06/05/2017 Football Focus

It is absolutely brilliant! This is getting better and better! Cristiano

Ronaldo! History boys indeed! Bay have won the Cup! At hat-trick! He

has done it! He has done it! Good afternoon.

After last night, the title race could be over by

The Conte formula has Chelsea on the brink?

Heart, Head, Legs. You must have Heart, Head, Legs.

You can read all about it in his book.

It's been a miserable season for Arsenal.

We have let him down, he has come under a lot of pressure and that is

With Newcastle promoted, the gaffer is on.

You have to keep working. At the moment, I am thinking like I will be

At the bottom, one of Blackburn, Forest or Birmingham will go down.

There is an anxiety about the club, of course, you would not expect

everybody to be singing and dancing every morning.

And Schmeichel at Leicester, on their Shakesperean revivial.

We were going to go down all guns blazing.

We've also got predictions from Kasabian.

And we have two men for the big occasion in the studio - DD and KK.

Spurs went to West Ham knowing a tenth straight win would take them

Jonathan Pearce was watching under the Friday night lights.

But tonight, as the 1,000,000th found that passes through the London

Stadium turnstile, a Tottenham window while pressurising Chelsea

would guarantee them a top toerag revenge for the first time in 52

years, it West Ham victory guarantees they must stay up,

Tottenham must win to keep alive their title dream.

Lanzini is here, what he got into mines, was that a cross, or was he

going for the goal? Kane either side of him, he goes for the goal, off

AGN, Harry Kane and a reaction save! Her -- and Tottenham back, the best

we have seen from Spurs. Lovely all brought forward to Lanzini. The

check was woeful, or was it a foul or did he get the ball? He got the

ball. That is a good run, Lanzini was sleeping. Ericsson across.

Ageing could not make the save comfortably and that is a very good

opportunity by Spurs. Son, Collins is there, Walker on the overtaxed,

rose for the goal. A good save, big strong hands. The moment Spurs

picked it up, it looked dangerous. Collins opened up the gap with the

run, that is a good save. This is Creswell and he gets the cross in,

Kouyate is in there with the drop. Lanzini! Is that the moment that the

title challenge of Spurs dies? This is a title Spurs must win, Mauricio

Pochettino knows that. 1-0. Very, very deep to try that. Hugo Lloris

might just have kept them in the title race but Spurs nearly shot

themselves in the foot, why are they are playing so deep, just outside a

six yard area in a London derby, are you sure? Dire, tried to force it,

Kane. Back to Ericsson. Goes for goal, and he nearly did it again. It

was fearing, and spinning, and scorching through the air. This is

Spurs's last chance to stay in the title race. Delhi Ali. Moussa

Dembele, West Ham Wigan it back, Fletcher, Snodgrass. He placed him

in, Robert Snodgrass active flexure. He beat the goalkeeper, and it goes

wide. As he goes wide, and Tottenham's title chance surely goes

as well, West Ham is safe for another season, Chelsea cannot win

the title this weekend but tonight Tottenham have slowly lost it. 1-0.

After we scored the goal, they lost composure because they wanted to

score two goals in one attack. And we created more situations for the

second one is to equalise. It is not over. It is true it will be

difficult. Once again, it was a game that is you want to put pressure on,

you should win. Now we have to wait. But thinking that will be difficult

to catch Chelsea. Great night for West Ham and disappointment for

Spurs. So that leaves the top

of the table like this. If they beat Middlesbrough

on Monday, they can seal the title with a win at West Brom next

Friday night. There was a suggestion Spurs might

have bottled it. You cannot say that.

But if you look at the game last night. West Ham, they were really on

it. They were intense and they made it almost impossible for Spurs to

break through. The manager must have said in training, we are going to

work on what Spurs do well and counter that. Collins in there,

Fonte in there, don't move, just defend and leave Creswell and by to

do what they want. Choose the right time to come and go as you please.

You often have managers that say, it is what we will do, that is good

coaching. To know what the opposition will do against them and

where to your own strength against that. It is perfect. There are

examples of how it worked for them. And they kept it really sample.

Defenders defended. This is West Ham being organised. Making Spurs do

what they want them to do. The happy for them to have the ball. If you

watch here, so many passes, all safe passes in front of West Ham, and if

you watch, the last past does not have to be played. It goes to the

right side centre-half, no forward pass, the right side centre-half.

