Some pundits have been calling it the season that makes no sense. Chelsea and United have both stumbled at separate times and neither have truly capitalised leaving it all down to the final weekend. Arsenal have finally faded away despite being written off on countless occasions. The fight for fourth is going right to the wire. Liverpool have had a stinker of season and were expected to challenge on all fronts. Fulham are our only team left in Europe following a marathon campaign and Portsmouth, who nearly went bust, still have a cup final to look forward too, albeit a domestic one. It has been a strange season indeed. Yet the weirdness doesn’t just end there.

Countless players have turned their season and or careers round and are now much more hero than zero. Many who were barracked and booed by their own faithful are now receiving praise across the media and Internet forums alike. Some are even outside bets to make their countries squads for South Africa this summer, ideas that a year ago would have seen you dragged away by the men in white jackets.

There are almost too many players to mention so I will attempt to pick out some of the main ZTH’s (Zero-To-Hero) and I’ll leave the rest of you to discuss away……….

Chelsea may walk away with their first ever Double but not so long ago it seemed Florent Malouda was heading for the exit door at Stamford Bridge. Since his arrival in West London the French midfielder has played under five managers and never really fulfilled his potential. In January he was quoted as saying: “Finding another club is not a problem,” as he worried about his lack of games. Yet since the turn of the year he has been in scintillating form and has now bagged 15 goals this season. He’s finally showing what a quality winger he can be on his day.

Manchester United veterans Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have been criticised for being too old and off the pace. I’ll hold my hands up and admit that I caned Scholes earlier on this season, one of my favourite ever players, but both have been vital in the run-in. Their experience, drive, determination and ability have been decisive factors in keeping United in it until the final day. Scholes has improved as the season has gone on and Neville may be taken to South Africa as cover, even if what pace he had has now gone.

Yet the main ZTH at Old Trafford has been Nani who finally may have convinced the Old Trafford faithful that he is a decent player. Much like Ronaldo, (despite being nowhere near as good) Nani had an indifferent start to his Old Trafford career. Promise, skills and goals were followed quickly by poor games and diving accussations as well as being  labelled a show-pony. Yet while Ronaldo has turned into one of the world’s greatest players his Portuguese counterpart seemed certain to follow him out of Old Trafford after slamming his manager in the press.

Nani said: “Ferguson is a very complicated man. He’s tough. If things are all right, then they are all right. But when he thinks something is wrong, everything is screwed. He can go from complimenting you to just plain trashing you in a matter of minutes. Has it happened to me? Hell, yes! He’ll say ‘Nani, how could you miss this or this’? He shouts at players in front of everyone. No one escapes, everybody is the same. Giggs and Neville suffer most, because they have more experience.”

Nani looked certain to be shipped out yet his transformation since the Arsenal game has been remarkable. His fantastic turn that bamboozled Gael Clichy seemed to fill the wideman with confidence and belief that he is good enough. He’s had a settled run in the side, probably his longest since his arrival, and is now playing like everyone hoped he could. An impudent chip against Spurs was maybe the largest indication that the real Nani has finally landed.

Tottenham have had three big ZTH’s this season with Gomes, Bale and Pavlyuchenko having fantastic spells. Pav couldn’t hit a barn door but went on a great run scoring eight goals in six games in late January, early February. The goals have dried up since but he’s still keeping Crouch out of the team for now. Bale, who just seemed to be a curse, has finally scored goals and been on a winning side for Spurs. Although his defending needs to be improved he has been incredible going forward and ripped Arsenal and Chelsea to shreds with his pace and work-rate. Gomes was called a clown but this year has been more like the star act at the circus. Three tremendous saves against Arsenal stand-out but his improvement has been ten-fold after numerous clangers last campaign.

Across the city Bobby Zamora has had a remarkable season for Fulham, so much so that he might sneak onto that plane to South Africa. Often celebrating goals by directing anger at his own fans the man has truly gone from zero to hero this season, scoring 19-goals along the way. Even though some of the 19 were in the Intertoto Cup and Europa League it is his overall link-up play that has stood out and he’s lead the line superbly for the Cottagers. He’ll be wrapped up in cotton wool in the hope he can feature in the Europa League final next week the least his mammoth efforts deserve.

Other players that have rejuvenated their flagging careers and lives this season are (in no particular order); Steve Carr, Lee Bowyer, Barry Ferguson, Sol Campbell and away from the Premier League the latters team-mate at the start of the season, Lee Hughes. Many of these may never be idolised by anyone, let alone their own fans, but who would have thought their seasons would have turned out so well.

