Bold and potentially inaccurate predictions for Men's Hockey at Sochi 2014

Well, it's finally here. Four years after Sidney Crosby's "Golden Goal" sunk the Americans in Vancouver its finally time for Alex Ovechin and his Russian comrades to take aim at the medal Vladimir Putin apparently wants more than any other at these Sochi winter Olympics, Gold in Mens Hockey. In so many ways it is the pinnical of the sport. Perhaps not in terms of sheer prestige, behind the NHL's Stanley cup but as far as quality hockey, the knockout round of the Olympic tournament is tough to beat and it's something ive been waiting for ever since Crosby buried that puck 5-hole on USA goalie Ryan Miller four years ago.

 The first thing you need to know about these Sochi Olympics however, is just how banged up the elite teams in this tournament are. Defending champions Canada come to Russia minus Steven Stamkos, the 24 year Tampa Bay Lightning goal scorer was likely to play alongside Crosby on the Canadians top line and his loss is perhaps only a smaller one than an injury to Captain Crosby, or perhaps Chicago Balckhawks star Jonathon Toews would have been. The host's perhaps had they're chances improved by injury when KHL forward Igor Eronko went down, allowing better known and in all honesty, better player Alex Semin to be added. However their frist day of practice has been disrupted with the news that captain and Detroit Red Wings star Pavel Datsuyk hasnt yet fully recovered from a left knee injury that as seen him play only twice since January first, meaning he missed their first session together in Sochi. This isnt even the worst of it, or even nearly the wirst of it. Finland have probably seen their medal hopes go up in smoke with the news that captain Miku Koivu and fellow centre Valpari Fillpula are both out of the tournament, Sweden will be without star Henrik Sedin due to broken ribs, as well as winger Johan Franzen, Slovakia, a continually popular pick for a medal, are hurting from the loss of one of the NHL's true game breakers in Marian Gaborik, alongside potentially theyre best defencmen Lubomir Visnovsky of the New York Islanders. The Czech Republic have also seen their depth at centre take a hit by loosing Vladimir Sobatka. Wow, get all that? Yep its easy to argue that 5 of the best 6 teams in this tournament wont be taking full strength roster's due to inury, possibly all six if USA's Max Paccioretty fails to shake off a hit he took Saturday night which placed his Olympic ambitions into question. All in all this will have to have some effect on the overall quality of the tournament, as well as give excuses to the teams who did reach their full potential, which is a shame. It also makes predicting the tournament very tricky, but here goes, some big, bold and quite possibly inaccurate predictions about the hockey tournament at Sochi 2014.

Team Sweden will not medal

Perhaps no team disappointed me more with their initial roster than the Swede's. If you'd of asked me a few weeks into the NHL season who my pick for gold was in Sochi, then on the big European style rinks i would of been quite comfortable with the choice of Sweden. The Sedin twins were back on fire under new coach John Torterella in Vancouver, Nicholas Backstrom was more than playing his part in Alex Ovechkin being on pace for a 60 goal season in Washington and Gabirel Landeskog was helping put the young Colorado Avalanche into a play off place in the Western Conference of the NHL. However, broken ribs mean Henrik Sedin will miss the games with fellow veteran Johan Franzen also out of Sochi. Next they inexplicably left Tampa Bay defencmen Victor Headman off their roster, along with fellow defender Adam Larsson of the New Jersey Devil's and failed to capitalise on recent resurgence at the international level both at junior and senior teams by overlooking these two younger players in favor of the older Henrik Tallinder and Jonny Oduya. Good players no dought, and a lot can be said of experience at such a big tournament but its clearly time for the Swede's to turn this team over to theyre young guns. Erik Karlsson is an elite defencmen in the NHL at 24, Gabriel Landeskog perhaps its best leader under 26 and combined with the likes of Nick Hjalmerson and the aforementioned Larsson and Hedman a new era of Swedish superstar was ready to take them forward. However managment appears to have played it safe with the its roster selection and that lack of urgency could well cost them a medal.

Martin St. Louis will be Canada's best player, gold or not.

Gasps and cries of despair went out all across the hockey world when Tampa Bay Lightning centre Steven Stamkos went down with a broken leg in late November. Yes a number of people were concerned for his clubs play off chances, but most people immediately thought of the impact it may have on Canada's chances of retaining their gold medal at the Olympics. Yet more shock rang out when he was still named to the Canadian line up a little over a month later, while his team mate, Martin St. Louis was not. 37 year old St. Louis was an incredibly harshly overlooked when selecting the original roster. He is, to this day, the reigning Art Ross trophy winner as the leagues top point scorer from the previous season, and will slot in comfortably onto a top line alongside Crosby in for the downed Stamkos. failing that, should Canada coach Mike Babcock decide the diminutive St. Louis, listed at only 5 ft 7, is too much a risk in any particularly physical games, he's a perfect player to sit on the end of the bench, use his experience to be a player/coach and be used at the optimum moments, namely power plays and offensive zone starts. St Louis had a point to prove the minute he was not selected in the first 25 man roster, since then he's been nothing but sensational in keeping The Lightning in the play off race without Stamkos. He seemed largely peev'ed when giving a press conference after being named to the team as his 24 year old lines mates replacement but a St Louis with a chip on his shoulder is nothing but good news for Canada.

The USA have taken the wrong roster.

