English Football Fans

Hughes Blasts Foreign Fakers

2008-09-29T03:50:00.000-07:00

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has accused foreign Premier League players of being serial simulators following his side's weekend loss to Wigan Athletic...

Wigan claimed the points at the JJB Stadium thanks to Amr Zaki's first-half penalty, which set the scores at 2-1 after City's Vincent Kompany had cancelled out Luis Antonio Valencia's 16th-minute opener.

It was a controversial call from referee Steve Bennett, as Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios certainly made the most of what little contact he received from Javier Garrido's challenge.

Hughes made no attempt to hide his frustration with the decision, insisting Bennet made a number of crucial errors that influenced the result.

"We felt it was an extremely harsh penalty. The lad is clearly looking to gain an advantage and dived theatrically," he said in The Sun.

"We wondered if it was because of where the referee was standing but it wasn�??t."

Diving has become a thorny issue in English football over the last few years, with many pointing to the influx of imported talent as the source of problem.

Opinions remains divided, however, as some pundits believe British players are every bit as guilty of faking for a free-kick as the likes of Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Hughes insisted homegrown stars are nowhere near as wily as foreign players when it comes to hoodwinking referees.

"I didn�??t use to fall down as easily as some foreign players," added the former Manchester United forward.

"They are a bit more adept at winning free-kicks than British ones. The ability to draw fouls is seen as a skill.

"Yet maybe this is what we have to expect from this point onwards."

Ramos Not Worried About Losing Job

2008-09-29T03:49:00.000-07:00

Under-fire Tottenham boss Juande Ramos has played down speculation that he is one or two more losses away from losing his job.

Hailed as the Spurs' saviour when arriving from Sevilla during last season, the Spaniard has overseen Tottenham's worst ever Premiership start, with the 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth keeping them rooted to the bottom of the table.

At Fratton Park, the traveling fans showed their discontent with the infamous 'you don't know what you're doing chant', but Ramos is confident that he can turn things around and that he will be given the time to do so.

When pressed on whether he can still count on the full backing of the board he said: "Absolutely. We speak regularly and everyone is aware of our delicate position.

"Whether I survive is something for the chairman and the board to decide but I'm not hurt (by the fans' abuse). What hurts is not winning matches."

"We are in a complicated situation and nobody seems to help us when we need it," he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"Portsmouth scored from a penalty today but in the same kind of incident we were denied a penalty - the same as against Wigan last week. In critical moments we are not getting these decisions.

"We have been playing with two strikers in most games but we used just one against Newcastle and it worked better. Bent had played every minute of the six previous games and needed a break.

"It is true that when you come here and feel up for winning that it is very disappointing when you lose, but the players know we have another game in another competition on Thursday and we must recover from this very quickly."

Redknapp: We Rejected Bid For Diarra

2008-09-29T03:48:00.000-07:00

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that the club rejected a £15 million offer for Lassana Diarra on the final day of the transfer window.

With the finances at Fratton Park subject to increasing concern on the South Coast, owner Alexandre Gaydamak is looking to offload the club as he struggles to cope with the spiralling wage bill.

Such worries have added credence to speculation that Redknapp would be forced to cash in on the club�??s saleable assets, with Diarra reportedly set to join the likes of John Utaka and Niko Kranjcar out of the exit door.

However, the experienced manager has attempted to play down the speculation, believing that the fact that all players have a price on their head is nothing unique to Pompey.

"At the moment I don't want to sell anybody. I turned down a £15million bid for Diarra on transfer deadline day. I'm not saying who from - he might want to go there," Redknapp said.

"But he is worth more than that. You show me a club that's not up for sale if somebody offers fantastic money.

"I don't know if the owner here wants to sell but I bet every club has a price on it.

"I know we have fantastic assets here - and they are on the pitch. I've spoken to the owner and he's told me we don't have to sell.

"We had to sell Sulley Muntari and Pedro Mendes in the summer to get Peter Crouch and and a few others. It happens in football but I wouldn't have a clue what players earn or what they cost.

