Easter Miracles, BOLTed doors and astronomical wages

HOW BAD does a drought have to before the UN intervenes?? A 6 year drought seems like a VERY LONG time to me. 

               A man CLEARLY in distress and needing a break...Arsene Wenger

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. Business as usual these ends...they say money never sleeps...well sports don't sleep either!! NBA Playoffs are back while the  EASTER MIRACLE of 2011 is that Torres FINALLY SCORED.  Arsenal and Wenger crumbled, Chicharito kept the hunt on as we wait for El Classico part 3...Lethario's Take

                      The goal drought ends....Torres, finally earning his wages!!

Well after 732 minutes of football, Fernando Torres finally did what Chelsea paid £50million for, HE SCORED A GOAL. Ladies and gentlemen Easter truly is a time of miracles. Torres broke his duck in the 3-0 hammering of the relegation bound West Ham in a sodden match to the delight of the Pensioner's Bridge faithful. Fernando Torres, his wife and two babies moved into a new house last week so it might not be a complete coincidence that he scored his first goal for Chelsea. West Ham were unlucky earlier in the match but once Frank Lampard scored you knew it was downhill from there

The result kept up Chelsea's faint title hopes  after a recent resurgence has seen them leap-frog the comedy Kings Arsenal to second place to leave them 6 points behind title chasing Manchester United. No need to say anything now because we said it all when the lad was not scoring. Now that he has got the monkey of his back I'm sure Chelsea fans will appreciate his quality and reap the rewards of his barren spell from now on. Do not be surprised if he was to bag a couple before the season ends. Credit where its due to Didier Drogba who has found form and helped boost team morale at Chelsea playing a pivotal role in the renaissance off the Blues

Manchester United had to fight all the way at Old Trafford to avoid a slip up that would jeopardize their quest for a record 19th League title to surpass Liverpool and cement their place as the best.The quicksilver, elusive Javier "Chicharito " Hernández was once again a headliner scoring a late header to help beat a battling Everton 1-0 in game were Sir Alex had gambled by resting some key players with the game in Germany against FC Schalke 04 in mind. United have been criticized all season for being unlike previous squads but I believe it was high time people gave them their due respect. The team sits at the pinnacle of the league table ( with the best goal difference of 39) having made the Champions League semi-finals as well as a painful gut wrenching FA Cup semi-final exit to noisy neighbours Manchester City. If these achievements are not admirable one has to look at the caliber of the squad which was criticized at the start of the season for lacking quality summer buys as well as depth to fully appreciate how Sir Alex has once again proved his quality as well as highlighting how good teamwork can beat overzealous headless-chicken like spending sprees by the likes of City.

                                    Hero of the moment...Chiharito

Off to the comedy club itself. The 2-1 loss to BOLTon at the Reebok Stadium seems to have slammed the last bolt on the door shut on any title hopes Arsenal and their fans still had. Time and time again I have received unwarranted criticism from some Arsenal fans who are mates of mine that the blog was impartial and unfair in its judgment of their "great" club and their "beautiful football ways". All I can do is laugh in light of the recent results. Since losing to Birmingham in the League Cup final, Arsenal have won just 2 of 10 games (v L Orient & Blackpool). Talk about a SLUMP in form or is it?? Wenger has come out saying he should be blamed for the failure of the team. Season in season out, people say Arsenal are the finished product now and will finally push for the title wronging the mistakes and failings of past campaigns and yet 6 years on its still the same result. We can not conceal the fact that Arsenal's problems are of their own making as they have needed to make quality additions to the club since the Invincibles team. I am not against developing youth talent ( Manchester United does it!) but it should be blended with experienced talent in the squad otherwise the youngsters will have no role models to look up to.

Using United as an example, the likes of Giggs, Beckham, Butt and company had the likes of Robson, Hughes, Bruce and company to look up to as they came up. They wanted to be like them or surpass their achievements as they  fought for places in the team with some of these players who had won something. Same thing is happening now as Giggs, Scholes and the rest have influenced the likes of Chicharito, Rafael, Fabio and Valencia. Even when Cristiano Ronaldo was a youngster at United he had proven trophy winners to idolize and  inspire him as he got acquainted to the team and Barclay's Premier League. This helps instill a never say die mentality in the younger players and bred them into match winners who never crumble when the pressure is on.

Wenger needs to accept this or move on as I feel his time is surely up at Arsenal. How many times must one make the same mistake before correcting it. I hear they have a banner at the Emirates stadium that says " In Arsene We Trust", well I believe after 6 years, they should change it to "In Arsene We RUST". The once cool Wenger is now the picture of animation with bottle throwing and kicking, crazy waving hand dances and the like. he looks frail and is no longer the confident Professor he used to be. This should be a worry for Arsenal fans as one should know that players look towards their Manager and Captain for confidence and belief in trying times but in Fabregas they have a captain who glowingly looks disgruntled with the club and pushing for a move to Barcelona whilst Weneger looks a spent man sticking to his stubborn approach like a dictator hanging on to power when all is lost like Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbago!