US hockey is coming on strong in the last few years. Their U 18 development squad continues to produce more and more first round NHL draft picks, they won the world junior tournament two years ago, and are seeing their percentage of NHL players gradually incline. Four years ago in Vancouver they were the width of a post away from gold and breaking the hearts of the Canadian nation. They were of course the only team to beat the hosts at the 2010 games, with a convincing win the group stages of the tournament. A big key to the successful Vancouver games were the young players they took. They took two 22 year olds and two 21 year olds, why? Because Phil Kessal and Bobby Ryan, as well as Patrick Kane and Eric Johnson were four of their best twenty five players thats why. Four years later only three of them will return to wear the star spangled jersey and you have to wonder why? Hockey US brass claim theyre building a hockey team, not a all star team, and they'll need role players, third line checkers, so if Bobby Ryan isnt one of theyre best two right wingers, they cant and wont ask him as a skill player to play a third or fourth defensive minded assignment. Admittedly theirs sense to that, but arnet you supposed to take your best players to this tournament? Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan and Paul Stastny can all take a look at Ryan and feel very lucky to be on this team while he sits at home. Blake Wheeler has 22 goals to lead the Winnipeg Jets and earn himself a spot on the team, that however, ranks him fourth among American right wingers, ahead of him is similarly built and minded Kyle Okposo, another who could easily fill the same type of role on the fourth line. Jason Pomminville also has more goals than Wheeler and is thought of as one of the better two way players in the NHL, while being a linemate of Team USA captain Zach Parise at the Minnesota Wild. On defence there are similarly puzzling picks. While its encouraging to see the likes of Cam Fowler and John Carlson giving chances, what Brooks Orpik and more so Paul Martin still have to bring to the table is anyones guess. Orpik is still a defensive road block, so even if you think he'll struggle for speed on the big ice, he is a shut down specialist who can have his shifts limited, but what does the often injured Martin bring that say Torey Krug of the Boston Bruins dosent? You know, the guy leading ALL American defencemen in plus/minus? If your going to take a two way defencemen like Martin, surely the younger option with the better stats is the better choice? Even Dustin Bfuglien, of the Jets, who is a defensive liability, -17 on the season, has a full 31 points more than Martin. Justin Faulk of the Carolina Hurricanes is another brave choice, but again, giving his relative lack of experience in the NHL, is he a better choice than rookie Seth Jones who's looking every bit the defensive juggernaut everyone thought he would be in Nashville. Wow that turned into a rant!

Ovechkin and the Russians bring the gold home.

If you dont know Alex Ovechkin, you dont watch Hockey, because if you watch hockey, you know Alex Ovechkin. "The great eight" currently leads the NHL in goals (41, next best is Phil Kessell of team USA, 30) and is the reigning NHL MVP and Rocket Richard trophy winner as top goalscorer. After a few years of losing his way and dropping to an average level of play the former number one overall draft choice is back well and truly in the debate for best player in the world, alongside captain Canada Sidney Crosby. Ovechkin's individual awards are almost unrivaled in the NHL rite now, but at 28 years old its time he added either a Stanley cup or Olympic Gold medal (or both) two his honors list. Having already called these Russian Olympics his "biggest moment" its time for him to put his nation on his shoulders, time to step up and be the best player in the world and win at the biggest stage, underlining his brilliance. 4 years ago the Russians were embarrassed by Canada at the quarter final stage and sent home from the games in a shambles, they cant afford that on home ice. The response is to bring less KHL defencmen than in Vancouver as well as a sprinkling of young talent. Dallas Stars rookie Valari Nichuskin is young, big, quick and talented and may play on a line with like-talented forward Viktor Tikhonov of SKA St. Petersburg. This is a Russian team built more to play two ways than in Vancouver, they appear more aware of their flaws, and more willing to play "play off hockey" to get the Gold here. Their top six is simply frightening, easily the most talented, and arguably the best in the whole tournament. If Captain Pavel Datsyuk is fit to play, if only by the second round, this is a team well equipt to go all the way, with a point to prove and a superstar with a chip on his shoulder.

These Olympics are a great chance for Hockey in this country. The time zone make games viewer friendly and the wealth of talent is one never seen on British soil. If you are not a hockey fan i implore you to give the mens competition at these games a chance, itll be physical, intense with plenty of skill on show, theirs a home nation with its reputation on the line and a defending champion who's games as a nation will largely be defined by what happens in this one medal. NHL commissioner Gary Bettmann has hinted strongly that this may be the last time the number one league in the world sends its players to the Olympic games, so who knows when the next time we'll see a pure best on best Ice Hockey competition is, drink it in while you still can.

Fundamentally flawed Manchester City face huge task to regain the Premier League title.

This blog may seem conveniently timed. On the heels of City's second league defeat of the season, and just hours before they are quite possibly beaten by the European champions Bayern Munich, it seems easy to take a pop at Manuel Pellegrini's men safe in the knowledge the ammunition comes from the weekend, and may be backed up further tonight. In truth though, these are thoughts i've had for some time. Initially instilled by the away defeat to Cardiff City, and out and out confirmed by the lackluster win over Hull City at the Etihad Stadium a week later. Though a wonder goal from Yaya Toure and a final score of 3-0 looked great against Czech minnows Victoria Pilzen, the highly uncomfortable first half showing was where the phrase "Fundamentally flawed" first came to mind. This City team, despite the significant summer signings still looks very similar to the one Roberto Mancini was in charge of, and has even developed a few new flaws since "the engineer" took charge to replace him.

