What can Manchester City do with Carlos Tevez?

By Tony Alvarez

Manchester City’s Argentinean hit man and former club captain Carlos Tevez yet again failed to return to the club after going home to Argentina in a visit the club say he was unauthorised to make.

Tevez has been in major dispute with everyone at City since he refused to come on or refused to warm up in a Champions League fixture away at Bayern Munich.

Tevez maintains that he simply told his manager he did not need to warm up as he was already ready to play, whilst Mancini says the striker refused to come on.

Since that incident Tevez has not been involved with any ofManchesterCity’s first team fixtures and has even been made to train with the youth team.

Although Tevez was due to stay with City during the international break as he was not in the Argentina squad however he went back to his home land, after the initial breach staff at Manchester City’s Carrington training ground expected Tevez to return yesterday which did not materialise.

Rumours spread on the internet that Tevez representatives had sent a medical certificate claiming that Tevez was not fit to fly or train however this has yet to be confirmed.

It is amazing how things have turned so sour for Tevez at the Etihad considering he has been the clubs star player and a firm fans favourite ever since his move from City’s main rivals Manchester United.

Tevez problem seems to be solely with manager Roberto Mancini and would happily play for the club again if Mancini apologised to him or if the Italian was dismissed but given City’s table topping form both and the form of strikers Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero both of those scenarios are highly unlikely.

The City fans also showed were there allegiances lie with banners in the clubs fixture away atBlackburnsupporting the stance the club were taking after Tevez behaviour.

It would now seem that the best option for both parties and the one that is most conceivable is the sale of Tevez however that in itself causes a dilemma.

On his day Tevez is worth every penny of the £30 odd million City paid for his services and would probably look to receive for him, however there are only a handful of clubs that can afford this sort of transfer fee and I cant see any of them parting with this mount for a player who hasn’t been competitive for 4 months (by the time January comes) and has no been seen to have behaviour problems and a disruptive influence.

All of the above coupled with his wages which are in excess of £150,000 a week and it makes the gamble a huge one for anyone.

The only club off the top of my head that will take him with all the above factors are Russian side Anzhi who earlier in the year signed Samuel Eto’o however given Tevez family inability to settle in Manchester it is unlikely that he would opt for a move to Russia.

He has been touted for a move back to his former side Boca Juniors however it is unlikely they can afford the transfer fee City would require or the players wage demands should he refuse to drop his demands.

It is a tough time for Tevez in terms of his Footballing future and it would be a loss for the game should his career continue on this downward spiral however I have no sympathy for him as he had it all an choose to moan and act like a spoilt brat.

What are your thoughts? What next for Tevez? Who will be his next club? Do you have any sympathy for him? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts

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Billy Sharp shows sometimes Football is just a game…

By Tony Alvarez

At the time of writing this I have more respect for Billy Sharp that pretty much any man on the planet, I am not taking away from what members of our forces go through every day and how their families must have to deal with things when the worst news comes to their door.
But for me for Sharp to step onto a Football pitch just 2days after the death of his 2 day old son is a herculean effort, I know people deal with deaths often and in various ways, but for me what makes what Sharp’s case all the more impressive is that it is in the spot light, everyone knew what had happened and all eyes were on him.
How he could focus on the match is beyond me let alone put in a good performance and put himself on the score sheet.
I will argue until I’m blue in the face about the importance of Football I’ve had numerous articles with people that its much more than a sport and can even be like a religion, indeed most Football fans show more dedication to the sport than the average church goer does to their religion. But when things like this happen it makes you realise it is just people kicking a piece of leather it is not life or death and there are of course more important things in life.

Sharp has always been seen as a seasoned pro and is the focal point and the star man of this Doncaster side, however in the context of what has just happened, I don’t think it matters in the slightest, I can assure you he would prefer to be one of their lesser players and not of suffered this tragedy than the position he is currently in.

This case clearly has brought football together there has been no rivalries Football has come together as one big community in respect of the life of Luey Sharp and in admiration for his father Billy.

