It was another difficult weekend for the Premier League’s bottom sides.
Only Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers managed to salvage a point as the rest fell to another damaging defeat.
It looks like punters who bet on relegation have a choice between five sides at the bottom – with Wigan, Wolves, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers - all scrapping it out for survival.
Wigan after favourites to go down in the relegation betting as they remain rock bottom despite a 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa. The hosts dominated large parts of the contest but created little. The
result stretched Wigan’s winless home run to 11 games.
Bolton came up against a Chelsea side low on confidence and headed into the break on level terms.
However, second-half goals from David Luiz, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard consigned Bolton to a third successive away league defeat.
Steve Kean’s Blackburn side also fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of one of the big boys. Mario Balotelli gave Manchester City a first-half lead before striker partners Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko rounded off a comfortable win in the second half. The defeat left Blackburn in the bottom three.
Mark Hughes suffered defeat to former club Fulham as QPR’s dismal home record continued.
Indiscipline again cost his side. The Rs were already up against it by the time Samba Diakite saw red just after the half hour mark. Pavel Pogrebnyak’s early strike proved to be the only goal of the game.
Terry Connor took charge of Wolves for the first time and will have been impressed with his side’s character after going two down at Newcastle United. Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle scored second-half goals to secure a valuable point for the Black Country outfit.
Just two points separate Wolves in 16th from Wigan at the bottom. The relegation battle is going to the wire.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
AVB needs Roman’s public backing
Andre Villas-Boas can say it as much as he likes, but no-one will truly believe that he has the support of owner Roman Abramovich until the Russian says it himself.
The billionaire is notoriously silent on club issues, in public at least, therefore he is often judged on his actions.
So the news that he flew in to view training, hold meetings with staff and players as well as demanding an explanation as to the manager’s team selection, suggests he isn’t too happy with the
goings on at Stamford Bridge.
It is fair to say that the club are going through a rough patch. Four wins in 14 matches is not the form expected of a club so wealthily backed by Roman’s millions.
Their premier league odds having seemingly faded beyond salvation while their Champions League dream is hanging by a thread after a 3-1 defeat at Napoli in the first leg of their knock-out tie.
Punters who bet on the FA Cup aren’t exactly flooding to put their money on the Londoners either after they drew at home to Championship side Birmingham in the fifth round last weekend.
The Chelsea dressing room, notoriously full of inflated egos, is also one that reportedly holds an unhealthy level of power and influence, often leaving the manager isolated and undermined.
If they have turned against Villas-Boas, then the Portuguese made a brave move trying to reassert his position when he dropped Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole for the defeat at Napoli.
The 34-year-old insisted he still has the backing of the owner, even if he admits not all the players back him, but that claim looks hollow for as long as Abramovich remains silent.
If he is to back his man he needs to say it –publically – otherwise Villas-Boas will be a dead man walking, trying to manage revolting players, until the Chelsea managerial merry-go-round whirrs into life once more.
The billionaire is notoriously silent on club issues, in public at least, therefore he is often judged on his actions.
So the news that he flew in to view training, hold meetings with staff and players as well as demanding an explanation as to the manager’s team selection, suggests he isn’t too happy with the
goings on at Stamford Bridge.
It is fair to say that the club are going through a rough patch. Four wins in 14 matches is not the form expected of a club so wealthily backed by Roman’s millions.
Their premier league odds having seemingly faded beyond salvation while their Champions League dream is hanging by a thread after a 3-1 defeat at Napoli in the first leg of their knock-out tie.
Punters who bet on the FA Cup aren’t exactly flooding to put their money on the Londoners either after they drew at home to Championship side Birmingham in the fifth round last weekend.
The Chelsea dressing room, notoriously full of inflated egos, is also one that reportedly holds an unhealthy level of power and influence, often leaving the manager isolated and undermined.
If they have turned against Villas-Boas, then the Portuguese made a brave move trying to reassert his position when he dropped Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole for the defeat at Napoli.
The 34-year-old insisted he still has the backing of the owner, even if he admits not all the players back him, but that claim looks hollow for as long as Abramovich remains silent.
If he is to back his man he needs to say it –publically – otherwise Villas-Boas will be a dead man walking, trying to manage revolting players, until the Chelsea managerial merry-go-round whirrs into life once more.
