You’re talking as if his words are to be taken as Gospel. How about other wise and experienced figureheads such as Alan Hansen, Gary Neville, Greame Souness, Jamie Redknapp and a substantial amount of others in the game who think that this is, not just arguably, but most likely the best season of the Premier League’s history thus far? Referring to Moyes, you asked ‘‘care to look into his eyes and disagree?’’

Well, yes I would actually (that’s if he was even disputing that this was the best in 20 years. He may not have been discussing that subject when he was stating that there were better players on these shores 10 years ago. But anything to support your opinion). It’s anyone’s opinion in what they think is the best – it doesn’t mean you’re wrong – but to give a resounding ‘‘no’’ in relation to this is, to use a word of yours, ‘dumb’.

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So what if the players are not ‘technically’ as good as 10 years previously (although I beg to differ). It’s the way the games pan out that is of relevance. And no other season has provided so much drama and defied so many expectations as the one just gone. It is one where many Premier League records have been broken. But it seems you’re forsaking that in favour of players’ technicalities. And before you think, ‘‘oh, but you can witness that kind of drama in the Essex Senior League,’’ this year’s players are not exactly pushovers are they? We want to see great technical players and we have them at our disposal.

Players such as Sergio Aguero, Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Hatem ben Arfa, Juan Mata and many others could have strolled into any Premiership team of 15 years ago, 10 years ago, nine years ago, eight years ago etc…

I wonder if you have changed your mind after Sunday’s drama. I don’t have to say much about that and the other things you mentioned in your article (the high scoring games and the surprising rise of Newcastle United, Swansea and Norwich City). Mind you, I would say Swansea are technically pretty good. Having players with a more successful passing rate than some of those in the current Barcelona side is nothing to be sneezed at. And they were only promoted last year!

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The players have taken a wage cut and manager Ally McCoist has had to devote more time than he would like to things he had no wish to know about. Despite this, Rangers finished the season strongly, scoring 12 goals without reply against fellow top 6 clubs Hearts, St Johnstone and Dundee United. Despite a 10-point deduction they finished a comfortable 11 points ahead of Motherwell. They also recorded a notable victory over Celtic back in March, one which prevented their rivals winning the league at Ibrox. This salvaged little more than prestige but that is a precious commodity in a rivalry a fierce as that which exists between Rangers and Celtic-particularly when one of the teams is enduring an insolvency event.

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Truth be told, Rangers had been stumbling through a far from vintage season prior to entering administration. Despite going unbeaten for 13 games from July through October, they suffered a poor November and December which saw the team drop points against St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Celtic. The apparent league invulnerability prior to that had been punctured by embarrassing defeats in two European competitions and the League Cup. Trying to critically assess the overall performance of the team under McCoist seems churlish given their collective sacrifices and redundant given the uncertainty about how many of the current squad will remain at Ibrox.  Why try and identify areas of improvement when the team may be radically altered come the start of next season?  It seems more appropriate to single out players for praise, especially if they have reminded fans of the purer elements of football that have been obscured by the nonsense of corporate mismanagement.

A season of darkness has made Sone Aluko seem all the brighter. The former Birmingham City player and Nigerian international joined Rangers in November after contributing towards a £150,000 compensation payment to Aberdeen. Aluko is out of contract in the summer but there is the option to take up a two year extension. The uncertainty about the club’s future makes it difficult to predict whether or not this will be exercised but it seems safe to assume that most Rangers fans and manager Ally McCoist would want his services to be retained. His performances have merited a high level of appreciation and his attributes have evoked fond memories of a time when the Ibrox crowds could enjoy more regular displays of virtuoso talent.

The fact that Rangers teams in recent years have largely been characterised by collective endeavour at the expense of the game changing individuals makes Aluko stand out by comparison. This is not to say that Rangers haven’t had quality in their team in recent years: Allan McGregor, Nikica Jelavic, Steven Davis and Steven Naismith are all outstanding players in their own right. But Aluko has the ability to run at players and beat them. This remains one of the most exciting things in football despite, or maybe because of, the impression that it seems to be a declining part of the British game.