That is a pass. Just there. He does not take it. He has already made

that pass. Creswell does not want to engage because he knows the main

thing is, we will sit to narrow as a fried at times when you have it in

front of us. Two wingbacks wiki. But that is the manager, Slaven Bilic

thinking, we have worked on this in chaining, it is working great and

the boys are doing what we have is asked them to do. And that was the

only goal from Lanzini. Squeezing the ball well. And that was not a

fluke, that pass. And noble new exactly where that was going and

Lanzini did this all night, he attacked the full-backs and

defenders. They get a bit lucky, Creswell,, but so many issues that

Spurs should have eliminated. A number of errors could have been

eradicated. Creswell getting forward. He was prepared to sit deep

and get forward at the right times and he did it preferably. The three

people here, Son, Dyer, and Jan Vertonghen. Watch these players,

three massive mistakes. Conversely, I will tell you, Son should have

stayed with the scorer, Lanzini. Dier appeals for handball, get on

with the game. And you have a player who should have made a tackle. Son

has left Lanzini. At least communicate with someone, Dyer has

his hand in the air and Jan Vertonghen, as the last man, you

have to be strong and make the challenge and those errors cost

Spurs. As a forward play and defender, making tackles like that

in your box you are asking for trouble. It is not the way it went.

What about the backcountry, let's touch on that again. Reid and Fonte

and Collins were excellent. They just offended. Three players that

good, they go back to basics, just defend first, organise, let you of

full-back players have go and come as you see fit, not as they see fit.

That is a great tackle from Fonte. The manager has conceded that he has

had four clean sheets in the last five. And prior to that, 13 goals in

five games prior to that. So you look at how he has sorted the

structure of the side defensively and with the experience they bring,

Collins sitting in the middle of the three, he is the dictator to Fonte

and Reid alongside him. That experience and Premier League

mentality we have got, that is what saw them through. This is what West

Ham did, they forced West Ham to try and play, Tottenham, sorry, to play

hard passes through West Ham and it did not happen. West Ham expected

that. The space was round the outside, Spurs tried to play West

Ham, they could not do it, it was too tight and to organised. The team

that had the best chance in the second half was West Ham as well.

From their perspective, it was a great performance against 18 they

like playing against. How many times do you see that, losing the ball,

Dembele? Slaven Bilic desperate for the game to end and he was content.

It is against Spurs, local derby, it is about bragging rights and getting

the points we need to stay up. I thought Spurs had a go, they had a

proper goal and they were not rubbish, let me tell you. West Ham

were brilliant. That is the key, they know it is over. West Ham need

a big performance in this stadium so going it into next season, they can

feel like it is our home. Eight days rest now. Manchester United have the

second leg of the rugby league and this is how the rest of the Premier

week -- Premier League weekend looks.

We'll get the team news from the early kickoff

between Manchester City and Crystal Palace shortly.

Palace still need points to confirm their survival.

And at the bottom, Hull and Swansea are both at home,

as they fight it out to avoid the drop.

Tomorrow, three of the top six are in action in the race for Europe.

Whilst Monday night sees Chelsea at home to a Middlesbrough team

desperate for points if they're to have any chance of surviving.

Every game is very tough because there is a lot of pressure. It is

important. Don't make mistakes because it is

very difficult them to recover. But we are ready. We are ready to fight.

We are ready to play these four games.

But Chelsea in a great position and with the Cup Final coming as well,

you could argue that office gave is Boro, who took points off Manchester

City last week, can you see a slip-up from Chelsea? That is the

only way with Boro having something to play for, they have to win the

game at Stamford Bridge, imagine that with that mindset! They might

try and force issues in this game which I think will play into the

hands of Chelsea because of how disciplined and how good they are

and how well they break. Middlesbrough might go for the

physical approach. Unfortunately, Chelsea ticked all the boxes, they

can do the physical thing. This is in November, Chelsea got the

only goal. In a scrappy game. When I showed you the fixtures, the think

they will win everything. Yes, I cannot see them slipping up, they

are that good. Middlesbrough is the hardest because they have something

to play for, that will be a proper physical scrapped and they will try

and play football. Middlesbrough, the best thing they can do is go,

and make it as ugly as possible but I do not think they will get

anything out of that game. And Boro have to play Liverpool so tough

games. At the other end of the table, Hull City and Swansea in

action this afternoon and both at home and is the record of Hull since

the Marco Silva turned up that could save the Tigers.

The serious stuff starts here for new Hull boss Marco Silva. Oh, what

a shot! Marco is of has three precious points in the bag. Oumar

Niasse in on goal, to seal it, surely, for Hull City? He is proving

himself to be a big character in this part of East Yorkshire. Could

be a big moment. Oh, it's in! And it comes through to Oumar

Niasse! Well, that is surely game won. He thinks so. Headed in by

Ranocchia! The day belongs to Marco Silva and Fortress KCOM Absolutely

buried by Maguire! 4-2, Hull. Fantastic shot! Another remarkable

chapter in this remarkable Hull City story under Marco Silva. It is

important to us that we play at home, we play again in our stadium,

but we need to try to win. An incredible record, relegated

Sunderland have visited this afternoon and Guy Mowbray is there.

Good afternoon. They are on a wonderful home run, Hull, still in a

relegation scrap and plenty of uncertainty about the future of the

manager this week as well. Yes and it is not really surprising because

whatever happens to Hull, if they are relegated or stay up, Marco

Silvestri most certainly going to be a man in demand with the job he has

done so far here admired far and wide. If there are Premier League

jobs available this summer, his name will certainly be in the discussion.

