Leicester City v MK Dons

Leicester City can wrap up any lingering hope MK Dons may still have in winning the League One title this weekend. The runaway League leaders visit the MK Arena? In the third tiers top of the table clash. Both sides have distanced themselves significantly from the rest of the promotion chasing pack over the last couple of months and Leicester, who have only suffered two League defeats all season can set their eyes firmly on becoming League One Champions if they win this much anticipated encounter. Leicester will be without the suspended young centre half Jack Hobbs who has come on in leaps and bounds over the course of the season but will feel compensated by the 4,000 strong following they’ll be welcomed by.

The Dons have surprised many people up to now, turning this season into a potential back to back promotion one, a feat that would be a major achievement for rookie manager Roberto Di Matteo. The Italian will be doing all in his power to lift the Don’s for this game as a home win here would open the title race up between what all ready surely is the promoted two sides of League One.

I have to say, and no biased opinion here………. honest, that Leicester will go down to MK and win. City, who must already feel unbeatable by continuing their record breaking 20 game without loss run will also be aided by a massive following as the Blue Army make the short trip down the M1 to see what they hope will be the Insurance points in Leicester’s quest for League One honours.

I’ll be backing the away side here that fair attractively at 6/4. MK Dons will be pushing for a win thus opening up the game and Leicester have only come unstuck this season in tight affairs where their opponents sit back and frustrate them. An attacking opposition will somewhat play into the visitors hands and I can only see one outcome here. So Jobber it’s over to you, sing and they will follow…………… EI EI EI O…

(Prices Coral Bookmakers)

How Martin O’Neill Returned Aston Villa to Glory

When Martin O’Neill and Randy Lerner combined to take over Aston Villa in Summer 2006, no-one could’ve predicted the heights they would take the club in such a short period of time.  When O’Neill, a former Nottingham Forest legend, was introduced at Villa, he described his aspirations for the club in terms of making the Champion’s League in a “Five Year Plan”.  Two and a half season later, Villa are currently third in the English top flight and continue to improve at a remarkable rate under O’Neill.

Villa have never been regarded as an English powerhouse, but every few years, they show they have the potential of being a long-term threat to the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.  Before O’Neill arrived, they were sputtering frequently and looked likely to be a squad dealing with relegation battles in the upcoming years.  The second MON walked in the door, with Randy Lerner by his side, things changed.  Slowly, but surely, Villa began showing signs that they were building the club so many supporters knew they could be…

In his first campaign, O’Neill led Villa to a respectable improvement as they jumped five spots to an 11th place finish.  Villa youngster frontmen Gabriel Agbonlahor flourished under MON and long-time Villa midfielder Gareth Barry also solidified the squad which was happy to finish the season without relegation worries.  It was in the 2006-2007 January transfer window that O’Neill made his first splurge with Lerner’s cash when he handed Watford almost GBP 10m for a talented and skilled winger by the name of Ashley Young.  Young, as everyone knows, would prove to be an excellent buy and his purchase would probably be the biggest event during O’Neill’s first season at Villa.  In January, O’Neill would also bring in striker John Carew in a pure exhange for Milan Baros, a deal which would prove profitable for Villa.

The summer before the 2007-2008 campaign allowed Villa to completely transform to allow MON to pursue what he knew his growing giant could accomplish.  Villa allowed several starters go, but more importantly he brought in the players he felt would allow his squad to take another step forward.  The additions of Reo-Coker, Harewood, Davies, Knight, and Keeper Scott Carson (loan) helped catipult Aston Villa even farther up the table in 08-09.  The season proved to be a very up and down one, but when all was said and done, Villa ended in the 6th spot and had earned a backdoor spot into Europe through the Intertoto Cup.  It was becoming obvious that the potential and talent being compiled at Villa Park would eventually allow the club to explode, but no-one could’ve guessed it would all take place in 2008-2009, which would be O’Neill’s third season at the helm.

The additions of Steve Sidwell, Brad Friedel, James Milner, Carlos Cuellar, Luke Young, and Nicky Shorey capped another successful summer window for the Villa and their early form proved they were in good shape to repeat the previous season’s performance.  Going to the Emirates in mid-November, they were obviously a top half of the table club, but the performance they gave that day at Arsenal would be a defining moment in the heart of every Villa supporter.  It would truly become a day that no Villa fan could forget, as Villa’s youth and pace proved deadly and despite missing an early penalty, Ashley Young helped set up the first goal (Clichy OG), before Agbonlahor finished in style to give Villa three points and a 2-0 away win.  The win gave Villa momentum which they still haven’t lost to this date.  The boys have won 7 straight away from home in the league, and currently possess a comfortable Champion’s League spot in 3rd above Chelsea and Arsenal.  The rest of the season provides some tough fixtures for Villa, but based on current form it would be tough to see them not playing in Europe’s biggest club competition next season…..

