BPL Heroes and Zeroes 34
HEROES
ARSENE WENGER
Lesser managers would have rested an entire first-team ahead of a Champions League semi-final tie against Manchester United - especially if it's the only tournament that the team can realistically win. But not Arsene Wenger. He wanted Arsenal to finish in the top two the league and his bold team selection reflected that. Not only has his strategy paid off but it has also helped Cesc Fabregas regain his match fitness. The Arsenal skipper has been one of their key players but he has just returned from injury. No one will blame Wenger if he wanted to protect Fabregas and ease him back into the first team. But the young Spaniard ;justified his manager's faith and has now played seven games for the Gunners since his return from injury in April - and scored two goals against Middlesbrough. Next up for Wenger is the question: Who can replace Andrey Arshavin in the two-legged Champions League ties against World Champions Manchester United?
ROONEY & RONALDO
When these two world-class players are on song, no one in world football can come close to their understanding and ruthlessness. Aside from the infamous 'wink' episode, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo have now dovetailed to almost perfection. They combined to destroy Tottenham's defence with their instinctive play and effectively won the game for United. The highlight has to be Rooney's chip to find Ronaldo with a diving header to give United the all-important lead. The Red Devils never looked back after that. Some fans will claim that this partnership is just as good as, if not better than, the duo of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. In some ways, there is so much more to come from 'RAR' - Sir Alex Ferguson will readily agree that they have not yet reached their peak yet. Good news for United fans; grave news for the others.
RYAN GIGGS
No winner has gotten so much bad press (well, since David Ginola's win). Ryan Giggs won the PFA Players' Player of the Year fair and square. There may be some who doubted his win because of his lack of first-team appearances this season. But one cannot discount the influence and experience he gives on and off the pitch. No one can match that kind of experience and no one can buy that kind of experience. The winner of this award has to set an example to all his fellow footballers, amateur or professional, that humility, desire and professionalism are more important than money or fame. And the Welshman is the perfect example of that. After receiving the award, Giggs stated that, in typical style, that he still has the desire to play for one more season, that is, if he is still wanted by United. Kudos then to Giggs.
PETR CECH
The smile is back. Petr Cech has not been convincing all season long but he showed he is slowly back to his best in the game against West Ham. Not only did he keep another clean sheet, Cech also made a magnificent one-handed penalty save from Mark Noble. His save effectively won Chelsea two points and kept them in touch with Manchester United and Liverpool. Sometimes goalkeepers are not singled out for praise but they will be unfairly criticised if they made two or three fatal errors. Cech will have another chance to prove his doubters wrong when the Blues take on Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
ZEROES
TOTTENHAM
Liverpool and Chelsea fans must have been wondering what hit them when Tottenham let slip an impressive two-goal half-time lead against Manchester United and went on to lose 5-2. Although the penalty decision that changed the game was debatable, Tottenham should have had enough in their tanks to hold United and blow the title race wide open. Harry Redknapp and Jermaine Jenas both condemned the penalty decision but in fairness Spurs sat back and allowed United to play and it proved a suicidal decision. Facing waves and waves of Man United attacks, the overworked Spurs defence had no answer and eventually crumpled under the pressure. This result will be déjà vu for Tottenham. In a league game on 29 September 2001 at White Hart Lane, goals from Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege gave Spurs a three-goal lead at half-time. United came back to win 5-3 with goals from Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham.
SUNDERLAND
Sunderland slumped to their fifth defeat in six away games after they went down 3-0 to bottom-dwellers West Brom. They conceded three without reply to a team that has shipped 63 goals in 33 games! Manager Ricky Sbragia was scathing in his post-match assessment and he was right to be. The Sunderland players seemed to think that their team is safe from relegation and are already planning their holidays during the game. Only four points separate them from the drop zone and as past history has indicated, anything can happen in the game of football- especially when the stakes are so high. Everton, Bolton and Portsmouth are next up for the Black Cats.
