Business End of the Season

The 2013-2014 season has been one of the most tightly contested in a number of years, and with only 11 games left to play in the English Premier League, the pressure for the top contenders will be fierce.

There is just 10 points separating 1st and 5th place, and it could go all the way down to the last game in May to see who takes home the title. Despite the close fight at the top, it is one of the first seasons in the EPL that does not see Manchester United take part in the run. Under new manager David Moyes, the Red Devils have had a hard first season without father figure Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm.

Even without the red side of Manchester competing this season, the run up to the end of the season couldn’t look any more exciting. With Chelsea leading the way under returning manager Jose Mourinho, the title could return to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2009-2010. He will be hoping to secure one more title under his belt in order to live up to his nickname of 'The Special One'.

Sitting only a point below Chelsea is another London team - Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has not tasted Premiership glory in ten years and it has been a very empty silverware cabinet at the Emirates Stadium since they moved in. However, with money to spend, the Arsenal faithful feel that this must be their year to bring back some glory to the London club.

The blue half of Manchester sit three points below the leaders but Manchester City find themselves with a game in hand over all of their title contenders which would put them back on par with Chelsea with a win. City last won the title in 2011-2012 for the first time in their history and are back with their new manager, Manuel Pellegrini, as well as their never ending pockets of cash. They are looking to take hold of the premiership crown and wave it under the noses of their arch enemies, Manchester United.

Liverpool have not won the Premier League title since it's inauguration but have won many league titles before that - eighteen to be precise. They are four points behind leaders Chelsea and still in with a fine chance of taking a league title since 1989-1990. With 'The SAS' (Sturridge and Saurez) leading the attack, it would be daft not to see them within grasp come the end of May.

Filling the top five positions and sitting six points behind that last and vital Champions League spot is Tottenham Hotspur. The Spurs are ten points adrift but cannot be written off just yet. It maybe a large gap, but leagues have been won before in the past by closing similar point gaps.

With all that said, there is some crucial matches yet to be played this season which could drastically alter the positions of all five teams. In three weeks time the rankings of the top five teams plus Manchester United could see teams move in and out of the Champions league spots and possibly see a team separate themselves from the chasing pack.

The following run down of the top five teams shows why or why not they could be lifting the trophy in eleven games time.

Chelsea

Played: 27; Points 60 

Sitting top of the table at the end of February is a nice place to be for Jose Mourinho - his confidence is contagious through the club. This is a team that knows how to win the league from this position and with stalwarts such as Cech, Terry and Lampard it is difficult to see how they would lose concentration this late in the season. Chelsea does have an upcoming match against Arsenal which could see the teams swap positions in the hunt for the title.

After being knocked out of the FA Cup last week, they find themselves searching for silverware on the continent too, with ties against Turkish side Galatasaray coming up in March. A problem for Chelsea is the current lack of goals coming from their strike force, as Torres and Demba Ba have only found the net 11 times between them this season.

Arsenal

Played 27; Points 59

Arsenal are desperate for some silverware. Period. This is the closest they have been to winning the title in a number of years but it will have to be seen whether a team without a title win in a decade can handle the pressure that comes with a tight run in. It is a young team that, no doubt, has the desire to win, and may vindicate the decision to keep manager Arsene Wenger at the helm for so long without title or cup glory. With Olivier Giroud coming up with some fine goal scoring and Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wishere holding the midfield, this team have a great base to go on to win the title.

Manchester City

Played 26; Points 57

This team won the title two seasons ago with a superb run-in to snatch it from Manchester United's golden hands. They know all about how to perform at the end of the season. With such a huge goal difference that has come from big wins including two 5-0 wins, two 6-0 wins and a 7-0 thrashing of Norwich, it doesn't look like the goals will halt any time soon. Being beaten at home 2-0 to Barcelona in the Champions League may end their hunt for European glory, which will turn even more attention to the EPL; also having a game in hand over their rivals will be a huge benefit to them.

Liverpool

Played 27; Points 56

How Merseyside would love to see the Premiership trophy being held aloft from an open top bus. Like Arsenal, this is the opportunity to regain some confidence in how to be a title challenger again. With the strike force of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, both in a rich vein of form only a cruel bout of injuries or suspension would stop these players from finding the back of the net. With no European commitments this season, Liverpool have been able to concentrate on the league and manager Brendan Rogers will look at qualification for next seasons Champions League as the minimal award for his team’s effort this season.

