This Saturday all eyes will be focussed on Wembley and the eagerly awaited showdown between Spanish champions Barcelona and English champions Manchester United in the Champions League final. Both teams have slaved to get to this final by travelling to all corners of Europe and beating some of football’s biggest names. With star names such as Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Vidic, Evra and Rooney lining up against each other the football purists are hoping for a festival of football with skill, determination and moments of genius. Many would argue that this is the biggest club match in the world.
I disagree! The biggest club match in the world will be taking place in exactly the same location, but less than 48 hours later. On Monday, 30th May Swansea City and Reading will face each other at Wembley stadium, London, in the Npower Championship play-off final. Though the stadium will be full, the match won’t attract a fraction of the viewership that the Champions League final will receive. It won’t have the frantic media attention or publicity that goes hand in hand with the Champions League final. But the stakes are so much higher.
Should Manchester United get a shock result against their Catalan opponents to win the famous trophy it would be an incredible night for their fans; a night they could celebrate for years to come. But what if they lose? There would be a horrible feeling of disappointment and regret at getting all the way to the final only to fall at the final hurdle. However next season they’d start life in exactly the same league with their expectations and hopes for the season unchanged from the ones they held prior to the big European final.
The Championship play-off final is a very different proposition.
Swansea and Reading have battled through 46 regular league games and two exhausting play-off semi-finals against Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City respectively to get the chance to play on the hallowed turf. Now their futures depend on ninety minutes of football. For the winners, promotion to the world’s biggest league, for the losers another season in England’s second tier.
This explination clearly doesn’t truly reflect the magnitude of the match.
The victors next Monday will find themselves in the Premier League, visiting grounds like Old Trafford, the Emirates and Anfield, playing against players like Vidic, Fabregas and Gerrard. The losers will find themselves scrapping for points against the likes of Doncaster, Brighton and Millwall. The winners will be awash with cash as promotion through the play-offs is worth an estimated £90million. The losers will have to settle for the football league hand-outs. A win would bring the prospect of big name signings, capable of competing at the highest level. The losing team will be left assessing which squad-members will have to be let go to balance the books.
A look at the defeated clubs in the last three play-off finals shows how damaging a defeat can be to a club’s future. Last year Cardiff lost 3-2 to Blackpool and have since struggled to re-build a team due to a transfer embargo initiated due to financial irregularities and missed payments. Two years ago it was Sheffield United that lost 1-0 to Burnley. The Blades had to sell their best young players and after a mid-table finish last year they were relegated to League 1 this season. Three years ago Bristol City were shot down by a Dean Windass stunner as Hull City won 1-0 at Wembley. It’s fair to say the robins have never recovered, suffering two disappointing seasons in mid-table.
The futures of Swansea City and Reading will be massively altered by Monday’s result. Both sets of players have worked tirelessly in search of the promised land that is the Premier League. One squad will be rewarded with glory and riches the likes of which they’ve never experienced before. The other will be left with a lasting gut-wrenching feeling and the never-ending thought of “what if?”
The Champions League has all the glitz glamour, but the play-off final is far more important. The neutrals will be hoping for an entertaining game and a great spectacle. The 90,000 fans in Wembley desire only want one thing; a win!
Here are my player ratings for the likely line-ups on Monday:
Swansea City:
Dorus De Vries – Goal Keeper – The Dutchman has been a model of consistency all season, rarely making a mistake and pulling off many fine saves in key matches. His distribution is seen as a valuable weapon for Swansea – 8/10
Angel Rangel – Right-back – Rangel is one of the division’s most exciting full-backs. As a Catalan he loves to get forward, and defensively he usually looks very assured – 8/10
Ashley Williams – Centre-Back – Possibly the best defender in the Championship this season, the defender has been an ever-present in the Swansea team and has also captained Wales this year. Big, strong, fast and athletic, with a great passing range, though has been known to score the odd own-goal – 9/10
Garry Monk – Centre-Back – The captain joined Swansea when the club was in League 2, and has adapted with ease every time the Swans have won promotion. Monk’s organisation and leadership have become essential to the Swans’ success – 7/10
Alan Tate – Left-Back – In 2003 Tate played in the 4-2 victory over Hull at the Vetch field that kept Swansea in the football league. A flexible player that has played in numerous positions for Swansea including goal-keeper yet Tate has been known to make mistakes on the big occasions for the Swans, including the key miss during the swans’ penalty shoot-out defeat against Barnsley in the 2006 League 1 play-off final against Barnsley – 7/10
Nathan Dyer – Right-Wing – Dyer’s lighting pace and outstanding dribbling have terrorised dozens of full-backs this season, and have earned him the club’s player of the season award. Despite his incredible dribbling which usually makes him unplayable, his end product is rarely up to the necessary standard, with Dyer usually electing to pass instead of risking a cross or shot – 8/10
Leon Britton – Centre-midfield – The prodigal son returned to South Wales after failing to settle in Sheffield with United. The intelligent midfielder is a great passer of the ball and despite his short stature he’s capable of a thunderous tackle. Nicknamed by some the “Championship’s Xavi” for his delightful style of play – 8/10