Yet perhaps the biggest ZTH is the ‘wally-with-the-brolly’ over in Holland. Steve McClaren has worked absolute miracles with FC Twente and deserves all the praise he can get for landing them their first ever Eredivisie title.  Some have called him the Messiah. Hero status indeed. Just a shame then however that he’ll probably only ever be a zero in his own country.

As another manager, this time Tony Mowbray, bites the dust you can be forgiven for thinking that Rafa Benitez might actually be a cat. After all the man seems to have had as many lives. On countless occassions he has been written off and seemingly on his way out of Anfield yet much to the disdain of many he still remains. If he’d have lost the whole Kop he may have been sacked already but it’s a credit to the Liverpool supporters that they have stood behind him. In my eyes they should now let him walk alone.

Liverpool have regressed this season after many expected them to be pushing for the title. Last year showed promise and a new belief that the title may finally return to Merseyside after years spent firmly in the shadow of their bitter rivals up the M62. Torres and Gerrard were electric and hopes were high that the Holy Grail could finally be claimed by Benitez. Yet all them dreams have evaporated as this season has spiralled out of control.

Out of the Champions League. Out of the F.A Cup. Out of the Premier League title race. They, Rafa, are some facts. It’s also looking very unlikely that his side will squeak through the Champions League backdoor. Tottenham are four points clear with a game in hand. Man City and Aston Villa, equally inconsistent at the moment, are still fighting for fourth while Everton are making a brave late dash. Had Moyes’ had his troops fit all season they may have even pipped their neighbours. That would have certainly finished the Spaniard off. Guaranteed 4th place. Who were you kidding?

Should Manchester United win their 19th title in May then major bragging rights will be well and truly taken. Liverpool may have reigned supreme in Europe in the past but United have reached the last two finals and could still make a third this time around. The power in English football has certainly shifted since the Premier League began and Liverpool have been left behind. A club that spends so long living in the past should start think about the future.

Rafa Benitez is not the man to bring the title to Anfield. He’s been in English football long enough now to have adapted. He’s not new to this job or the country. Other managers have been given less time and arguably deserved longer. Some of his signings have been truly awful. There have been off-field problems at Anfield but Sir Alex and Carlo Ancelotti keep plugging away with countless issues at their end. Arsene Wenger has had much less to spend than Rafa in the last 5 years and he’s still making a fist of it the title race. Benitez is 18 points off the pace - simply not good enough for a club like Liverpool.

After his side went 2-1 down at Old Trafford last Sunday you would have expected Benitez to have made changes. Staring  down the barrel of defeat he continued to play with two holding midfielders. Where was the bravery? The inspiration? The ideas? Non-existant. He’s failed to get the best out of Steven Gerrard this season who has tried his upmost but failed to make a similar impact to the previous campaign. Fernando Torres has also been injured which has hardly helped and many would argue that United would struggle without Rooney and Chelsea without Drogba. Yet United still have Owen and Berbatov to call upon. Chelsea, Anelka and Kalou. Liverpool are left with David N’gog, a player who has improved ten-fold but is never going to be good enough.

Not good enough is a phrase that suits Rafa Benitez perfectly. With Real Madrid keen on him and Jose Mourinho eyeing up an English return it may be best for Liverpool to cut their losses. Benitez has had plenty of time to get it right and has had some massive highs. Yet this season has been full of horrible lows. With nobody taking control of a topsy-turvy season this could have been Benitez’ best chance to get it right. He hasn’t and for that reason I believe Rafa’s time at Anfield should finally be up this summer.

It’s Wayne’s World

Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life, another match winning performance from the world’s best player as United eased past a sorry AC Milan side consisting of ageing stars, some of whom played their final games on the European stage. Forget David Beckham, this was the Rooney show.

At 24 he has already achieved everything possible in the domestic game. With the World Cup a few months away the whole nation will be pinning their hopes on England’s most gifted player since Gazza.

Rooney’s been simply sensational for Man United this season. He’s well on the way to beating Ronaldo’s tally of 42 goals, who ironically will not be talking part in the Champions League quarter finals after sensationally crashing out after a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu with Lyon.

There are many other aspects of his play that show his all-round improvement. Rooney is now the key figure at United after Ronaldo’s transfer and so much more play goes through him. He is creative, works hard and is learning to lead the line by himself, an interesting alternative for Ferguson and Capello.

Thankfully he also seems to have controlled his temper without losing his will to win. Maybe it’s an age thing. Maybe being made captain on the odd occasion has calmed him down. Some say fatherhood will have mellowed him. Either way it’s a good thing, especially where England are concerned, because Rooney is now more likely to score the winner and less likely to stamp on Ricardo Carvalho’s nether regions.

