South Africa 2010……We’ll be Coming?

 

While the popular Scotland fans’ chant of “We’ll be Coming, We’ll be Coming Down the Road” was again in evidence, you wouldn’t have known that last Wednesday herladed a new era for the Scotland team, judging by the stereotypical Scottish weather and rather flat atmosphere inside the National Stadium. After the heroic performance in being a win away from qualification for Euro 2008 out of one of the hardest qualifying groups imaginable, the International with Croatia ushered in another manager of the team.

The good work started by Walter Smith had been carried on by Alex McLeish, but soon after the defeat to Italy in the final group game he was off to take charge at English side Birmingham City, paving the way for George Burley to take on the responsibility of carrying the hopes of a nation.

Former Ipswich Town, Hearts and Southampton boss Burley was considered by many a surprise choice, but his philosophy of passing, attacking football has won admirers and many of the 28,821 crowd would’ve been impressed at the way Scotland went about their business.

Missing the injured Rangers quartet of Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Christian Dailly and Allan McGregor, plus Celtic’s Barry Robson and Tartan Army talisman James McFadden of Birmingham, the Scots had an unusual look to their line-up, with Celtic’s Stephen McManus given the captain’s armband in Ferguson’s absence.

There was an early setback as Portsmouth’s Niko Krancjear fired the European Championship hopefuls ahead after only 10 minutes, but Scotland dug deep to produce a display of resilience, bravery on the ball and showed some good attacking play. This was epitomised in the equalising goal, with debutant Steven Fletcher sliding a terrific ball through for Kenny Miller, who cut inside and rifled home via a deflection.

While the classy Croats controlled possession, in the second half especially, Scotland enjoyed positive forward play, with the best chance created by the outstanding Alan Hutton for Kris Boyd with six minutes to go.

We also had to rely on Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon to keep us level with some fine saves, but overall it was a good test and a good indication of where Scotland are, and could go, under General George.

As has been noted, in Gordon we have an outstanding goalkeeper, while Hutton grows with stature in each passing game. Stephen McManus again looked comfortable at the back and while we missed Ferguson and McCulloch, the likes of Scott Brown, Paul Hartley, Darren Fletcher and his namesake Steven showed that there is depth in terms of quality to Burley’s squad.

Miller as usual ran himself into the ground and with predatory scorer Kris Boyd, Shaun Maloney and Faddy to return, Scotland have a host of potent attacking options.

Next up for the Scots is a trip to Prague to take on the Czech Republic before a home game with Northern Ireland in August, before the road to South Africa and the World Cup starts in Macedonia in September. Although in a tough group, containing Holland, Norway and Iceland along with Macedonia, the early signs of Burley’s reign is that his Scotland team are capable of carrying on the good work of the Euro 2008 campaign, and taking it further to reach our first major tournament since the France ‘98 World Cup.

Scotland’s group rivals take note- We’ll be Coming.

Potential title decider?

I feel that so far in this blog I have neglected to discuss Scottish football, aside from the ongoing saga at Gretna and their apparant impending doom. With the Raydale Park side in a real mess and face the grim reality of not making it to next season due to entering administration, this has seen them lose 10 points and has all but ensured relegation from the Scottish Premier League.

But regardless of whether they live to carry on next season, a place in Scotland’s top flight is up for grabs and as a follower of a First Division side, I feel it appropriate to turn my attention to what has been a very interesting title race.

As most of you who read this will know, I follow Dunfermline Athletic and despite being heavy favourites to regain promotion following our demotion last term, we have had a desperate season and find ourselves in 5th place, with 4th or at a push 3rd the only real possibility for us. However, I still maintain a keen interest in the title race, which has come down to surprise table toppers Hamilton Academical and Dundee, who along with the mighty Pars are the biggest club in the league in terms of history and fanbase.

The Accies though have led the league since the start of the season and while they have surprised myself, they haven’t surprised other teams in the league. Under the shrewd management of Billy Reid, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League with Clyde in 2004, he has built a solid side with a mix of youth and experience. In former Pars goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell and former Falkirk midfielder Stuart Taylor, they have players with proven top flight and First Division experience, which has stood them in good stead.

They have a number of youngsters who have been making quite an impression in the Irn-Bru SFL this year. Richard Offiong at only 24 is the league’s top goalscorer, while winger Mark Gilhaney has impressed many opposition fans with his wing play down the left. But the star of Hamilton’s team has been 17 year old James McCarthy, who has courted controversy by pledging his international future to the Republic of Ireland despite being born in Glasgow. A central midfielder, he has caught the eye of a number of clubs, including Liverpool, Celtic and Barcelona, having become a first team regular. Having watched Hamilton draw 1-1 at East End Park on Tuesday, I wasn’t overly impressed with Accies (admittedly, it wasn’t great from either team, and I did miss our previous 3 defeats by them) but McCarthy stood out in the middle. He always looked for the ball and his range of passing was excellent, while I thought he controlled his team’s midfield. Certainly he has a long way to go, but Accies may have unearthed a real gem.