Tottenham Hotspur

Played 27; Points 50

With a very poor goal difference compared to teams above, Tottenham would be a very hard pressed in the remaining weeks to move up from where they are now. After losing Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in the summer, the Spurs spent a lot of money - over £100 million on no fewer than seven players. These players have not performed at a considerable level according to the Tottenham board and that cost Andre Villas-Boas his job. Under new head coach Tim Sherwood, they have been able to steer the ship in a better direction and the race for the Champions League spot is on for Spurs. Although that might seem an appropriate finish for a team racked with changes, you feel that the demanding boardroom expected more this season.

Ten Days in February: The Making of Garry Monk

It has been a roller coaster of emotions for fans, board members and back-room staff of Swansea City Football Club recently. Even those not affiliated with the club have had their say on the matters that have gone on at the Liberty Stadium.

In particular, one person is gaining more respect from colleagues and followers -Garry Monk.

February 1: On a rare sunny winter afternoon in London, the type of football on display did not please the travelling crowd. The way Swansea City were moving the ball against their West Ham counterparts was not what their fans have come to expect.

Gone was the fast one touch passes. Gone was the quick flight of the wingers. Gone was any enjoyment. What came in its place was dire, and for 45 minutes, Swansea pounded the ball in to the opposition’s penalty area only for it to be spat right back by their commanding centre backs.

Beautiful passing had been thrown out the window, and during this entire episode, one man sat with a pained look upon his face - Michael Laudrup.

This was to become the last game in charge for the man and was applauded by the fans on numerous occasions. The Dane was the first to deliver a major trophy to the South Wales club with the League Cup and he guided them to a record high ninth in the English Premier League.

The cup win also ensured Swansea City would be playing in European competition for the first time in more than 30 years. Eighteen months ago, everything had gone to plan despite the drop in league form over the Christmas period. Fans became dismayed with the style of football played and could sense his lack of ambition growing steadily. This was fuelled by rumours Laudrup would leave in the summer regardless of what happened during the remainder of the season.

February 4: Huw Jenkins has been Swansea City chairman for more than a decade and the Swansea faithful backed his decisions like a letter of the law. The example today was that Michael Laudrup had been dismissed from his position along with assistant Martin Wieghorst. Jenkins has made some crucial decisions in the span of his boardroom control and these decisions are ones that now see the club operating with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. The Club is more familiar with their managers being poached than being asked to shut the door behind them, this being the first sacking in close to a decade. Once again, the fans stood by Huw Jenkins decision to cut ties with Laudrup, despite being slightly shocked of the decision’s timing.

Cardiff City is the pride of the capital of Wales and just 45 miles east of Swansea. Both clubs enjoy one football’s biggest rivalries in the United Kingdom. The game was scheduled to be played in Swansea in just four days and the sacking of the manager combined with the biggest game of the season for many in Wales added to the intrigue. Cardiff had won the season’s first encounter with a 1-0 win in the Capital, with a goal scored by former Swansea player Steven Caulker. It was a game that meant more than three points - it was a deep hatred against opposing fans but more importantly it included the ongoing relegation battle engulfing both teams. Their future EPL dreams were at stake.

Garry Monk, who recently handed over his team captain duties to fellow centre back Ashley Williams, has been at the club for a decade and is held in high regard by co-workers and fans, and it was assumed he would take Swansea’s manager’s role. It happened faster than expected. After assuming the reins, Monk prepared the team for the Cardiff grudge match, which was no easy feat. To the press, he mentioned how he used a BBC documentary on the club to inspire the players. It worked… actually, it worked wonders.

February 8: It’s a day no Swansea fan or Cardiff fan will forget in a hurry. The opening 45 minutes saw Swansea back to their original ways of possession football that made Cardiff look like a dog chasing its tail. There were no goals but the fans were relishing the encounter. Garry Monks halftime words must have put fire in the bellies of the Swansea players as they came out of the tunnel raring to go. The next 45 was a complete A-Z guide of how to play football. The 3-0 score highlights the complete annihilation of Cardiff, as Swansea yet again stand by their chairman’s decision and Monk. Following on from a result of those proportions is never easy but every manager knows once one game is over the attention turns to the next. The next game pits Swansea against fellow relegation battler Stoke City.

