Wally with a Brolly

Hello everyone,


We are delighted to announce that Wally has moved on to a better, sexier address. It's still the same name, but we've managed to organise everything in a much fancy and modern way. Please continue to support us and to have a read. We are now at WORDPRESS, so you can click on this LINK to reach us, follow us on Facebook or on Twitter.

Again, a reminder of our Wordpress address: wallywithabrolly.wordpress.com.

Please let us know what you think of the new site, and we hope you keep on enjoying reading our views on all football matters.

Much love,

the Wallies.

A few months back, we started the Tour de France of the Ligue 1 clubs, to let you get a feel of what French football is like. With the arrival of Cavani and Falcao (amongst others), we thought we'd continue this little tour. Of course, we'll update you with news of Ajaccio, Bastia and Bordeaux (although the latter are mostly unchanged). In the meantime, you can rediscover them by clicking on their links.

Our first step for the return of the Tour is the Haute-Savoie region, in the Alps, with the little-known club of Evian Thonon-Gaillard.

 

Evian TG and their difficult, uninspiring history, captured adequately by their boring, multi-named badge.

Yes, Evian come from the water city. By the way, where is Buxton? Thanks to anyone who comes up with that info.

If I had to compare Evian to a British club, it would be MK Dons. For Evian used to be known as Croix-de-Savoie. Of course, we're not talking about the same kind of pedigree as the famous Dons of the Crazy Gang, but still. That's because Croix-de-Savoie were always languishing in the National (League One) or lower.

And then Franck Riboud, the CEO of Danone, took over in 2007. With him came the small financial support of old French legends (Zidane, Lizarazu and Dugarry), and all of a sudden, we had a club on the up. Finally rebranded as Evian TG (even though the team plays in Annecy), the club embarked on successive promotions from the National to Ligue 1 between 2009 and 2011. Led by the eccentric Bernard Casoni, who kept living in Corsica even though his club was from the Alps (don't ask me how this works...), Evian finished a highly impressive 9th in their first season in the top flight, aided by their combination of Scandinavian imports (Kahlenberg, Wass) and old veterans (Barbosa, Sorlin). Despite a slightly boring game, Evian were efficient, losing against the big teams but competing favourably against the smaller ones.

Casoni: carried Evian to promotions and survival. Just loves Corsica too much. A bizarre situation.

And yet Casoni was relieved of his duties, most notably due to his constant baffling reluctance to relocate and his open conflicts with the club's President. Memo to managers: don't alienate your boss. This advice works in every walk of life by the way.

Desperate for attractive football, the Evian fans (if they exist), unable to recognise their old club, were hoping for an outgoing and enthusiastic manager. They got Pablo Correa instead. Think of the most machine-like manager possible. That's Pablo: no skill permitted in his teams, no imagination. Just pure efficiency. Kind of like a Skoda (by the way, XZibit, what happened?). Am I allowed to compare a football manager to an uninspiring car? You bet I am.





The only problem with Pablo was that he didn't get he results. At all. So Evian turned to their director of football, Pascal Dupraz. An absolute unknown in the world of French football. A man who had never managed and hadn't exactly set the world alight with his signings. But think about it: if you're a president of a football club, don't you want to put the guy who signed all your players on the spot?

Pascal Dupraz: wouldn't you give all football matters away to this man?

To his credit, Dupraz did what was asked of him and secured a third season in Ligue 1. But, with a small budget and no real stars (the mercurial and moody Khlifa having bailed to Marseille), Evian will struggle to last in the top flight.

The problem with Evian TG is that, clearly, no-one cares about them. They don't play attractive football, they don't represent anyone (are they Evian? Thonon? Gaillard? Annecy? All of them?). To recap, they're the fusion of Thonon and Gaillard's clubs, but call themselved Evian and play at Annecy. No wonder no-one watches them or wants to play for them.

In a sense, it is a shame. Despite Danone's careful backing and prudent building on and off the pitch (which should be praised for letting the club grow by itself), and the fact that the team has got to where they are on merit and a real collective identity, Evian are an afterthought and headed for Ligue 2 again. It will take a miracle or some great signings for them to stay up. Uninspiring, they won't be missed. 20th.

The 2013-2014 team. Heading for the drop.

Le Parc des Sports d'Annecy (15,600 seats): not really a temple of football. Also in need of proper fans.

The Veteran: Cedric Barbosa

Cedric is one of those players who just glides through the leagues. A long-time member of the yo-yoing clubs of Montpellier, Troyes and Metz and part-time player at Rennes, Barbosa joined Evian in National in his early thirties in 2009. Now 37, he has just completed his most accomplished Ligue 1 season ever, with 8 goals in 30 games from midfield. An elegant and tidy midfielder with versatility, Barbosa hasemerged as a leader for Evian. His experience of tough times will once again prove valuable.

Barbosa: a valuable veteran of relegation battles.

The Newcomer: Nicolas Benezet

A pocket-sized winger (1m72, 61kgs), Benezet was voted best Ligue 2 player for Nimes by the esteemed magazine France Football last season. Still only 22, he will be asked to carry the creative spark for a club lacking firepower up front. A tall task, but others have done it before him (Ribery, Valbuena). With an eye for goal (16 league goals over the last two seasons), he will have to translate his Ligue 2 form earlier rather than later if Evian are to survive. A lot rests on his adaptation to the bigger stage.

Wally are already massive fans of Benezet's 'style'.

We continue our review of the 2012-2013 Ligue 1 season with our very own Team of the Season. Remember, part I was here. Part III, with the best and worst moments of the season, will come soon.

Goalkeeper: SALVATORE SIRIGU (PSG)

 
PSG had the meanest defence this season with only 23 goals conceded, and Sirigu played a major role in that. Strong in the air, quick off his line, and a very agile shot-stopper, the Italian No.2 was an ever present in the team, only missing a few games through suspension. He exuded confidence and was a vocal leader from the back. A spotless season. Special mention must also go to Steve Mandanda, constantly excellent for an incredibly solid OM side, Stephane Ruffier at Saint-Etienne for his many heroics, Mickael Landreau for his role in stabilising the Bastia defence and a resurgent Remi Vercoutre who, after what seemed like an eternity as Coupet and Lloris' understudy, finally showed his mettle and was an inspirational leader for a very young OL side.

Right-Back: SEBASTIEN CORCHIA (Sochaux)

 

Sebastien Corchia has continued his natural progression after his education at Le Mans. Coming into a young Sochaux side, he made the right-back slot his own. Armed with good pace, great delivery and a developing understanding of the defensive demands of the position, Corchia was especially consistent this season. Still only 22, but with over 150 games in Ligue 1 and 26 U-21 caps to his name, Corchia is one for both the present and the future. Now unsurprisingly wanted by Lyon, for a reported fee of €5m. A potential steal. Already a very good right-back, and definitely the cream of the crop. Special mention must also go to Christophe Jallet, who beat highly-rated Gregory van der Wiel to the right-back spot at PSG and was also named captain by Ancelotti at certain times this season. Not bad for a guy who used to play for Lorient a few years back.