So, tomorrow will see the leaders take on Dundee at home in what is a huge match. The Dees are 3 points behind their hosts with a game in hand, and defeat could see the title head closer to Hamilton. Despite Hamilton’s magnificent record on their plastic pitch (they are unbeaten in 14 league games at home this season), Dundee will fancy their chances, especially with the man most likely to come up against McCarthy.

Kevin McDonald is another youngster who has been scouted by several top clubs, most notably Everton. A rather gangly player, he has impressed with cultured performances in midfield as well as his attacking play- he has netted 10 goals, making him their top goalscorer. I attended a 1-1 draw between Dundee and Dunfermline earlier in the campaign and although, like Hamilton on Tuesday, the Dark Blues didn’t impress, McDonald was a standout performer. A fascinating battle between him and McCarthy could decide the outcome of tomorrow’s game.#

Dundee are also strong up front, with Mikael Antoine-Curier, on loan from Hibernian, and Colin McMenamin. The latter has netted 5 goals since a January move from Gretna while Curier has hit 7 goals during a productive spell on Tayside. Interestingly, Dundee’s Derek Lyle has signed a pre-contract deal to join Hamilton next season, so a goal from him would be interesting.

With Hamilton’s excellent home run, they’d be considered slight favourites but Dundee have only lost twice on the road this season. They have an excellent ability to grind out results while not playing well under Alex Rae but can they handle the pressure? If they can ensure a positive result, the title fight could go down to the last game, where Dundee and Hamilton meet at Dens.

Tomorrow though is a massive game and should be game of the day in Scotland. It is my belief that if Billy Reid’s team take the points, then they will go on and clinch the title. But i’ll sit on the fence and say a draw, which will suit both teams, but more so Dundee.

Its sure to be exciting and tense, proving not all the drama lies in the top flight. As for Dunfermline’s game at Queen of the South……..well, as much as I’d like to try, I simply can’t make the prospect of a fight for 4th as exciting. Ah well, there’s always next season!

Romance rekindled

As I sat on a train from Edinburgh to Newcastle last Sunday morning whilst on my way to watch Everton take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, I found myself discussing what a missed opportunity this season could be for the Blues. David Moyes’ team have had a quite simply splendid season, as they keep pace with Liverpool in their search for Champions League football, reached the semi finals of the Carling Cup and only lost out in the UEFA Cup last 16 after penalty heartbreak against Fiorentina.

But, while through my blue tinted spectacles Everton could be the story of the season, I have simply had to marvel at the real story of this season in England- the FA Cup. The punters tournament, the knockout competition which has fans of clubs up and down the land dreaming of going all the way. Quite simply, the traditional holy grail of the English game.

But it had lost its spark in recent years. As the Premiership cash bonanza took hold, the bigger clubs grew bigger, while the smaller clubs seemed to stand still. Not since, ironically, Everton in 1995 have a club outside of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea won the famous trophy. But this year, that is one statistic that is guaranteed to change.

It has been a season of shocks, going all the way back to January and round 3. Everton lost at home to League One Oldham Athletic, while fellow League One side defeated Birmingham City. Blackburn Rovers and Fulham were other top flight clubs to fall victim of lower league opposition, which set the tone for the most remarkable tournament in my living memory.

Of course, the FA, and the Scottish, cups are well known for producing shock results- every year, the media can focus on one wee team and marvel at the magic of the cup. Though when it enters the business end of the competition, one of the big guns comes through and takes the glory.

But this year, there isn’t one story- there are many. There are Bristol Rovers of League One, who excelled in disposing of Fulham and Southampton en route to a Quarter Final with West Bromwich Albion, five times FA Cup winners.

Then there is Havant and Waterlooville, who became the English cup’s equivelant of Spartans, the tiny East of Scotland league side who made the Scottish Cup last sixteen twice in recent years.

From the Blue Square South division, they defeated runaway League One leaders Swansea City after a replay before taking on the might of Liverpool at Anfield. For any smaller club, to go in front is a dream. To do it twice was unbelievable and Havant earned the acclaim of a nation in producing such a gallant effort- part time footballers and full time teachers going up against £20 million Fernando Torres. You sensed at that point the magic was back.

