From The Guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/may/20/premier-league-review-football-writers Paul Doyle Michael Laudrup. Took a successful Swansea side and made them even better through smart signings and more effective attacking. Dominic Fifield David Moyes. Everton finished sixth, above their city rivals for a second successive season, and lost only once at Goodison Park all campaign. Their squad boasts quality but not much depth, so to sustain such a challenge while others spend so heavily felt miraculous. Moyes has earned his opportunity with Manchester United. Owen Gibson Sir Alex Ferguson. Fittingly in his final season, he marshalled his resources one last time following the bitter disappointment of the last day in 2011-12 to ease to the title. Barry Glendenning Michael Laudrup. Prior to the start of the season, I idiotically predicted that Swansea City under his management would resemble "a car crash". Andy Hunter Sir Alex Ferguson. Another league title lifted by the latest Manchester United team to be spurred on by talent, naturally, but also character. A huge loss to the game. David Hytner Rafael BenÃtez. Could not have done much more than win the Europa League and finish third. Moreover, he maintained his dignity at all times in the face of sustained hostility. Jamie Jackson Michael Laudrup. As a first season in the top flight claiming the first major trophy of Swansea City's 101-year history and finishing ninth was impressive. Stuart James Michael Laudrup. There was a feeling Swansea were punching above their weight under Brendan Rodgers. Then Laudrup took over and won the first major trophy in the club's history and secured a top-10 finish in the Premier League. Oh, and he also traded at a profit in the transfer market. Not bad, all in all. Scott Murray Rafael BenÃtez, only the second man to win a European trophy at three different clubs (after Udo Lattek). The snipers â and it's not just been Chelsea fans, either â can simmer down now. Sachin Nakrani Michael Laudrup. Had the tough task of replacing Brendan Rodgers and did so with aplomb. Swansea finished two places higher than they did in 2011-12, have become a more dangerous attacking unit, and won a first major trophy in their history. James Riach Rafael BenÃtez. In the face of bitter protests from Chelsea's supporters, Rafael BenÃtez remained dignified and won the Europa League title as well as securing third place. Barney Ronay Rafa BenÃtez. Perhaps not the obvious choice but still: a European trophy and third place in the Premier League. And all without the full support of the club's fans or â it would seem â board. Jacob Steinberg Michael Laudrup won Swansea their first major trophy in his first season in England, made some shrewd signings and ensured their football remained easy on the eye. Daniel Taylor Steve Clarke. Well, probably Sir Alex Ferguson. But I owe Clarke an apology for having him to win the sack race last August. Louise Taylor Paolo Di Canio. Not content with saving Sunderland from relegation he speaks a lot of good sense. And makes the Premier League infinitely more colourful. Paul Wilson David Moyes. After years of not winning anything, he walks off with the top prize. Tremendous first seasons from Steve Clarke and Michael Laudrup, solid progress by Sam Allardyce and Brendan Rodgers. WINNER Michael Laudrup.
