Andy Gray - Sky Sports Expert

Stick or twist?

Andy Gray says the title is United's to lose...

Posted: 02nd May 2008 14:11

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Avram Grant Alex Ferguson
I think if Sir Alex Ferguson was coming into the last week of the season knowing that if he beats West Ham at home and Wigan away the title's there's he would've taken that all day long.

Andy Gray on the title race
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Teams

The title race is still on and one thing's for certain, there's no room for error for Manchester United.

I think if Sir Alex Ferguson was coming into the last week of the season knowing that if he beats Wigan away the title's theirs' he would've taken that all day long.

A win may not even be required on the last day as Chelsea travel to Newcastle on Monday and that's no gimme, so I think that Manchester United will be very confident that they can see the job through.

Chelsea have done well to push them as far as they have, but I do think it would be a big surprise to everyone if United don't win the title from this position.

After Saturday's win over West Ham, Manchester United hand the baton to Chelsea who have to go to St James' Park against a resurgent Newcastle side.

So that wont be easy, especially after a hugely emotional and physically draining Champions League semi-final.

But they have until Monday, an extra couple of days to recharge the batteries and rest up, so that will be good for them.

Twitchy

If Chelsea do beat Newcastle, then Man Utd have a twitchy last game of the season against Wigan away, on that horrible bumpy pitch. It might be a bit lively and bobbly, it might not be conducive to United's style of play and it might test them.

Wigan held Arsenal at the JJB, they drew with Liverpool at Anfield, so they're no mugs and United will have to play well to beat Steve Bruce's side.

So if Chelsea manage to take Manchester United to the last day then it could be a nervy 90 minutes for the champions, but I would still expect them to come out on top, but maybe not without a little twist and turn during the afternoon.

Great for Grant

It has been a great week for Avram Grant, he has won two huge games against United last Saturday and against Liverpool in midweek.

The accusation levelled at Grant has been that he hasn't won big games. He lost at Old Trafford, lost at the Emirates and lost the Carling Cup final.

But, his substitutions against Arsenal turned it around for them as they came from a goal down to win 2-1, and then of course he won the two must-win games against United and Liverpool.

You can't really do an awful lot more than that. This Chelsea team are never going to play with the flair of Manchester United or Arsenal because of the players they've got - they're more of a functional team, but they play 'winning football' and there's not a lot wrong with that!

Confidence

During a title run-in it can be hugely nerve wracking - and confidence is the key. At Everton in 1984-85 I remember us going to Tottenham at a real crucial stage and everyone was saying it was a title decider.

We went down to White Hart Lane as a team that had never won the league, but we went there full of confidence and belief and we ended up beating them 2-1 and went on to win the title quite comfortably.

And both Manchester United and Chelsea will have that confidence and belief to go on and win their last two games, that's why they're first and second in the league, because they have that belief in their own ability and confidence about their play.

I think it has been a very good season this year in respect that the other teams have made it more difficult to win. In the last three or four seasons the winners have not lost many, of course Arsenal didn't lose any in 2004 and Chelsea only lost one the following season, but United have lost five this season.

You can lose four or five games now and still win the title and that suggests that other teams have stepped up and made it more difficult for the teams at the top.

It's been closer this season, with Arsenal just a fraction away from making this a real three-horse race going into the final week.

Strong

Having an all-English Champions League final is testament to how strong the Premier League is. I would call the Premier League the most powerful league in the world - it might not be the best, it might not be everyone's cup of tea, it might not have the flamboyance of La Liga, but it does have an intensity that no other league possesses.

We should get used to this as I would be surprised if there isn't a Premier League side or two in most Champions League semi-finals from now on, certainly for the foreseeable future.

They are that powerful, they are that strong, they do tempt the best players in the world, so we should get used to seeing Premier League sides right at the sharp end of the Champions League for a good few seasons to come.

Do you agree with Andy Gray? Let us know what you think by using the feedback form below.