He is also lethal from set-pieces and has already scored a number of memorable goals-as testified to by his 3 entries on the shortlist for Rangers’ goal of the season. Aluko seems keen to stay at Rangers despite the off-field problems and the rumours that Rayo Vallecano wanted to take him to Spain. The fans will be hoping that McCoist is allowed to use his considerable charm in an attempt to make Aluko extend his stay in Govan.

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Born in Brussels to Moroccan parents Fellaini signed his first professional contract at 17 with Standard Liege, after having many clubs during his youth career. He went on to make 84 appearances for the club. He joined Everton for a reported club record fee of £15 million in 2008. At the time he was being courted by some of Europe’s elite clubs with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all reportedly watching him closely.

In the next few years the Belgian has been fantastic for Everton. He has also showed versatility. Not only did he play excellently in defensive midfield but because of Everton’s severe lack of attacking options he was deployed behind the striker, making use of his aerial threat to good effect. Something David Moyes has used recently in certain games when searching for a goal, the 4-4 at Old Trafford for example. People see Fellaini as just a big lump who can just tackle and head but after looking closely at his game you see that he has excellent ball control and passing ability.

So I have said he may need to move to the next level, this is not because Everton are a poor side, they are quite the opposite after finishing 7th in the Barclays Premier League. However for Everton to make the next step themselves they need a certain amount of money which it is clear they do not have. So if Fellaini were to leave who needs him?

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There are three teams in England in particular, which I think he could improve vastly. First is Chelsea, they have just had their worst league season under Abramovich’s ownership and even though they could end the season with the FA Cup and a Champions League trophy, they still need re building. If you look at the two players who play in a similar position at Chelsea, Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel. Both of their futures are under threat. Essien was once a world-beater but has not looked the same since some serious injuries and Mikel who has improved in the last few months but is still not that many Chelsea fans answer for the future. Fellaini with all his best years to come would add youth to an ageing squad and fill that position perfectly.

The second team he could improve would be Arsenal. The North Londoners already have an impressive defensive midfielder in Alex Song. However much of his impressive work is in creating chances and going forward leading to questions about his discipline in the holding role. Fellaini would allow Song to continue to express himself whilst forming a formidable tough tackling partnership which could be the steel Arsenal have needed in centre midfield ever since Patrick Viera left. He would also add significant height, which Arsenal lack badly.

Finally I believe he could fit into Manchester United’s midfield. Many talk about the lack of creativity in United’s midfield however I also believe they lack drive. Since Darren Fletcher’s illness they have not had that one tough box to box midfielder which Fellaini is more than capable of being. Tom Cleverly may be the man to fill the creative midfielder role in the future, meaning he would need someone with drive, height an premier league experience next to him in that midfield. No one more perfect than Fellaini.

If anyone were to come in for Fellaini they would have to pay big money after he signed a new five-year contract at Everton in 2011 and David Moyes will be desperate not to lose another one of his top players.

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The Belgium International was recently declared Ligue 1’s Player of the year for a second consecutive season. At the reward ceremony he when prompted as to where he’d be playing next season he responded: “To Manchester, I’ve already said”. I’m sure Oldham Athletic fans are quivering with excitement!

Back in reality, however, Hazard has narrowed his future down to two potential clubs: Manchester United or Manchester City. He’s been flirting with just about every Premier League club all year long and his refusal to commit only helps to cement his reputation as a bit of a floozy.

Why keep fans in suspense like this? It’s difficult to understand what the motive is. That’s until you realise that this is the same man who created this video.

He later added that ‘the decision will be taken soon’ regarding his future.  So what move should he make? Should he link up with Fergie at Old Trafford or join the rising Blue Moon at the Etihad?

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Do United really need another winger? Yes Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-Sung are getting on a little, but there’s still Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Nani competing for two places in the squad. Eden Hazard’s arrival would cost two of these big players a decent amount of playing time. Is Fergie prepared to sideline some of his best performers to give Hazard a chance?

