The FAI's missed opportunity

As the row over Theirry Henry's handball in the France v Ireland World Cup playoff match begins to subside I look into football's missed opportunity to make the game better for officials, players and fans. 'That' handball could and should have sparked a series of events that changed the future of football. Instead all we got from the Irish Football Association (FAI) was a series of implausible, inconceivable suggestions. There is no disputing that Henry's handball was a blatant act of cheating but as soon as the referee allowed the goal to stand FIFA were never going to grant Ireland a replay or an extra place in the World Cup and, however outraged they felt, the FAI must have known this.

The human reaction to Henry's handball was to shout 'unfair' from the rooftops but large institutions (be they companies, governments or governing bodies) don't respond to 'unfair'. Ireland's pleas for France to be thrown out, for the chance of a replay or to become the 33rd team in South Africa was never going to become a reality - logistics & politics clearly stood in the way. Offering Ireland a replay or a place at the World Cup would have offered other countries the opportunity to state their 'hard done by' cases. Costa Rica is the obvious example but Georgia could legitimately say if it wasn't for a wrong penalty decision in their game against Ireland it could have been them, not the Irish facing France in the playoff match. In essence offering Ireland any more than an apology and a token gesture could have seen other footballing nations start legal proceedings to contest their right to play in the World Cup.

Media interest was intense in the days after the game and the FAI had a prominence they are rarely given. They had the opportunity to deplore FIFA to begin using video technology, they had the evidence to show why and they had the sympathy of the fans, media and other footballing nations. They could have used the world's press to help start a bandwagon in favour of video technology and they could have lobbied the influential football nations with the next time itcould happen to you' argument. FIFA's argument against the inclusion of video technology is that it will undermine the authority of the referee, this is absolute rubbish and cricket, rugby and tennis have disproved this. The FAI had the opportunity to make this argument clearly and loudly.

The specifics of how football uses video technology is not easy and merits a completely seperate discussion but football is big business and players, managers and referees are under pressure to make the right decision every time. This is an impossible task but video technology could ensure the referee gets the important decisions right. I would suggest using video technology only to ensure a goal has been scored fairly. To give a recent example Chelsea's goal against Manchester United was scored from a wrongly awarded freekick. I don't think video technology should be used to decide whether a freekick was the correct decision as Manchester United still had the opportunity to defend the freekick but video technology could have been used to determine whether Didier Drogba was offside when he put the ball in the net or if there was a foul on Wes Brown after the freekick had been taken.

The FAI had an opportunity to bring football into the 21st century and start a movement that Sepp Blatter would have struggled to resist, yet in the days and weeks following Ireland's elimination they did not appeal for video technology to be introduced. Prominent managers, ex-players and journalists renewed the call for technology but without the voice of the victims their calls were hollow. The FAI had the chance to make the game better, instead self-interest took control and football, for the foreseeable future, will be significantly poorer for it.

Don't write Manchester United off yet!

Following their defeat to Chelsea, I read a couple of articles writing off Manchester United's title hopes. This feels absurdly early to me, so ahead of this weekend's Premiership matches here are 4 reasons why I reckon Manchester United will be lifting the Premier League title in May 2010.

They're not playing that well... yet
Odd as it may seem to start with this point, we have to remember that Manchester United are winning matches playing, by their standards, poorly. United's form contrasts with Chelsea and Arsenal however neither has been able to shake off United who are still holding onto their coat-tails at the top of the league. There is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo's shadow still looms large over Old Trafford; the arrogant, controversial and brilliant Portuguese provided United with a regular source of goals but as this season progresses United will learn to win convincingly without him. Rio Ferdinand's struggle for fitness and therefore form is also a concern and United will need to get him playing regularly as soon as they can. Either way the next 3 months will be crucial for all the title hopefuls, The Champions League group stage is coming to an end and the teams focus solely on The Premier League. In the past this is where United hit their most consistent form of the season and reduce the gap between themselves and the league leaders.

The importance of squad men

When the season moves into the final couple of months the title challengers strength in depth is always tested as injuries and loss of form due to tiredness hit squads in earnest. Manchester United have the biggest depth of experienced players in their squad and this will be vital when juggling Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup Matches. Players such as Michael Owen Park Ji-Sung, Owen Hargreaves, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown and Gary Neville provide United with experienced back up options, which none of the other top four squads have in such abundance. Arsenal, to their credit, rely on youth but will need all their key players to stay fit if they are to sustain their title challenge. Liverpool's inexperienced squad has already been called upon this season, as injuries decimated their first XI, and has not been up to the required standard. Chelsea's strength in depth is mainly in midfield and the full back positions and they may be found wanting if they get injuries to centre backs or centre forwards.