Rooney is simply United’s heartbeat. He is world-class, a fans favourite and his mere presence lifts the teams and his supporters. Rooney is irreplaceable for United and is becoming as significant as Eric Cantona was for his club, albeit in a different way. Without him it’s fair to say the champions title hopes would be over. Yet it would be a lot worse for England if he were unable to feature in South Africa this summer.

A fully fit Wayne Rooney can terrorise the best defences this summer. He’ll strike fear into teams and is known throughout the world as a top player. He is by far England’s best striker. Imagine going into the tournament with Defoe and Crouch as the front two. It doesn’t bare thinking about.

Yes Gerrard and Cole can play off the striker but neither offer the genuine goal-threat and power of a potent Wayne Rooney. More encouragingly for his country he is becoming more of a ‘striker,’ playing further forward and spending more time with his back to the goal. If Capello needs him to be the target man, he can do it. If he wants him to drop deeper, he can still do so to devastating effect.

United and England both have talented players who will do well this season and summer. Yet many have a decent back-up and similar styled players who can do a decent job if they are out. Rooney is simply irreplaceable because of the way he plays the game, especially in this sort of form. He can probably cope with carrying United through the final stages of the season but let’s hope he leaves enough in the tank for this summer. If he still has enough in his engine the world could be Wayne Rooney’s oyster, and more importantly England’s’, in South Africa this summer.

As Emile Heskey raced through for a one-on-one with Adam Federici I did wonder if the bed-ridden Gabby Agbonglahor had as much chance scoring. I didn’t fancy the big lump finding the back of the net, and by the looks of it neither did he. His tame effort was saved and in that instant Heskey’s season was encapsulated. Plenty of effort but not much end product. Many will argue this has always been the case with the former Leicester striker but up until recently he was seemingly guaranteed a spot in Fabio Capello’s starting 11. Let’s hope the Italian is starting to realise he is simply not worth it.

The Villa front-man has scored only five goals this campaign for his club and didn’t feature in last week’s friendly against Egypt. So what you may ask? Well Heskey has been poor this season. He has also been criticised by his club manager and now faces a battle to keep the popular John Carew out of the side after his excellent hat-trick at the Madjeski. Yes he can do his bit for the team but when you’re looking to win a World Cup that’s hardly reason to pick a player.

I personally believe Heskey should not be on the plane for many reasons. One is simply that he doesn’t score enough goals. That fact has often been over-looked because of how he brings Wayne Rooney into the game, but surely a striker’s main job is to find the net. Wayne Rooney is now in the goalscoring form of his career and has played in a more advanced role this campaign, so much so that he could probably lead the line himself. Rooney no longer needs Heskey to help him as a striker.

If Rooney does need a partner, surely Peter Crouch is a better option? Crouch’s record for England speaks for itself. 20 goals in 37 matches, many from the bench, pushes Crouch ahead of Heskey in the pecking order. Crouch can be Capello’s target-man if he wishes Rooney to have a freer role, while offering more of a goal threat than Heskey can ever dream of.

Rooney and Crouch are dead-certs for the plane. So maybe Heskey can take one of the other places? Well Defoe is ahead of him for a start. So if Capello takes four, does the big-man deserve that final slot? Hardly. Carlton Cole and Bobby Zamora, admittedly less experienced, can play the target-man role and still offer more of a goal threat that the ex-Liverpool striker.

Quite simply I believe Heskey has been lucky to feature in the England side for so long. He has helped Wayne Rooney but it should never have been a reason to keep him in the side.  His protege is now more than good enough to do the job without him. There are better strikers than Heskey. There are strikers that score more goals than Heskey. That’s quite a simple fact. Yet many of those strikers are English too.

While the door of opportunity to score Villa’s fourth on Sunday closed, another door at the airport opened for one of our country’s other marksmen. Let’s hope they continue to push and claim that final place because the last person we want running through for a one-on-one this summer is Emile Heskey.

It’s a debate that not only plagues players and managers but us football fans too. Michael Essien admitted that the African Cup of Nations left him torn between representing his country or his club this January. Chelsea pay his wages, the bread and butter as such, and give him the chance to play in the Champions League which most consider the greatest club competition in the world. Ghana, his country of berth, gives him the chance to make his people proud while featuring in the biggest competitions in world football. The World Cup this summer will not cause players much heartache considering it is played in the close-season but it did bring up an interesting point over a few beers the other day. Would you prefer your club to be successful this season or England to triumph in South Africa?

