F.A CUP FINAL PREVIEW...The Latics aim to end their season on a high, while Manchester City cannot let this sl

                                                                                      



Today's F.A Cup Final is a David v Goliath and ROBERTO V ROBERTO affair. Manchester City and Wigan lurk horns at the biggest Stadium in Britain this afternoon to determine who takes the F.A Cup home. Roberto Martinez, an early favourite to take over when David Moyes moves to Manchester, has done well as helmsman of the Latics since his arrival from Swansea four years ago. Relegation battles have been won, although this season's might be a different matter entirely. Today's match represents a rare opportunity to win their first top flight title in 81 years of existence.

Dave Whelan is expected to lead out his charges in what will be an emotional occasion for him. The team is however bereft of some of its most important players. The likes of Ivan Ramis and Maynor Figueroa are out of the season with leg and groin injuries. Antolin Alcaraz faces a race to be fit for this crunch encounter and Jean Beausejour is a major doubt too.

Manchester City have a full strength squad to pick from and they were further boosted by the news that Influential midfielder, Yaya Toure is ready for this afternoon's battle after the Ivorian declared himself fit. Apart from Scott Sinclair who was operated upon following a blood clot in his shoulder, Roberto Mancini has a complete set of players to choose from. The Italian has confirmed that want-away goaltender, Costel Pantilimon will be in goal instead of Joe Hart. Whether there will be other surprises, we are yet to find out.


MANCHESTER CITY PROBABLE LINEUP-
Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Milner, Silva, Tevez, Dzeko

Gareth Barry and James Milner are having the season of their careers. On a personal level, they are firing on all cylinders and putting in spectacular showings. This has made them automatic picks in the last 3-4 months. Barry is keeping out Javi Garcia from the team and has done extremely well in his position. Edin Dzeko is MCFC's highest goal scorer this season and is ready to fire them to their 6th F.A Cup triumph which will be one behind Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa's haul of 7. Someway behind Arsenal's 10 and MUFC's 11. The Serbia-Belgium defensive partnership will continue at the Wembley Stadium. They have been classy this season.

WIGAN ATHLETIC PROBABLE LINEUP-
Joel, Boyce, Caldwell, Scharner, Espinoza, McCarthy, Watson, McArthur, McManaman, Kone, Maloney

The three pronged frontline who I coined the 'MACKONEY' have shone brightly in the last couple of months. Take away McManaman's horror tackle on Newcastle's Haidara two months ago, the dude has exploded on the scene and it was his goal that sealed Wigan's passage to today's final. Shaun Maloney and Arouna Kone have led from the front this season, scoring vital goals and creating many others to ensure the team avoid relegation and win their 1st piece of top flight silverware.Ben Watson is back and probably better. Joel keeps his place in goal and Paul Scharner and Gary Caldwell will hope to stop the likes of Tevez, Aguero, Dzeko, et al. Some task that. Wigan can become the lowest ranked side to lift the F.A Cup in 33 years (since West Ham who were in Tier 2, defeated Arsenal in 1980).

THE STAGE IS SET...LET THE PERFORMERS EMERGE..............

Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

Teary-eyed, I salute the departing Great Glaswegian Genius whose name is synonymous with MANCHESTER UNITED.

I went about my normal duties on a very wonderful Wednesday morning, hoping that all things will fall into place and the day that started so gracefully, would end even better. However, sadly, it was not to be. I was in the bank that morning when the news came in and confirmed all the rumours which started the day before. It read--- 'SIR ALEX FERGUSON CALLS TIME ON HIS MANCHESTER UNITED CAREER'. The bombshell instantly shook and shocked me beyond my bones. The day I most dreaded in my entire football life was staring me in the face in the most extraordinarily devastating manner. I never imagined that this day would ever ever come...at least not at a time when we were thinking of mounting a serious challenge for next season's UCL title after the extremely infuriating way we bowed out this term and preparing to literally set Britain ablaze on Sunday and Monday in celebration of our 20th English League title.

