The Ballon d'Or: Ronaldo Regains His Title as Messi Misses Out Again

All football fans focused their attention on Zurich this evening as football's stars of the year took to the red carpet for the 2014 Ballon d'Or. 

Ronaldo's return to the podium was hardly the least surprising event of the evening. His continued dominance on the world stage eclipsed Messi for the second year in a row and other runner-up Manuel Neuer must be pleased with making the top three, although it's a shame we won't be able to call it the 'Ballon Neuer' for the next twelve months.

One German that did win though was national team coach, Joachim Low, who led the country to a storming World Cup in Brazil last summer. He beat Carlo Ancelotti, who having won 'La Decima' with Real Madrid would've felt hard done by, as would Diego Simeone, who managed to lead Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title in what everyone assumed had always assumed was a 'two team league'. Perhaps our managers could take some tips from them. Here's looking at you, Roy.

Whilst coach of the year going to Roy Hodgson would've been a surprise, perhaps an even bigger shock came in the form of some of the players included in the World XI of the year. It threw up some of the most questionable winners since Owen Hargreaves took England Player of 2006 - not as prestigious but equally as puzzling. There were some expected names, with German blockade Neuer still standing in goal and his utilised national team-mate, Philipp Lahm sat in front of him, at left back on this occasion.

David Luiz; the biggest shock to be included in the World XI.

It's important to bare in mind that the World XI was voted for by writers, coaches and most importantly players from around the world, when looking at the majority's decision to pick David Luiz at centre-back, a player who many that voted for him would've weaved in and out of his shambolic defending. On that note Thiago Silva was lucky to be included too, also playing part in the team that shipped seven against Germany on their own turf. Thankfully, Ramos at right back the reclaimed a level of solidity, who despite having a disappointing summer with Spain, has arguably evolved into the most commanding centre back (not right back) in the world. Had he been placed alongside powerhouses Hummels, Kompany or even Godin, then the defence would have looked more convincing. 

In midfield there were two names nailed on; Di Maria and Kroos, who both left and arrived at Real Madrid either side of the summer. Di Maria is the only player within the line-up to currently play in the Premier League, yet the roots of his performances in 2014 lay firmly in Madrid and Brazilian soil where he helped Argentina reach the World Cup Final. Fellow team mate Mascherano could have also been in with a chance as our boy Roy voted for him as his player of the year, but he missed out to Barcelona companion Iniesta in a three man midfield. The ageing Spanish star has undeniably been one of the best players in recent years, but with muted performances last year, when others such as Yaya Toure are tearing teams apart each game, is there any reason why Iniesta still makes the World XI? Perhaps people need to put the memories of 2011 and 2012 Iniesta to one side and focus on more ground-breaking performances like Toure, Pogba and even Muller to contribute to a more up to date team.

Paul Pogba; a player that could make the World XI in the future.

Which leads me onto the front three; a formidable trio. Of course, it would have to be Messi and Ronaldo, but who would accompany the cavalry? Gareth Bale had an outstanding season for Real Madrid, only muted by the likes of Ronaldo playing alongside him, whereas the new Galactico, James Rodriguez, took the World Cup by storm, winning the golden boot in a Colombian shirt, but failing to make a mark just yet in his new Madrid gear. Many will argue that World Cup 2014 poster boy Neymar should've been picked but a few inconsistent performances and injuries have cost him a place. So back to the Premier League, no? Suarez must've been chomping at the bit to get into the line-up, but maybe that was the problem, causing him to be what seems ineligible to vote for. Aguero then surely, or Costa - neither. The most hotly contested place to make the World XI was Arjen Robben, who in my mind was a worthy winner. There are few players I watch who can influence a game like Robben. In a Champions League Final, the European Championships, the World Cup Finals, he can just switch it on, and that's why in my opinion he sits behind Ronaldo and Messi as the most influential footballers today.

Here it is then, the 2014 World XI...                                  

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

                                                       

Right back: Sergio Ramos                                                       

Centre back: David Luiz                                                   

Centre back: Thiago Silva                                                          

Left back: Phillip Lahm                                                             

Midfield: Andres Iniesta                                                           

Midfield: Toni Kroos                                                                
Midfield: Angel Di Maria                                                         

Attack: Lionel Messi                                                                 

Attack: Cristiano Ronaldo                                                       

Attack: Arjen Robben             
                                                  

...and what I think it should've been:

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

Right back: Philipp Lahm

Centre back: Sergio Ramos

Centre back: Vincent Kompany

Left back: David Alaba

Midfield: Yaya Toure

Midfield: Toni Kroos
Midfield: Angel Di Maria

Attack: Lionel Messi

Attack: Cristiano Ronaldo

Attack: Arjen Robben

So that's what the 2014 World XI probably should've looked like, with what appears to be a gentle bias to a couple more Premier League players, but as a Manchester United fan, it speaks volumes to replace Iniesta with Yaya Toure for his performances last year. As for Kompany over Luiz, there's no argument there. One man who did miss out, James Rodriguez, could at least take home the Puskas awards for best goal, beating female Irish footballer, Stephanie Roche's stunning strike for Peamount United last year. As for the rest of women's football, awards went to Wolfsburg's, Ralf Kellermann, for his coaching of the women's side, as his star player Nadine Kessler walked away with the Women's World Player award.

