Avram Grant’s revelation that Scott Parker could barely walk just hours before he led West Ham to victory over Liverpool does not come as a surprise.
The former Charlton and Chelsea man is an inspiration, both on and off the pitch, and such commitment to the cause is an example for all pros to follow.
West Ham had been dumped back onto the bottom of the Premier League thanks to Wolves’ thumping 4-0 win over Blackpool on Saturday but knew they could climb back level with the Midlands club with a win over a resurgent Liverpool at Upton Park.
Parker’s participation in that game was in serious doubt when he
damaged his shoulder in training on Saturday, meaning he could barely walk or move his arms.
After 24 hours of intensive treatment and a course of pain-killing injections Parker was patched up enough to play, and Hammers fans will be thankful he did. Just look at the impact he had on the live scores goalwire.
Parker was everywhere, so much so that you would be forgiven for thinking there were two of him running around the pitch such was the distances he covered.
He isn’t just a hard-worker though. His sublime finish for the opening goal was a piece of skill that, had it been executed by Wayne Rooney or Lionel Messi, would have been talked about for months.
His efforts inspire his team-mates to further heights as well – and not just on the pitch.
With the side 3-0 down at half time against West Brom last week Parker took it upon himself to rally the troops with an inspirational team-talk that played a huge part in their second half comeback that saw them claim a point. Fans will be keeping a close eye on the livescores goalwire in the coming weeks.
Individuals can prove pivotal in a relegation scrap and they can drag a average team by the bootstraps and haul them towards safety – think Christophe Dugarry at Birmingham in 2002, Jay-Jay Okocha at Bolton in 2003 or Carlos Tevez with West Ham in 2007.
Despite their poor season so far their performance on Sunday, as well as the irrepressible presence of Parker in midfield, suggests they have every chance of clawing themselves above the dreaded dotted line come May.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Dalglish must address squad issues
One stood on the half-way line, gasping for breath, hands on knees, his face drawn from the exertion of his previous missed one-on-one. The other flailed emphatically at the suggestion of a phantom touch as the ball continuously refused to be tamed by his harsh touch, while the other was widely lamented as the poorest man on the pitch.
Joe Cole, David N’Gog and Christain Poulson bore the brunt of the Kop’s ire as a game that had seen the home side announced as sports betting favourites by far, should have been put to bed long before the Dutchman turned in a Raul Meireles corner in the 86th minute.
Dirk Kuyt rescued his side on a most poignant night for the man taking charge of Liverpool in Europe for the first time at Anfield.
The old ground rocked at the return of their manager, their hero, and he was rewarded with a performance likely to cause more sleepless nights than elation.
Ever since King Kenny returned, the feeling that all is well has been tempered by an undercurrent of concern. Dalglish has lifted the dark that surrounded Liverpool under Roy Hodgson as the cub who insist they belong in the big time flirt with the business end of the table for the first time this season.
To use a Formula 1 analogy, without a fast car, no matter how good a driver you are you won’t get to the front of the grid. Betting online punters are unlikely to back Liverpool unless they can address the problems that hold them back on nights like this.
The Kop will likely cut Cole more slack than the others, aware that he has the quality to turn games, but he will not be given much longer to prove he still possesses the gifts that marked him out as a star from a young age. Confidence is the name of the game in a Liverpool shirt, something which has evacuated his body, along with his first touch.
Midway through the second half he dribbled the ball with attacking intent only for a heavy touch to take the ball well out of his reach despite there being no immediate pressure – a sign all is not well. His burst through on goal in the final throes of the game showed where he is at fitness wise as he stood stationary while play passed him by.
Branded a luxury in a team with a relatively rigid style of play, he must gain fitness and form if he is to become a first team regular and free himself from the shackles that bought an abrupt end to his Chelsea career.
He only starts to make sense in a central position behind the striker where he isn’t restricted by defensive duties and bound by tactical responsibilities, but his opportunities are likely to be restricted given the arrival of two strikers during the January transfer window.
N’Gog and Poulson are fast becoming the poster boys of a bygone era, one where underachievement was the norm and a cocksure Liverpool team were a thing of the past. Questions remain of their ability, simply put. Poulsen has become a target for the pent up frustrations of Hodgson’s time in charge, and largely ineffectual in the midfield battle.
Big players don’t let the game fly past them, they force themselves into and make it their own; N’Gog is not that type of player.
His touch was poor last night and despite being a clinical finisher at times he was absent too often and corralled by the aggressive Thomas Repka. The arrival of Andy Carroll will likely curtail his Liverpool career sooner rather than later.
Of course there is quality in his team, and it is time Dirk Kuyt is recognised as a leader of Liverpool alongside Gerrard, but going into the final third of the season, his resources will be tested to the limit. There are no expectations for this season for Liverpool, but if Dalglish is to keep hold of the aura that has served him so well, he must address the deeper rooted problems at Liverpool.
The arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll is a start, but there are more issues to be addressed if Liverpool are to succeed under Dalglish. He must start by turning average players in to good ones, and good ones into great ones.
Joe Cole, David N’Gog and Christain Poulson bore the brunt of the Kop’s ire as a game that had seen the home side announced as sports betting favourites by far, should have been put to bed long before the Dutchman turned in a Raul Meireles corner in the 86th minute.
Dirk Kuyt rescued his side on a most poignant night for the man taking charge of Liverpool in Europe for the first time at Anfield.
The old ground rocked at the return of their manager, their hero, and he was rewarded with a performance likely to cause more sleepless nights than elation.
Ever since King Kenny returned, the feeling that all is well has been tempered by an undercurrent of concern. Dalglish has lifted the dark that surrounded Liverpool under Roy Hodgson as the cub who insist they belong in the big time flirt with the business end of the table for the first time this season.
To use a Formula 1 analogy, without a fast car, no matter how good a driver you are you won’t get to the front of the grid. Betting online punters are unlikely to back Liverpool unless they can address the problems that hold them back on nights like this.