If you need an example of how the people have came together in support of Sharp ever since his goal and celebration in memory of his son Sharp has been trending on Twitter (one of the top 10 most spoke about subjects)

Tweets from people include the likes of this from ex pro John Hartson “What a special person Billy sharp is. So sorry to hear of your loss Billy, your a strong man and your son would be proud of his daddy.” A more common tweet from members of the public compare Sharp to Manchester City player Carlos Tevez saying “Carlos Tevez refuses to play to spite his manager. Billy Sharp (Doncaster) plays despite the death of his 2-day old son. A real man”

Respect must also go to the referee who when Sharp lifted his top in celebration of his goal and in memory of his son (pictured above) did not book him.
We always call for common sense to be used in football and Mr Darren Deadman has done himself and his much criticised profession proud.
Somethings are bigger than Football and rivalry, this is one of them and although it would not have been in his mind at all when doing it Billy Sharp has won himself an army of fans.
RIP Luey Sharp.

Community Shield Preview

By Laurie Fitzgerald

This afternoon sees the traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season take place, as Manchester United and Manchester City prepare to lock horns in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.

Many fans will believe this is a chance to fully analyse two squads that are being tipped to be in the title race following a busy summer in the transfer market.

For United, the champions have been busy preparing for the long-term following the retirements and departures of some of their most experienced players.

The likes of Gary Neville, Edwin Van der Saar, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Owen Hargreaves have departed Old Trafford, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson with room to bring in younger replacements.

David De Gea, Phil Jones and Ashley Young may have cost a combined total of over £50 million, they will form part of the new cycle of the United side – something that Ferguson has plenty of experience in overseeing in the past.

However, while United will go into the new campaign as favourites to win their fifth title in six years, their ‘noisy neighbours’ (as Sir Alex likes to call them) have been putting the final touches on a squad looking to go from Champions League qualifiers to title contenders.

City boss Roberto Mancini has of course not been short of cash during his time in charge, and the Italian has acquired the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gael Clichy to make them a more formidable outfit.

Having said that, the main talking point at Eastlands (sorry, the Etihad) this summer has been not attracting big names, but trying to keep their biggest.

Their captain and talisman Carlos Tevez has made it clear he wants to move closer to a family unwilling to uproot from South America to Manchester, and the Argentine has already seen a move to Brazilian side Corinthians collapse.

With growing reports of a move to Inter Milan being finalised, the club have given the 27 year-old more time off this weekend as other distractions weigh on his mind.

As with any other Manchester derby, there will be no love lost between two sides that form one of the great rivalries of the national game.

But before there was always the feeling of inferiority as City prepared to face a club that has now become the most successful domestic side in English football.

Not anymore; this is set to be the first battle between the sides in a season where both the blue and red half of the city have serious aspirations of lifting major silverware.

No more is it viewed by neutrals as just a derby. It is now seen as a chapter in deciding who could be at the summit come May, and today will just be the precursor to that. Let battle commence.

So what do you think? Will today’s game be the warm-up to two teams going head-to-head for the title? Or will the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal have a major say? Let us know your thoughts.

Summer review part five: Transfer saga galore

By Tony Alvarez

Despite many threats not much has actually happened in the transfer market in the past 7 days, at the time of writing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are both still Arsenal players whilst Luka Modric and Charlie Adam remain at Tottenham andBlackpoolrespectively.

 One of the biggest moves that has gone through has French left back Gael Clichy’s move to Manchester City for some where in the region  of £7 million.

Its funny how time changes things in Football, 2 years ago almost to the day the aforementioned Clichy had this to say about Man City “I really believe if you are a player who thinks only about money then you could end up at Manchester City. You have to think if you want to play for a big club and have your image or if you want to play for a good club and earn big money. When you ask someone to move for something like £300,000 a week it is just crazy”.  2 years on you can argue now City are a have won the FA Cup they are a bigger club than they were when Clichy made the comments, however I would argue that with the money City were throwing around a Cup was inevitable at some point.

I for one hope that in the next few days or wheneverClichyis official unveiled as aManchesterCityplayer a journalist puts this quote to the former Arsenal man to see his response.

