Sir Alex & Mike Phelan's Conflicting Contradiction

Well it didn't take long for Sir Alex Ferguson to completely blow his Manchester United assistant, Mike Phelan's assertion last week well and truly out of the water. It can't really be much of a surprise, considering what Phelan actually said. I mean, as soon Phelan declared, "we can't dispute the referees decision" after Mark Clattenburg's decision not to take action against Wayne Rooney for the now infamous elbow on James McCarthy, you just knew that in the very close future, exactly that would happen.

Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't exactly hide and shy away when asked about a controversial referee's decision. He has been critical of the men in black many times in the past, whether that be due to a decision made by them that he strongly disagrees with, or even if their fitness is called into question. He doesn't cower in corners when it comes to the men that call the shots. So for Mike Phelan to say after the Wigan game that he and his club (including Sir Alex) could not criticize a referee's decision, well it is a bit rich.

It is even more bizarre once you hear what the Manchester United manager said after the Chelsea game of the referee. It is fair to say, that from his comments, the Scot isn't the biggest fan of Martin Atkinson.
He said:

"You want a fair ref. I don't know how he got this game. I must say, when I saw who it was, I did fear that,"

"We defended badly for the first goal, That was a bad one to lose but the penalty kick was so soft, deary me.

"It's three years in a row that decisions have changed the game here. It was incredible.

"Luiz had done (Javier) Hernandez off the ball and nothing was done. Then he does Rooney, clear as day.

"You are talking about what changed the game in the second half, these are decisions that change the game and he [Atkinson] is going to be refereeing every week!

"I'm proud of my players. They endured a lot of bad decisions against them and they have done their best.

"They [Chelsea] got a lot of decisions that surprised me in a major game like that."

Now if you looked carefully, you may have seen a little criticism of the referee. Okay, okay, there is a lot of criticism aimed at Martin Atkinson. I wonder whether Mike Phelan sees it that way considering his statement earlier about not criticising referees?

Sir Alex's frustration is understandable though, as David Luiz certainly should have seen a red card for at least three very bookable offences.
The first tackle on Michael Carrick was a definite yellow - and he as shown the card. It was a late, vicious and dangerous challenge that had Carrick flying through the air. Then Luiz committed a questionably worse foul on Rooney, as he cynically blocked a run with an outstretched leg. The referee had no obstructions to the incident, but waved lay on. Luiz also blocked Chicharito off the ball, leaving Chicharito lying on the floor thanks to the body check but no action was taken.

Other debateable decisions include the penalty given to win the game in which Yuri Zhirkovic left his leg in looking for the foul from Smalling, and the fact that Vidic was shown red, but not Luiz. All in all, it was a frustrating night for United and Sir Alex, who blew a golden opportunity to move further away from Arsenal in the title race, and leave Chelsea's title hopes languishing in fifth/fourth place.

Arsenal as it happens have a game in hand and now have some well needed confidence as the season edges towards a conclusion and play tonight in an FA Cup replay with Leyton Orient after their loss to Birmingham in the Carling Cup final. Arsenal have now witnessed Manchester United's second loss of the season and will have a chance to inflict the third when the two title challengers come head to head later in the season, which could become a very decisive game in the race for supremacy.

Up next is Liverpool for United, and here's hoping that no controversial referee's decisions will impact the game and that Mike Phelan keeps his dubious statements to himself when in front of BBC cameras.

The Wayne Rooney Elbow - Banned for Chelsea Game?

Sir Alex Ferguson had an amusing view of the Wayne Rooney incident against Wigan. [Watch at bottom]

As a ball was played by Wigan, Rooney chased it, and on his way, McCarthy slightly edged into Rooney's path. As the Manchester United striker ran passed, he raised his elbow and hit the Wigan player in the side off the head. Credit to McCarthy, he didn't go down, rolling around in agony like some players would have done, but he held his head in genuine pain, as it did look as if the connection was harsh.

The referee, Mark Clattenburg - involved in quite a few controversial decisions involving United - gave a free-kick, although it was not entirely clear whether he actually saw the incident. If he had of seen it, I would think he would have given at the very least a yellow card for raising an arm, or very possibly a red, and not just a talking to and a pat on the back.
Sir Alex Ferguson said after the game:

"I have had a chance to see it. There is nothing in it.

"But, what will happen, the question has been asked and because it is Wayne Rooney the press will raise a campaign to get him hung by Tuesday or electrocuted or something like that.

"It is unbelievable. Watch the press. It will be interesting to see it."

It is a biased view, one that is trying to deflect the spotlight from Rooney, and onto the press, but to say that there was "nothing in it", I have to admit is a bit questionable. The United assistant, Mike Phelan said on his Match of the Day interview, "we can't dispute the referees decision". But we can dispute what you just said Mike! Sir Alex isn't always the biggest fan of referee's decisions when they go against him, and regularly disputes their decisions.
The Wigan manager Roberto Martinez obviously had a conflicting view from Ferguson. He said:

"Once you give a free-kick it is quite clear that it is a red card. When you look at the replay, it is quite clear he catches James McCarthy in the face with his elbow."

I am a United fan, and I am afraid I tend to agree with Martinez's evaluation of the incident. Rooney didn't need to raise his elbow - his running pattern showed that his elbows were down by his sides, and as he went past McCarthy, the elbow was raised in an unnatural position.
Unfortunately, it is indefensible when you see it, and he may be in trouble.

After Ferguson stated only his side and Arsenal are in the title race, United travel to Stamford Bridge to try and extend their now four point lead over Arsenal. Arsenal will play in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, and so haven't played this week-end meaning Wengers side will have a game in hand after the Chelsea - United game.

The question is, will Rooney be available for the game against Chelsea on Tuesday? Will he be punished by the FA? Could he be banned? I suppose it depends which way you look at it.