Centre-Back: THIAGO SILVA (PSG)



We all knew he was world-class and one of the best centre-backs in the world, and the Brazilian quickly proved everyone right by effortlessly becoming the best defender in France. Composed on the ball, quick and strong in the tackle, and clever in his interceptions, Thiago Silva made all his partners look competent and solid, be it the very slow Alex or the arrogant Mamadou Sakho, who would do well to learn from his team-mate. Hell, Thiago Silva even played with Zoumana Camara (remember him Leeds fans?) and made him look Ligue 1 material. A born leader at the top of his game. The best defender by a country mile.

Centre-Back: RENATO CIVELLI (Nice)



This was a really tough choice for second centre-back as Ligue 1 traditionally has very solid defensive units. But Renato Civelli was the inspiration behind OGC Nice's unbelievable season. With an unbelievable presence in the air and an aggressive attitude to marking, Civelli managed to make up for his lack of speed by being a commanding vocal leader at the back and reading the play much better than in previous years. And his contribution at the other end, with 5 goals, was also especially vital. A consistently good performer for a team which might have overachieved. What's more, he was the only one to confront the physical Zlatan by cheekily winding him up with a kiss (see photos below). That HAS to be rewarded. Nicolas N'Koulou also needs to be mentioned as he became the undisputed leader of Marseille's defence, which leaked very few goals this season. Comfortable on the ball and blessed with some good pace, the Cameroonian will surely move on to a bigger club. As long as he doesn't do an M'bia.








Left-Back: LUCAS DIGNE (Lille)



Now here's an exciting prospect you'll hear a lot more of in the coming months and years. Lucas Digne has come through the ranks of the now well-established Lille academy and, after years of playing understudy and learning the ropes with the reserves and the France U-20, Digne was finally given his chance this season. What followed was solid defending and an eagerness to bring width to Lille. A clever ball player with a good left foot and great enthusiasm for both defensive and attacking work. Already mentioned by Didier Deschamps as a potential future left-back for France. Watch this space. Others to have performed well at the left-back slot are Maxwell (PSG), who was even named in the Team of the Season by the UNFP (the French PFA), more out of reputation than actual play, even though he did perform adequately, and Tremoulinas (Bordeaux), solid as usual but who hasn't taken that next step.

Defensive Midfielder: BLAISE MATUIDI (PSG)


Blaise Matuidi was for many years a tantalising prospect, on the cusp of establishing himself as one of Ligue 1's best holding midfielders. He was the metronome of his teams at Troyes and St Etienne, but his move to PSG had seemingly taken him out of his depth, with Blaise often failing to impose himself on games, and limiting himself to a strict 'Makelele' role.

But times have changed, and Matuidi considerably grew, both as a player and a man, this season. Faced with tough competition from Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti, both Ancelotti's favourites, the young Frenchman decided to work ever harder and become a vital part of a 'galactic' (cough, cough) PSG. Matuidi expanded his game to become a better passer of the ball and even scored a few goals this season. Of course, his defensive work was once more stellar, and he played a huge role in protecting not only his centre-backs, but also David Beckham when Golden Balls arrived and clearly wasn't up to par anymore. Anyone who watched the Champions League tie against Barcelona could attest to Matuidi's growth, and Blaise played the whole Ligue 1 season at that level. Perhaps more importantly, he was unafraid to let his voice be heard in the dressing-room, often confronting Ibrahimovic for his constant put-downs. A leader and a very good, tidy player.

Marco Verratti (PSG) also showed great composure and guts beyond his early years to become a near ever-present in the PSG squad, leading to comparisons with Pirlo. But Matuidi was slightly more impressive. A special mention as well to Alaixys Romao (OM) who solidified both Lorient and Marseille's midfield during the season whilst cutting down on the number of fouls and bookings which always plagued him the last few years.

Attacking Midfielder : MATHIEU VALBUENA (OM)


Valbuena is an example of perseverance and desire. Released by Bordeaux before turning professional, mostly due to his small stature, Mathieu became one of the lower leagues' best players before l'OM took a cheap gamble on him a few years back. Blessed with undoubted technical ability, Valbuena added a bit of 'nasty' to his game and his fiery temperament has helped him become one of Ligue 1's most accomplished attacking midfielders. Able to play on the wings or in the centre, he truly established himself as a Number 10 this season, often being the source of many of the rejuvenated Gignac's goals. Valbuena breathes creativity and is an old school Number 10. A great success story.

Right Winger: DIMITRI PAYET (Lille)



After years of dilettante attitude and promise, Dimitri Payet finally unleashed his talent for all to see, and did his best Eden Hazard impression for a Lille club which struggled more than expected. Always a destabilising dribbler, Payet added a goalscoring element to his game whilst becoming more of a distributor. Finding the right balance, Payet was the catalyst for Lille's come-back in the second part of the season, single-handedly winning games for the side from the North, and looking much better than the somehow highly-rated Salomon Kalou. 12 goals and 16 assists later, and Payet is now hot property, with l'OM reportedly interested. Still only 26, Payet would be worth a good punt from many teams, especially for only €10m or less.

Left Winger: FLORIAN THAUVIN (Bastia)


I'm not going to lie, this would have been Romain Alessandrini's spot if he hadn't got injured in full flow a few months before the end of the season. The Rennes man was a sensation, scoring absolute blinders and creating countless opportunities which Antonetti's men somehow never took. But Alessandrini's injury meant that Florian Thauvin, the young U-20 international from Bastia, deservedly got this spot for a very good maiden season in Ligue 1. A superb dribbler with good creativity, Thauvin set the world alight in an expansive Bastia side. With 10 goals in 31 games from the left wing, his mazy runs from the left created gaps for his strikers, something which Anthony Modeste (remember him Blackburn fans?) somehow managed to convert into an impressive 15 goals. Thauvin will now move to Lille, who have, as usual, bagged themselves an absolute steal. Gael Danic (Valenciennes, now Lyon) and Andre Ayew (OM) also deserve praise for their consistency for their respective sides.

Striker: ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC (PSG)


One of the best players in the world, and the best player in Ligue 1. 30 goals and 7 assists in 34 games for PSG. The main reason why they won the title. No joke. Enough said, really.

Striker: PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Saint Etienne)


PEA, as he's known, really set the world alight this season in Ligue 1. After several loan spells over the last few years, Aubameyang finally showed his promise in the 2011-2012 season after  settling down at St Etienne. 19 goals and 8 assists in 37 games is an impressive tally for anyone anywhere, but PEA was a constant thorn in the side of every team in Ligue 1. Blessed with abundant pace and good technique, Aubameyang enjoyed playing on the shoulder of the last defender and put Brandao's aerial prowess to good use. The scary thing? PEA is still raw and developing. Having just turned 24, he's an excellent prospect for the future. But he's also part of Ligue 1's present and has firmly established himself as one of the league's most dangerous strikers. Keep an eye out for him.