He's also been linked with a return to Portugal, his homeland, because

FC Porto, it has been reported from if they don't win the league, they

will dispense with the services of their manager, as claimed in the

Portuguese media. They are three points behind Benfica with three to

play at the moment. Hull fans will monitor their result tonight with

interest because they will want Marco Silva to stay. We understand

he's got a relegation clause in his contract so he would be able to

leave if they go down but if they fail, we will marvel at the job he

has done. It had backing in January from the owners which has been

admirable. It is a club in turmoil, and has been all season long, off

the field protests and we understand the club is still for sale. The

question, why would he go, we should really say why wouldn't he go to

somewhere more stable? If his stock is high, what David Moyes who says

he wants to stay at Sunderland even though they are going down? He wants

to stay, he said that yesterday in the press Conference. He's got a

four-year contract and after initial discussions with owner, Ellis Short

and CEO, Martin Bain, he thinks he is in position to get Sunderland

back into the Premier League, saying he knows what needs to be done. I'm

not sure it's quite so cut and dried just yet. The next four games, even

though Sunderland are down, will play a big part but they have to see

good performances and players playing for him and maybe not just

see it, it is what they hear from the supporters which could be

important as well because a lot of Sunderland fans are unhappy with the

announcement, such as it was coming yesterday, and they will be sure to

make their feelings clear if they don't feel he's the right man going

forward. Something strikes me, we have talked about the instability of

the field at Hull but the same goes for Sunderland, so many questions

about what is going on behind the scenes. When you look from the

Premier League down to the nationally, it is not the case with

every club but with a lot of the pubs being relegated this season, it

is all to do with off the field, you can't possibly be successful on the

field if you are a bit of a shambles in the background. Lessons for quite

a few clubs. Plenty more from Guy Mowbray on final score and Match of

the Day later. Your former clubs, Hull and

Sunderland. Bit of a theme! At the wrong end of the table but Hull can

do this, can't they? They are in a good position, two points above

Swansea. In a great position and we have spoken so openly in admiration

of markers were and the job he has done. They've picked up 19 points

from 21 at home. It is an incredible turnaround for Hull, the way it was

going and Guy Mowbray touched on something that he was backed in

January which was the key for him, players like Ranocchia, Lazar

Markovic and Oumar Niasse, because he did not look a player at Everton,

he has got so much out of him. Being backed in the transfer market was

the because Mike Phelan and Steve Bruce were not backed by the owners

and that has been key for Hull but take nothing away from what Silva

has done and how organised they are. From David Moyes' 's perspective, he

is thinking they can go down and do what Newcastle have done and gone

straight back up so interesting to see what happens at them over the

summer. For Hull, it's all about the home record. But Swansea's salvation

could rest with the Iceman. A lot of us are now thriving on the

pressure and we need the pressure to perform. Sigurdsson's shot! Gylfi

Sigurdsson has done it again. Flick from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Over the course of the season, you said yourself targets. Sigurdsson

full Swansea, 2-1. When Swansea need, Gylfi Sigurdsson delivers. On

by Sigurdsson and Alfie Mawson is free! It is going to come to

Sigurdsson! Magnificent breakaway goal from

Swansea. Sigurdsson, did he look under pressure? Certainly not.

Pressure helps you perform. Sigurdsson's penalty gives Swansea a

precious lead. Focus on what you are trying to do, getting the ball over

the wall. Oh, it is a superb goal! He certainly has been a real Swansea

star this season and when you look at those statistics, he is highly

ranked in everything you would want from a player in that position. Yes,

and in a team that is having a bit of bad time, down there in the

relegation fight but to get nine goals and 12 assists. He is the kind

of player you have to look to in times like this.

You look for the workers. That free kick, when you see that from behind

the goal, he sets it out so far that no deeper in the world has got a

chance of saving. That is his quality. He has not just done it

then, he's done it time and again, he is reliable. If you've got a

quality player that is reliable and will give you performances all the

time, it is very important. Gavin, if you want a stat this weekend, he

will be the 32nd different player to achieve double figures in goals and

assists in a Premier League season. That's a great one. Are you part of

that as well? I don't think I am part of that unique band of players.

