The Guide to World Cup Glory

Published on July 2014 by 'The Sports Report' - Australia's Free Independent Online Sports Magazine

Click here for the rundowns of Groups C, D, E, F, G and H!

English Premier League Season Review 2013/14

1st - Manchester City

The 2013/14 season can only be described as a great success at the bare minimal for the Sky Blues. Manuel Pellegrini has stamped his mark in his debut season of top tier English football by taking a very impressive pair of major trophies in the League Cup and Premier League title. The Sheikh owners will have finally found some relief and satisfaction in their club’s current status and overall balance following all the cash splashing over the years. After casually strolling to a League Cup win over Sunderland, City persisted on in the league and in the end deserved the marathon win to the Premier League trophy. A five-game winning streak to end the campaign, only matched by Arsenal, meant that captain Vincent Kompany and his men took their second league title in three years. Having only experienced the summit of the league for a small total of 15 days, it can arguably be said that City’s title rivals slowly but eventually handed the title over to the blue side of Manchester. One cannot say that this squad has exceeded expectations but neither have they failed to reach them. The cash-strapped manager Pellegrini has created a brand of football where if his team is to concede goals in a match then they will be more than happy to score more for them to win it. However this season has seen a much tighter defence in the unlikely pair of Martin Demichelis and Kompany who have been at the heart of the City skeleton. The ongoing brilliance of Yaya Toure and newcomer Fernandinho in the midfield has proved to be a formidable pairing that was rarely unsettled. Up front we saw the unlikely Edin Dzeko take a lot more responsibility than previous seasons for scoring goals this season, which I’m sure, has impressed his teammates and fans more than himself with the missing consistency of Alvaro Negredo and injury-prone Sergio Aguero. It now looks to be only a matter of time until City learn from their mistakes in Europe and potentially go all the way on the biggest stage of them all, something I’m sure Pellegrini will be visualising for next season. All eyes are now to Brazil, where virtually the entire City starting XI will be closely watched over by a bound to be worried Pellegrini.

Influential midfielder Yaya Toure

 Season turning points -

• Winning the League Cup resulted in a boost of confidence and hunger for more success.
• Elimination from the Champions League by FC Barcelona turned all concentration onto the Premier League.
• 0-2 Away win at Hull City following Kompany's red card dismissal in the 11th minute.

Player of the season - Yaya Toure

Every time he took the field City always looked balanced and complete. There is no chance they would be Premier League Champions without him - mostly for his lethal performances in the big games.

Team season rating - 10/10

 

 

2nd - Liverpool

Well who would have thought? This team that finished comfortably in second place, let alone the top four, begun the season without their talisman and outright best player in Luis Suarez banned for the first six Premier League games. Even for the games that Suarez was absent Liverpool secured 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss – a much more positive outlook than most anticipated. Brendan Rogers is no longer a household name in the world of football. He has completely turned around a club that was destined for further turmoil after the miserable combination of the Dalglish and Hodgson eras. Liverpool for the first time in a number of years are playing attractive football the way the game should be played – fluent passing and possession, proactive counter attacking, pace on flanks, and clinical finishing. Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez look to have clicked at last and now have the Kop licking their lips over one of Europe’s most deadly striking duos in years to come. Steven Gerrard also rediscovered some of the finest form of his career staying clear of serious injury but will be absolutely devastated to miss out on arguably his best chance yet at a Premier League medal. Liverpool along with City scored over 100 goals this season, 33 more than Arsenal, 30 more than Chelsea, and 40 more than Everton. Their Achilles heel this season has been without a doubt they’re defence. Sure, they’ve scored 100 goals plus but at the same time have conceded more than half in their own net. This is an area that will certainly need addressing from Rogers over the summer as he looks to take Liverpool up another notch next season. Overall, it was a very successful campaign for Rodgers’ Reds who are now back in the pinnacle of European football – the Champions League – which will always help to lure in ideal transfer targets over the summer. If Rodgers doesn’t recruit well with three or four well established players then I can’t see them making next season’s top four taking into account the juggling of four competitions. They will also need to deflect any inevitable bids, likely to come from Spain, for their main man up front Luis Suarez. With an increase of 23 League points in contrast to last season, I’m quite sure Liverpool fans would not have complained in the slightest if they were offered this, let alone 2^nd place at the beginning of the season.

Liverpool's hot-shot striker Luis Suarez

Season turning points -

• Huge wins including 5-0 Away at Spurs, 4-0 at Anfield in the Merseyside Derby, and 5-1 against Arsenal at Home raised the belief in the squad that they could go all the way.
• Bowing out of the FA Cup fifth round during February, which was their final domestic competition. This allowed for full focus on their Premier League final surge up the table.
• 2-0 loss at Anfield versus Chelsea. Title chances and belief faded afterwards.

Player of the Season - Luis Suarez

Who else? Collected the Golden Boot and the PFA Player of the Year awards. Equal tied most goals scored in a season. No doubt that record would be solely in his name had he not been banned for the first 6 League games.