Others deserving of praise include Dario Cvitanich (OGC Nice) whose 19 goals in 29 games propelled Nice up the table and certainly justified the €400,000 invested in him. Ligue 1's Michu. It was also great to see the desperately unlucky Jeremie Aliadiere (Lorient) finally be free from injuries for a full season. And, as usual, Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon) proved that he knew where the goal was.

Manager: CLAUDE PUEL (Nice)

I've always liked Claude Puel. His no-nonsense attitude when it comes to his players obviously didn't help him at Lyon, where players like Cris shamefully gave up on him. But Puel is one of those rare managers with a clear long-term vision for his club. He did it at Lille, establishing them as one of Ligue 1's most competitive side whilst helping build a productive youth team and state of the art training ground. And he's certainly done it again at Nice, who finished 4th, only 3 points behind Lyon. Considering the paltry resources at his disposal, this has been quite an achievement. And he's done it by buying young, hungry players and letting them express themselves. A great manager. Nice are in good hands.

Elie Baup (OM), Remi Garde (Lyon), Christophe Galtier (St Etienne), Christian Gourcuff (Lorient) and Frederic Hantz (Bastia) also all deserve credit, but Puel's achievements were much more impressive. With him at the helm, Nice can grow to 'do a Lille' and become a Ligue 1 mainstay for years to come.

Here is Part I of our review of the Ligue 1 season. This is more of a general overview of what happened. Part II will focus on the best and worst moments of the season, whilst Part III will set out our Ligue 1 team of 2012-2013. Enjoy.

It was a colourful season in Ligue 1 as every team and neutral was gunning for the nouveaux riches PSG and their armada of 'world class players', a moniker which only truly fit Zlatan (no need for last name) and Thiago Silva. But the power of French football had decidedly shifted to Paris. L'OM were reducing wages and turning to Elie Baup, a pragmatic manager who had last managed a relegated Nantes in 2009. Lyon were continuing their commitment to youth due to finances being tight through Champions League absence. Only Lille, with their stability and ambitious signing of The Salmon Kalou (don't laugh), seemed like potential contenders. Even last year's champions, Montpellier, were realistic enough to understand that the loss of Giroud and a Champions League campaign would take its toll. Especially when handing the keys of the team to Younes Belhanda, the Ligue 1 version of Adel Taraabt (except much better when he's on form). 

The Salmon at Lille: a sign that the rest of Ligue 1 is becoming ambitious. Don't laugh. Not sure how Lille started to grow palm trees though.

But everyone tended to forget that Ligue 1 doesn't just consist of PSG, and there was much more to look forward to: the Corsican derby promised to be fiery, the teams from Brittany were getting stronger, Claude Puel was making an interesting comeback at Nice, and more teams than ever were turning to youngsters as a remedy to their financial difficulties. Ligue 1 was going to be more interesting and open than in previous years, and so it proved to be.

People have a habit of laughing and sniggering at Ligue 1. Perhaps it's due to the perceived (and slightly true) notion that Ligue 1 games are boring. Managers have a reputation for being conservative and risk-shy. Sure, that might be true sometimes, but it's also very rare to see French clubs with foreign managers. Even the top ones: Lyon at its peak was always managed by a Frenchman, and l'OM did turn to Elie Baup. Contrast that with the Premier League, where clubs turn to foreign managers, be they very good (Mourinho, Wenger, AVB) or atrocious (Avram Grant anyone?). And let's not forget the supposedly 'local' British managers who overpopulate the Premier League despite their incompetence. I mean, Mark Hughes just got a job at Stoke! And Steve Kean actually managed in the Premier League. Wow. Just wow. French managers are only doing what they can with much more limited means, but their tactical knowledge is by far superior to that of English managers. Whilst Harry Redknapp doesn't understand the need for somehting else than a 4-4-2 and Tony Pulis liked Cameron Jerome as a winger, Rudi Garcia of Lille has set out his teams in ambitious 4-3-3 over the years, and Daniel Sanchez's Valenciennes have played expansive football. You just need to take a look at Philippe Montanier, who left Valenciennes for Sociedad and had the Spanish side reach the Champions League whilst playing attractive, open football. Ligue 1 obviously has its share of boring managers (Alex Dupont and Alain Casanova in particular) but the majority of them are young, progressive men who are slowly dispelling that reputation for conservatism.

Philippe Montanier doing his best Wenger impression at Real Sociedad: ridiculous coat and Champions League qualification. A reminder of French managers' ability.

What people also have a tendency to forget is that Ligue 1 has a proven track record of producing high quality players who combine spotless technique with undeniable tactical nous. Over the years, there has been a conveyor belt of talent coming over to England from France. Sure, it's not all been glorious, but the proportion of French players who do well in England is quite impressive. Even the 'forgotten men' of French football have had successful careers. Just ask Sylvain Distin and William Gallas, who were rejected by PSG and OM respectively. How well did they fare? Better than Jermaine Pennant at Zaragoza, that's for sure. And, recently, Yohan Cabaye and Eden Hazard showed to everyone what harnessing your skills in Ligue 1 can do to a player.

The English Yohan Cab...sorry. The English Pascal Cygan.

So the season started with renewed enthusiasm, and it didn't actually go as we planned it.

Despite cutting their annual budget from €150m to €100m due to work on the Stade Velodrome for Euro 2016 and their failure to qualify for the Champions League, and doubts persisting as to Elie Baup's suitability for the job, OM raced out of the gates, winning their first 6 games of the season. Mandanda and N'Koulou in particular were solid, and OM proved that possessing a strong defence was vital for success, often winning its games 1-0. PSG, on the other hand, were slow out of the gates, winning games by the barest of margins. But Zlatan's debut was a sight to behold, as he single-handedly brought PSG back against perennial black sheep Lorient at the Parc des Princes. This started a craze of following Zlatan's every move and clinging to every word he said, which, as the season went on, became a very good source of cringy comical entertainment.

My two favourites? Ibrahimovic coming to training and telling his team-mates after a bad game that 'his sons' play better than them (fyi, his children are 2 year-old). And his puppet on 'Les Guignols de l'Info' (a renowned satirical show), which introduced everyone to the word 'Zlataner' ("to Zlatan"), basically meaning doing something awesome with incredible arrogance.

"Eau de Zlatan is made of concentrate of Zlatan's sweat. If you put Eau de Zlatan, you'll be able to Zlatan any woman. If you Zlatan yourself with Eau de Zlatan, everybody will respect you: you won't have to queue at the Post Office, you'll be up-Zlataned on more than 120 airlines, Nene will pass you the ball and Gameiro will wash your car. Eau de Zlatan: only available at the Zlatan St Germain shop."