"I had to sell Benjani last season which I didn't want to do but I needed to do that to get Defoe who is younger. Nearly every team is in debt and has to sell to buy. Nobody is making millions."

Diarra played in Porsmouth�??s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, though an otherwise solid display was tainted with his dismissal late on for two bookable offences.

English Debate: Can Arsenal Lift Major Silverware This Campaign?

2008-09-29T03:46:00.000-07:00

Arsenal sit atop of the Premier League after five games, but can they maintain that position come the end of the season? Is their game more suitable to the Champions League? Or are the domestic cups a more realistic target for Arsene's Gunners?

Arsenal kept the loftiest of positions in the Premier League for a longer period than any other club last term but came unstuck six weeks into 2008.

The knock-on effect of an Eduardo da Silva leg break sent shockwaves reverberating round the red shirts on the pitch of St Andrews and Birmingham City pegged the Gunners back courtesy of a poor refereeing call. Mike Riley (incorrectly) deemed Gael Clichy to have fouled Stuart Parnaby in the box and James McFadden duly converted from the penalty spot and the points were shared.

In the subsequent three games Arsenal could only muster one from each. They lost their flow in their league and the highlight of that campaign was to be a convincing 2-0 win the San Siro in the round of 16, knocking AC Milan - the Champions League holders - out of Europe.

April proved to be a month that would bring an influx of melancholic suffering as Liverpool, with the aid of referees Peter Vink and Peter Fröjdfeldt, sealed their exit from Europe's premier cup competition, and a draw at home with the same side left the club from N5 five points behind then league leaders Manchester United.

If Arsenal had maintained the form shown in the first half of the season they would have gone on to lift the Premier League trophy. They collected 44 points out of a possible 57 in the opening 19 games: drawing five times and losing only the once. Should they have replicated that in the second half of the season they would have ended the year on 88 points. Manchester United won the title with 87.

A shambolic display at Craven Cottage aside, Arsenal have recreated their dangerous early season form of last year but can they go the distance this time round? Is their squad deep enough to sustain a successful assault on Europe or will they again falter at one of the final hurdles?

Transfer Activity

Since last term fundamental footballers to previous successes have either been allowed the transfers they craved, or left for zero boodle.

Gilberto was one of the few remaining 'invincibles' but he departed to Greek giants Panathinaikos; Mathieu Flamini - their energetic midfield engine for much of last season - left on a free to AC Milan; and Aliaksandr Hleb, a pundits favourite due to his flawless feet and good pass and move play, departed for pastures Barça.

Who then can replace these cogs in Arsenal's armoury? Samir Nasri is the obvious candidate for the Hleb role (prior to his deployment behind the striker) and has already shown his attacking qualities. Best of all he appears to enjoy having a pop on goal and would refuse to pass when faced with an open goal - something his predecessor seemed to revel in.

Obscure and uncelebrated recruitments are often synonymous with transfers to Arsenal. The likes of Amaury Bischoff and Francis Coquelin would presumably have opposition fans smirking at the thought of Arsene Wenger replacing experienced heads with either raw French players from Ligue 2, or crocked Portugal U21 internationals who can only muster a handful of games in a number of years.

Aaron Ramsey too is relatively green. At only 17-years of age goalkeeping coach Bob Wilson views the Welshman as the ideal partner for Cesc Fàbregas for the future. So is Fàbregas' current midfield partner a case of not Mr. Right, but Mr. Right for now?

Denilson was anonymous against Fulham but has looked assured in recent games, particularly against Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers. His forward play is good, he can pick a pass, and his positioning sense is sound. But is he capable enough to defend when he needs to and can he last the pace for a gruelling 38-league game season?

Defensive Frailties

Arsenal are in a defensive crisis, apparently. I say apparently because some commentators choice of word is often questionable. Crisis... you could aim that word at Tottenham Hotspur, who can shell out countless notes for European Championship performers like Luka Modri�? and Roman Pavlyuchenko but they can't buy a win.

A defensive crisis is a team that ships so many goals that you could be forgiven for thinking that you have been witness to a rugby match, not football. Portsmouth perhaps?

