Success is built, not bought.

With the new season of the BPL soon to start in August, the current transfer period is full of activity, albeit only one club dealing furiously... Manchester City.

The blue half of Manchester is doing what we affectionately call the "Real Madrid" way of building success. Whether it is success or not is undefined.

I have a problem with buying your way to success. I am a big fan of Manchester United, and a big part of that is the way Man Utd earn their success by building from the ground up. Every generation that brought glory to the club is heavily influenced by the youth academy. You've got the Busby Babes from Bobby Charlton's era, you've got Fergie's Fledgings like Beckham, Neville brothers and the influential Giggs and Scholes. Then you had Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the best talent in the world that honed his skills at Carrington. You're witnessing the rise of Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher and a new bunch of youngsters that will soon be household names (tip: watch out for Obertan, Macheda, Welbeck and Cleverley).

Success is built from the ground level up. It is the same in every area. While there are stories of instant success, they are few and far between. The problem with non-footballing owners like Manchester City's is that they expect instant success, and by that they think money will buy them a trophy. They have really missed the whole picture. History makers like Man Utd build their way up, and that can never be replaced by instant gratification from having loads of money.

If you have a goal in mind, and have dedicated yourself to working at it, I am sure you can identify with hardship, rejection and failures. Take heart because the way to success is often long and winding, and it takes many experiences along the way to find it. And just for that matter, you might never find it. Success depends much on opportunity and whether you have grabbed it with both hands.

Enjoy the journey and look back, knowing that even if you never achieve the lofty heights of Man Utd, at least you made an effort to build a legacy, not buy one.

Viva la Espana

The World Cup drew to a fairytale closing.

The Spanish boys, all cute and handsome won the coveted trophy for the first time in a history of near misses and underachievers.

They are the latest member to join an elite group of countries who have won the World Cup, the highest accolade in football and arguably world sports.

A big congratulations to South Africa as well for a most colourful and entertaining World Cup 2010. Without a single doubt, this World Cup has been a resounding success, and much credit must be given to the unsung heroes who had ensured that the World Cup was safe and enjoyable for all partying fans.

Viva la Espana.

The strange case of Paul the Psychic Octopus.

Holy Moley....

The psychic octopus Paul is spot on again in its predictions at the World Cup. It has so far a 100% record in predicting all the matches of Germany, including the semi final loss to Spain.

Am I the only one freaking out here? The psychic octopus seems to come from another planet. If only it predicts matches other than Germany, it will be regarded as a god by the very keen gamblers of this world.

Poor Germany. They got undone by Spain, but hey, at least they can be proud of a mystical octopus by the name of Paul.

Simple Tap in. Simply Memorable.

Miroslav Klose's simple tap in / walk in at the 68th mintue clearly ended Argentina's dreams. Simple goals did it for Germany as they defeated Argentina 4-0. Fielding one of the youngest teams in this World Cup, Germany penetrated Argentina's defence like hot knife through butter.

Simply memorable for football fans all around the world.

Congratulations to Germany as they proceed on to the Semi-Finals of the World Cup 2010.

Total Football triumphs.

In a special match for a less than special occasion, the Dutch team has finally rid itself of its tag "Underachievers" by claiming the scalp of the favourites in the tournament, Brazil.

And by doing so, they have proven that the Samba kings can be turned on their backs by Total Football, a term coined by the famous era of Johan Cryuff.

Brazil had a good first half, taking the lead early but the two most talented Dutch players proved decisive in a victory few would have given them a chance to based on their performance in the first half.

Sneijder and Robben were obviously the difference. Melo was silly by stamping on Robben and Julio Cesar was caught flapping.

So its goodbye to the much maligned Dunga, looked like he just did not have Lady Luck on his side. His animated gestures at the sidelines did not help in masking his massive disappointment.

I fully expect the Brazilians to look for an inspired change again in a new coach who will pick up the familiar kind of samba Brazil with its erratic bunch of superstars like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Adriano. We all kind of miss that Brazil.

Holland meanwhile has much to prove, next match Uruguay, a defeat will surely return them to the old tag of Underachievers. Victory will put them as clear favourites for the most coveted trophy in world football.

Is Roy Hodgson the one?

Some news to distract all serious football fans from the World Cup.

Is Roy Hodgson the man to lead Liverpool forward?

Well, I think for some fans, this will come as a shock to their system. Especially those who have come to expect a Gerard Houllier or Rafa Benitez; managers who stimulate the affections of the Kop at the start but fade quickly in two seasons.

But clearly, the board is taking on a new direction in employing perhaps a wiser and older British manager, one that is pretty shrewd, experienced yes... but probably has no major credentials on his honour roll... yet.

It is way too early to speculate if Roy is the man for the job, but this could well be a step in the right direction for Liverpool. For one, his job must be to hold on to what remnants he has in the dressing room and convince Fernando Torres that he is an ambitious manager.

Two, he needs to find some young British talent from lower divisions and bring them into an ageing and shallow squad. It is a challenge for him to harness his scouting network to look for rare gems in unexpected places; but that he did manage to pick out for Fulham during his time at Craven Cottage, just to name a few... Dickson Etuhu, Clint Dempsey, Brande Hangeland etc. considering Liverpool has little funds to compete with the big boys. Won't be surprised if Etuhu joins to replace a certain-to-leave Javier Mascherano.

I think the coming season is a season of consolidation for Liverpool and Roy Hodgson is the man for the job. Fulham did manage to consolidate a respectable position in the BPL despite being low on transfer funds when he was in charge.

Boring boring Liverpool might just be the pragmatic step forward for the most successful club in English football. *shrugs*