Other Premier League Awards

Best Save: Craig Gordon - Sunderland vs Birmingham

Quite how Gordon kept out Zat Knight’s header from practically on the line I will never know. I’m not sure the keeper himself knows, but he managed to push the ball over the bar from less than a yard out at point blank range. Incredible.

Best Celebration: Jimmy Bullard - Hull vs Man City

Bullard has always had a cheeky side to him and it was definitely shown in this celebration, recreating Phil Brown’s telling off of his players on the pitch at half time in the reverse fixture. Apparently the players agreed if anyone scored then they would do it, but it had to be Jimmy who did it. Even Brown saw the funny side.

Best Goal: Paolo Di Canio - West Ham vs Wimbledon 

There’s not much that can be said about this goal that hasn’t already be said. An example of pure technique. You could watch this goal over and over and over and not get bored of it. Magical.

Best Player: Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)

The Welsh Wing Wizard is truly one of the game’s all time greats. 13/14 Premier League titles. Played and scored in every single season of the league, is there really any contest to his crown as the best player to have graced the Premier League? Giggs has transformed himself from a pacey winger who had the ability to take on people and beat them 9/10 to a composed centre midfielder who can weight a pass as perfectly as you could ask for, still with the legs to go on some of those trademark runs. The only player ever good enough to not need use of both feet. Remarkable player.

Team of the year

Goal Keeper: Michel Vorm (Swansea)

It was a close call between Vorm and Joe Hart. Whilst the latter has kept more clean sheets, he sits behind a title contending defence. Much was made of the departure of De Vries to Wolves in the summer as he was sensational for the Swans in their promotion last season but Vorm has come in and made everyone forget his countryman. His handling, shot stopping and footwork are all immaculate and some of his saves this season have been nothing short of exceptional. Saved Swansea numerous points throughout the campaign.

Right Back: Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Walker has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. Tottenham saw how he performed for Villa in the second half of last season and decided loaning him out again would be foolish. Full of energy, he has made countless runs down the right flank and contributes to most of Tottenham’s attacking play. Having said that, he knows how to make a tackle too and his work rate is to be admired. A must for the Euros in the summer having eclipsed both Glen Johnson and Micah Richards this season.

Centre Back: Vincent Kompany, Captain (Man City)

For all of Man City’s attacking flair and expensively assembled front line, Kompany is the stalwart of the team. City struggled when he has been absent this term through both injury and suspension, and I’m sure Roberto Mancini will tell you the one player he would play without fail every game if possible is Kompany. He is the complete defender, heading, tackling, pace, positioning - all fantastic. The best defender in the league, and a fantastic captain to keep the egos at City in check.

Centre Back: Jonny Evans (Man Utd)

When Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for the majority of the season, there were debates about who would replace him and whether Sir Alex would dip into the January transfer window to sign a replacement. Ferguson knew along that there was no need for such panicking. Evans has come into the team and played like he’s been United’s first choice centre back for years. One of the most composed defenders in the league, he is clearly relishing the chance of learning from Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, and is often a threat in the opposition box from set pieces. A fantastic season from a player who has taken time to develop but is finally showing his true potential. 

Left Back: Leighton Baines (Everton)

Another brilliant season from Baines. One of the most consistent performers in the league who has once again shown that he is not only a brilliant defender, but is deadly from set plays. A tad unfortunate that he is playing at the same time as Ashley Cole, otherwise he would be one of the first names on the team sheet for England. A must for the Euros again. 

Right Midfield: Antonio Valencia (Man Utd)

Explosive, Powerful, Pacey. All words that cannot be exaggerated enough to describe the Ecuadorian. He has put countless amount of crosses in this year, many of which have been turned into goals. He went straight into the United team when he returned from injury, showing how valuable Ferguson thinks he is considering the early season form of both Ashley Young and Nani. Much more of a team player than Ronaldo ever was, for a fraction of the price. If he had been fit all season the title race may well have been over earlier.

Centre Midfield: Scott Parker (Tottenham)

Signing of the summer, hands down. How someone like Parker can go for £5m is a mystery to me. He has improved the Tottenham side drastically, bringing balance to a fantastic attacking team. His discipline is second to none and his ability to time a tackle is sensational. His importance to Tottenham was outlined when he was rested against Norwich, a game which Spurs went on to lose 2-1 after been overrun in midfield. Perhaps goes unnoticed sometimes as he doesn’t score many goals, but much like Kompany, his value to the Spurs team cannot be underlined enough. The current best English centre midfielder.

