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2009-06-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

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Fernando Torres Back For Liverpool v West Brom

2008-11-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

Fernando Torres is back in Liverpool's squad for the Premier League game against West Brom after missing six games with a hamstring injury.The Spanish striker is expected to start the evening kick-off against the Baggies at Anfield although Reds boss Rafael Benitez will not make a firm decision until nearer kick-off.

He would like to reunite Torres with strike colleague Robbie Keane, who has managed just two goals all season, and was forming an impressive partnership with the Spaniard before injury ruled out the 24-year-old.

West Brom are once again without central defenders Leon Barnett and Abdoulaye Meite.
Barnett is recovering from minor knee surgery while Meite will miss an eighth successive game as he continues his recovery from a calf strain.

Scottish international midfielder James Morrison is fit to play after recovering from the back problem that forced him off against Blackburn last Saturday.

Midfielder Filipe Teixeira, who has not played since March due to a knee ligament injury, is set to return to the squad.

Teams:

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Pennant, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Riera, Cavalieri.

West Brom (from): Carson, Kiely, Zuiverloon, Hoefkens, Barnett, Donk, Olsson, Robinson, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Koren, Teixeira, Valero, Brunt, Miller, Bednar, Moore, Slusarski, MacDonald, Pele.

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Rafael Benitez Keen To Sort New Contract

2008-11-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

Rafael Benitez wants his new contract signed and sealed before the end of the month. The Liverpool manager will open talks on an extension to his current deal next week after a "positive" phone call from co-owner Tom Hicks.

But Benitez has made it clear he is only interested in a new long-term deal which would extend his stay at Anfield to at least a decade.

Benitez has been manager of Liverpool for four and a half years and has 18 months of his current deal still to run.

He has told the club's American owners he is looking for a contract which will allow him to be part of Liverpool's "long-term future."

And with a strong belief that there could be a change of ownership in the next six months still existing, it makes sense for Benitez to want his future sorted out quickly.

He said: "My idea is to do it as soon as possible. I would like to see it signed before the end of the month if that is possible.

"They have to talk to my agent about the conditions of the deal, but clearly the length of the contract is crucial. "If I can stay here for a long time I would be very pleased. It is rare to see managers at clubs for a long time, but that would be the right way.

"Stability is the key to winning trophies and being contenders for the title." Asked about a five-year contract, Benitez added: "Clearly that would be very good, I would like to be here for a very long time.

"I do not want to keep talking about my contract. It is not good for the team and it is not good for the club. We are in a good position that could be good for the future, so I want this contract concluded quickly.

"We have been improving the squad for five years so in the future we can be contenders and we can win more trophies.

"I told him (Hicks) that it had to be done quickly because the team is playing well. I do not want to be talking about this for weeks and months.

"They promised me it would be quick. "The team is very strong, you can see the progress. There is a new stadium soon and I want to be part of the future of Liverpool."

Benitez will welcome back Fernando Torres tomorrow for the visit of West Brom after the striker missed six games with a hamstring injury.

And after defeat at Spurs and a Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid, the progress on the manager's future will be well received.

Benitez added: "It is very easy and simple for me. I am in the place that I want to be, I am happy and pleased to be here.

"I have joked about staying for 20 years, but maybe I cannot be manager for that long.

"The main thing is the team is doing well and the club is going in the right direction. The squad is stronger, everything is positive."

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Christiano Ronaldo Wins World Player Of The Year Award

2008-10-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

FIFPro world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo claims to have learned from his selfish ways and no longer tries to beat opponents just for the sake of it.

Five years after his arrival from Sporting Lisbon as a raw teenager, Ronaldo has been confirmed as the best player on the planet. Although a host of awards are expected to come his way over the next few months, the FIFPro prize is particularly significant because it is the first to recognise his extraordinary achievements last season when he scored 42 goals in Manchester United's charge to Premier League and Champions League glory.

Voted for by players from over 40 countries, it emphasises the widespread appeal of Ronaldo's extraordinary rise and sees him follow in the footsteps of past winners Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Ronaldo has already had enough faith in his ability to believe he could become world number one.

But he accepts in his early days he spent too much time playing to the gallery and not enough on making sure United benefited from his rare talent.

"I have always played the way I do. It is natural," he said. "If you want to be good, you have to practice, not just in training but games as well. That is my style of football.

"But I am different now compared to five years ago. Then I was dribbling but not doing anything for the team.

"Now I have more experience and I feel more mature. I do things for the team. So, sometimes I dribble, sometimes I don't."

Few would argue against his current status but with the adulation comes attention and scrutiny.
It seems every move Ronaldo makes is analysed and dissected to establish whether the 23-year-old is still hankering after a move to Real Madrid.

"People are always writing things about me. It is up to them," he said. "If I smile it is because I smile. If don't it is because I don't. All I want to do is play well and do my best."

Ronaldo now feels the Real Madrid saga is not worth discussing. However, he is happy to confirm Sir Alex Ferguson as the major factor behind his decision to stay and a continuing influence on his career.

"Sir Alex has been a big inspiration to me," he said.

"He believed in me enough to buy me. I have learned so many things from him and I am continuing to learn because he is a great manager.

"Of course, he was the main factor in keeping me here. "But what happened in the summer is finished. Now my head is on the club. My focus is solely on playing well for Manchester United and winning the Premier League and Champions League again."

Ronaldo accepts emulating last term's incredible achievements will be tough, both for him individually but for United collectively.

Even halfway through the campaign, he was not thinking about the possibility he could win the Golden Boot. It was only when he continued to hear his name linked with the famous trophy that the Madeira-born star truly began to recognise what he was on the brink of.

"I only started to believe it when I scored 22 or 23," he said. "Before that it didn't even cross my mind because I am not a forward. My job is not to score, so to end up at 42 was incredible.