                          When it ALL FALLS DOWN!!!!

Wenger is increasingly looking mad, easily agitated and animated reminding me of Wacko Jackson at his last molestation trial!! The link will show a man who really needs a BREAK FROM THE STRAINS OF FOOTBALL. I personally believe the FA should give him a touchline ban for his own safety lest he joins Houllier with heart problems!! On  a good note though congrats to Van Pussy Persie who scored his 7th goal in 7 successive games taking his tally to 17 goals in 17 games( a new record), credit where its due..we do not hate but appreciate!! Its a pity he is injury prone and constantly crocked, Arsenal would probably do a bit better with him fit more often. Even the most faithful Arsenal fans are now calling for Wenger's head as they feel he has come as far as he can and should pass the baton on now...hahahaha..SMH...a 6 year drought can do that to the most faithful of fans!!

On to the next one, two El Classico's down and 2 more to go. what have we learned so far. One thing for sure is that the league encounter was more fierce and pacy as compared to the Copa Del Rey meeting. Mourinho vs Guardiola is always a tricky encounter with Mourinho seeming to have the upper hand now in the 4 leg series with 1 draw and a 1 victory which dealt a heavy psychological blow to the Barcelona squad. De Stefano may have criticized the Special One but he responded in the best manner he knows how to, SILVERWARE ( Wenger take NOTES). Winning a trophy will definitely have Madrid burning with passion and desire to win more and relive the relentless celebrations that saw Ramos drop the trophy from sheer joy ( and maybe a little too much alcohol too).

Barcelona cannot be written off easily but I somehow feel Mourinho is one who is now experienced at playing them although the suspension of Real’s best defender, Ricardo Carvalho, and a groin strain inhibiting the movement of Real’s central midfielder, Sami Khedira will hinder his well set tactical approach to once again eliminate Barcelona and achieve what has become mission impossible for the past several Los Blancos managers, winning the Champions League..  

When Inter knocked Guardiola’s side out of last year’s Champions League, Mourinho famously ran on to the Camp Nou pitch, celebrating wildly until the groundsman flicked the high-velocity sprinklers on. Barcelona versus Mourinho. More than a club meets more than a coach. He takes beating Barcelona personally as they have never appreciated his success as a coach since he departed as an adopted Prodigal Son after being a translator under the late Sir Bobby Robson whilst Guardiola, the natural beloved son at Barcelona was captain. Few coaches set up teams as expertly as Mourinho so I expect Real Madrid to go through to the final with the boost of the Copa Del Rey win.

                   Ready to battle once again, separated brothers

The La Liga is pretty much sealed as Barcelona still have an 8 point lead over Madrid while Villarreal and Valencia have cemented their Champions League qualification despite weekend losses. Over In Italy AC Milan stepped closer to breaking Inter Milan's stranglehold on the Scudetto (which means little shield) with victory over Brescia leaving them 8 points clear of second placed Inter after Napoli fumbled once again losing 2-1 to Palermo. Borussia Dortmund  stumbled losing 1-0 to leave their lead in the Bundesliga at 5 points as they fight to win the league in Germany.

Tottenham Hotspurs can all but kiss their Champion League hopes goodbye after a 2-2 home draw to a lively fighting West Brom severely damaged their chances of making fourth place. Spurs had led 2-1 after coming from behind only to draw the match. Meanwhile Sunderland gave Steve Bruce a welcome smile and overdue relief with 4-2 victory over Wigan which steered them clear of the drop zone but had the reverse effect on Wigan's campaign. Villa and Stoke shared the spoils as did Blackpool and Newcastle leaving them all in favorable positions away from the dreaded relegation zone with so few games to go. For Blackpool the relief is not assured as they are out of the bottom through a a better goal difference than Wigan so the fight is still on.

Liverpool seem a totally different team under the guidance of King Kenny. I guess the guy really is a Scouser hero and messiah through and through but this talk of him getting knighted is blasphemy to my United ears...UNLESS they also knight Sir Ryan Giggs on the same day of course!! But back to the Scousers who put in a master class performance in the 5-0 demolition of a hapless Birmingham who lost Foster through injury in the game ( not that it made a difference). I don't see well into the future but I can predict that Loserpool will drop the LOSER and be one of the top contenders of next season if they can secure Dalglish permanently and let him run things his way as well as backing his plans for an overhaul of the Anfield squad.