Arsenal have only conceded twice in five Premier League games, thrice in all competitions (to date), but this won't stop the hyperbole.

What should be a cause of concern though is the manner in which Wenger's side have conceded. Both league goals were a result of sloppy defending from set-pieces.

A Brede Hangeland poke at Fulham should have been prevented by William Gallas but it slipped the Gunners captain's mind to track his man. More recently Arsenal allowed an unmarked Kevin Davies to head home in their trip to the trotters' playground.

If Wenger does not remedy this on the training ground, and continues to allow teams like Bolton and Fulham to score goals that could have easily been prevented, then the red and whites might become royally exposed when faced with grander opposition.

Potency Of Attack

Cesc Fàbregas is instrumental to Arsenal's play, but should Tomáš Rosický return from injury - whose dates are continuously pushed back - then the Gunners will welcome another goal-scoring midfielder who can also create, and let us not forget Samir Nasri - who in his few displays so far seems capable of the same.

Emmanuel Adebayor - love him or loathe him - but 30 goals in his first full season tells you all you need to know. So does the fact that he was caught offside more than any other player.

The Togolese striker is not Thierry Henry. He can't drift offside to fool the defence then run back onside before the ball is played and beat the trap. Neither can he play on the left and cut inside with as much success as the legendary Frenchman enjoyed. What he can provide - something Henry never could for Arsenal - is a distinct aerial threat, but he also needs to work on his consistency.

He has scored three goals this season, but they have all arrived in one game. Likewise last season he would have a hot streak, then go without scoring for hundreds and hundreds of minutes, then repeat the cycle again. One advantage of having Sheyi in your side though is that he has a convenient dexterity of scoring in the big games. Old Trafford springs to mind.

Robin van Persie boasts a superb technique and is capable of scoring spectacular goals. His volley against Charlton Athletic at the Valley was hailed by Wenger as being ''technically perfect". Should the Dutchman stay injury free then there is every chance that his partnership with Adebayor could record as many as 45-50 goals.

Eduardo da Silva's return for Arsenal could act as a new signing at a crucial stage of the season and if he returns to the natural-finishing, goal-poaching, fox in the boxing, Eduardo that we were getting used to prior to his leg break in February then Arsenal's attack would undoubtedly be plentiful.

Theo Walcott too will offer a lot to his team-mates. The lack of signings Arsene made during the window may be made up by the maturing of his younger players. The likes of Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott, and even Abou Diaby, Denilson, Alexandre Song, will be expected to up their game.

The questions that remain are: will Arsenal's constant niggling injuries come back to haunt them? In the event that a stubborn opposition defence sitfles Arsenal's attack will the Gunners own backline ride out a bombardment of their own? And, most importantly, can they go the distance with their current squad both at home and abroad and finally claim the title that has eluded them throughout their history?

Gallas Content With Fourth Spot?

2008-09-29T03:45:00.000-07:00

Arsenal captain William Gallas hopes his team-mates did not take visiting Hull City lightly prior to their weekend loss, and states that Arsenal will have to try their hardest to stay in fourth spot.

Hull City travelled to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the knowledge that they were firm underdogs considering Arsenal's impeccable home record and recent form.

However, it was the Tigers who claimed all three points and the Gunners suffered their second loss of the season against opposition that they should not even be drawing with, let alone losing to.

Captain William Gallas says he hopes his side did not go into the game expectant of the win, and insists that fourth place my be the club's only hope, but they will have to try their hardest to stay there.

He told Arsenal TV Online: "If we think like this [expecting the win] we will not go anywhere... The players were ready to play a strong game, we were not lucky and we have to work more and try to stay in the fourth position."

"It's very difficult to accept. We said all the time we wanted to win every game and we lost 2-1 to Hull City."

"They showed the character, they showed they can play football. They were very strong and we were not strong enough, so we have to forget that game and think about the next game on Tuesday [against FC Porto]."

Wenger Foresees English Domination In Europe

2008-09-29T03:44:00.002-07:00

Arsene Wenger believes that this season's Champions League final could contain two club's from the Premier League for the second successive season.