After waltzing past a very poor Newcastle team 4-0 on the opening day, City looked very much like Mancini's 2011/12 City that claimed the premier league title. They moved the ball quickly, sliced the geordie's to shreds and may have even scored more, people soon began saying they were the early season favorites. All this seemed changed a week later when a Kompany-less City went down 3-2 at newly promoted Cardiff. That game looked far more like Mancini's 2012/13 City. They suffered from a lack of width, pace and precision. As West Brom's recent defeat of Man United at Old Trafford has shown, most big teams don't like the "smaller" sides coming at them in games, having the ability to push back and test their opponents at the back. City are not like this though. They want nothing more than a team to have a go, as they know they will more than likely beat them on the counter when sides vacate their midfield, allowing space for the likes of Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero. What they don't like, and never did under Mancini, were teams who "parked the bus". Cardiff put 10 men behind the ball, squeezed City all over the pitch, and collapsed into a narrow shell, forcing City into wider area's to look for room, something many of their players "Silva, Toure, Samir Nasri" simply don't like to do. Of course on the day they gave away three poor goals, from set plays but ultimately it was their lack of pace and attacking threat that allowed Cardiff to grow in confidence, and bring their crowd into the game. While it took Spurs until the 90th minute to find a winner at the Cardiff City Stadium, their pace and verve forced their host's back, and gave them little encouragement to seek a winner of their own. City never achieved this, they allowed Cardiff into the game with lackluster passing and moving, even after going one up, and were punished for it.

A week later Steve Bruce brought Hull City to Eastlands where, after Newcastle's dismantling  most expected Pellegrini's men to brush their second newly promoted oppoenent in two games to the side, and send them home on the receiving end of a hefty scoreline. For most of this game, nothing could have been further from the truth. Pellengrini's inclusion of two strikers, as well as Yaya Toure and new signing Fernandinho in a 4-4-2 formation saw City out maned in the middle of the park, and struggled to get the sort of ball retention that would sap the Tiger's legs and will power. Instead they poured forward with Tom Huddlestone enjoying the kind of freedom no one in sky blue was, setting up chances which, on another day, would have led to the goals that created and up set. The 4-4-2 also brings problems for another of City's new boys, Jesus Navas. The Spaniard was signed to fill the void Adam Johnson had left from the title winning side, and that Scott Sinclair had so clearly failed to do. He was brought in to create width in such games as that defeat to Cardiff, to force defense's to cover him in wider area's, creating space for Silva, Aguero, Toure and Nasri, or have him punish them with his crossing if they didn't  Mancini's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation would see Navas naturally further and wider up the field, where he's more dangerous. It would leave him with far less defensive responsibilities due to the holding midfielders behind him. That formation also helps Samir Nasri due to its versatility  he can cut more into the middle allowing his full back to over lap and provide width for him, both of these were on display when City used a far more 4-2-3-1 looking formation against rivals United, where Nasri set up Alexsander Kolarov to cross for Aguero, and Navas stayed wide to cross for Nasri himself. 

The most recent defeat to Aston Villa was out and out poor game management from City. Having, by all accounts dominated their hosts' in the first half, they only took a one goal advantage into half time. After briefly losing that, an Eden Dzeko header re gave them a lead they should never have lost. While the remaining goal were scored, direct from a free kick and after poor defending from a long hoof upfield, you cant help but think Gareth Barry, an almost ever present in City's title winning season, would have brought a calming influence to things by putting his foot on the ball and keeping his side in control. 4-4-2 with Fernandinho and Toure in the middle doesn't provide this, both are better athletes, made to run and move than they are calming passer's and their failure to deal with Villa's far less expensive midfield contributed to the sides downfall at Villa Park, even if not directly on the late goals that swung the game.

You'll notice spared from criticism is England number one Joe Hart. In the last two seasons has he been the best goal keeper in the world as he arguably was from 2010 to 2012? No. But considering he has kept more clean sheets than any other premier league keeper in each of the last three season's, especially behind an often changed side defense last season, he is still more than good enough for them to win a title with. His form his not City's problem, if you even still beleave it's his. A better keeper, if their is one, would far from guarantee City European or domestic success due to the flaws that are ahead of him on the pitch.

City may well beat Bayern Munich tonight. Bayern aren't top of the Bundesliga, and they have shown one or two teething pains going from a treble winning season under Jupp Heynckes to the trademark methods of Pep Guardiola. City are up and down this season, if they show up and play well, they are fully capable of three points tonight, but this shouldn't cover over the cracks that should be glaringly obvious by now. If they don't address these issues they are doomed to repeat the same failing's that have already cost them twice this season. Six games in, this does not look like a great Premier league team. One that can expect to fight for the title right til the end. At the moment they look temperamental  talented but not always disiplined. Capable of brilliance but not sure how to sustain in. I still beleave, as i do about Manchester United, that City are better than Spurs and Arsenal, leagues ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Everton who they find themselves behind. Teams i feel will fall away fail to sustain a challenge through the winter, and past February and March and into April and May, when it really matters. But while you can not win the title in September and October, you can lose it. If City fall too many points behind now, even when the others presumably struggle during the winter months it may only be enough to draw them back into the pack for the sprint to the finish, where anything can happen. City can win the league,  the worst they have any rite to finish is probably third, but they have to be consistently good to achieve that, and at the moment, they just don't appear built to sustain the type of performance necessary to leave talented but also flawed sides from North London behind. I criticised Mancini's team for being a "nice little team" at times last year. Nice little teams are nice, but do you know what they do? Play nice little football, and get beat. They look a nice little side at the minute, fun to watch, but perhaps incapable of that grind it out ugly style needed to win the league, they will have to find it, or face another summer of major overhaul next season.