February 12: 'The Swans', as they are affectionately known, travelled north in search of another pleasing result. Against a team that is strong in height and in harsh wintery conditions, the Swans gain a point rather than lose two. It is enough to see them sit in the middle of the table and ease the thoughts of relegation in four months time.

Garry Monk has taken four points from a possible six but more importantly has restored pride. From his days battling it out in a Swansea shirt to his rise as a derby day winner in one of the world’s best leagues, Monk has shown his commitment to his club and the club have shown their commitment to him.

The Power of La Masia.

Spain have just won their third consecutive major title: Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.  They have played intricate football under Vincente Del Bosque and previous manager Luis Aragones who have adopted, like many managers in the continent, ‘tika-taka’ or total football.  First derived when Cruyff returned to Spain as Barcelona Manager in 1988, he gave the first orders to regenerate La Masia as not only a youth system but a school to teach the knowledge of total football.  Cruyff understands this power of being taught real football from a young age as a graduate from the Ajax Academy.  This is the power of youth football and if you are able to find the key to unlock this potential then you will be reaping the rewards for a long time...

Every football fan knows the iconic Ajax Academy and the stars of football they have produced in past years including the aforementioned Johan Cruyff, Frank Rijkaard, Dennis Bergkamp and many more who I will continue to mention.  Nicknamed ‘Godenzonen’ or ‘Sons of the Gods’, it truly was the holy grail to grow and build your knowledge of the footballing world.  In recent times it has come to be dwarfed by the superior quality that is been produced further south in the Catalonian town of Barcelona and its ‘La Masia’ Academy.  It is sad that such a powerful production line of talent has slowed due to the clubs financial problems, but, it is not over yet and is still a far better school of football than what we can see in the U.K.  

Ajax state that they strive for the way they play football to be recognisable yet central within the club is the style of play (4-3-3), training, behaviour and house rules.  This is very similar to La Masia and how Cruyff has instigated his philosophy on the Barcelona youth system.  Pep Segura, a former technical director of Barcelona, attributes the clubs success on its ‘philosophy of play’ and states: "It is about creating one philosophy, one mentality, from the bottom of the club to the top".  

The Ajax Academy has more recently produced the likes of Maarten Stekelenburg and Gregory van der Wiel who both have 50 and 35 caps for the Netherlands respectively.  Yes we can say, “there still producing great players so what’s the problem?”, but the problem is letting these talents go.  Ajax pay so much attention to these young footballers, then see them blossom in to huge talents before being let down by the clubs financial problems.  The club are making money out of selling these talents but it looks weak.  Of the current ‘Oranje’ regulars, six came through the Ajax Academy, yet only one has stayed and plays for the Ajax first team.  The rest who can be named as: van der Vaart, Sneijder, Heitinga, de Jong and Stekelenburg have all moved to other European teams for a combined fee of around €49 million.  Many of these names go on to move clubs again for even larger fees.  

However, La Masia, doesn’t have this problem.  They continue to produce great players and continue to hold on to these players.  A list of the graduates of La Masia reads a who’s who in world football and sometimes Spain’s starting 11.  On 11 July 2010, Spain won the World Cup final with eight players from Barcelona; seven were from La Masia, and six of them were in the starting line-up: Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Sergio Busquets, and Pedro Rodríguez.  Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola stated "The player who has passed through La Masia has something different to the rest, it's a plus that only comes from having competed in a Barcelona shirt from the time you were a child."  It is more than an education at La Masia, it does become a way of life when your involved in such a formidable club team.  

Like I said previously, La Masia don’t have a problem holding on to their players, 11 graduates were in the team that won the Champions league in 2011.  Yes, Barcelona don’t have the same financial problems that Ajax face but you should always have pride in your creations and show more to convince them to stay.  There is an exception to this rule that shows Barcelona did make a couple of mistakes when releasing players and lucky for them they have the finances to rectify them.  They sold Gerard Pique to Manchester United and Cesc Fabregas to Arsenal before bringing them back to the first team at Barcelona.  Ajax have been unable to do the same as their youth system competitors.  La Masia is one of the most expensive youth systems in the world at around €5 million a year but if you keep turning out talent such as Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba then in my view it is money well spent.  

In contrast, where is the U.K.’s La Masia or Ajax Academy? The most talent to come through an English football academy is either Manchester United who produced the likes of Beckham, Giggs, the Neville brothers and Scholes or perhaps West Ham more recently coming out with Lampard, Cole, Ferdinand and Carrick.  This is the affect it has on their international teams winning or losing at tournaments.  Spain with all its recent glory and England with their mediocre quarter-final exits.