Centre Midfield: Clint Dempsey (Fulham)

WHY did Arsenal not sign him in the summer? There is now no debate whatsoever as to who the best American to play in the Premier League is because it is Dempsey without a doubt. He has great shooting technique and is a tremendous header-er of the ball. Without his goals Fulham may be in a slightly less comfortable position this year. Would fit into any top four team with ease, and Fulham will do well to keep hold of him for yet another year. The Champions League must be appealing for the Yank. 

Left Midfield: Gareth Bale (Tottenham)

Explosive, Powerful, Pacey. Much like Valencia, but left footed. Bale has had another extraordinary season for Spurs. His highest goal and assist tally so far points to this fact. Harry Redknapp says that one day he will revert to left back, but with performances like the ones he has produced this season I see no reason for him to move anywhere apart from that left wing. Leave him one on one with a defender and there’s only ever one winner. Leave him one on two with defenders and often there is still only ever one winner. He has added trickery to his bursting pace and it is no wonder the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are sniffing around.

Striker: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

After starting the season brightly and then going quiet around Christmas, Rooney has re-emerged again and continued a sparkling season. Scoring over 30 goals in one season is an excellent return for any striker and Rooney has yet again delivered. His technique when striking a ball is unrivalled and even when he has an off game he still has the capacity to be the best player on the pitch. Missing him for the opening two games is a gigantic blow to England in the Euros. 

Striker: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)

What else needs to be said? van Persie has been nothing short of sensational this year. There aren’t enough positive adjectives to describe VP’s season. His scoring record this year has been up there with the best in Europe this year, bettering a goal a game which has only been achieved by Messi, Ronaldo and Mario Gomez. Truly talismanic to Arsenal, more so than Fabregas was before his departure. If he stays at Arsenal then he will surely write his name into Gunner’s folklore with the likes of Henry, Wright and Bergkamp. van Perise has clearly always had the ability in the past, his main problem being injuries but this season he has remained fit and shown everyone what a fantastic player he is.

Bench:

Joe Hart (Man City) - Probably the best overall keeper in the league, only beaten here by Vorm due to the quality of team in front of him. Most clean sheets in the league this year, his concentration to make vital saves when having nothing to do for 89 minutes is a sign of how good he is.

Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle) - Newcastle’s defence has surprised everyone this season and Coloccini has marshalled it beautifully. In previous seasons he has been slighlty rash and raw in his play, but he is fast becoming one of the best centre halves in the league.

Patrice Evra (Man Utd) - United have so many Mr. Consistent’s in their team and Evra is yet another one. An excellent captain and the highest assist provider for defenders this season.

David Silva (Man City) - David Silva has simply sparkled this season. The most intricate passer in the league, his vision is wonderful. Unfortunate to be Spanish as he would stroll into any national side twice over before most midfielders. Key to any future titles that City want.

Stephane Sessegnon (Sunderland) - Sessegnon has had a marvellous season. He has created the majority of Sunderland’s goals this season and it would be a surprise if bigger clubs don’t come calling in the summer. Top player.

Scott Sinclair (Swansea) - Sinclair is developing into the player he looked like he could be when he burst onto the scene as a teenager at Chelsea. After losing his way a little there after several loan spells, he seems to have settled in Swansea and suits their style of play to a tee. With pace, trickery and an eye for goal, Sinclair has a bright future.

Sergio Aguero (Man City) - The only Argentine City fans worship now. Torres begged Rafa Benitez to bring his former team mate to Liverpool to no avail, and after his season you wonder why Benitez ignored him. Aguero has been prolific this season and has the work rate to match. Could have easily made the starting XI.

Squad:

Tim Krul (Newcastle) - Newcastle fans aren’t missing Shay Given for a reason. Krul has made some fantastic saves this year.

Ashley Williams (Swansea) - Along with Vorm, one of the main reasons Swansea haven’t let many goals in this season. Excellent marshal of the South Wales side’s defence.

Neil Taylor (Swansea) - A previously undiscovered gem. Neil Taylor defends well, attacks well and passes well.

Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) - It is no coincidence that Arsenal’s early slump was during his absence. Improved the Gunners drastically at the back.

