My Alternative Team Of The Year 2010-2011

Sir Alex Ferguson for Manager of the Year, Nemanja Vidic as player... it's all a bit boring. So to sweep away this dire dullness, here's my alternative best eleven. It's not made up necessarily of the best players, but ones who have stuck out this year and had good campaigns.

GOALKEEPER: Joe Hart

After this year it's easy to forget just how well Joe Hart has done, but for a pointer of his achievements you just have to look at the Manchester City bench. There sits Shay Given, one of the best goalkeepers to have played in the Premier League, and this young English star has well and truly ousted him. Roberto Mancini made the big decision to make Hart his number one this season and it has paid off; the club finished third in the league and won the F.A. Cup with the former Shrewsbury player between the sticks. England number one and it seems like it will be that way for a while yet.

RIGHT-BACK: Kyle Walker

A big year for the Tottenham lad. Has had two loan spells; first at eventual Championship winners QPR, where his performances earned him a loan spell at Aston Villa, finishing the year strongly as their first choice right-back. In his twelve appearances at Villa Park, he became known for his consistency, his overlapping and his pace, while also exhibiting an eye for goal with a fine strike against Fulham. This earned him a call-up to the England squad to face Wales, and although he didn't make his first appearance there, he will become part of the international fold soon enough.

CENTRE-BACKS: Chris Smalling + Chris Samba

Rio Ferdinand, love him or hate him, has been one of the most consistent defenders in Manchester United's history and has formed a formidable partnership with Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford. So the biggest tribute I can give to Chris Smalling is that Rio wasn't missed when he came in. Showing considerable composure and talent, Smalling has slotted into the United defence with no trouble whatsoever, repaying the faith Sir Alex Ferguson showed when he made the questionnable £10million bid for the former Fulham man. As his partner, I've gone for Christopher Samba at Blackburn. In a difficult year for Rovers, which even saw Samba hand in a transfer request, he has stuck out as an exceptionally commited defender and a real force in their backline. His performances that eventually saw Rovers away from the relegation zone are a testament to the giant's battling qualities.

LEFT-BACK: Leighton Baines

The most consistent left-back of the Premier League this year. Tormented Chelsea earlier in the season and a thorn in any team's side with his lung-busting runs on the left-wing. His crossing ability has particularly caught the eye, as have his set-pieces, and he is a real outlet for Everton. Added on top, he's proved his defensive mettle time after time with his unflappable commitment and great engine, and rightfully takes his place in the England squad from now on.

RIGHT MIDFIELD: Marc Albrighton/Seamus Coleman

This one is hard to call, as there have been two fantastic youngsters this year on the right wing. Marc Albrighton has caught the eye for Aston Villa, especially earlier on in the campaign, with his youthful enthusiasm and clear ability; he puts in a real shift on the wing, has a fantastic cross, good pace and has grabbed a couple of goals aswell. Very similar is young Seamus Coleman at Everton, who's commitment and drive have seen him become a Toffees regular this season. Two good young players, at clubs who bring their youngsters through well and with big futures ahead of them.

CENTRE MIDFIELD: Charlie Adam + Scott Parker

Two central midfielders who were relegated but who made huge contributions to their sides. Charlie Adam led the year's great entertainers, Blackpool, with his mercurial left-foot. His set-pieces and passing quality were there for all to see this campaign and he led his side's valiant attempt to stay up that so desperately fell short. His twelve goals didn't hurt either. Whereas no-one stuck out as much as Scott Parker did for West Ham. He was the only member of a pitiful bunch of players who seemed to have the passion or quality to fight for the Hammers' survival, his five goals and general play picking him up numerous accolades. Both will play in the Premier League next season.

LEFT MIDFIELD: Stewart Downing

Downing became bit of a joke player; loved by Steve McLaren during his England reign and one of the scapegoats of his failure. There was no clamor for the left winger as his early Middlesbrough form probably deserved and he has taken time to shine for Aston Villa, but he has done that this season. More driven, more forward-thinking, and showing that quality that seemed to go missing from his play, he has grabbed seven goals and formed a fine forward threesome with Ashley Young and Darren Bent.

