Premiership Soccer News

Topical Top 10s

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:44:00 +0000

skysports.com

Chris Burton takes a look at some of the most intriguing deals this summer

After a summer of intense speculation, ridiculous rumours and spectacular signings, the transfer window finally slammed shut at 5pm on Tuesday evening.

Clubs up and down the country, who have been frantically searching for that missing piece to the infamous jigsaw, must now wait until the January sales before adding further new additions to their respective squads - with the exception of Chelsea of course.

The concept may not be favoured by managers and coaches, who would much rather have the freedom to dip into the market as and when they choose, but there can be no denying that the current system adds an air of excitement to pre-season - and the first few weeks of any given campaign.

To supporters, hearing about the latest 'star' name to be linked with a move to their chosen troops is an entertaining as games themselves - even more so in some cases.

Take Manchester City, for example, after years of underachievement and broken dreams on the field, this summer has seen Eastlands become a hot-bed of transfer gossip and big-name arrivals.

The latest 'Galactico' era at Real Madrid, which has seen Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and co stroll into the Santiago Bernabeu, may have captured the imagination, but the Premier League, with City leading the way, has refused to allow events in Spain to monopolise the headlines.

Here skysports.com takes a look at a few of those deals over the past few months which have set the pulse racing and have given fans of the teams involved reason to get overly-excited.
Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)

It is fair to say that Vermaelen's arrival at Emirates Stadium this summer was hardly greeted with fanfare and celebration. Despite having captained Ajax and become an integral part of the Belgium national set-up, a £10million centre-half was not at the top of most Gunners fans' wish lists. Question marks were raised over Vermaelen's lack of height, while there were the inevitable doubts about how quickly a man used to life in the Eredivisie could adapt to the rigours of Premier League battle. Those fears were soon laid to rest as Vermaelen took to life in England with ease and he already looks as though he has been plying his trade in north London for years. The sale of Kolo Toure to Manchester City has hardly been registered as a result, with Vermaelen even helping to bring the best out of sulky Frenchman William Gallas.

Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City)

Having alienated himself at Arsenal with unreasonable wage demands in the summer of 2008, it came as no real surprise when Adebayor was offloaded to Manchester City 12 months on. A £25million fee was not to be sniffed at for a player who often wavers between the sublime and the ridiculous. The Gunners were therefore happy to have money in the bank, while free-spending City were delighted to have added another proven goalscorer to their burgeoning ranks of attacking weapons. It remains to be seen which side can ultimately claim to have benefited most from the deal, but the early signs suggest the Blues have landed quite a coup. Three goals in as many games has seen Adebayor spearhead City's 100 per cent start to the season, while the Togolese ace has admitted that the 'love' he has been shown by the Eastlands faithful has helped to reignite his career.

Darren Bent (Sunderland)

Bent is something of a curious case, with bags of ability yet to be fulfilled at the very highest level. An impressive two-season stint in the top-flight with Charlton some years back suggested he was capable of great things, and a move to Tottenham and international recognition duly followed. He will be the first to admit that things at White Hart Lane did not go entirely to plan, as he struggled for consistency under a host of different managers. He did, however, force himself back into the England fold at the end of last season and will be not have given up hope of taking a seat on a plane to South Africa next summer. A move to Sunderland, where he will be tutored by the wily Steve Bruce, will undoubtedly help his cause, while a bright start to the 2009/10 campaign suggests a fresh challenge was precisely what he needed to get back on track.

Michael Owen (Manchester United)

Another man hoping to catch Fabio Capello's eye over the coming months is former 'Golden Boy' Owen. The England coach has consistency overlooked the once integral frontman since taking over from Steve McClaren, and has given no indication that a reprieve is in the offing. A disappointing four-year spell at Newcastle ran in parallel with Owen's fall from grace, as he struggled with injury and form in front of goal. It appeared as though his career was on the skids, with a route back to the top difficult to spot. However, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided to take a punt on Owen this summer, snapping him up as a free agent. A move to the reigning Premier League champions could be just what the doctor ordered for the former Liverpool and Real Madrid ace, and few would be surprised if he ends up playing a major role for club and country this term.

Peter Crouch (Tottenham)

Harry Redknapp knew exactly what he was getting when he teamed up with Crouch for a third time at Tottenham. Having previously worked with the towering striker at Southampton and Portsmouth, the Spurs chief has proven adept at getting the best out of Crouch in the past. The languid frontman offers much more than an aerial threat, as he is no mug with a ball at his feet, and he could prove to be a useful addition for Spurs this season. He also formed a formidable partnership with Jermain Defoe during their days together at Pompey and will be relishing the opportunity to rekindle their little and large double act. Crouch is also another who will have the World Cup on his mind, and that if that fails to inspire him to great things then nothing will.

Fabian Delph (Aston Villa)

Splashing out on a 19-year-old who has spent his entire career to date in the Football League may seem like a bit of gamble, but Delph is not your average teenage talent. A solid grounding at Leeds, a club renowned for giving youngsters a chance, has enabled him to experience regular first-team football at a competitive level and he has not looked out of his depth. He has shone in League One over the past two seasons and was always destined to be on his way to the Premier League sooner rather than later. Villa have ultimately won the race for his signature and will be delighted to have added such potential to their ranks. Martin O'Neill has had no qualms about throwing Delph in at the deep end during the early stages of the new season, and needless to say the classy midfielder has held his own among England's elite.

