Ferguson must stick with Berbatov for the sake of title challenge

Mercurial forward may hold the key to United's title challenge, and Sir Alex needs to realise that to get the best out of the Bulgarian, he must be used consistently.

Dimitar Berbatov divides opinion like almost no other player in the game (with the possible exception of Emile Heskey). He dazzles some with remarkable displays of nonchalant brilliance, but baffles others with his seemingly indifferent attitude and questionable work-rate. What is beyond debate though is that out of Manchester United's last five games, the three victories came with the Bulgarian in the starting XI, while for the two defeats, he started on the bench.

Of course, to judge a player and his impact on the team based purely on their last five games fails to tell the whole story. Berbatov remains something of an enigma at United, and has yet to show his best form consistently. However, he has shown in the past that his best form comes when he is starting regularly (in fact, whose doesn't?), and that he tends to hit his stride in the second half of the season.

During his two years at Spurs Berbatov started slowly each season, but came into his own during December. In 06/07, he scored twice against Charlton to add to a total of just seven goals up to that point. He ended the season with 23 in all competitions. In 07/08, it took four goals against Reading at the end of December to kick-start his season - again he ended with 23 in all competitions. His Manchester United career thus far has been stop-start, but the team might just benefit from him having an extended run in the starting XI. He has scored in his last two games, and we might just be starting to see the emergence of the player so many United fans have waited so long to see.

Of course, at United you are expected to deliver straight away, especially after commanding such a large transfer fee. In that respect, Berbatov has been a disappointment so far. However, it is hard to deny that when he hits his stride, there are few players who are better to watch for sheer technique and vision in that central striker role, and with this style he can complement the athletic industry of the likes of Rooney, Valencia and Park behind him.

In fact, if United are to play the 4-2-3-1 formation that has become almost the default for top teams, Berbatov is by far the most suitable player to spearhead the attack. The use of Berbatov in this position is characteristic of the way the game has changed in recent years, and tactics employing forwards like the Bulgarian as a lone forward are becoming more and more commonplace (and effective) at the pinnacle of the world game. Jonathan Wilson comments that the traditional centre-forward as goal-poacher has long since departed at the top level. His comments on the future of the striker provide a fascinating insight into the way the game is changing, and Dimitar Berbatov perfectly fits the description of his modern "hybrid" forward. His outstanding close control, unrivalled vision and ability to thread a telling pass, together with his potency in and around the six-yard box make him a handful, and capable of playing the dual role of provider and finisher - previously split between two forwards - on his own.

An attacking line-up with Berbatov at the tip and Rooney behind, flanked with willing runners, appears to present both the best chances of success for United, and the highest potential for exciting and attractive attacking football. Let's hope that Ferguson persists with the talented forward, and that we start to see the full array of talent that this exciting player can produce on a regular basis.

Tottenham: Pavlyuchenko's ill-advised comments may be damaging for career

The Good of The Game believes that Tottenham's Russian Roman may be harming his future prospects by his repeated outbursts, and in this instance player-power might not be the answer.

Roman Pavlyuchenko has once again subjected us to his innermost thoughts in a bid to buy a one-way ticket out of N17 and end his disappointing spell with Tottenham Hotspur.

In the latest of a number of carefully worded comments to the press, Pavlyuchenko has taken one step further towards guaranteeing his exit from the club, claiming that manager Harry Redknapp is "mocking" the Russian by refusing to play him.

I can't help however, but think that Pavlyuchenko is only making his situation worse by confiding these self-indulgent comments to the wider world. That his Tottenham career is coming to an end is beyond doubt - Redknapp has staunchly refused to use Pavlyuchenko in any match of any importance this season. But I wonder which big clubs will want to take a look at the Russian, and perhaps take a gamble on him, when they know his propensity to moan to the press whenever things are not going his way.

Pavlyuchenko's great advantage is that he hasn't played European football this year, so he could be picked up by a side that has progressed to the latter stages of either the Champions or Europa Leagues. However, I struggle to see any side in either of those competitions where Pavlyuchenko would walk straight into the starting XI, something which he seems to think he is entitled to.

Rumours have been surfacing all season about potential moves to the likes of Roma, Liverpool and a host of clubs back in his home country. It seems like a move back to Russia may be his only option because surely he would not be content to warm the bench at another club in the same manner as he has been doing at Spurs this season?