Isn’t Manchester United’s real priority the centre of midfield? Without Paul Scholes in tow next season it’s difficult to see where inspiration will come from. As United look to keep pace with City next season, Fergie will have to make sure he spends his money sensibly. As such, I’m not sure that Hazard is the right man for the job.

But what about City? They too have plenty of wingers. There’s David Silva and Samir Nasri with James Milner and Adam Johnson (who needs more game time) in reserve. It doesn’t seem to make sense for City to buy another player in this position (though this hasn’t stopped them before).

So in answer to the question: who needs Hazard more? I’d say the answer is neither. But who’s most likely to get him? Probably City. Whether or not that would have serious consequences for United remains to be seen.

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But why am I making this strained comparison? According to Ladbrokes, Berbatov is ready to call quits to his Manchester United career and Kenny Dalglish is said to ‘be keen on obtaining the Bulgarian’s services’. So is this a match made in heaven or should King Kenny steer well clear?

One thing’s for certain: Liverpool need a goalscorer – desperately. The Reds only scored 47 goals in 38 games this season, a paltry figure compared to City’s 93. Yes Andy Carroll showed signs of improvement towards the end of the season and Luis Suarez is always capable of grabbing a goal, but it’s clear that this is an area that Liverpool need to address.

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At 31-years-old Berbatov has plenty of Premier League pedigree. He’s scored 48 goals in 107 games for Manchester United and plenty more for Tottenham. In fact, he’s got goals wherever he’s been, grabbing 69 goals in 154 Bayer Leverkusen appearances. Yes, he’s getting on in years, but his goal-scoring form speaks for itself.

Beside he’s never relied on his pace. Berbatov is a technical ace. He can still conjure moments of magic and work the ball in ways that most other footballers simply can’t. He’s probably on the look for the last contract of his career and I can’t think of a good reason why Liverpool should steer clear.

Particularly if he’s not the only signing that Liverpool make in this department. I’d like to see the Reds sell Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez to fund a couple the purchase of a couple of natural goalscorers. If Berbatov is signed alongside a young talent with some form, I can’t see any fans complaining.

He’s nothing like Andy Carroll and whilst he shares some similarities with Luis Suarez, he’s better in the air and has a kind of languid grace about him. He could be the perfect foil for Liverpool’s goalshy strikers.

What’s your take? Would Berbatov be a good signing for Liverpool?

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Levein was quoted in the Sunday Herald as saying: ‘That’s it finished now. I can’t afford to go into this campaign with the same distractions I had in the last one.’ He continued: ‘I’ve looked at a lot of things that we’ve learned from the last qualifiers and what’s really important to me is that we have a group of players who value playing for Scotland.’

It is not unreasonable to question Fletcher’s commitment to playing international football given his apparent unwillingness to be proactive in repairing his damaged relationship with Levein. Despite claiming that the issue was not personal, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that this must have been a contributing factor in straining the relationship.

Fletcher had made only one appearance for Scotland under Levein, a 3-0 friendly defeat to Sweden in August 2010. In total he has 8 Scotland caps and a solitary goal which in a 2-1 victory against Iceland. The dispute stems from Fletcher’s refusal to be considered for selection for a Carling Nations Cup match against Northern Ireland having been unused in three previous internationals. He made his feelings known by texting Frank Reilly, a Scottish Football Association official, to get him to tell Levein that he didn’t want to play. Since then, there has been little indication that reconciliation was imminent.  Neither individual has taken the initiative to repair the relationship, which has been characterised by a mutual coolness rather than outright antagonism.

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Levein has consistently tried to portray himself as open to some sort of resolution without actually taking definitive action.  His public professions left him room to manoeuvre should Fletcher have contacted him in an attempt to facilitate his re-integration. It also diluted some of the criticism from the Tartan Army. It would be fair to say that a section of the Scotland support has been disappointed that Levein has not done more to encourage Fletcher to return to the fold. Fletcher’s goal scoring record with a poor Wolves side has meant that the issue has simmered gently for 15 months rather than receding from view in the way Levein may have hoped. The relative paucity of Scotland’s striking options has also meant that Fletcher’s exploits have seemed all the more impressive by comparison.