Liverpool can't take Carling Cup for granted
Last season's Carling Cup final was seen as a formality for Arsenal, who were pitted against a spirited yet pedestrian Birmingham City outfit. However, the men from the Midlands came away with a 2-1 win and, most importantly, the trophy, despite the Gunners' relentless pressure.
The news that goalkeeper Tom Heaton, defender Mark Hudson and midfielder Stephen McPhail are winning their respective battles against injury suggests that Cardiff may be significantly strengthened come Sunday.
The Bluebirds have missed the trio, whose absences have contributed to them winning only one match in the last five in the Championship. However, they are still in the play-off positions in England's second tier and have proven to be a tricky prospect for many sides this season. On their day, their flair could prove to be a handful, even for the strongest sides. Those looking at the best online sports betting 2012 should remember this.
The news that manager Malky Mackay has signed a contract extension this week, keeping him at the club until June 2016, is also going to give the Welsh side a significant boost ahead of the Wembley final. He talked about his "pride" in signing a new deal - expect this to be on show on Sunday. The fact that the match represents England versus Wales should also be noted. Patriotism brings great fervour and will be a strong motivating factor.
The Craig Bellamy effect is also expected to drive the Welshmen on. Now at Liverpool, Bellamy was awarded the captaincy of Cardiff when he signed on a season-long loan spell from Manchester City in 2010. He was the star man in a season which ended in defeat in the play-offs.
Anticipation is high in Cardiff, particularly after the club missed out on promotion to the Premier League last term. While promotion is still the main aim for the 2011-12 campaign, the confidence boost which would result should the Championship side pull off an upset would be immense.
By beating Liverpool, the Welshmen would confirm that they are good enough to play in England's top flight. And this may just be enough to spur them on to that very end.
At the end of last season, Cardiff were hurting. They may be celebrating come Sunday evening. Always be wary of a sting in the dragon's tail.
The news that goalkeeper Tom Heaton, defender Mark Hudson and midfielder Stephen McPhail are winning their respective battles against injury suggests that Cardiff may be significantly strengthened come Sunday.
The Bluebirds have missed the trio, whose absences have contributed to them winning only one match in the last five in the Championship. However, they are still in the play-off positions in England's second tier and have proven to be a tricky prospect for many sides this season. On their day, their flair could prove to be a handful, even for the strongest sides. Those looking at the best online sports betting 2012 should remember this.
The news that manager Malky Mackay has signed a contract extension this week, keeping him at the club until June 2016, is also going to give the Welsh side a significant boost ahead of the Wembley final. He talked about his "pride" in signing a new deal - expect this to be on show on Sunday. The fact that the match represents England versus Wales should also be noted. Patriotism brings great fervour and will be a strong motivating factor.
The Craig Bellamy effect is also expected to drive the Welshmen on. Now at Liverpool, Bellamy was awarded the captaincy of Cardiff when he signed on a season-long loan spell from Manchester City in 2010. He was the star man in a season which ended in defeat in the play-offs.
Anticipation is high in Cardiff, particularly after the club missed out on promotion to the Premier League last term. While promotion is still the main aim for the 2011-12 campaign, the confidence boost which would result should the Championship side pull off an upset would be immense.
By beating Liverpool, the Welshmen would confirm that they are good enough to play in England's top flight. And this may just be enough to spur them on to that very end.
At the end of last season, Cardiff were hurting. They may be celebrating come Sunday evening. Always be wary of a sting in the dragon's tail.
Agent denies Benitez approach
The agent of Rafael Benitez has denied reports that Chelsea have approached the former Liverpool manager about the manager’s position.
Current Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is under severe pressure after a run of just two wins in 10 Premier League games, a home draw with Birmingham in the FA Cup and a 3-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League.
Talk of dressing room unrest has also fuelled rumours owner Roman Abramovich is looking to replace the 34-year-old he spent £13million bringing to Stamford Bridge just six months ago.
The Russian, who usually watches Live Football Online from his luxury yacht has flown in to look at the squad train at first hand and hold meetings with the squad and coaching staff – though quite what he can offer from a football point of view is surely limited.
Benitez has been out of football since being sacked as manager of Inter Milan in December 2010. He had been linked with a move Paris St Germain prior to Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment.
However, Benitez is keen to manage again in England, where he still has a property and the premier league odds on his return have dropped dramatically in recent days.