For the first time in it's history the Champions League final was contested by two English club's last season in Moscow with penalty kicks the only way to split Manchester United from Chelsea, who missed the opportunity to become the first London club to lift the European cup.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that Premier League club's will once again dominate the competition this season and sees no reason why Rome cannot be an all-English affair.

Wenger is quoted by the Guardian Series as saying: "The four Premier League clubs will have a big say in who wins the Champions League. No question."

"Every club in Europe now knows that if they are drawn against an English team then it will be very hard," he concluded.

Benitez Admits Babel Frustration

2008-09-29T03:44:00.001-07:00

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admits that he is growing frustrated with the erratic form of Ryan Babel.

On his day Ryan Babel can be a match-winner. His super sub role in the Champions League quarter final against Liverpool sealed the Reds' passage to the next round as he won a penalty and scored a goal.

However, Rafa Benitez believes Babel to be a starter and not simply a substitute but his consistency would have to be improved if he wants to secure a regular starting role.

Benitez is quoted by the Malaysian Insider as saying: "Our view of Ryan is a player who starts games and has an impact from the beginning, not just as a sub."

"But first of all he has to improve tactically and we are working with him on that. He is the kind of player who can change games and he has done that when coming from the bench," Benitez added.

Now we want him to start games and change them."

Bosingwa Responsible For Chelsea Dynamism, Says Wilkins

2008-09-29T03:42:00.000-07:00

New Chelsea assistant head coach Ray Wilkins believes that the arrival of Portuguese right back Jose Bosingwa has given the Blues an extra edge this season.

Jose Bosingwa is in imperious form this season and has provided Chelsea with an extra attacking option due to his pace, width, and pass and movement from the full back berth.

These attributes are even seen as responsible for the Blues' win over Stoke, as it was Bosingwa who scored one and created the other.

New Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins has hailed the impressive right-back's contribution, and is quoted by the Sun as saying: "Jose�??s work ethic is superb �?? the way he�??s prepared to get forward and get himself back. He�??s settled in remarkably."

Citing the former mainstays of the Brazilian defence: Roberto Carlos and Cafu, Wilkins says Portugual are developing their own legendary defenders that could challenge the Brazilian pair's status as the text-book modern full-backs.

"Look at Brazilian football over the years and the great full-backs they�??ve had. It�??s the same with Portugal to some extent as well... The two full-backs are paramount to the way they play."

"And that�??s the way Phil wants his full-backs to play. They get themselves into very advanced areas and can also defend. So from that aspect I�??ve not been surprised by him. But he�??s come into a different kind of football from what he�??s used to."

"Modern-day full-backs get a lot of time on the ball so they�??re vitally important to the way any team plays," he added.

"If you�??ve got people who can work and can also play football �?? as ours can �?? then you�??ve got far more chance of creating more goalscoring opportunities. But it�??s not just Jose. We have three or four full-backs who are prepared to do that all day long."

Cuéllar Insists Villa Move Was Right Choice

2008-09-29T03:41:00.000-07:00

Carlos Cuellar insists that his summer leap of faith, moving from Rangers to Aston Villa, was the right thing to do, despite limited playing time thus far...

27-year-old Carlos Cuellar was a revelation in Glasgow after making the switch from Osasuna to Rangers last summer.

In the space of one season, the stopper became an Ibrox Demigod, helping the Gers to a domestic cup double, eventually falling short of a quadruple which almost included the SPL title at the Uefa Cup crown.

However, the Spaniard didn't hesitate when Martin O'Neill's highly-rated Aston Villa came in for him in the summer.

Now, though, Cuellar is languishing on the Villans' bench despite forcing his way back to full fitness, whilst new-look Rangers are enjoying a very promising start to the season.

Still, patient Cuellar has no regrets and insists that he's relishing his new life in the Premiership and in Birmingham.

Praising his new home, he told the Times: �??We Spaniards tend to think that England is a land of only rain and fog, and quite grey. But look at the canals; look at the women!�??

Asked if his two late cameo appearances off the bench are enough to statisfy him, he replied: �??This is the strongest league in the world, but also one where a player feels respected.