 Else where in the transfer market in the Premier League all that seems to have happened is the media have drummed up stories and fans are getting excited/ disappointed by them, I suppose we need something to make the summer exciting if your not a fan of the Woman’s World Cup, but the media making rumours up is getting pretty tiresome. Just yesterday for example one of the more reputable Sports news broadcasters Sky Sports News reported that Modric was in talks with Daniel Levy about his Tottenham future. Now even as I am an Arsenal fan I can admit Modric is a good player but I certainly didn’t realise he had the power of being in to places at once as the Croat is currently on holiday and not due back until Thursday.

In other transfer news Carlos Tevez has confirmed that he wishes to leaveManchesterCityfor the good of his family and to be near his kids who can’t settle inManchester. In one of the bigger events of the summer so far (as it’s actually confirmed) Tevez had taken up a lot of column inches, no one can begrudge a man wanting to be near his family although I doubt this will stop many Football fans.

 This could potentially cause huge problems for free spending Manchester City, no matter how much they have spent in the last two years Tevez has always been not only their talisman but their star man and the player which the attacking part of the side is built around.

 Reports are suggesting the likes of Tevez fellow Argentine Kun Aguero, who knows if he is the answer to be honest I don’t know if anyone can fill Tevez boots in the City side.

Another debate is who will sign Tevez due to his high transfer fee and probable wage demands, you would assume he wants away from England, Barcelona if to be believed have no spare money available for transfers, Inter Milan have ruled themselves out and AC Milan will be unlikely to want to upset notorious sulkers Robinho and Ibrahimovic

This leaves Real Madrid as the only viable option but with their quite public pursuit of Brazilian ace Neymar for a fee reported to be in excess of £40 million as well as yesterdays £25+ million signing of Benfica left back Coentrao money must be tight for the Spanish giants.

Again this is not questioning Tevez ability its just the list of potential employers is seems to be a very short one.

 

What do you think? Was Clichy correct to go against his own statement? Are City now considered a big club? Are you bored of all the unfounded speculation in our newspapers/ online daily? Will Tevez struggle to find a club? Where can you see him plying his trade next term? Do you sympathise with the reason he wants to leave City? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts

FA Cup Final Preview: Manchester City vs Stoke City

Who will lift the FA Cup trophy at Wembley this afternoon?

By Laurie Fitzgerald

Today sees the culmination of 759 teams trying to win the oldest cup competition in world football – the FA Cup Final.
 
Manchester City and Stoke City will battle it out at Wembley Stadium this afternoon in what is sure to be a fantastic atmosphere generated by the 90,000 people attending.
 
Much of the build-up has focused on the controversy of other games scheduled on one of the most traditional fixtures in the English game.
 
With this year’s Champions League final taking place at the home of football, it means there have been adjustments to the usual matches that occur at this stage of the season, such as the League One & Two play-off finals being moved to Old Trafford.
 
It has also disrupted the cup final, with the game moving from its accustomed place the weekend after the finish to the Premier League season to the weekend of the penultimate round of top-flight games.
 
Much criticism has surrounded the decision to have Premer League games taking part on the same day as the final, albeit at the earlier time of 12:45 to avoid a direct clash for supporters.
 
There have also been suggestions that with Manchester United only needing a point to secure the title, their potential triumph could take the gloss of a victory for City just a couple of hours later.
 
But this should not detract from any achievement by Roberto Mancini’s side; having secured a return to Europe’s elite competition this week for the first time in 42 years, City now have the chance to gain their first silverware in 35 years.
 
The players will be on a high after their 1-0 win over Tottenham on Tuesday night secured a Champions League place next season, and they will be favourites to ensure that 2010/11 will go down as one of the greatest in the club’s history.
 
However, they will be fully aware that they will have to overcome a hugely difficult test in a Stoke side that will be embarking on their first ever FA Cup final.
 
Manager Tony Pulis has worked wonders in transforming the Potters from a mid-table Championship team to a squad that can look forward to European football of their own next year.
 
City’s win on Tuesday had positive ramifications for the Staffordshire club as it ensured they qualified for the Europa League, whatever happens this afternoon.
 
Despite this, Pulis and the players will know that it is the chance of winning the FA Cup for the first time that the supporters want more than anything, and they go into the game on an impressive run of form.
 