A big part of me feels that if Pavlyuchenko had handled his current situation with more dignity he would be a more attractive prospect for big clubs, and may have found himself given another chance to prove himself at the highest level. After all, even the very best players occasionally suffer from a transfer to an ill-fitting club, and rejuvenate their fortunes by moving to a more suitable side. However, the striker has been so obsessed with speeding up his exit from White Hart Lane, that he might just have severely limited his future options.

Player power is of course a big part of the game today. Players enjoy a large amount of freedom in moving between clubs, and are entitled to request permission to be transferred, or to speak with another interested party if they wish to leave their current club. Of course they have benefited from this free market immensely in financial terms, and now have the right to seek the best deal for them. However, in cases like this would it not be more beneficial for the player to show a good attitude in the public domain, and quietly air his grievances to the club behind closed doors?

Engineering a transfer through communicating to the press (either in person or through an agent) is the most messy way to leave a club and often significantly damages the reputation of the outgoing player. Is it really the way to go about your business? If you're a Ronaldo or Berbatov this may not matter as you have another big (or bigger) club to walk straight into. They may have had poor attitudes, but they had the form to fall back on as evidence to potential buyers. But for the likes of Pavlyuchenko, displaying a poor attitude to go with poor form, the future does not look quite so bright.

Terry must keep his head down for sake of England

Matthew Syed writes today in The Times about his incredulity that John Terry has managed to maintain his status as England captain despite a downward spiralling of his public image in recent months.

As a nation, England need Terry to stay out of the limelight for the next 6 months. His influence on England's remarkable run of results under Fabio Capello cannot be underestimated. Terry is the man, after all, that Capello turned to after his extensive audition period for the role, and who are we to question the judgement of the man who has given England their smoothest passage to a major tournament in living memory?

The Chelsea man may not be the most spectacular footballer in the world - indeed he may not even be the most talented central defender England can boast - but his leadership qualities on the pitch and within a team environment are second to none, and that is what England will need if they are to get through the sternest of challenges that await them if they are to reach the latter stages in South Africa.

However, by accepting money from three "businessmen" (undercover reporters for the News of The World) for a private tour of Chelsea's training facility, and the secretive nature in which he handled the situation, Terry has done his best to throw his tenure as England captain into the spotlight of public scrutiny. There is no doubt that Terry is in footballing terms the best man to lead England at the World Cup, but he is becoming something of a PR disaster (not helped by his family), and the integrity that is expected of someone who is asked to lead their country has slipped away from him in the light of this incident. He needs to tread carefully from now on and avoid any more slip-ups, or else England might be forced to look elsewhere for the man to lead them to glory.

I'm sure Mr Capello will be in contact with Terry before the England squad next gets together in March, to remind him of his responsibility to his country and the high standards that are expected of him in his elevated position as leader of the nation's hopes. I only hope it gets through to him, and we can enjoy the run up to the tournament safe in the knowledge that we don't have to worry about the conduct of Terry, of whom so much is expected next summer.

Kroenke could inject new life into stagnant Arsenal

A few days ago I made a comment that the situation at the Emirates is a little stagnant, there were a few dissenting comments so I feel compelled to explain myself.

Arsenal is certainly an organization that has enjoyed a certain degree of stability over the years provided by Arsene Wenger and many loyal players.

Lets look at the last few performances in the Premier League:

2008/9: 72 points, finished 4th
2007/8: 83 points, finished 3rd
2006/7: 68 points, finished 4th
2005/6: 67 points, finished 4th
2004/5: 83 points finished 2nd

From a consistency perspective you cannot fault Arsenal - this is a phenomenal feat to achieve and on the surface these results look impressive but if we look at them differently we can see how far off winning the league Arsenal have been.

2008/9: 18 points behind 1st
2007/8: 4 points behind 1st
2006/7: 21 points behind 1st
2005/6: 24 points behind 1st
2004/5: 12 points behind 1st

My point is that Arsenal are a good side, continually lauded in the press for playing wonderful football, but aside from the 2007/8 season, have not even been close to challenging for the title. Not even close.

Currently the Gunners sit 6 points behind 1st with a game in hand and an excellent goal difference. So the question is: does this Arsenal team have what it takes to close the gap on 1st and 2nd place? I am going to say that no, they do not. I think they will struggle in the last 3/4 of the season and will probably end up in a fight with Aston Villa, Man City and Liverpool for the 3rd and 4th places in the league.

Stan Kroenke has a track record of injecting cash into the teams that he owns and will bring a wealth of experience to the table at the Emirates. He may be able to provide the impetus for Arsenal to change from attractive bridesmaid to actually standing at the altar and winning the Premier League again.