On the face of things Benitez may be the ideal man to step into the breach at Stamford Bridge. His defensive pragmatism may stiffen up an increasingly fragile backline, with the likes of David Luiz likely to lose their spot in the line up.
However, he is also notoriously stubborn and may have trouble dealing with a egotistical dressing room that appears to turn on their boss when things go wrong.
The old guard need replacing at the Bridge but the players are reluctant to accept it. They still wield far too much influence behind the scenes meaning that any boss – currently AVB – who tries to wield the axe, may find themselves isolates while Abramovich has certain players whispering in his ear – as was the case when Luis Phillip Scolari was sacked in 2009.
Despite his agent’s denial the rumours of a Benitez move to Chelsea persist, with some reports suggesting the deal could be done within deals.
Of so it will be another expensive failure by Abramovich, who has gone through seven managers in eight years in charge of the club. With extensive change needed at the Bridge will any manager get the time needed to do their job properly, or is instant success the only way of appeasing the Russian oligarch?
Current Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is under severe pressure after a run of just two wins in 10 Premier League games, a home draw with Birmingham in the FA Cup and a 3-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League.
Talk of dressing room unrest has also fuelled rumours owner Roman Abramovich is looking to replace the 34-year-old he spent £13million bringing to Stamford Bridge just six months ago.
The Russian, who usually watches Live Football Online from his luxury yacht has flown in to look at the squad train at first hand and hold meetings with the squad and coaching staff – though quite what he can offer from a football point of view is surely limited.
Benitez has been out of football since being sacked as manager of Inter Milan in December 2010. He had been linked with a move Paris St Germain prior to Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment.
However, Benitez is keen to manage again in England, where he still has a property and the premier league odds on his return have dropped dramatically in recent days.
On the face of things Benitez may be the ideal man to step into the breach at Stamford Bridge. His defensive pragmatism may stiffen up an increasingly fragile backline, with the likes of David Luiz likely to lose their spot in the line up.
However, he is also notoriously stubborn and may have trouble dealing with a egotistical dressing room that appears to turn on their boss when things go wrong.
The old guard need replacing at the Bridge but the players are reluctant to accept it. They still wield far too much influence behind the scenes meaning that any boss – currently AVB – who tries to wield the axe, may find themselves isolates while Abramovich has certain players whispering in his ear – as was the case when Luis Phillip Scolari was sacked in 2009.
Despite his agent’s denial the rumours of a Benitez move to Chelsea persist, with some reports suggesting the deal could be done within deals.
Of so it will be another expensive failure by Abramovich, who has gone through seven managers in eight years in charge of the club. With extensive change needed at the Bridge will any manager get the time needed to do their job properly, or is instant success the only way of appeasing the Russian oligarch?
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Arsenal without a trophy again
Arsenal's last hope of silverware disappeared without a trace after an abject FA Cup defeat on Wearside.
The Gunners were aiming to get their season back on track following a dismal showing in Europe but found a rejuvenated Sunderland in their way. Sunderland scored in either half to dump Arsenal out of the cup and heap further pressure on Arsene Wenger after seven trophyless years.
Defensive vulnerably and individual errors have plagued Arsenal's season and they were evident again at the Stadium of Light. Those placing FA Cup free bets will have been shocked.
Sloppy play by Johan Djourou gifted Sunderland an opportunity on the right and Kieran Richardson scored from the resulting free-kick to give the home side the lead going into the break.
Sunderland played with high energy and intensity throughout and Sebastian Larsson was rewarded for a lung-bursting run when his shot hit the post and rebounded in off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The own goal capped off a miserable week for Wenger and his men. Anyone looking at promotions FA Cup should remember this.
Wenger isn't the only manager feeling the heat in London. Andre Villas-Boas could only watch on as his Chelsea side were held at home by in-form Birmingham City.
David Murphy gave the visitors a deserved lead, before Juan Mata missed a golden opportunity from the spot almost immediately. Daniel Sturridge did equalise just after the hour mark, but it wasn't enough to appease the home crowd as their side stumbled to a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea face a replay at St Andrew's on March 6 as they struggle to keep their season alive. Barring a dramatic upturn in form against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, the FA Cup is Villa-Boas' sole hope of glory in a disappointing first season in charge.
A difficult season is turning into a nightmare season for Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Gunners were aiming to get their season back on track following a dismal showing in Europe but found a rejuvenated Sunderland in their way. Sunderland scored in either half to dump Arsenal out of the cup and heap further pressure on Arsene Wenger after seven trophyless years.