"It is important I recognise my team-mates because without them, it would not have been possible for me to get so many.

"But I have always been an ambitious player. I try to improve every season, not because I have to prove myself to anyone, just because I want to be the best I can be.

"I am still young and if I am being honest, I did not think I would reach this level so quickly.

"But I always believed in my talent and I have learned a lot, so it made me think that maybe I would become the best player in the world.

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Ledley King Backs New Tottenham Manager Harry redknapp

2008-10-27T12:03:00.001-07:00

Tottenham skipper Ledley King is relishing the prospect of working with a British manager following Harry Redknapp's appointment to take over from Juande Ramos.

Spurs have had foreign bosses since Glenn Hoddle was sacked in 2003 and David Pleat took over for the rest of the season - and the continental structure that was then put in place has now been scrapped.

Redknapp will take full control of transfers rather than having a sporting director doing the scouting and recruiting, with Spurs reverting to a traditional managerial system.

"It is brilliant to have an English manager," said King. "It has been a while and I am looking forward to the relationship."

The 28-year-old added: "Juande had come from Spain. You never know who will work but there are big advantages to having someone like Harry who knows the league and every player in the league."

King played against Bolton on Redknapp's first day in the job, the captain's second match in four days.

The centre-back has been recovering from knee surgery and had not completed matches in such quick succession for 10 months - and he is now desperate to face rivals Arsenal on Wednesday.

"My fitness is something we looked at before the season," King said. "The manager wanted me for certain games which meant I had to make sure I was there for them and sometimes I had to miss the games leading up to them.

"I'm still finding out about the knee and I'll see how quickly it recovers from this and we'll take it from there. We'll see if I can play on Wednesday as to how it reacts after a game on Sunday.

"It's not surprised me that I could play consecutive games back to back. I thought I could do it earlier in the season and stop people talking about it so much."

King lifted the Carling Cup four months after Ramos was appointed but Spurs only won three league games for the rest of the season.

"I was sad to see it not work out with Juande because he led us to our first trophy in a long time and he did it in such a short space of time," King said.

"It was magnificent to be part of that but our form - and we accept it as players - has not been good enough in the league. That's why it's happened.

"Now I think we do have a point to prove with the manager. The players have to start again and everyone has to perform and that's when you get the best out of players, when they are under pressure to perform and if their performances are not good enough then they won't be playing the next game. That can be a good thing."

Redknapp is targeting victory at Arsenal, adding: "If there is no chance of winning then we may as well stay at home."

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Betfair Affiliate Scheme - Exchange Betting Schemes

2008-10-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

How It Works

It’s really very easy. After your application to the Betfair Affiliate Programme has been approved, your affiliate account will be activated. From your affiliate account you will be able to generate your own links and banners for your site. Anyone you sign up to Betfair via one of these links or banners will be tracked to your affiliate account. You will then receive commission for these players either in the form of a percentage of the net revenue they generate or as a one-off (CPA) bounty payment.

Why should I join the Betfair Affiliate Programme?

By partnering with Betfair, you are affiliating your business with the most innovative, exciting and revolutionary gaming site on the internet. Their expert Affiliate Team offer all affiliates a thoroughly personal service, providing extensive support should an affiliate require it to make each and every partnership as profitable for the affiliate as possible.

How do I join?

Just click on the banner above or below and complete the simple online application form.

Is there a minimum amount before I get paid

Yes, you will need to generate a minimum of £50 revenue for your business before you will be paid. If you don’t manage to generate £50 in a month your balance will roll over into the next month. If you do not want to receive a payment at the end of the month you must notify the Betfair Affiliate Team before the end of the current month so we can postpone your payment.

Steve Bruce Hopes To Keep Prized Pair

2008-10-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has spoken of his hopes of keeping the Amr Zaki - Emile Heskey partnership at the club next term.

The pair's great form of late is attracting other clubs' interest but Bruce hopes he came keep them at the JJB.

Zaki is currently on loan from Zamalek and leads the Premier League scoring table with seven goals in his first eight games, including a memorable double against Liverpool on Saturday.

Bruce insists that Wigan have an agreement in principle with the Cairo club to sign Zaki at the end of his loan stint.

But among possible suitors is Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who has confirmed he is checking on the Egyptian striker.

Renaissance

Meanwhile Heskey is enjoying a renaissance at present, earning a regular starting berth under new England boss Fabio Capello.

The striker is out of contract in the summer and recently admitted it would be 'lovely' if he made a return to Liverpool.

But Bruce hopes he can keep the pair and says talks are ongoing with both players.

"We are in the driving seat because we have got them until June so we will very gradually and slowly and bit by bit try - they know that we want to try and keep them," Bruce told Sky Sports, adding the club have been in talks with the players' representatives for weeks.

Our utmost

"We will try our utmost - whether something will crack this week, next month, the month after who knows."

He agreed it was great that the club had players of such stature in its ranks.

"Who would have thought 15 years ago that Wigan would have the top goal-scorer in the Premier League and an England centre-forward - that shows how far the club has come," he said.

Zaki himself said he appreciated the favour which he owed to the manager, to the supporters and the players, adding he was happy at Wigan.

He said: "I think it is a great achievement to play in Wigan and I would like to show my loyalty to them by playing and showing myself as best as I can."

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Amr Zaki Loving Life At Wigan Athletic

2008-10-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Amr Zaki says he is loving life at Wigan as boss Steve Bruce vows to fight to keep the striker.

On-loan Egyptian Zaki has made an impressive start to life at the JJB Stadium, scoring five times in his first seven games to alert other clubs to his talent.

Bruce has stated the Latics already have an agreement in place to make Zaki's move permanent but the club are doing all they can to make the Egyptian feel comfortable in England.