The debate raged and an answer was never quite reached. After all most of us support our clubs and our national team in equal measure. There are some that have no interest in the national side but most football fans can’t help but get caught up in the countrywide euphoria come tournament time. People who hate football start getting behind the country. There’s little that can create such a wave of pride and collectivity, even if most people claim to hate living in ‘Broken Britain.’

Euro ’96 stands out for many as one of their great childhood experiences. Football’s coming home, summer nights at Wembley in the sun and Gazza’s goal. The heartbreak of that semi-final defeat. Again. It’ll probably happen again this summer but we all live in hope that 2010 could be the new 1966. Yet given the choice of a club title, trophy, promotion or survival over a country success and many can’t decide.

Let’s pick up on a few of the main reasons. Your club is your club. For many it is your local side. For others it’s a club you’ve supported your whole life who you follow all year every year. England hardly play. You choose to love your club but you can’t choose the country you’re born in. Tournaments are over as quickly as they start while a season contains many highs and lows. Many clubs just haven’t had the success in people’s life since supporting them, although much of the same can be said about following England.

One major point that baffles many is the hatred that we show to rival players who we then cheer wholeheartedly when they swap the colour on their shirt to Three Lions of England. Talk about hypocrisy. Screaming abuse at Steven Gerrard because he plays for Liverpool only then to sing his praises when the ‘dirty Scouser’ does the business against U.S.A in the opening game. It all seems a bit two-faced.

Much of it all depends on who you support I guess. Many Man United fans turned against England due to the vilification of David Beckham after his sending-off against Argentina at France ’98. Many other supporters have similar stories. Yet others will support both in equal measures. Fans of successful clubs may have a reason to desire England success that bit less as they get it already at their clubs. Others who follow clubs in lower divisions just want a return to the glory days. They would probably choose club over country.

Personally I find the decision incredibly hard. Yet as I’m off out to South Africa this summer to attend my first World Cup in it’s entirity I’m getting hooked on that pre-tournament buzz. My judgement is slightly clouded as I turn down club tickets to afford a summer away. Now  that we’ve been successful in getting England tickets I want nothing more than to be singing the national anthem in the Quarter-Final in Jo’burg having cheered the boys on throughout the group games and second round game (if they win the group). Out in Africa with thousands supporting the country of our birth.

Yet if I was told that the clubs I support (Man United and King’s Lynn – before the latter folded) would win nothing for England success I just physically couldn’t choose between the two. In an ideal world you’d love both your club and country to win the lot. But given the choice I just can’t decide. Club or country? I  just haven’t got a clue. Club or Country? What do you think?

Fabio Capello dealt with John Terry as quickly as his former skipper apparently lasts in the sack. The tabloid scrum will eventually be forgotten, much like Vanessa Perroncel, once the Three Lions start playing in South Africa this summer. Crisis averted? Probably. Yet Capello has another problem on the horizon even if this one has nothing to do with how faithful one of his first-choice centre-halves is.

For years England’s problem has been filling the left side of its midfield. Yet as the World Cup fast approaches there is a worrying void, this time on the right side. Before we even begin to consider the dilemma over the right-back position, Capello has a serious headache over who to pick in a role that for years belonged to David Beckham.

Aaron Lennon had been in scintillating form for Spurs. Finally turning his undoubted promise into end product. Admittedly he was yet to perform at that level for England, but few could doubt that the little speed demon was well on his way to becoming first choice. Lennon then went and got injured and he now faces a fight to make the plane. Even if he does make the squad, Capello has already  urged caution on picking players who have hardly featured. It’s why Rio Ferdinand has been so desperate to return for United and Michael Owen now realises that he has little to no chance of climbing aboard.

Behind Lennon in the pecking order was Shaun Wright-Phillips, (who is hardly a regular at Man City) David Beckham (who is getting older and older) and James Milner, a player who is now relishing in a central role for Villa. Milner could arguably still do a job out wide but will Capello want a player out there whose mindset has been on influencing games from the centre of the park.

We then come to the problem of Theo Walcott. A hat-trick against Croatia had him in every one’s good books. Since then he’s disappeared up his own, or in yesterday’s case Ashley Cole’s, backside. Recurring injuries, doubts in his own ability and a lack of game time means even he may struggle to make the final squad.

The void is becoming that large that after his recent improvement David Bentley is apparently making a late charge for the plane. Worrying indeed.

In an ideal world Aaron Lennon will return, find his form and sparkle on the world stage. If he doesn’t, Capello has a massive choice ahead of him about who to play on the right side of his midfield. It’s a tough choice to make. If he gets it right England could have a serious chance. If he gets it wrong that side of England’s team will be about as safe your wife around John Terry.

