Stan's 5-Point Stance: Chelsea to Edge Spurs, Van Gaal Must Keep David De Gea
In this week's five-point stance, Stan Collymore visits topics related to the Capital One Cup final, the aftermath of Ashley Barnes' tackle on Nemanja Matic, Manchester City, Liverpool and David De Gea
1. Chelsea will shade Spurs in Capital One Cup final, but it's going to be very close
Sunday's Capital One Cup final between Chelsea and Tottenham should be a brilliant game.
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After Spurs' 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year's Day, players such as Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Andros Townsend will go to Wembley with a lot more belief.
They gave the likes of Gary Cahill and John Terry the runaround at White Hart Lane, so in a one-off game, it is going to be very tight. I won't be surprised in the slightest if it goes to extra time and penalties.
But I think Chelsea will win it by the odd goal, possibly in extra time, because Jose Mourinho has a known love of this competition after it being the first trophy he won in England.
Tottenham will put up a good fight, though, and it is going to be seriously close.
2. Fourth official or review panel would quickly resolve the Nemanja Matic red-card case
I completely understand Nemanja Matic's reaction to Ashley Barnes' challenge in the game between Chelsea and Burnley on Saturday.
This is a classic case where either a fourth official with a video monitor or a panel decision was needed.
I spoke with a leading Football Association official this week, and he did not want to change the rules so that every decision would be subject to an appeal or a fourth official as they do in rugby.
However, Barnes' challenge on Matic—halfway down the shin and causing his opponent's leg to bend—means I can totally understand the Chelsea player's reaction.
A fourth official or a panel would help us work our way from A to Z here, with the first point being the challenge by Barnes. Was it worthy of a red card? Yes. Matic reacts, but do we understand the reaction and does it deserve to be punished? Yes to both with a yellow card as punishment.
It would all be done and dusted, and footballing justice would also be served.
The FA will tell you they have to believe the ref if they saw the incident and don't want to re-referee everything, but there are at least half-a-dozen of these situations every season.
Referees just need a little help; that's all I'm suggesting. I would rather have the correct decision in these cases. Let's get the right answer at the end of a game.
3. Manchester City need to believe they can compete in the Champions League
I watched Barcelona's win at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, and I think Manchester City have a kind of identity crisis where the Champions League is concerned.
The lukewarm reception in the stands toward the Champions League suggests the fans have not quite come to grips with the fact they are in the tournament.
The first-half display suggested the players did not feel as if they should be on the same pitch as Barcelona.
City have to get used to being a big name so they can be competitive in the Champions League. If they don't, they will be also-rans.
The Citizens need to change their mentality. They can score at the Camp Nou in the second leg and it will be a very open game, but you have to fancy Barcelona to go through.
4. Brendan Rodgers deserves all the plaudits for rejuvenating Liverpool
Liverpool's resurgence is down to Brendan Rodgers being a bloody good coach and an increasingly confident manager.
When he came to Anfield, he needed to change several things around, such as the big-spending culture which saw the likes of Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing arrive previously at the club for major money.
Rodgers has made some good signings such as Daniel Sturridge and brought through young kids like Raheem Sterling.
After the first 10 games this season, people suggested he had been over-reliant on Luis Suarez last season and he is being found out now.
However, Rodgers shows a growing maturity to acknowledge and address the problems by changing to three central defenders and making bold moves like leaving out big signings such as Mario Balotelli.
I never thought his job should have been under threat earlier in the season, and he is finding a second coming that could lead Liverpool to the success they almost achieved last season.
5. Louis van Gaal must ensure goalkeeper David De Gea stays with Manchester United
Reports from Spain claimed this week that David De Gea and Louis van Gaal have not spoken for months (via the Daily Mirror).
If that is true, it should be a huge worry for Manchester United. There have been long-term rumours that Real Madrid and other big clubs are interested in De Gea, and Van Gaal needs to swing the goalkeeper back on side.
United do not have a good back line. They have a great goalkeeper, but need to make upgrades elsewhere on defence.
And you need a world-class goalkeeper to tempt and inspire the best defenders to play in front of.
Victor Valdes is a great goalkeeper, but he hasn't proved he is fit or consistent enough to be No. 1 at Old Trafford. That may well come, but Van Gaal needs to put an arm around De Gea if there has been a spat between them.
You won't get the best out of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Angel Di Maria without having a solid back four to build from, and De Gea should be the key man for United to build around.