Glen Johnson (Liverpool)

In much the same manner as Vermaelen's arrival at Arsenal raised a few eyebrows, Rafa Benitez's decision to shell out £18million on a right-back was greeted by puzzled looks on Merseyside. Johnson is an England international, who can boast West Ham, Chelsea and Portsmouth on an impressive CV, but there were suggestions that he offered little more than those already on Liverpool's books. Those critics have been silenced by an eye-catching opening to the 2009/10 campaign, with Johnson having already started to repay his sizeable transfer fee. A buccaneering full-back with an eye for goal, the 25-year-old has already found the target on two occasions - as many times as his predecessor Alvaro Arbeloa managed in two years at Anfield.

Stephen Hunt (Hull)

Following Reading's failure to clamber out of the Championship at the first time of asking last term, the Royals were always going to struggle to retain Hunt's services. The Republic of Ireland international was wasted at that level, having already displayed his undoubted quality in the top tier. His work-rate and ability at set-pieces make him a useful addition to any side and Hull City will be delighted to have welcomed him onto their books. A debut goal at Chelsea will have helped to endear him to the Tigers faithful, while the promise of much more to come suggests Hunt could become a firm fans' favourite at the KC Stadium in the future.

Andre Bikey (Burnley)

Following their promotion to the Premier League, Burnley were always going to be forced to wheel and deal their way through the transfer market. Without millions to spend, boss Owen Coyle was forced to scour the market for bargain buys that could help his side to hold their own on the top-flight stage. Bikey, who could boast Premier League experience from his time at Reading, was identified as an ideal candidate. The Cameroon international is a powerfully built, no-nonsense centre-half who will add much-needed steel to the Clarets' rearguard. He has already helped Burnley to memorable victories over Manchester United and Everton, keeping two clean sheets in the process, and appears to be a steal at just under £3million - considering Joleon Lescott is apparently worth £24million!

Tuncay Sanli (Stoke)

One man's misfortune is another man's gain, or so the old saying goes. That certainly applies to Stoke City, who have benefited considerably from the demise of Middlesbrough this summer. Boro's relegation out of the Premier League was expected to see them shorn of their top talent, and that has proven to be the case. The main beneficiaries of their plight have been Stoke, who completed a double raid on the Riverside Stadium last week. German defender Robert Huth will provide a commanding presence at the back for Tony Pulis' side, but it is the acquisition of talented playmaker Tuncay Sanli which will have Potters fans salivating. The Turkey international has Premier League pedigree, and represents great value at £5million. Capable of winning games single-handedly, he will add guile to Stoke's much-heralded graft.

Arsenal and Chelsea punished because they are English

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:38:00 +0000

footylatest.com

The question that both Arsenal and Chelsea are asking is where is the consistency with footballs ruling bodies.

Maybe Chelsea have broken the rules and deserved to be punished and maybe Eduardo deserved all he got from Uefa but their respective punishments would be so much easier to accept if there was a history of fairness but there is not.

Arsenal can point to possibly hundreds of diving incidents that have gone unpunished and it would take a huge leap of faith to believe that Chelsea are the only club that have been involved in tapping up players.

No fan, no club official and no football pundit can hand on heart honestly say that Chelsea are the only club that have committed the crime they have been punished for and as for diving only a blind man could argue that Eduardo is alone in committing that crime.

Uefa and Fifa have been very selective in these punishments and there is some sympathy with the opinion that English clubs are now being targeted.

These may well be examples to be set and if they are that is fine as long as Fifa and Uefa follow through with others that break the very same rules.

It is easy to forget that Michel Platini the head of Uefa is on record at stating his dislike of English dominance and money in Europe and Sepp Blatter head of Fifa and former boss of Platini is another one to state publicly is dislike of the English game.

The power these two have within their respective associations should not be underestimated at all.

All they have to do is walk down a corridor and make their personal views known and the result is then a foregone conclusion.

Anyone not believing this just needs to do a Google with the words Platini or Blatter and add words like corruption, bribes, anti English etc and the results will be revealing.

Fifa and Uefa must now start to come down on the likes of Real Madrid and their history of tapping up, on Real Madrid players like Ronaldo and his consistent diving though Real Madrid are not alone, just an example.

If not then some serious questions will need to be asked by the English FA, they are after all suppose to be defending English clubs rights.

Arshavin reveals why he was brought off at Old Trafford

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:15:00 +0000

arsenalanalysis.blogspot.com

Andrey Artshavin revealed that he started the game at Old Trafford injured and that was the reason why he was substituted by Arsene Wenger.

When asked on his personal web site whether the reason he was brought off was due to possible damage inflicted by Fletcher’s tackle in the penalty that was not awarded in the first half, he said:

“I began the game injured anyway. This injury has worried me for a long time, but I had to play”

This may account for his below par performances as of late but if he can get goals like that when he is injured then there are far more exciting times to come form the little demon.

However, what is worrying is that Arsene Wenger is having to field players who are injured, so desperate the situation has reached with the absence of fit wide players. And there are many ofcourse, Nasri, Rosicky and Walcott.

What was perplexing to us here at Arsenal Analysis is, having decided to take a risk with Arshavin, why did Wenger decide to start with the ineffective Eboue leaving Bendtner on the bench?

Liverpool's Gerrard admits he has it all to do this season

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:14:00 +0000

tribalfootball.com

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits he has plenty to prove this season.

There is no-one more honest than Gerrard when it comes to analysing his career.