Mancini: already causing trouble

Roberto Mancini was unveiled as Manchester City manager yesterday and already will have displeased his new employers.

Lets not forget that he was sacked at Inter and had well publicized differences with president Massimo Moratti. Now he has openly contradicted his new boss, chief executive Garry Cook. In a statement Cook said that Mancini was offered the managers position at Eastlands after the defeat to Spurs last week. However at the press conference today Mancini told of how he was contacted about the position two weeks ago, forcing Cook to confirm these actions.

Publicly contradicting your chief executive is not exactly the description of a great first day at work.

We shall continue to keep an eye on Mancini.

Lionel Messi: a man predestined for greatness

Lionel Messi was on Monday crowned the Fifa World Player of the Year for 2009 at an awards ceremony in Zurich. It marks the end of an outstanding year for the Argentine who has stood head and shoulders above the competition. Rarely has there been a more deserving recipient.

Three weeks ago, The Good of The Game predicted that Messi would follow his European Ballon d'Or with the Fifa award, following Cristiano Ronaldo who achieved the same feat in 2008. He has duly delivered, no surprise considering the quality and consistency he has achieved this year.

Above all however, perhaps it is his sense of occasion that has marked him out as the truly great player of the past 12 months. Like Diego Maradona, his Argentinian predecessor who he has been so closely compared to, or the French magician Zinedine Zidane, Messi has shown that he can produce his very best football on the very biggest occasions - truly the sign of a great player. Messi's moment came in the 2009 Champions League final as he scored a remarkable headed goal to seal victory for Barcelona against Manchester United. It was as if he was born for that stage, and it seemed inevitable that he would influence the game in such a profound way.

Ed Smith sums up this characteristic of sporting greatness in his fascinating book What Sport Tells Us About Life, and I think it's particularly relevant to the example of the great Lionel Messi:

Scratch a brilliant sportsman deeply enough and you reach a layer of self-certainty in his own destiny. The greater the sportsman, usually the more convinced he is of his own predestined greatness. The big stage means it must be his stage, victory has been prearranged on his terms, it is his destiny to win the World Cup or the Olympics or the Ashes. It might be perfectly rational for a great player to believe he has a good chance of decisively influencing the big occasion. But that isn't what he thinks. He thinks it is inevitable.

For me this perfectly sums up the genius of Lionel Messi, and why he is perhaps the most worthy winner of this award since Ronaldinho in 2005. While others such as Ronaldo have stuttered on the biggest stage of all, seemingly losing faith in their ability, Messi never looks anything other than totally convinced of his right, perhaps even his obligation, to command the very biggest stage. That's why The Good of The Game loves Lionel Messi, it's why he has been the greatest player on the planet this year, and it's why he will prove very hard to beat again in 2010.

What Sport Tells Us About Life, by Ed Smith, is published by Penguin.

Kroenke has right CV for Premier League

Stan Kroenke is now only a few shares away from being forced to launch a takeover of the club.

While fan opinion seems to be divided, we see no reason why Arsenal would not welcome Stan The Man with open arms. He is an accomplished businessman who is listed by Forbes as one of the world's richest men. He built an empire through real estate and has since diversified into the sports industry.

Unlike many other Premier League owners Kroenke has an accomplished history in the sports industry, so much so that BusinessWeek listed him in the top 100 most influential people in sports. He owns the Denver Nuggets NBA organization, the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer franchise, the Colorado Avalance NHL (ice hockey) franchise and the St. Louis Rams. Incidentally all of his teams have been extremely successful.

In addition he purchased the Pepsi Arena (home of the Nuggets) and has launched a regional sports television channel. He also owns a ticket company, cattle ranches and a winery. He is married to Anne Walton - an heir to the Wal-Mart fortune.

Kroenke is in the sports business to make money, that much is clear. So what to expect if he does fulfill the takeover?

Firstly, he is a quiet man who prefers the background to the limelight so don't expect a huge press conference or frequent interviews or even to hear from the man himself. Arsenal can expect considerable investment to achieve greater success, as he has spent on all his current teams to bring them glory.

Americans have a good track record in the Premiership so far with the Glazers bringing a number of trophies to Old Trafford and Randy Lerner presiding over the rapid improvement of Aston Villa.

Kroenke is already a member of the board at Arsenal so clearly they understand the experience and value of the man. A takeover, while not announced or even necessarily expected, may not be a bad thing at a stagnant Emirates Stadium.