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Comments

Peter Hughes (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Everyone is talking of Man United slipping up at Wigan and handing the title to Chelsea. Not one mention of Bolton. Remember last season? Bolton are now on a high having achieved Premiership status for another year. Final game, their tails are up, nothing to lose ......who knows?

Posted 12:50 9th May 2008

Marty Blee (Chelsea fan) says...

I believe that Wigan will cause a huge upset and draw with Utd and leave Chelsea what is rightfully theres :D And no thanks 2 west ham on saturday!! But we knew that would happen!! Cough FIX Cough!! lol

Posted 22:10 6th May 2008

Craig White (Manchester United fan) says...

I've followed Fergie since his St Mirren days. I think his forte is motivator supreme. Tactically, he can only be as good as the very best, which would win him on average 1 in 3 or 4 leagues/cups. What would win him everything, is where he is head and shoulders over everyone (motivator). If he plays tactics against Chelsea, there is every chance they will continue to lose, as Man U won't be playing their natural game, but Chelsea's. Tactics will always mean he'll be needing bailed out with last ditch onslaughts/goals (like against Bayern). C'mon Fergie, forget about the tactical complex. You can do it.

Posted 21:16 6th May 2008

Fola Michael (Chelsea fan) says...

I am Chelsea supporter and i am really looking forward to the last day of the season. I believe the game at wigan will be a bit nervy for man u as the pitch is not the best for any top side to play on. We also have to watch out for bolton becos they ended our premier league ambition last year but this year nothing more than 3 points will be good enough. On the champions league final, i think it's 50/50 but i believe we can beat united to the cup if we concentrate well and show some bravery like we have shown in the last 3 games. I am still not very convinced with Mr Grant but we will wait and see what the board will do. Common chelsea, lets do the double over united.

Posted 18:03 6th May 2008

Michael Tweddle (Chelsea fan) says...

The PL title has been Uniteds to lose for at least the last 5 matches and they appear to have done their best to entertain in this regard. Chelsea must get 3 points at Newcastle to take it to the wire! Not too easy. Wigan have have a knack of getting home draws and then it could be down to the wire but I fear Keegan can prevent that scenario. For Moscow re read FA cup final 2007 (painfull) and it will be the individual mistake or piece of brilliance between two finally balanced teams on the day. None of which should determine the future of Avram Grant, Chelsea must determine is he a future Alex Ferguson and make the decision on that scale. David Moyes I think would have won the title with either squad!

Posted 07:17 5th May 2008

Runar B (Manchester United fan) says...

Great blog. Even though Chelsea won Utd in the Premium league it will mean nothing in Moscow. Both team come out to win there and it is 50/50 situation. My believe Utd has slight more confident to finish it and win. As for the Premium league Utd will win the last game and be crowned champions. They know the taste of it and wont let it skip out of their hands. It could even be known before the last game as Chelsea could easily lost to Newcastle. What I find interesting is that how many forget that fringe players which have come in in the rest have played well. Fletcher, O'Shea have done better now than last season. Hargreaves has also slotted well in and is growing in confidence and we will see much more of him and better football from him next season. Just like Ballack this season. All in it's double for Utd and none for Chelsea.

Posted 23:32 4th May 2008

Ameya Joshi (Manchester United fan) says...

I think Mr. Gray is right. It can be pretty nervy at the end of the season and I think that is something that Sir Alex knows how to handle. We all know the tense and nervy ending to the 2003-04 season where premiership title seemed very distant from Old Trafford when United clinched it from Arsenal's jaws. Anyways one of the reasons why I think Sir Alex put a rather surprising lineup at Stamford Bridge was the largely looming Barca game. He knew that he can loose the tie and still win the Premiership in the last two weeks, but there was no looking back for the Barca game and that was a must win situation. Not just because it was a Champions League final birth at stake, but also for the fact that the fans deserved it after seeing the team being toyed around in Milan last year in the same stage. So I believe he took a chance on the Chelsea game and believed that he could win the last two games (which has been half-proved) and saved his players for the Semifinal. Lastly, I think Grant deserves a lot of credit for taking the team to where they stand. I myself was very much skeptical about who he was and how was he going to fill in the shoes of the "special one", but he has kept his faith, done his stuff and worked hard to get the team to Moscow. As John Terry said last week, he cant see any reason why Grant should not be managing Chelsea next season, and I could not have agreed more with him. The very fact that Frank Lampard has also agreed to stay in Chelsea has also bolstered, if not confirmed, Grant's position. Now the decision is with Mr. Roman to make..

