Round 'em up...

Heya folks,

I don’t know about you but yesterday I left the sports pages behind for the most part, sick to the teeth of reading articles about the managerial situation at Chelsea and examinations of Fergie’s legacy. If you read any pieces on the latter by the way, you wasted your time as Jonathan Norcroft’s interview with Ferguson, short though it was, was a far better read than anything by other hacks barely half Ferguson’s age judging him as ‘finally being a great of the game’ after his second Champions League success.

Yup, I suppose it’s the 29^th major trophy, rather than a measly 28, that takes you into ‘greatness’. Ferguson himself had a decent chat with The Times’ football correspondent and revealed he has only three years left in the Old Trafford dugout, though many believe he will go before then. But when it comes to the Dark Lord Ferg, take nothing for granted and the thought of his cryogenically frozen head taking charge of the Manchester Kickballers United team in the 2374 ‘Thunderdome Tournament’ seems all too real to me. They’ll win the thing in ‘Megadethatude Overtime’ and, lo and behold, cue the post match interview… “Thunderdome, bloody hell!”

Anyway, aside from Northcroft’s decent article there was very little else to get excited about over the weekend – though Leeds’ comedy antics yesterday and John Terry telling us all he’s having trouble sleeping did raise a chuckle or two.

As for me and Mark, we’re certainly in wind down mode and won’t be podding this week as frankly nothing is going to be happening and we’re saving up enthusiasm for the first of our Euro 2008 shows the following week. The blog too may be a lot more random over the next ten days or so but for those who didn’t listen to our mammoth post-Champions League final pod on Thursday, here’s a rundown of who won what in our end of season awards as voted for by you (plus some handy YouTube links to take up the day in between bouts of work). Oh, and good to see Paul McShane celebrate his awards as only he can do.

Best player of the season: 1. Ronaldo 2. Fernando Torres 3. Rio Ferdinand

Worst player of the season: 1. Paul McShane 2. Eboue 3. Voronin

Best manager of the season: 1. Roy Hodgson 2. David Moyes 3. Martin O’Neill

Worst manager of the season: 1. Benitez 2. Curbs 3. Sanchez/Jewell (tie)

Best transfer of the season: 1. Santa Cruz (by an absolute landslide) 2. Torres 3. Anderson

Worst transfer of the season: 1. Darren Bent 2. Voronin 3. Ljungberg

Best goal of the season: 1. Adebayor v Spurs 2. Ronaldo v Portsmouth 3. Daryl Murphy v Wigan

Most hated player: 1. Ronaldo 2. Eboue 3. Ashley Cole/Gerrard (tie)

Most under-rated player: 1. Scharner 2. Carrick 3. Bullard

Worst tackle of the season: 1. Taylor v Arse (great Eastern European video) 2. Hunt v City 3. Ronaldo’s three ‘birds’ (see what we did there???)

Worst pundit of the season: 1. Absolutely Jamie Redknapp 2. Shitetalk Shearer 3. Clueless Kenny Cunningham

Best pundit of the season: 1. Dunphy 2. Souness (!) 3. Sid Lowe

Worst kit of the season: 1. Chelsea’s day glo masterpiece 2. City’s purple reign 3. Eh… no one voted for anything else… let’s say this one.

Worst excuse in an awkward situation: 1. Chris Coleman 2. Arsene Wenger again and again and again and again and... 3. Alan ‘Curbs’ Curbishley again and again and again and again and...

Stupid mistake of the season: 1. Riise v Chelsea 2. Rafa taking Torres off v Chelsea 3. (In with a bullet) It’s only JT innit!

Worst haircut: 1. Stephen Ireland 2. David James 3. Caveman Hunt

Press conferences of the season: 1. Grant 2. Wenger 3. Keano

Sexcapade of the season: 1. Paul Jewell (Eeeeeeeeewwww) 2. Fat Ronaldo (see above) 3. The Man U Christmas Party

The 'Perry Groves' heading for oblivion after a promising start award: 1. McShane 2. Benjani 3. Arsenal

We shall talk to ye soon folks, JJ

ODF 22 May Podcast Online

Hi All,

Our end of season podcast is online now.

We discuss:

Results: FA Cup & Champions League Final

Pub Talk: All the news that matters

End of Season Awards: we run through the awards as voted for by our listeners - thank you for all your submissions. We'll put up a blog soon with the winners of each category. And if your name is Paul McShane - I wouldn't listen to this show as your confidence will take a bashing.

Download it or Subscribe to the feed

Mark & JJ

ODF

The Final Countdown, Part 2

So, I'm left with the unenviable task of previewing United in tonight's match. It is unenviable because it really tough to predict what sort of team Ferguson will send out.

In the Premier League, we all know what Fergie thinks is his best XI, but in Europe it is a different matter, as Fergie likes to be more tactical and vary his selection to 'bamboozle' the opposition. As we all know by now, this hasn't worked with any regularity. Some odd ones are Keane in defense, Smith & O'Shea in midfield, Rooney on right or left, Evra on left wing and many, many more.