Then there was Barnsley, given the trip to Anfield. Not content with Havant hogging all the Mersey FA Cup headlines, they had the audacity to equalise and, allied by a heroic performance from Luke Steele, a goalkeeper signed 2 days previously on an emergency loan, scored a last minute winner in front of the Kop through Brian Howard. This was yet another love story for the romantics.

And so it was on to the weekend’s quarter finals. On Saturday, Manchester United were strongly fancied at home to Portsmouth, while holders Chelsea travelled to a packed Oakwell to play Simon Davey’s Barnsley. Most, including myself, predicted the two favourites would reach the semi final and end the dreams of those clubs.

But football is a funny old game. United, despite dominating the match, failed to find the net and when Tomasz Kuszczak was dismissed for a foul on Pompey’s Milan Baros, Sulley Muntari stroked home the resulting penalty and Portsmouth disposed of the Premier League Champions. Their manager, Harry Redknapp, has now beaten Sir Alex Ferguson three times in the competition- with Bournemouth and then West Ham United in 2001.

Manchester United then were out- nothing it seemed would stand in Chelsea’s way. Avram Grant was criticised after their Carling Cup final defeat to Tottenham, but surely his team packed with superstars would finally end the romance of Davey’s Tykes? Well, frankly, no was the answer.

Barnsley went from the jugular from the start and indeed smacked the post in the first half through Istvan Ferenczi. But Oakwell erupted midway through the second half as Kayode Odejayi’s header fired the Championship club ahead and they held on for another famous scalp and erased memories of the 6-0 drubbling the Blues had given them on their last return to this section of Yorkshire back in the 1997/98 season. Hundreds scampered onto the pitch to acclaim their heroes- they thought it was all over- it was for Chelsea as Davey’s side live on.

And so to Sunday’s matches, taking place as I witnessed Everton defeat Sunderland 1-0 thanks to Andy Johnson. Just 30 odd miles down the road, Middlesbrough were favourites to be one of 2 Premier League teams in the hat for the semi’s, taking on Championship Cardiff City at home. The Bluebirds have had a tough time in recent years, with the threat of administration hovering over them amid fears of lack of finance for their new stadium. They are the only non-English team to win the tournament, way back in 1927 when they famously defeated Arsenal at Wembley.

And they are clearly in the mood to take the trophy back to the Welsh capital, as they produced a stunning performance to oust Gareth Southgate’s side. A superb curling shot from Peter Whittingham on 9 minutes then a Roger Johnson header on 23 , cueing a Taff invasion of North London. Peter Ridsdale, the City chairman, will be delighted with the income but for Cardiff fans they too can dream of cup glory.

The later quarter final saw a West Country rival of Cardiff, Bristol Rovers, take on ex Hibs boss Tony Mowbray’s high flying West Bromwich Albion, who are involved in a fight to win Premier League promotion. Mogga, as he proved at Easter Road, favours fast, passing attacking football, which has seen the Baggies top the Championship scoring charts by quite a distance.

The Memorial Ground pitch, with its bobbly nature, was cited as a good reason why Albion may come a cropper but they sailed through in the only non-shock of the round, winning by 5 goals to one. A send end to the run of Paul Trollope’s Priates, with the scoreline flattering West Brom, but they can hold their heads high. For West Brom, a promotion and FA Cup double is on.

So there we have it, an FA Cup semi final weekend with only one top flight club since 1908. As well as Albion and Cardiff’s triumphs, Portsmouth and Barnsley each have one cup win in their roll of honour- Pompey in 1939, the Tykes in 1912.

But someone will add 2008 to their honours list. The draw threw up Portsmouth against West Brown, with Cardiff taking on Barnsley. Portsmouth are the bookies favourites to win the cup, but this year’s tournament has shown that favourites can be beaten, dreams can be achieved.

I’ve read people bemoaning this year’s semi final line up, citing it “boring”. For me, it is anything but boring. Watching the same sides do battle for trophies all the time is boring- here we have four teams who have almost achieved the impossible, and who each would have a strong case to be given the cup were it handed out now. As a follower of a smaller side in Dunfermline Athletic, I know all too well the joy in overcoming all the odds and progressing to cup finals, as I saw my team do in the Scottish Cup in 2004 and 2007.

So to the fans of Portsmouth, Barnsley, Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion- ignore the snipers. You have earned the right to be there. You have provided so many stories to look back on and treasure, particularly the dumping out of so many big names. Semi finals are great occasions and both ties will be great games. Enjoy them and cheer your heroes into the final.

As I left the Stadium of Light savouring Everton’s victory, the only thing for me to bemoan about the most spectacular of FA Cup years is that the Toffees were one of those shocked. It would be easy to be envious of the teams involved, but I will be pleased for whoever wins the cup. The magic of the FA Cup is back. It really has been the punters tournament. And its impssoible to pick a winner.