Richard Lewis

Luis Suarez's return may bring nothing but trouble for Liverpool.

From the outside looking in, the return of your best player, top goalscorer and arguably only world class player currently in his prime can only be a positive. However in the case of Liverpool's talisman striker Luis Suarez, honestly, its difficult to find too many to point to. 5 games in the reds sit 5th in the premier league table, only outside their ultimate goal for the season, the champions league places on goal difference. Striker Daniel Sturridge is off to a fine goal scoring start, new signings Simon Mingolet and Kolo Toure have slotted in relativity comfortably and they've even seen off fierce rivals Manchester United 1-0 at Anfield. Since few have the kop side down as a team likely to qualify for europes top competition, its difficult to see what Suarez's return could bring the reds they havent already had this season. Even with the Uruguayan's net finding abilities, are Liverpool better than at least one of Manchester City, United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham? On paper certainly not. So if he cant bring them Champions league football, what can he bring them? A player to be proud of? lets be honest could that be further from the truth? Has any other player done more to drag the name of his club through the mud that Suarez? Having already served bans for racially abusing an opponent, and biting another, the former Ajax man isn't exactly a role model. But what are the negatives of his return? allow me to explain.

He's very high up on the premier leagues most hated list. Liverpool were always a club neutrals could cheer for. If your team weren't a premier league contender, the chances were you would be happy to cheer on Liverpool, in the hope they could prevent Alex Ferguson and his Manchester United claiming yet another league title. Even though they are no longer even a favorite to run the title race close, they were still far from a team you actively rooted against. Their was so little to dislike, a glorious past, a modern day great in Steven Gerrard and factoring in the post Hillsborough sympathy, everyone's second club. Those days are gone. left long behind when he sent a racial slur in the general direction of United left back Patrice Evra. Things got even worse at Old Trafford when Suarez refused to shake the handshake of that same player, who showed incredible composure to extend a hand in the first place. Admittedly, Kenny Dalglish's post match interview also poured gas on the fire that had now been set to Liverpool's reputation, but ultimately, he would have never had to make those comments if Suarez hadn't put him in that position in the first place.

While still running around carrying the tag of punished racist, he then decided to sink his teeth into Chelsea's Branoslav Ivanovic, earning him a further 10 game ban. Former Liverpool players came out quickly in damnation of his actions. criticism varied from calls for his immediate placing on the transfer list, to perhaps sad acceptance that the club were in no position to buy a replacement of Suarez's quality, and would have to accept his flaws. More or less an acceptance of his position as "bigger than the club".

That whole mess in the summer.You'll remember this. Arsenal made two bids for the striker in the summer, the second of which was 40 million pound, and one pence. They, and Suarez thought this activated a clause in his contract forcing Liverpool to sell him, Liverpool did not. Basically this now means either Suarez be leaves the manager, Brendan Rogers backed out of a promise to him about what this clause would mean when he agreed to stay at the club last summer, or the club have mislead him and his agent when they placed it in his contract in the first place. That's messy, very messy, and isn't a problem that's going away. Suarez wanted to leave and firmly be leaves he should have been allowed to, so what now? What if Liverpool are cut well adrift of the top four comes January, one of Europes top clubs come calling? What if they miss the champions league all together and clubs start queuing up again in the summer?

Getting him into the team wont be easy. Liverpool and Daniel Sturridge's form without Suarez has been very good, this on the England man's part is largely due to being able to play through the middle as a main striker. He was sold by Chelsea after struggling mightily to find form as a wide player their, and while admittedly showing the occasional flash of class, was far from the sort of player he is now, playing in a wider berth with Suarez up front for Liverpool last year. Getting technical for a moment, if Liverpool continue with their current 4-3-3 formation, it would be most likely see one of the teams star strikers forced into those wide positions. Sturridge has previous of struggling playing there and with Suarez Liverpool's best talent, surely they wouldn't wish to mess with his role in the team. A secondary option would be some variation of 4-4-2/4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 with Suarez playing deeper than, or in support of Sturrdige. Again their's issues here, Assuming Steven Gerrard is an automatic pick in center midfield, Rogers would have to select between Joe Allen or Lucas to partner his captain, is that enough cover for a back four? 4-4-2 itself comes with problems, again the midfield looks worryingly thin, with the potential to be overrun, but more to the point, where do the likes of Phillipe Countinho play when he returns from injury? Surely even at Anfield a midfield of Henderson Gerrard Lucas Countinho is far too flimsy, showing defensive weakness through the middle and wide area's. All in all, when Liverpool head into theirs biggest games this season, to include Suarez and Sturrdige, Rogers must pick between moving one of his best goalscorers out of position, or hanging his midfield out to dry, not ideal.