Levein continues to favour Kenny Miller but the international career of the Cardiff City striker must be drawing to an imminent close. His work rate and effort have always been impressive, the regularity of his goals less so. Levein has introduced the likes of Queen’s Park Rangers’ Jamie Mackie and Craig Mackail-Smith, the Brighton and Hove Albion striker but Fletcher would be a more substantial addition to his striking options.

Levein can be confident of staying in position for the duration of the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil-barring disaster. This could mean at least another 18 months of international exile for Fletcher and the possibility to missing out on a major international tournament-although this cannot be anticipated with any confidence. It will be interesting to see how he responds to a future scenario that sees him being approached by a different manager. A significant period of self-imposed exile has not been a barrier a successful return to the national team- David Weir has achieved this feat in the recent past.

If Fletcher participated in the Great Britain squad for this summer’s Olympics then that may complicate matters.  In addition to his international troubles, his club career could be classified as uncertain. He has 2 years remaining on his contract at Molineux but it would be surprising if he wasn’t amenable to a transfer should another team bid for his services. He has now suffered relegation from the English top flight on two occasions with two different teams, having previously been relegated with Burnley.

With no international career for the foreseeable future, his priorities may have shifted, with the onus now on his club career to deliver a sense of achievement and status. It remains to be seen whether any Premier League clubs exploit the changed dynamics and make a move for a player who has proven he can score goals for poor teams at the highest level.

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Having to fly out to Boston on Tuesday, Dalglish and assistant Steve Clarke were summoned to hand in an appraisal of the season overall. The dossier included opinions of coaching staff on the players and failings throughout the inconsistent season. Improvements were also suggested but these won’t be carried out by Dalglish following his dismissal.

When Kenny Dalglish returned to Anfield many anticipated that it would herald a return to the glory days of the 1970’s and 80’s.There was cause for optimism when he took over the reigns from Roy Hodgson in January last year. The team’s performances picked up, they motored up the league from a potential relegation scrap and were playing scintillating football living up to the pass and move creed, which had made the team envy of the country during the pinnacle of the club’s history.

Much was expected of Kenny this year having galvanised the team and having spent in excess of one hundred and ten million pounds on new recruitments. A decent cup run and Champions League qualification was seen as imperative. Besides winning the League Cup and getting to the final of the FA Cup, Dalglish has arguably seen the club go even further into the abyss. The majority of his signings have been epic failures and the league position is the lowest since time immemorial. Not to mention the lack of goals and finisher thereof despite the money spent. Interspersed with his interviewing demeanour and the debacle surrounding his defence of Luis Suarez many thought the end was nigh for the wily Scotsman.

Attention now turns to which manager is being lined up to replace the legend and there will be no shortage of suitors. News coming down the grapevine appears to have placed Roberto Martinez as the favourite to take the managerial hot-seat at Anfield. Despite his accomplishments at Wigan and his unflinching loyalty to his chairmen, rejecting the overtures of Aston Villa last summer, the jury is still out on whether or not he can manage a big club. His inexperience in this regard will certainly count against him.

Murmurings have been heard of Rafa Benitez’s return to Liverpool. Given his tactical astuteness, how entrenched he is in European football and ability to attract top quality players, he certainly is an option. Whether or not the Anfield faithful would put up with his boring brand of football and his inability to go for wins in sticky situations is
another matter entirely.

Jurgan Klinsmann and Louis Van Gaal appear to also be in the frame. They both have the experience, have managed top international stars and have forged reputations as leading managers, Louis Van Gaal especially, who has won the Champions League with Ajax and an array of league titles around Europe.

However I like to think the fans would love to have Pep Guardiola manage Liverpool. In spite of his self-imposed year exile from football I think he would be itching to manage a club in the Premier League as he has gone on record as saying. A few months to re-charge the batteries are all that will be required. An established team with history and a spine that only needs a few additions to make it worthy of challenging for Champions League football is just what he requires. Armed with a war chest of fifty to seventy million pounds, he is a big enough name to attract star players to the club given his stature in the game.