STRIKERS: Dimitar Berbatov + Peter Odemwingie

It has been tough for old Berbatov, who despite finishing as the joint top Premier Leagie goalscorer was relegated to the bench for the title run-in and didn't even make the Champions League final squad. It's easy to forget then that this was the year that Berba finally began to feel comfortable at Old Trafford, he lit up a dreary early season for United and his hat-trick against Liverpool will go down in their history. On the other hand, Peter Odemwingie needed no time to settle in at West Brom. The Nigerian international scored fifteen goals in his debut Premier League season, no mean feat, and has been the goalscorer that the Baggies have needed for a good few years now. He was vital in their successful season.

So there you have it. Two relegated players, three from Aston Villa, two from Everton, and two title-winning lads who barely made the team. That's what you call an alternative team of the year.

NWR

Eyes On The Beach Already...

Wow! That was a heavy few months, so heavy I couldn't even spare a few moments to write a couple of words on this here blog! Not really, I was being lazy and what I used to call my social life and past-times were obliterated by a mountain load of University work. But no worries, that tremendous weight has now been lifted and I'm now able to go back to my care-free existence. Unfortunately, that coincides with the end of the football season but that doesn't mean it's all over...

COMING SOON: My Alternative Awards; Season Summary 2010-2011; Pompey 2010-2011: Rollercoaster Don't Cover It; Tales of a Pompey Fan throughout June, July and August; Transfer Rumours and Updates.

How about that for starters? It's good to be back, Blogspot!

NWR

Tales From A Pompey Fan: The Big Rebuild, Take 2

So, without a spectacular run of results in equal proportion, it seems Pompey's season will end in a mid-table Championship position - a fantastic ending considering the turmoil that this club has been through in recent years. A recent run of six wins in a row meant that the Blues should now be safe from relegation, while earlier sequences of eleven winless games and seven winless matches mean that they equally face only an outside shot at a play-off place. But there is a lot to be hopeful for on the south coast.

Steve Cotterill has done a brilliant job, but he unfortunately needs to do it all over again this summer. When he first took the post last year, he faced a daunting and lengthy task of restructuring a collapsing club. Relegation from the Premier League, a mass exodus of players, deep in administration with a debt figure that seemed to increase week by week and no owners, he could hardly have been expected to do the job he has done. He has crafted a very good team, one of the best in the Championship thanks to the signings of Liam Lawrence and Dave Kitson, the raft of loan signings gelling instantly and the resurrections of David Nugent and Jamie Ashdown from the Pompey abyss.

All in all, he has managed to keep up a side with the smallest squad in English league football, coping with a poor financial situation to get a side playing well (at times) and grinding out results at this level. But he faces yet another daunting task this summer. At present, he will have only nine players on the books as pre-season training starts for next season. They are a decent backbone to a new side; goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, defenders Aaron Mokoena and Ricardo Rocha, midfielders Joel Ward, Liam Lawrence and Hayden Mullins, and forwards Danny Webber, Nwankwo Kanu and Dave Kitson. Add to that list outcast defender Tal Ben-Haim, but he is unlikely to appear again due to his massive wages.

Heading the list of possible departures are top scorer David Nugent and experienced left-back Hermann Hreidarsson, both out-of-contract at the end of the campaign. It's vital now that Nuge signs that contract, he still may be frustrating in front of goal but gets his share of strikes and his work-rate can never be questioned, while the 'Hermannator' would be a tremendous asset if he stays fit. Michael Brown and Richard Hughes are almost certain to leave as their contractual purgatory carries on, while promising youngster Nadir Cifti has said that he will not be signing a new contract. Young lads Marlon Pack and Tom Kilbey face uncertain futures, as do more recent academy prospects Billy Goddard, Ellis Martin, Peter Gregory and Perry Ryan. Then there is the loan brigade.