Don't forget..... Best signing Paul Doyle Christian Benteke – £7m for the young striker who kept Aston Villa in the Premier League in his first season in England. A bargain. Dominic Fifield Robin van Persie. Michu was the bargain of the season, but Van Persie ensured Manchester United eclipsed Manchester City in the title race. A player who made a difference. Owen Gibson The still improving Christian Benteke narrowly edges Van Persie for value. He scored on his debut and didn't stop, keeping Villa up despite his misfiring colleagues. Barry Glendenning Michu's transfer to Swansea City from Real Vallecano for £2.2m was an astonishing, astute bit of business … for Swansea. Andy Hunter Michu. His form may have tailed off after the Capital One Cup final but Swansea are unlikely to hold that against him. A steal at £2m, he epitomised the style and class of Michael Laudrup's team and the club's historic cup win in their centenary year. David Hytner Robin Van Persie. Took the No20 shirt at Manchester United. Made the difference in the club's 20th title. Jamie Jackson Van Persie. "If" is a questionable concept in sport but had the Dutchman signed instead for City would United be champions? Stuart James Michu was an absolute bargain at £2m but Christian Benteke was also an incredible piece of business. Without Benteke's goals (of every description) Villa would surely have been relegated. Scott Murray Philippe Coutinho. A pocket Molby, or a Beardsley-sized Beardsley? Sachin Nakrani Michu. Strikers who score 18 goals in their debut season for a new club in a new country are not meant to cost £2m. An incredible piece of business. James Riach Michu is the clear choice after scoring 18 goals for Swansea City at a cost of £2m from Rayo Vallecano. An absolute bargain. Barney Ronay Christian Benteke. A £7m signing who kept Villa up and will now probably leave for much more. In short bursts looked like the perfect centre-forward in the making. Jacob Steinberg Swansea paid £2m Michu and got more than their money's worth. Daniel Taylor Michu, and if we can ignore Steve Clarke (see above) I did predict this last August. Louise Taylor Robin van Persie. He did not come cheap but, by their standards, an arguably limited, non-vintage, Manchester United would not have won the title without the Dutch striker. Paul Wilson Has to be Van Persie, if he really made the difference between United and City. WINNER Michu.
Can't argue with the three players mentioned. They've got that spot on. Just hope we can unearth some more hidden gems.
Excellent to hear the critics bigging up ML, what a season we've had. Next year we will strengthen and improve. Just a few key signings and a few options off the bench to be brought in and we'll have a superb team to complement our superb manager, fans and board. Is it August yet?...
Well, Dai despite our dip in form recently he's won a cup and got us into the top 10 in his first season - all on a budget. I don't think you've derailed the thread - that'll happen when you get the inevitable backlash - but I fail to see how you can't acknowledge that he's at least a contender.
I would put him in the top 8 but no more...dont forget he inherited a winning team that played some of the most entertaining football ever and if he had carried on instead of ending the season on a whimper then he could easily be in the top 3......nobody comes close to sir alex and he deserved this seasons award...you have to look at Rafa next on what he has achieved at chelsea with him not wanted by the fans.....laudrup has slid down the table unfortunately so if he can learn from his mistakes then with sir alex now gone then im hoping he will do better next season.....
Of course he's a contender KJ, totally agree (as do the critics). SAF did well despite not having the best team he's worked with, Mancini underachieved by recent standards, Rafa won the consolation cup when he was expected to win the Champions League, Brenda didn't do much, Moyes did well (again) with a limited budget but a well oiled machine of a team, AVB & Spurs fell short of their targets, Arsenal have stagnated under Wenger getting top 4 but not challenging for the title anymore. I would say that West Brom and Steve clarke probably deserve a mention for a great season too. But with a 9th placed finish and a first trophy despite having to rebuild a huge chunk of Brenda's team with little money, and managing to make us more attractive to watch at times, then Laudrup has worked wonders. More than a contender actually - he's done so well in his first season and I can't wait to see how we push on next year!
You havent derailed the thread but as KJ said, your bashing of ML leads to retalliation trom others which leads to the thread being derailed so please keep that in mind. As for winning team, we endured a similar run towards the end of the season under Rodgers who didn't win anything last year so how can you say that ML inhereted a winning side when there have been 6-7 new players brought into the starting 11 on a weekly basis?
Think these people are giving opinions from a neutrals perspective, it's very gratifying that we are looked upon in this way. It just shows the hard work put in by the club and all associated with it. When we get articles like this we need to worry Queens Park Rangers Positives: N/A. Negatives: Literally don't even know where to start. Seriously, no idea where to start with how bad QPR's season has been. They made so many awful signings. They've been just abysmal from the word go. The good news that has come out of this season is that they might get to keep hold of Loic Remy, their only standout player from the campaign. The bad news is it might be whilst he is in prison. QPR have given the perfect lesson in how not to run a football club in the Premier League. Other teams coming up with good financial backing can learn from their mistakes.
Some fair comments there in the Guardian article, and it's been a great season in our centenary year, onwards and upwards aye! Dai sit down, and stop making the place look untidy...............