Word has it Joe Cole will be offloaded at around 10 million quid. Jeez, I don't see anyone paying that much for a flop, but then again some people paid 50 million for one so NEVER say NEVER. Credit to King Kenny for making the most of the youngsters at Liverpool during the injury crisis that has befallen the club. It's great to see our old enemy once again nurturing youth into the team with the likes of Jay Spearing, Jack Robinson, Martin Kelly, John Flanagan and Jonjo Shelvey ( i LOVE saying that name) all making it into the first team and proving their worth thereby ensuring a bright future for the club which seems to be coming out of the dark era that had befallen it thanks to Rafa Bennitez and the Gillett and Hicks era.

JONJO SHELVEY!!! hahaha I can't get enough of saying that!!

People always talk about the best strikers and Torres scoring has had me thinking a lot about the issue. I wouldn't mind feedback from you all on who you guys rate as the best striker. Preferably each person sending three names with reasons would be ideal but I am not limiting it to three entries so feel free to participate as you will not be able to query my findings when I post on the topic.

In the Barclay's Premier league this season i feel the underrated strikers who have performed the best are Peter Odemwingie who has settled fast having scored 13 goals so far in the league for West Brom, Darren Bent who has justified his  £24m move from Sunderland with 7 goals in 12 games, Andrew Carroll and Javier Hernandez who are also newcomers to the league but have grabbed bagfuls with both in double digit figures, 13 and 12 respectfully.

                    CAPS United face Blue Ribbon last Thursday

Over in my motherland Zimbabwe, the Castle Premier league is up and running anda unfortunately, my beloved Green Machine, CAPS United have slumped to 2nd in the league after their undefeated run was halted by Blue Ribbon before a home draw to Peter Ndlovu's Black Mambas. CAPS now lie 3 points behind 1st placed unbeaten Chicken Inn who thrashed Shooting Stars 4-1. Recently crowned Independence Trophy Champions Highlanders who lie in fourth behind Blue Ribbon will face arch-nemesis Dynamos who they beat to win the trophy as both teams battle for precious points, especially Dembare who sit 11th on the table after 4 games played.

ENOUGH Football...in the NBA the Playoffs are back and they have delivered mouthwatering match ups as the remaining teams battle to become the 2010-2011 NBA Champions. I do NOT use the term World Champions because they are ONLY playing American teams so people should note that and stop using that term.  

                              VICTORY ...a clean sweep completed

The Boston Celtic's hit the ground running or should I say SPRINTING as they have quickly disposed of the New York Knicks 4-0 to complete a series sweep. Credit to New York who were making the playoffs after a long hiatus as well as suffering fro the ravages of injuries to key players.  the Celtics can now rest for up to a week as they wait to possibly face the Miami Heat who lead their series 2-1 against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

The Chicago Bulls also lead 2-1 against the Indiana Pacers with MVP (in my books) Derrick Rose recovering from an ankle sprain scare. The series that is looking dramatic so far is L.A. Lakers against the New Orleans Hornets with the Lakers tasting defeat from the sting of the Hornets. Most people had written this off as a walkover for the Lakers but with the series tied at 2-2 now, Lakers fans must be getting a bit worried as this will increase the number of games for their team who I expect to come out tops besides the setback.

The other series are looking like this:

Oklahoma City Thunder 3-0 Denver Nuggets 

Orlando Magic 1-2 Atlanta Hawks

San Antonio Spurs 1-1 Memphis Grizzlies

Dallas Mavericks Portland 2-1 Trailblazers

For the seventh consecutive year Manchester United is No1 on the Forbes list ranking the most valuable football teams, with a value of $1.86bn (£1.13bn). Forbes released the list, which will be featured in the 9 May issue of the magazine, on Wednesday.Real Madrid are again No2 with a value of $1.45bn, followed by Arsenal at $1.19bn, Bayern Munich at $1.1bn and Barcelona, who drop one spot to No5, with a value of $975m. Forbes said it values teams based on what they have been sold for in the past relative to sales and profits, broadcast agreements and debt from new or pending stadium deals. CONGRATS to Manchester United.

            Cash Money ....Football the new king of sports wealth

FINALLY a recent survey was carried out to  find out which athletic organizations paid the highest salaries. 272 teams in 14 major pro leagues, covering seven sports, spanning 10 countries, comprising 7,802 athletes making a combined $15.2 billion in salary were analyzed and Barcelona and Real Madrid came first and second respectfully with Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester  City adding up to the 5 football teams dominating the Top 10. 

The list is littered with many European football teams showing that football is now the dominating sport worldwide and paying out heaps compared to like MLB, NHL, NFL and NBA who were once more dominant.   Barcelona pay an average weekly salary per player of US$ 152,130 adding up to an average annual salary per player of US$ 7, 910,737...talk about $$$$$ makes you wish you had taken football or just sports in general more seriously don't it??

Good Luck to the Manchester United lads

IM OUT

Lethario's Take