No matter what the outcome is come the end of May, there is no doubt that what Martin O’Neill has done at Aston Villa is truly remarkable.  From day one he has had a goal and has had a definite plan to get there.  He knows what he wants from each player in his squad, and has the complete trust of Randy Lerner to buy players he knows can fill these rolls.  Even if Villa don’t finish off this season in the Top Four, it will still serve as a reminder to all of England that Aston Villa and Martin O’Neill are most certainly on the rise and will continue to do so until MON and Villa reach the goals they set out to accomplish together from the day the man walked in the door……MARTIN O’NEILL-A VILLA LEGEND

By RJ Sepich

David Moyes is: Mr Motivator

David Moyes: A great motivator, thankfully without the leotard.

Many people reacted with surprise to Jo’s stunning debut in an Everton shirt, as he helped fire the Toffees to a resounding 3-0 win over Bolton, despite coming off the back of a torrid spell at Manchester City. However, it came as no surprise to me that Moyes has instantly managed to get the best out of the young Brazilian. We all knew he had talent, he scored for fun at CSKA Moscow after all, and though City paid over the odds for him, I thought it would be a good long term investment for them.

However, for one reason or another, Jo never really settled at Manchester City. Whether it was the language barrier, the speed of the Premier League or simply his team mates and manager, something didn’t click for him. So in came David Moyes. The Scotsman had tried to sign Jo in the summer on a permanent deal but was priced out by City’s riches, but he was very keen to get his man this time, albeit, only on a loan deal.

It was this more than anything, that made me have faith in Jo’s ability even before the Bolton game. When I saw him play for City against Everton I concluded that he had “as much impact on the game as Everton’s did, [and they were] watching from home with injuries“, but as soon as Moyes went back for a second time to try and sign him, I knew Moyes had seen something he liked. And in Moyes we trust, as the saying at Goodison goes, and with good reason too.

A few years ago, there was a tenacious young Australian player doing pretty well at Millwall, and a few Premier League clubs had a look at him. None made a move though. Perhaps they thought he was nothing more than a Championship player, suited to the rough and tumble of that league but without the finesse necessary to grace the Premiership. David Moyes took a look at the same player and saw that determination and commitment, but he saw much more too.

A few years on and Tim Cahill is one of the best goalscoring midfielders in the Premier League, and he seems to be on the verge of becoming one of the better strikers too. His incessant ability to turn up in the right place at the right time comes as a result of the careful nurturing and encouragement of a boss who had complete faith in his ability, and the motivational skills to make him believe in himself.

Joleon Lescott can be the protagonist of a similar story. Gracing Wolves with some fine performances, he missed their Premier League season with a career threatening injury, and perhaps thought he had missed his shot at the big time. But along came Moyes, he had faith in him, and Lescott hasn’t missed a league game for Everton since he signed, and he has gone from strength to strength as a player, becoming a regular member of Fabio Capello’s England squads and at the moment, is one half of one of the most formidable defencive partnerships in the league, with Phil Jagielka.

Jagielka himself, came from the lower leagues too. Signed from Sheffield United where he had long been held in high esteem and had long been linked with a move up a level, no one had been convinced by him. But once more, Moyes picked him up, took him under his wing and set about turning him into a top class centre back. He gave him the confidence to play his natural game at the top level and he too has been rewarded with England caps, and his progression was confirmed in recent weeks when he kept Fernando Torres, one of the best forwards in world football, securely in his back pocket for over 290 minutes of football in the recent spate of Merseyside derbies.

A common theme seems to be emerging here, and that is of Moyes’ excellent eye for a player, but also, as we’ve seen with Jo, his intriguing skill at getting the best out of them. It is a skill much sought after in a manager. Arsene Wenger is perhaps touted as the ultimate in this regard, with his pièce de résistance being the transformation of Thierry Henry from mediocre winger into a flamboyant and truly world class forward. Harry Redknapp is a man held in similar esteem, he seems to be able to bring together a group of players out of favour at other clubs and turn them into world beaters.

So how does Moyes do it? I believe that his secret lies in creating a team of well balanced players, not simply based on their technical skills, but also on their mental characteristics and temperament. You see, there are no superstars at Everton. Every player who pulls on an Everton shirt with any regularity tend to fit a regular mould. They are determined, committed and hard working people, who are committed to the team and don;t simply play for themselves.

There have been exceptions of course. Many Evertonians were mystified to see Andy Johnson depart in the summer, but I was not. He was a willing runner, but one couldn’t help but feel that Johnson wasn’t in it for the team, He scored goals for Andy Johnson and not for Everton. It just so happened that we payed his salary and so he had to wear our shirt. James McFadden was perhaps, another example. I liked him, but I got the feeling that he and Moyes never clicked, and so I feel that he didn’t fit in with Moyes squad.

Jo on the other hand, seems to fit the bill perfectly. Although he is a Brazilian player, who are usually seen as flair players, and often, quite selfish individual type players, Jo is not. He spent three years at CSKA Moscow, an unfashionable club in Russia, and is noted for his hard work and strong physical presence, aligned with great finishing ability. This work ethic and loyalty make him a great addition to Everton’s ranks, and explain why he has so quickly settled in with his new team mates.

As an Evertonian in recent years it has been a pleasure to watch the bond between the players grow. You can see it in plain view when they are on the pitch, the players are great friends, they get on really well, they understand one another, and they all are 100% committed to the club. This is, as a fan, all I can ask of the players at my club, and it is great to see, especially as it will bring about rewards in terms of the football we play too.