�??Martin O�??Neill keeps telling me what an honour it was to have me in the side,�?? Cuellar revealed.

�??The football culture is great here. A good working environment helps keep your feet on the ground and allows you to focus on developing as a player.

�??It is the most complete league in the world in terms of the level of technical ability, physical strength and mental sharpness.�??

One would assume, though, that £7.8m capture Cuellar will come to resent those canals and the strength of the Premier League should he go much longer without a league start.

Ferguson Hails Neville Comeback

2008-09-29T03:40:00.000-07:00

Sir Alex Ferguson had his doubts as to whether Gary Neville would be able to return to his former self after 18 months on the sidelines, but admits he has made a 'brilliant' comeback.

Club captain Gary Neville, 33, had to sit on the sidelines last season and watch as Manchester United completed a memorable double due to an ankle complaint and a problematic calf injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson admits the 18 months that the right back spent out of action forced him to think about alternative options in the long term as it was likelier that Neville may never return to the player he once was.

The Manchester United boss though has hailed Neville's professionalism during his comeback, and believes the player - who has 85 England caps to his name - deserves credit.

"When you consider the way Gary has been plagued by injuries for 18 months, he has done brilliantly to come back so convincingly," Ferguson told the Sun.

"At one point I thought he would not make it back into the Premier League. But he has and all credit to him."

"He persevered and never lost faith, despite the succession of niggles and strains that followed his ankle injury," he added, citing the player's mental strength as the key reason for his comeback..

"He is a role model for any player feeling down on his luck," Sir Alex concluded.

Jenas To Capello: I'm No Benchwarmer

2008-09-29T03:37:00.000-07:00

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas has expressed his frustration at being a "squad player" for England, revealing that he is desperate to earn a starting berth...

You can count on one hand the number of starts Jenas has tallied in his five-year-old international career.

With the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham well ahead of him in the pecking order, the 25-year-old has earned most of his 20 caps as a second-half substitute.

Tired of sitting on the pine, the former Newcastle player hopes to convince England boss Fabio Capello that he is worthy of a place in the first team.

�??I love playing for England. But I don�??t want to be a squad player who sits on the bench every time,�?? Jenas told News of the World.

�??I get so frustrated �?? I am a human being who feels that it�??s a good shout sometimes to be angry and never be happy unless I am in the team. If Fabio Capello wants to put me on the on the left wing, or centre midfield, I am more than happy.�??

With Tottenham lying last in the Premier League after six winless games, one may be forgiven for writing off the Nottingham native's comments as very wishful thinking.

But Capello has repeatedly stated that the calibre of a player's club means little to him when it comes to selecting his squad, and Jenas hopes the Italian will stay true to his word - although he knows an upswing in Spurs' performances will only help.

�??I reckon that if I keep working hard and Tottenham�??s results improve I will get my chance,�?? he added.

�??Capello is definitely a manager who has shown that if you playing well for your club, you are in with a shout.�??

England will resume World Cup qualifying when they host Kazakhstan on October 11.

Agger's Anfield Agony

2008-09-29T03:33:00.000-07:00

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has reportedly delayed discussions over a new contract, casting further doubt over his future...

According to News of the World, Agger will not enter negotiations to extend his current deal until manager Rafael Benitez assures him that he has a first-team future at Anfield.

The Danish defender has found himself on the fringes this season after missing almost all of the 2007-08 campaign with a metatarsal problem that threatened to derail his hugely promising career.

The former Brondby star has had his starting spot usurped by Martin Skrtel, the Slovakian centre-back who arrived in January and has quickly earned fan-favourite status with his uncompromising performances beside Jamie Carragher.

Benitez is unwilling to break up a defensive pairing which has conceded just two goals in six Premier League games, meaning Agger has been reduced to a benchwarming role.

The Spanish tactician is desperate to keep hold of the 23-year-old, who is expected to feature heavily in the Champions League given Sami Hyypia was controversially left off Liverpool's roster for the competition.

But it is reported that Agger - who was rumoured to be battling a drinking problem while sidelined last season - is growing ever more restless and could seek a move as early as January.