Paul Scholes (Man Utd) - If Scholes had been playing all season it would be hard to exclude him from the starting XI. No one dictates play like him in the Premier League. Unrivalled passing ability.

Alex Song (Arsenal) - Song goes about his business quietly in the Arsenal midfield but is key to their play. Breaks up the opposition play superbly. Also has an almost telepathic understanding with van Persie, assisting many of his goals this season.

James McClean (Sunderland) - A true diamond in the rough. One of the bargains of the century at £300,000, great credit must go to Steve Bruce for spotting his talent and Martin O’Neill for nurturing it. Will be even better next season.

Antony Pilkington (Norwich) - Has come straight into the team from League 1 Huddersfield and doesn’t look a foot out of place. Asides from Lampard, he is the highest scoring English midfielder this term.

Papiss Cisse (Newcastle) - Like Scholes, Cisse would have a great shout for the starting XI if he’d been playing all season. 10 goals in his first 9 games speaks for itself. A fine successor to the no. 9 shirt on the Toon.

Demba Ba (Newcastle) - Whilst Cisse has taken the limelight since January, before it was all about Demba Ba. Goals galore for the Senegalese. Newcastle will have to be careful to keep him for next year with his buy out clause. Why didn’t Stoke buy him when they had the chance?

Yakubu (Blackburn) - Has scored goals all season in a team that has struggled for form. The sign of a great goal scorer surely when you can score even if your team plays badly.

The Swans are flying

Swansea’s first four games in the Premier League all had a common denominator that manager Brendan Rogers would have been sick of seeing. All of their results have ended in Swansea - 0.

Four games is a very long time to not register a goal in any league, especially at the start of a season, especially for a promoted club. Promoted clubs want to get off to the best possible start to lay a foundation to retain their Premier status. Not scoring is not the way to do this.

A 3 -0 win over West Brom today then, will have eased Rogers’ and fan’s anxiety alike. A penalty gave Scott Sinclair the chance to score the first ever goal outside of England in the Premiership which he took confidently and set Swansea up to push on. Further goals from Lita and Nathan Dyer will give vindication to Rogers’ methods.

Last season Swansea were known as the Arsenal of the Championship, playing a crisp passing game focused on possession and probing. Rogers has not wavered from his philosophy after the promotion, insisting that his team have been playing the right way and would reap the rewards sooner rather than later. Against WBA, the Swans continued this style of play, retaining possession well, and showing they aren’t afraid to go back in order to go forward if nothing is on. The ball was switched well from left to right and vice versa when options were limited on one side. In Sinclair and Dyer, they have two pacey and tricky wingers who can cause problems for full backs, and stick to the touchlines, widening the pitch which enables Swansea more space on the pitch for their passing game.

Sinclair really came into his own last season, scoring 27 goals in total. He was always considered a talent at Chelsea, but after a series of loan spells at various clubs, the move to Swansea seems to have been a fantastic career choice. After playing impressively in Swansea’s previous games this season, he has opened his tally for this season and getting into double figures should most certainly be within his sights.

The system Swansea plays also suits Sinclair well, along with the way they like to play football. A 4-3-3 formation allows maximum width, whilst also packing the midfield to win the ball back and get it moving again. A solid back four provides the backbone to this, and a couple of 0-0 draws this season have shown that Swansea have the capability to defend well.

Perhaps if the Swans can continue to score as they did today, they can make a real mark on this league. We know they can defend already, a mentality installed into the team by Paulo Sousa prior to Rogers’ take over and this has continued throughout his reign. If Rogers’ can find a way to combine these two aspects of his team, maybe Wales can be represented in England’s top league next year too. 

Back to Winning Ways

Carlo Ancelotti must be feeling a sense of relief after Chelsea’s 2 - 0 win over Blackburn this weekend. The pressure was mounting on the Italian after the club were in the middle of their worst run under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, and for 14 years in fact.

After securing only 10 points from a possible 30 before the visit of Blackburn, the pressure had reached a level it rarely does at Chelsea, and sooner or later something had to give - either the team’s poor form or, most likely, Ancelotti’s job.

Some say Ancelotti is lucky to still be at the helm of the Premier League Champions. At a first glace this may seem like quite a snap judgement, but Abramovich is a man who is easily displeased it would seem. Under Chelsea’s last manager, Luis Felipe Scolari, the team were suffering a similar spell, but it had not continued as far as the current patch had. Nonetheless, Scolari got the sack and Gus Hiddink was drafted in. Ancelotti has been given more time than his predecessor, which only seems fair.