Hamburg Confirm Bid has Been Made for Eljero Elia

Eljero Elia, the Dutch winger playing in the Bundesliga with Hamburg, has been the subject of a solid bid, after several clubs had been reportedly monitoring him over the past few seasons. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been said to be watching the 23 year-old, but it is Wigan Athletic who have been the confirmed bidders.

Hamburg's sporting director Bernhard Reinhardt said:

"We cannot deny there is interest, but there is only one specific offer which came from Wigan to take him on loan for six months. But [we] will not rush to agree to such things. Apart from that, there have been no offers."

Elia is a very pacey winger or striker, and in 2009, he won the prestigious Johan Cruijff Award for "Young Player of the Year" in the Netherlands, and the player not only has skill in abundance, but confidence in that skill too, so much so, he has very real aspirations to play with three of the biggest clubs in the world:

"I have learned a lot in the Bundesliga. I am very grateful to the HSA. HSV is also a top team. But I would love to play for one of the special clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona or Manchester United."

"I played with the Dutch national team at the World Cup and showed what level I can perform at, I passed that test."

Elia has several possibilities to choose from, all really depending on where he thinks his long term future realistically lies. A move to Wigan could potentially be a good move, as he would find first team Premier League games, as well as valuable English football experience.
If he is dreaming of a Manchester United move in the future, there is no better way of getting noticed than playing against them and proving his worth at the highest level with Wigan. However, with Manchester United seemingly having their position covered in Nani, (the injured) Valencia and Ji Sung Park, as well as being strongly linked to a move for Alexis Sanchez, Elia wouldn't be top of United's transfer target list.

Alternatively, Liverpool. The clubs position is quite unstable at the moment, and for a player with a history of attitude problems, a transfer to Anfield may not be his best option.

Time will tell whether this obvious young talent will choose to move to England and possibly fulfil a dream, or stay in Germany with Hamburg, unable to fulfill his big ambitions.

Watch Wigan 2 - 2 Arsenal

Watch the goals below:

Wigan 1 - 0 Arsenal

Watson (Penalty)

Wigan 1 - 1 Arsenal

Arshavin

Wigan 1 - 2 Arsenal

Bendtner

Wigan 2 - 2 Arsenal

Squillaci (Own Goal)

Barclays Premier League Table

Snow Ruins the Football Week-end As Matches are Postponed

Premier League Postponements

Arsenal v Stoke

Birmingham v Newcastle

Liverpool v Fulham

Wigan v Aston Villa

AND
NOW

Chelsea v Manchester United

A week-end of football is destroyed because of masses of snow falling from the sky and settling on and around the grounds - leaving the surrounding areas to dangerous for fans to walk along.
A Liverpool spokesperson said:

"Although the Anfield pitch is playable, the conditions around the stadium and further afield for people travelling to the match are such that the decision was taken, following police advice on safety grounds, to postpone the game. All existing tickets will remain valid for the rearranged fixture and supporters will be advised of the new date as soon as possible."

It is pretty much the same story everywhere else, with the club, referee or local authorities deeming the surrounding area of the stadium too hazardous, despite the best efforts of ground staff.

The postponement of the Arsenal game against Stoke is probably a big disappointment for the Arsenal fans in particular. They would have loved to give Ryan Shawcross a right old rollicking because of the Aaron Ramsey incident, but that will have to be delayed for a little while until a new date is figured out. Arsenal could have also taken advantage ahead of the Chelsea - Manchester United game on Sunday, as a win against Stoke would have put them top of the table, and therefore put more pressure on the two teams to win at Stamford Bridge.
However, now the big game between Chelsea and United has been called off a day in advance because of the weather. It may be seen as good news for some United fans, as it means Paul Scholes, who would have been still recovering from an injury on Sunday, should now be ready to play in the renewed fixture. This snow is changing everything.

Snow, snow, snow. How big a part could it play in the title race?

N'Zogbia to Liverpool?

Charles N'Zogbia of Wigan Athletic has continually been linked with a move away from the DW Stadium, and has even admitted himself that if a bigger, better club came calling, he would happily consider it, describing Wigan as a "stepping stone" to future success.

Liverpool, and their new director of football strategy, Damien Comolli, have already been linked to a few creative midfielders including Marek Hamsik, Eden Hazard and Giovani dos Santos, and are now reportedly interested in signing the Wigan Frenchman in a deal worth a possible £9 million. It is thought that the extra natural width will produce more chances for the strikers - namely, Fernando Torres, as Liverpool seek to gain as many points as possible in their climb back to success.

Ryan Babel has failed to impress for Liverpool since his move from Ajax in 2007, while the striker-turned-winger Dirk Kuyt has a distinct lack of back-up for when he gets injured or needs a rest. Hodgson has apparently registered this, and was reportedly keeping a close eye on 24-year old N'Zogbia in Wigan's recent 2 - 2 draw with Stoke City in which he put in a man of the match performance.

N'Zogbia recently said:

"Wigan's just a stepping stone. They know very well I'm not a player who is going to stay at the club.

"I give 100 per cent on the pitch, but, if there's a bigger club that wants me, the manager and the president have always told me the door is open for discussion."

He has been a major player for Wigan since signing in 2009; he was named Wigan's Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Season for 2009–10, and scored the winning goal against Arsenal in an excellent comeback in April which all but secured struggling Wigan's Premier League status.

Last summer he was given permission to speak to Birmingham City, after a £9 million was accepted by Wigan, but the deal did not materialise. So if he was eager to join Birmingham, surely he will be convinced to join Liverpool - especially as he will then have the chance to play alongside two of the best players in the world in Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. That way,Wigan will have turned out to be the perfect "stepping stone" for the former Newcastle man.