Nadine Kessler collects her award.

All that to round up a year, and our eyes are already firmly fixed on what's to come in 2015. Early indicators look like Carvajal could be mounting a challenge to Lahm's position of right back and an impressive Chelsea team look like they may have at least one player making the world team by the end of the year. For now it looks like Big Sam and Ronald Koeman could be fighting for a place as best coach, but let's not jump to conclusions, twelve more months to go.

From Anfield to America; A Big Mistake?

You'd think nothing could be worse for reds fans after seeing Steven Gerrard's nightmare slip give up the Premier League title last season. The trauma has only continued this season though with Liverpool barely teetering on a Europa League spot when the hardest blow hit.

A decision that surely required more than just a scratch of the head...

On Friday, halfway into their Premier League campaign, Steven Gerrard decided to call it a day at his home for the past 17 years, Anfield. The only glimmer of hope is that Gerrard can perhaps spur a revival and push Liverpool into the Champions League spots before he leaves in five months but that's being more than generous given the team's current run of form.

Having retired from international football after yet another disastrous campaign with England at the World Cup, his head seemed screwed on to stay at Liverpool for at least two or three more seasons, so why has he so easily been allowed to flee the tattered nest?

To Leave?

The KOP just hasn't roared the same this season as it has in previous, especially last year as Liverpool came within clutching distance of their first title in 24 years, and for good reason too. It's hard not to, but if you forget the Suarez effect and the loss of Sturridge to lengthy injuries, the team just aren't all there, and Gerrard has had to take the brunt of a lot of the abuse; some of it being just. It's clear his legs aren't all there, slipping more often than a sugar filled kid on a slip 'n' slide. Gerrard's deeper position in midfield has led to Henderson appearing the more hungry in games, something you wouldn't have said a year or so ago, but something Gerrard and the Liverpool staff must pay attention to.

Will Gerrard be handing his captaincy over to Jordan Henderson come May?

With players such as Henderson looking to make their mark, it has been noted that the distraction and attention on Gerrard's performances could in turn be having a negative effect on the rest of the team who look to get on with their game. The fan's only hope is that Henderson can turn into even just a tenth of what Gerrard became - a hero.

Along with the Gerrard departure, the club is surely going to get a significant amount of money. Hopefully they can reinvest this in players this time that they can nurture and mould into the squad, rather than the mess that happened with their summer signings. 

Or Not To Leave?

A 'legend', the term which has flown around over the past few days, is true of Gerrard's impact on the club. The passion that man has is hard to come by and when the team's down in the dumps all heads turn towards him. If he is to pitter-patter off the team sheet, keep him on the bench, for that sense of reliability to hold a lead, or the kick up the back side the team needs when they're 1-0 down with ten minutes to go. Failing still, Rodgers ought to get him in his back room staff. Look at Giggs at United. Admittedly he's a few years older but the principles still stand. If there's no Carragher or Gerrard in the dressing room then who are you going to turn to? Not Mignolet, I'd assume.

Money aside, the MLS, Gerrard's port of call, is hardly the most challenging league. A couple of years ago he could've fitted snug into a Madrid midfield but now he'll be finding himself investing time into the Hollywood lifestyle and other American sports he'd never bat an eyelid at. All this can be done after retirement, it's not the same as a couple more years of battling in the Premier League. The will power to keep Steven at the club has thus not been of enough importance and they've foolishly let him slip. 

It looks like Gerrard could fill ex-England pal, David Beckham's, boots left at LA Galaxy.

Most surprisingly perhaps, with Balotelli miss-firing and Sturridge still not fit, Gerrard is the team's top goalscorer this season. Consistency is the key. Especially when a player goes down in the box, nine times out of ten Gerrard will nestle the ball into the net. 

Having just scored a double against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup third round, people are commenting, seriously or sarcastically, on why the captain is being allowed to leave at the end of the season. It's probably a thoughtless decision from the club as a whole but hopefully it'll give them room to move forward and you can guarantee Gerrard will be back at Anfield in a few years. One thing's for sure, with the defences he'll face in the MLS, he can be confident he can keep scoring the kind of goals that punished Wimbledon last night.