In his first season at the club he delivered the Premier League and FA Cup double, and in style too. This season continued much the same as it had left off in the previous, with goals a plenty being scored and none being leaked. After the first six games a lot of people would’ve paid good money to say Chelsea were going to be run away leaders this season. This proves that Ancelotti is indeed an excellent manager, if it was ever in doubt. His track record at AC Milan is also impressive.

Even so, he will be pleased with the result today. The performance itself had good and bad bits. The first half was disjointed, and although Blackburn weren’t threatening too much, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if they had scored. The second half though, Chelsea seemed to come alive. The two goals definitely helped, and after that confidence seemed to flow back into the players, and more could have been scored.

Ancelotti will no doubt pick bones at the performance in the first half, and rightly so as he should as manager, but there is no doubt he will be delighted to have got the win and will hope many more will follow.

My all time Premier League XI

With 20 years of the Premier League being celebrated this year, the best goal, celebration, player and team are being compiled and voted for by players and fans alike. Here, I give my selection for the all time Premier League XI.

Goal Keeper: Peter Schmeichel (Man Utd, Aston Villa, Man City)

Right Back: Gary Neville (Man Utd)

Centre Back: Tony Adams (Arsenal)

Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand (West Ham, Leeds, Man Utd)

Left Back: Ashley Cole (Arsenal, Chelsea)

Right Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)

Centre Midfield: Paul Scholes (Man Utd)

Centre Midfield: Claude Makelele (Chelsea)

Left Midfield: Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)

Striker: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

Striker: Alan Shearer (Blackburn, Newcastle)

The Age Old Question

Is the Carling Cup dead?

The Carling Cup, or League Cup, runs alongside the FA Cup in England’s two domestic trophy competitions. The League cup differs in that it is only for the 92 teams in the league, above the conference. However, is it really a competition for the entirety of the league?

Since the induction of the Premiership in 1992, a team from England’s top flight has won the trophy. The last time a team outside the top division won the title was Sheffield Wednesday in 1991, who’s time in the old Division 2 was limited to a season at that point in their history anyway.

Take this season for example, out of the last 16, the Premiership is represented 11 times, with 4 coming from the Championship. Only Aldershot remain from the two lower leagues. This is a great achievement for the League Two club, making it through to the 4th round for the first time ever, beating higher league opposition in each previous round, including West Ham. However, the odds will be stacked against them in the last 16, with a Premier League visit likely, and 4 tough Championship teams lying await in Burnley, Cardiff, Southampton and Crystal Palace.

Without disrespecting the Shots, assuming they are knocked out next time round, the quarter finals will be made up of all Premier and Championship teams, an all too familiar story. What make’s this worse is that teams don’t seem to take the competition seriously until they reach perhaps even the semi-finals. It is very rare to see a Premier League starting XI on the pitch for a League Cup tie, even when facing Premier League opposition. Take Chelsea’s 3rd round tie against Fulham last night for example, only Cech is a regular starter for the Blues. Other teams are renowned for playing second string teams as well, with Arsenal having a huge reputation for this.

I understand a manager’s perspective in this case. It is a good chance to bring in some youth team players and give them first team experience, in a game that if lost, isn’t the end of the world it would seem. This trend seems to be carrying through to the Championship too now, with Southampton making 10 changes to their weekend team against Preston last night. Teams are now far more concerned with League position, either gaining promotion, avoiding relegation or battling for Europe it would seem. The League Cup is just a nice little bonus if it happens to fall into place. I’m sure if you asked last year’s winners, Birmingham City if they’d rather have won the cup or stayed in the Premiership, I’m certain 99% of fans would say the latter.

All of this seems to add up to a less than pleasing conclusion for the League Cup. Do clubs really care about it anymore? Or is it just a way of resting the first team and keeping squad players happy?

The Fall of Frank

5 years ago, Frank Lampard had the world at his feet. An automatic starter for both Chelsea and England, at the age of 28 he was in his peak and nothing could stop him. 20 goals a season was a regular occurrence for the rampaging midfielder.

Lampard is still considered one the best midfielders this country has seen, and rightly so. 87 caps are not won by a player who does not deserve them, and 22 goals is an impressive international record for a midfielder. This begs the question, what happened?