Defensive vulnerably and individual errors have plagued Arsenal's season and they were evident again at the Stadium of Light. Those placing FA Cup free bets will have been shocked.
Sloppy play by Johan Djourou gifted Sunderland an opportunity on the right and Kieran Richardson scored from the resulting free-kick to give the home side the lead going into the break.
Sunderland played with high energy and intensity throughout and Sebastian Larsson was rewarded for a lung-bursting run when his shot hit the post and rebounded in off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The own goal capped off a miserable week for Wenger and his men. Anyone looking at promotions FA Cup should remember this.
Wenger isn't the only manager feeling the heat in London. Andre Villas-Boas could only watch on as his Chelsea side were held at home by in-form Birmingham City.
David Murphy gave the visitors a deserved lead, before Juan Mata missed a golden opportunity from the spot almost immediately. Daniel Sturridge did equalise just after the hour mark, but it wasn't enough to appease the home crowd as their side stumbled to a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea face a replay at St Andrew's on March 6 as they struggle to keep their season alive. Barring a dramatic upturn in form against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday, the FA Cup is Villa-Boas' sole hope of glory in a disappointing first season in charge.
A difficult season is turning into a nightmare season for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sullivan - Ba future uncertain
Newcastle United star Demba Ba could be set for a dramatic summer exit, according to West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan.
Sullivan has revealed a clause in Ba’s contract could see Newcastle losing their star man. The Senegalese striker’s move from West Ham last summer included a £7m release clause.
Another clause in the contract means Ba would receive half of any fee involved, leaving Newcastle not only without their prized asset, but short changed as well.
"They keep denying it, but I think you'll see in the summer he will leave Newcastle or he'll get a monstrous rise to stay there," said Sullivan.
"I'm told he's got a £7m get-out clause and he gets half the money of that. If they get about £4m, half will go to him. So if they sell him for £7m, they'll only get about three because they paid his agent £2m to get him out of here."
Sullivan’s revelation will no doubt have alerted top clubs all over Europe. Ba has had an exceptional first season on Tyneside and has seen his stock rise rapidly.
Punters who like to bet on the Premiership top scorer had looked beyond Ba at the start of the season.
But the 26-year-old has gone on to score 16 of Newcastle United’s 36 Premier League goals and has a big role to play if the club are to sustain a push for European football.
The Magpies have surprised everybody this season and despite beginning the season outsiders in the soccer betting for a European spot currently sit just one point away from a Champions League place with 13 games to go.
Alan Pardew will be hoping the 5-0 mauling at the hands of high-flying Tottenham Hotspur does not derail their season.
Pardew knows the all-Senegalese partnership of Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse holds the key to success. Not just this season, but for the foreseeable future as well.
Sullivan has revealed a clause in Ba’s contract could see Newcastle losing their star man. The Senegalese striker’s move from West Ham last summer included a £7m release clause.
Another clause in the contract means Ba would receive half of any fee involved, leaving Newcastle not only without their prized asset, but short changed as well.
"They keep denying it, but I think you'll see in the summer he will leave Newcastle or he'll get a monstrous rise to stay there," said Sullivan.
"I'm told he's got a £7m get-out clause and he gets half the money of that. If they get about £4m, half will go to him. So if they sell him for £7m, they'll only get about three because they paid his agent £2m to get him out of here."
Sullivan’s revelation will no doubt have alerted top clubs all over Europe. Ba has had an exceptional first season on Tyneside and has seen his stock rise rapidly.
Punters who like to bet on the Premiership top scorer had looked beyond Ba at the start of the season.
But the 26-year-old has gone on to score 16 of Newcastle United’s 36 Premier League goals and has a big role to play if the club are to sustain a push for European football.
The Magpies have surprised everybody this season and despite beginning the season outsiders in the soccer betting for a European spot currently sit just one point away from a Champions League place with 13 games to go.
Alan Pardew will be hoping the 5-0 mauling at the hands of high-flying Tottenham Hotspur does not derail their season.
Pardew knows the all-Senegalese partnership of Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse holds the key to success. Not just this season, but for the foreseeable future as well.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Town on look-out for new boss
League One promotion hopefuls Huddersfield Town have sacked manager Lee Clark and his coaching staff.