On Liverpool’s form this season, he said: “Not good enough yet.”

With England he admitted: “No excuses, we have underachieved in the past and let the fans down.”

Transfer Deadline Day News

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:10:00 +0000

by Dan Buxton

A look at all the news from up and down the country

REFRESH FOR UPDATES

11.42 Accrington Stanley have signed Leeds United youngster Tom Lees on loan until 2nd January.

11.35 SSN report that Stoke manager Tony Pulis hoping to bring in two more players today, mentioning David James and Joe Ledley as possibilities

11.22 Ajax have confirmed the loan signing of Inter's Brazilian attacking midfielder de Souza Kerlon.

11.15 Real Mallorca have sealed the loan signing of Paulo Pezzolano from Liverpool de Montevideo.

11.09 Sunderland have had their hopes of landing Egyptian star Ahmed Al-Muhammadi dashed after his club ENPPI rejected their approach.

11.04 Sheffield United midfielder David Carney has joined FC Twente, the Championship club have announced

10.51 Walsall have signed Manchester City defender Clayton McDonald on a one-month loan deal.

10.45 Reading have confirmed the signing of Celtic defender Darren O'Dea on loan until 1st January.

10.44 Niko Kranjcar has passed a medical ahead of his proposed move to Tottenham from Portsmouth.

10.39 West Ham United defender James Collins has visited Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground and is now due to undergo a medical ahead of his move to Martin O'Neill's side.

10.37 Stuttgart have completed the £7million signing of Fiorentina midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic

10.35 Sheffield United have announced that defender Leigh Bromby has joined Leeds United.

10.30 Watford look set to beat a number of clubs, including Middlesbrough, to sign former favourite Heidar Helguson

10.18 Stoke City have completed the signing of defender Danny Collins from Sunderland for a fee of £2.75million.

10.17 Celtic are trying to beat the transfer deadline to secure the signing of Argentine ace Juan Carlos Menseguez

9.35 Richard Dunne is undergoing a medical at Aston Villa,

8.44 Por tsmouth are close to signing Aston Villa full-back Nicky Shorey on a season-long loan deal.

8.37 Reports in Spain are suggesting Atletico Madrid defender Johnny Heitinga has rejected Everton's initial offer of a move to Goodison Park.

8.29 Sky Sports sources understand Manchester City are in talks with Tottenham regarding a deal for David Bentley

8.24 Benfica have confirmed French midfielder Hassan Yebda has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan deal.

8.13 Ipswich Town are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sunderland duo Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards

7.38 Swansea City have signed Trinidad & Tobago defender Radanfah Abu Bakr on a three-month contract.

7.25 West Bromwich Albion midfielder Borja Valero has completed his return to Real Mallorca on a season-long loan.

Shevchenko's goodbye to Chelsea

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:19:00 +0000

Andriy Shevchenko has left Chelsea to go in search of regular first team football at Dynamo Kiev.

The striker, who joined the London club in 2006, opted to end his stay at Stamford Bridge after finding opportunities to play increasingly limited.

Shevchenko spent last season on loan with now Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan but returned to Chelsea this summer. He made an appearance as a substitute against Sunderland in their 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light earlier this season.

Speaking to the club's official website, the 32-year-old acknowledged that he struggled to regularly show the form he had shown earlier in his career but always tried his best.

'I think it is a good decision for me to go back to Ukraine, my home country where I started my career and to finish there,' said.

'I always tried my best for Chelsea and it is only my decision to leave because I want to play regularly in games. I thank the club and Roman Abramovich very much, and everybody who has worked at the club and the players, I have many good friends here and a very good relationship with them and Carlo Ancelotti.

'I have big respect for him, he is not like a manager but a friend and he understands my decision, it is best for me.

The best memories are the relationships with the players and the fans because it was three hard years and some games I played okay but many games I was out injured and every time I came onto the pitch I tried my best,' he explained.

'I feel when I played for Chelsea I received big support from the fans. I will remember for all my life this club and I hope I can come to the stadium and say "goodbye" to the fans, I want to send a message to thank them for their support and to enjoy their football and watching their team, I send my best thoughts for the team and hope that Chelsea wins many titles.'

www.chelseafc.com

Chelsea outdo Man City to make Terry highest paid in England

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:14:00 +0000

tribalfootball.com

John Terry is set to become the highest paid player in England with his new £41 million Chelsea contract.

The Sun says the Blues captain is set to sign a £160,000-a-week contract before reporting for England duty tonight.

Terry, 28, has effectively committed the rest of his career to Chelsea by agreeing the five-year deal, worth a total of £41m.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has allowed the pay rise after Manchester City tried to sign the England skipper.

City's Arab owners were prepared to pay Terry an annual salary of £10m.

But Terry is remaining loyal to Chelsea and has been rewarded with the new deal which will pay him an extra £30,000 every week.

That puts him above £150,000-a-week Frank Lampard as the club's highest earner and on a par with £8million-a-year City striker Robinho.

Crouch: Tottenham best equipped to break top four

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:13:00 +0000

tribalfootball.com

Peter Crouch insists Tottenham are the best equipped this season to break into the top four.

Crouch said: "It'd be a surprise if anyone breaks into the top four.

"They've been so consistent over the last five or six years, whatever it is, so yes, it's very difficult.

"But if anyone can do it, we can. We've got a fantastic squad and I think we've got a belief this year that we can get as close as we can to them. To come on you just try and have an impact as a sub and I could have had a few.

