Hacker: Five things we’ve learnt from the 2010/2011 Season

1. Wayne Rooney isn’t as stupid as he looks…but then neither is Fergie. When in October Wayne issued a statement declaring he would not be signing a new contract at Manchester United, it seemed that the double Glazer-ing had finally fallen in on the house that Sir Alex built. That night, Fergie retaliated with a metaphor straight out of the Cantona textbook: “They (Rooney) look in a field and see a cow and they think it's a better cow than the one in their own field”. Yet, just 3 days later following some helpful advice from balaclava-clad United 'fans' outside his home, Rooney signed a new five-year deal at the club. While Wayne undoubtedly showed a staggering degree of self-interest in achieving a hefty pay-rise, even his most ardent critics could not doubt Sir Alex’s power of persuasion to keep his talisman at the club. The result, a soon to be record 19th title for his club.

2. £50 Million pounds is a lot of money when you’re not scoring on the pitch…but it’s priceless when you’re scoring off it. It's perceivable that had Roman Abramovich found himself writing songs rather than cheques the Abba line “If I had to do the same again, I would, my friend, Fernando” would read a little differently after this season. Torres’ multi-million pound move seemed a pricey but good bit of business, particularly after he had dispatched the champions so effortlessly earlier in the season. However, it took 14 appearances in a Chelsea shirt for him to score and even then he had a rather large assist from a puddle on the Stamford Bridge turf. Next season should be better for el nino if Drogba leaves, just no-one mention a certain Ukranian predecessor. Meanwhile, a premier league star would have benefited greatly from Roman’s riches particularly as he has just taken out a super-injunction to prevent marital affairs becoming public. It seems this season was all about the “Money, Money, Money”.

3. Gareth Bale is not and never has been the best player in the world. According to Jamie Redknapp – he of “hanging out the back of it” shame - it takes one hat-trick against a player never lauded for his defensive capabilities to turn Bale from exciting prospect to world beater. Yes, Bale played well that night, yes, he is a threat in an ever-improving Tottenham team, but on statistics alone, Shola Ameobi has more Premier League assists than Gareth Bale and arguably Luka Modric had the better season. With a lot of hard work Bale could become one of the top wingers in world football, but then it's not unimaginable that someone might have said a similar thing to Shola once.

4. Scottish football has some serious problems. This was the season when changes were to be seen. Throughout Britain, managers, players and referees all spoke of the word “respect”. However, this was the season when Scottish referees went on strike due in no small measure to the biggest clubs questioning their integrity. Respect seemed to be lacking from all quarters and this is no more so the case then when Celtic manager Neil Lennon was sent a bomb through the post. Lennon seemed particularly blasé about the situation declaring it was “something he would have to live with” – the threats one would assume, rather than the bomb itself. Furthermore, Rangers will find themselves without away support in Europe next season due to sectarian singing in their game again PSV in march. All three incidents highlight the darkest issues within Scottish society as well as the national sport - it is only hoped there will be changes next year.

5. That No.10 for Barca looks alright