The Managerial demigod drinking to the 20th

Born on new year's eve in 1941, the great man began his managerial journey some 39 years ago at East Stirling and passed through St Mirren and Aberdeen before eventually reaching the touchline of Manchester United. He ignored the overtures of Arsenal, Spurs, Rangers, Wolves, and Liverpool to take over at the Theatre which was in a sorry state at the time of his arrival in November 1986. He met the red devils 2nd from bottom in the English 1st Division and ended his first season with the club in 11th place. A creditable position. This was the beginning of a long period of absolute success, although it didn't start until 1990 when the F.A Cup was won. His 1st trophy as Manager of Manchester United. Before then, the Scot was almost sacked by the club after a terrible run of form that saw them winless in 8 games, with six of them ending in defeat. The fans came up with a banner which read 'Three years of excuses and its still crap...Ta ra Fergie'. Journalists were also vociferous in their dislike and unappreciation of the job done so far. Fergie had enjoyed so much success in his career to that point and was somewhat in a new situation. He described December 1989 as the darkest period of his career until that point. The European Cup Winners Cup came a year after and that was it. The red army kept marching on and titles came season after season, year after year, campaign after campaign.  The FERGIE DYNASTY was built with so much success and pure excellence. From Jim Leighton to Shinji Kagawa, the esteemed Legend has managed some of the most talented footballers on the planet and accolades have followed.

When it became clear that perhaps the Greatest Manager the World will ever see, is stepping down on May 19, tributes began to pour in. Richard Scudamore of the Premier League, Greg Dyke, the F.A Chairman-elect, and many other notable figures within the game, have paid respect to the great career Fergie has had and his unrivalled contributions to the British game. The man has touched so many lives, changed so many destinies, created others, and transformed MANCHESTER UNITED to one of the most SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL CLUBS in the World on and off the pitch. He made the 20-time English Champions the most supported team on Earth and unearthed some of Football's most talented professionals. Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Keane are just few examples. He's had great men by his side all of these 26+ years. The likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Archie Knox, Walter Smith, Carlos Queiroz, Martin Edwards, David Gill, Peter Kenyon, Greg Dyke, Gerry Cox, etc have supported him over the years and made him feel comfortable and secure.

People call his retirement the end of an era. I disagree. It is the end of a lifetime. I do not know what will become of my beloved Manchester United after the West Brom game. The club acted swiftly, sealing the deal to bring David Moyes from Everton to replace the irreplaceable. The 50 year spent 11 years with the Blues of Merseyside  and won nothing. All we hear is he stabilized he club and breathed a new lease of life into the team. He worked with a tight budget and had a great interest in youth and academy players, promoting some of them and giving them a chance to show what they are capable of. He is also said to be strong-willed, determined, and very disciplined. He is always in control of things and according to the Board, he fits the bill perfectly. Let's wait and see.

Next Sunday's match at the Hawthorns will be Fergie's 1500th as MUFC boss and painfully, his last ever as a manager. It will be a scene of emotions and tears which is set to start in two days when the occasion is supposed to be that of excitement, joy and jubilation. Old Trafford will be unusually quiet when the Swansea match gets underway and eventually ends. Celebrations will take place nonetheless, but it will be lowkey and the focus and attention will be on Fergie rather than the trophy we have worked very hard to win. Surely, the man knows when best to take decisions. It is said that the BEST OF MEN leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. None could be louder than Sunday. The jamboree will be noisier than any that has ever been witnessed, but the mood will be down.

Players like Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa who signed just under a year ago will feel really upset by this development. Even the carousal of a premier League winners medal can't be enough to console them. Wilfried Zaha who has yet to kick a ball for his new club, will never get the chance to work under the Greatest Football Manager of all time. Something that must have swayed his decision to join the red army. Sometimes, what we propose, God feels the need to rearrange.

