I cannot recall ever hearing a manager say that his team cannot win. Even when non-league 'minnows' are drawn against Premier League giants the manager will often say that his team has a chance if they defend well and take what little opportunities come their way. This week though, following Real Madrid's 0-2 home defeat to Barcelona in the 1st Leg of the Champions League Semi-Final, manager Jose Mourinho stated 'We face a score that is practically impossible to overcome and if by chance we score a goal before Barcelona that could leave the 2nd leg a little open and they will kill us again.' From the outside it appears that Mourhinho is trying to galvanise his players and create the 'us against the world' mentality, but I wonder whether his words will backfire on him. As a Real Madrid player, to be told by your own manager that you cannot win a game is unlikely to fill you with confidence.
Mourinho is a great manager and I believe will be seen as one of the very best throughout history in years to come. He is a thoughtful, charming manager who is an obsessive tactition, and a great motivator of players. I just wonder whether this time he has made a mistake.
This week's All-Score Bet
With over half an hour to go on Monday I just needed 2 goals. At full-time I still needed 2 goals!! Hopefully this weeks selections will deliver;
Both teams to score
Blackpool vs Stoke City Doncaster Rovers vs Leicester City Sheffield United vs Barnsley Brentford vs Southampton Bury vs Wycombe Wanderers
The odds are approx 17/1
Only a short one for today. I'll be back tomorrow to reflect on Saturdays results, try and make the promotion and relegation issues clear and also comment on the uproar surrounding Oldham Athletics' new badge.
If the past is anything to go by, at this time of the year we can expect some strange results as we enter the last 3 weeks of the football season. The wave has started already I believe with some teams at the bottom making a late charge for safety and pulling off some surprise results. Witness Sheffield United beating Bristol City 3-2, Plymouth winning away at Dagenham & Redbridge and almost certainly doomed Stockport scoring a late winner at Play-Off chasing Port Vale when they simply had to. Stockports' win sets them up for an all or nothing clash today at home to Northampton. A draw would see them effectively relegated with too big a gap on goal difference to make up, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they picked up the 3 points today and kept their hopes alive.
For the betting people amongst you this makes predicting results even more difficult. Teams at the bottom find that little extra effort as if they have woken from a dream and realise they are in a nightmare, while for teams still in with a mathematical chance of promotion or the play-offs, they can find the will to win when form suggests they won't.
Todays' games could produce similar shocks. I wouldn't rule out Preston at home to Cardiff today. Thumped 4-0 at Millwall on Saturday it would take a brave man to predict a victory for North End, but that's football, and what I'd be considering for a punt today. QPR are so close to promotion and could take it today with a win against Hull City. Even a draw or defeat could do it for them depending on other results, while Hull themselves sit 3 points outside the Play-Offs. Again, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tigers get something from that game, especially as QPR have drawn the last 2.
In League 1 Swindon could be relegated today while Plymouth are right on the edge. Both will need to show grit and determination today and I think they will, although whether they will have enough to win a game of football remains to be seen. I'll blog about the ups and downs shortly.
There is a type of football bet I do called the 'All-score' bet, or 'Both Teams to Score in the Match'.
Here's what I'll be going for today
Both Teams to Score in the Match
Leicester vs Watford Sheffield Wednesday vs Swindon Plymouth vs MK Dons Wycombe vs Crewe Chesterfield vs Bury
The odds on an accumulator are a tasty 17.5-1
The 'All Score' bet means that you could be in with a chance right up until the final whistle. I must stress that I wouldn't encourage betting, but it does make the fixtures more interesting if you've got something on them :-D
As a side bet I'd recommend a treble on Preston, Swindon and Stockport to win. The odds are around 30-1.
Coupon-busters from the past
Manchester United 0 West Ham 1 - Old Trafford, 13th May 2007
In a crazy end to the 2006-07 Premier League season, West Ham had to win and hope Sheffield United didn't. Carlos Tevez kept his cool when one-on-one with Van Der Sar and Wigan popped up at the last minute to save themselves and send Sheffield United down. The ensuing legal battle that followed gave Sheffield United financial compensation but losing their Premiership place has sent them on a downward spiral that will surely include a tour of League 1 next season. West Ham themselves could also be staring at relegation this season. It's a funny old game Saint.