And Zaki admits he is grateful to the club for the help he has been given to settle in and has vowed to repay their faith in him..

"Wigan may be a small city but they are definitely not a small team. We play some of the best football in the league and we have superstar players like (Emile) Heskey and (Antonio) Valencia," he told FIFA's website.

"All my efforts now are focused towards helping Wigan win matches and scoring goals for them. This is the least I can do for the team and for my manager Steve Bruce.

"He always believed in me, and now it is my turn now to pay him back and meet the expectations of the Wigan fans."

After a previous loan spell turned sour for the 25-year-old, settling in quickly at Wigan has played a crucial part in his early-season success.

The striker joined Lokomotiv Moscow in 2006 but failed to settle in the Russian capital. And Wigan were determined to avoid a repeat of Zaki's Moscow nightmare.

The Egyptian said: "I'm not very proud of the experience at Lokomotiv. I only stayed for three months and did not play a game because I suffered from homesickness and the terrible climate.

"But it is very different at Wigan. I knew what was waiting for me and I am getting all the support I need.

"The club are doing their best to make me feel comfortable and even helped bring my family to England to make me feel at home. "I cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am to the Wigan fans, who have been just fantastic."

Boss Bruce hopes Wigan's caring approach will benefit the club and ensure they can make Zaki's loan move permanent.

He said: "We've an agreement in principle with his club. Zaki is ours now so let's just enjoy it.
"We'll try to set up a deal when the time is right but we're in pole position because he's already here."

Zaki is a doubt for the Latics' trip to Liverpool on Saturday after missing Egypt's 4-0 win over Djibouti with a torn calf muscle.

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Steve Bruce Insists He Hasn't Fallen Out With Paul Scharner

2008-10-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has insisted he has not fallen out with defender Paul Scharner.

Scharner has been quoted as saying that he and his manager are 'not getting on well at the moment'.

The comments follow the Austrian's return to represent his country after a prolonged spell away from the international scene.

Scharner has started just three Premier League games this season and claimed he was 'paying the price for making my national comeback', but Bruce is adamant that this is not the case.

Bruce told the Wigan Observer: "I've seen Scharner's comments coming from somewhere, and I'll try and put that right. I've had no fall-out with him at all.

"He goes off on tangents sometimes as players do. There's been no fall-out at all. I tried with the previous manager to get him in the Austria squad, because I wanted him to go and play in the European Championships.

"I tried my utmost to make that happen with Josef Hickersberger. As far as a fall-out goes, no chance. My job is about the team and the club and to pick what I think will get us a result."

Meanwhile, Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios has vowed to return from international duty raring to go as the Latics prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

He said: "I feel good to play Liverpool. I'm looking forward to playing against Liverpool. I will be ready."

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Wigan Manager Steve Bruce Fires Warning To Emile Heskey

2008-10-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

Wigan manager Steve Bruce believes Emile Heskey may risk missing out on playing for England at the next World Cup if he moves to one of the top clubs in the Barclays Premier League.

Heskey has admitted he would be tempted by a return to his former club Liverpool next summer, when his contract at Wigan is due to expire. The 30-year-old has returned to favour in the England set-up under Fabio Capello, and is developing a strong partnership with Wayne Rooney.

But Bruce, who hopes Heskey will agree to a contract extension with the Latics, suspects Heskey would not play as many matches and have the same opportunities to impress Capello if he chooses to move on at the end of this season.

Bruce said: "If he goes to Liverpool or wherever, is he going to play week-in, week-out?
"The big thing Emile will have on his mind is to be in condition in 18 months to go to the World Cup. Why not stay here and do that?"

Bruce added: "I don't think you can be at your best if you are not playing every week. That is the conversation I will be having with him. I haven't given up hope of keeping him here and neither has the chairman."

Heskey was a £5.5million signing by Wigan in 2006, joining from relegated Birmingham who had tempted him away from Liverpool two years earlier.

Bruce said: "When you leave Liverpool, a lot of players go downwards. Emile has done the opposite.

"He doesn't owe this club a penny. Whatever the figure was that Wigan paid for him, he has paid it back two or three times over with his performances."

Heskey, who won his 50th England cap in Wednesday's win against Belarus, played over 100 games in his four-year spell at Liverpool under Gerard Houllier.

On Friday he confirmed he would not rule out a second spell at Anfield.

"When you are performing well speculation will come around," Heskey told BBC Radio Five Live.

"A move to Liverpool would be lovely. Who knows what will happen. Let's see how it goes."

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Steve Bruce Dismisses Wilson Palacios Man Utd Link

2008-10-23T10:37:00.001-07:00

Steve Bruce has rubbished reports claiming a deal has been agreed for Wilson Palacios to join Manchester United.

Speculation has suggested that Wigan will sell the Honduras international to the Red Devils for £18million in January or at the end of the season.

Latics boss Bruce, who spent almost a decade at Old Trafford as a player, can understand why such rumours have surfaced.

Bruce accepts that it will become increasingly difficult to keep Palacios, who has produced a series of impressive displays this season.

However, he has insisted that no deal is in place for the 24-year-old to move on. Bruce told the Wigan Evening Post: "I'm never going to be able to stop speculation like that as everyone knows my connections with United. But there is no deal done, I can tell you that.

"The way Wilson has been playing, he is going to attract the attention of other clubs.
"But certainly nothing is in place at Christmas or next summer."

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Dave Whelan Calls For West Ham Action

2008-10-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan believes the Premier League need to take a stand against West Ham United, and has suggested points could be docked.

With the Carlos Tevez affair continuing to rumble on, Whelan remains firmly in Sheffield United's corner on the issue. West Ham, who have already been fined over the signings of Tevez and Javier Mascherano, have now been ordered to pay damages to Sheffield United.

