SIr Alex Ferguson certainly falls into that category after another managerial master class this week which has set-up the dream Manchester United v Barcelona Champions League final.

All this despite United being dismissed all year as one of the most average sides to ever stand on the brink of the famous domestic/European league double.

I’m sure the canny old Scot has used all the carping to build a seige mentality in the camp and he’ll do exactly the same for the final and Sunday’s match with Chelsea.

Barcelona are supposedly unbeatable. But if anyone can it’s Ferguson so I’ll be laying-off a bit of my ante-post cash riding on the Catalans just in case the old master pulls off the greatest night of his career.

Beating Schalke certainly took nothing out of Man Utd but Chelsea will be fired-up for the fight and I fancy a draw which will be enough for United but kill off any lingering hopes the Blues have for the title.

The stalemate is available at 9/4 and that’s a decent price for a match that has all the hallmarks of a tight, low-scoring affair.

Elsewhere it’s all about motivation for sides as they reach the end of the season and the relegation dogfight reaches the final stretch.

Now I know West Ham need the points more than anyone. But surely no-one in their right mind would lump-on Avram Grant’s men at odds-on even if they are playing fellow strugglers Blackburn at home?

Watching the Hammers cave-in within minutes against Man City last week was another depressing experience in a traumatic season.

I’m no fan of Avram Grant – he’s more Chauncey Gardiner than Sir Alex – but the players and owners must take their share of the blame for the debacle.

A lot of our “stars” are already planning their next transfers instead of fighting for the shirt while Davids Gold and Sullivan should have sacked Grant went it become clear to everyone he wasn’t up to the job.

The upshot is that we need to win three out of three to survive.

Now I’ll be there every week willing them on with every bit of me.

But I fear there’s more chance of Avram being named the next manager of Man Utd.

Running Total for all bets to a £10 stake: £ -78.00

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