Stoke have suffered just one defeat in their last nine games in all competitions, and have picked up some impressive wins in those matches against the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle and their stunning 5-0 semi-final win over Bolton last month.
 
The match will also throw up some contrasting styles, with Stoke’s determined style complimented by the attacking threat of wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant up against City’s gritty resolve and flair created by the likes of David Silva and Carlos Tevez.
 
Whatever happens, it is sure to be a fantastic occassion for both sets of supporters, and with a potential triumph meaning so much to both clubs, it has the makings of a game that will go down as one of the more memorable FA Cup finals.

Key Clashes
Micah Richards vs Matthew Etherington
For former West Ham winger Etherington, this occassion marks a new high in a career that has been revitalised at the Britannia Stadium. The 29 year-old has produced some scintillating displays on the left-hand side this season, often proving to be the main creative threat in the Potters side.

But Etherington comes up against one of the best right-backs of the Premier League this season. Having struggled for regular game time under Mancini last season, he has become a mainstay of a solid City defence, and will need to be at his best this afternoon. 
 
Pablo Zabaleta vs Jermaine Pennant                                                                        Another who has seen a resurgence in his career under Pulis, 28 year-old Pennant has experience of performing well on the big occassion, having done so for Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final. Since making his move to stoke permanent, the right-winger has produced a string of excellent performances, as well as chipping in with a few goals in the process.

Argentinian international Zabaleta has been usually been deployed in the right-back role in his career, but has made the left-back slot his own due to the injury and subsequent loss of form from Aleksandar Kolarov. Zabaleta will need to use all his experience to quell the threat of the in-form Pennant.
 
Carlos Tevez vs Robert Huth                                                                                       If there’s one player that has been truly inspirational for City over the past couple of seasons, it’s Carlos Tevez. Since the Argentinian has switched allegiances in Manchester, he has become the darling of the Eastlands faithful. The striker’s energy and tireless work for the team has helped take City onto the next level, and once again he has proved to be one of the Premier League’s best players. 

Tevez faces a centre-back that epitomises commitment and no-nonsense himself. Huth will hope to use his physicality to get the better of Tevez, as well as offering a threat from set-pieces himself. This could be the battle that decides the game.
 
David Silva vs Ryan Shawcross
Stoke centre-half Shawcross is a prime example of how Stoke have made the step-up from Championship promotion to an established top-flight team. The 23 year-old has performed consistently well in the heart of the Potters defence and has formed a strong partnership with Huth, and has been on the fringes of England recognition.

Shawcross faces a stern test of these credentials against Spanish World Cup winner Silva. The former Valencia midfielder needed time to find his feet in England, but has been excellent for Mancini’s side, finding defence-splitting passes and eye-catching runs with startling ease. Silva could provide the key to unlock Stoke’s defence and guide City to glory.
 
Yaya Toure vs Glenn Whelan                                                                                    There are many unsung heroes in this Stoke outfit, but none more so than Whelan. The Republic of Ireland midfielder has been excellent in doing the dirty work of breaking up opposition play and battling continuously in the heart of the midfield. Whelan will have to put in another huge effort up against Toure.

Having been a regular in Barcelona’s 2009 treble-winning side, the 28 year-old midfielder knows what it takes to succeed on the big stage. He is incredibly strong and deceptively quick, and having produced a man of the match display in the semi-final win over Man United, he’ll hope to replicate that form once again at Wembley. 

Man City’s run to the final
Round 3: Leicester 2-2 Man City
R3 Replay: Man City 4-2 Leicester
Round 4: Notts County 1-1 Man City
R4 Replay: Man City 5-0 Notts County
Round 5: Man City 3-0 Aston Villa
Round 6: Man City 1-0 Reading
Semi-final: Man United 0-1 Man City

Stoke City’s run to the final
Round 3: Stoke 1-1 Cardiff
R3 Replay: Cardiff 0-2 Stoke (AET)
Round 4: Wolves 0-1 Stoke
Round 5: Stoke 3-0 Brighton
Round 6: Stoke 2-1 West Ham
Semi-final: Bolton 0-5 Stoke
 
So what do you think? Will Roberto Mancini’s side claim Manchester City’s first piece of silverware in 35 years? Or will Stoke win their first ever FA Cup final? Let us know your thoughts.