Lampard did not start against Bulgaria on Friday, the first time he has not been picked (barring injury) since a qualifier for Euro 2008, 4 years ago. This was despite the fact that Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere were both absent from the squad through injury. Perhaps age has caught up with Lampard, at 33 he is settling into the twilight of his career and more youthful players have uprooted him from England’s starting XI. Lampard was injured for large parts of last season too, showing that maybe his best years are behind him.

The overdue emergence of Scott Parker in the centre of midfield has surely not helped Lampard’s cause either, but the form that the new Tottenham man showed last season makes it hard to see why he would lose his place in the team. Gareth Barry has been in top form at the start of this season too, and it is no secret that Capello is an admirer of the Man City man. With Gerarrd and Wilshire still to return, two players who would be expected to be in Capello’s forefront thoughts, Lampard’s England time may be up. 

I think it is worth pointing out that England’s new system of fluidity up front will not prove fruitful for Lampard either. With Rooney up top on his own, and Downing, Young and Walcott able to fill in behind him and take to the flanks, Barry and Parker provide the perfect foil for this. With the former two sitting deeper and snuffing out any danger from the opposition, it allows the front four to attack at pace. Lampard is not a holding midfielder and never has been nor will he be. He is a play maker, someone who makes runs into the box and does not fit into this new system that has pleased coach, players and fans.

As England and Chelsea team mate John Terry has told the media, you write Frank Lampard off at your own peril, as he is a player who still has a lot to offer, and if he can recapture his form of a few seasons ago, he will again be a very important player for club and country. Indeed, it is very strange to see Lampard wearing a squad number that isn’t the 8 he has owned for near on a decade. 

The non-transfers

The transfer window has now closed, deadline day has passed and the madness that comes with it. Some great deals were done, but at the same time, some long protracted sagas of speculation, transfer requests and almost princess like behaviour have been put to bed with players staying put. Personally, I believe that sometimes this can be just as important as brining in fresh faces. To lose your best players over a summer means it’s hard to improve on a previous season.

The only downside to a player not getting a move is that it causes a great deal of unsettle with both club and player. Take for example, Luka Modric. Constantly linked with Chelsea over the summer, with several bids made, Modric asked Redknapp not to be included against Manchester City on the morning of the game. Despite this he started, but was eventually dragged off in the second half after giving a performance that lacked, most of all, passion. His normal creative spark wasn’t there, and he looked like a player who didn’t want to be on the pitch.

For this, Harry will be delighted that the window is now closed. Modric now knows that he will be with Tottenham until next summer most likely, with 5 years left on his current contract Daniel Levy is unlikely to sell in January when he was so stubborn about a no sale now. He can concentrate on trying to get Spurs back into the Champions League, and once again be their key man. Along with the likes of Bale and Van Der Vaart, Redknapp needs Modric at his best to thrust the team forward.

Another case of a non move is Carlos Tevez. Tevez infamously said that he would never return to Manchester, not even for a holiday, and has consistently declared he wants to move closer to his family. After a fall through bid from Corinthians, and nothing more than mooted interest from Inter Milan, Tevez has ended up staying at City. This particular example is interesting since City have had such a flying start to the season, with Tevez getting minimal game time as a substitute so far. Dzeko is a player reborn, and new signing Aguero has burst onto the scene. Couple this with the insatiable talent possessed by David Silva, it is hard to see how Tevez is going to break into an attack that is very much on song. In addition to this, Mancini has numerous other options that any other club in the Premiership would kill for, namely Nasri, Balotelli, Adam Johnson et al.

Whereas it was extremely important that Spurs kept Modric for their ambitions this season, Tevez, who has been so influential and key to City’s success over these past two seasons, appears to be a luxury rather than a necessity currently. Nonetheless, he is a world class player who will yet make his mark for City this season with important goals, and seeing as City can afford his wages, he is a fantastic player to be able to bring off the bench and will always give 100%. He is a player Mancini can turn to in times of need, when his teams is looking lacklustre and needs the kind of energy the Argentinian brings.

In amongst the Ashley Young’s, Sergio Aguero’s, Juan Mata’s and other big movers this year, Modric and Tevez could prove to be two of the best bits of business this summer. 

Transfer D-Day

It’s that day of the year that can cause managers, players, and fans alike both the utmost of joys and the bluest of blues. For some reason clubs seem to go crazy on transfer deadline day, and the amount of money spent over the whole summer can almost double.