So, I think Fergie may naturally go contrary to all accepted wisdom in pursuit of the trophy tonight. Goalkeeper and defense pick themselves, but it is midfield and forward that are interesting.
There are 3 scenarios:
1. What will happen: Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves. Up front Park, Rooney & Ronaldo - Tevez and Nani to come from bench
2. What could happen: Carrick, Scholes, Park. Up front Rooney, Ronaldo & Tevez
3. What should happen: Carrick, Scholes, Nani/Anderson, Ronaldo. Up front Rooney & Tevez

However, sitting on the bench is the Chelsea slayer (looped header in 2005), fully fit, Scottish dynamo Darren Fletcher, and I reckon Fergie could throw him in.

Away from the lineups, tactically, I think both teams will keep it tight in midfield, leaving little space for any consistent passing, which will initially suit Chelsea. However, I can't see them sustaining this over the 90 mins, with old man Makelele, Ballack & Lampard.

Carrick & Scholes will eventually get a grip with good passing. Ronaldo will be man-marked out of the game (oh, and also because he's a bottler) by Cole (or Bridge) so expect some furious reshuffling during the match to try to release Ronaldo from his shackles.
This will include a heroic Kuyt-like performance from Rooney - all energy and no threat up front. Barring comedy mistakes or set-pieces, the only way I can see United scoring is if the game opens up in the second half and United really go for it.
Similarly for Chelsea, providing Vidic contains Drogba, and Carrick tracks Lamps & Ballack, Chelsea's best bet would be to let the game open up. Mourinho would never let that happen, but I feel Grant could have a few tactical tricks up his sleeve.

So, my money is on United, 1-0 in normal time in a game better than last season's FA Cup final - but only just so.

And now, to drink...

The Final Countdown (It had to be used at some stage) Part 1

Apologies for the headline and yes no doubt that Europe song is now making its way through your poor mind killing brain cells with it’s rocktitude as you read on. But that’s how we roll at OkeyDokeFootball.

In this first part of the blockbusting epic two part preview we’re doing of the Champions League final, I’m going to try and figure out if Chelsea will upset Fergie’s team and his travelling band of corporate sponsors on Wednesday night. In all honesty I see this game as evil against evil. I think I know one person who dislikes United with a passion greater than mine and he just texted to say he hopes Chelsea kill United then rape their wounds. No, he’s not a Liverpool supporter… in fact he’s a Luton man of all things and while I think his words are strong, I can kinda see where he’s coming from. But today is about Chelsea and no doubt they are a living, breathing evil empire as well.

There’s the badge kissing money grabbers (Drogba, Ferreira, perhaps even Cudicini), the hatefully over-rated stars (Terry, Lampard, Ashley Cole), the borderline useless (Malouda, poor old Sheva, Ferreira again) and then the quite likeable Joe Cole. There’s Peter Kenyon’s shiny head in the stands. There’s the memory of how they fecked over Claudio Ranieri, the destruction of Damien Duff and Arjen Robben’s respective talents by Jose Mourinho not to mention the classy fans. Roman Abromovich doesn’t say enough to hate him but we all know he wields the power behind this crushingly boring machine-like side.

Of course, the last accusation – of Chelsea being boring – has been somewhat misleading for certain periods this season. They have played some very decent football at times such as around Christmas and of course at the tail end of this season (usually when some of those players mentioned above were absent). Ballack and Essien being released from their shackles has often inspired the team and Joe Cole generally seems to benefit from the absence of Lamps and Drogba looming over every ball he goes for.

Alas, this Wednesday, the Grant Factor will really come into play. A fully fit squad will most likely see him try the square pegs in round holes route again that sees one of the best central midfielders on the planet (Essien) play at right back, with Solomon Kalou out on the wing. Both moves won’t precipitate disaster (I actually think Kalou is a decent player) but it negates any impact they could have in their preferred positions. Okay, maybe if Grant was playing two up front he should play Anelka ahead of Kalou but the young Ivorian seems to have a better understanding of how Drogba plays which of course comes from time spent on the pitch with him, something Anelka has never had.

These moves also leave Essien with the temptation to go roving into the middle and leave his right hand berth behind. This is fine against Yossi Benayoun or Olympiakos but surely not against the pace of Nani, the wit of Giggs or even the willing running of Park, not to mention whenever Ronaldo switches wing. If he stays at right back there will be no problem, but can you see him resisting the charge into the middle to make a difference? Especially if United take the lead? Nah, thought not.

As for the Essien-less middle, Lampard and Ballack didn’t play well together against Liverpool in the second leg of the semi despite Martin Samuel’s eulogies. I’ve never seen this paring work well together and Ballack can look lost trying to stay in between Makelele and Lampard, unsure whether to make what used to be a trademark run into the box lest he leave his defence exposed. It’s this kind of constrictive problem, along with the two defences on show, and a supposedly poor pitch that makes me think this will be a one-nil encounter.