In a day and age where Liverpool's owners are trying desperately to improve the popularity of the club around the world, it has probably rarely been lower in the Uk itself. Suarez, while not souly, has been hugely responsible for this. The question was often asked of Manchester City, when was enough enough with Mario Balotelli, when would his needless red cards, and multiple training ground bust ups be too much to ignore, given his limited goal scoring record for the club. Suarez has certainly been far more important to Liverpool on the pitch than the enigmatic Italian was for City (Though he has a Fa cup and Premier League winners medal...) but it could easily be argued Mario's antics were not nearly as damming to the clubs image. Has time come for them to move away from him? Well they cant now, the windows shut, several other top class strikers only recently moved clubs this summer and their not leaving those clubs to join Liverpool, who don't play in europe at all this season. I once compared Liverpool fans to a abused house wife in this situation. Clearly the victim of undeserved abuse from the one they love, far to willing to forgive in the hope of change, when everyone around can see it inst coming. Now i think they are far more like a desperate boyfriend, well aware his glamour girlfriend is cheating on him, but unwilling to cut the cord as they know how long they'll be single after, and that they'll never do better. Liverpool are British football's most successful club in Europe, second best in league wins, a genuine force in the game, however they are currently at the mercy of a player clearly undeserving of the loyalty and protection. If the expression "no one is bigger than the club" still means anything at Anfield, then the return of their top scorer from last season shouldn't be hailed as the return of a messiah, but that of a prodigal son, who realistically, cant take them any further than he already has.

Richard Lewis

Martin Tyler's top 5 commentary gems

5) "It's Kanu, whats he gonna do? OOOOOH!"- Chelsea V Arsenal, Premier League.

A wet and almost washed out clash of London's two mega powers in 1999 is where we start our countdown of Martin Tyler, the voice of Sky Sports, best commentary lines ever. This, as many of Tylers best calls are, was assisted by a simply stunning game to have been broadcast over. With 15 minutes left, Arsene Wenger's team best known for its silky football, were stuck in the mud, away from home, 2-0 down to one of theyre fiercest rivals. Then Kanu stepped in. The lanky Nigerian had hit two already when he stepped around Chelsea's Estonian number one Ed De Goey and looked up. From the cutest of angles, all the striker could see was blue shirts back on the line, and rain in his eyes. With team mates marked in the box, he took the option all good strikers would, try and score an almost impossible goal, to finish your hat trick and become a club legend, and that he did. Immortalized not just for the goal, but by Tyler for saying exactly what we were all thinking, with a school boy excitement, but somehow professional cry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyjeVOTzRbA

4) "Would you beleave it!?"- Arsenal V Everton, Premier League.Need i say more? Dying seconds at Arsenal's old Highbury ground, last game of the season, about to receive the trophy after an easy 3-0 win, what could be better? Oh i know, how about if your captain, recently back from a battle with alcohol addiction, completes his prodigal son like return by charging through the middle of the park, onto a through ball, and thumbs in a fourth. Even though he's a center half. It truly was an unwrightable script, allowing Tyler once again to some a moment up perfectly, in an instantly memorable, easily re callable and often imitated tone.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD8w5d1V628

3) "Di Canio-oooooo!"- West Ham V Wimbledon, Premier League.There are some goals, so uniquely special, they stand the test of time. There are others, forever emblazoned onto your brain because of the quality of the commentary, or what they meant. This goal, was all of those things. Think about it, how many times have you been in a pub, talking about great goals, and tryed to explain this one by waving your arms about trying to replicate the "byclye" motion Di Canio's legs make here? Only to have it all end in "You know the one, Di Canio-oooooo". Yeah, that one. perhaps its because it was just a mid season game against Wimbledon, but this goal is often shrouded in "yeah who was that against " or "Oh yeah, when was that again?" But one thing it will always be, is that goal Martin Tyler said that about. In essence thats his job, and why he's so good at it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwL-QDZg2BY

2) "Balotelli........... Aguerooooooooooo"- Manchester City V QPR, Premier League.With personal bias taken aside, this falls to two. Now I was at this game, so I didnt actually hear the commentary until a day or so after, so i'll never truly appreciate what it was to hear that live, as the goal went in. What i can say for it though, is even though that was the single greatest moment of my life, and it happened without the commentary, even when i picture the goal from where i was standing, Martin Tylers voice is over the top, forever. It was so simple. All it is, is both players involved names, but it was so perfect. Somehow purely with the tone of his voice Tyler manages to some up the sheer desperation, disbelief and joy of the moment before, that, and just after the ball hit the net. It was pure bedlam, as was his commentary, ranting about how we'd never see anything like this ever again. The premier league title, won with two goals in added time, on the final game of the season. A perfect football story, yet somehow the commentary is worth remembering by itself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAZ3SmiSFfg

1) "Gerrard" "Ooooooooooooh ya beautyyyyyyy!"- Liverpool V Olympiakos, Champions League.I dont remember a goal this talked about during my whole 5 years of comprehensive school. Yes, its a wonder goal, that saved Liverpool from elimination in the group stages of a Champions League they would go on to win that season. Yes it was a 90th minute winner for a team that trailed 2-0 at half time, but the reason everyone loves this goal, is the commentary. You can argue this is far from all Tyler, Andy Gray does indeed make this what it was, I just thought despite his embarrassing and justified sacking from Sky Sports, credit was due for the fantastic double act these two were. BBC and Itv coverage of England internationals is almost unbearable  mainly down to the shameless and unapologetic bias and arrogance. This is something Sky only seem to replicate while English teams are playing in Europe, but they even get away with that. It's less"It's our channel and we'll big up our team as much as we want" and more "thats how me and the boys reacted" It's familiar, jovial, genuine. Passion for the game should just flow over the top like that, especially in such dramatic moments, its a clear and deserved number one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvMfq4OGnRc

One day Martin Tyler will have to call it a career, and what a sad day that will be. In a time when football coverage is becoming more and more difficult to sit through (perhaps a ploy from clubs to get fans to pay outrages ticket prices to actually go to games) Tyler is just what you need. He dosent over analyse things, or overdue it with his own opinion, he just allows football to be the entertainment, and he the compliment. Truth be told theirs no point me going on forever and a day about Martin Tyler, as his words will always tell you more about him than mine, and there just a quick youtube search away, whether you intentionally seek them out, or find them attached to a classic premier league moment.

