Bank Holiday Monday Musings

Well what started as a lovely sunny feel-good weather day has turned into a bit of a threatening thunderous afternoon.... but hopefully that won't stop me going for a walk in an hour or so to blow the cobwebs away and get my vitamin D fix for the day.

Just watching Burnley play Sheffield United for the right to play in the Premier League next season - wanting Burnley to win as it's less far to travel for the away game against them next season - Plus Turf Moor is one of those proper football places I like. The fans are a bit old school these days and no doubt they'll get the usual Premier League hangers-on if they do manage to hang on to this lead and go up - but I think they'll be a good addition to the league. Plus its something new - nothing worse than having the same clubs yo-yoing up and down year in year out.

Of course its a big week for my own club - Manchester United. As someone who travels home and away to watch them, i am of course heading to Rome on Wednesday for the most expensive day out you'll find anywhere!! Over £600 for a day trip - well half a day by the time you get there - but should the result go our way it will be worth it!

I think most people who have watched United week in week out this year could probably pick the team that will run out in the Stadio Olimpico. Van der sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand (if he's fit), vidic, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Anderson, Park, Rooney, Ronaldo. With Ronaldo up front on his own, Park and Rooney wide.

I think this will definitely be the line up - Sir Alex Ferguson won't trust ronaldo to play in midfield as there'll be a lot of tracking back to do against the likes of Messi... but of course he has to play for his ability to win the game in a flash.

I love football. Just thinking while watching this playoff final. There is little else that dictates emotions and life like a game of football. How I'll feel on Thursday is 99.9% down to how things go on wednesday night...... How these sheffield united and burnley fans spend their weekends for the next year depends on what happens on that pitch in the next 20 minutes. Will they be going to old Trafford, Anfield, and The Emirates... playing the likes of Scunthorpe, Peterborough and.... err Newcastle United.

Unbelievable to think that that club, its huge stadium and infastructure will be in the Championship next year - but that's what i love about football. It can happen to anyone - no matter the perceived size and structure. if things go wrong on the pitch then your league status will fall. That's why promotion and relegation must NEVER be abolished in football like it has been in Rugby League.

It keeps the dream alive for clubs like Burnley and Hull, who would probably never have been 'elected' into a fat-cat premier league. And also keeps open the punishment of failure where it really matters. On the pitch.