It is thanks to them in large parts that we are talking about the Championship next season and not League One. Ibrahima Sonko and Carl Dickinson have had their critics but they gave everything and came to the club at a time when it looked like we might not see out the campaign. But the influx around the Christmas period has really been a positive impact; Greg Halford, Ritchie De Laet, Jonathan Hogg and David Cotterill gave a tired squad a boost. And we may just have a chance to keep some of them on a permanent basis. The work ethic of Hogg should see Aston Villa keep hold of him, but with the others it is not so clear. Wolves may want to offload Halford if they are relegated and may not want to keep him if they stay up, Ritchie De Laet is far from first choice at Manchester United and David Cotterill may find first-team opportunities hard if Swansea are promoted. Deals are there to be done.

But we will need to acquire atleast twelve players over the summer period, which is a phenomenal amount for one transfer window. David Norris has been rumoured to be a target as will most of the out-of-contract talent available, while there is always a berth of quality players available from the outskirts of Premier League clubs ie Michael Johnson from Manchester City, Patrick Van Aanholt from Chelsea, Kyle Bartley from Arsenal, Kyle Naughton from Tottenham to name just a few. If the owners are prepared to go for it fully, the likes of Yakubu from Everton and Diomansy Kamara from Fulham? But that's what it comes down to.

Balraim Chainrai is going to have to support Steve Cotterill if Pompey are going to progress next season. We need to be able to attract the right calibre of player, and that means a transfer budget and wage budget bit enough to get them in. We realise that it is still pretty tight down at Fratton Park and we aren't expecting miracles, we just want to compete in the league. And with the team we've got, that is more than possible. We just need the squad to get us through a 46-game season.

And here, as a light comic relief at the end, is an EPIC miss. Enjoy.

NWR

Shooting For The Top: Title Glory For The Gunners?

It hasn't been a very good week for Arsene Wenger, and that will be mirrored in the hearts and minds of all Arsenal fans. Just a couple of weeks ago, the Gunners could very well be dreaming about a possible quadruple. That would of course start with an anticipated win over Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final, the day that Wenger's young guns would take their quality to the pitch and claim the first trophy of his new era at the Emirates Stadium. Then, would come the other - considerably harder - task of overcoming Barcelona, but they had the advantage of a brilliant two-one lead to take to the Nou Camp. Add in their continued progress in the FA Cup (albeit facing Leyton Orient in a fifth round replay) and their position as Manchester United's closest challengers in the Premier League, it was all looking rosy for the Gunners.

But it all went wrong. Wenger's major criticism is his lack of investment in the defense/goalkeeping areas of his young side, and those problems reared their ugly heads at Wembley. A fiesty Birmingham nullified the Arsenal threat for long periods of the game and, although they had chances to win it, the favourites threw it away when a mix-up between rookie goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and young defender Laurent Koscielny allowed Obafemi Martins the easiest opportunity to win the Brum the Carling Cup. The easiest chance of the lot to get a trophy and Wenger's boys blew it, but it was still hopeful - three competitions still on the boil.

Last night however, it went down to two. Barcelona, with the help of some extremely questionable refereeing, triumphed over Arsenal yet again to progress in the Champions League. Trying to halt the Barca tide proved impossible for a second season in a row as Lionel Messi scored twice, either side of a fine Xavi goal; even after a Sergio Busquets own goal had given them hope. That hope had been ripped away as referee Massimo Busacca sent off Robin Van Persie for a second booking after the Dutchman booted the ball away after the whistle had been blown. He claimed he hadn't heard the whistle, Wenger and Samir Nasri complained furiously, the game was ruined etc. It doesn't change the fact, unfortunately, that Arsenal are out of the Champions League for this term.

Sandwiched in between this was a routine five-nil victory over Leyton Orient in the FA Cup to set up a tricky Sixth Round tie with Manchester United, and a poor nil-nil draw with Sunderland that saw them fall behind United in the Premier League title race. So a terrible week for the Gunners, yes? Disastrous, Arsene Wenger actually finding his job under pressure and Cesc Fabregas certain to leave after such a bad run ay? Not exactly.

