier League title.

This season’s United side is not a vintage team; to be fair it is probably one of the worst Ferguson has managed during his tenure at the club. They are resolute and hard working but lack the creativity and ability of previous teams. One thing he has done brilliantly though is make them resolute and hard to beat. In normal circumstances both domestically and in Europe he lines up 4-5-1 which allows them to strangle the midfield and hit sides on the break.

For some reason against Chelsea and Liverpool he has opted to play 4-4-2 away from home with Paul Scholes as one of the central midfielders. Now Paul Scholes has been one of the best central midfielders for the last decade but no longer has the speed to play as one of a two man partnership. Earlier in the season against Arsenal and Liverpool they employed the 4-5-1 formation which enables Scholes to use all his wizardry while his colleagues Fletcher and Carrick patrol the centre of the pitch. In turn this also frees up Nani and Rooney who are then able to roam in support of Berbatov.

At Anfield this afternoon and at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday we have seen United playing in a game where they have had no foothold in midfield. This has resulted in Rooney becoming more and more subdued and in the end today consigned to the left wing after Nani’s injury. It must have delighted Kenny Dalglish to see Rooney patrolling the touch line; 30 yards from where he needed to be to hurt Liverpool.

The title is by no means lost after this week but they have let the chasing pack catch them. They now face a tough trip to the Emirates in May followed by the return of Chelsea in order to win the Premier League. Whilst this is certainly not beyond Manchester United they must go back to doing what they do best, they certainly haven’t done that this week.

Anfield game could have huge bearing on Premier League title

The game on Sunday between Liverpool and Manchester United should go some way in determining the Premier League title this season. Having lost at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night United have to come back and make a statement of intent. With their captain Nemanja Vidic suspended and Rio Ferdinand still doubtful it will be a very tough game.

It has by no means been a vintage United team this season; they have struggled at points and have looked short of their usual high standards. The game at Anfield could also see Andy Carroll make his debut which would make Ferdinand’s return imperative. Since the return of Kenny Dalglish Liverpool have improved significantly and are still very strong when they play at home. Their other new striker Luis Suarez is still acclimatising to life in England but has looked very sharp in his appearances thus far and will surely be fired up for his first game against United.

The title is still in United’s hands but another set back could begin to sow seeds of doubt within the squad. They still have to play Arsenal and Chelsea amongst other games so need to ensure they pick up points at the weekend. With Arsenal having the easiest run in another slip could prove costly and Ferguson will be conscious that United do not want to travel to the Emirates needing a victory.

These games are usually very fiery and the visitors are sure to receive a hostile reception. With both clubs sitting on 18 league titles Liverpool will be determined to put a dent in United’s quest for the record this season. It should be a cracker.

The transfer window

This week Eddy Lascellles takes a look at the impact the January Transfer

Window can have on the remainder of a season.

The transfer window - love it or loathe it can have a profound impact on a
season. This weeks rounds of games has highlighted that more than ever
before with no less than 3 debutants scoring in victories for their new
clubs. John Terry also spoke this week of the "buzz" that Torres and
David Luiz signing have created in the dressing room. Cue a very
impressive victory at the tricky Stadium of Light where, perhaps now
concerned for his place, Nicolas Anelka, gave a master class up front.
Chelsea's two new superstars haven't even kicked a ball yet and they've
already made an impact!

Up to this point Liverpool have had what can only be described as a
season horribilis, however after last nights win against stoke they're
7th in the table and only 2 points off a European place. Luis Suarez had
a dream debut and should add an extra dimension to their attack. How
successful his partnership with Andy Carroll will be only time will
tell. On paper it looks great - the speed, skill and guile of Suarez
with the strength, power and finishing of Carroll. Premiership defenders
won't expect an easy ride from them and in Carroll Liverpool have by far
the best young English striker, and they always cost a premium!

Similarly to Liverpool, West Ham have had a shocker of a season to date.
A board intent on sacking their manager, the diabolical and
embarrassing public courting of Martin O'Neill and a series of abject
performances which saw them bottom at Christmas. They became the latest
club to hear the oft-used phrase of "the team bottom at Xmas always goes
down". However a good win at Bloomfield road on Wednesday has lifted
them off the bottom and only a point from safety. The addition and
impact of Robbie Keane and Wayne Bridge should be enough to kick stat
their season and steer them clear of a season back in the championship.

We have also seen the impact that Darren Bent has already had at Villa
(2 goals in 2 games) and a debut goal for Daniel Sturridge at Bolton.
The transfer window makes for a more unpredictable and exciting league.
A season is a long hard marathon where very few teams remain consistent
throughout (Notable exceptions would be the Arsenal invincibles,
Mourinho’s Chelsea, and Derby in 2008 - who were consistently awful).

A clubs activity in January can often define their season and be the
difference between safety and relegation, mid table and European places
or in Chelsea's case Europa league and a potential treble. We watch
this game for the twists and turns, the surprises and the upsets. As
fans of our clubs if nothing else we have hope. For many this hope comes
in the form of the January transfer window!

Chelsea and Liverpool dominate

The transfer window slammed shut last night on one of the most extravagant days in recent memory. Some realistic figures were paid and received but most of the talk has surrounded Andy Carroll’s £35 million plus transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool. The Merseyside club’s hand was forced the day before when Fernando Torres submitted a transfer request to ease his move to Chelsea. This development coupled with the arrival of Luis Suarez will give Liverpool a new look strike force that should do well in the Premier League.