Sir Alex Ferguson embodies(d) everything Manchester United. The future without him is bleak at the moment, until proven otherwise. When he appears at Old Trafford for the last time on Sunday, even his worst enemies will be in awe and admiration of his infinite, all conquering physique and powers which he used to rule the English game for the best part of 20 years. The undisputed Numero Uno of British Football Managers is actually bowing out of a game he loved and excelled in for almost 40 years. Whatever his reasons are or might be, he must have taken them for the interest of himself and his family. Afterall, he had always put the club and supporters first for a long time now. His retirement U-Turn in 2002 signalled another push for that Historic 19th crown. The one most treasured by all United supporters. He told the media that his major aim was to knock Liverpool off their f*cking perch and they could go ahead and print it. He is the motivator in chief, the master tactician, the old dinosaur, and above all, the most trustworthy friend you could ever have.

Stern looking..Retirement has come unexpectedly.

The great Sir Alex has always treated everyone around the Club as one big family and held each person in high esteem from the groundsmen to the grand commanders. Sir Bobby Charlton was effusive in his appreciation of the fantastic job the Super Scot has put in at the club and stated that he made his job much easier because there was no need to reevaluate anything. Success has become part and parcel of the club since Mark Robbins scored that goal at the City ground in 1990. It is widely believed that the now Huddersfield managers' goal is the reason we celebrate the myth called Chapman.



Many of us, passionate fans, might NEVER get over this sudden, below the belt blow.....Except of course David Moyes continues from where SAF stopped----Competing for every Title on offer and winning a fair bit.

We cannot do more or less than to wish the PEERLESS, INIMITABLE, UNMATCHED, INCOMPARABLE, OUTSTANDING AND UNPARAGONED LEGEND OF THE SPORT a happy Life as he moves upstairs at the Theatre which he superlatively turned to one of dreams and miracles. He lived the dream...He made do his pledge of delivering Manchester United the 19th (2011) and the 20th on April 22, 2013....Liverpool are now 2 behind and we have the bragging rights. GRACIAS CAMPEON!!!!!!!!!!!!! Manchester United and indeed the entire World will indubitably and undoubtedly miss you. It might take eternity to actually come to terms with the fact that you will never be on the touchline again or sit in that comfortable Audi seat. WE WILL MISS YOU BOSS! Tears won't ever be enough. #THANKYOUSIRALEX

Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990

GERMANY HOLD THE ACES....BUT SPAIN WON'T GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT....ITS TIME FOR BATTLE...UCL SEMI FINAL 2ND LEG PREVIEW!

As the great Sir Alex Ferguson would say--'It is squeaky bum time'. Indeed it is. Anyone who saw Germany's demolition of Spain last week will not disagree with the aforementioned statement. However, last week was for Germany to revel in and be proud. It is time for retribution.


                                                                 


Jose  Mourinho has faced very hard times vs German teams in his Career. Although his 2nd European Success was against Bayern Munich when he was Inter boss, he has not fared well against German opposition. The Portuguese has never won a Champions League game in Germany and that streak continued last week when the Schwarzgelben of German Football destroyed his beloved Real Madrid by four LEWANDOWSKI goals to CR7's one. It was a triumph worthy of praise from all and sundry involved in the beautiful game of soccer. Jurgen Klopp's tactics worked wonders and his team were almost perfect on that historic night in Ruhr. Today is a different scenario. Dortmund come to the Santiago Bernabeu in a bid to  complete the demolition job. REAL MADRID are prepared to ensure that is not the case.

The merengues warmed up for this very important tie with a 2-1 win over capital rivals, Atletico at the Vicente Calderon to stretch their unbeaten run against the Rojiblancos to 14 years and 25 games. The win also ensured that Jose Mourinho's 100% record in Capital derbies remains intact. The Great coach has won all matches against Atletico since he assumed office. Latest dad, Angel Di Maria gave his daughter and wife a perfect gift by scoring a sweet winner on Saturday. Mou rested a host of regulars and CR7 didn't feature at all. The Champions League top scorer is battling to be fit for tonight's hugely crucial encounter and even though his manager has declared him ready to play, he might not be completely fit. Mesut Ozil, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao were all rested.

