With premiership season finished, I thought I’d sum up my prediction scores and see how accurate I am, the results are as follows:
So, the final premiership games approach, and thanks to Chelsea and Portsmouth, the only things that are not finalised are the ordering of 2nd to 5th in the table. Here are my predictions for the final premiership games of the 2005/06 season:
Arsenal vs Wigan: This will be the last Arsenal games at Highbury, and Arsene Wenger will be hoping his side can win to keep the pressure on north london rivals Spurs in the race for 4th place. Wigans season has stalled recently, however they can be proud of what they have achieved in their first ever season of top flight football. My Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal.
Aston Villa vs Sunderland: Villa fans will be glad the season is over after this game, after having one of their worst seasons in recent years, they will also be hoping that David O’Leary is given the boot. Sunderland fans will also be pleased to end an appalling season, and will be hoping to bounce back next year. My Prediction: 1-1 draw.
Blackburn vs Man City: In recent weeks, Man City have been in free fall whilst Blackburn have recovered to grab a UEFA Cup spot in 6th, and I can see this trend continuing in the match tomorrow. My Prediction: 2-0 Blackburn
Bolton vs Birmingham: Neither side here has anything but pride to fight for, so this is likely to be a dull match. My Prediction: 2-1 Bolton.
Everton vs West Brom: Another match where each side has very little to play for, a win for Everton could lift them into the top half of the table however. My Prediction: 1-0 Everton.
Fulham vs Middlesbrough: With Middlesbrough preparing for their UEFA Cup final on wednesday, this should be an easy win for Fulham, and could put them 12th in the league. My Prediction: 2-0 Fulham.
Man Utd vs Charlton: A win here for Man Utd guarantees them 2nd place, and an automatic Champions League place next season. This will be Alan Curbishley’s final match in charge of Charlton, and he will be hoping that they will do him proud, however at Old Trafford this is very unlikely. My Prediction: 3-1 Man Utd.
Newcastle vs Chelsea: After clinching the title last weekend, this will be a celebratory match for Chelsea, and with Newcastles hopes of a UEFA cup spot being dashed by Blackburn, Newcastle have little to play for. My Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea.
Portsmouth vs Liverpool: Securing their premiership safety last weekend will have been a huge relief for Harry Redknapp considering their next opponents. Liverpool are on a charge for 2nd place, and if they win here they will keep the pressure on Man Utd. My Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool.
West Ham vs Tottenham: This is quite possibly the biggest game in Spur’s history, a win and they clinch 4th place, and aside from Barcelona having a mare in Paris, a Champions League place. West Ham will have the FA Cup final next weekend on their minds, and will try not to suffer any suspensions or injuries. My Prediction: 3-1 Spurs.
So, Steve McClaren has been given the England managers job from when Sven steps down, this will please the media who have wanted an english manager ever since Sven was given the job. I myself am not convinced, McClaren may have guided his ‘boro side to the UEFA Cup final and the FA Cup semis, however they have had a quite frankly awful premiership season. They may have fought back valiantly in their second legs in both the quarters and semis of the UEFA cup, however, in the Steaua tie certainly, Steaua were virtually non-existent in the 2nd half. Also, international matches are never two-legged, making away matches vital, and Middlesbrough have had a patchy away record this year.
The main problem I have with appointing McClaren (and pretty much any other english manager) is their severe lack of experience outside of the premiership, McClaren is the only english manager to have won anything, and that was a League Cup final against Bolton. However, what the press wants, the press gets, just look at Kevin Keegans hiring! I feel that Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had been offered the job before McClaren, would have been the best choice, his managerial CV is impeccable, however the good old english media put him off.
Alan Hansen’s view sums up the situation, the problem lies down to the fact the big clubs (Man Utd/Chelsea/Liverpool/Arsenal) haven’t had an english manager in years, the last would have been Roy Evans, who left Liverpool in 1998. Even teams who are just off the top have chosen foreign (well not english) managers, with Spurs recruiting Martin Jol (and before that Jacques Santini) and Blackburn having Mark Hughes and Graeme Souness.
Oh well, mediocrity and non-qualification here we come!