MY SEASON ENDING THOUGHTS AND AWARDS...

The season came to an exhilarating end last Saturday as Barcelona produced a magical performance to defeat Manchester United and claim their fourth European Cup win. It's almost unimaginable to think that as little ago as 2005, the Catalans had only won half as many European Cup's at Nottingham Forest. Now, the current side at the Nou Camp is arguably the best club side since the early 1970s, when Johan Cruyff's Ajax side swept all before them, and a Bayern Munich side containing Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller were the cream of Europe. Has anyone ever seen Manchester United chase shadows as much as they did at Wembley? Sir Alex Ferguson certainly appeared shell-shocked, but I have to day many of us did predict it.

A wonderful side Barca certainly are, but is Lionel Messi the best ever? Two World Cup's still suggest otherwise, but he is still young enough to put that right.

Domestically, it has been a fascinating, if not vintage season in the Premier League. There is much debate about who has been the best player. Some say Scott Parker - but in the end he was part of a team which finished bottom of the league. Some may say Carlos Tevez. But for me, there is a touch of the 'Steven Gerrard's' about the Argentine. A fantastic player yes, but perhaps he dominates the side too much. In the closing stages of the season, when Manchester City needed to step it up to claim a top three finish and win a trophy, he was not available for the large part. In my view, City were a more coherent side without him and their second half performance in the FA Cup semi final win over their city rivals was terrific. Yaya Toure was the real star of City's wonderful end to the season, and he would also be in my team of the year.

For what it's worth, there are two players who really stood out for me. Firstly, there is Javier Hernandez. Without doubt, the bargain of the season. He mirrors a young Michael Owen which his pace, directness and awesome finishing prowess. And, with the former England striker as his mentor at Old Trafford, the Mexican will surely only get better. He is an awesome predator and deserves all the praise he gets. In addition, the Mexican's work rate is also phenomenal, and without him, there is no question, United would not be Champions. Who would have predicted he would bring such importance to the three times European Champions?

My second choice is a player who won nothing and missed half the season. But, in the second half of the campaign, Robin Van Persie illustrated his 'world class' abilities. He became the first player to score in eight consecutive away games in the Premier League, and at times, carried Arsenal's hopes. He scored 17 league goals from January onwards and did this in a side lacking confidence and running out of steam. The Dutchman may just be starting to wonder whether or not his future lies at the Emirates. Watch this space...

On my list, there are two contenders for manager of the year. One replaced the other, but Roy Hodgson's desperately disappointing tenure at Anfield should not overshadow the incredible job he did at West Bromwich Albion. When he joined the club in February, the Midlanders were in dire relegation trouble. But within a matter of weeks they were in the top half of the table and playing, exciting, attacking and un-inhabited football. They eventually finished in 11th place, and for this, Hodgson deserves great credit. It demonstrates the mental strength he has.

Nobody, but himself and the players can know just why it went so horribly wrong at Liverpool, and he certainly had to go in January. But he has re-invigorated his standing in English football and deserves to be a contender for the next England manager's position once again. However, is a return to Craven Cottage more likely?

'King Kenny' as he is affectionally known at Anfield, was dismissed my many as a 'has been' when he returned to the hot seat in January after a 20 year hiatus. But people tend to forget just how good a manager Kenny Dalglish was, and probably still is. His abilities as a man manager are probably over-looked by many and immersed under the facade drenched sheets of the God like status under which he is held at Liverpool. He won the title at Blackburn Rovers and was runner up at Newcastle in both the league and FA Cup. He also built one of the finest teams ever to grace English football. The 1987-88 Liverpool team was his own, and was not inherited. The star players, John Barnes and Peter Beardsley, were Dalglish signings. He was a special player (which attracts other players to the club) and he is a special manager. He also oozes personality and passion for the club, as well as demanding respect. In Steve Clark, he has an assistant full of experience and one who has worked with and learnt from the very best (Jose Mourinho). Expect a couple of stellar signings this summer at Anfield. And in addition, don't be surprised if there is an unexpected title challenge from Merseyside next season.

In a Premier League season which has arguably been the most competitive since it's inception in 1992, there are endless matches to choose from as 'match of the year'. But I have plumbed for a match, which at the time, appeared to be a minor blip in Arsenal's pursuit of glory. They were still gunning for victory in four competitions. And although many critics point to their defeat by Birmingham in the League Cup final as where it 'all started to go wrong' for Arsene Wenger's side. I believe the match at St James' Park destroyed their confidence, to a point of no return.

In the first half of the match, Arsenal were irresistible. Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie were in imperious form. The Gunners were 3-0 up in the first 10 minutes and 4-0 up half way through the first half. But five minutes into the second half, Abu Diaby was needlessly dismissed at it went from being a 4-0 drubbing with 25 minutes left to an enthralling, dramatic 4-4 draw at the final whistle. A wonderful volleyed equaliser from Cheik Diote salvaged an unlikely point for Newcastle, and both teams could even have won it at the death.

It displayed Arsenal's defensive frailties and inability to close out matches. It was also the first time in Premier League history, that a team had come back from a four goal deficit. An absolutely incredible match and one few will ever forget. It was also an outstanding advert for English football and a perfect example of the unique never say die attributes that it's teams possess.