The U.K. need a serious think about how they are producing the new age of footballers.  England cannot go on thinking they can win a major tournament without looking at where their footballers are coming from and how they are being developed.  The F.A. love to talk about developing grassroots football but what are these young players being taught? I doubt, like many of you, they are being taught about respect, creative football and football philosophy.  This may seem a high level of teaching for youngsters but it has worked for other countries so why not the U.K?

The high levels of expectations do not follow the low level of football development.  This is a huge problem when so many are trying to cover up the weakness yet not fix the problem.    How longer will countries go on to make better international squads because their F.A and club teams have invested strongly in youth football?  

Spain: More than a team.

Spain are an all-beating, record breaking, possession controlling team.  I say 'team' but in my view they are more than this.  Nearly every part of their game is perfect, from walking the ball out of their own 18 yard box to pinpoint accuracy of their assists.  And the best bit is the part right in the middle of that description.....

Unlike other times, statistics actually do tell the full story about this team.  They show the huge gaps in possession, the wicked amount passes, the least goals scored.  And this was only Euro 2012:

• Over a 1000 more completed passes than the next team (3915 compared to Italy's 2913)
• 25 more minutes of possession (59%, 201 mins compared to Germany's 56%, 176 mins)
• Only one goal conceded in over 570 minutes of football (All others conceded 3 or more)

You have to realise that the squad has not had a huge turn over of players either since Euro 2008.  Thirteen players that were in the full squad of in '08 squad represented their country again in the team of 2012.  Seven of which were in the starting eleven.

The talent just oozes through the team.  The goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, has been the true national to his team which sees him hold 137 caps at the tender age of 31.  This would be a feat in any team but to do this with the competition of Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina for the gloves is even more impressive.  Two goalkeepers that could walk in to any other international squad.

When considering the attacking flair of the Spanish philosophy, the back four are often a forgotten treasure.  Pique, Puyol and Ramos all face each other regularly in the Classico's with fierce loyalty to their club teams, Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.  But when wearing red, they become an intimidating pairing which has seen the team only concede seven competitive goals since October 2010.  Combine this with the attacking prowess of Arbeloa and Alba and that's impressive.

The Spanish core has been criticised and praised often during Euro 2012 but has been as impressive as the 4-0 win over Italy as it has been since the 4-1 against Russia at the start of their Euro 2008 campaign.  Del Bosque's decision to play with a six man midfield without a designated striker conjured many concerned faces when 50 million pounds of Torres sits and watches from the bench.

But when you have the talents of Xavi, Alonso, Busquets, Fabregas, Silva and Iniesta on the team, you would be a fool not to play them surely?  I could sit and write a page for each of these players on their ability and what they bring to this team but, like I said it is more than a team and Torres will always be a part of it, whether he starts or not.

Torres who so often started from the bench in the latest of title wins for Spain, came of the back of a vein of form to win the Golden Boot.  Maybe this would of been different had Villa been fit; but would it matter if they still won?

There is one statistic that I do love though about this team which shows how they are so connected.  But it is not their 35 match unbeaten run between 2007 and 2009, it is not their broken 40 month stint as the number one team in the world.  It is this:

• Only 3 out of the 23 man squad for Euro 2012 play outside of La Liga;
• Then 13 of that 20 play for either Barcelona or Real Madrid:
• And finally out of those 13....10 are in the starting 11.

Its beautiful football, its a beautiful team, its a beautiful record.  Brazil 2014....Can they really do it again?

Well this was a quick decision!

I never thought I would say it but yes: I am missing education.

Having received my university classification last week, the nerves of waiting for them soon progressed in to boredom.  Although I am currently itching to get on to a plane to Canada come October to start my skiing instructor training, I find myself watching the re-runs of the previous nights Euro's, Wimbledon and repeating headlines on Sky Sports News.  This is not a healthy situation for me!

A quick scan of my "talents" and interests has landed me on an introduction to sports journalism course.  This comes courtesy of the guys at CTJT and their e-learning programmes: http://www.ctjt.biz/.

This I hope will give me the confidence and the skills to blog my opinions and any stories/articles that I have come up with during the course and hopefully beyond.

So...stayed tuned!