If I Could Turn Back Time

As a season draws to a busy and an exciting conclusion there are a few defining moments ... Some of those decisions that changed the course of a season, some that would be changed in a heartbeat - if we could turn back time!


1)THE OMISSION - The absence of Clint Dempsey from the PFA Team of the Year to facilitate a place for 'Scottie Parker' a player who seems to receive plaudits from every quarter for simply being enthusiatic and making an inordinate number of 'last ditch' tackles.

2)THE BACK PASS - Sylvain Distin puts the ball safely into Row Z at Wembley and Liverpool receive merely a throw-in in the FA Cup semi-final instead of a gilt edged opportunity for Suarez to put them back into the game and break the hearts of Everton players and supporters.

3) THE T-SHIRTS - Oh how Kenny Dalglish must relish the opportunity to revisit the whole Luis Suarez affair and correct several decisions that were totally against popular opinion. Most poignant of all were the pre-match t-shirts in support of a player later found guilty of serious charges.

4) THE SACKING - Steve Morgan acted, when faced with volatile supporters, by sacking Mick McCarthy for only picking up 14 points in the previous 22 games. Terry Connor his replacement has achieved 3 points from his 10 games in charge, meaning had Mick's statistics not even improved, Wolves would still have a chance of staying up.

5) THE JOB VACANCY - From a position of being mentioned as potential Premier League champions, once Harry had courted the media frenzy of being the next England manager, Spurs form plummeted. A Champions League place that seemed a certainty when they were 10 points ahead of Arsenal , is a serious doubt.

6) THE WARM-UP - Roberto Mancini's man to man handling of Carlos Tevez could have been better. Imposing his authority in instructing him to 'warm up' for long periods before late introductions as substitute sensationally back-fired in the well documented situation against Bayern Munich. The title could have been in the bag already.

7) THE BIG NAME - There wasn't much wrong at QPR and few had them down as relegation camdidates. They were in an even better position when new money arrived. With money comes expectation and a dream of joining the elite. Tony Fernandes sacked Neil Warnock to preserve QPR's Premier League status as they were lying 17th position. Having won 5 out of the 15 league games since his appointment, QPR are lying in joint 17th position.

8) SAFETY FIRST - Sir Alex Ferguson stated boldly ahead of the second Manchester league derby that he only ever played to win a game. His team selection belied such claim. His team's performance left everyone with no doubt that United were scared of City. Containment rarely works as Ferguson claimed ... And it didn't.

9) THE COCKNEY MAFIA - How Mike Ashey must feel like taking one of those protest banners out into the centre circle at Newcastle's final home game. Under Ashley's guidance the club has been transformed from a team of underachievers to a team of overachievers. Admired on and off the field by the big clubs with big debts.

10) THE OFFICIALS - Goals that were given that didn't cross the line. Sending off players at key moments. Poor offside decisions. They have had it all go wrong this season. So much so that the introduction of technology seems certain to cover incompetence. When Blackburn's Pederson can take a corner to himself at Wigan leading to a goal that could directly effect who stays in the Premier League - you realise it's just park football with stadia for some.