A lot has been said this year of the way both the Manchester clubs have conducted themselves this summer. They both had clear targets from the end of last season, knew the type of player they wanted to bring in and went about getting them quickly and efficiently. This style of transfer business has to be applauded as it brings numerous benefits to both player and club; being in a constant state of uncertainty helps neither party. The club know they have got their man and can concentrate on other targets, amongst their day to day business. The player knows where his future lies, and a full pre-season with new team mates helps to embed the player into the squad rather than being thrown straight in to a whole new mix.

This seems to beg the question, why all the madness of deadline day? 

Nevertheless, transfer deadline day provides excitement galore for football fans all over the country. This years coup has undoubtedly got to go Spurs, for signing Scott Parker for a lowly sum of £5m. To sign England’s current holding midfielder, and last year PFA Player of the Year for £5m is a fantastic bit of business. I was always confused as to why nobody had yet signed Parker. It has been obvious all summer that he was going to leave West Ham, and he had been linked with Spurs since January, amongst other top flight clubs including Liverpool, whilst many felt that he would fit perfectly into an Arsenal squad in need of a leader on the pitch with a bit of bite. Perhaps the fact that Tottenham left it so late meant that they managed to get him on the cheap, as it was reported that West Ham wanted more in the region of £7m, but after Parker had handed in a transfer request, the Hammers had little choice.

Other notable deals include the late, late switch of Raul Meireles from Liverpool to Chelsea for £12m. Tired in their pursuit of Modric, the Blues turned their attention to the Portugese, who lost his place in Liverpool’s starting XI this season, but last term showed that he can both score and supply goals.

Mikel Arteta moved to Arsenal for £10m, in a move that should please all parties. Everton have had six years of amazing service from the Spaniard, and fans can hardly blame him for wanting to move to a club with the lure of Champions League football. It also means that Everton may have a little more cash to spend in January, as he was one of their highest earners. Arteta will of course be filled with the huge job of filling Cesc Fabregas’ boots. Whilst he is a great passer of the ball and does have a creative spark, he is not the same player, but at least Arsene Wenger has bolstered his squad with an experienced Premier League Player. Along with Arteta, Yossi Benayoun signed on a season long loan from Chelsea. Benayoun is a good player, and another creative one at that, but again he is nowhere near the same calibre of player as Nasri or Fabregas. It may say something too that Arsenal have turned to someone who cannot get into Chelsea’s first team as the solution to their creative problems. More players completed their moves to Arsenal, perhaps the busiest of clubs on the day, with Park, Santos and Mertesacker finalising their moves, adding depth to Wenger’s depleted squad. Moving in the other direction, was Nicklas Bendtner, who has gone to Sunderland on loan for the season. His form can be described as frustrating to both himself and the fans, showing glimpses of a brilliant player but too many times falling way short of expectations. Perhaps more game time will help nurture him, otherwise I can’t see him returning to the Gunners next year.

Craig Bellamy’s move to Liverpool is an intriguing one. Robbie Savage argued that two seasons ago, he was City’s best player and it would take a good case to prove him wrong. On a free transfer, he could be a really coup if he can recapture that form, rather than that he experienced during his first spell at Anfield. 

It would of course be impossible to ignore the cross city switch made by Owen Hargreaves too. Nobody can question the ability that Hargreaves has, and if he had signed for City on a free transfer in normal circumstances everybody would be gob smacked at the outstanding piece of business. However, his fitness is yet to be proven. Saying this, if Hargreaves can get back to full fitness, he could be a wonderful addition to Mancini’s squad. It has been questioned whether or not he will play, even if he is fit, given City’s vast options anyway, but he is different to their other midfielders. More of a holding player naturally, Hargreaves also posses a dynamic thrust in his game, allowing him to power forward when needed. If he manages to work his way into Mancini’s starting eleven, it would be hard to see him leaving it easily.

