An ode to the Bull.

In comparison with his more illustrious colleagues, John Hayes does not gather as much ink as perhaps he should. On the eve of his hundredth cap for Ireland however many have eulogised about his career and hinted at the end of it. Praise, though, has never been effusive for the Bruff native. Many have questioned his scrummaging, others his ball-carrying but his place has never been in doubt for Ireland or Munster.

There are many wondrous moments usually dominated by Paul O'Connell on match-day in green or red. Modern day camera's in slo-mo and HD get up close to the line-out and capture an athlete straining every sinew to nick opposition ball. The camera never tells the whole story however. Look below O'Connell, the man who gives Superman his wings is Hayes. His line-out lifting is the best in the world. A one man fork-lift who launches his second-row into the heavens. It is an attribute that should have been used by the Lions in the summer.

In all probability. Hayes will lead out Ireland this afternoon. Taking his place front and centre before disappearing into the coalface. That is where he is happiest. The man down below, turning the wheel that makes the carousal go round.

Maverick man Berbatov continue's to divide

There are few player's plying their trade in Europe that polarize opinion as much as Dimitar Berbatov. For some, he is a maverick talent, capable of abrupt poetry in the midst of the maelstrom that is the English premiership. For others his inability to garnish his natural talent with diligent work renders him a liability. The assertion has also been made that a side such as United are at their most potent when playing with pace, highlighted by their scatter-gun assault on Arsenal two weeks ago. With Wayne Rooney at his bulldog best, supported by Nani and Ji-sung Park, Arsenal were rendered helpless by the force of United's counter-attacking. The argument goes that a player such as Berbatov does not possess the pace needed to supplement such a game and there is merit in this. Berbatov is at his most effective playing at the edge of the box, using his balance and natural control to find space where others cannot. His game is not built for the counter attack but United need more than one way to play and the Bulgarian offers them one.

As Sir Alex Ferguson was closing in on Berbatov he remarked that “We have made a bid for one player who would enhance us a great deal.” That he believed Berbatov would enhance the then champions of Europe shows just how highly Ferguson rated him. A plan must have been hatched in Ferguson's mind to utilise the unique gifts of the Bulgarian, especially having watched him demonstrate those gifts against United. The comparison with that other Ferguson project; Seba Veron is valid. Both were mercurial players whose talents need to be channeled properly. Perhaps Ferguson, aware of his failure to evolve his side after the triumph of 99, felt that he needed a different threat. But many at the time of the signing wondered with Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo all still at United, was it a star too much? Berbatov, despite some sublime moments and a decent goal return struggled to fit into the side. This season was suppose to herald a new beginning for him and despite already equalling his goal tally in the league from last season with eleven games left, He has yet to convince all that he is an integral part of the side. So is he failing United? or are United failing him?

The answer lies somewhere in the middle. There can be no doubt that Berbatov can be his own worst enemy at times. For every hoof in the sky plucked with imperious ease, there are self serving flicks to no-one. The fact that no match report goes by without mentioning his name along with languid tells it own story about his work-rate. But there are other factors in his difficulty. He has been carrying a well-documented knee injury and the infrequent nature of his appearances based on injury or formation stops any momentum he may have built up. The inconsistency of United in general has unhinged him and the lack of any patience from the stands cannot help anyone who's confidence is falling. It may not work for Dimitar Berbatov at Manchester United, but if his injury subsides, if he finally finds his place in the side, and if in one moment in one big game he becomes the difference, the maverick can shine. A lot of imponderables, but it was ever thus for United's number nine.

Jose's last stand for Calcio

Luciano Moggi may have a reputation in football the equivalent of Floyd Landis in cycling but he will forever have his finger on the pulse when it comes to the Italian game. Before the resumption of Europe's premier club competition he commentated that " "We will see that calcio is not competitive on the international stage. We will be lucky if one side makes it through to the next round." Now it may be reasonable to assume that had his beloved Juve been involved than his opinion could differ but across Europe esteemed commentators are sounding the knell for Italian hope's in the champions league. The opening ties in the last sixteen would, it seem to favour that opinion. Milan briefly sizzled before succumbing to a Wayne-Rooney inspired Manchester United while Fiorentina's indignation at losing in Munich to a Miroslav Klose goal that was clearly offside was well merited but their display did not smack of possible winners. It is the cream, the team who collects scudetto's for fun that Italian hope's rest.