"I think one went over the line or was on the line and another one hit the bar.

"But I was really pleased to get my first goal here at White Hart Lane."

Crouch added: "I'm confident I'm going to play a big part in Tottenham's future and hopefully I can play a majority of games as well.

"You can play great football like we did at Hull, where we were fantastic, but sometimes you've got to dig in and get a result.

"I think if you're going to be a successful side that's what you need to do, and it was a case of that today."

Top 10 transfers in waiting...

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:49:00 +0000

By Football Spy

With the transfer window set to slam shut at 5pm on September 1, clubs now have a race against time before FIFA calls a halt on their lavish summer spending spree.

A staggering £325million has already changed hands since the window opened in July, and chairmen are poised to splash out even more over the next seven days.

Here Football Spy supremo Darren Lewis runs the rule over the 10 biggest deals that could still happen this week.

1) Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich to Chelsea)

Despite Ribery's public commitment to the Bayern cause, speculation remains rife that the Blues are set to lodge a bid for the 26-year-old France star. With Carlo Ancelotti having overseen the arrival of Ross Turnbull, Daniel Sturridge and Yuri Zhirkov, the Italian is still keen on adding a marque signing to his squad.

Football Spy verdict: The one that could go to the very last day. Bayern wont sell but Chelsea could still make them an offer they cant refuse.

2) Steven Taylor (Newcastle to Everton)

David Moyes needs defensive reinforcements following the departure of Joleon Lescott to Manchester City. Taylor who was expected to lead the exodus from St James' Park following Newcastle's relegation, is available - but he'll cost a cool £10million.

Football Spy verdict: The Toffees will offer him a route out of a sticky situation at Newcastle.

3) Blaise Matuidi (Saint-Étienne to Arsenal)

With captain Cesc Fabregas an injury concern for Arsene Wenger, the Gunners boss will redouble his efforts to land this French U-21 international, dubbed 'the new Makelele', as his stand-in.

Football Spy verdict: The man to provide the silk to the Gunners' steel.

4) Rafael Van der Vaart (Real Madrid to Arsenal)

Following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Xabi Alonso, the Dutch playmaker has fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabeu. That may allow Arsene Wenger to launch an audacious bid for the former Ajax star who will be keen to justify his selection for Holland ahead of next summer's 2010 World Cup.

Football Spy verdict: Every deadline day needs its surprise deal - and this could well be it.

5) Sylvain Distin (Portsmouth to Aston Villa or Everton)

Having reportedly handed in a transfer request, Distin is set for a move away from Fratton Park. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to the Midlands, but Everton have cash to splash following Joleon Lescott's big money move to Man City.

Football Spy verdict: Relegation-haunted Pompey or a Villa side that have just beaten Liverpool? Hmmmm.

6) Stephen Warnock (Blackburn to Aston Villa)

The defender was left out of Rovers' squad for their 2-1 defeat at Sunderland and boss Sam Allardyce has reportedly set a deadline for Aston Villa to match his £8m valuation of the former Liverpool defender. And, as we all know, Big Sam is a hard man to move.

Football Spy verdict: Warnock is nailed on for a spot in the Villa back line.

7) Marouane Chamakh (Bordeaux to West Ham)

The striker initially mooted as Emanuel Adebayor's replacement at Arsenal has now emerged as a prime West Ham target. Gianfranco Zola has lodged a £7m move for the Moroccan international, who he hopes to spearhead the Irons attack alongside Carlton Cole.

Football Spy verdict: A headline writer's dream. Fleet Street is praying that the Hammers can make this happen.

8) Alessandro Diamanti (Livorno to West Ham)

If the Hammers fail in their attempt to lure Chamakh, Zola will turn his attention to Italian hot-shot Diamanti instead - whose 16 goals last year, helped Livorno to promotion from Serie B. The Italian club's president Aldo Spinelli has claimed "It's practically a done deal."

Football Spy verdict: The East End will get its new Paolo Di Canio

9) James Collins (West Ham to Stoke or Aston Villa)

Tony Pulis is confident of luring the defender to the Britannia stadium despite the fact he's started both West Ham games so far this season. Zola is reported to be holding out for £5m for the Welsh centre-half.

Football Spy verdict: A tricky one this. Villa like him a lot as well. Could go either way.

10) Luke Young (Aston Villa to Hull)

The former Charlton full-back, who has been on compassionate leave following the tragic death of his half-brother, has been continually linked with a move away from the club. The arrival of Habib Beye from Newcastle has further fuelled rumours Young is heading for the exit door and don't be surprised if Phil Brown makes a late move.

Football Spy verdict: The KC might suit him better than Villa Park.

United target set for Munich deal

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:55:00 +0000

sport.co.uk

Manchester Untied target and former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben is set to leave Real Madrid and join Bayern Munich according German newspaper TZ. Robben has been rumoured to be on the verge of leaving the galacticos ever since Florentino Perez took over the reigns at the Bernabeu.

Sir Alex Ferguson was linked with a move for the talented winger, a player Fergie tried to sign before he joined the Stamford Bridge revolution. Reports suggest that the player and Bayern Munich have agreed terms, however a fee with Madrid has yet to be agreed.

Joleon Lescott Hoping Manchester City Move Aids England Chances

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:43:00 +0000

goal.com

Joleon Lescott believes his £22 million move from Everton to Manchester City will help him gain a place in the England squad for next summer's World Cup.

