2013-05-21T00:11:35-04:00 Dominic Antill http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=dominic-antill Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Dominic Antill Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3107561 2013-04-18T19:00:00-04:00 2013-04-18T12:47:16-04:00

Dominic Antill http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dominic-antill/
Having received plaudits for his performance in midfield against Stoke last week it may seem gun-ho to point to his performance against the East Londoners as a sign that he may be shown the door this summer, but Ferguson has never been shy of shifting players on, for the benefit of the team.

Rooney's statistical output this season is good, 16 goals and 12 assists in 31 appearances is a pretty decent return. Especially as the introduction of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa have meant he has been shoehorned into various positions often where his talent flickers without ever really shining at its brightest. But he has been prone to bouts of inconsistency and anonymous displays.

On his day, he can probably play anywhere on a football pitch and impress, but his battles are psychological. His motivations for playing at his best, or even offering the "old Rooney" are difficult to decipher, the process of catharsis has seen him produce the spectacular but only after his internal struggles have led to near implosion. As much as you could argue that Ferguson tamed Rooney, making him a team player rather than unleashing the potentially brightest of stars in a cosmos where two others illuminate without competition, his own reluctance to assume the mantle for himself as the other two did suggests a structural flaw at his core.

There are niggling issues when Rooney is allowed to sit in the front seat, his best goal scoring seasons, last season and the 09-10 season with 34 each, yielded none of the top trophies. Both of which, despite the stats, were arguably some of his poorer footballing showings. Turning from combative, insatiable forward to poacher, meant he dropped other aspects of his game, namely his touch, creativity and work rate to channel his talent on simply putting the ball in the back of the net. It can be easily justified that he was left with no choice, that he brought average teams as close as they could to clutching silverware that otherwise would be completely out of sight. In that sense it would seem harsh to condemn him to exile while others, less talented but unsurprisingly so, contribute what they can weather that be enough is rarely a damning indictment. Expectation, as you could have predicted when he first burst onto the scene, may be is ultimate downfall.

His own expectations play a part too, his clamour for talent more aligned with his has seen players of significant technical ability brought in, who at times only exacerbate rather than encourage him out of his slack play with the ball at his feet.

Against West Ham he was given the opportunity to play in perhaps his favorite role, just behind the main striker. It did not work on this occasion, his touch and movement was cumbersome and lackluster. At one point in the first half, strutting at a canter he tried to take the ball past two oncoming players almost from a standing start. He must have temporarily forgotten what a difference being in prime physical shape can do in those moments. There was great puffing of the cheeks, laboring back and forth came with an air of frustration at being unable to climb above the mediocrity of his teams performance. He sat deeper in an attempt to assert himself but these were no Stoke lookalikes. Again flickers of brilliance shone through, early in the second half a perfectly flighted ball over the Hammers defence fell sumptuously for van Persie, had he buried the chance or Jones been able to bundle in the square header back it may be a different story. But while not much could be done to prevent Mohamed Diame swinging a delightful effort round De Gea, seeing Rooney flat footed and unresponsive to the big midfielder's movement would have irked some.

With Shinji Kagawa smoothly caressing his way into Sir Alex's consciousness with neat, delicate touches, a quaint 'shimmji' to set up the first and the swiftest of turns in order to inadvertently set up the second makes him a strong contender for that central position in-between the lines.

The new jewel in the crown having scored his 25th goal in United colours may have been on a barren run that would make even Andy Carroll blush but he has been the difference in the title race this season. Robin van Persie's eagerness to convert his lofty talents into the acquisition of silverware is his motivator and for the first half of the season his personal quest gave United much needed impetus as Rooney flapped and floundered.

A lack of purpose has maybe befallen Rooney, even a lack of belonging combining injuries, new players and the fact that the title is all but sealed may signify that United don't need him to win the top prizes. After his performance at the Bernabeu in the Champions League and subsequent lack of inclusion in the starting line-up for the return leg would suggest, United's cohesion as a unit seemed stronger when he wasn't there.

These last few remaining matches should represent a brilliant opportunity to forge a cast iron position behind the main striker. Which he can still do. But he may be more inclined to coast, rather than exert. Day dreaming of a summer spent drinking beer in the sun with a record 20th league title medal to add to his other four sounds harmonic for most especially without the unwanted pressure of putting on an England shirt.