The Blades were relegated on the final day of the 2006/07 after losing at home to Wigan and Whelan feels the matter can no longer be swept under the carpet.

"We played Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and had we drawn or lost, we'd have been in their situation right now," Whelan told Sky Sports News.

"From the very start I've been on (Blades chairman) Kevin McCabe's side and I spoke to him only this week to congratulate him on his success and I want him to get any amount of money he feels they've lost.

"I would also like the Premier League to stand up and do what is necessary.

"We're not having clubs telling us lies, I'm sorry it can't be done and they can't brush it under the carpet, which I think has been the policy, that can't be so.

"It has to be on the agenda at the next Premier League meeting and it has got to be discussed.
"If West Ham are found to have done things wrong twice without disclosing it, then the Premier League have got to be seen to stand up and take the necessary action.

"If it's points deducted, if it's a fine or whatever they've got to do, they must let democracy rule here."

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West Ham Launch Carlos Tevez Appeal To CAS

2008-10-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

West Ham welcomed the opening of proceedings by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as a significant development in their legal battle against Sheffield United over the Carlos Tevez affair.

The court in Lausanne, Switzerland, confirmed today they have started an arbitration procedure despite opposition from the Blades.

West Ham want CAS to adjudicate on an independent tribunal's decision they should pay compensation to Sheffield United for their relegation from the Premier League in 2006/07.

A Hammers spokesman told PA Sport: "West Ham United welcome today's statement by CAS that they have initiated an arbitration procedure.

"This is the start of the CAS process and we hope that it will be the first step toward a full arbitration hearing in due course.

"West Ham are doing no more than Sheffield United have already done in seeking a right of appeal and we believe that CAS is the appropriate body for this."

CAS said the first step would be to decide whether they had the power to hear the case. A statement from CAS read: "The CAS has initiated an arbitration procedure and will first examine its jurisdiction as a preliminary issue after both clubs have had the opportunity to file written submissions on this point.

"For the moment, no decision has been made with respect to the holding of a hearing. In any event, a decision on jurisdiction is not to be expected before the end of November 2008."

The independent tribunal, convened under Football Association rules last month, found West Ham won at least three points due to Argentina striker Tevez - whose registration with the London club was ruled to have breached Premier League rules on third-party ownership in April 2007.

The tribunal ruled Sheffield United were due compensation, which has yet to be determined but they are claiming £50million.

FA regulations which brought about the arbitration hearing also state no appeal is permitted to a court of law.

But in their legal submission to CAS, West Ham have argued that English football's governing body would be in breach of FIFA statutes if they did not allow for an appeal to the Swiss-based court.

In their argument against an appeal, the Blades have pointed to the dispute between Ashley Cole and the Premier League in 2005 - where CAS said they did not have jurisdiction to hear an appeal from the player over his £75,000 fine imposed by the league for holding unauthorised talks with Chelsea while he was still at Arsenal.

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West Ham's Scott Parker Eyes England Recall

2008-10-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker is hopeful impressive club form can also earn him an England recall.

The former Newcastle man, 28, has not featured since the infamous defeat in Croatia two years ago when Steve McClaren was in charge.

Fabio Capello has already looked at several of Parker's club-mates, with Matthew Upson deputising for the injured John Terry in the recent World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Belarus while goalkeeper Robert Green watched from the bench.

But while his team-mates have been jetting across the globe this month, Parker was left behind to prepare for Sunday's trip to Hull with a handful of other non-internationals.

He said: "I haven't been thinking 'if only' about England. It's such a fine line. All I can do is play well for West Ham and that's my priority. I have to stay fit as well and if I can do that then hopefully it will happen for me.

"It's been a bit of a stop-start season with the international breaks but it's been good for us having the new manager and he has been hands-on with the players that are here.

"There were about 10 or 12 of us left over so we got some fitness work in as well."

The new manager, of course, is Gianfranco Zola, who took over after Alan Curbishley walked out last month in protest over the club's transfer policy, which had seen players bought and sold without his permission.

The Italian has presided over victories over Newcastle and Fulham, although the Hammers suffered a setback directly before the international break when they lost 3-1 at home to Bolton.

This is Zola's first managerial post but Parker, who had learned his trade at Charlton under Curbishley, had already been impressed.

He said: "He was a fantastic player and that has helped massively. We've got a young squad and to have a manager who was such a great player not that long ago helps, especially as so many people remember him or even played against him.

"He was always going to command respect as a manager whether or not he was a great player, but because he was, he has got that respect.

"From the ideas I've seen and the training you can tell he is definitely going to improve players."
Hull are on a high following victories over Arsenal and Tottenham but the Hammers are determined not to be the Tigers' latest London victims.

Parker said: "We all know how they've started the season and they're doing very well but we're fully prepared for them."

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Tony Mowbray Backs Borja Valero To Shine

2008-10-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

Tony Mowbray is convinced record signing Borja Valero will have a major part to play in West Brom's future once he has fully adapted to all the demands of the Premier League.

Mowbray splashed out £4.75million to sign the 23-year-old play-maker from Real Mallorca shortly before the transfer window closed.

The former Real Madrid player has taken time to adjust to the pace and physical power of the Premier League - a sharp contrast to La Liga.

But there has been no doubting Valero's skill and technical ability and he has started to have an increasing influence on Albion in recent matches.

Mowbray said: "I love watching Borja. He is my type of footballer and I am looking forward to him having a long career here and playing a part in our success as we move along.

"He undoubtedly has to adapt to the physicality of the league. "But, in my eyes, football is all about entertaining supporters and this kid is someone who gives the ball to his team-mates, sees forward passes and picks the right weight of pass.

"I also like people smashing into tackles but he is here to fill the role he was bought for, which is to pass and knit things together.

"Is he doing that? Yes. Is he challenging everybody, winning 50-50s and crunching people? No, because that's not what he was brought here for.