I hope I’m wrong but I can only think it would be two-one at best. United have conceded a fair few headers this year and maybe we could see same happening against this Chelsea side; Ballack’s ghostly run in behind the defence against United in the league perhaps a sign of the best mode of attack… then again Lamps didn’t play that day did he, so that might just rule that type of run out.

Personally, I hope Chelsea win but fear it’ll be a brutal game due to both managers over-thinking things. Ferguson won’t go out and play an open game as threatened in the past few weeks (‘Man United don’t know how to play any other way’ my arse). He’s too cautious on the big occasions, while Grant was born cautious and his teams only play well when under immense pressure - in fact United taking an early lead is probably our only hope for a decent match. Mark can go through United’s strengths and deficiencies tomorrow and then, quite frankly, we’re both getting hammered during the final.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 after extra time (and yes, this time I’m betting on it)

De nenenene De de de de de de de....

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In other news we've been nominated for another award cos we're great! We'd appreciate the votes and there's some very decent competition. Anyway, head over to Football Fancast and vote for us if ya think we deserve the honour of best football podcast in the whole damn town.

Later, JJ

FA Cup Final Preview

So, the traditional showpiece of English football occurs tomorrow in Wemberley.

You'll all be familiar with Portsmouth so I'm going to give a quick run through of Cardiff's players. This is the starting line-up from the semi-final against Barnsley.

• Peter Enckelman - well who doesn't remember this? But by all accounts, he has played well since moving on loan from Blackburn
  
• Glenn Loovens - the Dutch dynamo, as I call him, formerly of Feyenoord. Then again, so was David Connolly.
  
• Roger Johnson - goal scoring defender, seen by many as a future captain, and has been linked with a move to Boro.
  
• Kevin McNaughton - the Scottish defender once fell out with Berti 'Mc' Vogts, which is good enough for me. His good form has earned a recall to the Scottish squad
  
• Tony Capaldi - Norweigan born, Norn Iron International. Says a lot really, his impact will not be felt.
  
• Trevor Sinclair - Ex-England International, goal of the season winner and debuted his dreadlocks in 1991
  
• Peter Whittingham - former Villa 'next big thing', only 23, plenty of skill, and able to do this
• Joe Ledley - 21 yr old Welsh International, Graham Kavanagh's boot cleaner, and goal scoring midfielder
  
• Gavin Rae - had an injury beset time at Rangers, at Cardiff has had a run in the team, and earned a recall to the Scotland squad in March
  
• Stephen McPhail - Champions League experience with Leeds, a left foot 'like Liam Brady', but bad injuries forced him down the leagues.
  
• Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - a bit of a legend really, writer of "Jimmy: The Autobiography Of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink" and scorer of goals.

In reserve, Cardiff have the creaking Robbie Fowler, but he still has a knack of scoring....

So, to sum up, I hope Cardiff win - can you imagine all Harry's pals in the press bigging up a Pompey victory? It could be a dark future...

Mark
ODF

ODF 15 May Podcast Online

Hi All,
Our latest podcast is online now.

We discuss:

Results & Fixtures - the end of the Premier League, we get all hyped up about the UEFA Cup Final, and discuss the FA Cup & Champions League.

Pub Talk - all the news that matters to us - the Chelsea chancers, Rochdale arm wrestling, Figo, Ireland, Maniche, Larsson, Bosingwa, Birmingham & more

Featured Section - Everything Is Illuminated in our season end OPTA stats (robbed from here - thanks!)

And we finish with the details of our end of season awards - see here. Email your suggestions to comments@okeydokefootball.com

Download it or Subscribe to the Feed
Mark & JJ
ODF

The end is the beginning is the end

Following up on Mark’s blog from yesterday here’s my initial table from last August… okay, okay I thought Fat Sam could be a success; alright I thought Villa would be shite; and yes I thought Everton would prove to be also rans. I even thought, like many others, that Arsenal would be outside of the Champions League spots. Six right though so not all bad in fairness.

(Original post here)

1) Man Utd - Correct
2) Chelsea - Correct
3) Liverpool –Wrong (4)
4) Tottenham –Wrong (11)
5) Arsenal –Wrong (3)
6) Newcastle –Wrong (12)
7) Blackburn - Correct
8) Man City -Wrong
9) West Ham –Wrong (10… Damn you Curbs, giving up all too easily)
10) Everton -Wrong (5)
11) Sunderland –Wrong (15)
12) Portsmouth –Wrong (8)
13) Aston Villa –Wrong (6)
14) Bolton –Wrong (16)
15) Middlesbrough –Wrong (13)
16) Reading –Wrong (18)
17) Fulham – Correct
18) Wigan –Wrong (14)
19) Birmingham - Correct
20) Derby – (Like everyone else) Correct

Elsewhere, here’s some goals of the season to get you thinking on our end of season awards.

Ronaldo v Pompey

Elano v Newcastle

Muntari v Villa

Petrov v Roy ‘Whoopsiedaisy’ Carroll

Later, JJ