The Rooney complex is an unwanted conundrum for Ferguson who will surely bolster midfield in the summer with an exodus predicted. A specialist central midfielder would more than likely only show Rooney up as being an occasional imitator rather than the real deal.

If Rooney doesn't stake his claim for a starting berth further forward it wouldn't be outlandish to suggest that now is the time, for him as much as the team, given his age and subsequent value to continue the process of finding himself in different colours.

The 'what if' however will haunt Ferguson more than any other if this regressive star reignites and shows us the player most thought cosigned to peter out with a whimper.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2236759 2012-12-05T19:00:00-05:00 2013-02-04T05:12:01-05:00

Dominic Antill http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dominic-antill/
The Professor has always had the backing of the fans however who have often cajoled him in a cloak of faith that must have felt like the oversized puffer jacket he is fond of wearing.

But he would have felt a cold chill after Saturday's result.

The chorus of boos that followed their defeat to Swansea at home last weekend could spell real trouble for the once lordly manager as the veneer of his stature is slowly eroding away by concerted discontent.

The "In Wenger We Trust" mantra felt like a warm gesture of solidarity at a time where little is offered for such, but Gunners' fans can rightly wonder if sympathy and nostalgia are best for their club.

In what was a dank and frustrating 0-0 away to Aston Villa the decision to substitute Olivier Giroud a forward, for Francis Coquelin a defensive midfielder, riled the travelling fans.

Arsene urged fans to be "realistic" but could not hide behind the same disclaimer after Saturday's result.

Two wins in eight games have not made for much enthusiasm or optimism; why else would a supporter travel up and down the country or spend a staggering £126 on a match day or £1,955 for a season ticket?

Especially at a club who have sold the mystique of 'potential' carefully supervised by a safe pair of hands, for a trophy-less eight years.

They have successfully galvanised fan loyalty (and their money) despite that potential failing to materialise into something tangible as their best players regardless of superficial motive have jumped ship.

Wenger speaks of the drama and emotional reaction to their poor start with tedium but realistically speaking, Arsenal are currently 10th in the league and 15 points off the top. Even if he were to turn things around an outside challenge for the title seems preposterous, third? Fourth? What are the fans paying for exactly?

It may be difficult to look at the performance of the newbies as cause for such results if only perhaps, Michu a bargain bucket gem at £2m, hadn't emphatically scored his ninth and 10th goals against them on Saturday.

They are missing the Midas touch, which Wenger once commanded, assembling a team of relative unknowns to function cohesively was his expertise, and most importantly, even if they didn't necessarily win, they at least challenged for trophies.

Currently the team's core looks flaky, with their attacking focus typically profligate and blunt as if putting on an Arsenal shirt now comes with an inherent loss of pragmatism. Giroud has scored just four from 44 shots and Cazorla whilst clearly more of a creative force only has four goals from a whopping 51 attempts.

Arsenal's most efficient scorers have come from two wide players who don't want to play there; Podolski has scored three from 20 shots and Walcott has four goals and four assists from just 15.

Playing a typical 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 formation, a defensive midfielder is required to add some steely reserve to unshackle the passing maestros they have at their disposal. Arteta does most of the dirty work with aplomb but the archetypal central midfield system sees one player breaking down play and the other distributing it. Arteta can do both but is far better at the latter.

Despite Wenger's reiteration of their consistent success in being a top four club the third best in the country last season, they have picked up just one point against the leagues' front runners.

The top three, as was the overriding sense when they went to Old Trafford, must see Arsenal as rank outsiders who could on a good day cause some trouble but are more likely to fold.

This is Wenger's worst start to a Premier League season and where finishing in the top four has always been a given under his tenure, other teams, arguably lesser teams (who have also spent a lot less) find themselves further up the table.

A perfect time to rejuvenate the squad may come in January coinciding with the new Emirates sponsorship deal set to bring in £150m. Where that money is invested will come under scrutiny. If the big guns of the league are financially irresponsible, at the least you can guarantee that Manchester United's new £357m sponsorship deal with Chevrolet will enable their manager to speculate to accumulate. This in the knowledge that winning is always more profitable than making do.

Wenger has already conceded not just to purchase youngsters and has invested in experience; a flourish in January with an eye to quality over quantity could make a real difference.