FanCam: Sheffield United v Notts County

At the end of November I headed down to Bramall Lane to watch a tasty game between Sheffield United and Notts County as they both continued to battle at the top of the table. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and I spoke to fans about their thoughts on the match and the future League Cup Quarter Final against Southampton.

2014; My Point of View

Another year, another clink of champagne glasses and yet another wince towards those soppy summaries of the year which drain social media. It's probably ironic then that I'm writing this, but as I sit here with a stomach rattling like a tumble dryer watching the New Years Premier League fixtures, I thought maybe I should jot down a few memorable things from 2014, for me anyway.

So, where better place to start than football. It's something that follows you every year, for good or for bad. For myself, a Manchester United fan, last year was pretty hard to swallow. I've always been a fan of David Moyes and a firm believer that managers should be given time, but by April the United board had a hard decision to make and gave him the axe. Had he been given another season to settle who knows what could've happened but the fact is that the new man at the helm Van Gaal has boosted a similar squad to perform 7/10 performances and grind out results as opposed to the 3/10 efforts consistently on display last year. Champions League is priority this year, but with more of a grip on transfers hopefully the Dutchman can help the team challenge for the title next season. 

David Moyes; a rabbit in the Old Trafford floodlights.

Elsewhere the league itself last year was one of the best Premier League seasons yet. Unfortunately it was between Manchester City and Liverpool to win the title, with the Reds playing their best football in years. For me, it was hard to watch two teams I don't particularly have savoury comments for compete for the title. City ended up taking it but Liverpool played the best football that season which included fine performances from young Englishmen Sterling and Sturridge. Surely we'd have a chance at the summer's World Cup then? 

The moment it all went downhill for Steven Gerrard in 2014.

Well, it's never easy with England is it. Not that we ever thought we'd go to Brazil and win the most prestigious prize in football, but as the days drew closer and the media produced their usual hype about our team, the pressure got to them and for players of their immense standard they failed to produce the goods. Germany, the old enemy, on the other hand, were marvellous and rightfully won the tournament, thumping Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final on their own turf. As an avid lover of football as a whole, the tournament had it's highlights but was by no means the most entertaining and the Premier League so far this season has mirrored that. It's looking like City and Chelsea to take the title but my eyes are firmly glued on my team still and a 3rd place finish is ideal.

Away from football, there are other things that go on in my life. The passing of my grandmother last Christmas gave me a kick up the backside to become more proactive in everyday life. Anyone who has had a close family member pass away will feel this rather cliche sense to make the most of life as it were. So this year I've been doing stuff... more. It's All Indie has given me a platform to spout my views on music regularly and watch live music free, which is always nice. I've been lucky enough to go to both Live At Leeds Festival and Bestival as well as interviewing indie-giants of the moment, Peace and Catfish And The Bottlemen. Other highlights in music this year include Arctic Monkeys show at Finsbury Park who were supported by breakthrough act of the year, Royal Blood. Their brutal presence was even more noticeable a month later at Glastonbury which I also attended, and it's true what they say, there's no place like Glasto. Bestival also served up a treat of performances through the likes of Foals headline set and Major Lazer's unbeatable live experience. Towards the end of the year I moved up to Sheffield to pursue Journalism and have continued to do what I love best, watching and speaking to bands. A band called, 'Palace' have particularly grabbed my attention this year and one to definitely watch out for in 2015. I spoke to them at a small bar in Sheffield and they seem to be onto big things for anyone remotely into the 'indie' music scene.

The Bestival crowd gets steamy.

Uni has rewarded me with a platform for my nasally voice; my own radio show, 'The View From The Afternoon', again heavily influenced by the music I thrive on. The university's 'Forge TV' has also meant my childhood habits of running around the playground, mic in hand, commentating on football have gone a step further as I've sat in the commentary boxes at Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. Before all of this though came the best three months of my life, hands down. Glastonbury, Bestival, trips to Italy and Barcelona all came about in summer, with a three week stint around Europe's cities with some chums being the cream of the crop. Unusual instances of breaking into hostels and crossing the Turkish border by foot made 2014 a notable year. 

Most people would end the year on a resolution. For me they're often forgotten about 48 hours later but for now I'm paying attention to the old term, 'to not view your glass as half empty'. It's something I am regularly guilty of, which can be hard to avoid when your teams not playing well or it's raining for the twelfth consecutive day up North, but something nonetheless most of us should bare in mind. So to all my family and friends and the strangers who will stumble across this year via my misleading 'search words', happy 2015!

Happy New 'Beer'...

FanCam - Sheffield Wednesday vs Watford

On 18th October 2014, Sheffield Wednesday took on Watford in the Sky Bet Championship. I went down to talk to some fans before and after the match about their club and how they think the season is likely to take shape. Watch below:

England Football Songs; Who Makes The Starting 11?