Borussia Dortmund also rested a few of their stellar names for this fixture. Last week's hero, Lewandowski only made it from the bench in the second half, but could not extend his scoring sequence to 13 Bundesliga games. Sahin's belter and Kuba's neat finish were all that Klopp needed to come away with a 2-1 victory at Fortuna and be all guns blazing for this game. Al the big boys will be expected to start this evening when they come face to face with a team they have got the better of 2 out of 3 times already this season.

Jose Mourinho is aware of how daunting the task is tonight. He echoed Director and Madrid Legend, Butragueno's sentiments that this is the most important match of the last 10 years for the whites and only qualification will be deemed appropriate at the end of proceedings. The great orator that Jose is, attempted to reduce the pressure on him by saying when the team succeeds, the glory belongs to everyone, but when they lose, it is the manager's fault. This isn't new and he as an experienced campaigner should know that it is the duty of the tactician to ensure victory at any cost and when he falls short of expectation , he must talk the blame. Simple. He added that some of the greatest managers in World football have not yet won the Champions League or didn't win at all (He must have been referring to Arsene Wenger). He has won two and thanks God for it and will go all out to win a third. Failure is not an option tonight as the Madrid hierarchy will not be kind enough to let him exceed this season. Three straight semi final appearances is equal to success in any other place, except THE BERNABEU. The dream of LA DECIMA has long been conceived and they want it to be turned into reality. Another German team stands in their way and this time, the task is very difficult to accomplish. Not after that insipid show of disgrace last Wednesday. A match Jose called a 'friendly' from his team's perspective. Some unnecessary stuff cropped out of nowhere to overshadow this much anticipated duel. The German media dropped a rather stupid headline that Mourinho told Klopp he is heading to Chelsea in the summer. Klopp denied bitterly that this was ever the case and Mourinho dismissed it affirmatively.  He however refused to say whether he will remain at the helm next season and when asked about the Ancelotti to Real rumour, he was bemused. 'Whatever be the case, I am not in the right position to answer this....the question should be directed at Madrid'...he said.

All that aside, REAL MADRID have it all to do this night. A great performance can go a long way to bury the demons that resurrected at the Signa Iduna last week. If they overcome this deficit and reach Wembley, it will be hailed as possibly the greatest comeback in Sporting history. As for Klopp, he knows that only a 'MIRACLE' can deny his team that Wembley appointment. He is well groomed for this kind of occasion. Watch as events unfold.

PROBABLE LINEUPS-
REAL MADRID-\
Diego Lopez, Essien, Ramos, Varane, Coentrao,  Khedira, Alonso, Ozil, Di Maria, Higuain, CR7

The big dogs are bark and should bark loudly later today. Essien had a torrid time in the group stage match v Dortmund in Germany, but Mourinho trust shim to do a job on either ROLLS REUS or Bayern bound Gotze. Pepe was utter garbage in Germany. I don;t expect him to be played again in defence. Varane and Ramos have been great as a pair and should continue. It is Lewandowski they are attempting to keep quiet. Something that is now an almost impossible job nowadays. CR7 once again leads the hunt for the goals needed to earn Real a final berth. Pipita and Angel will assist in that regard. Alonso has to boss that midfield. Gundogan and Bender made him look like an amateur the last time. Mesut Ozil in his more favoured position as an AMF (Attacking Midfielder) will have a better game. he rarely under-performs in two straight outings. Diego Lopez will yet again be picked ahead of Iker Casillas and Luka Modric most certainly will be on the bench.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND-
Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Gundogan, Bender, Gotze, REUS, Kuba, LEWANDOWSKI

The Polish predator is in Town. The fear of Robert is the beginning of respect. His four goals against Real Madrid is in my opinion, the best individual showing in European Club Football in many years. Not even a moron will bet against him not finding the net yet again tonight. The deadly duo of Reus and Gotze have all the talent necessary to devour Real. Gundogan and Bender must replicate the greatness they showed in Germany to foil the Khedira-Modric-Alonso unit. Now Ozil enters the equation and Modric drops out.