The Kop will likely cut Cole more slack than the others, aware that he has the quality to turn games, but he will not be given much longer to prove he still possesses the gifts that marked him out as a star from a young age. Confidence is the name of the game in a Liverpool shirt, something which has evacuated his body, along with his first touch.
Midway through the second half he dribbled the ball with attacking intent only for a heavy touch to take the ball well out of his reach despite there being no immediate pressure – a sign all is not well. His burst through on goal in the final throes of the game showed where he is at fitness wise as he stood stationary while play passed him by.
Branded a luxury in a team with a relatively rigid style of play, he must gain fitness and form if he is to become a first team regular and free himself from the shackles that bought an abrupt end to his Chelsea career.
He only starts to make sense in a central position behind the striker where he isn’t restricted by defensive duties and bound by tactical responsibilities, but his opportunities are likely to be restricted given the arrival of two strikers during the January transfer window.
N’Gog and Poulson are fast becoming the poster boys of a bygone era, one where underachievement was the norm and a cocksure Liverpool team were a thing of the past. Questions remain of their ability, simply put. Poulsen has become a target for the pent up frustrations of Hodgson’s time in charge, and largely ineffectual in the midfield battle.
Big players don’t let the game fly past them, they force themselves into and make it their own; N’Gog is not that type of player.
His touch was poor last night and despite being a clinical finisher at times he was absent too often and corralled by the aggressive Thomas Repka. The arrival of Andy Carroll will likely curtail his Liverpool career sooner rather than later.
Of course there is quality in his team, and it is time Dirk Kuyt is recognised as a leader of Liverpool alongside Gerrard, but going into the final third of the season, his resources will be tested to the limit. There are no expectations for this season for Liverpool, but if Dalglish is to keep hold of the aura that has served him so well, he must address the deeper rooted problems at Liverpool.
The arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll is a start, but there are more issues to be addressed if Liverpool are to succeed under Dalglish. He must start by turning average players in to good ones, and good ones into great ones.
Blow for Gunners as Theo misses final
If Arsene Wenger was considering resting some of his key players for the Carling Cup final on Sunday he may have had that choice taken away from him as his injury woes mount.
As the Gunners juggle their squad through four competitions injuries are perhaps the inevitable conclusion and with Wembley on the horizon it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Theo Walcott – a goal-scorer last time Arsenal reached the League Cup Final – is definitely out of Sunday's game after he sprained an ankle in Wednesday's match against Stoke.
Walcott picked up the injury in a challenge with Dean Whitehead, though Arsenal fans will be relived it isn't as serious as the last time one of their players came off second best in a tackle with a Stoke City player – Aaron Ramsey's ankle nearly fell off in a challenge with Ryan Shawcross last year.
Cesc Fabregas is also a doubt for the game Birmingham game, arguably a bigger blow considering he is the club captain and midfield inspiration. Anyone looking to bet Carling Cup final money may want to wait and see if he will be fit.
In previous seasons Wenger may have considered resting Fabregas for such a game, it's 'only' the league cup after all. But given their trophy drought has stretched into a sixth year it has taken on greater significance. Fabregas himself is also desperate to become the first Arsenal player to lead the side out in a major final at Wembley since 1998.
He isn't alone in the physio room though, Lukas Fabianksi and Thomas Vermaelen are definitely out while Laurent Koscielny and Robin Van Persie are doubts. The Carling Cup final betting makes Arsenal strong favourites, but the absence of these players could make a big difference.
By still being in all four competitions Arsenal are victims of their own success to a certain extent. But the psychological significance of lifting a trophy can't be understated. They will only hope that by attempting to juggle four different competitions they don't overstretch themselves and drop them all within one injury ravaged month.
As the Gunners juggle their squad through four competitions injuries are perhaps the inevitable conclusion and with Wembley on the horizon it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Theo Walcott – a goal-scorer last time Arsenal reached the League Cup Final – is definitely out of Sunday's game after he sprained an ankle in Wednesday's match against Stoke.
Walcott picked up the injury in a challenge with Dean Whitehead, though Arsenal fans will be relived it isn't as serious as the last time one of their players came off second best in a tackle with a Stoke City player – Aaron Ramsey's ankle nearly fell off in a challenge with Ryan Shawcross last year.
Cesc Fabregas is also a doubt for the game Birmingham game, arguably a bigger blow considering he is the club captain and midfield inspiration. Anyone looking to bet Carling Cup final money may want to wait and see if he will be fit.
In previous seasons Wenger may have considered resting Fabregas for such a game, it's 'only' the league cup after all. But given their trophy drought has stretched into a sixth year it has taken on greater significance. Fabregas himself is also desperate to become the first Arsenal player to lead the side out in a major final at Wembley since 1998.
He isn't alone in the physio room though, Lukas Fabianksi and Thomas Vermaelen are definitely out while Laurent Koscielny and Robin Van Persie are doubts. The Carling Cup final betting makes Arsenal strong favourites, but the absence of these players could make a big difference.
By still being in all four competitions Arsenal are victims of their own success to a certain extent. But the psychological significance of lifting a trophy can't be understated. They will only hope that by attempting to juggle four different competitions they don't overstretch themselves and drop them all within one injury ravaged month.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Is Drogba done?
Didier Drogba has spent the last few seasons in England causing Arsenal defenders to have restless nights, as well as causing the rest of the Premier League to stand back and admire the absolutely phenomenal talents that he has demonstrated during his time in the Premier League.
However, although Drogba started the season causing defences no end of problems, and looked absolutely certain to end the season with the golden boot, he has since turned into a man who has failed to do anything except look like a player who is a mere shadow of his former self. With the Chelsea betting suggesting the side are in a real scrap to finish fourth, fans could be left ruing the fact he wasn't replaced sooner.