"I play him in a role where he can get the ball and make things happen and play where the ball is." Mowbray has also been impressed at Valero's willingness to break down any language barriers by taking extra language lessons.

He said: "Borja is doing well. I can already hold half a conversation with him and he is working hard.
"Him and his wife are both working very hard at learning the language and they are taking extra lessons at home rather than just doing the ones that we provide as a club.

"They are very committed to making sure the language isn't something that will hold them back."

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Juande Ramos On The Brink Of Destruction

2008-10-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

Juande Ramos admitted Tottenham's situation was "terrible" after Stoke's 2-1 win condemned his side to their sixth defeat in eight games.

Ramos has presided over Tottenham's worst ever start to a season and is feeling the pressure.

To make matters worse, Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson will be suspended after picking up red cards.

Ramos said: "I am worried about the situation. At the moment it is terrible. "Last season we won the Carling Cup and everyone was very happy. "At this moment everyone is very sad and I am worried about it as I don't like this situation.
"We need to work very hard to change this situation and only hard work can change it.

"This is my job and I am working very hard each day to finish this situation. "The responsibility is (with) all the people working in the club starting with me and finishing with the last person - we all have responsibility, when we win and when we lose."

Asked if he planned to meet Daniel Levy and whether he was confident he had the chairman's backing, he added: "I don't know - this is a question for the chairman.

"I speak to the chairman when he permits us to speak. He's a very busy person and I don't know when it will be possible to speak."

Bale conceded a penalty and was red-carded 17 minutes into the game at the Britannia Stadium. Danny Higginbotham scored from the spot and though Darren Bent equalised, Rory Delap grabbed the winner before Michael Dawson was given a straight red card for a studs-up challenge.
Ramos added: "Sometimes football is difficult to explain. We had two penalties against us, two players sent off, some players injured.

"It was very difficult for us after the sending off in the first half but the attitude of the players was very good."

Spurs face Bolton, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City as their next four league opponents but Ramos insisted he was not concerned at facing the big teams.

He added: "We played against Chelsea away and played okay and got a point, and I think playing against big teams, the team can concentrate well."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis called on the Tottenham board to stick with Ramos. He said: "Let's see a bit of character by their board of directors and see them back him.

"We are all in the same boat and know the rules, and have to accept it. I just hope the chairman who got rid of a very popular manager before [Martin Jol] now backs him and gives him a chance to turn it around.

"They certainly have good enough players and a good depth of squad." Pulis admitted that his players had disappointed him after going in front.

"We were like rabbits trapped in headlights for the rest of the first half," he added. "After they went down to 10 men we were garbage.

"We just told them to push up in the second half and not show them so much respect. "The second half was more like us. We played with a bit of pace and could have scored more goals."

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Juande Ramos Happy After Daniel Levy Board Meeting

2008-10-20T09:57:00.001-07:00

Under-pressure Tottenham manager Juande Ramos claims to have had a "very nice" meeting with club chairman Daniel Levy this week.

Ramos, whose side have slumped to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League after going seven matches without a win, revealed he met the chairman on Thursday.

"It was very nice, very happy. He's very happy," said Ramos, rated by the bookmakers as favourite to become the next top-flight manager to lose his job.

He said: "We know the problem and we are speaking about looking for the solution but the meeting was nice."

If the Spurs slump continues it could force the club into the transfer market during the January window.

But Ramos said his side cannot afford to wait that long to improve the situation. "The problem has to stop on Sunday, not January," said the manager, whose side visit promoted Stoke.

Ramos knows it will be a far from easy task for a side whose confidence appears to have been undermined by a string of bad results, culminating in the 1-0 home defeat by Hull - another of last season's promoted teams - at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago.

But he will be backing his side to win the traditional Spurs way, by playing football rather than trying to match their robust opponents physically.

"To win matches you need to play football. Fighting is difficult because they are a very strong team. I think we need to play," said Ramos, who is refusing to buy into the philosophy that Spurs are too good to go down.

"We have to show that we are worthy to stay up, but if we are not winning games it doesn't count for anything. We need to win matches.

"We are very good in defence, in midfield very good but we need to improve and score goals." He is not, however, specifically putting the blame on misfiring and apparently ill-matched strikers Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent, who have left Spurs short of goals since the summer departures of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane.

"To win or to lose, all the team have the responsibility," said Ramos, who likened Tottenham's problems to those of the stock market.

"Football is like the markets. It's possible that then the markets change and go up, and so do we," he added.

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Awesome Bernard Hopkins Spanks Kelly Pavlik

2008-10-19T01:42:00.000-07:00

Bernard Hopkins outclassed Kelly Pavlik with a virtuoso performance to win their big clash in Atlantic City on Saturday night.

The 43-year-old 'Executioner' rolled back the years to score a convincing unanimous points victory in the catchweight match at 170lbs.

He made light of a 17-year age gap to hand middleweight king Pavlik the first defeat of his professional career, pitching a virtual shutout to win by scores of 119-106, 118-108 and 117-109.

Pavlik was a hot favourite coming in after taking control of the middleweight division in building a 34-0 record.

But the stiff jab and sledgehammer right hand that terrified opponents at 160lbs were never seen here as Hopkins left him totally befuddled.

Hopkins had controlled the early rounds of his last outing against Joe Calzaghe back in April before fading down the stretch to lose a split decision.

But Pavlik is clearly no Calzaghe and just didn't have the skills or the speed to turn the fight round.He was made to look slow and ponderous by the brilliant ringcraft of the veteran Philadelphian.

Many experts expected Hopkins - beaten in three of his last five fights - to try and spoil and slow the fight down, but he did just the opposite.

Bernard came out firing and took control early with quick jabs, powerful hooks and classy combinations.