Posted 22:50 4th May 2008

Steve Whatley (Chelsea fan) says...

The tiitle race is virtualy over unfortunately from my point of view being a Chelsea fan,drawing at home to Wigan killed off our chances two weeks ago.Although Man utd have looked a little bit wobbly in the past few weeks,I feel they do deserve to be Champions again.It has been a really good Premier league this season,with it being a two horse race at one point then a three horse race then back to a two near the end of the season.Arsenal were fantastic for most of the season and if Wenger can keep his key players for next season then they will certainly be challenging for the title next season. As for the Champions league final,it will be a close game as both sides are playing very well.I feel it really is a 50/50 call as to who will come out on top, hopefully it will be Chelsea and then we might finally start to be taken more seriously.

Posted 13:10 4th May 2008

Roohul Haque (Manchester United fan) says...

im a united fan and i beleive that united deserve what they have got. they in the champions league final and probbably the premierleague champions. theyve fought all the way till the end. and why eeryone saying that avarham grant is not a good maneger. lok what he has done i cna remember at one stage in the season everybody were saying that chelsea were out of it and the title was for arsenal and united but now look what look has grant has done. hes bought them all the way till the champions league final and you never know they could become the premier league champions this year.

Posted 09:47 4th May 2008

Jin Xiao (Chelsea fan) says...

I really don't kown the future about AG, but his ability and brave will help him keep the job in blues, it's hard to tell now at least. Let's see what happen in the next 2 or 3weeks, two teams will show us the answer.

Posted 01:54 4th May 2008

Douglas Luna (Chelsea fan) says...

Chelsea will win the league this year because wigan always produces results during big games as said by Andy Gray. The momentum being carried by the blues right now is too strong to just stop with the champions league in their hands. Personally though I fully believe that The Blues will win the Champions league outright 2-1, but being that the league is in the red devils hands I can See Man-Utd taking the league home. But only on goal diffrence

Posted 20:23 3rd May 2008

Michael Dimude (Manchester United fan) says...

Spot on Andy! arguably the best ever blog I have read on this site.

Posted 16:37 3rd May 2008

Olawunmi Raji (Manchester United fan) says...

I belief Man Utd are going to win the league back to back. With their game at home to West Ham and last day away game at JJB. I dont see Chelsea having a smooth run against New Castle. That is going to be a plus for United. About Champions league. I think it will be Man Utd turn over Chelsea. I told a friend before the 1st leg Chelsea at Anfield that Liverpool have gone away with win against chelsea. I know it is going to be chelsea turn this time and no matter the tempo of the games. It was chelsea turn. I know this time is going to be Man Utd turn in Moscow against Chelsea.

Posted 16:15 3rd May 2008

Peter Postlethwaite (Manchester United fan) says...

There were a lot of people questioning Manchester Utd after the recent spell of results, but those games weren't easy, and those teams aren't as easy to beat this season, especially away from home. But we've come out today and took the game to West ham without a hint of hesitation or nervousness confirming our intentions of reclaiming our title. Wigan away will definitely be a tougher game, especially if they need anything from it, but i fully expect us to come through and reclaim our crown... and deservedly so. If it wasn't for a couple of last gasp goal line clearances and a debatable penalty decision we would already be there!

Posted 15:26 3rd May 2008

Paulo Gomes (Manchester United fan) says...