Furthermore, when asked on the possibility of usurping current first choices Rio Ferdinand or John Terry in the England team, the defender told The Daily Telegraph, "I like to believe I can. At this moment in time, they are the two best centre halves and deservedly so.

"They have been at the top of the game for all of their careers, but as a player, you have to believe you can break into any team.

"I'm no different to anyone else and, hopefully, if I get a chance I can grab it with both hands."

However, after City's summer-long pursuit of Terry, Lescott insists he is a very different kind of player to the Chelsea centre-half.
"I don't think I can fill the role that John Terry has at this moment in time," he explained.

"Obviously he has been the leader of his club and nation for a long time now so he has more leadership qualities than I have.

"But I look up to people like that and believe I can achieve what he has done."

Citizens boss Mark Hughes has stated that Lescott is the best defender in the top flight and the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man is flattered by the suggestion.

"It's nice of Mark Hughes to say I'm arguably the best defender in the Premier League," he added. "Obviously he believes that so there's no pressure there then!

"But everyone likes compliments and that's a big one coming from a man who has played football at the highest level."

John Silk, Goal.com

Crouch ready to fight for place

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:41:00 +0000

spurs-web.com

Peter Crouch has spoken of his delight after scoring his first goal for Tottenham Hotspur.

The recent signing from Portsmouth scored a header in the 5-1 Carling Cup demolition of Doncaster on Wednesday evening.

“It was nice to get a game, and I think all the lads who came in that hadn’t played previously would have given the manager something to think about,” he told the offical Spurs site.

“It was a great performance from the lads and good to get 90 minutes from my point of view, because I didn’t play too many pre-season games.

“I feel fit and sharp now and it was great to mark my first start with a goal.

“Doncaster are a good side, as we knew before the game, and they came out of the traps quickly. But in the end, our quality and some good finishing saw them off.”

“I’ve obviously got to fight for my place here, but I wouldn’t have joined had I not been confident in my own ability to take my chances when they come,” he added. “Hopefully I showed that against Doncaster.

“All top sides have at least four good strikers and if you want to play for a club like Spurs, you have to expect fierce competition for places.

“It’s the same in all positions all over the pitch, there are international players waiting to come into the side, and that’s why I came here.”

Why Arsenal will beat Manchester United on Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:38:00 +0000

arsespeak.com

Gut feelings are very common in football. You just get a feeling about
something and proceed to tell everyone you know about it. I had such
an experience this morning. I have an increasingly positive mindset
ahead of the game at Old Trafford this Saturday.

In fact, I am confident that Arsenal can go to Manchester United and
pick up three points. If you are going to push me for a prediction,
I’d say 2-1 to the Gunners. Like I said, this is mainly based on a gut
feeling, but there are plenty of reasons to suggest that Arsenal can
emerge victorious.

For starters, confidence is very high. In my opinion, this Arsenal
team doesn’t fear anybody at the moment. These are two key mentalities
to have when you travel to Old Trafford and Arsene Wenger knows it. He
says that the game this weekend is the first ‘big test’ of the
campaign and that his team will be ready.

The Arsenal boss says that the team is improving their play all the
time. Even since the end of last season, Wenger believes that the
‘speed’ of the team’s play has increased, something they can put on
display at Old Trafford this weekend.

In other words, Manchester United – who have arguably lost their wow
factor in the summer – might not know what has hit them. They have
every reason to be wary of the young Gunners and I’m not convinced
Wenger’s men should be so of Alex Ferguson’s team.

The most important factor ahead of the game, according to Wenger, is
that the team ‘recover physically’ because Manchester United will be
fresh after not playing in midweek. This shouldn’t be a problem
though. The team is young – the average age against Celtic was 23 –
and they won’t know what tiredness is.

Arsenal will be up for the fight and determined to show the rest of
the Premier League teams that they mean business this season. An early
season game against Manchester United is a chance to set a marker down
for the remainder of the campaign and I’m absolutely convinced that
three points can be achieved.

I want your thoughts on this though. Can Arsenal win at Old Trafford
this weekend or am I being stupidly positive?

Arsenal boss Wenger: I was right to take captaincy from Gallas

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:13:00 +0000

tribalfootball.com

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he was right to dump William Gallas from the club captaincy last season.

Gallas, 32, was shell-shocked when Cesc Fabregas took his place as skipper - but Wenger believes his decision gave the centre-half the motivation to turn round his Arsenal career.

Wenger said: "I feel it was certainly a big blow to William to lose the captaincy but he has shown his mental strength which I respect a lot and secondly he has worked even harder.

"It was quite an amusing situation because now he's suddenly captain of the French national team and that shows you.

"He has taken the right attitude which is what you expect from a top-level sportsman."

What's more he has scored three goals in Arsenal's first three games in all competitions.

Wenger added: "What is the most important for me is that he's looking sharp defensively.

"We know that he will score goals, although some of them have been a bit accidental but very helpful.

"What I mean is that it's not what I expect from him if he doesn't score any more - but as a defender I'm very happy. That's all I want from him."

With Fabregas out injured for tonight's Champions League play-off second leg with Celtic at the Emirates there could have been a route back to the armband for Gallas.

But Wenger's response to the idea was a swift "No."

Man Utd management split over Anderson future

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:07:00 +0000

tribalfootball.com

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to hand Anderson a shock start for this weekend's clash with Arsenal.

The Times says Ferguson will consider giving Anderson a starting role in the eagerly awaited tussle with Arsenal on Saturday evening, but the player’s long-term future at Manchester United is in doubt after a row with his manager on the training ground.