Although many people complain about the money involved in football I think the purchases Chelsea made yesterday were the most notable and needed. The addition of Torres is the clearest indication yet that Abramovich is not finished building his empire in West London. The price tag of £50 million is staggering but they have gone out and brought proven quality at a time when the side has struggled for the first time in years. The term World Class is banded around far too often for in my opinion El Nino is class; it will be fascinating to see him playing with quality players again after a torrid year at Anfield.

Their other addition was David Luiz who has attracted interest from Europe’s elite since joining Benfica in 2007. He is a big strong defender who also has considerable pace which has been severely lacking in the Chelsea back four for a while now. At 23 years old he is also someone they can build the team around for years to come. Again the price tag is hefty but this looks to be a very sound investment.

The biggest shock of the window was certainly Liverpool’s acquisition of Carroll, not so much the player himself but the amount of money he ended up going for. There is no doubting that the player has potential but to pay that much reeks a little of desperation. Having said that though who else is about? There seems to be a shortage of top level strikers around at the moment. His new strike partner will be Luis Suarez who arrived from Ajax for £22.7 million. English clubs have been a little wary of purchasing prolific strikers from Holland after Kezman and Kuyt proved to be goal shy but it looks a shrewd investment. He has scored goals for fun for Ajax and looked to be a good player in the world cup last year.

All in all everyone from player to manager to fan will be relieved this window is now closed. It will be very interesting to see if Chelsea’s and Liverpool’s fortunes can be turned round with just under half the season remaining. Chelsea have to play the undefeated Manchester United twice which will probably decide the title. They are certainly back in the title chase and sides have made up larger points differences before. As for Liverpool a European finish should be achievable now but much will depend on their two new strikers. Only time will tell……

How low can you go?

The situation at Liverpool is one which is worrying players, fans and owners alike. This once great club has been on a downward spiral for the last 18 months and the question most supporters are asking is, how bad can things will get? Rafa Benitez is still remembered very fondly by most fans but his increasingly strained relationships with Hicks, Gillet and other board members made his position untenable. In addition to this his poor use of transfer funds and (in the last 12 months) bizarre behaviour led to his downfall. In fact you could look back as far as January 2009 when it all started to go wrong when he gave his now infamous press conference rant aimed at Alex Ferguson and the apparently lenient approach officials take towards United. Liverpool were top of the table and genuine title contenders for the first time in 17 years. It was mind-games from Rafa and it back-fired dreadfully and ultimately led to his sacking. The clubs financial situation then became front-page news and the appointment of the affable but ultimately low-budget, low maintenance Roy Hodgson reflected that. In fairness to Roy he joined a club in turmoil, and whilst he never managed to get his team to hit the heights the fans expected, he was always living on borrowed time.

What they should have done next is to get a manager with the direction, ambition and conviction to take Liverpool back to where they belong. There is an outstanding list of top managers currently not in employment: Rafa Benitez, Frank Rijkaard, Sam Allardyce and Martin O’Neill. Martin O’Neill would, for me, be the stand out candidate. It would surely present him with the opportunity that he has always wanted – to manage one of the countries top teams, and Liverpool get a proven top manager for free! Everyone’s happy! But what did they do instead? The worst kept secret in football was that Kenny Dalglish was hovering above Roy Hodgson’s head like the blade of a guillotine waiting for his opportunity to get back in charge. It was predictable and full of romance, but how can you expect someone who has not worked at the sharp-end of football for the best part of 10 years to know about potential targets and training systems as one of the above mentioned managers would? After all the club and football world have moved on immeasurably since 1991. The cynic in me believes Kenny’s return will be destined for mediocrity and is little more than a public relations stunt by owners who don’t know football and don’t really know what they’re doing. Bring a legend back to the club and it will keep them happy! The situation is strikingly similar to another “Kings” return home a couple of years ago when Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle. Actually there are many similarities: “the fans choice”, unpopular former manager, owners who don’t understand football, a disgruntled home support, and well-documented financial problems. What happened to Newcastle that season? They were relegated. If it wasn’t for the astute management of Chris Houghton during their season in the Championship their stay outside the top-flight could have been far longer, a la Leeds.

I’m not suggesting that Liverpool will get relegated this season; any team with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard in it shouldn’t ever be embroiled in a relegation battle. However what happens in the summer? Can a player of Torres’s class and ability really be expected to spend a second consecutive season in the (at best!) Europa League? Will Gerrard - 33 next season - think his chances of silverware greater elsewhere than at his beloved Liverpool? Realistically you wouldn’t expect Liverpool to be back competing at the top for another 2 or 3 years – especially with the emergence of Spurs and Man City as credible top 4 sides - which will prove too long for both Torres and Gerrard to wait around. If they are sold, who would they be replaced by? Similar quality players would be nigh on impossible to attract for a club outside the Champions League.

Most people can see the warning signs of a club in decline and the only way to prevent it is by making the right decisions for the clubs long-term future, the problem with foreign owners or people who don’t understand our game is that they think “Doing a Leeds” is some kind of neat counter-attacking move. Someone would do well to educate John Henry of once mighty clubs who have fallen, otherwise he could well be the owner of the next one!

This piece has been written by Eddy Lascelles specifically for HuntersWorldOfFootball