The moment comes round every (most) couple of years, when we sit down and enjoy, laugh at, cry at and often question the latest song to label our national football team as potential European or World Champions. After all, we need something to keep our hopes aloft and mask our team of consistently under-performing, excuse ridden plonkers.

So, Roy Hodgson, if you've got a headache trying to figure out your starting XI for this year's World Cup, fear not, here's another team of eleven who could potentially fare us in better stead in Brazil this summer. May I introduce the England Songs XI. Filled with familiar characteristics you may see in our players themselves, from the boring and painful individuals, to the vibrant potential and the ones who've got a point to prove.

Goalkeeper

Grandad Roberts And His Son Elvis - 'Meat Pie, Sausage Roll' (1998 World Cup)
An absolute howler as far as any song goes. The not so successful song for England's 1998 World Cup campaign is reminiscent of some of those woeful displays we've seen between our posts in recent years perhaps due to wandering thoughts of meat pies and sausage rolls...

Right Back

Chico - 'It’s England Time' (2010 World Cup)

We'll continue where we left off shall we? Another loose cannon in the defence. The right back position is often said to be the least glamorous of positions, and this 'song' certainly lives up to that, but hey, check out those dance moves and miming.

Centre Back 

Fat Les - 'Vindaloo' (1998 World Cup)

The first of our debatably stable centre back pairing. Is there really more of a hard-nut song than this? Perhaps if our defenders were to shout these lyrics whenever they competed for a header they may strike some sort of strange fear into the opposition.

Centre Back

Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds - 'Three Lions' (1996 European Championship/ 1998 World Cup)

Two versions of this song were made, referencing different players in each making it a legendary anthem for any fan. It screams patriotism and is a fine specimen to captain any England team. Think Moore, think Adams, think Terry. The most classic of England anthems.

Left Back

Take That - 'Greatest Day' (World Cup 2014)

This year's entry was to be England's official World Cup song but has since been allegedly dropped, not good enough eh? It features a cover put together by Gary Barlow, including some of England's past footballing heroes and recent pop stars. It's quite a bland number but if 18 year-old left-back, Luke Shaw, steps foot on Brazilian soil this year, it will surely be his 'greatest day'.

Right Midfield

Dizzee Rascal feat. James Corden - 'Shout' (World Cup 2010)

The right side of midfield needs some flair down the wing, so what better song than this? The adaptation on Tears For Fears 'Shout' sees lyrics changed to 'we need Rooney in tip top condition, Aaron Lennon down the wing like he's on a mission'. If that's not enough to make it one of the best England songs around, then I don't know what is.

Centre Midfield

The Farm - 'All Together Now' (World Cup 1990)
A centre mid to bring the whole team together, this is fitting for the role. One of the more up lifting songs there's been and one which marked England's nearly heroes of Italia '90. Expect to hear this tune being thrown about again this year...

Centre Midfield

Ant & Dec - 'We're On The Ball' (World Cup 2002)
Don't expect to be hearing this again however. For it's time, the witty video and cheeky Geordie vocals were probably the catchiest things around. Just like our central midfielders, they'll need to be on the ball if they're to get anything out of Brazil this summer.

Left Midfield

New Order - 'World In Motion' (World Cup 1990)
Another gem from Italia '90 and one of the best England football songs ever. How a band as big as New Order were convinced to do a World Cup song we'll never know, but boy did they do a great job, recruiting John Barnes' infamous rapping skills with them. Just like John Barnes, it'd fit nicely in left midfield.

Centre Forward

Embrace - 'World At Your Feet' (World Cup 2006)
Probably the 'indiest' track you're going to get in this line up I'm afraid. It's not great, let's be honest. About as painful to listen to as it has been to watch Emile Heskey play up front for our beloved country all these years. 

Centre Forward

Spice Girls feat. England United - '(How Does It Feel To Be) On Top Of The World' (World Cup 1998)
With our strikers constantly needing to prove themselves, hopefully this is how Wayne Rooney will feel come July time... Or maybe not. The song itself is very questionable as the formidable duo of the Spice Girls and Echo And The Bunnymen combine forces to create one of the cheesiest/creepiest videos of all time.

Manager

Bell & Spurling - 'Sven Sven Sven' (2001)
As you know, every team needs a manager, whether they're good or not is another question. Sven Goran Eriksson was just so average, two fellas decided to make a cringeworthy song about him and England's 5-1 victory over Germany in 2001. Cover your eyes, and ears.

What's your favourite England song? Or did your favourite not make our final XI cut? Let us know by commenting below.


By Joshua Shreeve (@JJShreeve)