QPR added experience to their squad in the shape of Shaun Wright Phillips and Anton Ferdinand, which should boost their survival hopes. Bolton have again gone young, taking on board David Ngog, and Gael Kakuta on loan. Both of these have yet to fulfil their potential, but Owen Coyle has shown before how he can bring out the best in young players, so those two could be ones to watch provided they’re given game time. Villa finally brought in some much needed reinforcements too, to help add to a squad that has seen several players leave this summer. Alan Hutton will be a good replacement for Luke Young, and playing week in week out could see him fulfil his overdue potential. Jermaine Jenas on loan from Spurs is also a decent signing, a player who also needs more game time but can offer a lot if consistently played. Stoke also did some solid market play, bringing in Wilson Palacios and Peter Crouch from Tottenham. Both of these players add further Premier league experience to a Stoke squad that can now surely be confirmed to any doubters as a regular Premier league side, rather than one just trying to survive each season. The £12m price tag on Crouch is a little hefty in my books, but if he can score as regularly as he does for England, then he will be a top signing for Pulis. In addition, they also brought in Cameron Jerome to bolster their attacking options, something Pulis identified as needing doing through the window. Another top signing in my opinion is that of Scott Dann to Blackburn. He was outstanding last year with Birmingham despite their relegation, and when he was injured towards the latter end, the Blues leaked notably more goals. He could form a solid partnership with Chris Samba, who along with Paul Robinson, may be Blackburn’s saving grace this season.

Many more transfers were made on D-day, and a full list can be found on BBC Sport’s page at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14365319.stm. 

King Kenny Returns

So tomorrow is the first league game at home that Kenny Dalglish will take charge of for Liverpool in his second stint as manager. He will undoubtedly get a rapturous reception from the Anfield faithful, who have been screaming for him to take over ever since he was rejected in his application for the job in the summer. Roy Hodgson’s reign was regular to chants for Dalglish’s return, even on the rare occasions where Liverpool played well and won.

The question is, will that be enough to galvanise a team who are underperforming and aren’t showing signs of improvement?

Dalglish himself has already admitted that the romance of his return will wear off sooner rather than later if Liverpool don’t pull up their socks and start getting results. I don’t think the romance will ever wear off between himself and the fans, the mutual respect there is permanent. If Liverpool lost every game between now and the end of the season Dalglish would still be seen as a cult hero in the Kop.

It is not the fans he needs to sway then, by any means. It is no secret that Dalglish wants the job full time. In all his interviews so far as manager, he has repeatedly stated that if he is only in charge until the end of the season then he would still be a happy man for playing his part. As much as he may want to tell himself and make the media believe that’s true, it simply isn’t. You only have to look back to the summer when he applied for the job to see he is a man who wants to be in the hotseat for the foreseeable future. To do this, he needs to impress the new owners, John W. Henry in particular.

Dalglish has been working at the club since last season as an ambassador, and continued this season, so the NESV group obviously have no qualms with him as a person and think he can contribute to the future success of the club, but whether that is as manager or not remains in doubt. Henry et al want to adopt much the same system as they have applied the Boston Red Sox baseball team they own, which includes a young and upcoming manager to run the team for the long term. Dalglish, at 59, hardly fits this description. He could well emulate someone like Sir Alex Ferguson and have ambitions to work into his 70s, but the likelihood is that NESV will overlook this.

Having said this, if he can put together a good run of form until the end of the season and push The Reds up the table, and continue their run in the Europa League then it would be unfair to merely dismiss him for a younger prospect. His reign hasn’t got off to the best start, so far having played two, lost two. Losing against Manchester United in the FA cup isn’t the biggest loss as it was somewhat expected, especially after the early penalty and sending off of Steven Gerrard, neither of which were Dalglish’s fault. Their next match, on Sunday against Everton in the Merseyside Derby, provides the perfect springboard in which to launch his credentials and show what he can bring to Liverpool as manager.

This will be no easy feat though. Gerrard’s sending off means he is still suspended, and Jamie Carragher is a long term absentee through injury. The club’s captain and vice-captain, and two of Liverpool’s best players, will be sorely missed. These two are Liverpool through and through and are the kind of players you want on the pitch in a derby, to inspire their team mates and give their all. Fernando Torres, another one of Liverpool’s world class players is still looking out of sorts. His goal on Wednesday against Blackpool will certainly give him a boost, but he will need to continue scoring if Dalglish is to be successful. Dalglish will be confident he can restore the Spaniard’s confidence and get him back to his best. A lot has been made of Dalglish’s talents at man-management, so whether he can do this will be a source of interest.

If Liverpool can get three points tomorrow, their following fixtures are all winnable, with no disrespect to the clubs they’re playing, but Kenny Dalglish could definitely put together a run of form and put himself in with a shout of being full time manager come next season. He would most certainly be the fan’s choice, every time.