With Drogba having looked like he has never quite recovered from the bout of malaria that saw his form take a dramatically rapid nosedive, and with his new partnership with Torres looking as likely to bloom as a rose that has been left in a desert and has no access to water, fans as well as the media are beginning to ask the question as to whether Drogba has another season left in him at the top level. The Andy Gray Betfair Football predictions suggest not.
This may seem a little unfair, and certainly does not appear to be the kind of question that you would have even dreamed of asking last season, but Drogba has been so poor and so uninspiring that it is difficult to imagine how he is going to stand a chance of starting for Chelsea next season after the expected summer clearout at the end of the campaign that is likely to see many of the originally successful team for Chelsea shipped out of the club and replaced by a new generation of potential stars.
Should Drogba somehow defy his age and form and come back with a bang in the second half of the season, then maybe, just maybe, we may not have seen the last of the old Drog after all.
However, although Drogba started the season causing defences no end of problems, and looked absolutely certain to end the season with the golden boot, he has since turned into a man who has failed to do anything except look like a player who is a mere shadow of his former self. With the Chelsea betting suggesting the side are in a real scrap to finish fourth, fans could be left ruing the fact he wasn't replaced sooner.
With Drogba having looked like he has never quite recovered from the bout of malaria that saw his form take a dramatically rapid nosedive, and with his new partnership with Torres looking as likely to bloom as a rose that has been left in a desert and has no access to water, fans as well as the media are beginning to ask the question as to whether Drogba has another season left in him at the top level. The Andy Gray Betfair Football predictions suggest not.
This may seem a little unfair, and certainly does not appear to be the kind of question that you would have even dreamed of asking last season, but Drogba has been so poor and so uninspiring that it is difficult to imagine how he is going to stand a chance of starting for Chelsea next season after the expected summer clearout at the end of the campaign that is likely to see many of the originally successful team for Chelsea shipped out of the club and replaced by a new generation of potential stars.
Should Drogba somehow defy his age and form and come back with a bang in the second half of the season, then maybe, just maybe, we may not have seen the last of the old Drog after all.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Summit of Premier League now an exclusive club
The glass ceiling that has up till recently protected the same four clubs from the rest appears to have briefly been shattered for a few new entrants.
But while the likes of Spurs and Manchester City have used the hefty weight of hard cash to burst their way through into the Premier League elite, upon their arrival the glass has been refitted and strengthened behind them, leaving their opponents out in the cold.
From the big four we now have the big six, and while there are only so many Champions League places to go round such is the financial muscle of those sides they aren't going to have their futures put at risk by not being in the competition for a few seasons. The odds for Premier League winner suggest only a handful of club can challenge for the title, and success can come a huge price.
For the rest, without either the huge turnover or the benefit of a super rich sugar daddy prepared to make losses they have to somehow try and bridge the financial gap in a league where money dictates all.
Sunderland are the latest club to be faced with tough financial decisions. On the pitch things are going well, the investment in the playing squad has brought about improvement in league results and the club look well set for a top eight finish.
But that relative success comes at a cost – a £28million cost – funded by owner Ellis Short.
It is the second year in a row that Short has had to make up for Sunderland's losses and is another example of how success can only be achieved by spending money a club doesn't have, anyone following the football betting will probably know this.
Randy Lerner at Villa swallowed similar losses before looking to tighten the purse strings last summer. It was only Martin O'Neill's resignation and their slump in league form that persuaded him to part with the cash for Darren Bent.
Everton borrowed more year-on-year to give David Moyes funds to improve the squad but the best he could achieve was two fifth place finishes. The past two seasons has seen Moyes fail to make a net spend ie he had to sell before he can buy, resulting in an inevitable drop in league position.
Sunderland are perhaps were Everton were a few seasons ago - though they do have the benefit of a rich owner like Ellis Short. However, he may not want to pay for the club's losses forever.
But in this money-takes-all Premier League world any cost cutting would result in a drop in results.
It's make losses and succeed on the pitch (with no guarantee of making it into the top six/four) or cut your cloth accordingly and sink into mediocrity.
It's no wonder some fans turning their back on the game.
But while the likes of Spurs and Manchester City have used the hefty weight of hard cash to burst their way through into the Premier League elite, upon their arrival the glass has been refitted and strengthened behind them, leaving their opponents out in the cold.
From the big four we now have the big six, and while there are only so many Champions League places to go round such is the financial muscle of those sides they aren't going to have their futures put at risk by not being in the competition for a few seasons. The odds for Premier League winner suggest only a handful of club can challenge for the title, and success can come a huge price.
For the rest, without either the huge turnover or the benefit of a super rich sugar daddy prepared to make losses they have to somehow try and bridge the financial gap in a league where money dictates all.
Sunderland are the latest club to be faced with tough financial decisions. On the pitch things are going well, the investment in the playing squad has brought about improvement in league results and the club look well set for a top eight finish.
But that relative success comes at a cost – a £28million cost – funded by owner Ellis Short.
It is the second year in a row that Short has had to make up for Sunderland's losses and is another example of how success can only be achieved by spending money a club doesn't have, anyone following the football betting will probably know this.
Randy Lerner at Villa swallowed similar losses before looking to tighten the purse strings last summer. It was only Martin O'Neill's resignation and their slump in league form that persuaded him to part with the cash for Darren Bent.
Everton borrowed more year-on-year to give David Moyes funds to improve the squad but the best he could achieve was two fifth place finishes. The past two seasons has seen Moyes fail to make a net spend ie he had to sell before he can buy, resulting in an inevitable drop in league position.
Sunderland are perhaps were Everton were a few seasons ago - though they do have the benefit of a rich owner like Ellis Short. However, he may not want to pay for the club's losses forever.
But in this money-takes-all Premier League world any cost cutting would result in a drop in results.
It's make losses and succeed on the pitch (with no guarantee of making it into the top six/four) or cut your cloth accordingly and sink into mediocrity.