Montpellier and Lille, as the last two champions, were proving desperately inadequate as challengers. The loss of Giroud and Belhanda's moody play were baffling able manager Rene Girard in the South, whilst the North's premier team were realising that Salomon Kalou was no winger, as he put up minimal effort and simply looked average. Lyon, on the other hand, were proving to be able challengers: their young team, finally devoid of the 'dinosaurs' (Cris in particular), was hungry and well led by Remi Garde. Remi Vercoutre's revival, after years as Coupet and Lloris' understudy, was particularly impressive.

At the bottom, Nancy were a team in shambles, at one point aiming to challenge Derby County as the worst team to have ever played in a top division. After winning their first game of the season (an atrociously dull affair), the club from Lorraine couldn't win to save their lives, reaching the Christmas break with a paltry 11 points. The usual suspects were all near them as well, with the Corsican clubs, Brest, Troyes, Evian, Sochaux and Reims involved in an all-mighty scramble to survive.

Saint-Etienne and Nice were proving to be the surprises of the season. Les Verts, with Aubameyang playing as in a dream all season, were finally proving resilient and solid to go with their enthusiastic style of play. Nice, normally the forgotten club of the South, were slowly starting a revolution with Claude Puel recovering from his sacking from Lyon in the best way possible. With Dario Cvitanich proving to be Ligue 1's Michu (€400,000 and 19 goals!) and young men like Esseyric, Pied and Bautheac playing the right way, OGC Nice were happily riding a wave of overachievement to trouble the big boys, most notably beating PSG 2-1 with two goals in the last ten minutes.

Claude Puel: miracle worker at OGC Nice

And yet the season then started to follow a sort of pre-determined pattern, with PLM (Paris-Marseille-Lyon) leading the way. PSG were obviously going to end up as winners due to their strength in depth but were making hard work of it, Ancelotti in particular losing a lot of kudos for struggling to win the title with the team he had at his disposal.

The arrival of Beckham livened things up a little bit, even if we all knew this was a swansong and Becks wasn't actually going to contribute materially to the title. It nevertheless perked up interest in Ligue 1, which can only be good. It also pushed all clubs a little bit harder when facing PSG, and gave renewed courage to Lyon and Marseille.

Up for a swansong.

The battle for 4th place and the Europa League was also developing nicely. Bordeaux had always been there or thereabout, but the sale of Gouffran to Newcastle (who else?) left them with a huge hole up front which the young Diabate did his best to fill. Nice and St Etienne were proving genuine contenders for that position and Lille were fighting their way back into it, leading to some exciting last few days of the season.

Meanwhile, Lorient and Toulouse were happy to keep plodding along in mid-table. Lorient's continued excellence under Christian Gourcuff despite one of Ligue 1's smallest budgets constantly baffles the imagination, whilst Toulouse's lack of ambition both in terms of play and transfers was underwhelming.

The bottom of the table suddenly became more interesting when Nancy and Troyes in particular decided to revolt against the status quo, both embarking on a run of results which scared the bejeesus out of every other team in that half of the table. Brest, despite being solid if unimaginative in previous years, didn't know what hit them and started a wonderful run of losses which ended up with them being cast adrift and in serious turmoil. The backroom battles at Brest between Guyot and the shareholders certainly didn't help an atmosphere already poisoned by Correntin Martins' meddling in Landry Chauvin's affairs. Despite getting what he wanted in the end, Martins was in no way up to the job and couldn't halt Brest's slide towards Ligue 2. Considering their negative, defensive football, it's fair to say they won't be missed.

What? My team is relegated because of me? Just because of ME? How can that be?

Somehow, despite their stature, Rennes were 'doing a West Ham' (of yesteryear) and getting closer to the drop zone, despite being 'too good to go down'. Frederic Antonetti, always one of Ligue 1's most colourful characters, was simply unable to explain it and his contract wasn't renewed. This helped explain a quite shameful lack of interest on both his and his players' part once survival was ensured. A sad ending for a likeable/tiresome character and able manager.

As we reached the business end of the season, much was still to play for, even though the title was effectively PSG's. Marseille and Lyon had given up hope of the title but made sure they finished on the podium to get back to the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Claude Puel's Nice continued to defy expectactions and beat bigger teams to 4th place, ending on a spectacular 64 points and notably pipping Saint Etienne to that position. A minor disappointment for Aubameyang and co, who had already booked their Europa League place through League Cup success. Lille had, however, left it too late despite a remarkable last few weeks, and ended up 6th, far from our predictions. Kalou finally managed to repay his wages but the injury to Rio Mavuba, despite Dimitri Payet's superb season, was the real catalyst for this lowly finish.

At the other end of the table, and after months of embarking on The Great Escape and getting out of the relegation zone, Nancy stumbled at the last hurdle and were sent back down, along with a plucky Troyes and a disgustingly inadequate Brest. The Corsican teams survived, Bastia thanks to Thauvin's excellent play and Rothen and Landreau's experience, and AC Ajaccio thanks to a good collective approach in which Adrian Mutu finally convinced after a shaky start. The Stade de Reims, after years of living in the past, was finally able to experience Ligue 1 again and did well, finishing 5 points above 18th despite suffering a huge drop in form in the middle of the season. Considering Reims' budget, this was still quite an achievement.

Paco Gabriel: nearly masterminded Nancy's unlikely Great Escape.

The Ligue 1 season was therefore surprisingly competitive, both at the top and the bottom. It is certainly a league which is heading upwards, unlike the Premier League which has tended to rest on its laurels in the last few years. And, with PSG and Monaco now flexing their financial muscle, and OM and Lyon back in the Champions League, this is about to get really interesting.

Champions: PSG
Champions League: PSG, Olympique de Marseille, Lyon
Europa League: OGC Nice, Bordeaux, Saint Etienne
Relegated: Brest, Troyes, Nancy
Promoted: Monaco, Nantes, Guingamp

UNFP Team of the Season: Sirigu, Jallet, Thiago Silva, N'Koulou, Maxwell, Payet, Matuidi, Verratti, Valbuena, Aubameyang, Ibrahimovic

Top Scorers: Ibrahimovic (30), Aubameyang/Cvitanich (19), Gomis (16), Ben Yedder/Aliadiere/Modeste (15)

Top Assist Men: Valbuena/Payet (12), Danic/Mollo (11)

Last week, we started a weekly chat between Cam and myself. Several questions were sent to Cam every day about the main football topics of the day, just to gauge his reaction. This week, we're delighted to have welcomed Chaka Demus to the party. We'll try and keep this going as long as possible. In the meantime, enjoy.

Wigan-Swansea tonight [Tuesday]. And, if Wigan win this game in hand, they will be even on points with Newcastle, and close to survival. Do you think they can stay up? If so, who will get relegated? And which surviving team will have the better season next year?
 
Chaka Demus: Unfortunately I don't think Wigan will do 'The Great Escape' again. Their defensive errors on Monday were truly awful. A few of their players have really shined this year (Maloney in particular) and will surely leave over the summer - as will their manager, I hope, but overall they deserve to go down.