How Will History Tell One of Football's Greatest Fairytales?

There is a sign often held at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground that reads: Alex Ferguson, the impossible dream. And in many ways it is. 13 league titles, 2 Champions League's 5 FA cups 4 League cups and sheer global dominance, certainly not entirely created by one man, but definitely impossible without him. It's simply unthinkable we'll see another manager in charge of one club for 28 years again, then alone one as significant as United. The stakes are too high now, too much money involved, too many non "Football people" in positions of power within the game. But what will time make of Ferguson? No dought Brian Clough's two European cups at Nottingham Forrest are fondly remembered, but as each year passes, "Cloughy" becomes more and more one of football great characters  and less and less one of its great managers. So what of Ferguson? What of his tale from humble beginnings in Glasgow and an decent playing career  to the ascension as quite possibly, and in a lot of opinions undoubtedly  the greatest manager in the history of the sport?

In the summer of 2011 I stepped off a plane and Toronto's Pearson airport. Their i was to be greeted by my cousin Jonathon who hails from a few hours down the road in London, Ontario. I'd only met Jon on one previous occasion, when i was young, but i didnt need to worry about recognising him. He's visited the UK before, and is a pretty big football fan, so maybe it shouldnt have surprised me when i walked down those stairs at the arrivals area and saw him, in a United shirt. My initial reaction was "And he's wearing a United shirt, for god sakes you cant get away from them". That's what United are, thats what Ferguson has helped make them. When people in North America decide to watch football almost all they know is Manchester United. It could be argued its not their fault, the big US tv stations dont want to show average games involving mid-table teams, so they go and get the teams that are winning the most, and clearly in the Premier League era, that's United. But why was my reaction one of such disgust? Is it because im a Man City fan? Yes. But looking away from that i could easily imagine a Sunderland, or Fulham fan being equally upset at the sight of it, United are Marmite you either love or hate them, and do so with a passion. Is it all jealousy? A great deal of it will be, but there are genuine reasons to dislike Fergusons club. The term "Fergie time", the apparent unfair amount of stoppage time United get at the end of game they are either losing or drawing, is a stick people will always use to hit them. Eric Cantona flying into the crowd to "Kung-Fu kick" a Wimbledon fan, the referee surrounding, the hypocritical complaints about other teams, that Roy Keane tackle on Alfie Haaland, David Beckham and in so many more ways Cristiano Ronaldo are all things people despise about Manchester United. People loath Alex Ferguson and his team, and it is that im worried about. The man already has a statue outside Old Trafford and a stand named after him, an all time great in many ways we're lucky to have been around to appreciate  but will the hatred blind us? I fear if i have Children and they ask me who Alex Ferguson was, there will be a great deal of swear words said before i can bring myself to talk of his greatness. We are a generation that will carry the Ferguson story forward so what will it be? Greatest Manager to ever draw breath, unrepeatably good, envied and respected by all, or arrogant, hypocritical, cheating scum? Such extreme's seem unnecessary  but they are there. Manchester City will never forget being told they'd not win the league during Alex's "Lifetime" but can they accept it and show him the respect his legacy deserves, should they have too?

The timing of this decision is in so many ways perfect, having just wrestled the title back from City, Ferguson can safely say he has beaten everyone that has ever beaten him. Wenger, Mourinho, Mancini, Guardio- oh, well ok everyone in the Premier League anyway. United are the champions, theyve got probably they're best squad since Ronaldo left, a fantastic young player in Wilfred Zaha to come next season, and the division's best goalscorer Robin Van Persie signed most likely until the end of his usefulness. Replacements?  It's a tough one. Mourinho would walk in the door without a care in the world in regard's to filling the void, you must feel Ferguson's decision to retire now was somewhat influenced by the fact both the special one and Everton's David Moyes may well be available this summer, and after some thought, i think the scot is the best choice. Mourinho's track record is incredible, but he seemingly always finds a way to leave people unhappy despite success, and equally big clubs in Inter and Madrid, and seems to always leave around the three four year mark. I dont think United are looking to play the field with the manager's position after a 28 year marriage to Ferguson, and Moyes Sir Alex esque abillity to get more out of squads most people dont be leave capable, aswell as his long tenure at Goodison may tip him for the job. In any event, its a huge job to take on, i just wonder if 30 years from now people can still remember the staggering sporting achievement that the Feguson era was, or will it be in some ways lost, to countless tales of woe and envy? We will see.

Premier League of the Year Awards- NHL Style

I've not blogged in a long time,so it took a slightly unusual idea to make me do so again. Here im going to apply the standard NHL of the year awards to Premier League players, the cross over of categories made for some interesting decision making. Here goes...

Jack Adams Award- Coach of the Year

David Moyes- Everton.

Coach of the Year: David Moyes

A quick scan of the current premier league table provides few major shocks. The ones that are there, Newcastle 14th and QPR 19th are dissapointments, and even West Brom at 8th isnt a huge shock with the majority of the division's middle order pritty interchangeable year to year. Everton though remain very much in the hunt for a Champions League place and considering their minimal wage and transfer budgets, Moyes' abillity to build what he himself has called his "best ever" Everton side is a little remarkable. The teams currentely above the Toffee's would all view missing Europes top club competition as failure but Everton, ahead of arch rivals Liverpool and looking set to break a club record for fewest defeats in a premier league season (9, currentely on course for 5) may well be viewed as success for them.