Some players defy their age to excel well into their final years. Ryan Giggs continues to re-invent himself and dictate the outcome of matches. Players like Teddy Sheringham never needed to worry about losing their pace and continued to do what they always had. Others slide down the footballing ladder and ply their trade at lower division or Non-League clubs. Some retire before their legacy is ruined. Others refuse to give up, although they probably should do for the sake of their reputations.

Paul Scholes is one such man. I find it hard to admit that one of my favourite players is no longer the power he once was. Like a battered pair of trainers that we just refuse to throw out, or staying with a girlfriend that we no longer care about – Scholes has passed his sell-by-date. It almost breaks my heart to see him wandering about a football pitch instead of retiring to a quiet life full of fantastic memories.

The ginger maestro was a magician at the peak of his powers. One of the best attacking midfielders in Europe, if not the world, was universally liked for everything apart from his tackling. Respected and feared by all, Scholes scored goals and sprayed the ball around with unbelievable precision. He was a true great, a pleasure to watch and will rightly go down as a Manchester United legend.

Yet he continues to stain his legacy by performing nowhere near the levels he once reached. I’m not sure if Scholes can’t let go, or that he and Alex Ferguson still believes he is good enough. I’m not sure which ones’ judgement is more clouded. This is the same Sir Alex remember, who once said there is no room in football for sentimentality. He’s certainly being sentimental to Scholes.

Scholes disappears from games, is half a yard-slow and has given the ball away more times this season than in the last ten combined. He doesn’t deserve to start matches, he plays against lesser teams and still only shows flashes in those games. Quite frankly he is knackered. He is playing like a ropey 50-year-old woman, out on the lash, who still thinks she can pull the men that she used to. She, and Scholes, will  continue to go home empty handed.

Scholes should retire at the end of the season. His contract shouldn’t get renewed if he doesn’t anyway.  He will get a great send-off from all involved within the game for his great years. Yet, I’m worried the love affair will continue to turn sour as he makes the mistake of playing on when he is half the man he once was. I just wish United would have broken up with him a few months earlier, living off the happy memories rather than prolonging a relationship that should have ended while things were still good.

Alex Ferguson has rebuilt and rebuilt at Old Trafford. He has overcome almost everything that anyone has thrown at him so talk of him deserving the sack is ridiculous. Yet like any United fan, I saw Leeds’ win coming weeks ago and few could say they didn’t deserve it on the day. So  just what is going wrong at the ‘Theatre of Dreams?’

Firstly, no team in the world can expect to sell Ronaldo and improve. Couple that with fan-favourite Carlos Tevez turning his back on the Stretford End faithful and the squad is considerably weaker than last year. Ferguson’s replacements Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen have shown glimpses of their potential, but they are never going to be better than the two players they have replaced.

It’s also clear that a lot of the so-called ‘new generation’ are just not good enough. Wellbeck has failed to live up to all the hype and is Frazier Campbell in the making. Obertan may improve with time but must offer much more than his dismal showing against Leeds. Darron Gibson could do a Darren Fletcher and finally show us what Ferguson sees in him, but at the moment he is inconsistent and much like Michael Carrick struggles to influence a game for a full 90 minutes.

Nani is on his way off, and is quite frankly an insult to Fergie’s legacy. Anderson amazes and frustrates in equal measures and has failed to really push on like many hoped. Carrick has gone backwards. All have hardly been helped by Ferguson’s inadequacy to name the same midfield, or side, for the past 100 games. Long gone are the days of Beckham, Scholes, Keane and Giggs playing most if not all games. Sir Alex is probably not sure of his best midfield.

Three of the clubs heroes are now on their last legs. Giggs is by far in the best shape and form, but can’t do it every week. Paul Scholes, one of the best midfielders of his era, is really on the wane, and Gary Neville would no longer be first choice, let alone second.

Many of the other squad players are now simply horribly average or might definitely take a couple of years to improve. See Rafael, Evans, Kusczak, Brown, Fabio, Park  and O’Shea to name a few. Were May, Butt, Blomqvist, Fortune and the four strikers of the treble-season much better players than today’s squad?

Injuries haven’t helped, especially in defence, but in years gone by United’s second-string would be plenty good enough. Maybe the rest of the Premier League has finally caught up?

United fans can hardly complain. Years of success and brilliance has seen them still in second place in the Premier League. Through to the Carling Cup Semi’s. AC Milan in the Champions League. Many fans would give their left testicle for such a season. Yet success breeds greediness. Chelsea, despite being top, were booed off in a display that would have mortified the Shed Enders of yester-year.