How should the FA deal with QPR?

By Tony Alvarez

The Sun newspaper yesterday reported that an inside source at the Football Association has told the red top newspaper that QPR face a big points deduction of up to 15 points for breaking Football League rules by co-owning midfield maestro Alejandro Faurlin.

The London club face a hearing which is set to start on Tuesday with a verdict expected 3 days later by which time QPR could be crowned champions which any point deductions could deny them.

I usually don’t talk about media speculation as having worked with journalists from all forms of media I know that speculation is often plucked out of no where to sell stories and inside information is often hugely fabricated but this is such a huge story that it must be discussed.

According to the Sun’s story which QPR have asked the Football Association for validity on, “Those who have seen the evidence say Rangers are trying to defend the indefensible” and it is also said that within the FA the story is openly being talked about are in “big trouble”.

Many fans who have read this story have been of the belief that West Ham were not subject to a points deduction when they had a scandal with Carlos Tevez a few years back however this situation is seen as entirely different due to a change in rules.

 When West Ham were charged over “Tevez-gate” the charge was failing to disclose information because at the time third party rules did not exist, since then a ruling has been made which would make QPRs case more punishable as they were knowingly breaking a rule of the game.

Should the club be found guilty they will have 7 days to appeal the decision however should the club seek legal options for any punishment they receive and indeed any club seek legal assistance for points dropped when Faurlin had played against them it could disrupt the play offs meaning they will not be completed until the middle of the summer, which of course would be disappointing for everyone involved with Football and be very unwelcome.

I am personally split on what the decision the FA should make, a 15 point deduction is obviously well to me anyway way too harsh, however when you consider that league two sides Torquay and Hereford were docked 1 and 3 points respectively for fielding ineligible players unknowingly in one fixture then QPR should face a similar punishment for every fixture Faurlin has been involved in which would add up to a lot more than the 15 touted by The Sun.

I think the club should be punished as should anyone breaking any rules I am not anti QPR but whether you agree with the rules are not they are in place and every other club abides by them, saying that I do believe Football should be dealt with on the football pitch and no one can deny that QPR have clearly been the best side in the Championship this term so I would hate to see promotion taken away from them for a non footballing reason.

What do you think? Should QPR be punished? If so what do you think is a fitting punishment? Is it right to take the honour away from the best side for off the field reasons? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts

FA cup preview: The Manchester giants collide

By Tony Alvarez

Some of the more regular readers will remember that both myself and Laurie picked a side from the lower leagues to follow during the FA cup, should they win we follow them again in the next round should they lose, we follow the team that beat them until we get to the eventual winners.

My journey through the cup has taken me via Torquay United through to conference championsCrawleyTownto the most successful British side in recent times, Manchester United.

 We followed United as they beat title rivals Arsenal in the quarter finals in March and now will look into their tie against fierce rivalsManchesterCity.

 United have got to this stage with wins over some of their other fierce rivals including Liverpool in round 3 and as mentioned above Arsenal in the quarter finals.

ManCitywhilst on paper have had easier fixtures have found it tougher to get to this stage, they needed replays to get the better of bothLeicesterCityandNottsCounty. A comfortable victory over Aston Villa and then a tough 1-0 win overReadinghas seen them into the semi finals.

A lot of the build up to this game has focused on the suspension of Wayne Rooney for his language in celebrating a goal against West Ham, however it should be pointed out that City are missing a player who is more important to them than Rooney is to United, of course I am talking about Carlos Tevez who misses out due to a hamstring injury picked up in Monday’s defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

Rooney’s absence could see the unfamiliar pairing of Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov up front the two players style of Football do not compliment each other well and this could see United struggling going forward, that is if Ferguson does not resort back to his 451 system which ahs served him so well in the past

Roberto Mancini has many options upfront and most decide how his side cope best without the former United front man Tevez. It I likely to be a decision between the enigmatic Italian Mario Balotelli and formerWolfsburgman Edin Dzeko. Mancini has shown in the past he often enters the big games with his side looking to avoid defeat rather than going all out for a win, due to this it would be unlikely that he will pair Dzeko and Balotelli together.