Pride might not appear in the equation of a financial balance spread-sheet but for fans, it means everything. It can also come before the fall of course; Wenger has been falling in suspended animation but may have stuck around long enough to see his legacy dismantled.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1667541 2012-07-12T08:12:26-04:00 2012-09-11T05:12:10-04:00

Dominic Antill http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dominic-antill/
Presupposing that the two Manchester clubs are probably going to repeat their local duel for supremacy at the very top we are left with a meagre two blank spots to fill.

The main contenders should be Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.

Outside bets may see Liverpool and possibly Newcastle being worthwhile punts. The Reds have to improve on last season but Brendan Rodgers would need to work wonders to bring a rudimentary side towards his playing mantra.

The Toon finished just outside the top four last season but with a gruelling Europa League to contend with, consolidation as an upper top-half team should be the main priority.

Arsenal who finished third last season did so off the back of one of the most tumultuous, see-saw dramas you are likely to watch.

They lost Fabregas and Nasri in the summer, which didn't propagate the notion of high expectations, surmised by the 8-2 drubbing at the hands of a rampant United in August.

The hallowed principles of Wenger looked more like the incoherent babble of a mad man but with Robin Van Persie in the form of his life they defied expectations.

Fast forward to the peripheries of the 2012/13 season and it's déjà vu for the Gunners, RVP is the latest prized asset to have lost faith in the club's tentative aspirations, weighed down by the apparent burden of financial solidarity.

On the more optimistic side, which is the only side Gunners fans have been offered in a trophy-less seven years, Arsenal have made some intriguing signings.

Lukas Podolski, 27, a versatile forward, gave everything to his hometown FC Köln's attempts to stay in the Bundesliga with 18 goals last season.

An impressive 101 caps for Germany ensures he has more than enough experience at the top level and is far more pragmatic than the frustratingly ponderous Gervinho for all his ability.

Olivier Giroud, 25, is more of an unknown quantity but with 21 goals for Montpellier obtained with pace, strength and areal prowess, he is a modern striker, brought in with the simple task of replacing RVP.

Both players like to score goals and should assist with Arsenal's profligate tendencies; evening out the goal scoring load will be pivotal, but even if they don't, their transfer value shouldn't depreciate too much and so could prove to be low risk, high-reward ventures - classic Wenger.

The key to their challenge is the return of Jack Wilshere, who missed the entirety of last season.
He is one of a select few English players that actually enjoys having the ball at his feet and relishes the opportunity to distribute creatively with clarity and purpose.

The sooner Arsenal can get him back into the fold, the sooner they can control and inspire from midfield. Coping with the loss of a star can be softened with the return of another.

North London rivals Tottenham may have to cope with the loss of Luka Modric, he has made it clear over the last two summers that his time with Spurs has come to an end, despite Daniel Levy's belligerent efforts to shackle his aspirations.

The other significant loss is that of Harry Redknapp, who took his eye off the prize last season when his head was turned at the prospect of managing England.

The return of a star, of sorts, is that of Andre Villas-Boas who was lambasted for his poor man management of an aristocratic Chelsea.

He does however, have a good 30 years of mileage in him, the managerial equivalent of a wonderkid if only they were allowed the same room to progress as players do.

The signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson is an important one. Tottenham will look to play 4-3-3 and had to accommodate for Rafael Van der Vaart's unenthusiastic tracking back last season, Sigurdsson is better-rounded in that sense and can pull off the spectacular given the chance.

The Belgian Jan Vertonghen, 25, is a welcome signing in defence and by adding an out-and-out striker preferably in the shape of Emmanuel Adebayor, Tottenham will be challenging again.

Providing AVB doesn't lose focus in a quest for vindication, his incredulous defiance in the face of player mutiny undermined his vision at Chelsea; his redemption, even if he wouldn't call it so, could see Spurs back in the top four once again.

Chelsea round off the unofficial top five and are probably the most likely to give the Manchester clubs a run for their money. Their latest acquisitions suggest that Abramovich will not necessarily want Chelsea to win the Champions League again to automatically qualify.

He not only expects silverware, but also an aesthetic, perhaps even along the Spanish tiki-taka lines.
Marko Marin, 23, is 'The German Messi' apparently and was available relatively cheap, comparatively, Eden Hazard, 21, cost £32m and his wage bill even made the Manchester clubs baulk.