It's no wonder some fans turning their back on the game.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wenger aims to finish off Barcelona
Most online sports betting pundits will still have Barcelona down as favourites to progress to the last eight of the Champions League at the expense of Arsenal. This is despite the 2-1 win for the Gunners last night at the Emirates.
One man who believes the English team can overcome the Spaniards in their own back yard in a couple of weeks though is Arsenal Wenger. To be fair, after the second half showing yesterday, many betting online might be persuaded likewise.
Wenger got the psychological comment out of the way before talking up his team’s chances though. He said that Barcelona are ‘still favourites’ to progress. He doesn’t want to increase any pressure on players, after all.
What the victory over arguably the best club team to have played the game has done is given Arsenal confidence. Perhaps this will be enough to keep their lead intact after the second leg? Wenger thinks it could be.
The Frenchman said: “We know now we can beat them. We didn't know that last year.”
"I'm very proud because everybody urged us to play differently to our nature. We can be proud of the result, but more than pride it can strengthen the belief in our philosophy.”
What chance for Arsenal then? They have certainly improved on last year, in terms of result and performance.
However, they will need to improve on their second leg showing from this time last season. The Gunners were hammered 4-1 at the Nou Camp and thoroughly outclassed by a Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona.
The faces are this – Arsenal are a better team than last year. They have a goal advantage going into the second leg. They now know they can beat Barcelona. Put all of these together and Arsenal have a chance of coming away from Spain with a positive result.
There is still a lot of work to do, but they CAN do it. Good luck to them.
One man who believes the English team can overcome the Spaniards in their own back yard in a couple of weeks though is Arsenal Wenger. To be fair, after the second half showing yesterday, many betting online might be persuaded likewise.
Wenger got the psychological comment out of the way before talking up his team’s chances though. He said that Barcelona are ‘still favourites’ to progress. He doesn’t want to increase any pressure on players, after all.
What the victory over arguably the best club team to have played the game has done is given Arsenal confidence. Perhaps this will be enough to keep their lead intact after the second leg? Wenger thinks it could be.
The Frenchman said: “We know now we can beat them. We didn't know that last year.”
"I'm very proud because everybody urged us to play differently to our nature. We can be proud of the result, but more than pride it can strengthen the belief in our philosophy.”
What chance for Arsenal then? They have certainly improved on last year, in terms of result and performance.
However, they will need to improve on their second leg showing from this time last season. The Gunners were hammered 4-1 at the Nou Camp and thoroughly outclassed by a Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona.
The faces are this – Arsenal are a better team than last year. They have a goal advantage going into the second leg. They now know they can beat Barcelona. Put all of these together and Arsenal have a chance of coming away from Spain with a positive result.
There is still a lot of work to do, but they CAN do it. Good luck to them.
Arsenal break through mental barrier but biggest challenge still remains
Though most Arsenal supporters will have groaned when they were almost inevitably drawn with Barcelona in the Champions League it is perhaps a good thing that they have the chance to face the Spanish side again so quickly.
The club took a while to recover from their 6-3 aggregate mauling at the hands of the Catalan club last season, with the press taking a particularly hard stance on Arsenal's desire to play the same way as the Spanish club, namely with the ball on the floor.
'Barcelona lite' was the name mockingly placed on the club's shoulders as Messi and co – arguably the best footballing side on the planet right now – tore though the Gunners defence almost at will.
That name stung Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, his players and the supporters so an early chance for revenge is perhaps exactly what they wanted.
And at half-time in this two-legged tie they have a great chance of achieving that and the football betting odds reflect this.
They were still out passed by Barcelona – most teams are – but they worked tremendously hard off the ball to ensure those wonderful, sweeping Barcelona moves didn't result in a killer pass and killer goal.
It didn't always work – Villa broke through and scored midway through the first half while Messi missed two sitters and had a goal controversially ruled out for offside – but fortune favours the brave and Arsenal still had to take advantage of those missed opportunities.
And the fact they did breaks through a mental barrier that has been reinforced with every passing day since their meeting last March.
This Barcelona side is beatable and not the Total Football behemoth some people would have you believe.
Getting a result at the Nou Camp will provide a greater challenge, but Arsenal can go there with far greater belief following this result.
And in a game that is won almost as much in the mind as it is with the foot, that could give them the vital edge when it matters.
The club took a while to recover from their 6-3 aggregate mauling at the hands of the Catalan club last season, with the press taking a particularly hard stance on Arsenal's desire to play the same way as the Spanish club, namely with the ball on the floor.
'Barcelona lite' was the name mockingly placed on the club's shoulders as Messi and co – arguably the best footballing side on the planet right now – tore though the Gunners defence almost at will.
That name stung Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, his players and the supporters so an early chance for revenge is perhaps exactly what they wanted.
And at half-time in this two-legged tie they have a great chance of achieving that and the football betting odds reflect this.
They were still out passed by Barcelona – most teams are – but they worked tremendously hard off the ball to ensure those wonderful, sweeping Barcelona moves didn't result in a killer pass and killer goal.
It didn't always work – Villa broke through and scored midway through the first half while Messi missed two sitters and had a goal controversially ruled out for offside – but fortune favours the brave and Arsenal still had to take advantage of those missed opportunities.
And the fact they did breaks through a mental barrier that has been reinforced with every passing day since their meeting last March.
This Barcelona side is beatable and not the Total Football behemoth some people would have you believe.
Getting a result at the Nou Camp will provide a greater challenge, but Arsenal can go there with far greater belief following this result.
And in a game that is won almost as much in the mind as it is with the foot, that could give them the vital edge when it matters.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Can Arsenal defeat Barcelona in toughest European fixture yet?
Barcelona star Andres Iniesta has warned his team-mates about the threat sport club Arsenal pose.
The La Liga outfit face the Gunners in the last-16 of the Champions League, with the first leg taking place at the Emirates tonight.
The two sides played each other at the quarter-final stage of last year’s tournament, with Barca clinching progression with a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Many sport pundits believe they will have too much again but Iniesta has warned that his side must not be complacent.