 City are looking to end a trophy drought that’s spanning over 35 years which Manchester United fans are all too happy to remind their rivals about.  Whilst United have not won the famous trophy since 2003 when they beat Millwall in the Millennium stadium inCardiff.

The sides have met twice already this season playing out a 0-0 bore draw atManchesterCity’s Eastlands ground, whilst only a magical Wayne Rooney overhead kick could split the sides as United recorded a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford.

For me United enter this tie as favourites, I genuinely think they will struggle to break down City who are a very good defensive United and will more than likely pack men behind the ball. I personally hope there is an early goal so the sides have to come out and play rather than having a war of attrition which for a neutral will not make good viewing.

If I were a betting Man my money would be on United by the odd goal, I can see a tight game and City are more than capable of winning but in the past have never looked the same when Tevez is not in the side and could find it tough to break down United’s miserly defence.

What do you think? Can City win without Tevez? Who’s favourites to reach the final? Is City’s trophy drought coming to an end? Will United rue Rooney’s celebration? Leave a comment and let us know

Our Premier League side of the year….

Following Shouts From the Stands recent articles looking into various awards and who we believe the candidates are and who we would pick as winners of those awards it is now the turn of our team of the season

This is going to be chosen on whos done more for their club rather than who is the better player as we don’t want to see the same old players popping up all the time.

Goal keeper-

For us this was a toss up between Edwin Van Der Sar and Ben Foster, there can be no argument that Van Der Sar has been more steady and has made less errors but in this team we will opt for Ben Foster, without some of his stunning performances this season Birmingham would be in deep trouble and possibly already relegated, so whilst Van Der Sar has been remarkable this term as have many others Foster is the man for our team.

Right Back-

This was a tough one for us as no one has been outstanding; we narrowed it down to Micah Richards and Bacary Sagna. Whilst Sagna has not been at his best this season he has still been the best right back in the Premier League, Richards has been back to his best form of a couple of seasons ago and is on this list because he has given City the have lacked in recent years and thus had a big impact on his side, his strength and aerial ability make him a solid defender and his pace and power make him a threatening attacking option. For our team due to the impact he has had on his club we will select Micah Richards.

Centre backs-

For me there are two stand out candidates for these two slots in our side and those are Nemanja Vidic who I personally believe is favourite to win player of the year and Vincent Kompany who has really shown the Premier League what he can do this term at the heart of the Man City defence. I personally cannot see anyone who has come close to these two Gallas has performed well in his first season in a Spurs shirt but he has not been a rock who a defence can be formed around unlike Kompany and Vidic.

Left back-

Again this was between the candidate who has probably performed best this term Patrice Evra and a candidate who has performed above all expectation Newcastle’s Jose Enrique.

Evra has not been up to his usual standards this season but has been far and away the best left back in the Premier League.

Jose Enrique’s performances this term have seen him linked with a whole host of clubs in European Football which will not please Newcastle fans, however due to him being a dependable option both defensively and bombing forward, Jose Enrique is our selected left back.

Right winger-

For me there was only one real option for this position. Despite his shock omission from the Player of the Year shortlist Nani has been stunning this term.

He has helped him self to 9 premier league goals and leads the assists table.

He has offered more to Man United’s attacking line up than any other and if they win the title he will have had a big hand in the triumph for this reason we will select Nani.

 

Centre Midfielders-

This was some what a tough call for us, as I decided to go with a 4-4-2 formation you generally need a defensive midfielder and a more offensive minded one unless there is an outstanding candidate who is a box to box midfielder this season although Joey Barton has been good I don’t think he’s done enough to make It into this side.

Although Samir Nasri has played in various positions he has been at his devastating best performing centrally or coming from the middle with a sort of free role after starting from the left hand side his performances have been recognised by the PFA as he has been shortlisted for the top prize and is selected as one of our central midfielders.

My candidates for the more defensive minded midfielder both came from clubs who were not challenging for honours, Chiek Tiote has been a colossus in his debut season in the Premier League and has been the ideal partner to allow Kevin Nolan to roam forward and find the net.