Aston Villa 0 Oldham Athletic 1 - Villa Park, 2nd May 1993
Oldham were doomed. They had to win at Villa Park or they would be relegated. They needed at least 7 points from the last 3 games (9 as it turned out). Aston Villa were 2nd and could still catch Man Utd at the top but needed a win. Nick Henry scored on 27 minutes, Villa hit the crossbar and Oldham survived one more season in the Premier League. They followed this with a 3-2 victory over Liverpool and 4-3 over Southampton on a nail-biting final day which saw Oldham stay up on goal difference following Crystal Palace's 3-0 defeat at Arsenal. Earlier in the season Oldham had beaten Manchester United 1-0 at home and Villa boss Ron Atkinson sent Joe Royle a case of champagne. When Oldham secured United's first title for 27 years by beating Villa, Alex Ferguson did the same. Happy days!
Bradford City 1 Liverpool 0 - Valley Parade, 14th May 2000
Bradford secured their Premiership survival under Paul Jewell, at the expense of Wimbledon, with a victory over Liverpool, courtesy of David Wetheralls' rare goal. 11 years on and they are near the bottom of League 2! Football eh? Bloody hell!
A preview of one of the most exciting weekends in the football calendar, the FA Cup Semi-Finals plus a look back at some classic games at this stage of the competition.
Alex Ferguson claims it will be 'absolute chaos' in London this weekend and he may well have a point, but in my opinion this is the most highly anticipated Manchester derby in my lifetime. Paul Scholes has today poured a vat of petrol on the fire by claiming United don't see City as one of their main rivals; "Our main rivals are obviously Arsenal and Chelsea. I think City are just a rival because of where they are (in terms of geography) and Liverpool the same." You can't fault his reasoning though, City need to prove that they are capable of being a top-four side and competing for major honours regularly. Until they can win games like this then they will always be in United's shadow.
It will be only the second time City and United have met on a neutral ground in a competitive fixture (the first was a 3-0 FA Cup Semi-Final success for City played at Bramall Lane in 1926) and it goes without saying that the stakes are high. For City, a victory will bring them a first major cup final since 1981 (discounting the 4-5 defeat to Chelsea in the Full Members Cup final of 1985) and give them a chance to finally end the 35 year wait for a major trophy. For United, a win would see them one step closer to a second 'treble' as well as putting their 'noisy neighbours' in their place yet again.
United are without Rooney, suspended following his outburst at Upton Park, but more importantly City are without Tevez, injured in a lacklustre display at Anfield on Monday night, who is so crucial to their success. City have also only won once in the last 8 meetings and have lost 6 of those. For City to win it's crucial that Gareth Barry and Ya Ya Toure get a grip on midfield, Balotelli and/or David Silva will also need to finally produce and City must concentrate at the back. For United if Nani is on form and can reign in his petulance, they should have enough with Berbatov, Giggs and Hernandez to win the game. Darren Fletcher suggested this week that this game would be more open and entertaining than the two league encounters this season, however I take United to win 1-0 or 2-0 in this one. I hope it's a classic game but I think City will struggle to score against United's solid back line without the inspirational Tevez.
Prediction: Man City 0 Man Utd 2
Although undoubtedly taking second billing to the Manchester derby this weekend the 2nd semi-final could prove to be the most engaging. Bolton are safe and with Stoke 6 points above the relegation zone this is a fantastic distraction for both clubs.There's no doubt both will have been glad to avoid City and United in the draw and with the death of Nat Lofthouse this year Bolton fans are dreaming of a fitting tribute to their hero.
Bolton last appeared in the semi-finals in 2000 when they lost on penalties following a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa. You have to go back to 1972 to find Stoke's last appearance, a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in a replay at Goodison Park. Whichever club makes it will almost certainly be guaranteed european football next season so there is an extra incentive to win.
Bolton's style of football has improved significantly under Owen Coyle but they can still mix it, and they will need to against a robust and direct Stoke side who are capable of matching any team on their day. Will the wider Wembley pitch reduce the impact of Rory Delap's long throw-ins? It's an incredibly hard game to predict but I'll go for Stoke to win 3-2, possibly after extra time.
Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 2 Stoke City 3
A look back at some classic semi-finals.
Liverpool 2 Manchester United 2 - Goodison Park 1985 Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2 - Replay at Maine Road
Twice United led and twice Liverpool equalised, first Ronnie Whelan's screamer in the 87th minute then Paul Walsh's tap-in following a Rush header in the last minute of extra time. What an atmosphere at the old Goodison Park! You can also find the replay on You Tube. Bryan Robson's stunner and a Mark Hughes finish taking United to Wembley once again.