He has also singled out Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas – a player who has been consistently linked with the Catalan giants – as a significant threat.
He said: "People speak about the matches last year but things are completely different.
"No two games are ever the same and we are aware Arsenal will be very motivated this time. That makes them even more dangerous.
"Barcelona aren't invincible and going to London is risky.
"We can win the first match but we face a battle to stop Cesc Fabregas and a team which will want to show its very best against us."
Fabregas has once again been linked with a move back to his boyhood club but will be determined to impress when playing against them for Arsenal over the coming weeks.
Whether this will be enough to beat the Barcelona juggernaut remains to be seen.
The La Liga outfit face the Gunners in the last-16 of the Champions League, with the first leg taking place at the Emirates tonight.
The two sides played each other at the quarter-final stage of last year’s tournament, with Barca clinching progression with a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Many sport pundits believe they will have too much again but Iniesta has warned that his side must not be complacent.
He has also singled out Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas – a player who has been consistently linked with the Catalan giants – as a significant threat.
He said: "People speak about the matches last year but things are completely different.
"No two games are ever the same and we are aware Arsenal will be very motivated this time. That makes them even more dangerous.
"Barcelona aren't invincible and going to London is risky.
"We can win the first match but we face a battle to stop Cesc Fabregas and a team which will want to show its very best against us."
Fabregas has once again been linked with a move back to his boyhood club but will be determined to impress when playing against them for Arsenal over the coming weeks.
Whether this will be enough to beat the Barcelona juggernaut remains to be seen.
Gyan praises new arrival at Black Cats
Asamoah Gyan has lauded new Sunderland team-mate Stephane Sessegnon, insisting he has a bright future in the Premier League.
The midfielder arrived on Wearside last month in a £6million move from Paris St Germain.
He has already put in some impressive displays for the Black Cats and has managed to establish himself as a fans’ favourite. None of this surprises Gyan, though, who played alongside him at French football club Rennes.
He said: "He's a fantastic player. I know him from France and he was one of the best players in France.
"He hasn't played for quite a while, but since he came here, he has done well in the Premier League.
"He's a ball juggler and if he is in top shape, he will help the team."
Sessegnon has played three games for Sunderland so far but has been on the losing side on every occasion.
Manager Steve Bruce admits this has disheartened him but he has nothing but positive things to say about the Benin international.
He said: "The kid is disappointed because he has come in and played really, really well in a couple of games and we haven't won a match yet.
"But you can see he has taken to it straight away. I think he will be a big crowd-pleaser - he's a good player, the kid, and hopefully there's a lot more to come from him."
The Black Cats will be hoping to arrest this poor recent run of form when they face Everton at Goodison Park on February 26th.
The midfielder arrived on Wearside last month in a £6million move from Paris St Germain.
He has already put in some impressive displays for the Black Cats and has managed to establish himself as a fans’ favourite. None of this surprises Gyan, though, who played alongside him at French football club Rennes.
He said: "He's a fantastic player. I know him from France and he was one of the best players in France.
"He hasn't played for quite a while, but since he came here, he has done well in the Premier League.
"He's a ball juggler and if he is in top shape, he will help the team."
Sessegnon has played three games for Sunderland so far but has been on the losing side on every occasion.
Manager Steve Bruce admits this has disheartened him but he has nothing but positive things to say about the Benin international.
He said: "The kid is disappointed because he has come in and played really, really well in a couple of games and we haven't won a match yet.
"But you can see he has taken to it straight away. I think he will be a big crowd-pleaser - he's a good player, the kid, and hopefully there's a lot more to come from him."
The Black Cats will be hoping to arrest this poor recent run of form when they face Everton at Goodison Park on February 26th.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Ancelotti ends title challenge
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has remarkably ruled out Chelsea in this season’s Premier League title race, claiming his team have too much to do in order to catch current leaders Manchester United.
Sitting 10 points behind the Red Devils means that sports betting pundits were starting to write off their hopes, but for the Chelsea boss to concede as much is rather surprising.
Speaking about the remainder of the season, Ancelotti said: "Now for us it is difficult to think that we can come back and fight for the Premier League title.”
“The most important thing is to reach fourth place in the table to maintain Chelsea in the Champions League and we have to fight with the other teams.”
Perhaps he is simply looking to take some pressure of his team. In doing so, he is emphasising the fact that the priority in the remainder of the season is the Champions League. Thus ensuring a top four finish and looking to go all the way in Europe.
Ancelotti’s men take on Fulham on Monday evening in a game that online betting expects them to win, but by this time they could be 13 points away from top spot in fifth position if results go against them.
With this in mind, perhaps the Italian is right to publically admit his side can’t win the title. It must be hard to take considering they are the reigning Premier League champions, but sometimes in this game you have to be realistic.
Sitting 10 points behind the Red Devils means that sports betting pundits were starting to write off their hopes, but for the Chelsea boss to concede as much is rather surprising.
Speaking about the remainder of the season, Ancelotti said: "Now for us it is difficult to think that we can come back and fight for the Premier League title.”
“The most important thing is to reach fourth place in the table to maintain Chelsea in the Champions League and we have to fight with the other teams.”
Perhaps he is simply looking to take some pressure of his team. In doing so, he is emphasising the fact that the priority in the remainder of the season is the Champions League. Thus ensuring a top four finish and looking to go all the way in Europe.
Ancelotti’s men take on Fulham on Monday evening in a game that online betting expects them to win, but by this time they could be 13 points away from top spot in fifth position if results go against them.
With this in mind, perhaps the Italian is right to publically admit his side can’t win the title. It must be hard to take considering they are the reigning Premier League champions, but sometimes in this game you have to be realistic.