Man Utd and Arsenal have two stalwart managers who have been reinvigorated by the challenge of Manchester City winning the league. Chelsea has a culture of sacking managers regularly and Tottenham seem to be stable under Redknapp’s guidance. It appears Liverpool will be a perfect fit for Pep, whether or not he wants to take the job remains to be seen. But I would love for him to be manager of Liverpool.

The expression “squaring the circle” is sometimes used as a metaphor for trying to do the impossible, or to describe a hopeless, meaningless, or vain undertaking. Could this be the position for both Duff & Phelps and the Blue Knights?

How does the metaphor apply to the Blue Knights? For them to square the circle, their wallets would need to match their ambitions. Ambition is clearly a good thing. Life does not give you gifts; you have to go out and try but a bid based on future earnings, even with the best intentions may not be enough.

Duff and Phelps put on the appearance of trying to square the circle at Rangers, to be gamely soldiering on trying to do the impossible, to broker a working deal for the club, but it seems that no matter how many times they try and square the circle at Rangers they do not succeed. So why are the administrators so determined to follow a path which is doomed to failure?

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With Duff and Phelps in charge, there is only one possible outcome – failure – because that is the outcome they have been seeking all along. I think they thought they would just come in and shut the club down, and get out without ‘blood on their hands’, but given the force of opposition, have found themselves in an impossible situation.

Are D&Ps already getting the excuses in? Would the administrators rather be seen as bunglers, like the Dumb and Dumber characters they are so often portrayed as, rather than being seen as collaborators with Craig Whyte in the Rangers takeover? Perhaps the strategy being used by D&P is the lesser of two evils. We can already hear the claims that the job at Rangers is too big for them, that they are in over their heads. Is this the exit strategy that D&Ps are playing? It now seems that D&P have failed in their duty of care as administrators to Rangers and the club now seems to be heading into liquidation: what many believe was the plan along.

Two different scenarios of squaring the circle – one of people trying desperately to find a solution that could be the best possible outcome for Rangers, the other of people trying to prevent a solution while hiding their true motives.

Follow me on Twitter @Cyberted72.

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Those City titans, Kompany, Toure and Hart, were keen to look ahead and state their desire to win the title once again. Since then pundits across the country have been at pains to usher in a period of blue dominance. But are City really set to dominate the game for the foreseeable future?

The argument for makes for compelling evidence. City already have the best squad collectively and individually in the league. In Hart, Kompany, Toure, Silva, Aguero, City have a spine to rival most in Europe and a group of players close to or in their prime. Having now won the title City have the mentality and belief to ruthlessly eradicate the slip-ups of this season. To garner 89 points in a season plagued by off the field turbulences is some feat, City have every chance next season to break 90 points.

Perhaps more importantly they can now attract nearly every target in the world with the huge bargaining power of being the finest team in England and the ability to offer a better wage than anywhere else. In terms of improvement and stature City have almost untrammeled potential. They are primed to break into the elite of European royalty and cement their status. Unless a particular foreign starlet feels a particular affection for a premiership club then City will be his first port of call.

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Another way to look it is to analyze City’s domestic rivals. United are a team in decline in desperate need of a cash injection, however they will find City a formidable obstacle when negotiating transfers. Arsenal remain financially restrained and are unlikely to invest the 70 million needed to get on an even keel. Chelsea could enjoy a last hurrah before a huge rebuilding project is commenced which will leave then in transition next season. Liverpool will have to go back to the drawing board after a campaign of gross underachievement and Totteham look set for another summer of bitter fighting to hold onto their star assets.

It all adds up to one thing then, City have the players to dominate England for a minimum of three years, and as long as the cash flow keeps flowing then it could be longer. However to dominate for a decade would require breaking up this team and building a new one, a task which is always difficult. Just ask Chelsea about the perils of trying to break up a championship winning team. However the real question is whether City can go another level and conquer Europe.

Real Madrid have now gone a decade without winning the Champions League despite spending sums which could make Sheikh Mansour blush. Mancini has silenced his critics in England now he must discard the label of being a European flop. At this stage City remain behind the prime contenders in the C.L. However a couple more big signings will help them bridge the gap. The experience of being eliminated in the group stage will hold them in good stead next year and they will be guaranteed an easier group.