Hi Andy I very much agree with you and i cant help feeling that this season will go to the last game - lets face it Chelsea are masters are nicking a goal and i can see them doing that at Newcastle. There have been some awsome teams in the prem league this season but not just because I am a man u fan - but at one stage we were 16th in the table after a few games with a few injuries and we are top of the table now.. and on that merit alone we more than deserve to be where we are and on the champions league final as well.. The best bit - we can make the double but what will make sweeter than anything else - we will take the double from Chelsea ;-)

Posted 08:39 3rd May 2008

Ronak Daya (Chelsea fan) says...

I am a Chelsea supporter and will be the first to admit that i was wrong about Avram Grant... He came in with his sleepy look and there was no way he was going to get immediate acceptance after the special one... but over time, I have seen different sides of him and can't help but like the guy... He has done really well to perform inspite of everything that is going on...I really wish that it was in our hands to win the title because after the start that we had to the season, to be where we are in the table, it would be an awesome feat to win the title...The champions league final is going to be epic and hopefully Roman will have enough reason to party, come May 21st...go blues!!!

Posted 06:14 3rd May 2008

Justin Marginet (Manchester United fan) says...

I fully agree, the final push of the season is going to be tight and nervy, but i fully believe Man U can come out on top. Ronaldo tends to play best against mid to low table opposition, and if he's in the scoring mood there will be no stopping the Red Devils, wobbly pitch or no. Chelsea are going to be extremely driven to win these final games, and they almost certainly will with Lampard and Drogba having great link up play as of late, and Ballack showing the form he had back in Germany. As for the Champions League i do believe the English clubs will continue to set the pace and feature in the latter stages of the competition, however some showings of top clubs from other country's were dreadful this season, and i'm hoping for a more diverse field next season.

Posted 02:01 3rd May 2008

David Waller (Manchester United fan) says...

I agree with Andy. I think with the win against Barca, Uniteds' momentum is back on track, morale is high and that's very crucial because it has put Man Utd in the right state of mind for the rest of the season. It might be tight against West Ham but we can go into the game full of confidence after the win over Barca and I am sure if we get the first goal it will be a comfortable home victory. I think we will go out all guns blazing for these last 2 Premiership games. As long as key players stay fit, I can't see why would get beat of West Ham or Wigan.

Posted 17:34 2nd May 2008

Sam G. (Manchester United fan) says...

Spot on once again Andy. However, I think that it will be difficult for both United and Chelsea this weekend. I think Mr. Grant is an intelligent coach and is evident from the way he's tried to pump up West Ham by stating the friendship to Fergie and the comments of Alan Curbishly. Unlike last season's home defeat for United against the Hammers, Tevez is playing against West Ham and not for them. I still think that United have missed an out-and-out striker this season. While Ronaldo, Ronney and Tevez have scored tonnes of goals, I think that they still miss a powerful Center Forward. Chelsea have Drogba to hold the play and players like Lampard and Joe Cole then feed off him. Saha, when fit, which he rarely is nowadays, would be a great options in tough games where possession is of great importance. I think United's counter attack would've been much better at Camp Nou has United got a powerful striker up front. All contemplation aside, EPL title is United's to lose. I can't see Chelsea losing their last 2 games against much weaker oppositions. And United do look nervy in the last 15 minutes. I'm not a great fan of Ronaldo's moaning. I think he over does it. When the best player in the team does that, the confidence goes down. I think he still has 2 more years to be a leader on the pitch as Giggs was for United in big games. Everything said, if United can field their strongest team for the last 3 games, they will win the double. I don't think even the multi-millionaire United footballers would want to cry over what might have been. My predictions for the last 3 games: Man Utd 3-1 West Ham; Wigan 2-4 Man Utd; Man Utd 3-1 Chelsea. If Man Utd try to replicate their performance against Barca, United will lose to Chelsea as Lampard and Ballack won't miss the chances that Deco threw away. If Ronaldo can inspire United for the double, he will definitely seal both the Ballon D'Or and FIFA World Player for the 2007-08 season.

Posted 15:29 2nd May 2008

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