Leeds United 2 Coventry City 3 - Hillsborough 1987
The noise is incredible on this video. Leeds took the lead then came back from 2-1 down to take the game into extra time. Dave Bennett scored the winner for the sky blues. The Video is of the 2nd half of normal time, where you can see an Andy Ritchie with hair!
Oldham Athletic 3 Manchester United 3 - Maine Road 1990 Oldham Athletic 1 Manchester United 2 - Replay
The video is of the replay at Maine Road. Bittersweet misty water-coloured memories for me of course, although I clearly remember Nick Henry's shot that hit the crossbar and bounced over the line which seems to have been omitted from this vid. Robins scored the winner, Ferguson kept his job and the rest is history!
Crystal Palace 4 Liverpool 3 - Villa Park 1990
Probably the classic FA Cup Semi-final in my view. Palace had been humiliated 9-0 at Anfield and lost 2-0 at Selhurst Park in the league that season. When Rush scored after 7 minutes it looked like business as usual for the reds. I still buzz off the two Palace equalisers.
Chesterfield 3 Middlesbrough 3 - Old Trafford 1997
Chesterfield 0 Middlesbrough 3 - Replay
It could have been Chelsea vs Chesterfield in the FA Cup Final of 1997, but it wasn't thanks to both the David Elleray and linesman failing to spot that Jon Howards' shot bounced well over the line. Middlesbrough won the replay 3-0.
In light of the Richard Keys/Andy Gray episode, you've got to laugh at Andy Grays' advice for the Chesterfield penalty taker Sean Dyche: "The only words I can offer are, Just smash it". If only it could have been Richard Keys rather than Martyn Tyler exclaiming "He's smashed it alright!"
Today could mark one of the great comebacks in the modern era. If Brighton & Hove Albion can win against Dagenham & Redbridge this evening they will achieve promotion to the Championship. Brighton fans must be pinching themselves as it appears that the nightmare of the last 14 years will be consigned to history with a new 22,500 capacity stadium at Falmer ready to host Championship football for the 2011-12 season.
New Amex Stadium - Copyright Clare Chapman
From surviving relegation to the Conference on the last day of the 1996-97 season at Hereford on goal difference to successive promotions and further relegation, including two seasons at Gillinghams' Priestfield Stadium, it's been a rocky ride for the Seagulls.
Brighton & Hove Albion originally submitted an application for planning permission back in October of 2001. When John Prescott got involved in 2005 it seemed the drama would finally end but an error with regard to car parking spaces in the revised application pushed the development back again, after a judicial review was forced by Lewes District Council, until work finally began in 2008.
Most Brighton fans and away supporters have never been happy with the Withdean Stadium. Supporters are too far from the pitch and the ground, an athletics stadium, is distinctly non-league, with only one permanent stand and not really suited to football. Credit then to the fans who continue to back their club in numbers and are finally about to receive their rewards. The team this season under Gus Poyet have performed consistently well. They have been in 1st place since going top of League One back on the 25th September and look unlikely to relinquish that position.
There is a lot to look forward to, the return of the 'derby' with Crystal Palace, plus games against Portsmouth and possibly West Ham. The new purpose-built football ground is a world away from the Withdean, its' striking design and modern facilities are sure to attract much bigger crowds and there is even the facility to alter the decor for the away fans section depending on which team is playing!
The Goldstone Ground 1976 - Copyright Steve Daniels
Everything appears to be in place for the good times to return for Brighton, increased expectations are inevitable and it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that a return to the top flight of English football could be on the cards in the near future. The last time Brighton graced the top division was 1983, their relegation coupled with their only appearance in an FA Cup Final.
Everyone remembers their first football match. It’s ingrained in the memory for most football fans, the anticipation, the excitement and noise, the cigarette smoke, the throng of the crowd, the chanting and at times, the coarse language. It’s a heady mix for a young football fan, feeling part of something different. Football is tribal, more than any other sport I think and all the better for it. My first experience was back in 1985, Oldham Athletic vs Hull City. I’ve been hooked ever since. I love the architecture of the stadiums, the club colours, history, stories of resolve in adversity and quirks of this glorious sport. Although football has changed a lot since my first game it still retains the ability to surprise, shock, and leave grown men and women in tears. Moments of glory, controversy and despair are all part of being a football supporter.
Whether your football team is involved in competing for honours, fighting relegation or sat in mid-table obscurity there is always plenty to savour as we approach the end of the season, not least the upcoming FA Cup Semi-Finals which I’ll preview later in the week. I'll keep it brief for now. This is my first foray into the blogging world, so thanks for reading and your comments are always welcome.
