Monday Questions

Wow, what a big weekend of football!

After an action packed weekend I am now asking myself the following questions.

1. Have Man Utd re-asserted themselves as favourites in the Premier League race? United were second best for a lot of the game, and with a number of key players absent it looked like United were going to lose a third game on the trot. Yet in the last 10 minutes they came alive sparked by a Ronaldo goal; who his first-half goal aside had not really gotten into the game. A story book ending followed with a fantastic goal from youngster Macheda followed. This comeback seems to have nullified the momentum Liverpool achieved by winning last minute at Fulham.

2. Middlesbrough lost heavily, again. Will Steve Gibson keep faith with Gareth Southgate in the Championship? Not many chairmen would have kept faith with the declining progress of recent years, yet Steve Gibson has done what so many openly cry out for, he gave a young English manager a chance, and then stuck by him. Southgate slashed the wage bill and got rid of the big names that were there for the massive salaries. Others then got better offers, or just got old. Southgate is left with a young team lacking any players with Premier League veteran status. Having gone with a youth policy would it be better to stick with Southgate in hope for a quick return to the Premier League, or go with a new manager who might be less keen on sticking with the young guns?

3. What the hell has happened to Aston Villa? It has happened again, a team looked like they were going to break into that top four yet in the run in. In December Terry Venebles said Villa should not count themselves out of the title race, but by April I can't remember the last time they won a game of Football.... Was it before Emile Heskey joined? There is hope, in periods yesterday they looked good value for an Old Trafford victory. However, the gap between them and Arsenal now looks a little daunting, and if fourth spot evades them they best player will be moving to Liverpool, or possibly Chelsea in the summer. Where 3rd looked likely not so long ago, it looks like Villa will likely now finish 6th.

4. What the hell has happened to Hull City? In a worse free-fall than Villa they have only won two games since Christmas. I tipped Stoke to go down, but Stoke now look the strongest of the teams promoted last year. Will Hull join West Brom and Boro in the drop zone?

Harry Says Four Wins And Tottenham Will Be Safe

Harry Redknapp thinks that if Tottenham win 4 out of the 12 remaining games Tottenham will be safe from relegation.

Tottenham are on 28 points, so Harry is arguable looking to the traditional 40 points mark.

With 6 clubs within 2 points of Tottenham below them in the table (plus West Brom on 22pts), is the 40 point mark going to be enough for survival this year?

Is anybody ready to predict who they think will go down?

I am going to be bold and state my predictions for the drop (without prejudice, I have nothing against these clubs and will be happy to see them survive.)

But I Think WBA will finish bottom, but should be commended for approaching the Premier League with attacking football intentions. Despite finishing bottom, I suspect they will be strong in the Championship next year as they will not need to make too many changes.

I think Middlesbrough will finish 19th. I really want to see Gareth Southgate vindicated for his strategy at Middlesbrough. When he took over from Steve McClaren he cleaned out a lot of big name and big salary players. He his given a lot of focus and chances to emerging players from the lower ranks, and has tried to build his own team and the backroom scouting team. Unfortunately some of his dealings in the transfer market seem to have fallen flat. Mido & Alves have not lived up to their billing. I suspect, Steve Gibson will be forced to wield the axe in the summer.

I think Stoke will finish 18th, I am expecting something of a rally from Stoke before the end of the season, but I feel this will not be enough. They do have one advantage, they only have one game against the big five left and that is on the last day against Arsenal. The next toughest games are West Ham and Wigan, but both are at home. They might just sneak it, but looking at those teams just above them they will need to have a lot of things go their way.

Is Today The Day Liverpool's Title Challenge Died

An Alonso own-goal and a second from Tuncay saw Middlesbrough earn a much needed 3 points today against Liverpool. It is Middlesbrough first win since their victory over Aston Villa on 9th November.

Liverpool remain 7 points behind Man United who did not play in the Premier League today, because of the Carling Cup Final tomorrow. Liverpool have now also played an extra game and lost second place to Chelsea took who are on an equal 55 points after their 2-1 win over Wigan.

Middlesbrough do seem to save their best performances for the games against the top teams.

Liverpool's title challenge seems to have petered out, before March. With Torres side lines, there is a lack of credibility about Liverpool's attacking options.

Has Liverpool's title challenge been ended today by Middlesbrough or can they still push United all the way? Will Liverpool finish above Chelsea and Aston Villa now? Will this affect Benitez's contract negotiations?

Torres Out For "Some Games"

Liverpool have confirmed that Fernando Torres will miss "some games" after sustaining an injury to his ankle. Torres sustained the injury in the first half of last nights game with Real Madrid, but on doctors advise Benitez left the striker on the field and started him for the second half. Torres hobbled off on 61 minutes.

Torres will miss the Middlesbrough game this weekend, and it is unclear at this point when he will return.

Liverpool are light now in the striking department having sold Robbie Keane in January. Ryan Babel was brought on to cover last night, and Rafa also has David N'Gog, Dirk Kuyt and Nabil El Zhar who can play up front, though I suspect this will not fill Liverpool fans with confidence, though it might Middlesbroughs defenders.

Tottenham Transfer Talk

Jermain Defoe has made the move back to Tottenham, reputedly Tottenham generously waived the sell on clause that they had inserted when they sold Defoe to Portsmouth, so they could avoid paying themselves £4m (presumably not tax free). But next to the £16.5m they paid for Darren Bent, it would still appear a good deal.

I think Spurs fans will agree, but I suspect those that may not will change their tune if Defoe starts banging in the goals pretty quick. I don't think this is a case of mistakenly rolling back the clock, more correcting the mistake of letting Defoe go in the first place.

Now for my theory. I think Harry will predominantly set out two up front, so it is likely that Bent and Pavlyuchenko will still feature regularly, with Frasier Campbell coming from the bench when needed. However, I suspect that this will mean that Modric will now drop back to a more traditional midfield role next to either Tom Huddlestone, or Didier Zokora. So I ask the question, where will this leave Jermaine Jenas in the pecking order?

In other news, it would seem Tottenham have had a second bid for Stewart Downing rejected. 'Boro Chairman Steve Gibson has commented that he will work hard to convince Stewart Downing that his ambitions are best served on Teeside. Having acted early in January to prompt a move, Downing will likely hold his ground. I suspect that Downing, like everyone else can see that 'Boro have a young, talented team emerging that will do well in future seasons, I suspect that Downing is no longer willing to be the big fish in the small pond and wants to go to a bigger club now rather than wait for the rest of the team to develop sufficiently which may take three or four seasons and then no guarantee that they will be genuine challengers.

I also have a suspicion that Jamie O'Hara may offered to 'Boro as part of the deal.

Downing "Slaps" in a Transfer Request

Stewart Downing has requested to leave Middlesborough. Full Story Here