Gary Caldwell and Roberto Martinez might finally be caught out.

Surely Newcastle can't have such a shockingly bad season again? I think they will improve next year and get back to where they should be.

Cam: Massive game. I think everyone is going to be glued to the TV tonight to see if the Premier League's greatest escape artists can do it again. I'm hoping Martinez & Co can get the three points tonight, firstly because I love Roberto Martinez and what he has done at Wigan, but secondly because I would love to see the relegation battle go right to the wire. Plus, a lot of teams have had terrible seasons and rightly find themselves fighting for their lives. Newcastle for example have been poor especially when you look at their players (Krul, Coloccini, Gutierrez, Cabaye, Tioté, Cissé) and the season they had last year it really is inexcusable from the Toon. That said I would hate to see them get relegated as they are a massive club with great fans and unrivalled passion that befits the Premier League. For me Wigan can stay up but simply have to win tonight. As to who will get relegated, I honestly have no idea. Norwich, Newcastle, Sunderland, Wigan and Southampton are all bang in trouble and even Fulham and Villa are precariously positioned despite reaching the hallowed 40 point mark.

Bappo: Huge game for Wigan. Even if they lose today, I think there is a possibility (! Clive Tyldesley voice) that they can save themselves. Their last game is against Villa, and that will be a massive crunch game. Wigan have been there, done that and their players have no fear really, because they're not going to move clubs should they get relegated. None of them really are of Premier League quality. That is, except James McCarthy, Shaun Maloney, Arouna Kone and Emerson Boyce. One of those was a typo. The other thing going for Wigan is that the other teams around them are equally crap. I mean, Newcastle? What a shambles. I could see Sunderland sneaking into the relegation zone on the last day, leaving us with Paolo Di Canio reacting in a way we've never seen a man react before, and imploring La Mamma, Dio and Benito for help. Great, politically incorrect entertainment in store.

Bappo has a twisted desire to see this man's reaction if Sunderland go down.

Out of the surviving teams, I do see Villa as having the better season next year. Should they keep Bentekkers and Weimann, and with their youngsters gaining experience and progressing (particularly the impressive Lowton), they could make a decent climb up the table. Lambert seems to have turned things around, and the majority of the players seem to enjoy playing for him. Stoke, however, will go down. Good riddance to them.

Swansea have had a pretty great season. Do you think Michael Laudrup can recreate the same magic next year?
 
Chaka Demus: I don't see why not. It can't be bad having one of the most majestic, skillful and graceful midfielders of all time as your manager, can it? They're a good group of players and when they can be bothered play very attractive possession football.

Cam: Swansea's success this season has been both surprising and impressive even if they appear to have taken their foot off the gas recently. Michael Laudrup has worked wonders and deservedly received a lot of credit as have many of Swansea's players. However, the biggest challenge facing the club is that infamous second season syndrome which will undoubtedly kick in around August time. The other Premier League clubs will have studied Swansea with interest this year and figured out what to expect and how to effectively combat their slick passing game. Plus they will probably lose a player or two this summer (Michu, Hernandez, De Guzman, Vorm, Williams…) and some players may be content to rest on their laurels as they have been following the Carling Cup success.

Look at that man. And you think Swansea can't keep up their success?

European football will prove to be a challenging distraction, Cardiff's promotion will add two hotly contested derbies to their fixture list, and I'll go on record and say that there is little to no chance of them winning any silverware next season. Plus in terms of improving their league position, I do not see them breaking into the top 5 (Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs) and nor do I see them leapfrogging either of the Merseyside clubs. So without trying to come across as "The Grinch" I do not believe that Swansea's 2013/14 season will be as successful as their 2012/13 season and I unfortunately doubt whether this season's magician will be able to recreate the same magic next year. This is a shame because I have really enjoyed watching them play truly great football at times this season but as a realist, I just feel that they have exceeded their capabilities this season and will struggle to repeat this next year. Success is difficult to obtain but even harder to maintain.

Bappo: Why not? Although that might prove to be quite difficult. I'm torn between a prediction of seeing Swansea continuing to progress or expecting them to go down. Seriously. They're going to be stretched, and big players like Vorm, Williams and Michu might leave this summer. In any case, it'll be near-impossible for that team to keep up that level of performance. Michu won't score 20 goals again, De Guzman is only here on loan, and Boy Flowers won't perform like that again. Relegation might be a possibility, but I sincerely see them as having a drop-off. Expect a 12th or 14th place next season. Michael Laudrup is too good to take them down.

Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement: your view.

Chaka Demus: It has come as a bit of a shock, I must admit. SAF has been manager at MU since before I was born so it hard to imagine anyone else at the helm but I think Moyes is a very good choice. Deciding to retire in a year when your team has won the league with weeks to spare isn't a bad time to go either... He's not always been my favourite person and the word 'legend' is thrown about a little too loosely these days but you can't deny that he is a true great

Cam: I can't say I was surprised by this news to be honest. I mean come on it's been on the cards for a few years now. The man is 71 and in need of a hip replacement, he can't carry on forever. What did surprise me is the way everyone (the media included) has been so shocked, flabbergasted and devastated. Take a look at Peter Schmeicel's interview where he only just stops short of breaking down and crying! He is a great man who has worked wonders at Old Trafford and left a legacy that will probably never be repeated. He has at times worked wonders, he has won countless trophies and records and he will go down as one of the world's greatest ever managers. However, lets not forget the fact that his success did come at a price and he did spend and waste an awful lot of money including: £30m for Veron, £30m for Berbatov, £20m for Nani, £20m for Anderson, £20m for Hargreaves, £15m for Young, £15m for Valencia….

Do I have the utmost respect for him and what he has done for football and the Premier League? Yes.
Am I surprised he has announced his retirement now? No.
Wil I miss him? No.
Am I looking forward to seeing how Man U now evolve under a new manager (David Moyes)? Yes.
Was I pleased to see David Moyes get the job and be awarded a 6 year contract? Yes.
Do I think David Moyes has got a tough job on his hands? Yes.





Bappo: I've made my feelings clear here. It hasn't been a shock though. He's 71 and has dedicated his life to this club 24/7 for 26 years. That'd be knackering for anyone really. I can't say I'll miss him, what with his lack of grace and inability to genuinely take the moral high ground sometimes. The hardest thing for his successor will be to ensure that Man Utd still get preferential treatment from refs everywhere they go. Now THAT will be difficult.

Spurs-Chelsea tonight. If you had to pick a side from both teams, who would make it?

Chaka Demus: A team from Spurs and Chelsea - TOUGH:
Cech - Walker -Ivanovic -Vertonghen -Cole
                           Luiz
Hazard                Lampard                  Bale
                    Mata                Defoe

You guys are probably going to disagree with that but it's the best I've got just now - my subs bench is unreal though!