Potentially adding the Brazilian Oscar, 20, the 'new Kaka', for £25m, Abramovich is making a statement of exalted expectation to the manager, Roberto Di Matteo.

Di Matteo brought the success that Abramovich always wanted last season with that elusive first Champions League title, but done so deploying anti-football tactics that highlighted the squad's limitations as much as their mental fortitude and resoluteness.

There can be no excuses for playing poor football now.

With two places to fill these three will be vying to secure one of those slots at the very least.

The stakes are high and it would be no surprise if heads were to roll if any of these teams failed in their quest for a position that secures prestige and most importantly, a financial security.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1537101 2012-05-22T15:42:26-04:00 2012-07-22T05:12:24-04:00

Dominic Antill http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dominic-antill/
Finishing with the highest ever points total to come second in the league is by no means a disaster in what was a tumultuous season of ups and downs for all clubs. But a trophy-less season, the first since 2005, may be more troubling this time round especially as of course, the title to the 'noisy neighbours.'

Most alarming were perhaps the dismal performances in Europe which may have a few people in the higher echelons of the club twitching.

In seasons past United have soothed their financial 'limitations' with a pretty ridged transfer policy of purchasing youth at a reasonable price, with most importantly, a resale value.

This has been the expense of purchasing players who are closer to the cusp of being in their prime with the raw talents of Phil Jones, David De Gea and Chris Smalling bought over the last 18 months.

Whilst these players could make huge strides in the future it is the now that is as ever most pressing and when compared to the spending prowess of Manchester City, not even the world's most highly valued sports team according to Forbes can compete.

United have of course invested in potential, however, how similar does that sound to Arsene Wenger's mandate at Arsenal, where the prospect of success is given precedence? A cynic may say this ploy acts well as a buffer to alleviate pressure from a (lack of) immediate success, offering the allure of converting potential to greatness in the not too distant, but all-together vague future.

The classic 'transitional' seasons are used by all teams to essentially mark a season that will not amount to anything. But for the most successful team in the Premiere League's history, these 'blips' if you like have to be short lived, their effects immediate, with a 6% decline in revenue over the first quarter in 2012.

Arsenal have seemingly had many a 'transitional' season and the sense of satisfaction that the club guaranteed Champions League football next year is a perfect example of managing expectations. They were well below par in terms of challenging for titles this season, finishing 19 points off the top - it will be difficult to convince RVP to stay on this merit alone.

The trouble is that Manchester United now have to keep up with a behemoth in their own backyard, Liverpool stood and watched as United strolled past them to success after success over the last 20 years. It wouldn't be ridiculous to conceive that City, with their unlimited funds and their first ever Premiere League title, could do the same.

With the gradual balancing of the books comes a slow ebbing away of prestige and the frequency of seeing truly lavish spending has been limited.

Nothing is greater testament to that in United's case than the reinstatement of Paul Scholes signing on for another year. Whilst his return was a thoroughly pleasant one the nostalgic connotations only further reinforces that this United team, without the reliance of some of its old greats, is not a team of the highest order.

This was illustrated perfectly with the recent clash between United and City which went a very large way to tilt the title back in City's favour. United, if they believed they could have actually won that match, would have played as a 'vintage' United would, buccaneering and exciting.

Instead they were conservative, yes, a draw would have been enough to secure the title but Ferguson, if he believed this team were worthy champions perhaps he would not have given City as much respect.

As it transpired the right team won and went on to win the league, it was exceptionally close and you have to give Sir Alex Ferguson the credit he deserves for taking an average United team so close to the title once more.

But now that City have won, Pandora's Box has opened (or rather Sheikh Mansour's cheque book a little wider). The billions spent has collated a team that is strong enough to withstand the pressure of dethroning the 19 time champions whilst being on the verge of internal implosion on numerous occasions.

Now City can truly flaunt themselves in the transfer market. They may sell before they buy but that is only to remove the deadwood, this is a team - unlike United's, who's oldest player in the first team is Gareth Barry at 29, Ryan Giggs will be 10 years older next season.

Whilst congratulating the new champions, Sir Alex said: "I think we have a rich history, better than anyone and it'll take them a century to get to our level of history," something perhaps Liverpool would have thought to themselves at one point long ago. A concession that may indicate United might have to get used to a few more disappointing seasons to come.]]>