Domestically, there are two individual performances that stands out in my view. Firstly, there was Luiz Suarez's unbelievable performance against Manchester United at Anfield. Dirk Kuyt took the match ball through a '7 yard' hat-trick, but Suarez (only a month into his Premier League career)'s un-inhabited willingness to run at defenders and virtually single handedly destroy the league leaders was 'Gascoigne -esque' in it's execution. The Uruguayan is a special talent, but also a feisty character who, under the stewardship of another great Liverpool number seven (the greatest of all)should prove to be one of the outstanding players in the Premier League over the coming seasons. He is a prolific poacher, a dribbler, a team player and has strength and power to burn. Liverpool are fortunate to have him and, in the long run, he could be an even better capture than Fernando Torres proved to be.

The other performance that caught my eye was Wayne Rooney's second half performance against West Ham United. The Red Devils trailed 2-0 at the break and looked to heading to an unexpected defeat. But the much maligned Rooney, who was having a poor season by his own very high standards, stepped up to the plate. A blistering second half hat-trick blew the Hammers away, and set United well on the way to claiming their 19th title. It was a turning point in the campaign and was something we have come to expect from United. But Rooney delivered when it mattered most and illustrated that his desire and performances are still at the pinnacle of the game. In addition, his relief was prudently there for all to see as well, as his four letter outburst into a Sky camera demonstrated. He was banned for the next two matches, but this shouldn't distort what was a fantastic individual performance from a man under pressure, when it was most needed. Both his free kick and 'drilled in' third strike were right out of the top draw.

The biggest surprise of the season, has to be the sacking of 'Big Sam' Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers in December. Rovers were sitting pretty in mid table. And after a 10th place finish last season, were looking to improve once more. As with all Allardyce's teams, the football was not always pretty, but it was effective and several exciting young players, such as Phil Jones and David Hoilett were enabling Blackburn to become a more attractive outfit.

Scot, Brian Kean took over the reigns, and after a promising start, the team fell deep into relegation trouble during the spring. They only survived following a last day victory at Wolves and whether or not Keane will stay on is open to debate. But one thing is for sure, with Allardyce at the helm, Rovers would certainly have been safe well before the last day, and would probably even have finished in the top half.

The question is, will Alladyce's methods succeed at West Ham. He will probably get them promoted, but will the style of football be satisfactory for the demanding Upton Park faithful? Between 2006 to 2008, Alan Curbishley took the team from a relegation outfit to a 10th place in 18 months. At the start of the following season, he led them to six points in their first three games. But the supporters did not appreciate the rigid, pragmatic style of football on offer and the former Charlton manager was quickly dismissed and never to be seen again.

Now in his defence, I have seen Allardyce's sides play exciting, attacking football. The team he built at Bolton, which included Jay Jay Okacha was a team, which, at times, was quite pleasing on the eye. But this was only really demonstrated in patches, and usually only at home. Such in-frequency at the Boleyn may not sit particularly well with the fickle fans from the East London academy.


Finally in this segment, there is is the 'biggest flop' award..I don't think may people can look beyond Fernando Torres. But has the whole episode really been that surprising? I personally don't believe Torres has been the same player since his operation last April (2010). Many critics talked about his lack of service at Liverpool being a problem. But he thrived on being the lone striker.

At the World Cup with Spain, he didn't score throughout the whole tournament, despite playing every game, and starting four of them. He was a peripheral figure in the celebrations and despite having three of the world's most creative midfielders supplying him from midfield, in Xavi, Iniesta and Xabi Alonso, he could still not muster a goal, even against the likes of Honduras.

In addition, Torres' first touch is currently as poor as any player I have seen in the top flight over the season, and his concentration levels seem to be far more 'off' than they are 'switched on'. He is pale shadow of his former self, and in my view, Liverpool have obtained a fantastic deal. Andy Carroll and especially Luiz Suarez, are young, hungry players, willing to give their all. Torres, meanwhile, has become a sulking, self involved bench warmer at Chelsea.

Week after week, you heard commentators saying that the Spaniard would come good. But one goal in 17 games is quite frankly, pathetic!

With an extended rest and a full pre season behind him, not to mention some confidence boosting words from a new manager (Guus Hiddink perhaps?), Torres' form may well improve. But few can possibly believe he can hit the heights of his first season at Liverpool, where in my view, he was the world's greatest striker. Now he would do well to be mentioned among the most elite 20 forwards in the Premier League.

I may be proved wrong, but it appears 'El Nino' is a victim of a teenage prodigy, who is beginning to suffer from burn out. It happened to Robbie Fowler, it happened to Ronaldo (the bigger one), it happened to Alessandro Del Piero (although he maintained a very good level, but not the levels we had come to expect), and it happened to Michael Owen. Can Torres recover? At 27 there is still time, but does he need a Steven Gerrard in his team? It it the way Chelsea play? Or is it just that Torres is just not good enough? Only time will tell, but it is important to remember that Torres has not been injured more than a year now. Surely that is a long enough period to rediscover your best form. Next year, I predict an average season at best, for the Madrid born striker. It appears to be another, yet even more expensive flop at Stanford Bridge. But at least Andrei Shevchenko had the excuse that he was in his thirties to fall back on. Torres, at 27 should be approaching his peak. But, let's face it, he peaked about three years ago.


So a unique, and fascinating season has drawn to a close. Roll on Season 2011-12 and a European Championship at the end of it, to cap it all off. Can't wait…!