Scott Parker has commanded the West Ham midfield and the rest of his side in the dressing room at times if reports are to be believed, he has scored goals, made goal saving tackles, provided assist and generally kept his side flowing. Without him West Ham would be relegated already. His form has also been recognized by the PFA as he is nominated for the player of the year award.

For me Parker just shades Tiote as he also has goals and assists in his locker.

Left Midfielder-

This was a tough decision for me as the two candidates are in completely contrasting situations. Matt Jarvis is struggling at the wrong end of the table to try and make sure his Wolves side can secure a Premiership future.

The other candidate I had in mind Gareth Bale has pushed his side to a Champions League quarter final and has helped Tottenham completely change the way they play and added a real dynamic dimension to the Spurs side, he is feared World wide now due to his performances this season, which is why he just shades Matt Jarvis and Gareth Bale is selected as our left winger.

Strikers-

It would be all too easy to select the players who top the scoring charts which would mean Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez would be our strike force, however for me Berbatov has not been impressive this term he has found the back of the net but you would not call him a shining light.

On the other hand Carlos Tevez has led the line for City and everything attacking City do comes through Tevez, despite the numerous millions spent on attacking talent Tevez is still their main man and again his efforts have been recognised by the PFA for these reasons Carlos Tevez is one half of our strike force.

The second striker was a really tough one for me to decide, for me since the start of 2011 Robin Van Persie has been the best player in the Premier League. His goals and creative ability have added a lot to Arsenals play and leaves fans wondering what if he had been fit all season.

The other candidate has also only played half a season. Andy Carroll was magnificent and helped give Newcastle a solid base to build upon in their first season back in the Premier League. The formidable target man has seen himself rise from a Championship player to an England international and the record British signing in the space of 10 months.

However since his move to Liverpool he has not hit the back of the net and his side are less dependant on him which makes him less valuable for this particular selection so whilst it may be my Arsenal tinted glasses on I am going to select Robin Van Persie

Our final 11:

Ben Foster

Micah Richards   Nemanja Vidic   Vincent Kompany Jose Enrqiue

Nani         Scott Parker      Samir Nasri    Gareth Bale

Carlos Tevez   Robin Van Persie

What do you think of this selection? What would your side be and why? Have I made any glaring errors in this line up? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts

Is Nani’s omission from the PFA player of the year shortlist justified?

By Tony Alvarez

Following the release of a 6 man shortlist for the Players Football Association player of the year award many fans have been angered at the omission of Manchester United Portuguese winger Luis Nani.

Nani has been pivotal to United’s charge on all fronts this term which currently sees them top of the Premier League table, in an FA Cup semi final and with a slight advantage in a Champions League Quarter final.

The wing wizard is leading the Premier League assists table with 16 and has 9 Premier league strikes to his name which is equal to or better than anyone else that’s nominated for the PFA award except for Carlos Tevez.

The Candidates who have been shortlisted in favour of Nani are Arsenal’s Samir Nasri, Blackpool’s Charlie Adam, as mentioned above Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez, Nani’s team mate Nemanja Vidic, Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and West Ham’s Scott Parker.

Regular viewers will have seen that earlier in the week Shouts From The Stands wrote an article looking into who we judged as Player of the year, our shortlist of four included four of the names above an omitted Charlie Adam, Scott Parker and Nani which got me a lot of negative response from Manchester United fans.

To view our Player of the Year article please click on the following link: http://shoutsfromthestands.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/who-should-be-named-player-of-the-year/

You will be unable to see the comments from United fans moaning at me for not including Nani as they were on BBC’s 606 forum.

I came to the conclusion that the candidates are not always the 6 best players in the league but the ones who are most influential to their sides.

Only one man can be the most influential man to their side which made it a choice between Vidic and Nani, for my decision it was tough but I think Vidic is often over looked and has held the team together no matter who he has been partnered with at centre back this season.

It seems the shortlist makers made the same decision many United fans were calling for both to be included on the shortlist but as the shortlist has been decided upon on influence and not all round performance Nani was overlooked for the likes of Charlie Adam and Scott Parker, which I can see perfect sense in.