Only the most stupid would turn on Alex Ferguson, but at the same time, only the most stupid would fail to realise that United have been well below-par this season. Rooney, Giggs, Fletcher and Evra aside, most players have been inconsistent. Tottenham away and the second-half of Man City at home were high points. Arsenal should have won at Old Trafford. Low points include three home defeats in the last six at O.T. and seven in all competitions. Dimitar Berbatov continues to infuriate by showing touches of his quality and then completely disappearing. Opinion is divided on the £30 million man. Will he ever reproduce his Spurs form or convince all of his worth? Moping about next to the tiresome Rooney only continues to make him look worse. It’s worrying times for all in the red-half of Manchester, as their blue neighbours improve financially as well as on the pitch. United are saddled with more debt than they are average players.

United always bounce back – or so the expression goes. So it’ll be interesting to see what side is picked to play fierce rivals Man City. After losing to Leeds, a defeat against Man City would be a bitter pill to swallow for the diehard Reds who frequent the Bishop’s Blaize among other local watering holes. If United win the title this year it may be his biggest achievement yet. For the meantime Alex Ferguson will be desperate to end the week well, just as desperately as everyone else hopes it ends badly.

Despite being hyped up by the British press as the games great saviour, Fabio Capello will really earn his corn over the next six months. Obviously it all gets serious now as the build up to South Africa begins and the Italian starts finalising the squad in his mind. Few can doubt he’s done a good job – and many applaud his disciplinarian attitude. Yet everyone seems to have overlooked how difficult it will still be for our national side this summer.

Firstly, our so-called number one has been injured for weeks. Many have said David James is too old and unreliable, but frankly he is the most experienced keeper in the best of an average bunch. He needs to get playing soon before he misses the plane completely. Robert Green has suffered a dip in form recently, while Paul Robinson is doing his best to remind people why he was ever England number one in the first place. England’s top keeper on form at the moment is Joe Hart, but his lack of big game experience may make Capello hesitant in picking him. I’d be very surprised if he shot from nowhere to number one.

A number of key players are off form or not even featuring for their clubs. Rio Ferdinand’s back never seems to get any better. Lennon, Wright-Phillips and Walcott  have spent periods on the sidelines and Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are well below-par for their clubs compared to their usual exploits. Let’s hope they’re saving it for the summer.

But England’s main problem is clearly at right-back. Glen Johnson is out and might not be back until April, causing problems for the manager who said he would only pick regular performers. Despite being excellent going forward I’m still not convinced about his defensive ability. Gary Neville, once a dead-cert on the team sheet, is on his last legs and his compatriot Wes Brown has hardly covered himself in glory recently. He was vile against Brazil, and was then torn apart in Sunday’s F.A Cup game by a League One striker. Luke Young is distinctly average and his superb team-mate James Milner may even be a better, if not ideal option.

Wayne Rooney is carrying Man United and many fear he may burn himself out.  After all he has to do the work of two men as Berbatov continues to walk through his Old Trafford career. If he does, England could really struggle with a partnership of Defoe and Crouch, who although combining well for Spurs, would hardly instill fear into the world’s best defences.

Of course, it’s reasonable to be cautious and pessimistic in a run up to the World Cup. I head out to South Africa more in hope than expectation. Every side is one big injury away from having their dreams ruined. Yet, as we all prepare to get out the English flags this Summer before being told to put them away by the PC brigade, it’s worth noting that England are a long-way from being in the best shape. Let’s just cross everything that Capello is really worth the obscene sum that the F.A pay him.

Over 50 bosses have lost their jobs in 2009. From Jimmy Mullen of Walsall on January 10th to Gary Megson’s two days ago it’s been another manic year on the managerial merry-go-round. It would hardly surprise me if someone got itchy fingers over Christmas and sacked someone before the New Year such is the current madness of boards around the country.

Clubs seem to forget it takes time to get success. Everybody knows full well how different things could have been at Old Trafford had Fergie been sacked after his poor early record. Martin O’Neill, one of those surely safe, admitted: “It is crazy. In any other industry you’d be given time to do the job.”

Time doesn’t stretch longer than the last 90 minutes in football. Managers are in and out of the door before you even know it. With results and success instantly wanted, whose head is next on the chopping block?

Alex Ferguson, Martin O’Neill, Harry Redknapp, Alex McCleish and Roy Hodgson can surely walk around with their heads held high. Even though madness is rife, these five must feel safer than Britain’s roads. Carson Yeung wouldn’t be stupid enough to sack his Scottish boss with Birmingham unbeaten in nine games. Hodgson has steered Fulham into the last 32 of the Europa Cup and has done wonders at Craven Cottage. Redknapp and O’Neill are pushing to break into the top four and Sir Alex is……well, Sir Alex.