Dirk Kuyt seems to have given Wenger a lifeline. In grabbing a hat-trick against United in an immensely entertaining win for Liverpool on Sunday, he has blown the title race wide open. Sir Alex Ferguson's side may have gone 27 matches unbeaten this term but they have lost three of the last five league games, and that has seen the gap between them and the Gunners reduced to three points - with Arsenal having a game in hand. Say it quietly and don't back on anything yet, but Arsenal have a fantastic chance of winning the Premier League this season.

Arsenal probably just have the trickier fixtures - they must play Liverpool and Tottenham, before what promises to be a monumental game at the Emirates, Arsenal versus Manchester United on the 1st May. Remember United still have aspirations of European progression, and face possibly playing semi-final ties around this game, meaning minds may be elsewhere and legs may be tiring. I stress that this is Manchester United - they have the experience of being in these positions, and I doubt Sir Alex will prioritize so blatantly. Remember, this would be the 19th league title that would see them overturn Liverpool's record.

If Arsene Wenger can now focus his troops, get Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie fit for every game and pick up the results he would expect to get, he can push United all the way. Games against West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn, Blackpool, Stoke and Fulham need to be won and preferably convincingly - the goal difference is three goals in United's favour and the advantage would be a major one going into the latter stages of the season. But with the seemingly irrepressible Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri in his side, they have the undoubted talent to win the Premier League this season, and end that long trophy drought in sensational fashion. Not bad for a side who lost it all to Birmingham two weeks ago ay?

NWR

Pompey 2 Scunthorpe 0: The Reaction

In my first venture to Fratton Park in almost half a season, I was eager to see what had changed since I was last treated to a Pompey home game. That time, I saw them overturn Bristol City three-one in an immensely entertaining game - John Utaka scored a fine individual effort, Aaron Mokoena restored the lead with a thumping header and Hayden Mullins sealed a good win in the dying moments. Great entertainment, and a good win for the Blues that finally lifted them out of the relegation zone after a disastrous early season run of form. So has much changed?

Well for a start, a few lads have come and gone. Goalscorer John Utaka has since been shipped back to France to earn a few pennies for us, the Nigerian was out of contract at the end of the season and an understandable sacrifice for the club to make. Also, youngster Matt Ritchie came on as a substitute that night and he has also been sacrificied; I won't be alone in being a bit disheartened by this, a promising young player being sold to Swindon Town, but it seems Cotterill didn't have his faith in the winger. Also, Michael Brown is tied by contract in football purgatory.

But it is a much stronger Pompey side that faced Scunthorpe last night. Add in the loan additions of Greg Halford, Ritchie De Laet, Jonathan Hogg and David Cotterill, plus the bonus of Hermann Hreidarsson's return from injury, and we are much more formidable prospect. David Nugent and Jamie Ashdown are easily in the best form of their Pompey careers, while Ricardo Rocha has staked his claim as our most consistent defender. Also, factor in a rollercoaster season of winning streaks and losing runs, and where does that get us?

We actually played a lot worse against Scunthorpe United than we did against Bristol City. In September, it was an open game with a lot of attacking play and a great watch. The first half against the Iron was poor - very poor from a home point of view when you consider the away side dominated and had a seemingly good goal chalked off for ... I don't know. Nwankwo Kanu was well off the pace and everyone was trying hard but nothing was coming off.

second half was much better - a pitch watering at half-time seemed to pep the field up a bit and we attacked with a bit more drive and determination. Jonathan Hogg, probably my man of the match, kept on going, while the right-sided 'dream team' of Ritchie De Laet and David Cotterill was always a dangerous outlet. It took a moment of inspiration from captain Dave Kitson to break open a stubborn Scunthorpe side; cutting in from the left wing and thundering a finish into the bottom corner. From then on, a new Pompey resolve meant they were always likely to see the game out - Aaron Mokoena's deflected drive making sure of that.