They take on Everton this weekend, lots of talk about Margot Silver and

David Moyes and speculation about Ronald Koeman's future as well,

possibly going to Barcelona. I remember filming there a few years

ago when Johann Cruyff was named honorary president and Ronald Koeman

was there and club have for so many former players, they hold him in

really high regard. Particularly with the situation there as well. We

know full well well he has got admiration for the club and he wants

that job eventually, I'm sure that will be the case but not

necessarily, I feel as though Everton are building something and

with Ronald Koeman in charge, they can build something in the next

years. Particularly if they go to the new stadium as well. I think the

backbone of what he has got, the young players coming through, if he

was to hang about for another season or two, let's said he wants to

Sigurdsson, we don't know, players like that will only make Everton

stronger. Everton will invest this summer and I think they can go to

the next level. On the Everton playing side, plenty of kind words

this week for Aaron Lennon. I'm sure you have seen yourself that he was

detained under the Mental Health Act. Full support from the club and

the fans and right across football as well. You hope he gets the help

he needs. Exactly, the PFA have helped him as well in any way they

can. Of course, we are all with him and hopefully in the next few

months, he gets back playing and gets himself recovered and he's in a

good place. Both Swansea and Hull's matches

will feature prominently on Final Score this afternoon,

from 4:30pm on BBC One. MOTD at 10:20 pm will have

Danny Murphy and "Zinedine" And then tomorrow night,

Match of the Day 2 is at 10:30pm, followed by a special Match

of the Day on Monday night to cover That's at 10:45pm in

England, later elsewhere. Right, let's get to the Etihad,

where fourth-placed Manchester City are in action in the early kick-off

this afternoon Yes, Dan, the top four finish or

Manchester City is still in their hands but they must search for their

victory today without the injured top scorer, Sergio Aguero, who has

13 goals in his last 14 games. John Stones is also still out but Pep

Guardiola is boosted by the return of David Silva after injury. Also

recall for Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling to support Gabriel Jesus up

front. He has four goals in six Premier League games so far. Just

the one change for Palace, Sam Allardyce drops Damien Delaney to

the bench and brings in Jeff Schlupp, who we understand is going

to play alongside Martin Kelly at the heart of the defence, with the

likes of Sakho, Scott Dann and James Tomkins all unavailable. Andros

Townsend has been passed fit after a knock in training yesterday. Palace

cannot relax just yet, Manchester City more than aware of their recent

results against the big boys. Confirmation of the teams, as Steve

was saying, Manchester City without bravo and Guerreiro as well. It is a

big one for Manchester City. We will deal with their opponents in a

minute. But they have to get in the top four, don't they, simple as

that? Totally, that is the way it is. It would be Guardiola's lowest

placed finish as a manager anyway, as it is. It is paramount that the

whole project of Manchester City is the Champions League football and

really challenging for Premier League titles. If they don't, that

will be in extremely poor season. Keeping hold of the players as well,

getting in the Champions League, keeping the players, it comes hand

because they have got a great backbone of players but you can't

attract attractive players without having good players there. Palace

not completely clear of danger, and as you can see, Jeff Schlupp in

central defence. Short of players. They are. I don't think it will be a

problem. It is not ideal, the centre-back pairing but I don't

think it will be a problem and Palace ROK and I've got enough games

to get the points they need. They've got quality going forward as well.

More than enough and I think with a manager, they will be solid and

would concede and will score. Manchester City have to play

Liverpool. We've got to show you the Emre Can goal from Monday night, a

reminder of the quality of this strike. Have either of you ever

graced a football pitch with a finish like that? Kevin? I scored an

overhead kick with a similar kind of distance but probably not with a

great technique. I like how he just himself, he recognises he can't head

the ball to anyone else, I just his feet and that is world-class. It is

a difficult skill to do and not many of us can do it! I know we talk

about this, the Trevor Sinclair one, he says the reason why he did not

chest it down will try to control was it was so tired he thought he

would just win a leg at it. But that one is difficult because it was

coming from behind, we've heard it before, he is running forward and he

has to turn around, it is very difficult. Emre Can is out of

contract at the end of next season and it's a big dive in. I like him

and think he's got a lot to offer, not been consistent enough but he

needs to stay at and build long-term. When you look at it

again, look at Heurelho Gomes' our eyes, "Not from their!" It is

beautiful. Tomorrow, sixth-placed Arsenal

take on the team a place The Gunners' midfielder Aaron Ramsey

has been talking to Rachel Stringer. Ramsey onside, Ramsey with a dinked!

Aaron Ramsey for Wales! Coming into this season as a Welsh hero, how

much of an impact has that had on the season? Yeah, it was obviously a

great summer for me personally, for our country and I was excited coming

into the season but obviously, I broke down in the first game and

that was a bit frustrating. Yeah, it's been another stop start season

for me personally and download frustrating one. -- another

frustrating one. Dele Alli has turned it in! And Spurs have two,

Dele Alli and Kane, the deadly double act. We were disappointed and

frustrated after that, we conceded two sloppy goals. Until then, I

thought we were well in the game and quite organised and we had a couple

of chances but they punished us with two quick goals and it was to

recover. Mesut Ozil apparently kicked the door after that game

which showed the frustration of the players. Of course, there were a few

things said after the game. Ultimately, we went into the game

full of confidence, we had a few good results, but yeah, it was not

to be on the day. Everybody had their own way of showing it. This

season, you have said that maybe the team have let Arsene Wenger downward

is quite a strong. We have. He has this belief in us and he trusts us

to go out there and play to our strengths and sometimes it has not

been good enough this year. That is what I mean by we have let him down.