Though for many years in our recent history, when we battled relegation under Walter Smith and some of his predecessors Everton were known as ‘Dogs of War’ and exponents of the long ball game, no one could accuse Moyes team of the same tactics. Yes, we are a strong and committed team, but the football we play is at times, breathtaking. Our midfield is one of the smallest in the league with Arteta, Osman, Pienaar and Cahill all coming in at under 5ft 10in tall. They zip the ball about with great accuracy and speed and look to utilise the overlapping runs of our full backs.

This style of football and the commitment of our players has led to our relative success in recent years, Though we operate on a budget that is minuscule in comparison to the ‘big four’ we have challenged them consistently over the past few years and even broke into the top four of the Premier League on one occasion. All of this success, and our European adventures, are down largely to David Moyes and his excellent motivational skills.

It is he who has brought this side together, with a series of shrewd signings. However, as I mentioned above, a number of clubs looked at the likes of Cahill and Lescott, and could easily have signed them instead of us. However, whether they would have excelled to the same extent under another manager is I believe, questionable. It is Moyes ability to mould a group of players into a cohesive unit and to encourage the players to grow into their talents that have made Everton the team they are today.

With Chelsea having recently sacked the illustrious Phil Scolari, I think it is fairly evident just how important a skill this is to have in the modern game. While Big Phil was an excellent tactician, he doesn’t really have the charisma as a motivator, and I think that is why he failed as manager of Chelsea, and why I was slightly concerned that they may come sniffing around Moyes, until they appointed Guus Hiddink as their interim boss.

Jo’s debut then, aside from being a stunning performance and earning Everton another vital three points in our hunt for a Champions League spot, serves as further evidence to the incredible talent that David Moyes possesses for getting the best out of his players. Whether or not we will be able to afford to sign Jo on a permanent basis at the end of his loan spell is once again, a question that is out of Moyes’ hands. Indeed, with our current financial situation, I think the prospect of that may be bleak.

The outlook for Everton though is certainly not bleak. With David Moyes at the helm we can look forward to further progress, even if there is no money in place. He has shown the ability to create brilliant players from meagre transfer fees and so even if we lack the spending power of our rivals, Everton will continue to challenge at the right end of the Premier League. Thanks to David Moyes, Everton’s own ‘Mr Motivator’, the future’s bright. The future’s blue.

If you enjoyed this piece, please visit me at:

Manchester United On Their Way to ANOTHER Title

Does anyone really think at this point is this campaign that their is any chance the Red Devils don’t win the league??? Seriously, in my opinion you’d be daft if deep down in your heart you felt your team were going to come back and pass United to raise the League title on the 24th of May.  Yes, I’m referring to you Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and even some Villa fans.  United should and will win the league again and it would take a near miracle to avoid this almost annual event.  Need more proof? We’ll here you go……..

Over the past three months United have not allowed a goal in the league. Take a minute to soak that in………not ONE SINGLE goal.  Truthfully, I haven’t even seen any teams even seem like they thought they were going to put a ball into the United net.  A streak of this kind has never (yes NEVER) been done in the Premier League.  United have undoubtedly the best back four on the planet and a keeper who albeit aging, still commandshis troops to perfection and even makes a fine save every now and then, in Edwin Van der Sar.  So defensively, if United continue to post clean sheets on the pace they are currently, the race for the League could be over by April.

When you know your team is unlikely to be scored on, it has to be comforting to know you only need to score once to take home three points.  And with Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez, and Nani heading your attack, that really shouldn’t be a problem.  In fact, with the defenders and attackers so skilled and confident, it could be said that the midfield is the weakest point of the United squad.  This is almost laughable considering the experience and toughness that the Red Devils contain the their midfield with Giggs, Scholes, and Carrick just to name a few.  They really are the heart and sole of the squad that your club has no chance of catching, sadly.

Finally, but definitely not forgotten by any means in the gaffer, the legend Sir Alex Ferguson.  The Scot has been ahead of the World’s most renowned club for almost as long as I’ve been alive and rightfully so.  He knows how to press the right buttons and is constantly looking with an eye towards the future.  No manager in England brings in quality prospects with the efficiency and quality that SAF does and I believe this is what makes him truly special.  It’s easy for managers to bring in players in their prime, but when the likes of Vidic and O’Shea sign for United they don’t make an immediate splash, but in time become arguably more important than any person in the starting XI.  I could write forever about the man, but I’ll leave it simply with this: Sir Alex is the battery to United and keeps them pushing.  The man demands and deserves respect from his players and has no problem receiving it and in the everchanging world that is football he adapts and time after time finds ways to get the best out of each and every one of his players.  He really is the key to everything Manchester United is…

So as long as Ferguson is at the helm and United giving up goals about as often as America elects a new president, don’t expect to see anybody knocking them from the top of the league until sometime in August (at which point it doesn’t matter).  It may get old for most fans seeing United win the league, but sometimes you just have to sit back and admire a masterpiece……..Even if that masterpiece ruins a good Saturday of yours twice a year.

By RJ Sepich