Jose Mourinho's brief upon taking the manager job at Inter Milan was just that: brief. Win the champion's league was the resounding message from the club's somewhat eccentric owner Massimo Morratti. Inter have swept to the scudetto for the last four years and are romping away with it again this season. But as ever with the neazurri, inconsistency has plagued them in Europe. Barcelona were merely shadow-boxing with them at the San Siro in September and swatted them aside at the Camp Nou. It took some late goals in Kiev and a difficult win over Rubin Kazan to edge them into the last sixteen where they will meet Mourinho's former employer's, Chelsea. The Londoner's are comfortable favourite's heading into the tie but that does a dis-service to Inter's quality and the Mourinho factor.

Nobody knows this Chelsea team better than the so-called special one. It is still essentially his team. Only Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic will be the two most notable player's involved for Chelsea that did not play under Mourinho. Nobody should be better equipped to deal with the savage subtlety of Dider Drogba than a centre-half coached by Mourinho. His tempestuous relationship with Carlo Ancholotti will only sharpen his focus. Chelsea deserve their favourite's tag. They have been the bridesmaid's of the champions league for so long now that the accepted wisdom is that they will eventually crack it, but Inter with Jose in the dugout and calcio's pride at stake could well qualify from this most intriguing of ties.

A tale of two men out to oust United.

Sir Alex Ferguson is among other things, a keen student of history. In Dublin recently he told a packed Trinity college audience that he always has three or four history books on his bedside locker. It helps him relax, he explained. He also likes to wonder what might have been. Shay Given could have been a United player he enlightened but his father wanted him to join Celtic. Pressed on who was the best player he had never signed, Paul Gascoigne was the reply. As he focuses his mind on reaching his third champions league final in a row this May two men who fit quite comfortably in the what was and what might have been categories stand in his way. Ronaldinho, the maddening, yet mercurial Brazilian who came so close to joining United and David Beckham, a mainstay of arguably the finest United side ever in ninety-nine now don the red and black of Milan. Ronaldinho has enjoyed a resurgence of sorts with the Rossineri, while Beckham has eased seamlessly into his favoured right flank. Both are crucial to Milan’s hopes starting on Tuesday.


Ronaldinho’s form much like his bag of tricks can leave you dizzy and confused. He seemed to be warming up nicely this season. The goals, assists and toothy grin had all made a welcome return but the old fire was brutally extinguished by Inter in last month’s derby. The Brazilian was shackled effortlessly by their ten men and rubber-stamped his meek display by missing a stoppage-time penalty. He has continued this slump in the past month and the news of Brazilian coach Dunga failing to name him in his squad to face the Republic of Ireland has only added to his woe. Indeed such is Milan’s worries about his form the perennial lady’s man and sometime Italian prime minister Slivo Berlusconi has reportedly telephoned Ronaldinho to rebuke him for his current form and to remind him of the importance of the upcoming clash with United. His name may not bring dread to the opposition like it did in his Barca heyday but one suspects the bright lights of Europe will inspire him. Manchester United have had their problems at right back this season. The youngster Rafael has demonstrated growing maturity and confidence but struggled badly against the forceful Craig Bellamy. Wes Brown has played more at centre-back while the legs of Gary Neville appear to be failing. Should Ronaldinho be presented with enough chances to face any of these then he is well capable of punishing the English champions.


On the opposite flank to Ronaldinho, David Beckham will probably stand. In many ways he is the Brazilian’s opposite, all perfect feature’s with none of the staccato brilliance, more the mundane efficiency. He is also assured of a place in South Africa should his fitness remain. His unflinching stamina has eased a little and any semblance of pace has long gone but his right foot retains all of its potency. The quicksilver Patrice Evra is more than a match for any winger but Beckham will not engage him one on one. A quick shift to his right and a customary curler will take flight. Milan have other threats but it’s the lethal former Parisian and affable Londoner that Sir Alex Ferguson will need to counter if he is to douse the Italian fire.