He stiffened Pavlik's legs with a cracking left in round two, and by the end of that session the alarm bells were already ringing in 'The Ghost's' corner with trainer Jack Loew imploring his man to double jab and start working Hopkins.

But Kelly appeared powerless to do anything as Hopkins continued to dominate. He threw all the meaningful punches and his handspeed and movement built a big lead by halfway.

A short right towards the end of the sixth brought blood from the nose of Pavlik and by now Loew in the corner was becoming increasingly desperate.

Hopkins launched a furious assault in the seventh to take it, and to add to his woes Pavlik was docked a point for hitting behind the head in the eighth.

Bernard himself had a point taken off for holding in the ninth, but more than made up for it by opening up a cut over Pavlik's left eye.

The 'Executioner' knew he was in total control and coasted through 10 and 11 before hurting Pavlik again with a superb combination in the final stanza.

The verdict from the judges was a mere formality, as Pavlik was left stunned and deflated while Hopkins had once again proved the critics wrong. He told Setanta: "Kelly Pavlik is a stronger puncher than me, about 10 years younger and has a long reach. But I got speed man. I'm not saying I'm Sugar Ray Leonard or Roy Jones, but I think I'm really under-rated across the board. A lot of that has to do with people's feelings about me personally.

"I still think someone will say things to downplay this but I'm at peace with God. I'm a freak of nature. I could box for another two or three years if I wanted to. I live clean, I don't have a mark on my face, I don't have a scratch.

"I've been through 24 rounds in my last two fights without a busted lip, against good fighters. These fighters are undefeated. Joe Calzaghe, controversial decision, and Kelly Pavlik. You put all those wins together, 70 or 80 fights.

"What can I do? I'm just trying to prove to you over and over again, don't underestimate Bernard Hopkins. If I got things against me, my life coming up was against me. I worked off nine years of parole. They doubted that I could do that. I have a strong will and I showed it today.

"This is one of the best performances out of any of my fights. This was better than Tarver, better than Trinidad, better than Oscar, better than 21 defences.

"I want knockouts now, I want to prove to people that I do have power, that I don't have to fight safe. I was locked into that mental state at one time. I want to show I can fight like a Philadelphian fighter. I do have balls. I hope that I displayed that tonight."

Hopkins hinted that this won't be his final fight, and that we will see him in the ring again.

"I have to speak to Oscar (De La Hoya) and Richard Schaefer but gardening is boring. Turning dirt at home is boring."

Final statistics had Hopkins landing 32% of his punches (172 of 530), to Pavlik's 23% (108 of 463).

Hopkins was even more dominant in the power punch category, connecting on 49% (148 of 304), compared to 26% to Pavlik (55 of 211).

Pavlik was taken to a local hospital following the bout for stitches.

Dean Whitehead Hails Sunderlands Midfield Players

2008-10-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Sunderland skipper Dean Whitehead is confident the range of talents in the club's midfield can help them climb the Barclays Premier League table.

The summer arrival of Steed Malbranque from Tottenham has brought a new element to that area of the field, where Whitehead, Andy Reid and, more recently, Kieran Richardson have become fixtures, and where Dwight Yorke's experience is proving invaluable.

But it is the blend of their individual abilities that most excites Whitehead as the Black Cats attempt to build upon a solid start.

He said: "We have got a great mix. We have got players who are good on the ball, we have got players who can run at players, we have got players who tackle and break the play up.

"We have got a good blend in there, so it's looking quite good at the moment."

Whitehead has been impressed in particular by the impact 28-year-old Malbranque has made.

The Frenchman has started all seven of the club's league games to date, and will hope to maintain that record as the Wearsiders head for his former club Fulham this weekend.

Whitehead said: "Steed has been very good. You can see he has got quality, he has got a good football brain and he will only bring out the best in other players around him.

"You give him the ball and you expect something to happen. He does that regularly, so we are looking forward to everyone gelling and kicking on in the rest of the season."

Yorke performed the holding role to perfection in Sunderland's last game, a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Stadium of Light, to allow Whitehead to push on at times and wide men Malbranque and Richardson to support lone striker Djibril Cisse.

And with Andy Reid's range of passing a real threat to opposing teams, manager Roy Keane has options. Reid simply cannot force his way into Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni's plans, but Whitehead is a big fan.

He said: "He is another player who gets the ball and creates chances.

"He can pick a pass out, and to have all these players around you is good." Sunderland head for Craven Cottage this weekend still reflecting upon what might have been after they were denied a famous victory over the Gunners by Cesc Fabregas' injury-time header.

Arsenal's visit to the North East capped a tough start to the season that had already seen Keane's men face Liverpool and big-spending Manchester City at home and Aston Villa on the road.

However, their next three fixtures are against sides in the lower reaches of the table, and they are viewing that run as a major opportunity.

Fulham have lost their last four games in all competitions, while arch-rivals Newcastle, who make the short trip to Wearside next weekend, ended a run of five consecutive defeats with a 2-2 draw at Everton last time out.

Sunderland then head for promoted Stoke, where the new boys' 3-2 win over Villa on August 23 is now a distant memory.

Whitehead said: "We looked at the fixtures at the start of the season and we knew it was going to be a tough start.

"But once we got through that with a reasonable amount of points, we know we have to kick on against teams like Fulham, Newcastle and Stoke, so we will be looking for maximum points from those games."

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Roy Keane Wary Of Physical Threat

2008-10-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Roy Keane believes Sunderland have to play football - because they cannot dominate teams physically.

Keane has spent his two years or so in charge at the Stadium of Light assembling a squad first to gain promotion to the Premier League, and then to stay there.

Now he is hoping to push on to establish the club in the top flight.

The Black Cats cleared an important psychological barrier on Saturday when they claimed a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, the first point they have taken from one of English football's big four since their return to the Premier League.