He's come under a lot of pressure and that is partly our fault as

well. We could do all the preparation throughout the week but

if we don't match the intensity and fight on the weekend, we are always

going to be up against it and perhaps at times, the concentration

has not been where it needs to be in every game.

As speculation in practice on the players? No, I don't think so, it

has been in the press a lot and we have to put up that to the back of

our minds and carry on as if he is our manager and we go into every

game not thinking about that and concentrating on trying to win it.

Is the pressure really are now to finish in the top four? Of course,

the loss against Spurs has put us behind. We have a game against

Manchester United which it we must win. Do you think they will put out

a weaker team? It is hard for a team like that to put out a weaker team,

they have quality players, they are a massive club and we have to be on

top of our game to get a result. How would you and your players rate this

season if Arsene does not have Champions League football next

season? We have to wait and see after the season, but we just have

to see where it takes is with our remaining games. Hopefully, we can

achieve that and finish off with an FA Cup final at the end. And Ramsey

scores for Arsenal in added time here at Wembley! How important is

the FA Cup to you and the squad now? It is massive. To win something any

season, a successful season, you want to have something to show at

the end of your career and the FA Cup has been good to others in the

last few years and hopefully we can carry on our good form in this. We

know it will be unbelievably difficult against a team like

Chelsea, but we have it in us to produce a performance and end on a

positive result. We are looking forward to that. Hopefully, we can

turn it around to be a successful season. But it is an awkward time to

be interviewed because he has to be honest and open about what the

season has done for him and the club and it has been a difficult season

with the injuries he has had. And he has said that they have partly let

the players down, in his words, sorry, the manager. He is right and

brave in saying that. And think Wenger has detected a lot of the

blame as well, but the players have to stand up and be counted, they

have not performed how Arsenal showed. With those players, Arsenal

should be top three, temp two, without a shadow of a doubt. Another

raft of -- statistics! Arsenal 21 points behind Chelsea, this is death

against six when it is to be the top game in the Premier League, -- this

is the fifth. The last time the boat finished outside the top four in the

top division was 1979. It is strange how things turn out. It is

incredible. We think what this game has meant to the Premier League.

Over the last 20 years, we thought this was a title decider and we

thought of it having real and intensity. And it does not have that

feel about it, and he said he would make changes. He is saying the rugby

league is the priority. Arsenal across the season have been poor and

this uncertainty has not helped the situation -- the Europa League. It

is good that the players notice they have let the manager down and

themselves and the fans as well. It is good they noticed that and you

have to sometimes approach it, issues like that, and be brave

enough to say it, and say that to him. And the Marcus Rashford free

kick comedy think it was a good goal or bad goalkeeping? It has got to be

good, and he hit it with such pace and power and because of maybe Daley

Blind running over the ball, he maybe thinks migratory is going

over. Keeper should save it from his side. But the technique is great.

Rashford, it was great, but the goalkeeper was rubbish. I will tell

Ray Wilkins, thank you! That match will almost certainly be

watched closely by this fella. Everybody wants me to continue but I

do not want to continue and then start losing because I hate losing.

I have a bet with my managers, they did meet 30 macro years! Usain Bolt

the final chapter, up-to-date on BBC One.

We shall be watching The Battle of the Bulge.

In the Championship, Newcastle or Brighton will fight it

The Toon have been guided back to the Premier League

by Rafa Benitez, who stayed after relegation last season,

and has been looking ahead with Juliette Ferrington.

This is fact -- this is Victor Janmaat, and he scores, the future

could well be bright under Rafa Benitez. The fans and the players

are have had their say, Rafa, you must stay. The reception you must

have had on the last day of their season, that persuaded you to stay?

Yes, I would say not just the reception of the last day, from the

first day, the fans were amazing with me. The last eight against

Tottenham, everybody was singing my name and I could say it could be the

key in terms of my decision after I've met Mike Ashley and we were

talking about the future and talking with my family. So we knew that the

best thing for me, for them, for us and maybe for everyone here was just

to stay and try to go up as soon as we could. What is that relationship

like now with the fans? They think they appreciate I decided to stay.