Ferguson and Anderson were involved in an angry disagreement after the Brazil midfield player was told that he would not start the Community Shield match against Chelsea on August 9, having shown a casual approach in training.

The matter was kept in-house for a fortnight, but witnesses have now reluctantly confirmed that Anderson, having expressed fury at his omission in front of his team-mates, threatened to find a new club and that Ferguson, appalled by the player’s attitude, said that he was prepared to sell him.

One source said that the matter is “over” and that Anderson is in Ferguson’s plans to start the game against Arsenal, but another suggested that the lingering tension between manager and player raises doubts about the 21-year-old’s long-term future at United.

United on Berbatov alert

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:14:00 +0000

By Stuart Mathieson

UNITED were today awaiting the outcome of a Dimitar Berbatov crisis meeting at Tottenham.

The Reds' transfer target, his agent Emil Dantchev and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy are understood to have met face-to-face to thrash out the situation at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night.

And with Tottenham said to be close to completing the signing of Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, Berbatov's move north looked even closer.

Pavlyuchenko ruled himself out of Spartak Moscow's Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kiev tonight, and is in the process of obtaining a visa.

"I am back in Moscow and I will not play in Kiev, and I can confirm I am going to Tottenham," he said.

"I am waiting for a Visa and as soon as it is granted, I am ready to go to England and sign."

Spurs are short on strikers and he could fill the gap if Berbatov departs.

The unhappy Bulgarian striker and his advisor had a lunchtime sit-down with Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos following a public dressing-down from the Spaniard.

Ramos failed to select the 27-year-old £30m star against Sunderland last weekend because he wasn't in the right frame of mind.

United, meanwhile, are sitting in the wings to see the outcome when the dust settles on a day of vital summits.

Wenger’s recovery pledge

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:04:00 +0000

www.pressandjournal.co.uk

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger says his team will bounce back from defeat at Fulham with a strong performance against FC Twente tonight to book a place in the group stages of the Champions League.

The Gunners – who opened last season with a 21-match unbeaten run in all competitions – were well below par at Craven Cottage and Wenger was clearly irked by the lacklustre display.

However, while the preachers of doom may already be forecasting a bleak outlook for the future of his young side over the next nine months, Wenger fully expects a response when Steve McClaren’s Dutch outfit come to the Emirates Stadium looking to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.

“We were not good on Saturday and we lost the game, it is as simple as that,” said Wenger, who expects key midfielder Cesc Fabregas to return from a hamstring injury. “But we promise we will come back and play well.”

I will not stay with Manchester United, says Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:59:00 +0000

By Jeremy Wilson
www.telegraph.co.uk

Nemanja Vidic has placed his long-term Manchester United future in doubt after criticising the English way of life and admitting that he hopes eventually to play in another European league.

In a frank interview, the Serbian defender was scathing of the climate in Manchester, and said he had found it hard to adapt. "I will never stay to live in England, that's for sure," said Vidic, 26. "You get only a brief glimpse of sunlight before it's all cloudy again. The winters are mild, but in summer the temperatures seldom go higher than 20C. And it rains, rains, rains.

"In future, I would like to test myself in another top league. I'm thinking of Spain. At least there will be no reason to complain about the weather. In England, they say that Manchester is the city of rain. Its main attraction is considered to be the timetable at the railway station, where trains leave for other, less rainy cities."

Vidic, who joined United from Spartak Moscow in January 2006, also had harsh words for the English approach to work. "It's not only the weather that I'm not happy about here," he told the Russian magazine Football Weekly. "In Russia and Serbia the people's way of life is similar. In England it's totally different. Here they just don't have time to feel the joy of life.

"Throughout the week they all work so hard. They only talk to people at lunch break. Then in the evening they come home and watch the telly, so they can get up early for work the next day.

"The only time to meet friends is at weekends, but for football players it's the busiest time of all. It was much easier for me to adapt to Russia than England. In England I had no one to talk to. The first month was especially hard. I lived alone in a hotel, which I left only for training. I thought I would go crazy inside those four walls."

KEANE: TAXI FOR BERBATOV

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:45:00 +0000

By Mike McGrath, PA Sport

Roy Keane offered a blunt solution to Dimitar Berbatov's transfer saga after Sunderland ensured Tottenham's start to the season hit a new low: "I'd drive him wherever he wants to go."

Berbatov was left out of Juande Ramos' squad after being accused of being unfocused and having a negative effect on the dressing room as he looks for a transfer to Manchester United from White Hart Lane.

At the moment Keane has players hungry for success - shown by Djibril Cisse scoring the winner on his debut - but he knows what his reaction will be if they are distracted by other clubs.

"If a player didn't want to play for me, I know what I'd do - I'd drive him myself to wherever he wants to go," said the Sunderland boss. "I've said it before, no player is bigger than any club.

"Sometimes you have to lose to win - Tottenham have lost against Sunderland but long-term it might be best for the business.

"I had a player two years ago when I got my job, I heard he had been speaking to another club within a week or two and I just sold him. And off he popped."

There are unlikely to be many players wanting to leave while Sunderland continue to impress and Keane's reputation grows.

Keane joked he was the reason Cisse signed on a season loan, although it was something the France striker admitted was true. The 27-year-old is now targeting a permanent contract.

"I want to do my best and try to make it permanent," he said.