The fact that they were within seconds of a famous victory when Cesc Fabregas headed home an injury-time equaliser did not dent Keane's pride in his players.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger later voiced his dismay at Sunderland's approach, but his opposite number was quick to defend his tactics, and insist that his side has little option but to use their ability on the ball rather than the more robust style some clubs adopt against Arsenal.

He said: "We are not really a physical team - you saw that at the end.

"We were defending a corner and we had Steed Malbranque, we had Grant Leadbitter and Michael Chopra.

"They were bringing on the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, who is six foot two, six three, so it was always going to be difficult.

"We had to try to play football. We can't physically dominate any team in the Premier League. That's something we are constantly looking at."

Sunderland were within touching distance of inflicting a second successive league defeat upon Arsenal when midfielder Leadbitter blasted home the game's opening goal with only four minutes remaining.

However, their hopes were dashed at the death when Fabregas, one of the smaller men in Wenger's side, arrived on cue to get his head to Robin van Persie's corner in the third minute of injury time and finally beat goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Keane insisted afterwards that he could not be disappointed by the result, or the defending which allowed the Spaniard to rescue a point for the visitors.

But having seen his side surrender a lead to lose at Aston Villa a week earlier, when Ashley Young and John Carew both made the most of set-pieces, he knows there is room for improvement.

However, he is also aware that sometimes, there is little a defending team can do to repel a well-worked move.

Keane said: "Set-pieces in the Premier League, both defending and attacking, are massive.

"But just because you work on them in the week, it doesn't meant to say you are not going to concede because a good ball into your area is sometimes very hard to defend."

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Niall Quinns Black Cats Aim To Follow Tigers Lead

2008-10-17T12:26:00.001-07:00

Roy Keane wants to see his Sunderland team join in-form Hull in the top half of the Barclays Premier League.

The Black Cats boss has watched on in admiration as the Tigers have taken the league by storm in their maiden top flight campaign, and he believes they can nail down a top-10 finish.

Away wins against Arsenal and Tottenham have allowed Phil Brown's side to climb to third place, behind only Chelsea and Liverpool.

Keane, whose side are 14th after winning just two of their opening seven matches, believes Hull's success has been a refreshing change in a season which has surprisingly seen Tottenham slip to the bottom of the table.

"It's good for football. Not that Tottenham are bottom but in terms of the way Hull have come up and done well," he told SAFC TV.

"It happened a few years ago when Reading first got promoted and it's great to see.

"It's going to be a long, hard season, we all know that. Every team will have its ups and downs and I'm sure Hull will have disappointments along the way.

"I'm pretty sure, come the end of the season, which teams will be in the top four, I'd be very surprised if any team was to break into that.

"But in terms of the other positions, if Hull keep going there's no reason why they can't finish in the top half, that's where we are aiming to go."

Keane is hopeful striker Kenwyne Jones can make a return from injury to face Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby on October 25.

The Trinidad and Tobago international, who has not played since injuring a knee playing against England in June, is currently in his homeland training with the national team.

Sunderland have sent a member of their medical department to assist with his rehabilitation but Keane believes the striker could return to first team action soon

"The Fulham game (October 18) will come too early for him but we'd hope he's available after that," said the manager.

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Sunderlands Djibril Cisse Targets French International Stage

2008-10-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

France striker Djibril Cisse is confident he can revive his international career at Sunderland. The 27-year-old is currently on a season-long loan deal at the Stadium of Light from Marseille with a view to completing a permanent move next summer.

Cisse has made an impressive start on his return to the Premier League, where injuries blighted a two-year stay at Liverpool earlier in his career, with two goals in seven appearances to date as he finds his feet once again.

But he insists there is lot more to come and that at his best, he can force his way back into Raymond Domenech's France squad.

Cisse won the last of his 37 senior caps as a substitute in a 1-0 friendly victory over England in March, and although he was included in the provisional squad for Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Romania, he did not make the cut.

He said: "I like playing for France so at the moment, I am a bit disappointed that I am not in.
"But I am going to try to work hard and have a good season with Sunderland, and maybe I will come back.

"I am always on the pre-list, but finally, I am not [in the squad]. "But it's going to come, it is going to come. It is just a case of being patient and it will come."

Patience is something Cisse has had to demonstrate in abundance in recent years after twice suffering leg fractures during his time at Liverpool.

The Arles-born frontman broke both his tibia and fibula at Blackburn in October 2004, and was back in plaster in June 2006 when he suffered another break in a World Cup warm-up game against China.

That injury scuppered a proposed move to Marseille from Anfield, although his form after his recovery persuaded Black Cats boss Roy Keane to make his move during the summer.

Sunderland may have been a surprise port of call for a man who was rated as one of the biggest emerging talents in the world game just a few short years ago, but Cisse is delighted to have been given another chance in English football.

He said: "My injuries made me realise that I'm really lucky. I enjoyed football in the past, but now every day, I wake up and I realise I can walk and do my job, so I am really happy and really enjoying it."

However, it has taken Cisse little time to realise there are certain differences between Marseille in the summer and autumn on Wearside.

He said: "It's a bit cold and different from France, but you have to deal with it. You just put on a nice coat and it's fine."

The process of blending into an increasingly cosmopolitan dressing room is one Cisse and his fellow newcomers have had to accomplish over the last few weeks.

However, the much-travelled Frenchman has found an unlikely ally in the shape of home-grown midfielder Grant Leadbitter, who shares his interest in fishing. Cisse said: "I have had a chat with him and he said we are going to go soon, so I am waiting.

"I made a couple of mistakes in my past trying to do a lot of stuff at the same time and now I am back here, I don't want to make the same mistakes again.

"I want to be really 100 per cent concentrated on my football, but I think I am going to have time to do other stuff.