And also, the effort of everyone here every single date. From day

one, the fans and the members of staff, everybody, was pushing and

doing things up to try and go in the same direction. It was quite easy

and quite difficult at the same time. How special with this weekend

be for you? Yes, I am trying to send another message across. We have done

our job, we have achieved what we wanted to achieve. So please, so

happy. We believe we can be champions, and it would be even

better. What is it about this club that you really like? I would say

that my family is in Liverpool and my relationship with English fans is

quite good. In Liverpool and coming here, you could see a lot of

similarities between the Scousers and the Geordies. It is a City of

workers, people have passion and they work very hard. Do you have a

preference in terms of the accident, Scouse, Geordie? I have problems

with both. I understand better the Scousers because my little daughter

is talking with a Scouse accent. Very fast for me, but when I say no,

she understands. With the right tools in place, what could be

achieved here? New -- Newcastle United is a big club and we have to

manage it now. As I said before, some people will expect we have to

challenge and maybe try to be in Europe and some people will be happy

just avoiding relegation, so we need to look the sure the message is the

right message and the fans understand the best weight to go as

high as you can in the table is to stay calm and support the team and

keep the professionalism and do a good job. You need the money to

build and you will have to act quickly. One thing I did not like in

the pass was that Rafa is asking for this figure, they will give him less

money. We have not talked about that, how much money, so we have not

had the meeting we will have to have. And we will talk about that in

the future. It is not that I am asking for this figure, we have to

be realistic and I expect the conversation will be positive,

constructive and after that, everybody will be happy. But people

do say you are a political manager and you do like a little bit of a

battle. I would say no. My best time as a manager has been my first years

in Liverpool and I did not have any problems. I was over the Munich

because you want to concentrate on your football and hopefully

everything we will be fine and we will enjoy it and have everybody --

and have what everybody wants. What about you, does this mean you will

say? That means I will be working very hard and I do not now how you

say expression in English, I want to see the owner and hopefully

everything will be OK. It seems like you have plans in place to achieve

something with this club. We are already working on the positions and

everything. It does not matter if you stay all you go, you have to

keep working. At the moment, I'm thinking I will be here for ten

years. One terms plans and he has an

impressive CV. Offers of huge offers from China for huge amounts to stay.

He has only met Mike Ashley the owner once in 14 months at the club.

That is rubbish. The rumour is rubbish? Surely you have to have a

better relationship. You do not want to Mike Ashley on the training

ground and in the dressing room interfering, but you have to have a

little bit more connection, finding out what is going on and plans for

the future. Benitez once plans for the future and he has a relationship

with the go-between, Mike Charnley, but he does need that relationship.

But it has been great. You said a bit surprised that he stayed, I

would not be surprised if he left. He has long-term plans, but he needs

a structure and he needs bonds. So don't meeting next week between

Benitez and Ashley is crucial to decide how much they could spend. I

believe the future is bright for Newcastle with the Rafa. But they

were to lose him, they would go back in a few steps. And think of the

support he has, he has total support from everyone connected with the

club. Everything is going the right way for Newcastle, the fans, players

and staff, together, and pulling the same way. Wheezing would be massive.

They love him in Newcastle and didn't Liverpool, who he has great

reputations. Whilst Newcastle are looking up,

it's a bleak picture One of Blackburn, Nottingham Forest

or Birmingham City It's so tight that Blackburn

could win and go down, Mark Clemmitt has been to Ewood Park

to hear about their predicament. It is like a ferry story! Amazing,

they are champions all is up what you reckon he would make of what has

happened over the last five years? Is turning in his grave, it has been

the most miserable six years, but we supporters and we are supposed to

support the club stop the majority of things we are doing now what

happens if we're going into Administration or the West happens?

Is there a practical way out of this? Unless there is structural

change at the club and unless the owners decide that they have got to

now get rid of their unwanted baby, I don't think there is. Around us is

the infrastructure of a superbly run Premier League club that always shot

above its weight, we are the most successful town club in Britain. You

have got to keep hope we probably prepared the worst. Has anybody at

your newspaper had any communication direct with them over the last five

years? We are told they are private and that seems to be the way they

run their businesses. This could get a lot worse, I reckon ?130 million

they have underpinned in loans. There has been talk of

Administration and what happens if they do go down but the bankers put

the money in, but where a club like this goes if it drops to League One,

attendance would fall and players as well, the sadly more departures. Do

you have dialogue with the owners? No. Why not? I think that is the way

this club is run. They have evil in between. I am a coach and I like to

work on the breast with players but I'd better understand financial

resources helps you get better matches. I got a lot of texts from

experience people saying I was a glutton for punishment taking this

job. I see Blackburn Rovers is a fantastic club. Do you fear the

fallout of potential relegation. The players and staff, they are all

aware of that and there is an anxiety about the club and you would

not expect everybody to be singing and dancing every morning.

Frustrating we have not been able to string together the four or five on

the grounds you need to win and get out of the predicament. How on Earth

are you going to manage the game? It could come down to a goal elsewhere

that changes your game or what you need to do. It will happen, of

course, I will not focus on it until somebody whispered in my ear or the

fans in the stands started cheering. We could even lose the match and

still stay up. Nottingham Forest could lose by more goals than the

goal difference could swing in our way. We will give it our best shot

and we are playing against a good team, we know that, but hope fully

our extra intensity and desire will push is over the line to get a

victory. It makes you feel sick thinking

about it. So here are the Championship

fixtures tomorrow. Highlighted are the key ones

for that final relegation place. Blackburn away at Brentford,

whilst Birmingham are also Whoever goes down, we're going to

lose a team with a rich football history and pedigree. European Cup

winners in the past as well, and League Cup winners in the last few

years, Birmingham City. You think of those big clubs and what it would

mean to everyone around the club, it is incredible to think that they

have got themselves in that position and every one of those clubs has had

problems, the supporters have had problems with the owners and that is

what it has come down to. I played against all of those teams in the

Premier League and now it is strange to think that one of these teams

will be playing football in the third tier. It is incredible. You

have both extremes last a drummer, we have dug into the archives. This

is a good one. This is you. Oh, yes. Against Spurs to keep Coventry on

the last day. What was it like? We needed it, the pressure was on us,

we had to win but it was not in our hands, we had to win away at Spurs

and we had to hope that Wimbledon, I think it was, had to win as well.

