The Write Stuff – Premier League Season Review, Champions League Final Preview
It's that time of the year when fans take a breather, pop the dog-eared season ticket in the draw and do some reflecting on the last nine months or so of wall-to-wall football. In this edition of The Write Stuff, we have a Premier League review, big-name assessments of David Beckham's career and a toast to one man who will seemingly never retire, Inter's Javier Zanetti. There’s also a chance to look forward too - read a Champion's League Final preview and discover the reasons why next year's Premier League should be considerably more entertaining than this one.
Read MoreBantr's Best Banter – Last Day Of The Premier League Season Special
For the last time this Premier League season, we highlight the very best comments, quips and banter from our members. This climactic week, fan opinion was in a a buzz over four topics - the scrap for the last Champions League place, the incredible 5-5 result in Sir Alex's last game, the retirement of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher and Chelsea's Europa League victory.
Read MoreHappy Mondays? Arsenal Crush Tottenham’s Champions League Dreams
We were spoilt on the last day of the season last year – the title race and the ever-dramatic relegation dogfight were both bubbling away. This year the focus of frantic ‘it all comes down to this’ spotlight fell solely on the last Champions League place. Whilst Arsenal secured a crucial 1-0 win, Tottenham’s record points total and hugely encouraging season fell into insignificance. Where now for Gareth Bale and what will Wenger do with his European lifeline?
Read MoreTop 5 Manager Spats
One year after THAT Sergio Aguero goal won Manchester City’s first Premier League title, silver haired boss Roberto Mancini has been given the sack after four years in charge since 2009.
The often-scarfed Italian’s reign as manager was an ego juggling act which often came tumbling back on top of him. Public spats with Carlos Tevez and the infamous fisticuffs with compatriot Mario Balotelli appear to have been the tip of an iceberg of discontent among his squad of young millionaires.
So Roberto, if you’re reading this don’t feel so down, here is a top 5 list of other gaffers who have fallen out with their colleagues inside the dressing room pressure cooker. It’s happened to the best of them.
Read MorePopes, PR and the Vatican Soccer Sin Bin
Sovereign city state nations with populations less than 1,000 find themselves irresistibly drawn to soccer. Or perhaps that pertains only to one-man rulerships like Vatican City, right smack in Rome, that can’t help but intersect with soccer and watch it blow up in their faces.
Read MoreViral Friday – The Best Of David Beckham
The last few weeks has been dominated by the theme of departure. First Jose Mourinho revealed he's on his way to the Premier League, Sir Alex announced his retirement and Roberto Mancini was unceremoniously sacked. This Viral Friday, we've highlighted David Beckham, Michael Owen and Mark van Bommel's retirements via some cracking videos - some much more complimentary than others. Plus we champion the dancing skills of Ian Holloway and giggle at the misfortunes of a Real Madrid star.
Top Five Glorious European Nights For Chelsea
Chelsea have often been accused of having no history, but that statement seems increasingly misplaced. In Europe alone they have amassed four historic trophies and given English football some of its most memorable moments on the continent. Last night was no different as Chelsea followed up last year’s Champions League heroics with a Europa League title – all in typically dramatic fashion. To raise a glass to the West London side’s victory last night, we’ve picked out their top five most glorious European nights.
The Write Stuff - Mancini Memory Lane, Will Moyes Get Time To Succeed?
On this week's showcase of our favourite blog writing we have several big talking points covered - an article examining how much patience David Moyes might receive at Manchester United, a tactical breakdown of Wigan's magnificent FA Cup final win and a pictorial look at the highs and lows of Roberto Mancini's time at Manchester City. All that, plus some very simple advice on how to score a penalty.
Read MorePremier League Cult Heroes XI
In the latest of their fantastic ‘Fantasy XI’ series Football Week afforded Bantr blog's very own Ben Davies to select his team of Premier League cult heroes…
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