week 22

bigwave1927 · Cult Status

week 22

pricey · Cult Status

Genoa Champions
This week saw the crowning of new Italian champions as Genoa won on the day and won the title. In a season where they hadnt lost a game they held off a strong challenge by former champions Juventus. I think this could mark the change in Italian football and maybe the end of Juventuss tight grip on Seria A. Well done to Callum Ward and his team.

Juventus hit AC for 12
AC Milan were ripped apart by a Juventus team who wanted to finish the season in style. With this defeat AC Milan lose their place in the top 3. I feel AC need to get a manager in and quick or they will continue to slide down the table and could find themselves in Seria B.

Play-off time in Italy
Its that time of the season again. The play-offs are here, no one likes them but everyone wants to watch them. In the first game Reggina relegated from Seria A last season meet another relegated side in Chievo. As in every other Chievo game this season there will not be many goals and I can see the game going to extra time and maybe even penalties. In the other game it will be Siena coming up against Atalanta. Both clubs have been in the play-offs the last 2 seasons without much success and both managers will be looking to put that right this season. I feel Terry will be feeling all the pressure, Siena have been on a good run in the last few games including a win over Atalanta. Manager of Atalanta, Dale Price, is said to be relaxed ahead of this game. He was heard saying, We just have to go out there and play our game. If we do that well not have any problems. When asked about Sienas win in the league against Atalanta, Price said, Its funny that game is still talked about. Without play-off place confirmed we thought we would rest players and we rested the whole of the spine of our team. We paid for that but we are focused on this game and I think it will be a great game for the fans. I feel the team that will go up to Seria A will come from this game.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Foxes complete great escape

Leicester City manager Mark Rollings hailed his young side as "heroes" as they completed their unlikely final-day escape from relegation. With 2 games to go the midlands club were four points adrift of safety with tough games against Middlesbrough and Arsenal to play, leaving pundits predicting a quick return to the Championship. Rollings was effusive in his praise for his fledging squad.

"The lads have shown phenomenal character and maturity over this season. We have refused to press the panic button and trusted that these players have the ability. I am delighted that they have proven us right and I have no doubt that this is just the start of things for these players."

Rollings' own future still remains unclear however, with the Welsh managers contract up over the coming weeks and talks on a new deal yet to be opened. A tight-lipped Rollings refused to be drawn on any speculation.

"To be honest I don't have a lot to say on the matter. As I have always said I am enjoying the project here and feel optimistic about the future but ultimately the chairman decides who he wants to take the club forward. If he decides it is time for a change it is up to him, and we would depart with my best wishes for the future. I haven't had any approach from alternatives so at the moment I can't really comment on my personal future. Today is about Leicester City, not Mark Rollings."

pricey · Cult Status

you didn't thank the arsenal manager once

Jozz · Cult Status

Tezza · Cult Status

RE: week 22

Luke_C · Cult Status

The Final Final review

Real Madrid v Cardiff City this weekend and a UEFA Cup final, this wouldnt be how you thought the season would end?
Its a brilliant day for our club, our fans and players. It wasnt long ago we were in the championship and while that was a false position the progress the club has made both on and off the field has been a joy to be part of. Our league form dropped a little because of the extended run in this competition but we have no regrets.

Its going to be a very tough game against a strong Real Madrid side?
They have better players than us but we arent going to make up the numbers. You only have to look at the leagues this season to see the underdog always has a chance. We have some good players who play as a team and we will go at attack Real Madrid.

FA Academy is to close after this game, how do you reflect on your time?
Its a very sad time indeed, its been an honour to manage in FA and I look back with fondness at my time at Manchester City, AC Milan and of course my hometown club Cardiff City. I believe every club I have managed have improved and when I have left they have been a lot stronger than when I joined. Its a shame it closes now as Cardiff where a club going places, we spent 30 million on off field matters like the academy and the club shop and I have no doubt in a few years they would have been fighting for the title. I fan said to me yesterday, shame we didnt spend that 30m on a player for the final now FA is closing, I laughed but an extra defender wouldnt go a miss.

It has been hoped by some managers that someone else may take on the Football Academy; do you see this as a possibility?
Well its Richards baby, would he want someone to take it on? Would he want to see someone else make changes or do things maybe he wouldnt do? Im not so sure he would after the time he has put into the game. If someone could take it on then I think that would be brilliant. My personal opinion is maybe the game is a little too big for one person to take on now. It could be stripped back though, maybe close Serie A, remove the chairman function, maybe even the academy option. All ifs and buts but in reality it seems the game will finish this Friday and I would like to Thank Richard Jenkins for an enjoyable time.

Its not something you would take on given the chance?
If Richard asked me to and I had the computing capabilities then yes of course I would. However I dont think Richard will be asking and I dont have the computing capabilities.