"I had a few options but I chose Sunderland because of the manager. The club have big ambitions and really good players.

"Nobody expects Sunderland to be a good team but I know the boys now and really want to show we're a good team and do well. We can surprise a lot of teams like we did against Spurs."

Ramos has blamed Berbatov for another poor start to the season for Spurs, with the result meaning they start their campaign as they did a year ago, with two defeats.

"Of course there are repercussions on the players, against Sunderland for example we were only able to play with one forward and we didn't have any substitutes for that one forward," said Ramos. "It's bound to have repercussions on the players.

"Players go through physical fitness issues that are good or bad, and this is a psychological issue. We've just got to deal with it."

In contrast, defender Jonathan Woodgate believes players need to take responsibility.

Woodgate said: "What because we've lost a couple of games it's Berba's fault? No, that's a load of bull. We've lost the two games because we haven't played well. It's got nothing to do with him.

"The football club's bigger than one player at the end of the day. I don't feel it's been disruptive. The manager makes the decisions.

"Now we'll have to put on a good performance against Chelsea or they'll wipe the floor with us."

Spurs are ideally looking to bring in another forward before allowing Berbatov to leave.

"That's what we are looking for, we want to have the best centre-forwards we possibly can," Ramos said.

With Darren Bent toiling on his own up front, Spurs struggled against Keane's men and fell behind to a Kieran Richardson rocket. The midfielder got a kick in the ribs and was taken off but the injury is not thought to be serious.

Jermaine Jenas tapped in an equaliser but Cisse had the last word with his header seven minutes from full-time.

Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Refuses To Rush Into Transfer Market

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:35:00 +0000

By Angel Fernandez
www.premiershiplatest.com

Despite Saturday’s defeat to Fulham, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has refused to make an hasty decision of buying players.

With Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky missing from the squad, Wenger was forced to field Emmanuel Eboue alongside youngster Denilson in central midfield.

After watching the Gunners performance at the weekend questions were raised as to whether they will be able to compete with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

However Wenger insists that he has full confidence in his players and does not want to jump into the transfer market.

“When you lose a game the solution is not always to buy,” he told the club’s official website. “Did we play at our best? I say ‘no’ and so we have to look at why.

“We had problems to win our first few games last year but we won them. This year we did not win – that is the reality. We had 60 minutes to come back on Fulham and we did not do it.

“Is that down to Fulham’ s quality or the fact we were not good enough? Only the future will tell us that.”

Noble's spot prize heaps more pressure on Rafa

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:57:00 +0000

dailymail.co.uk

Cast your mind back to Boxing Day and Liverpool's 2-1 victory at Derby was expected to be the catalyst for a charge towards the Barclays Premier League title.

Four successive draws and a defeat later, a frustrated Rafael Benitez and his team can forget about getting their hands on the crown jewels.

A Mark Noble penalty three minutes into added time sealed victory for West Ham last night after a careless challenge by Jamie Carragher on Freddie Ljungberg.

Put aside the embarrassment of Havant & Waterlooville taking the lead twice at Anfield in the FA Cup last Saturday and consider the statistics that will prevent Liverpool challenging at the top of the table.

This morning, they are a staggering 17 points behind Manchester United and Arsenal. No hope and no chance. They last won the league title in 1990 and the years still roll on. After this wretched performance, they can tick another one off.

Robert Green, who is likely to be named in Fabio Capello's first England squad this afternoon, almost handed them an early advantage when he miscued an innocuous backpass.

West Ham's defence failed to clear and Dirk Kuyt's clever through-ball sent Yossi Benayoun — returning to boos from the home fans — galloping past George McCartney but his effort cleared the crossbar.

A let-off for Green, but Liverpool lacked energy and enthusiasm in the early stages. Despite the obvious talents of Fernando Torres, his side were lacking invention in possession. Steven Gerrard cannot carry the passengers in this team for much longer and there are increasing fears that Liverpool will be cut adrift from their Premier League rivals.

They slipped to sixth in the table when Blackburn and Aston Villa drew last weekend, but failure to finish in the top four is not an option.

The riches of the Champions League have seen to that for a club creaking under the weight of a £350million refinancing package and the expectations of the supporters who crave success. George Gillett and Tom Hicks, Liverpool's floundering co-owners, have made their position abundantly clear, but Benitez is struggling to put the finishing touches to this talented team.

He made eight changes to the side that eventually saw off Havant at the weekend, but rotation is no guarantee of results.

They have been beaten only twice in the league this season, but 10 draws have left them clinging desperately to the coat-tails of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Aston Villa.

Upton Park is famed for its intimidating atmosphere, but 34,000 supporters were strangely subdued last night. Granted, they are missing the eclectic mix of players who finished ninth in their first season back in the Premier League and were within a whisker of beating Liverpool in the FA Cup Final, but something is usually stirring in the East End. Perhaps a lack of activity in the January transfer window or the end of their FA Cup ambitions at Manchester City are telling factors.

Alan Curbishley continues to overlook Dean Ashton, named as a substitute for the ninth time this season, and persists with his lone striker system.

Ashton's presence on the touchline guarantees a warm ripple of applause from the supporters stationed in the Bobby Moore stand, but Curbishley is not listening.

The pair have fallen out, make no mistake, and Ashton is playing a waiting game while the board deliberate the long-term future of their manager and a player who was named in Steve McClaren's first England squad. Little wonder then that the locals are crying out for some imagination in a team that boasts the creative talents of Ljungberg and Luis Boa Morte.