Everything worked out well but we had to do the job. Kevin, 2007 with

Sheffield United. Everyone remembers the Tevez and Mascherano thing when

they went to Manchester United and beat them but we had to win and any

other result was a relevant, if we won the game, we stood up -- stayed

up. Paul Jewell, to be fair to him, that week leading up to it was

magnificent, brilliant coaching and managing. At the end of that, do you

just sit in the dressing room and flop? Or do you celebrate? How does

it work? You want to celebrate but you have not achieved anything Pato

way you should be, staying in the league. We had a few beers but it

was bittersweet because it was relief and you are physically

drained, you really are. Did you cry? I didn't, no. Later, I did when

I had to buy a drink. When I had to get my round in!

Last season, it was Burnley who came up as Champions.

They look safe after beating Crystal Palace last week.

Their home record has been crucial, and so too have the magic

Burnley's first away win of the season! It has been a victory that

takes them within a shade of safety. How big an achievement would it be

if you now get over the line and stay up this time? It would be a

massive achievement. We were one of the favourites to be relegated. Not

many people gave as a child and we've gone about it in a fantastic

fashion, finally got the away win and a magnificent achievement. What

have you done better this time around? Verse Tommy Gainey to go --

good go and only missed by three points in the end. A bit of naivete,

lots of players had not been in the Premier League before, me being one

of them. Knowing what to expect a couple of years later, you can plan

for it mentally and be better. At this level, it is fine margins. You

have to make sure you come out on top of those as much as you can. We

have done that better this year, those fine details. As I say, it has

put us in a strong position. Good save by Tom Heaton. Are you enjoying

the ride? Very much so, I think it is key, early days, it was probably

a bit too intense and I've found that my best performances came when

I was bit more relaxed, a smile on the face and enjoying every minute.

Where else do you want to be? You started at Wrexham as a goalkeeper

and midfielder. I enjoyed both when I was young, nine or ten, at the

School of excellence, I ended up getting offered a trial at Man

United as a goalkeeper. I probably still prefer outfield, if I'm honest

but it was something that my hands were tied when you get offered a

trial at Man United as a goalkeeper. I probably still prefer outfield, if

I'm honest but it was something that my hands were tied when you get the

contract at United, to play in goal, I decided to go for it. I don't

think I was particularly good at outfield, certainly not good enough

so I think I will be keeping the gloves on! The goalkeeper has made

more says than Burnley's number one in the Premier League this season.

-- no goalkeeper. Anything that stands out? Against Ibrahimovic at

Old Trafford. What a save! Going back to Old Trafford after spending

a long time there, getting our first away point there was a big deal.

Peter Schmeichel sent you a little text, didn't he? How did that feel?

He said something along the lines of it was one of the best saves he has

seen. Incredible moment, for one of my idols and heroes growing up to

say something like that was a massive moment. A lot of people

talking about Michael Keane. What is his contribution like? He's been

really outstanding. When he signed for the club, sat on the bench of it

the first year and got some experience. Last season in the

Championship, in the title winning team, he pretty much played every

minute and that was big for him. This season, he has gone from

strength to strength. I was there with England when he made his debut.

I thought that performance, I obviously knew, working so closely

with him but people saw how good a player he is and how good he is

going to be. Without knowing the ins and outs, we will see how it pans

out, the nature of footballers, when players do well, they get talked

about by different teams, and he is no different. What is the key thing,

to keep the group together and build on it? The nature of the beast is

that there may be changes, you have to deal with it at the time. We have

got some excellent individuals but the team is the biggest thing.

His job is keeping the ball out but a goal to tell you about in the

early game, Manchester City 1-0 up against Bristol pilot, David Silva

with his 50th goal for City. Let's talk about Tom Heaton, though. The

number one shot stopper in the Premier League this season, he's

been busy but also a really good goalkeeper. Yeah, he spoke about the

back four would have been good but if they have been penetrated,

invariably, you will make saves, big saves as well at big times in games.

Even last week, the Crystal Palace game, the first away win of the

season, big saves at big times in the game. That is how they have got

their results. He's made some outstanding fingertip saves but he's

very brave as well. The one against Ibrahimovic, inspired or whatever,

kept it out but then he will go down at the ball's feet as well so he's

got a variation he can make and when you are playing as a centre-half,

and you've got a brave keeper behind you, he can shout and you get out of

his way. Interesting to see what happens to him and Michael Keane at

Burnley as well but looking at Sean Dyche, the two seasons he's been in

the Premier League with Burnley, he's done a fantastic job this time

around but the margins are so fine, if you just concede a few less and

score a few more, and you are going up. -- staying up. Andre Gray has

scored big goals as well, even though he has not suffered a lot.