Cam: Chelsea & Spurs best team:

Cech, Walker, Vertonghen, Ivanovic, A Cole, Hazard, Mata, David Luiz, Lampard, Bale, Defoe

Bench: Lloris, Azpilicueta, JT, Dembele, Ramires, Oscar, Torres

There's love for Branislav from all of us. But then again, looking at that picture, why wouldn't there be?

Bappo: Definitely a tough one in my book, and I'll go for a good old-fashioned 4-2-3-1.
Cech in goal, even though I'm a huge fan of Lloris and think he'll become the Premier League's best goalkeeper in the next few years. but Cech is goalkeeping royalty.

In defence, Walker-Ivanovic-Vertonghen-Cole. Pretty self-explanatory here. Please don't kid me and put JT in there. He's not worth it anymore. And Gary Cahill is a bit of a joke. I'd obviously put Ivanovic as my captain. He's a Serb, so he's tough as nails. But he actually seems like a nice guy, and he's one hell of a pro! Just like a this reaction at the Suarez bite. Glorious.

In midfield, my two 'holding players' would be Sandro and Dembele. They have a good understanding, are both more dynamic than Lampard (overrated) and Mikel, and are technically better than Ramires. Sandro is one of the Prem's best shields, and Dembele one of the best dribblers from midfield and an underrated physical presence and tackler. They both offer more than all other central midfielders at Tottenham and Chelsea. Even Josh McEachran. I like David Luiz but he's not there yet. And he's incredibly lazy.

My three attacking mids would be Mata-Bale-Hazard, in no particular order or position. They'd be allowed to do what they want. Hazard is silky smooth and has had a better season than people think. Bale is Bale and Mata is Mata. Just please stop the 'It doesn't Mata to Juan that he's played so much' headlines. Oscar is not good enough yet and whilst I'm a big fan of Lennon, he's just not as good as the other three. But there's no shame in that. As for Dempsey, I used to love him at Fulham but he's just not good enough for this team. Same thing for Gael Kakuta. Actually, not the same thing for Kakuta. He's just crap.

Finally, up front will be Romelo Lukaku. Crap, I'm not allowed to put him in. OK, I'll settle for Jermain Defoe. He's better than Adebayor and Torres put together. That's an uninterested Adebayor I'm talking about. In terms of pure talent Adebayor is up there but he just focuses on his pay check. As for Torres, he's a shell of his former self, can't be bothered and simply doesn't have the same enthusiasm for goal that he used to have. I feel bad for Demba Ba but thre's just somethng in my head which tells me he's not as good as people think he is.

Surprisingly, McEachran is left out. £5 to any man who knows where McEachran is playing at the moment.

David Moyes: the right appointment at Man Utd?

Chaka Demus: A lot has been made over the last few days about Moyes not having won anything at Everton. I don't think that really matters given how he consistently over-achieved with regards league position and has finished above the red side of Liverpool for the last 2 seasons. The fact that mid-way through this season there was talk of Everton making the Champions League is astonishing. I think he is a very good appointment and will do great things at Man Utd - certainly very big shoes to fill though!

Cam: I was very pleased to see Moyesy get the job and the way in which he was swiftly awarded a 6 year contract demonstrates the faith shown in him by the club. The plan is that he carries on the SAF dynasty and while this is no small task, he is undoubtedly a top Premier League manager with a decade of Premier League experience and being a tenacious Scot he is clearly cut from the same cloth as Fergie. He has worked wonders with Everton and deserves his chance to manage a top club.

What does he lack? In my opinion David Moyes lacks a couple of things. European experience for starters and also that knack of winning games when your team's not playing particularly well, something which SAF absolutely mastered. However, Fergie will still be at Man U advising his hand-picked man as much as possible and lets give David Moyes a chance. It is harsh to compare his tenure at Everton to SAF's at Man U given the difference in resources as much as anything else. However, do I believe that Moyes will complete the newly signed contract and still be there in 2019? No. He has massive shoes to fill and the only way is down (not Essex).

How did this band of useless human beings end up being referenced on Wally?

Bappo: Call me harsh, but who else was going to come? Mark Hughes? Steve Bruce? Jose Mourinho wasn't wanted, mostly because he has an annoying habit of thinking he's bigger than the clubs he works for (seemingly true for Chelsea, where they've been begging him to come back, as shown by Lampard and Terry's continued forays into the press praising Jose. Funny it's happening at a time when they're becoming irrelevant for Chelsea), and Klopp loves Dortmund too much even though he fits the bill. I would have loved to have seen Man Utd go for someone like Pellegrini, who has all the right credentials. Carlo Ancelotti could have been a sneaky signing as he's a proven manager. David Moyes was the right choice in that context, and I'm happy for him. I think he'll do well although he's got big boots to fill. He's a proven Premier League manager, has worked long-term for a club, develops young players and Fergie likes him and will guide him early on. His lack of European experience doesn't worry me, as Man Utd are miles away from winning the Champions League. And it's not as if Klopp had huge experience before this season, and he's done ok hasn't he? I'm just disappointed for Kenny Jackett who took a huge risk by resigning from Milwall and thinking he was on the short list. Unlucky Kenny.

Jackett: big gambler. Didn't pay off. Obviously.

Leicester-Watford: who do you think will go through, and who do you want to see go through?

Chaka Demus: I listened to the 5 Live commentary of the game last night and Leicester were really on top. I am glad they got the goal at the end and would like to see them (against Palace) in the final. 8 of Watford's starting XI last night were Udinese loan players and I just don't think that is right - Ian Holloway had a good rant about this in January. If Palace were using that many players from another club to win us promotion, I would struggle to really get behind my team.

Cam: After Leicester won 1-0, this game is evenly poised and could go either way. I think Watford are the stronger team and I hope that they go through mainly because of my love for Gianfranco Zola, one of the greatest players to ever grace our shores.

Bappo: I'd like to see Leicester go through, and I think they will. Watford are hungover from that season finale and their keeper's slippery hands. And that's not even taking into account that Manuel Almunia is their usual keeper. Yikes. I like Pearson and he's bought British, whilst I think Zola is a bit overrated and is presiding over a team made up of Udinese loanees. They're just a more exotic Peterborough who, somehow, have ended up with a lot of Man Utd loanees. Just like Hull as well. Funny that. I think Leicester will go through, and look out for Anthony Knockaert, a young French U-21 who's done very well. He could be the key.

Knockaert: look out for him, says Bappo

Crystal Palace-Brighton: who do you think is the better manager between Gus Poyet and Ian Holloway, and who are the players to look out for?

Chaka Demus: I think right now that Ian Holloway is still the better manager of the two. Having said that, I think Poyet will become a better manager in the future with a few additional years of experience. Players to look out for: LuaLua, Mackail-Smith - Murray, Dobbie, Zaha, Phillips, Bolasie, Dikgacoi. I don't like our chances to be brutally honest but I am trying to remain optimistic.