A few managers should feel reasonably comfortable. Ancelotti’s Chelsea are top, although Abramovich has shown his ruthless streak before. If he cracks Europe there’s no way he’ll go. Pulis is turning Stoke into a hard side to beat. McCarthy has probably done enough – even if those above him are said to be upset with his rotation policy. Avram Grant might even crack a smile if Portsmouth continue to improve under him.

Arsene Wenger has had serious questions asked of him, but his side can go second if they win their game in hand. He’s turned Arsenal into one of the most pleasing sides in Europe, and although he has no Plan B, Plan A should see him through especially if he signs a striker and or midfielder in January. It’s fair to say they’re still well and truly part of the title race.

Managers like Owen Coyle, Sam Allardyce and Roberto Martinez have to make sure they don’t slip up before they fall into the category of managers who are hoping for a much better new year.

David Moyes has been fantastic at Everton, but this season for many reasons has been dreadful. If their form doesn’t improve dramatically – Bill Kenwright might decide for a fresh approach after years of progress. Maybe Moyes has hit a wall? You would expect them to improve in 2010 – but will it still be enough?

Phil Brown looked certain to be sacked before a Jimmy Bullard inspired Hull rallied to move out of the bottom three. Without him they look a different side. Adam Pearson might still not fancy his perma-tanned manager if Hull continue to slip into the Brown stuff.

 Zola, despite being universally liked, seems to have hit the curse of countless Hammers’ bosses. Good first season, dreadful second. Both will nervously be looking over their shoulder, as will Steve Bruce whose Sunderland side have really hit a wall. Quinn’s football experience might make Bruce safer than Zola.

Roberto Mancini walks into the most pressurised job in the Premier League knowing he will be gone if his side don’t reach the top four. He will probably spend millions in January, heaping even more pressure on a club that is turning into football’s biggest circus.

Yet the star of any Premier League circus is its biggest clown. Christmas 2009′s lead act is - Rafa “I guarantee we’ll finish fourth” Benitez. Liverpool are out of the Champions League, out of the title race and out of ideas. An average side with little money to seemingly spend. They face an almighty task to reach the Champions League next season. If they don’t, surely Benitez’ time is up. While the Anfield faithful continue to sing his name he might survive by the skin of his teeth. Yet when they turn on him, Benitez will surely be enjoying an unhappy New Year on the managerial scrapheap.

Who do you think will be the first top-flight manager to go in 2010?

The lists have been made, the hints have been dropped but again we’re all hoping that we don’t get another pair of socks for Christmas. Some of us want the smallest things – a CD or DVD – while many (usually women) want the finest jewellery that money can buy. Others, like the fans of King’s Lynn FC, just want their club back.

Norfolk’s second biggest club were officially wound up by the High Court over an unpaid tax bill of £67,000 in late November. After 130 proud years The Linnets, often described as a ‘sleeping giant’ of the Non-League game, no longer ceased to exist.  Just over three years ago the club hosted Oldham in front of the Sky camera’s at The Walks in front of a crowd of 5,400. The F.A Cup created a buzz and financial safety. Where did all that money go? How did it end up like this? Many fans will never know.

Fans do know however that they were kept in the dark. After surviving their first season in the Blue Square North, King’s Lynn were demoted due to ground requirements. Having visted countless Non-League holes over the years I can assure you that The Walks is like Wembley compared to many. Yet, promises were made, and not kept. Players left, Keith Webb the manager left and not for the first time in my 22-years on planet earth the future looked bleak for my local Non-League side.

Carl Heggs, a much-travelled striker who has played for West Brom amongst others, rode into town. Based in the Midlands, he built the club from scratch on a significantly smaller budget than usually seen at Lynn. Long gone were the days of ex-pro’s such as Julian Joachim coming for one final pay day. Heggs wanted young and hungry players, many of whom had been released from professional clubs, to re-build their careers, starting at The Walks.

After a dreadful start, Heggs turned Lynn into a fantastic side that scored goals for fun, and were challenging for top spot in the Unibond Premier League. Boxing Day should have seen a local derby with fierce rivals Boston United, had we known how bad the problems were.

Instead of coming out in the press and admitting mistakes had been made, the board relied on ‘verbal agreements’ regarding the payment of said tax bill. With ego’s at stake, those running the club forgot the most important part of it, the supporters. With the highest average attendance in the league you would expect enough money raised through the gates to operate on. Some clubs at Lynn’s level survive on attendances around the 200 mark. Fans continued to pour through the gates believing the club were heading back to where they belong. Little did they know the dream was about to disappear.