Team season rating - 9/10

 

 

3rd - Chelsea

When Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge last summer I think most were expecting The Chosen One to pick up where he left off in England; which typically means at least one piece of silverware and being strong title contenders. In this season’s case Chelsea achieved one of these, but will be very disappointed to not have achieved the other. For that, fans will have mixed emotions about this campaign. Sunderland was able to upset the Blues in the League Cup quarter finals. The other domestic competition saw them bow out of the FA Cup to a cruising Manchester City in the Round of 16. Fortunately in Europe, Mourinho’s men fought all the way to the Champions League semi-finals to humbly part way for Spain’s surprise package of the year in Atletico Madrid. The problem is that no one remembers who was in the semi final in two years time – people remember who claimed the trophies. A teary John Terry after the second leg defeat at Stamford Bridge all but confirmed to himself and fans that he probably won’t get a better crack at playing in the final of Europe’s biggest stage ever again. However Terry can hold his head high after having an absolute rock solid season in defence alongside rotating Gary Cahill and David Luiz. The trio paired with Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta on the flanks boasted the best defence in the league by a big margin only conceding 27 goals with the solid as ever Petr Cech, who shared the Golden Glove with Arsenal’s Szczęsny, to thank as well. Mourinho’s midfield this season can only be labelled as just short of brilliance. Eden Hazard dictated most of the games he played and was as significant to Chelsea getting the three points as Yaya Toure was for Man City. The pace and agile Willian and Andre Schurrle with the defensive screening of Nemanja Matic and the loyal as ever Frank Lampard all had outstanding seasons. You can sense that with this season under their belt for the newcomers that the next will be even more promising – or at least no one will be ignorant enough to label them the “little horse” in the race. Then there is the striking department. Mourinho made no effort in hiding the fact that his side was lacking a killer instinct up front from the first whistle of the season. Constantly bagging his strikers Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o, and Demba Ba clearly did them no favours for their performance, and undeniably confidence. It’s quite obvious for where Chelsea will be looking to strengthen this summer so let’s not be surprised to see a foreign and inflated purchase after the World Cup.

Maestro midfielder Eden Hazard

  

Season turning points -

• Losing 2-1 to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge which made it essentially a two-horse title race.
• Winning 2-0 at Anfield versus Liverpool from using "parking the bus" tactics, and then trying the same tacticts against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge a few days later only to be undone 3-1. This was their farewell bid to their only realistic chance of silverware.

Player of the Season - Eden Hazard

The best winger in the Premier League. He can cut in and strike the ball with both feet. Hazard proved to be essential for Chelsea in nearly all their attacks on goal. What’s a shock is that he is still 23 years young and will only keep developing. Scary thought.

Team season rating - 7/10

 

 

4th - Arsenal

Wenger and fans would only consider this season a success if they could take home a trophy. At long last they have one at the Arsenal. The Gunners ended their nine year trophyless spell winning a joint record 11^th FA Cup against Hull City 3-2. It would have been unimaginable to think what would happen in the red part of North London if this squad that includes the world class prowess of players like Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, and club record signing Mesut Ozil could not claim the victory. After going down by two goals in as early as the 8^th minute, there wouldn’t have been a single Arsenal fan without their heart in their mouth. Before this season defining, monumental game the general consensus among fans was that no silverware meant #WengerOut. I think it is safe to say now that no one will be calling for Wenger’s head anytime soon – or at least until the transfer window closes. It’s now exciting times at the Emirates for all involved as the enormous weight and pressure on the players’ shoulders has finally been lifted. For most neutrals there wasn’t too much surprise watching the Gunners finish fourth place in the League yet again. Arsenal maintained their extended 14 year streak of advancing from the group stage again in Europe but failed to hold their own once again against Bayern Munich. What really let down the Gunners this season typically was their results against the ‘Big 6’. Having displayed a strong defence courtesy of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny for majority of the season, that kept the team at the summit of the league for 122 days, defeats as heavy as 6-0 to Chelsea, 5-3 to City, and 5-1 to Liverpool were shocking to say the least. Arsenal’s title chances were over in the blink of an eye while at the same time Everton made their modest climb up to the top four making the run-in of great entertainment value for neutrals. What became increasingly obvious throughout the season was Wenger’s lack of tactics and variety in attack. Olivier Giroud was never really under any pressure to lose his number one striker spot which presents Wenger with the task of finding someone of equal or better quality to come in over the summer. The defensive midfielder role has also come under great scrutiny during this campaign as Mikel Arteta’s lack of speed and poor recovery runs on the counter were fully exposed for Wenger and fans to see. A striker to compete with Giroud, a genuine defensive midfielder, a cover for right-back, and an accomplished goalkeeper would be ideal targets over the summer. Arsenal fans will be eager to see that the so-called “100 million pounds” available to spend will actually be spent.

Golden Glove joint-winner Wojcech Szczesny

 Season turning points -

• Drawing 2-2 at Home to Swansea, conceding in injury time of the second half. Lost pace on title race after only earning one point at home to City the corresponding week.
• 4-2 penalty shootout win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup semi-final. Undefeated since.
• FA Cup win to end a nine year trophy drought.  