Holloway hoping for goalkeeper boost
Ian Holloway is hoping to bring in a new goalkeeper after Paul Rachubka picked up an injury in training that could keep him out of action for an extended spell of time. With Rachubka joining Matt Gilks, who has a knee injury, on the sidelines, keeper Richard Kingson is the only option now available to Holloway as he attempts to stave off what had seemed so unlikely just a month or so ago: relegation. The only problem is that even Kingson is suffering from injury problems and quite clearly isn't fully fit and no one will make Blackpool betting tips to stay up without a fit keeper.
With Holloway making more than a few enemies since Blackpool were promoted to the top flight of English football, with his comments made to the press about those in the FA sometimes less than flattering, he'll be hoping that there are still a few officials left in the Premier League who feel kindly towards him so that he is allowed to experience the benefits of the league making an exception for the club's desperate situation, with players usually prevented from moving after the close of a transfer window in all but extremely exceptional circumstances.
Although the situation is a little more flexible with regards to goalkeepers and there is recent precedent for allowing a goalkeeper in on short-term loan to resolve a problem in-between the sticks, nothing has yet been confirmed and the rumour mill keeps grinding.
Blackpool will surely be keen to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible as they look to secure the points that will lift them from their precarious league position, with Holloway's bunch of spirited men now just two points above the dreaded relegation zone.
With Holloway making more than a few enemies since Blackpool were promoted to the top flight of English football, with his comments made to the press about those in the FA sometimes less than flattering, he'll be hoping that there are still a few officials left in the Premier League who feel kindly towards him so that he is allowed to experience the benefits of the league making an exception for the club's desperate situation, with players usually prevented from moving after the close of a transfer window in all but extremely exceptional circumstances.
Although the situation is a little more flexible with regards to goalkeepers and there is recent precedent for allowing a goalkeeper in on short-term loan to resolve a problem in-between the sticks, nothing has yet been confirmed and the rumour mill keeps grinding.
Blackpool will surely be keen to get the situation resolved as quickly as possible as they look to secure the points that will lift them from their precarious league position, with Holloway's bunch of spirited men now just two points above the dreaded relegation zone.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Will we see the return of wing-backs?
Liverpool and manager Kenny Dalglish have been widely praised for their tactical master class against Chelsea on Sunday, which successfully snuffed out a Chelsea frontline including former Red Fernando Torres for the first time.
His formation though was a throwback to the mid 90s and the early boom of the Premier League.
Formations come and go out of fashion - 4-5-1 has been a favourite in recent years - But 3-5-2 with two wing-backs was the favourite in the mid to late 90s. Aston Villa were a regular exponent of it, with Gary Charles and Alan Wright in the right and left wing back positions.
It is a difficult role as you are required in rampage down either flank, effectively operating the role of both winger and full back depending on whether your side is attacking or defending.
Former Blackburn player Graeme Le Saux was also an expert component of the role – though it needs to be pointed out that Kenny Dalglish employed a strict 4-4-2 formation when he won the Premier League title with Rovers, with winger Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox supplying the ammunition for Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton.
It isn't then a formation Dalglish always uses. He and his assistant Steve Clarke must have assessed what players they had at their disposal before choosing this way of playing.
They lack an out-and-out winger, that much is obvious, but are strong in the centre of defence and have two attacking full-backs in Glenn Johnson and the impressive young Martin Kelly.
It perhaps makes sense to play players in their natural positions rather than trying to shoe-horn someone into a position they are not used too (though I admit the right-footed Johnson on the left is a bit or a risk, even with 'inverted wingers' being another current tactic trend). Fernando Torres' awkward looking display alongside Anelka and Drogba was evidence enough that a plan is needed even with the most expensive of footballers. The football odds suggested Chelsea would win the game, but tactical superiority saw Liverpool emerge the victors.
Liverpool's plan worked perfectly on Sunday, adding to the growing evidence that Dalglish is still a boss at the forefront of the game and not a has-been, weakened by an extended spell out of the game, like many critics see him. The victory even saw Liverpool return to the list of odds for Premier League winner.
And as if to prove that, with managers no doubt sitting up and taking notice of their win at Stamford Bridge, he may resurrect the wide use of a formation long since abandoned by Premier League clubs.
His formation though was a throwback to the mid 90s and the early boom of the Premier League.
Formations come and go out of fashion - 4-5-1 has been a favourite in recent years - But 3-5-2 with two wing-backs was the favourite in the mid to late 90s. Aston Villa were a regular exponent of it, with Gary Charles and Alan Wright in the right and left wing back positions.
It is a difficult role as you are required in rampage down either flank, effectively operating the role of both winger and full back depending on whether your side is attacking or defending.
Former Blackburn player Graeme Le Saux was also an expert component of the role – though it needs to be pointed out that Kenny Dalglish employed a strict 4-4-2 formation when he won the Premier League title with Rovers, with winger Stuart Ripley and Jason Wilcox supplying the ammunition for Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton.
It isn't then a formation Dalglish always uses. He and his assistant Steve Clarke must have assessed what players they had at their disposal before choosing this way of playing.
They lack an out-and-out winger, that much is obvious, but are strong in the centre of defence and have two attacking full-backs in Glenn Johnson and the impressive young Martin Kelly.
It perhaps makes sense to play players in their natural positions rather than trying to shoe-horn someone into a position they are not used too (though I admit the right-footed Johnson on the left is a bit or a risk, even with 'inverted wingers' being another current tactic trend). Fernando Torres' awkward looking display alongside Anelka and Drogba was evidence enough that a plan is needed even with the most expensive of footballers. The football odds suggested Chelsea would win the game, but tactical superiority saw Liverpool emerge the victors.
Liverpool's plan worked perfectly on Sunday, adding to the growing evidence that Dalglish is still a boss at the forefront of the game and not a has-been, weakened by an extended spell out of the game, like many critics see him. The victory even saw Liverpool return to the list of odds for Premier League winner.
And as if to prove that, with managers no doubt sitting up and taking notice of their win at Stamford Bridge, he may resurrect the wide use of a formation long since abandoned by Premier League clubs.