The manager
Whatever you think about Sir Alex Ferguson, his desire to win, ability to get the most out of his players and the effect he has on opposition teams is proven. Ferguson is symbolic of Manchester United - his arrogance and passion is taken onto the pitch by his players. The confidence and belief he inspires in his players are going to be crucial as United face the biggest battle to hold onto the title for three years. Ferguson will relish taking on Ancelotti and a rejuvenated Arsene Wenger, both on the pitch and in the press, as the season progresses. Ferguson's drive will be, if possible, even greater this year as he aims to complete what he initially set out to do when taking over at United in 1986. His aim was always to make United the dominant force in English football and overtake Liverpool as the most successful domestic club. With both teams on 18 League titles and Liverpool effectively out of the title race Ferguson will push his players to achieve even greater heights this season.

The January transfer window

Arsenal probably won't strengthen their squad in January, Liverpool probably can't strengthen due to their finances, Chelsea will strengthen but will likely sign players in January who will join in June. Manchester United, on the other hand, have already have strengthened their squad. The young Serbian attacking midfielder Adam Ljajic joins in January and though he is an exciting talent it is unlikely he will get much game time this season. What is of more immediate importance is that Ferguson has seemingly run out of patience with Nani. The erratic winger starts rarely for United and when he does is often substituted early in the second half. United have lacked a decent left sided midfielder since Ryan Giggs moved to a more central role and, if they allow Nani to leave, will strengthen this position. David Silva has been linked with United on more than one occasion and would be an immediate addition to Ferguson's first team options. Silva, when fit, is a regular in the Spanish national side, is two-footed and can play out wide or up front. He would link up well with Rooney and Berbatov and give United greater attacking impetus.

They go into this weekend's matches five points off the pace, recently beaten by both Chelsea and Liverpool, without their best centre half and still struggling to compensate for the loss of Ronaldo but Manchester United are best when facing adversity and I believe, come May, the Premier League trophy will be staying at Old Trafford.

Ancelotti could provide Capello with World Cup Inspiration

Chelsea’s start to the season has been impressive; they have qualified for the second round of the Champion’s League and top the Premiership by five points. Their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has not spent big in the transfer market, instead he has moulded his best players into an effective, attacking formation. Chelsea squad has no natural, top quality wingers but an abundance of fine central midfielders, additionally they also have two, energetic attack minded fullbacks who can provide an option on the flanks and therefore allow Ancelotti to play his best central midfielders in a diamond formation without forfeiting width in attack.

Fabio Capello, England’s manager has done a great job of taking an underachieving group of players and turning them into an effective team. Capello’s England play with a coherence and collectively seldom seen from recent England teams. However with no natural international standard left-sided midfielder Steven Gerrard is often played out wide and out of position. If England are to win the World Cup they will need to find room for Gerrard in the centre where he can influence the match. A Chelsea inspired midfield diamond may achieve this.

Chelsea’s English quartet of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and the returning Joe Cole will all make it into Capello’s first XI if fit and England’s defence is looking settled and strong (if Rio Ferdinand can find some form and fitness). Ashley Cole, Terry and Ferdinand will be joined by the attack minded Glen Johnson who has started the season impressively. Cole and Johnson can often be found tearing forward for club and country and Capello should continue to encourage this.

Lampard and Gareth Barry are likely to make up England’s’ central midfield with Lampard looking to make late runs into the box and Barry giving England balance and stability. If fit, Owen Hargreaves is England’s best defensive midfielder and very similar to Chelsea’s Essien in his energy, strength, competitiveness and tackling.

Joe Cole is a natural fit for England and Chelsea at the tip of the diamond, his quick feet, strength and most importantly imagination mean he has the ability to terrorise both club and international defences. Cole, who played at the tip of the diamond whilst developing in the West Ham junior teams is adept at finding space and never more dangerous than with his back to goal when a quick flick, or turn can give him the chance to run at centre halves.

Attacking fullbacks and a midfield diamond of Hargreaves, Barry, Lampard and Joe Cole will allow England’s most natural match winners, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, to play as a partnership in attack. Gerrard has developed over the last few years into a second striker, playing behind a main striker and with the freedom to roam Gerrard thrives on the opportunity to get on the ball and influence games in the final third. Occupying a similar role to Nicolas Anelka's second striker role at Chelsea, Gerrard will win mathes for England as he does for Liverpool. Whilst Gerrard isn’t a natural predator like Anelka he has an excellent goal scoring record at club level, a proven ability to make a difference in international matches and the intelligence to get into goal scoring positions both in and outside the penalty area.

This leaves Rooney as the focal point of the attack. Rooney has developed into one of the world’s most complete attacking talents and his strength, power, pace, control and work rate means he can play in any forward position. However he is best down the middle and with the creativity of Lampard, Joe Cole and Gerrard supplying him, combined with his recent maturity in front of goal will mean that England’s best player will be at the centre of attacks and on the end of a number of chances.

Ancelotti has got the best out of his playing resources at Chelsea and if England are to go further in a World Cup competition than in the past 40 years then Capello should look to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea’s diamond.