Honorable mentions: Micheal Laudraup- Swansea. Alex Ferguson- Manchester United

Bill Masterson Memorial Award

Steven Gerrard- Liverpool.

Perseverance and dedication: Gerrard

This is an interesting one at the best of times, especially considering the cross over in sports. Officially the Masterson is awarded to "the player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship  perseverance and dedication to hockey". It's unofficially a "best comeback" award often given to players who have returned from long term to career altering injuries, as well as occasionally family tragedies. With that said the fact that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has played every minute of every game the reds have played this season, less than a year removed from the longest injure absence of his career,  at 33 an age where most Premier League midfielders slow down. Factor in his 9 goals with games remaining the probability of yet another double figure haul from midfield and Stevie G takes this one.

Honorable Mentions: Shane Long- West Brom. Dimitar Berbatov- Fulham

Frank J. Selke Award- Best Defensive Forward.

James Milner- Manchester City

Ever reliable: Milner

Synics who know anything about this award would  complain that its badly given out in the NHL. It dosent really matter how good you are defensively, if you cant also chip in offensively, no one will care. It's often thought of as a nice little award to pat "superstar" players on the back because they also do the everyday things lesser players are expected to do, like win face-offs and block shots. Anyway, that aside we'll use it to hand out some much needed praise to under celebrated holding midfield players. The best of the bunch has been the champions English number 7, Milner. Incredibly versatile Milner has played right and left wing back,  right and left midfield, aswell as central midfield in an ever changing City starting 11. His abillity to cover for his full back as well as get back up the park to provide crosses has earned a player of the month award for City and, so it appears, a regular starting place for his national side.

Honorable Mentions: Ramieres- Chelsea. Michael Carrick- Manchester United.

James Norris Memorial Award- Best Defender.
Patrice Evra- Manchester United

Norris Winner Patrice Evra

Another fairly uncelebrated part of the premier league is being a defender. Until some pundit wants to take offensive at the notion that a non premiership player other than Lionel Messi may be the best player in the world in his position, no one wants to talk about how many defenders have actually had very good seasons. Man United have been happy to see the combination of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand back in their defense far more often than last season, but theyve still been far from regulars. Earlier in the season especially the goalkeeper position was a revolving door at Old Trafford but one almost ever present has been their vice captain, Evra. United are second in the most clean sheets chart and have seen a career high four goals knocked in by the Frenchman, he's been due to "win this award" but i beleave he has done this season.

Honorable Mentions: Leighton Baines- Everton. Pablo Zabaleta- Manchester City

Vezina Trophy- Best Goalkeeper
Joe Hart- Manchester City

Number one: Hart

It could easily be argued this has been Hart's weakest season since being handing the gloves as City's number one, but the 25 year old has been ever present in a team that has conceded less goals than any one else, kept more clean sheets than any one else and has been beaten on the joint least occasions. Not bad. Vincent Kompany has been injured, Kolo Toure, Matija Nastasic and Jolean Lescott have all been rotated perhaps far too often, and ill fated adventures with a 3-5-2 formation has seen the likes of Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabelta look out of position as centre halves so its not difficult to say Hart is the most responsible for City's surprisingly strong defensive effort this season.

Honorable Mentions: Petr Cech- Chelsea. Simon Mignolet- Sunderland.

Calder Memorial Trophy- Best Rookie
Miguel Michu- Swansea
Technically Michu wouldnt be eligible for this award in the NHL. The criteria is for first year players, usually 18 to 22 year old's. To keep it fair theirs an upper age limit of 26 to prevent already established players coming to the NHL and running away with it, however since it is far more common practice for

More than you payed for: Michu

established players to come to the premier league, we'll give him a pass. Little was known of him before he joined the Swans at the start of the 2012/13 season but 17 premier league goals later he is in many ways the envy of the league after being signed for a incredible 2 million pounds. There's not been a better value for money signing in the league, and you could safely say his goals alone have prevented Swansea suffering "second season syndrome" 

Honorable Mentions: Jan Vertonghan- Tottenham. Romelu Lukaku- West Brom.

Hart Memorial Trophy- MVP
Robin Van Persie- Manchester United.

RVP- MVP

Another award thats criteria will be often debated, Van Persie takes the ever prestigious most valuable player award in this mock awards show. Obviously the most valuable player to his team wont always necessarily win this, just because your valuable to your team dosent mean your brilliant, what if your team are rubbish? Thats what probably tips Van Persie for this award ahead of the other contenders, Spurs are yet to guarantee a Champions League (If they get one at all) and Liverpool are also rans. So as great as the individual contributions of the likes of Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale have been, they haven't also single handily been the difference in the title race, Van Persie has. Admittedly he's had a stronger supporting cast, but keeping in mind United only missed out on last years title on goal difference, and this year lead it by 12 points and are 9 goals better off than City you can see why he is considered the difference between the two sides.