What do you think? Have they got the shortlist correct?S hould Nani of been chosen over Vidic? Should the shortlist of included 2 United players? Is it wrong that the award is being chosen on influence and not performance? Leave a comment and let us know

Who should be named Player of the year?

By Tony Alvarez

Following last weeks announcement of the players of the year in all of the Football Leagues it is now the turn of the Premier League, Shouts From The Stands are covering this area over the next few days looking at the candidates for Player of the year, Young player of the year, Most under rated player and finally signing of the year.

Today I will look at the candidates for the main award player of the year and give my views on who should scoop the award.

Samir Nasri- The French Arsenal midfielder has had the season of his life so far and has relished having more of a central/ free role, whilst the Frenchman’s dribbling ability has always been clear to see this season he has put this ability to more practical use scoring 14 goals in all competitions as well as providing numerous assists. Non more spectacular than his second solo effort against Fulham at the Emirates after bursting around a few tackles he rounded the keeper before swivelling and knocking the ball in from a tight angle.

 No greater compliment can be paid to Nasri than saying he has outshone Arsenal club captain Cesc Fabregas this season.

As well as Nasri’s goals, assists and clear natural ability its his work rate on top of those traits that has made him a firm fans favourite at the Emirates and brought about rumours of an upcoming contract offer of over £100,000 a week.

Gareth Bale-  The young Welshman has been Tottenham’s star man in their quest for Champions League glory as well as keeping hold of their top 4 spot, the left winger who was brought to the club as a left back has scored 11 goals in all competitions but his performances can not be judged simply on goals.

Not only does he raise the crowd every time he receives the ball at White Heart Lane but the majority of Tottenham’s attacking play revolves around the speedy wide man. Bale as well as his pace offers terrific delivery and if not posing a goal scoring threat himself can always be relied upon to put a threatening ball into the opponent’s box for the likes of Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe.

Although much of Bale’s best achievements this term have come in Europe such as his hat trick in the San Siro, although this is not meant to count towards these particular awards performances like this never go a miss.

Nemanja Vidic-

Defenders are often overlooked in these end of season awards as there are not many goal scoring achievements you can call upon and clean sheets are always seen as a team effort.

Despite all this I would personally rank Vidic up there for the award, he has been majestic yet again this term as he has been consistently for the last few seasons. Many people have always put Manchester United’s miserly defence down to the pairing of Vidic and Rio Ferdinand but this term Vidic has marshalled a defence that has seldom featured Ferdinand.

He had been thrown in at the deep end having to help young Chris Smalling find his place in the side an form a partnership with him as well as having to be able to forge a solid partnership with Jonny Evans and Wes Brown when called upon.

Although he has had the legendary Edwin Van Der Sar between the sticks behind him and World class left back Patrice Evra along side him for the majority of the games Vidic is the rock which the United defence is built around.

Vidic has also played his part at the other end notching 4 goals. Despite his reputation as a tough tackling centre back Vidic has only been booked 5 times this term thus showing his tackling ability.

Carlos Tevez

 Tevez tends to go about his business unnoticed due to City’s huge spending and more particularly this season the antics of fellow front man Mario Balotelli.

  The Argentinean who is City’s club captain has had another prolific season in front of goal. He has 21 goals in all competitions and is the focal point of all of City’s attacking play even though at any time he will have over 100 million of talent around him.

Another reason Tevez slips peoples mind when these awards are handed out is because he isn’t fighting for major honours City were never truly in the title race and were not in the Champions League.

Should Tevez be scoring all these goals and putting in these performances for a title winning side he would be a shoe in for the awards.

Much like Nasri, Tevez does not only gain admires for his skill and goal scoring ability, his work rate is second to none, he is always hassling defenders and is always dangerous due to his constant movement.

The verdict:

For me the award should go to Vidic, should Arsenal win the league and Nasri scores 5 goals between now and the end of the season then he would be deserving but at this present time Vidic is the more consistent performer.

Nasri started off brilliantly but his form has really petered out in recent weeks and he has not quite looked himself, where as it is very tough to think of a bad spell Vidic has had throughout the season.

Who is your player of the year? Is there anyone I have missed out? Leave a comment an let us know who your player of the year is>