Cam: Both great managers full of energy and charisma but I think Poyet has got more potential. Holloway has had his stint in the Premier League and I would like to see how Gus would fare in the top league. Players to look out for include Zaha, Mackail Smith, Vicente, Bolasie.

Gus and Ian sharing a giggle. Reports that this was based on a 'knock-knock' joke prove unfounded. Allegations that this laugh was at Wayne Bridge's career over the last 4 years are, however, not denied.

Bappo: I think Gus is the better manager, and the one with more potential. I've always seen Holloway as a likeable clown overrated for his time at Blackpool. Yes, they did play good football. Yes, it was brave. No they did not have any balance to their team. He's done the same thing at Palace, where his team can't defend. He's actually done quite poorly at Palace in all fairness. Players to look out for? Mackail-Smith, Barnes, David Lopez, Vicente and Liam Bridcutt for Brighton, and Zaha, Bolasie and Parr for Palace. It'll also be good to see how crap Wayne Bridge is now.

FA Cup final week-end: where will the game be won and lost for either team? And what is your prediction (actual score and scorers)?

Chaka Demus: The game will be won and lost by Wigan's defense as they are the weak link in the equation. Giving the ball away, stumbling over one another, being far too casual in front of goal, losing concentration at the wrong moment - these have been the causes of their current league position.

If their back 4 stay switched on it could be a reasonable game but I still think Man City will win at least 3-1. Scorers: Maloney (Wigan take a shock lead through a well-hit free-kick by the pint-size Irishman and the commentators start saying "Could it happen?" etc). However, the inevitable will happen and Man City score from the resulting kick-off. Yaya Toure loves an FA Cup goal so he'll get one. As will Zabaleta after running the length of the pitch he strikes a loose ball first time from the right channel about 25 yards out and nearly puts a hole in the back of the net. Joleon Lescott will then finish his playing days at City with a monstrous header from outside the box. Don't ask me how I know all this. I just do.

Lescott bearing the mark of that header Chaka Demus is talking about. You can't tell me no-one's ever made this joke before.

Cam: The game will be won by Man City as they are the much stronger team all over the pitch. In goal, defence, midfield and attack they are streaks ahead of minnows Wigan. As much as I'm rooting for the underdog, I just can't see Martinez's men doing it. Wigan's defence is not the best to put it kindly, they were a shambles against Swansea midweek, and City's midfield with the beast that is Yaya Touré will dominate the play.

I predict City to win 3-0, two goals from Aguero where he will dribble 4 players and scream it into the top corner and one from Yaya, a thunderbolt from outside the box after a 63 yard gallop. Wigan to lose the final I'm afraid then lose to Arsenal and need to beat Villa on the final day to have a chance of surviving.

Bappo: The game will be lost and won depending on Man City's players' moods. If they all behave like Samir Nasri, then it'll be a shock win for Wigan. If they all behave like Kompany, then it'll be a rout. City's team is just too good, and I fear for McCarthy against Toure. It will be 3-1 Man City: Aguero will open the scoring before James Milner adds a second through sheer hard work (what else?). Kompany will score a header before showing us his guns and making me feel overwhelmed by how awesome he is. With 5 minutes left, Nasri will try to dribble Al-Habsi three times over, will fall on his arse, Wigan will counter and Kolarov, who will have just come on, will forget that he's meant to be a left-back and will leave a gaping hole down his side. Arouna Kone will run into space, shoot 3 times straight at Pantilimon (Hart will be controversially dropped to teach him a lesson) before Franco di Santo swoops in and shoots wide. Except the ball will bounce off Kolo Toure (brought on for some unexplainable reason) and head straight into goal. Di Santo will earn himself a goal bonus and a summer move to Liverpool where he'll partner Borini in a new-look attack. Glorious.



                                           Exhibit A of why Wigan might be in trouble.

The first English game I ever watched was the 1996 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Man Utd. The Spice Boys were playing, and so was Eric Cantona, who was the reason my dad had turned on the telly to follow the game.

Of course Eric proceeded to delight my father and scored a superb goal in the dying minutes of a tight affair, despite David 'Calamity' James' best efforts, and Man Utd lifted the trophy. Ferguson was already there, chewing his gum nervously on the sidelines and flashing his wide, unique grin.



1996, Fergie, a late goal and a Man Utd win. Not many things have changed since then. Except now he's gone. Wow.

As the 'surprise' announcement came through yesterday, there was the inevitable and deserved usual respectful reactions from the world of football.

But the issue of one's legacy is always a thorny one, especially in the football world where loyalty often blinds reason, sometimes to atrocious consequences.

And yet there is one thing on which we can all agree, even with the despicable partisanship which is actually omnipresent in football, and even though I write this through a clenched fist and gritted teeth: it is that Alex Ferguson was one of the greatest managers in the History of the game. Of that there is absolutely no doubt.

For we do not celebrate champions for their ability to impress us once. Sure, some are rightly lauded for their one-off accomplishments. But we consider to be the greatest, the sportsmen who consistently compete and win. Those guys truly capture our imagination. That's why Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins are such icons here in the UK. Both have won titles over different disciplines over a certain number of years. And both have done it cleanly, which is why Lance Armstrong will forever be denied entry into the pantheon of cycling.

Enjoy that throne Wiggo, you deserved it.

Another good example, and perhaps a better one (no insult to Wiggo or Sir Chris intended), is Michael Jordan. Why is he considered by a majority of fans to be what the Americans call the GOAT (Greatest Of All Times)? Because he won countless MVPs and 'World Titles' (aaah the usual American sports arrogance), was the leader of the Dream Team and helped define a generation of future basketball players and fans. Jordan was basketball.

The original GOAT

Now don't get me wrong; I'm not comparing Ferguson to Jordan. After all, at the end of the day, Fergie wasn't actually the one kicking the ball into the back of the net. Nor has he launched a sports shoe brand (although I'm eagerly awaiting that). But his constant quest for excellence and success at the top of his sport allows him a place not only in the pantheon of football, but maybe even that of sport altogether. If Michael Jordan was the NBA, Ferguson was Man Utd and the Premier League.

You need only look at one stat, one number: 26. 26 years at Man Utd. 26 years of commitment, every day, in making Man Utd the best club not only in the land, but in the football world. 26 years of constant thirst for success, of the pursuit of glory, of sustaining that desire, that energy and eagerness in getting the best not only out of himself but also the people surrounding him. 26 years of re-inventing himself, faced with the evolution of social and sports values and demands. I'm not quite sure people actually understand how difficult and tiring that is.

For, to me, those 26 years are more impressive than the '38' trophies (I count 'only' 24 trophies, because the InterContinental Cup, Supercup, Charity Shields and Club World Cups are just vanity trophies) won over that period of time, although these are undoubtedly memorable and unequalled. Maintaining that desire and thirst for 26 years demands not only great belief in one's self, but a total, exhausting dedication to your work.