Cristiano Ronaldo has not scored a penalty in this competition yet...He is the top marksman with 12 goals...Robert Lewandowski is next with 10...Messi on 8, Muller on 7.






                                        


Tomorrow night at the Nou Camp. Barcelona will require a performance much better than the Milan one to have any chance of making it to Wembley for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. That might be a tall order for even the greatest European club of the last 5 years. A 4-0 deficit to any club is mammoth. Against a great club like Bayern Munich and versus possibly the greatest Bayern side ever assembled (will be unarguable if they win the treble), it is simple gargantuan. 'Osram' Heynckes has built a great side filled with some of the most technically gifted footballers of this generation and a well oiled machine. The 4-0 clobbering of Barcelona last week sent many stern messages and statements of intent to those who harbour any ambition of upstaging the Roten anytime soon. From defence to midfield to attack, they were dominant. Despite Barcelona's superior possession which is always the case, the Bavarians were bullish and ruthless at the same time, destroying the Catalans at every given opportunity. Tomorrow will be a totally different story..at least that's what Barca hope for.

On a personal level. I do not see how the Blaugrana can score five without reply. Unthinkable that Bayern with their attacking excellence, will be shut out by a makeshift Barcelona rearguard. It remains to be seen. Bayern defeated Freiburg by a Shaqiri goal at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, while Barcelona earned a point at San Mames vs a hard working Bilbao side full of energy and industry. It took the introduction of Leo Messi yet again to give the Spanish champions-elect the needed spark. He scored a fabulous solo goal and assisted another as Barca went from 1-0 down to 2-1 up, until Ander Herrera met a Fernando Lloremte knock down to score what would would be the game's last goal. That sort of heroics and the ones against Arsenal (scored four goals), Bayer Leverkusen (scored five), and A.C Milan (scored two) will be much needed if they are to have even the slightest sniff against Bayern Munich when the whistle blows tomorrow night. The likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets were reduced to mere spectators at the Inflatable boat. But we all know they are a different proposition at the Nou Camp. An early goal will help their cause....Nevertheless, the big QUESTION is- Can they stop Bayern from scoring? That is left for us to find out.

PROBABLE LINEUPS-
BARCELONA-
Valdes, Alves, Pique, Abidal, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Pedro, Messi

Fabregas is never called up for the big games and his case has been made even worse because he is now a false nine-a position MESSI currently occupies. Who in the World can displace EL PULGA? no one I know  or have possibly known. David Villa was left bewildered in Germany. A place on the bench is the likeliest occurrence. Abidal comes into the defence hopefully and Adriano deputises for the suspended Alba who will be very happy he is not going to face ARJEN ROBBEN again after what happened the last time. Leo Messi is fit again and that should be worrying for Bayern. At the Nou Camp, he is virtually unplayable, devastating and heavenly. He scores goals for fun and assists effortlessly in Catalonia.

BAYERN MUNICH-
Neuer, Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, SCWEINSTEIGER, Muller, Robben, Ribery, Mandzukic

The ROBBERY (Robben and Ribery) gang of Bavaria will be in town tomorrow. Aided by Bastian, Martinez, Mario Mandzukic, (who returns from a one game ban) and the indefatigable Thomas Muller, the aim is to reach Wembley where one foot already lies. To finish the job, they need to better their all round display of last week. The Croatian Mario returns to displace the German one, Javi Martinez, Schweini, Dante and Philipp Lahm are one yellow away from missing the Wembley showpiece if they get there. Gomez and Guatavo who will be on the bench are also at risk. The FORMER missed last year's final and wouldn't want a repeat. Heynckes has stated that he will play all of them irrespective of the risks involved. The main objective is to reach WEMBLEY. Any way it is achieved is of little consequence. But then again, arriving at London's biggest stadium without your key men might put paid to your chances of righting the wrongs of last season. Let's be seated yeah!

Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990