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Bob Houghton exited as India’s coach, Arsenal proved yet again they are the masters when it comes to choking, Jose Mourinho’s defensive tactics triumphed in a Cup final that went down to the wire while Fernando Torres finally brought an end to his goal duck and the jokes that have been associated with it.
All of this is analysed in this edition of Football Bloody Hell as Sportskeeda’s Joydeep and Zico cast their eyes over the major happenings, top talking points and provide answers to burning questions.
Jose Mourinho holds the advantage after drawing one and winning the other ‘El Clasico’. Will his team win the war in Europe?
Z: Going from getting thrashed 5-0 in the Camp Nou to drawing at the Bernabeu and winning the Copa del Rey, the progress Real Madrid have made under Mourinho in their mission to beat Barcelona is distinctly clear. The way Real stamped their authority by winning the midfield battles through Khedira, Alonso and Pepe at the Mestalla has made it clear that this is a Mourinho team through and through. For Barcelona, this means trouble as we saw last year what a team of the mould of Mourinho can do to them on the big stage. If Real continue to play functional defensive football and choke Barcelona’s pass masters, they should go through to the finals.
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Jose Mourinho has drawn first blood in the 18 day war with Pep Guardiola. Will he win the war?
J: It is hard to bet against Barcelona even if GOD is against them, such is their style of play. Challenging them is none other than Jose Mourinho who is dubbed “The Special One” and who has mastered the trick of unlocking the strategy and plans of Barcelona. But I believe this is not Inter Milan but Real Madrid and both teams are exactly in understanding of each other’s game plans, strengths and defects. Barcelona would be much prepared this time around. The game at the Santiago Bernabeu would however be crucial. Anything less than a win would mean game over for Real. Hence the pressure is on none other than Real and Jose himself.
What does Bob Houghton’s exit mean to India’s future?
Z: All of the negatives associated with Bob Houghton aside like his much maligned long-ball style of play and his arrogant behaviour, the fact remains that he spent 5 years at the helm. The qualification to the 2011 Asian Cup, winning the AFC Challenge Cup, pushing the AIFF to encourage youth development by forming Indian Arrows and improving the standard of football are achievements that came due to continuity at the helm. With a new coach will come new tactics which is not good as the team was finally responding to Houghton’s methods. So if things are going to start from scratch, all of Bob’s good work is going to be undone.
J: I firmly believe AIFF never looked interested enough in development of football in the nation. True, we heard the news of AIFF tying up with this brand or the other and vying to recruit talented individuals. Yet , they seemed interested only in big party deals. Alas, we do not have excellent scouts and coupled with a lacklustre attitude towards non cricket sports, the climb was always difficult. Bob Houghton understood these shortcomings and hence wanted to have a firm grip on the matters. The media helped him. Some rare successes made him the messiah. Yet overall his contribution to the progress of the teams on paper has been slow and not much. To be honest, India doesn’t have much future in football. His exit doesn’t change much.
Is sacking Arsene Wenger the way forward for faltering Arsenal?
Z: It looks like yet another typically trophyless season for Arsenal and the blame, as the manager himself conceded, has to be put squarely on Arsene Wenger. Monsieur Wenger’s philosophies of developing beautiful football and youth development are laudable, but when you’re a top Premier League team, you should be willing to invest when necessary on a few big guns to bring the right balance to the squad and challenge for trophies. Either Wenger must change his puritan philosophies and invest to bring in a few big guns to provide the much needed leadership to a young team, or he should go.
How much longer do we have to put up with this image of Arsene Wenger?
J: What most people have failed to notice is that Arsenal have an enviable away record this season neglecting last week’s defeat. This goes on to show that they have character and attitude in their squad . What they have been missing is the depth in it. Wenger should understand that dreaming of a injury free season is like wishing to be in dreamland. What he needs are 2-3 quality signings. Changing the philosophy would spell disaster for the team in my opinion and frankly speaking, I beg to disagree with Zico. Arsenal play some of the best attacking and entertaining football unlike Chelsea or Manchester United who at times try to grind out results. To sum it all up, Wenger should stay coupled with 2-3 new signings is the key .
Now that Fernando Torres has finally broken his goal duck and Chelsea are back to their best, can the Blues beat Manchester United to the title?
Z: 22 points from the last 8 matches is exactly the kind of form I expected from a team like Chelsea when they were staring down at the barrel. I always thought it was only a matter of time before they put together a run of 6-7 wins on the trot. Drogba, Malouda and Torres are back to their ominous best but with only four rounds to go and a six point gap to be bridged, it might be too late for the title challenge. Even if the Blues win at Old Trafford and push on till the season’s last game, I don’t expect to lose points against Arsenal, Blackpool and Blackburn, given that they always know how to hold on to the top especially in the dying moments of a season
J: I highly beg to differ. If people expect that Manchester United are not expected to drop points against Arsenal, they are in dreamland. All should remember what happened at similar fixtures at Stamford Bridge and Anfield. Arsenal would hate to hand over the title to their bitter rivals at their own backyard and that is the sole and a huge motivation for them now. A loss coupled with a win for Chelsea (which is the least needed if Chelsea wants to win the title) and Chelsea moves up to the summit of the table via goal difference. The equations are as simple as that, my friend .
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