For the world has changed so much over the past 26 years. The Berlin Wall fell 24 years ago. Ferguson was already there, although not physically in Berlin. The Internet started in 1992. Fergie was there. September 11 happened. Fergie was there. Hell, even Messi was born after Fergie took over. Damn.

Fergie taking a break from coaching to help bring the Berlin Wall down. He was already there you see.

Ferguson's adaptability is probably one of the most memorable features of his reign. He inherited a team of pub-crawling underachievers, and yet led them to success within a few years. And, despite that success, Fergie saw the rise of the Golden Generation and got rid of the old-timers, recognising the new fast-paced and more technical nature of the young Premier League. And when these players seemingly found the going tough and weren't up to it, Fergie re-invented again, bringing people like van Nistelrooy, Ferdinand and others. That ruthlessness in the search of success characterised Ferguson. His  ability to create new teams from 'scratch' was probably unparalleled.

But Fergie was also a visionary, and not necessarily in the footballing sense. Quickly aware of the growing popularity of the Premier League and Champions League, and with the advent of modern technologies which made broadcasting worldwide, Ferguson, along with Peter Kenyon, realised the need for his club to go global in a football world whose finances were getting out of control.

Fergie and Kenyon: the architects of Man Utd's, and football's, growing corporatism.

People have become fixated with the 'nouveaux riches' of the Premier League, what with the arrival of 'soul-less' teams in the shape of the newly successful Chelsea and Man City. But Man Utd were the first 'nouveaux riches' although, to their credit, it was of their own, conscious doing.

People have now accepted the concept of the Club World Cup, however pointless that competition is. And yet, in 2000, this showcase affair was in its toothing phase. Man Utd smelled an opportunity, and Ferguson was quite bullish in not giving a damn about missing the FA Cup for an opportunity to put the club on the world map. Have you ever complained about teams not caring about the FA Cup anymore? Man Utd started that trend with their 'shameless' desire for intercontinental exposure.

Fergie's legacy: Man Utd as the world's most-supported club.

Similarly, Man Utd were the first club to undertake what has now become a tradition for the big clubs; that is, the pre-season 'exotic' tour of Asia or North America. Once again, this had no football purpose: it was a strictly promotional endeavour. Call him a hero or a visionary, but Ferguson's recognition of the globalised appeal of football also led to the corporatism which has engulfed modern European football.

But there is no denying the impact Ferguson has had not only on Man Utd, where he changed the club completely, to football itself, and the image the sport portrays nowadays.

But leave aside the numbers and profit and loss column, and what of Ferguson's football legacy? We all  know success followed him all the time, but how should we consider him as a football manager in the strictest sense of the term?

There is no doubt that Ferguson was football's greatest man-manager and motivator (sorry to the self-proclaimed 'Arry). You only need to look at this year's title romp to realise the extent of his man-management skills. The 2012-2013 version of Man Utd was probably the worst I'd seen in a seriously long time, and yet Fergie coached them to run riot in the league, even approaching at one point the record number of points. Quite an achievement when Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valencia and Nani have played important roles. Quite an achievement indeed.

Man Utd's 2012-2013 version: the worst in a long time. A tribute to Ferguson's managerial skill.

However, Fergie wasn't the greatest tactician or talent spotter. Whilst he had serious cojones in promoting that famous Golden Generation, this had as much to do with the incredible level of talent produced by the Academy as it had to do with him particularly spotting those players. And his list of failed transfers is as long as that of successful ones: for every Carrick and Vidic, we also had Veron and  David May. As for his talismans, the only really superb piece of transfer was Ronaldo. Cantona and RVP were what I call 'obvious signings'. I understand the stupidity of calling an obvious signing an 'obvious signing' but these are so obvious I have to put it in the title.

Perhaps the thing that grates me more than anything is the idea that Ferguson assembled teams without any help. Call me ungrateful or harsh, but I vividly remember Man Utd being the first team to break the £50k a week barrier with Roy Keane. I also remember Man Utd being some of the biggest spenders of the late 90s and early 00s. Juan Seba Veron, van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney didn't come for free you know. Of course, that's also down to Ferguson's vision in helping make Man Utd the most visible club around the world, but it also shows that Utd were serious cash-splashers. Even in recent years, despite the Glazer mismanagement, Fergie has been able to dole out over £150k a week to Rooney and RVP. We're not exactly talking about paupers here.

Rio: still the most expensive English defender of all time. Clearly disproving the idea that Fergie created his teams out of nothing. Horrendous 'hair' as well.

Tactically, Fergie was a successful conservative. Long an adept of the 4-4-2, he eventually moved to a 4-3-3 when that became the norm. Fergie was no inventor of total football a la Rinus Michels, nor a creator of a high press line like Arrigo Sacchi. No, Fergie knew his men and had faith in his system. He was stubbornly successful but, from a purely footballing point of view, he was no revolutionary.

What we will remember Ferguson for was his iron will in victory and belief in his team. It's quite clear that success engenders luck, and Fergie had that as well. Fergie Time has been well established, but perhaps more importantly for Man Utd, Ferguson's men seemed to have the right slice of luck when they needed it most. I remember Bayern outrageously dominating the 1999 final and yet succumbing to two set pieces, hardly the stuff of convincing champions. I also remember John Terry slipping and hitting the post and, whilst I particularly enjoy that whenever I think of John Terry, it nevertheless was a sign that the gods smiled on Ferguson and Man Utd. Bitter? Perhaps. But luck is also an acknowledgement of success, and Ferguson drilling a never-say-die into his team had a lot to do with it.



Ferguson was a polarising figure. Man Utd fans understandably love him, and other fans' views of the man range from indifference to personal dislike. Whilst I never hated Ferguson, and whilst jealousy undoubtedly played a part in my feelings for this highly successful manager, I have nevertheless been disappointed by some aspects of his reign. His talk of values was conspicuously absent when he failed to condemn Roy Keane's challenge on Alf Inge Haaland, surely one of the worst acts ever committed on a football pitch. The reverential and submissive attitude the majority of managers held him in, whilst understandable, also created an emptiness in personality in the league which underlined why Mourinho was loved.

For, with his success came a bullying personality. Sure, Fergie was happy to help and act as a father figure. But he was condescending towards others who questioned his reign. His petty ban of the BBC for revealing bungs and preferential treatment handed out to his sons was also not emblematic of a man who liked to view himself as the benevolent father of the Premier League. His sudden public appreciation of Arsene Wenger, for example, only came once Arsenal became irrelevant. I had hoped that with age would came grace, whether in defeat or victory, and the ability to rise over football's innumerable petty matters. But that never came (although his reaction to losing the title last year was impressive), and whilst this can be explained by a determination to always be on top, it nevertheless disappointed me.

Jealousy and these darker aspects of Ferguson's time probably explain why I personally won't miss him now. But have no doubt that, deep down, there is an appreciation and a humble recognition of his achievements. And with that comes a fundamental value which is in short supply in football: respect. And there is no greater compliment than that.

Goodbye Sir Alex