Carlton Cole is eager to please up front, but the West Ham striker is desperate for some support. He was up against Carragher and the Liverpool defender rarely lost a header in the first half. When Cole finally managed to elude him just before the break, Pepe Reina bravely came off his line to punch clear. They had other chances, but the Hammers lacked finesse in front of goal. Boa Morte spooned an effort over the bar, while Steve Finnan's defensive header skimmed the bar from Noble's free-kick.

Liverpool needed reminders at half-time and they certainly got them. Their first half had been lacking ideas, but Gerrard drove them forward after the break. It seems almost impossible to imagine that a player with as much talent as Gerrard will never get his hands on the Premier League trophy, but that is an increasingly likely prospect.

In comparison to Gerrard, Harry Kewell, once regarded as one of the finest left wingers in the world, was anonymous.

For the game to yield a goal came as something of a surprise. But the penalty was just another body blow for Benitez in what is becoming an increasingly miserable season.

Walcott rules out Arsenal loan exit

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:55:00 +0000

fansfc.com

It has been suggested that the former Southampton youngster will leave the Gunners in a temporary move to boost his confidence and give him more first team football, yet he insists he is staying at the Emirates Stadium.

"I don't think there's any reason for me to go out on loan. Arsenal is a fantastic club. I just want to stay and show what I can do,” said Walcott. "Every day I play at Arsenal, I train with some of the best players in the world.

"My game is obviously going to benefit most from being around these people. With respect to other clubs, that is not going to happen anywhere else. That's why I want to push myself every day with Arsenal.”

Grant Backs Cole Following Tabloid Revelations

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:53:00 +0000

goal.com

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has spoken out in support of his player Ashley Cole following tabloid revelations about the player's personal life allegedly affecting his position at the club...

Grant insisted there was no problem with Cole in a professional capacity, and underlined the importance of such mental strength in footballers.

A True Professional

"He's OK. There's no problem, he's a true professional," Grant declared.

"Being professional is also a state of mind, it is not just if you drink or you don't drink, it's many things about players.

"I choose players also with a good head on their shoulders - the players here are professional. Sometimes there are ups and downs, but if they are a real professional it doesn't disturb them."

The former director of football played Wayne Bridge at left-back against Wigan on Saturday - a position usually occupied by Cole - but Grant insists there were no outside factors in his selecting Bridge, and reasserted that he believes both men should be getting called up to Fabio Capello's inaugural England squad, to be announced on Friday.

"Cole is ready but I'm trying to rotate the players to keep them fresh," he explained. "I think Capello needs to take Wayne Bridge and Ashley Cole because, in my opinion, they are the best two English left-backs in the country."

Stronger

Despite a whole host of injuries, as well as players representing their countries at the African Nations Cup, Grant is confident with the players he has at his disposal and does not look like making any further transfers in the final 48 hours of the January window.

He did however concede that ideally he would have liked to sign two more players, but would not name any names.

"We didn't find the players that for the moment can be good for Chelsea and I'm very happy with the squad," he stated. "It is 90 per cent it will stay like this. I wanted two more players."

Despite many having written Chelsea off following Jose Mourinho's departure early this season, Avram Grant has steered the side to the Carling Cup final, the knockout stage of the Champions League via first place in their qualification group, the FA Cup fifth round and progression to the fifth a strong possibility, and the Blues remain only seven points off leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand.

Though Chelsea's squad depth is unparalleled, due to the injuries it must be said it has still taken a fair amount of good work from Grant to get them where they are and, like last season, they are the only club in the hunt for what is an unlikely but nevertheless unprecedented quadruple.

And with several key players to welcome back, Avram Grant is confident things can only get better: "When all the squad are back, I think we'll be much stronger."

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

Arsenal snap up whizzkid

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:51:00 +0000

by Ben Freeman, sports.setanta.com

Gillingham have confirmed the departure of 15-year-old whizzkid Luke Freeman to Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger’s interest in the teenage forward has become well-known over recent weeks after Freeman made his first team debut for The Gills away at Barnet.

Freeman has added a further two appearances to his CV, making his league debut in November, and Wenger admits he is excited by the capture.

"He is a young striker who comes from Gillingham," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"He is left-footed with a good eye for the goal. He is brave and has a good, positive personality.

"He is only 15 years old of course so we need to be patient but he's a very interesting prospect. He is another one for the future."

Gills boss Mark Stimson confirmed he could not stand in the way of one of England’s brightest stars, eventually settling for a complicated deal worth a reported £200,000

“We gave him an opportunity but unfortunately when you give someone an opportunity they can get taken away from you and that’s what has happened with Luke,” Stimson told The Kent Messenger.

“He’s gone to probably one of the best clubs in the world to learn his trade and you never know, in years to come, he might come back to Gillingham and show what he can do for them.

“If I wasn’t here, would Luke Freeman have played for Gillingham this year? Possibly not.

“But he has, he’s gone on and the club have gained financially from it.”

Newcastle United refuse to up Barnes bid

noreply@blogger.com (beedeekay) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:49:00 +0000

fansfc.comT

he Magpies have failed with an offer in the region of £2million for the Derby County youngster, and Rams boss Paul Jewell has revealed Kevin Keegan is not planning an improved offer.

"They said they wouldn't be coming back with more than they've offered - which I'm pleased to hear,” he said.

19-year-old Barnes is one of the hottest young prospects in the Premier League, and the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are known admirers of the forward.