The key is getting good strikers in and the key is that Sean Dyche will

keep the difference really solid and quite narrow at times but it is such

fine margins. Look at all the sides in those positions, mid to low

table, anyone can get relegated. He manages like he played, very strong

and organised, make sure the players take the instruction on the pitch.

Also all but safe after a big win last week are Leicester.

This week a year ago, they were celebrating the title.

Quite a contrast to this season's trials and tribulations,

as Kapser Schmeichel has been telling STeve Bower.

Great to see you. Strangely enough, as we sit here, a year to the day

since he won the Premier League title. Can you believe it is a year

ago? No, I can't. It has gone so quick, so much has happened.

Disappointed not to be sitting here with that feeling, you want it back.

It is tough having to watch someone else do it soon. With the greatest

respect, to win the league again would have been a big ask so how did

you get your mind ready to go again in the Premier League? I had

probably three weeks of celebrating and enjoying it and then after that,

it was like, right, OK, I had a talk with my dad about what it was like

and he said, you know, there will be a period of celebration and avoid

where you are past the celebrating and you are starting to think about

the new season and then your head just switches to the new season and

it's all gone. How tough were the first few months of the season when

things were not going away? I was upset and I was just not quite

embarrassed but it was, you know, we were champions of England and we

were not getting to the level we knew we could be because we had set

the standard. It was a horrible situation. During that period, the

man who takes the brunt of the criticism is the manager. How did

you feel at that time, the man who had just led you to the Premier

League, and he was getting all the criticism? I mean, it is always

tough to see. We felt it all the way through the club. We had set the

standard and we were not living up to it. The players weren't. We were

not playing well and the manager takes the brunt of that. It is

unfortunate because you can't get rid of a full squad of players and

that is the life of a manager which is harsh sometimes. The players were

accused of all kinds at the time. Was there not a feeling you needed

to set the record straight? We know the truth and the club. We don't

have to read the papers because you read stories sometimes during the

season. You know, you thing, where has it come from? It is the complete

opposite sometimes. In that difficult time, how much credit to

Craig Shakespeare to suddenly go and settle the choppy Waters? Craig has

been here for a long time. He knows his own ideas of what needed to be

done? -- to be done. He has not changed us, it is about trying to

get the spirits up and trying to get everyone firing again. We did not

have the confidence to press like we have sometimes. I think it was a

question for Craig to say, listen, go and do it. If we fail, we fail.

But let's fail trying. If we're going to go down, we're going to go

down all guns blazing. You've been here a long time and you're a big

part of the dressing room. Are you where you want to be? Yeah, I mean,

walking out at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals,

remembering back to the days of playing in League 2 and the Scottish

Premier League back then and you realise that is the pinnacle of

world football. Is there a burning desire to do it again and again?

More than ever. Can you do it here? Of course we can, not this season

but of course we can, it is something I hoped would come earlier

in my career but I think the journey I have taken has made me appreciate

it so much more but it has also made me want it even more.

Fighting talk! You were in Leicester for The Premier League Show this

week and do you think Craig Shakespeare will be there next

season? I do and I think the players want him there. I think the change

from what he has done for the players, back to basics and the boys

from Kasabian were on the show as well and they said they love him and

they want him to stay but if the fans think like that... We have

their predictions in a minute. It could be a keeper's Rowsell, when

you think about those who might go, Schmeichel, Tom Heaton, pictured,

David Guetta, Joe Hart, Thibaut Courtois, quite a bit of movement.

Yes, and the top ones, can they get into the top four clubs? Kasper

Schmeichel, what he has done, could he go to United if David de Gea was

to move and you would say, yes, with his ability. It will be interesting

because two of them have got to move.

If you ever miss us, don't forget you can find us

We leave you with the predictions of Dion's new mates, Kasabian.

All-time Leicester players, Steve Walsh is definitely there. Muzzy

Izzet, of course. All the first 11 last season. I could name them if

you want but we might be here all day.

It was only, like, really a week or so, two weeks

after the celebrations of winning the league.

Me and Wes Morgan had a good little dance.

I tell to my players, hey, go in the stadium for the match

You are the warriors, you are to do the best with them.

Not a fan but I know them, it is good rock.

It's hard to even know what to say about Leicester City.

We've won the league and then fought relegation and then got

to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Arsenal are in a right state at the minute, pure panic.

Man United will go there and win, I know they will.

Leicester City will beat Watford 3-0.

We'll go Leicester City two, Watford one.

Explorer Alice Morrison is taking an epic 2,000-mile trek

across the Sahara, over the Atlas Mountains...