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa's winless slump continues after a 1-1 draw with Bolton meant they have not tasted victory in their last nine league matches. Once they had the chance to supplant Arsenal in the top four, but the Villains'' form has gotten so bad that it stopped being funny. Arsenal's return to form has coincided with Villa's own dip in form. Martin O'Neill seemed to have accepted that Villa will finish fifth and has already started planning for next season! The only consolation for the Villa faithful is that Ashley Young won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
HEROES
ARSENE WENGER
Lesser managers would have rested an entire first-team ahead of a Champions League semi-final tie against Manchester United - especially if it's the only tournament that the team can realistically win. But not Arsene Wenger. He wanted Arsenal to finish in the top two the league and his bold team selection reflected that. Not only has his strategy paid off but it has also helped Cesc Fabregas regain his match fitness. The Arsenal skipper has been one of their key players but he has just returned from injury. No one will blame Wenger if he wanted to protect Fabregas and ease him back into the first team. But the young Spaniard ;justified his manager's faith and has now played seven games for the Gunners since his return from injury in April - and scored two goals against Middlesbrough. Next up for Wenger is the question: Who can replace Andrey Arshavin in the two-legged Champions League ties against World Champions Manchester United?
ROONEY & RONALDO
When these two world-class players are on song, no one in world football can come close to their understanding and ruthlessness. Aside from the infamous 'wink' episode, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo have now dovetailed to almost perfection. They combined to destroy Tottenham's defence with their instinctive play and effectively won the game for United. The highlight has to be Rooney's chip to find Ronaldo with a diving header to give United the all-important lead. The Red Devils never looked back after that. Some fans will claim that this partnership is just as good as, if not better than, the duo of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. In some ways, there is so much more to come from 'RAR' - Sir Alex Ferguson will readily agree that they have not yet reached their peak yet. Good news for United fans; grave news for the others.
RYAN GIGGS
No winner has gotten so much bad press (well, since David Ginola's win). Ryan Giggs won the PFA Players' Player of the Year fair and square. There may be some who doubted his win because of his lack of first-team appearances this season. But one cannot discount the influence and experience he gives on and off the pitch. No one can match that kind of experience and no one can buy that kind of experience. The winner of this award has to set an example to all his fellow footballers, amateur or professional, that humility, desire and professionalism are more important than money or fame. And the Welshman is the perfect example of that. After receiving the award, Giggs stated that, in typical style, that he still has the desire to play for one more season, that is, if he is still wanted by United. Kudos then to Giggs.
PETR CECH
The smile is back. Petr Cech has not been convincing all season long but he showed he is slowly back to his best in the game against West Ham. Not only did he keep another clean sheet, Cech also made a magnificent one-handed penalty save from Mark Noble. His save effectively won Chelsea two points and kept them in touch with Manchester United and Liverpool. Sometimes goalkeepers are not singled out for praise but they will be unfairly criticised if they made two or three fatal errors. Cech will have another chance to prove his doubters wrong when the Blues take on Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
ZEROES
TOTTENHAM
Liverpool and Chelsea fans must have been wondering what hit them when Tottenham let slip an impressive two-goal half-time lead against Manchester United and went on to lose 5-2. Although the penalty decision that changed the game was debatable, Tottenham should have had enough in their tanks to hold United and blow the title race wide open. Harry Redknapp and Jermaine Jenas both condemned the penalty decision but in fairness Spurs sat back and allowed United to play and it proved a suicidal decision. Facing waves and waves of Man United attacks, the overworked Spurs defence had no answer and eventually crumpled under the pressure. This result will be déjà vu for Tottenham. In a league game on 29 September 2001 at White Hart Lane, goals from Dean Richards, Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege gave Spurs a three-goal lead at half-time. United came back to win 5-3 with goals from Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and David Beckham.
SUNDERLAND
Sunderland slumped to their fifth defeat in six away games after they went down 3-0 to bottom-dwellers West Brom. They conceded three without reply to a team that has shipped 63 goals in 33 games! Manager Ricky Sbragia was scathing in his post-match assessment and he was right to be. The Sunderland players seemed to think that their team is safe from relegation and are already planning their holidays during the game. Only four points separate them from the drop zone and as past history has indicated, anything can happen in the game of football- especially when the stakes are so high. Everton, Bolton and Portsmouth are next up for the Black Cats.
ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa's winless slump continues after a 1-1 draw with Bolton meant they have not tasted victory in their last nine league matches. Once they had the chance to supplant Arsenal in the top four, but the Villains'' form has gotten so bad that it stopped being funny. Arsenal's return to form has coincided with Villa's own dip in form. Martin O'Neill seemed to have accepted that Villa will finish fifth and has already started planning for next season! The only consolation for the Villa faithful is that Ashley Young won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
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