But I felt Steve Cotterill could have done things a bit differently to make the cold, cold night go a bit better, although he was missing some key men. Nwankwo Kanu is an impact sub for the Blues now - he cannot have the same domination on the pitch from the start and needs to be used sparingly to get the best out of him. Admittedly, the reason he was included was due to the absence of Liam Lawrence and player-of-the-season Joel Ward, while unsung hero Hayden Mullins only lasted twenty-two minutes as the threadbare squad is stretched to its limits. But there seems to be a new impetus in the side, and the luck has changed.

Promotion would be the most awkwardly brilliant outcome. From financial oblivion to promotion contenders is a massive leap, and one that is too much for this club this season. I would love to see the club in the play-offs - with something to play for right up until the end of the campaign would keep the lads focused and give us a key indication of what we can hope for in the future. If we can keep our good players (Nugent's contract situation hangs over this), get the services of some of our loanees on a permanent basis and factor in a few more additions, we can be optimistic when looking into the future. And it seems like a long time since that's been the case.

Play Up Pompey.

NWR

Weekend Word - 26th/27th February

It was a big weekend in the football calender, so without further ado here's the highlights:

Match of the Weekend : Arsenal 1 Birmingham 2

Well there was only one winner for this category, and that was the brilliant Carling Cup final at Wembley this weekend. Everyone loves an underdog to win and Birmingham were certainly that; but a performance of courage, determination and fight saw them come out victorious to win their first trophy since 1963. Nikola Zigic put the Blues ahead with a flicked close-range header and Robin Van Persie equalised with a fantastic volley, with both sides hitting the woodwork and plenty of meaty challenges being thrown into the mix. Of course, great games are often made by great skill or huge mistakes and it was the latter - Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny getting in a calamitous mix-up and allowing Obafemi Martins to tap home a priceless winner. So often the Wembley showpieces are duds but not this one - both teams went for it and it was a great game.

Hero of the Weekend : Jamie O'Hara

As each of these winners has to come from different games, the likes of Ben Foster, Stephen Carr, Roger Johnson and Obafemi Martins have to be overlooked, but Jamie O'Hara deserves to be the hero of the weekend. At the start of February, Wolves were adrift of safety by three points and devoid of fight after a debilitating one-nil last-gasp defeat at Bolton, but the influence of O'Hara has turned their season around. A win over Manchester United and a draw at West Bromwich Albion saw them get points on the table, before a fine performance saw them thump Blackpool four-nil and move out of the relegation zone, if even for 48 hours. O'Hara, just like he did at Portsmouth last season, has inspired the turn-around in form and has given them hope of avoiding the drop this year.

Villain of the Weekend : Wayne Rooney

Am I the only one who is tired of Rooney getting away with everything? He constantly moans on the football pitch and I mean constant - he is always jabbering away at the referee in a season where we were meant to see a clamp down on back chat from players. He is dirty in instances, and this weekend we saw it - an elbow round the head of James McCarthy as the Wigan midfielder tried to block him off. Any other player would have been shown a straight red card you fear, but Rooney just raises his hands in the old 'what, me?' style and is given a ticking off. Nowhere near the dangerous player he was last year but twice the moaner and still a dirty bugger. Annoying as hell. But of course, this weekend's real villains were the Szczesny/Koscielny duo that lost the Gunners the Carling Cup.

Pause for Thought : Was Wenger Wrong?

Well, you cannot really blame Arsene Wenger for his methods, in fact you should applaud them. He is trying to prove that you don't have to spend millions to guarantee success, you can grow a team from talented youth and he has done exceptionally well at Arsenal. But there are certain positions where you need experience and proven quality - namely the goalkeeper and the defence. And of course after the Carling Cup final, these flaws could not be more clear. But you know what was Wenger's biggest mistake of the Wembley showpiece - Thomas Rosicky. The Czech playmaker was given the Cesc Fabregas role and was appalling - wasteful in possession and gave no forward drive to the team. His side were desperately unlucky and have some top class players - but need those added bits of quality to become a trophy-winning team.

And down in Pompey corner...