Speed faces first Wales test
New boss Gary Speed takes charge of Wales for the first time tonight as his side faces the Republic of Ireland in the newly formed Nations Cup.
The former Wales skipper, who has only four months managerial experience with Championship side Sheffield United, will go up against Italian legend Giovanni Trapattoni; winner of seven Italian league titles and five European tournaments – including the European Cup with Juventus.
The pair have met before however, and Speed came out on top as he led Wales to a 2-1 victory over Italy in 2002 when Trapattoni was manager of his native national side.
The former Newcastle and Leeds midfielder will come up against another Italian afterwards - England manager Fabio Capello - in the crucial European Championship qualifier in March.
Speed is keen to test himself against the best managers in the world and believes he will have a tough job on his hands going up against the two experienced Italians. “It is not daunting, it's exciting and a great challenge. You want to test yourself against the best," said Speed.
"And to pit your wits against someone like that for my first game, I could not have wished for a greater test but It will give me great experience.”
“the first two games will be very tough as I go up against Giovanni Trapattoni and Fabio Capello, they are two of the great names of world coaching” he added.
Wales face a tough time of qualifying for the Euro’s having lost all three of their qualifiers so far. The run of results lead to the sacking of previous manager John Toshack, and now Speed will hope to make an impression in the Nations Cup before turning his attention to qualification for the tournament held in Poland and Ukraine.
The Home-Nations style tournament will feature Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. England have not been included but earlier this month declared their interest in resurrecting the old Home Nations tournament to celebrate their 150 year anniversary.
In a week where Gary Speed will be hoping for some luck as he begins his international management career, why not take a look at Jackpot Scratch Cards this week and see if it is your time!
The former Wales skipper, who has only four months managerial experience with Championship side Sheffield United, will go up against Italian legend Giovanni Trapattoni; winner of seven Italian league titles and five European tournaments – including the European Cup with Juventus.
The pair have met before however, and Speed came out on top as he led Wales to a 2-1 victory over Italy in 2002 when Trapattoni was manager of his native national side.
The former Newcastle and Leeds midfielder will come up against another Italian afterwards - England manager Fabio Capello - in the crucial European Championship qualifier in March.
Speed is keen to test himself against the best managers in the world and believes he will have a tough job on his hands going up against the two experienced Italians. “It is not daunting, it's exciting and a great challenge. You want to test yourself against the best," said Speed.
"And to pit your wits against someone like that for my first game, I could not have wished for a greater test but It will give me great experience.”
“the first two games will be very tough as I go up against Giovanni Trapattoni and Fabio Capello, they are two of the great names of world coaching” he added.
Wales face a tough time of qualifying for the Euro’s having lost all three of their qualifiers so far. The run of results lead to the sacking of previous manager John Toshack, and now Speed will hope to make an impression in the Nations Cup before turning his attention to qualification for the tournament held in Poland and Ukraine.
The Home-Nations style tournament will feature Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. England have not been included but earlier this month declared their interest in resurrecting the old Home Nations tournament to celebrate their 150 year anniversary.
In a week where Gary Speed will be hoping for some luck as he begins his international management career, why not take a look at Jackpot Scratch Cards this week and see if it is your time!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Premier League holds its breath to see Torres impact
Ask a Chelsea fan a few weeks ago and they probably would have told you that Fernando Torres is an over-rated, injury prone whinger.
Ask Liverpool fans and they would have almost certainly told you he was one of the most gifted players ever to wear the red shirt and the man to lead Kenny Dalglish's Anfield revolution.
A frantic 24 hours and £50million later and those opinions will almost certainly have reversed.
Reds fans are now quick to write off Torres' abilities, stating that they feel they are better off without him now anyway.
For Blues fans any negativity they had about the former Atletico Madrid forward will have dissipated into the background the moment they saw him holding up a Blue shirt with his name emblazoned on the back.
For the rest of us we are keenly waiting to see how Chelsea will perform with their new striker on board the Champions League betting odds suggest their chances of glory could hinge on his talents.
After a flying start I think it is fair to say things haven't gone so well for Carlo Ancelotti's men in recent weeks, enduring their worst run of league form since 1996 and losing grip not only on their place at the top but even their place in the top four.
They face a crucial month ahead with a two-legged Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen, a FA Cup replay with Everton as well as two crucial league fixtures -starting with Liverpool, of all teams, at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
But following the return from injury of key players in recent weeks their performances have slowly begun to improve.
Add to the mix the feel-good factor stemming from the Torres signing and we could be seeing Chelsea back to their best in the next few weeks, which is bad news for everyone else.
Ask Liverpool fans and they would have almost certainly told you he was one of the most gifted players ever to wear the red shirt and the man to lead Kenny Dalglish's Anfield revolution.
A frantic 24 hours and £50million later and those opinions will almost certainly have reversed.
Reds fans are now quick to write off Torres' abilities, stating that they feel they are better off without him now anyway.
For Blues fans any negativity they had about the former Atletico Madrid forward will have dissipated into the background the moment they saw him holding up a Blue shirt with his name emblazoned on the back.
For the rest of us we are keenly waiting to see how Chelsea will perform with their new striker on board the Champions League betting odds suggest their chances of glory could hinge on his talents.
After a flying start I think it is fair to say things haven't gone so well for Carlo Ancelotti's men in recent weeks, enduring their worst run of league form since 1996 and losing grip not only on their place at the top but even their place in the top four.
They face a crucial month ahead with a two-legged Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen, a FA Cup replay with Everton as well as two crucial league fixtures -starting with Liverpool, of all teams, at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
But following the return from injury of key players in recent weeks their performances have slowly begun to improve.
Add to the mix the feel-good factor stemming from the Torres signing and we could be seeing Chelsea back to their best in the next few weeks, which is bad news for everyone else.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Neville announces retirement
Manchester United full-back Gary Neville has announced he is to retire from football with immediate effect. Neville represented the Red Devils 602 times but has struggled with injury and his appearances in a Manchester United shirt were limited to 31 appearances over the last four seasons.