Player of the Season - Wojciech Szczesny

Had Wenger selected his number one goalkeeper for the last fixture of the regular season he probably would have the Golden Glove award all to himself. Szczesny has finally demonstrated the grit and composure that Wenger and fans haven’t seen since the days of Jens Lehmann and David Seaman. Only aged at 24, the future is bright for the Pol. 

Team season rating - 9/10

 

 

The chasers...

Roberto Martinez has done nothing but magic for the Toffees this season taking Everton to a club record high points tally of 72 points and a guaranteed playoff qualifier for the Europa League (which won’t be necessary if Arsenal win the FA Cup). Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines played far above their weight on the wings in defence, and young Ross Barkley has deservedly been rewarded for his remarkable efforts by making the cut for the England World Cup squad. It seems all they need to do now is keep their core players, renew a few contracts, and replace their leading on-loan goal scorer Romelu Lukaku, who to the Everton fans’ dismay returns to Chelsea. Martinez and his scouts have got a tough task ahead of them this summer.

I always said that Andre Villas-Boas was given nowhere near enough time to lay his foundations at Tottenham Hotspur – and look what has eventuated now. Club hero Tim Sherwood came to the reigns in October 2013 and since then the Spurs team has honestly been all over the place. Having to be forced in most fixtures to name a make-shift defence line, Sherwood’s back was always against the wall. But at the same time his tactics and selections in the midfield and forward lines were also questionable. Spurs achieved Europa League qualification, which I think their fans will have mixed feelings about. Unfortunately it will mean more midweek Thursday night football and late kick offs on the weekend, but more importantly not having the luxury to focus on a top four position, which rivals Manchester United will have. Owner Daniel Levy makes it no secret each season that it is an expectation at his club to make top four. Unless the current squad can steer well clear of serious injury next year I can’t see Spurs finding themself in the top four. With not having much else to look forward to besides a new manager, Spurs could genuinely struggle to bring in much needed quality in the transfer window with the increasing word of title rivals ready to spend big this window. They would wise to look for cover at left back, a specialist centre half, and another option up front to accompany Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado. It will be essential for Levy to tighten their grip on key players such as Hugo Lloris, Christian Eriksen, and Jan Vertonghen.

Manchester United’s season can be summed up in one word. Tragic. It was always going to be an extremely difficult task for David Moyes to step into the Holy shoes left behind by Sir Alex Ferguson. The first mistake for the Red Devils was not investing more in the transfer market other than a very disappointing and now deemed overrated midfielder Marouane Fellaini. Yes, they were unlucky to lose last season’s Golden Boot Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney for big sections of the year to injury. But the biggest club in the world like Manchester United should be responding and reacting to this. Moyes had the opportunity to bring more cavalry in the January window, but again chose not to. Numerous records were broken at Old Trafford this season, none to be proud of, and now it is no longer a venue that opposition teams fear to play at.  The whole club needs a massive cleanup for the next generation; maybe the new manager could take a leaf out of Wenger’s book.

Southampton is now an established football club again in the Premier League. Another club also to break their record Premier League points total this season (56), the Saints are now in a battle to keep their starlet players that come from a number of positions on the park. Notable midfielder Adam Lallana, left back Luke Shaw, and striker Rickie Lambert have had their season performances justified with selection into Roy Hodgson’s squad going to Brazil. Jay Rodriguez was also crucial to Southampton’s success this season and would probably be joining his teammates if it wasn’t for his serious knee injury. With young manager Mauricio Pochettino linked away from the club this summer, whoever is in charge will have a lot of persuading and deflecting to do from the powerhouses to keep their best players. 

Further down the ladder...  

The war at the bottom has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for a number of clubs. Crystal Palace were sitting in last place before Christmas yet somehow Tony Pulis turned things around dramatically to have them finish nicely in 11^th place. Stoke City were one of the many surprises this season finishing in a club record high 9^th place with 50 League points to their name. Mark Hughes has turned an average side into a more offensive and better style of football, something that could not be said in previous seasons. Gus Poyet and Sunderland were destined for relegation with four games to go that included near impossible tasks with City and Chelsea away. A Connor Wickham inspired 2-2 draw at the Etihad along with a memorable 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge was enough for the Black Cats to deservedly stay up. Swansea and Aston Villa, who were both cursed with injury this season, did enough to keep them in the top flight of English football but both managers will definitely be looking for improvement next season. Unfortunately for Cardiff City fans, the mid season departure of Malky Mackay proved to be the nail in the coffin for the Welsh side who failed miserably to work with newcomer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However Mackay should be held accountable for the way he spent his money last summer on ordinary players. It saddens me to see Fulham go down as I fully believe that they are a Premiership club – they also sell the cheapest tickets in London for Premier League games! Nevertheless the Cottagers were unlucky to also be cursed by injury having to turn over a record 39 players in the roster during their campaign. Norwich City reeked of optimism in the pre-season. I personally remember the hype circulating around the signings of Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Leroy Fer, Martin Olsson, and Gary Hooper. All four were established players from where they came from but ultimately were ineffective at Carrow Road in 2013/14. Looking at their roster on paper, I expect to see the Canaries bounce straight back into the promotion picture, or at least playoffs, next time round.