Another fantastic win, this time 2-0 away to Ipswich Town, after being pummeled for most of the first half and the start of the second. Luck is beginning to fall our way again - four wins and four clean sheets on the spin - and we can know start to plan ahead for the future. And hopefully that future contains a few players who's career paths are unclear - loanees Ritchie De Laet and David Cotterill and of course, top scorer David Nugent. We need him to spearhead a new charge next year.

And here for your viewing pleasure, in case you missed it, are the Carling Cup final highlights. All you Gooners may want to look away now.

NWR

Tales From A Pompey Fan: Daylight At Last

It's a majorly over-used cliche of sorts, but a lot can change in just twelve days. Just under two weeks ago, Pompey were without a win in eleven games and staring nervously downwards. Particularly with disheartening defeats to Nottingham Forest, Hull and Watford, the Blues looked tired and completely devoid of luck. The lack of players seemed to be taking its toll, Steve Cotterill was running out of men and ideas and it was building up to be a tense, tight end to the season.

So what's changed? Well, everything and nothing at the same time. If you compare the table to what it was twelve days ago, there's not a massive difference. After their one-one draw with Derby County on February 5th, Pompey were dangerously perched in 20th position with a five point gap to the relegation zone. Just three games later, they are fifteenth with a ten point bridge between them and 22nd-placed Scunthorpe United. The goal difference is just five goals healthier. In real terms, Pompey still have reason to look over their shoulder, as much as they did earlier this month. But the mood around Fratton Park is so much different.

In those three games, the same set of players that looked jaded and out on their feet have burst back into life and, with an added bit of fortune, things have begun to fall their way. The two-nil victory at Doncaster saw Dave Kitson bravely end a goal drought and Joel Ward skillfully seal a fine win. Pompey battled out a dull one-nil victory against Barnsley, saved by the class of the ageless Nwankwo Kanu and his late header. Then, in the most recent step of our rejuvenation, we outplayed and outclassed Crystal Palace, grabbing a one-nil win when it could have been five.

You can put down the change to a number of things. The effort the lads have put in was never in question, Steve Cotterill has made sure of that. Players like Joel Ward, Liam Lawrence and David Nugent will run their hearts out for the team, but they need that little bit of luck to fall their way. In the bad run, that wasn't happening, but in the last few outings things have begun to swing back in our favour. You cannot underplay the impact of the loan signings either. For a squad as threadbare as ours, every new face is welcomed and the recent acquisitions of Greg Halford, Ritchie De Laet, Jonathan Hogg and David Cotterill have boosted morale, created a bit of competition for places and added their respective qualities to what is a talented bunch of players.

Steve Cotterill really has done exceptionally well with his limited resources. To be sat here in February with something resembling a settled side, considering where we were this summer, is miraculous and a real testament to his commitment to the cause. Greg Halford now seems to have formed something of an understanding at the centre of defence with Ricardo Rocha, Joel Ward and Jonathan Hogg can power our team with their relentless running, David Cotterill adds flair, pace, a decent cross and a direct style to our play that was previously missing and David Nugent is happier than ever in the new system. All smiles then.

But this season has been nothing if not ever-changing. After a disastrous pre-season, we took seven games to register a victory, then won six of the next seven. We then took two vital wins from the next five, before embarking on an eleven-match winless streak. Now here we are with a four match unbeaten run, three wins on the bounce and three clean sheets on the spin. But let's learn our lesson ay? There are already quiet murmurs of a late play-off charge, but let's keep our feet firmly on the ground.

This club has gone through extraordinary changes in the past few years, so a mid-table finish in the Championship has to be viewed as a successful season. Steve Cotterill has done a brilliant job, acquiring some fine players in Lawrence and Dave Kitson and adding quality in the right places with his limited loan spots. Settling in this league is of paramount importance this year. Give me thirteenth spot and I'll bite your hand off. We can then build; stay within our means and build a good team with a honest and hard-working core. Mount the promotion charge next season, for the moment enjoy the daylight between us and the relegation zone.

And here's a blast from the past - our top scorer David Nugent grabbing his only England goal on his only England performance, nicking it off of Jermain Defoe just for good measure.

NWR