Neville enjoyed an illustrious career, winging the Premier League 8 times and the Champions League twice, most famously against Bayern Munich in 1999. But a succession injury meant Neville could no longer continue at the top level, and the man most indicative of Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge of United has been forced to quit. In a statement he said: "I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had.”
“Obviously I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end, however it comes to us all and it's knowing when that time is and for me that time is now.” The statement continued.
The football world heaped praise on Neville as news of his retirement broke, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson leading the way. The current Manchester United boss described the 35-year-old as “the best right-back of his generation”, while former team-mate David Beckham told his facebook fans that Neville “is one of the best defenders to have ever played the game”.
Neville was a product of the illustrious Manchester United youth system which helped the development of players such as Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, his brother Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, and all went on to help Ferguson establish United as the dominant force in the Premier League. Neville gained 85 England caps during his playing career, and now he is rumoured to be joining Sky Sports as a pundit in place of Andy Gray, but Ferguson is keen to keep him at the club.
"Obviously there is a bit of speculation about who replaces Andy Gray and Richard Keys but it is not my agenda. Of course, we want him to stay here when he finishes playing but we'll see” the Scot said.
Neville enjoyed an illustrious career, winging the Premier League 8 times and the Champions League twice, most famously against Bayern Munich in 1999. But a succession injury meant Neville could no longer continue at the top level, and the man most indicative of Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge of United has been forced to quit. In a statement he said: "I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had.”
“Obviously I am disappointed that my playing days are at an end, however it comes to us all and it's knowing when that time is and for me that time is now.” The statement continued.
The football world heaped praise on Neville as news of his retirement broke, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson leading the way. The current Manchester United boss described the 35-year-old as “the best right-back of his generation”, while former team-mate David Beckham told his facebook fans that Neville “is one of the best defenders to have ever played the game”.
Neville was a product of the illustrious Manchester United youth system which helped the development of players such as Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, his brother Phil Neville and Nicky Butt, and all went on to help Ferguson establish United as the dominant force in the Premier League. Neville gained 85 England caps during his playing career, and now he is rumoured to be joining Sky Sports as a pundit in place of Andy Gray, but Ferguson is keen to keep him at the club.
"Obviously there is a bit of speculation about who replaces Andy Gray and Richard Keys but it is not my agenda. Of course, we want him to stay here when he finishes playing but we'll see” the Scot said.
Suarez sweeps in new Anfield era
A massive PR exercise has been taking place at Liverpool in recent days.
Make no mistake the departure of Fernando Torres was a hammer blow to the club's morale.
He, alongside Steven Gerrard, was a talisman and the two players they could truly call world-class.
The signing of Luis Suarez was meant to persuade the sulky Spaniard to stay at the club, a sign of their ambition, and fans were drooling at the prospect of the pair playing together and the fans would be keeping a close eye on the livescore to see how they got on.
But Torres' insistence that he wanted to leave left Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool board with a problem – not least what to do with the giant Torres mural outside the club shop.
The £35 million last-ditch signing of Andy Carroll was their answer.
With the Torres money burning a hole in their back pocket I don't think they cared how much they paid, in fact the bigger the better, anything to detract attention from the sight of Torres in a blue shirt.
Ex-Liverpool players-turned-pundits filled the sports pages and sports news channels, telling us all what a good deal it was, how Torres wasn't that much of a loss and they are better off now anyway. All of a sudden a desperate situation had apparently been turned round.
Whether that is true or not is open to debate and will only ever be proven a few months down the line. But for the here and now Liverpool don't care, they needed to give the fans a boost and bring back that air of anticipation back to Anfield rather than the Hodgson-era feeling of dread.
Complete things by giving Suarez the number seven shirt and Carroll the number nine and the supporters entered the ground misty eyed, remembering glory days gone by and believing a new chapter was about to begin.
It worked. Stoke did their best to batter and bruise the men in Red, holding on for 47 minutes before the deadlock was finally broken. Then, as if written in the script, Suarez came off the bench and scored to the delight of the home crowd. Those following the live football scores went crazy.
The plan has worked perfectly so far. But with the window now shut, this is where the real work begins.
Make no mistake the departure of Fernando Torres was a hammer blow to the club's morale.
He, alongside Steven Gerrard, was a talisman and the two players they could truly call world-class.
The signing of Luis Suarez was meant to persuade the sulky Spaniard to stay at the club, a sign of their ambition, and fans were drooling at the prospect of the pair playing together and the fans would be keeping a close eye on the livescore to see how they got on.
But Torres' insistence that he wanted to leave left Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool board with a problem – not least what to do with the giant Torres mural outside the club shop.
The £35 million last-ditch signing of Andy Carroll was their answer.
With the Torres money burning a hole in their back pocket I don't think they cared how much they paid, in fact the bigger the better, anything to detract attention from the sight of Torres in a blue shirt.
Ex-Liverpool players-turned-pundits filled the sports pages and sports news channels, telling us all what a good deal it was, how Torres wasn't that much of a loss and they are better off now anyway. All of a sudden a desperate situation had apparently been turned round.
Whether that is true or not is open to debate and will only ever be proven a few months down the line. But for the here and now Liverpool don't care, they needed to give the fans a boost and bring back that air of anticipation back to Anfield rather than the Hodgson-era feeling of dread.
Complete things by giving Suarez the number seven shirt and Carroll the number nine and the supporters entered the ground misty eyed, remembering glory days gone by and believing a new chapter was about to begin.
It worked. Stoke did their best to batter and bruise the men in Red, holding on for 47 minutes before the deadlock was finally broken. Then, as if written in the script, Suarez came off the bench and scored to the delight of the home crowd. Those following the live football scores went crazy.
The plan has worked perfectly so far. But with the window now shut, this is where the real work begins.
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