The bombshell hit when the current board, led by Ken Bobbins and Michael Chinn, admitted they were struggling to meet the tax bill. It was all too late. No chance for fundraising, help from other clubs, appeals in the Non-League paper, nothing. Lynn died in front of our very eyes in a matter of days.

It shouldn’t have happened, but it has. Clubs have gone to the wall, moved location and been purchased by Americans intent on heaping debt on once proud sides now called global brands. Other clubs will go. People get blamed, mistakes are made, but as we reach the time of festive joy, there is genuine hope for the future.

Lynn’s ground was owned by the West Norfolk Council. This meant it could not be sold and will remain for a future club that is certain to rise from the ashes. A new side can start two rungs lower and has four current options willing to run it.

David Handley, a former member of the board who fell out spectacularly with Chinn, Bobbins and Co’, has pledged £1million to set-up and run a new club. Many have doubts especially after financial promises for countless years. He has however said: “I can understand why people might be wary but I can promise you I wouldn’t make the same mistakes as the previous board. Trust has to be earned and you have to be given the chance to earn that. All I can do is show the council what assets I have got and what my plans are and if they make me their choice then I can prove it to the fans as we go along.”

Fans who are desperate for the club to reform would treat any saviour like a God. Local speedway chief Buster Chapman has thrown his hat into the ring, giving a further soul investor. Yet, it’s the latter two options that are causing a stir in the local area.

A local consortium is one thing, with many members evidently keen to share the financial weight. Local people, more money and a real sense of what the fans want. Yet, the group that is attracting all the interest is the Blue and Gold Trust, made up only of fans.

The brave initiative hopes to see the B&G Trust run the club itself. A club for the fans, run by the fans. It has worked before in certain senses with Ebbsfleet United and FC United. Could it work again? Will fans hearts rule their heads? One thing is for certain, they love the club and will do everything they can to make sure football remains in King’s Lynn.

King’s Lynn is a town that needs a football club. Many, like myself, have grown up following professional clubs, but adopted Lynn as a ‘second’ side, bordering a joint first. Few can doubt the pride felt in your local side doing well. As we enter the festive season of fixtures, spare a thought for those of us who won’t be watching games this Boxing Day. However bad things get, at least you have a club. And maybe, if Santa delivers what we are looking for – we’ll have one again this time next year too.

Few could be forgiven for thinking that Mick McCarthy had fielded his Under Eight side and not his reserves at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Following the 3-0 defeat everyone has had a pop at the former Ireland boss. The press, the pundits, his fans and even Arsene Wenger managed to see his wrongs. The Premier League wants answers. Fans want their money back. Is anyone willing to stick up for McCarthy?

Well the answer is yes, and rightly so. Chief Executive Jez Moxey stated that the starting line-up still contained four full internationals, three capped Under-21’s and their current player of the season Kevin Foley. Wolves legend Steve Bull believes fans have to be realistic.

Wolves needed a minor miracle to win at Old Trafford. Surely even the most loyal Molineux regular would understand that. United were coming off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Villa and always bounce back well. A full strength Wolves side would have still needed a lot of luck to get anything from the game. United may have had an off day, these things happen, but you wouldn’t have put money on it.

In the modern game where rotation is the norm, McCarthy shuffled his pack to the extreme. In his eyes, Sunday’s game against Burnley was far more important. This is a game they could and probably should win considering the Clarets’ miserable away form this term. His players will now be fresh, having escaped needless potential for injuries and now as a result have a better chance of getting three points this weekend.

Every manager makes changes. It is impossible to keep the same 11 every week. Few complain when Ferguson sends out Gibson, Brown, Owen and Nani, all of whom wouldn’t usually make his starting XI. Few would have complained had Wolves gone to United and picked up a point with a weakened side.

The travelling support had good reason to be miffed at the team selection. It would feel like a kick in the teeth to travel up north and shell out money to see a second rate team play. Yet come the end of the season, if they survive, they’ll soon forget about their ‘surrender’ at Old Trafford. They visited in hope rather than expectation. Players like Andrew Surman impressed and have now given McCarthy some more options for the long relegation battle ahead.

Other managers would understand what McCarthy did. Wenger would have said nothing had his Arsenal side won at Burnley. If he spent more time sorting out his faltering side and less worrying about who Mick McCarthy picks, maybe they might actually push for the title.

At the end of the day, Mick McCarthy is the boss of Wolverhampton Wanderers. He makes decisions for himself and the club that employ him. These decisions will never please everybody. Yet, if Wolves beat Burnley on Sunday, those in gold and black will be ecstatic. Ecstatic that they have picked up three points from a game they might not have won had his players featured against United on Wednesday.