Stephen Dobbie – Centre midfield – If there’s one player on either side who knows how to get promoted through the play-offs it’s Dobbie. The scot was a member of the Blackpool team that beat Cardiff last season. Formerly a striker, Dobbie was moved into midfield by Brendan Rodgers and has added a driving force to Swansea’s pretty-passing midfield – 8/10
Joe Allen – Centre Midfield – The Academy product has developed a great partnership with Britton. Both share a similar style of play. Allen’s passing and his ability to control midfield has earned him many admirers. The Welsh international will be another cog in the well-oiled machine that is Swansea’s midfield – 8/10
Scott Sinclair – Left-Wing – Known to most Championship fans before his £1m move to Swansea due to his numerous loan spells at various clubs. Has finally settled at Swansea and has had a great season. His superb dribbling and goal-scoring earned him a nomination for Championship player of the season however he had looked tired towards the end of the season, before a spirited show against Forest in the semi-final second leg – 9/10
Fabio Borini – Striker – The on-loan Chelsea man has showed genuine class since arriving at the Liberty, scoring two goals on his debut against Nottingham Forest, and linking up well with Sinclair and Dyer. His movement and skill make him capable of scoring from any situation – 9/10
Reading:
Adam Federici – Goal Keeper - Has come out of the enormous shadows of Marcus Hahnemann to prove himself a solid, dependable keeper. The Australian is a reliable last line of defence for Reading and will fancy his chances against Swansea’s attacks. Also a goal-scorer in emergency circumstances as he proved when he headed a last minute winner for Reading against Cardiff last season – 8/10
Andy Griffin – Right-back - The experienced full-back knows all the tricks of the trade and has defended like a brick wall during Reading’s late climb up the table. Forms a vital part of Reading’s strong defence, however not the fastest full-back in the league. He will have to use all his knowhow to control the pesky Sinclair – 7/10
Matt Mills – Centre- back - The captain has proved himself to be one of the top defenders in the division. A no-frills centre-back, his tough tackling and imperious aerial ability make him nearly impossible to beat. Mills’ leadership will also be key to Reading keeping a clean sheet at Wembley. Reading are heavily dependent upon their captain for structure and on-field authority – 9/10
Zurab Khizanishvili – Centre-Back – The Georgian international had fallen out of favour at parent club Blackburn and found himself partnering Mills in the Royals’ back four. His transition from Premier League to Championship has been faultless. Has a similar style to Mills and works well alongside the former Doncaster man. Has had a great time at the Madejski stadium – 8/10
Ian Harte – Left-Back – The former Leeds player has certainly been around the block. Since leaving Leeds around the time of the Yorkshire club’s fall from greatness he’d been to Levante, Sunderland and Blackpool before McDermott brought him to Reading from League 1 Carlisle United. Just when the football world had started forgetting about Harte’s existence, he burst back into life. Defensively Harte’s been very solid this season and his deliveries and set-plays proved invaluable for Reading as they stormed the play-off places. However, like Griffin, lacks acceleration, which could cause Reading problems against Nathan Dyer’s speed – 8/10
Jimmy Kebe – Right-wing – It’s touch and go whether Kebe will be fit enough to start against Swansea as the winger’s been out injured for a few weeks. Should he start it would be a huge boost for Reading. Kebe’s electric pace and creative feet pose a real threat to Swansea. Kebe has provided a creative spark for Reading all season and has been present in the nightmares of many left-backs. If Kebe can re-discover his form from before his injury Reading will have a big advantage – 9/10
Jem Karacan – Centre-midfield – The young Turk has been a hard worker in Reading’s midfield all season and has tried to contribute as much as he can to attacks. Though his scoring record isn’t exceptional he links up well with the front two. His inclusion in the Reading team is on the basis that he causes problems and gives defenders something to think about- 7/10
Mikele Leigertwood – Centre-midfield – Leigertwood wasn’t needed at Loftus Road this season as QPR rampaged towards the title in very commanding fashion. However Reading boss Brian McDermott had a place for him anchoring Reading’s midfield. Leigertwood is another no-frills player; a defensive midfielder that puts himself about and takes control of matters. His authoritative presence has given Reading balance in midfield since his arrival. But can he compete against Swansea’s possession-keeping midfield? 7/10
Jobi McAnuff – Left-wing – The one-cap Jamaican international has been brilliant for Reading all season. Along with Kebe he’s given full-backs plenty to think about and plenty of work. With Kebe out of the team McAnuff has had to fill the creative void and did it well. His goal in Reading’s 3-0 victory at the Cardiff City Stadium was beautiful and he never gave the Cardiff defenders a moment’s rest. McAnuff probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves; a great dribbler that can also provide an end product – 8/10
Noel Hunt – Striker – The bother of Stephen Hunt, he has often found himself overshadowed during his career, especially since Shane Long started fulfilling his promise earlier in the season. Hunt lacks the skill and style of his brother, however he compliments Long very well up front. His hard work and presence can go unnoticed and can sometimes be ineffective. However Hunt’s more than capable of grabbing a goal or two. 6/10
Shane Long – Striker – In many ways Reading’s key player. The young man from Tipperary looked a real prospect in his younger days, yet for some reason failed to fulfil that promise, until this season. McDermott has found the perfect system for Long, utilising his athleticism well. Long’s quick and strong, but can also finish like a seasoned professional. He’s a player that can get a goal from nowhere, and his scoring has been essential for Reading this year. But he’s not just a goal-scorer. He’s also a surprisingly effective target man for long balls, and holds the ball up well for his team-mates – 9/10
Good luck to Swansea and Reading at Wembley. Let’s hope it’s a good game and that the best team wins.