In 2006 it looked as though Chelsea would dominate for a generation, however the plans for world domination were derailed by the emergence of a great United, the sacking of Mourinho followed a succession of managers. At times the ego and intransigence of the players have got in the way of progress, at other times incoming managers have tried to instill a new ethos too quickly. The Abu Dhabi owners seem a little less volatile than their Russian counterpart and they will do well not to interfere needlessly if City are to establish a line of continuity.

City are equipped to dominate for the recent future and they are strong favorites to retain their title. However the dynasties of United and Liverpool were built on a myriad of values, some of which City possess and others they do not. Today City celebrate a defining triumph, however as Kompany pointed out it, the Premiership represents the first brick of the house. A house that will require planning, patience and skill if it is to blossom into the edifice so many think it will.    

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It was Manchester City who won the coveted prize; their first league title in 44 years, a period in which their fans have suffered ridicule on a grand scale. Relegation to the third tier of English football saw them branded as a laughing stock, with even their own staff recognising their problems. Former player, and one time chairman of the club, Francis Lee famously claimed City would ‘win cups for cock-ups’, and Joe Royle, the manager who rescued them from their deepest slump, coined the phrase ‘cityitis’, a word which describes City’s unerring ability to grab defeat from the jaws of victory.

But all that was forgotten as they clinched the biggest prize in English football in the most dramatic of circumstances, scoring two late goals to seal the trophy their fans, players, management and owners had long craved. Manchester United did what they had to do on the final day – beat Sunderland away. Their 1-0 victory had, at one stage, seemed enough to snatch the title from their rivals, but City’s late, late salvo changed it all within minutes, scoring with their 43rd and 44th shots of the match. It seems poetic that the team so often praised for their ability to produce late drama have been usurped in exactly that fashion.

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Roberto Mancini, City’s Italian manager, must now begin to take some long overdue credit.   He took the job when many others were shirking it, coming to a new country to take the reins at a club where expectations had soared due to their new found wealth. Since then, despite success, he has received little praise. When City do well it is to be expected; when they don’t it is a failure on his part. An FA Cup success, qualification for the Champions League, and now a Premiership title, all delivered in the space of two-and-a-half years, mean his excellence deserves to be recognised. He found himself trailing United by 8 points but managed to win the last 6 matches of the season – including a win against United – to take the title. This is a remarkable achievement. You feel if Harry Redknapp, or another similarly well-liked manager, had turned round such a deficit and won the league he’d be carried on the shoulders of journalists through the streets of London. However, Mancini is not afforded such favourable press.

The hard work starts here for Mancini and creating a team capable of dominating for a long time his the task he is charged with and he has an outstanding set of players to achieve this. Vincent Kompany grows in stature every day, with his performances, leadership, professionalism and interview style now a vital part of Manchester City. Every club needs a leader and City have one of the best. the spine of Hart, Kompany, Yaya Toure, Silva and Aguero is the best in the league, and provides a frightening prospect for opposing sides. This City team is young and hungry for more success.

A special mention must also go to Pablo Zabaleta, one of the best full backs and undoubtedly the most valuable utility player in the Premiership; his grit and determination is something City fans will long remember in what has been a tiring campaign. Gareth Barry, who may not feature quite so heavily in a title winning side again as he enters the twilight of his career, has also been excellent. City must now use the momentum this title has created to push on and become even better.

Manchester United also deserve great credit for their season. They have had crippling injuries to deal with, most notably the absence of Nemanja Vidic who, along with Kompany, is the best central defender in English football. Sound logic would suggest if he had been available all season, United may well have been lifting the trophy. Sir Alex Ferguson will spend this summer and United will be a force again next season. Only a side managed by Fergie could have kept pace with such an excellent City side, and they came so close to an unlikely 20th league title.

If city were ever going to become champions of England, one suspected it would be dramatic, heart-in-the-mouth type stuff, but even by their standards this was remarkable. Never will there be a final day quite like yesterday.

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