"That's what I say to people, don't just take what you see, try to dig a little bit and you are going to find the real me.

"I am someone who is quiet. I like to do quiet stuff. It's hard to believe, I know."

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Sunderland Goalkeeper Craig Gordon Eyes European Glory

2008-10-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

Craig Gordon is hoping to help Sunderland realise their dream of European qualification this season.

The ambitious Black Cats established themselves as Premier League fixture last term and are now looking to build on that platform.

With a number of fresh faces added over the summer, and with countless international stars now plying their trade at Stadium of Light, Gordon believes the club possess the necessary credentials to become a top-five side.

The Scotland international told the Northern Echo: "We're all trying to get to the next level, the manager has challenged us and I know I've got to raise my game if we're going to get Sunderland challenging for a European spot, which is where we want to be.

"It will take time, but we are determined to improve as a team, work hard and finish as high up this league as we can - I think Europe is a realistic target.

"I still regard it as a great honour to play for my country. "For me it's the greatest honour you can get as a player. I love playing for Sunderland of course, but to play for Scotland is special.

"Maybe the quality is better in league games because the players in the Premier League are some of the best from all over the world, while some international games are against smaller countries.

"But international games are great experience for me and with Scotland you've got five million fans watching you, which adds to the pressure."

Meanwhile, Graham Kavangh has admitted he would welcome the opportunity to join Carlisle on a full-time basis.

The midfielder is currently on a one-month loan with the Cumbrians but, with his Sunderland contract due to expire in the summer, admits his future is likely to lie away from the Black Cats.

"I certainly wouldn't be averse to signing permanently for Carlisle but it is early days," he said. "I'm here for a month and we'll discuss it again, presumably, in three weeks, and see what happens. It has been mentioned it could be longer.

"My contract is up at Sunderland in the summer so we'll see what happens. "Joining Carlisle is a chance to get my name back out there."

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Sunderland Manager Roy Keane No Rush Over Contract

2008-10-17T11:14:00.000-07:00

Sunderland manager Roy Keane has reiterated there is no timescale for him to agree a new contract at the Stadium of Light.

Keane has been holding discussions with Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn regarding an extension to his Wearside tenure.

The Irishman's current deal expires at the end of the season and he insists he is happy to stay in the role he took up over two years ago.

However, the former Manchester United captain admits he will not be signing a new deal with Sunderland until the terms are right.

"My contract situation is not really important," said Keane on Sky Sports News. "There's been talks, we've had one or two rounds of talks and that will continue.

"There is not a timescale on this and that's important for everyone to know - there's no timescale.
"If I've said it once, I've said it a billion times - I'm very, very happy at the football club.

"I'm delighted with the support I've got. I'm delighted with the players and the staff, and the support I've been given. Hopefully that will continue.

"Obviously, the bottom line is that until the contract is right I won't be signing anything." Keane, meanwhile, is not allowing himself to get too excited about the prospect of unleashing Djibril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones as a partnership.

Jones is back in training after suffering knee ligament damage on international duty against England in June, and has an outside chance of making next weekend's Wear-Tyne derby clash with Newcastle.

The 24-year-old Trinidad and Tobago star has been sorely missed following an impressive first season in the top flight which prompted Keane to value him at £40million rather than the £6million he paid for him.

But his absence has been countered to some extent by the arrival of loan signing Cisse, a man whose ability has marked him out as rare talent since his early days in the game.

The Frenchman turned in an excellent performance as a lone frontman in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal a fortnight ago, and could be employed in similar fashion at Fulham.

However, the prospect of them two men joining forces within weeks is an appetising one for Keane, although he is taking nothing for granted.

The Irishman said: "I am not really excited yet. I will be pleased when Kenwyne is back in the first-team fold.

"I suppose punters out there or media will automatically think it's a dream partnership, but sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

"We believe when Kenwyne is fit and with our other strikers, they can be a handful. "Sometimes you are only as good as your goalscorers. You see that with a lot of teams, you see that with a lot of international teams.

"If you have got somebody capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, my God, it makes a hell of a difference to you.

"But again, we all have to be patient. Kenwyne has been out for a long time. We can't expect him to come back and hit the ground running.

"But we have got a busy time ahead and if he is available for us, like young Martyn Waghorn, those two lads have got a good chance of being involved over the next few months.

"But it might need two or three reserve games for them."

The impending returns of Jones and teenager Waghorn today led to Republic of Ireland striker Anthony Stokes being sent out on loan to Coca-Cola Championship Sheffield United.

Stokes, 20, caught the eye of international boss Giovanni Trapattoni last week, but has been unable to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Stadium of Light since his £2million switch from Arsenal in July 2006.

Keane said: "It will be nice for him to get a run of games because I keep saying, he is a talented boy."

Teemu Tainio could return at Fulham after recovering from a shoulder injury, but Dwight Yorke is unlikely to figure after playing in both of Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup qualifiers during the international break, much to Keane's annoyance.

Fatigue will not be a problem, however, for fellow Black Cats midfielder Andy Reid, whose recent absence from the Ireland team under Trapattoni has sparked an ongoing national debate in his native country.

Keane has advised Reid simply to keep doing what he is doing. He said: "There's nothing wrong with players getting frustrated. Players get frustrated every day of the week - I used to. It's how you channel it.

"There is no problem with Andy. There has been a big issue made in Ireland about it, but not from our point of view. The manager over there can pick the team he wants.

"Andy didn't get in, Liam Miller didn't get in, Daryl Murphy didn't get in, Anthony Stokes didn't get in - no-one seems to be talking about them. It's no problem.

"There's no need to complicate it. If he can do well for Sunderland and keep getting selected for the Irish squads, hopefully he will get his chance."

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2008-10-16T11:44:00.000-07:00