Statistical Awards
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award- Best Save Percentage: Gerhard Tremmel- Swansea
Rocket Richard Trophy- Top Goalscorer: Robin Van Persie- Manchester United
Art Ross Trophy- Most Points (Goals and Assists): Robin Van Persie- Manchester United
William M. Jennings Trophy- Goalkeeper with Fewest Goals Against: Joe Hart- Manchester City

My Sympathy For The England Football Team

For me, it was the best moment of these European championships so far. As a Manchester City fan, the site of Mario Balotelli and Joe Hart, 30 yards out from goal, playing every mind game they knew. Niether wanted to gaze the other directly in the eye, to give anything away, or be seen to be looking away, losing face. Hart shouted and snarled, Balotelli tried to hide a smirk and a smile, as the two backed into the penalty area a site that is useually reserved for the 20 or so invited guests at City's Carrignton training ground, was about to be played out infront of the world. Camera bulbs flashed as Mario began that familiar run up, he opened his body up, Hart's eyes grew wide as he thought he'd anticipated the strike, but it wasnt enough. The ball nesseld in the corner, Balotelli threw his arms into the air, a rare show of joy possibly as much down to getting one over a club-mate as giving the Italians the lead. It was, in its purist form, why footballers play the game. They were two kids on a playground, loving every second. There was no way during that period of time, that either was thinking of their model girlfriends, their Bentley's or their big houses. It was about representing their countries, and giving their teams an edge on route to chasing an ultimate goal, a major international tournament.

Its at moments like that you remember their human beings, genuine people just making a living and living a dream. They didnt ask for the fame, and they didnt write the infuriating headlines that often lead to peoples hatred of the England team. Wayne Rooney for example, its easy to think that he's a full time 24/7 cunt, but then a guy who named his son after a mortal combat character, is admittedly addicted to Fifa and has a Stereophonics tattoo has got to have a half decent bone somewhere in his body. So then why are they hate figures? We watch that league every week, i personally cheer on three members of Englands Euro 2012 squad every week at club level, so why am i so incapable of wishing them even moderate success at major tournaments? The media. I fucking hate the English sporting media. Their why i blog, their why i have a passing interest in being a sports writer. Their so full of fucking shit it boils my skin, and the idea that they would take any kind of joy out of English success, that makes me hope and pray there never is any.

The build up to this tournament was ofcourse dominated by the exit of Fabio Cappello, the "snubbing" of Harry Redknapp and the following appointment of Roy Hodgson. Now obviously Redknapp was never sunbed for the England job, he never officially applied, he was never named the number one target, and never asked for an interview. Should i complain when a top London bank dosent inform me that im not in the running for a posisiton of CEO? No. But the media had anointed Harry as the man for the job, and in their own self importance had to start a shit storm after they didnt get their way. After that yawn-fest came the squad, which thanks to injuries and "other" circumstances became abit of a joke. Liverpools Martin Kelly found his way into the number 5 shirt, possibly to reflect how far down the pecking order he was, and that was the next major story. Hodgson fired back at suggestions Rio Ferdinand's international carear was over, and thus was born a "united" England, and contradiction number one. We've heard for years that representing your country is the highest honour any footballer can have, and that giving your all and "putting your body on the line for the cause" is the least thats expected, so why am i supposed to be impressed by Scott Parker doing so, under the illusion he's doing it because this England squad is more "together" than previous one's, shouldnt they all always be doing that? After a Joleon Lescott header from a free kick gave England a point in their opening group fixture, the talk quickly turned form their previous inability to keep the ball, to praise for the newly installed "shape" and "discipline" installed by Hodgson. (forgetting early complaints about 4-4-2 being obsolete.)  In here lies the true problem with English football, and the reason they wont win anything, scribes with columns in newspapers talking shit is one thing, but when former internationals who've played at this level are in so much denial that they cant see England just got passed off the park AGAIN just because they scraped a 1-1 off a team no one expects to win anything, you truely have to wonder! Sweden once again provided an alarming threat to Englands progression from a group stage when they took over the ball in the second half of there game, Danny Welbecks late goal was enough to salvage all three points and spark mass hysteria. Theo Walcott was a world beater once more, and England, full of stars from the "best league in the world" were the plucky little engine that could, and that this tournament could be one theyd win from "under the radar", rite. After bouncing past the Ukraine in once again less than convincing fashion, genuine belief sprang across the nation, England would play another poor side, Italy in the quater final stage.

It was at this stage that again, the cancerous infection in the England team would become apparent, Italy, especially in the second half, would enjoy an almost embarrassing amount of possession against a team clearly playing to not be beaten, in the hope of nicking a win through either the sublime or the stupid. Both teams slogged away for 120 tedious minutes before our story came full circle, and the meeting of Mario and Joe. After Italy earned there place in the last four, England were left to sit and cry in yet another center circle, at yet another major tournament. Our friends the media though? They had one last trick up there sleave. Andrea Pirlo was quickly anointed the player of the tournement, after all, a free kick and a good performance in a game that finishes 0-0 will do that for you. England couldnt have possibly been beaten by an average team, unless they had a truly world class player pulling thr strings, it couldn't have been that England made the same mistakes as before, it was Pirlo's performance that made it look that way, all of course, bollox. The England football team will never step out of their own tabloids shadow, which appears to be the way the later likes it. Crushing expectations and overwhelming ignorance will always put this team down, and put many off it, in the end, i think the only thing worth doing is to think of the individuals out on the pitch as what they are, boys come men, looking to live a dream of playing at the highest level in there sport, will they let you down? Yes. Undoubtedly. Are they there own hype machine? No. They dont come to these tournaments telling anyone that will listen that this could be the year, they just hope it is, and they may be hoping a while longer.