Clark joined the West Yorkshire club in December 2008 and led them to last season’s play-off final at Old Trafford, where they lost 3-0 to Peterborough United.
The 39-year-old leaves the club following a disappointing home defeat to promotion rivals Sheffield United.
Chairman Dean Hoyle said: "We still have an opportunity to achieve promotion and we have made this change with this in mind.
"This was a very difficult decision, one not taken lightly or in response to one result. Concerns have been raised in recent weeks."
Clark, who was recently linked with the vacant managerial post at Leeds United, won just under half of his live football games as Town boss and oversaw the longest unbeaten run in the club’s history. Huddersfield went 43 regular season games without defeat before losing 2-0 to Charlton in November.
Huddersfield have lost twice since then, including the damaging defeat against Sheffield United on Tuesday night. Despite the 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Blades, Town have lost just three of their last 55 league games and were still among the favourites in the soccer betting for promotion.
Clark was given the news in a surprise two-minute phone call from Hoyle. It is thought the former Newcastle United midfielder will lodge a claim for unfair dismissal. Any such case would rule out an immediate return to management.
In a twist of fate, former Leeds boss Simon Grayson has emerged as an early frontrunner for the role. Grayson achieved promotion from League One with Leeds in his first full season in charge.
Academy manager Mark Lillis has been placed in temporary charge of the first team.
Clark joined the West Yorkshire club in December 2008 and led them to last season’s play-off final at Old Trafford, where they lost 3-0 to Peterborough United.
The 39-year-old leaves the club following a disappointing home defeat to promotion rivals Sheffield United.
Chairman Dean Hoyle said: "We still have an opportunity to achieve promotion and we have made this change with this in mind.
"This was a very difficult decision, one not taken lightly or in response to one result. Concerns have been raised in recent weeks."
Clark, who was recently linked with the vacant managerial post at Leeds United, won just under half of his live football games as Town boss and oversaw the longest unbeaten run in the club’s history. Huddersfield went 43 regular season games without defeat before losing 2-0 to Charlton in November.
Huddersfield have lost twice since then, including the damaging defeat against Sheffield United on Tuesday night. Despite the 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Blades, Town have lost just three of their last 55 league games and were still among the favourites in the soccer betting for promotion.
Clark was given the news in a surprise two-minute phone call from Hoyle. It is thought the former Newcastle United midfielder will lodge a claim for unfair dismissal. Any such case would rule out an immediate return to management.
In a twist of fate, former Leeds boss Simon Grayson has emerged as an early frontrunner for the role. Grayson achieved promotion from League One with Leeds in his first full season in charge.
Academy manager Mark Lillis has been placed in temporary charge of the first team.
Barca and Lyon take advantage
Barcelona and Lyon have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals after deserved first-leg victories on Tuesday.
Competition favourites Barcelona beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 in Germany, while Lyon edged past Apoel Nicosia to take a slender advantage to Cyprus.
Barcelona dominated as only they can but were given a scare along the way by an out-of-sorts Bayer Leverkusen side. Those following the Champions League promotions should remember this.
The Catalan outfit were rewarded for their first-half dominance when Alexis Sanchez kept his composure to finish past Bernd Leno after good work by the irrepressible Lionel Messi.
Bayer, who barely ventured out of their own half during a one-sided first period, came out fired up after the break and stunned the holders. Spurs loan man Vedran Corluka crossed for Michal Kadlec to equalise with a powerful header.
In true champion style, Barca hit back immediately to silence the home crowd. Sergio Busquet played in Sanchez and the Chilean rounded Leno to put the visitors back in the ascendency.
The game opened up as Bayer pushed for an equaliser and both sides hit a post before Messi volleyed home late on to give Barcelona a two-goal advantage going back to Spain.
Lyon were equally dominant in France but had to settle for a single Alexandre Lacazette strike. Crucially, though, they kept the visitors scoreless. Anyone making a Champions League bet must bear this in mind.
The French side had to wait until just before the hour mark to break the deadlock. Ederson saw his shot cleared off the line, before Apoel defender Paulo Jorge turned in Lacazette's effort.
Lyon, for all their endeavour, failed to inflict any further damage on Apoel’s Champions League hopes. The Greek’s first shot on goal came in stoppage time when Hugo Lloris tipped over a Gustavo Manduca shot.
Barcelona and Lyon will be confident of finishing the job in the return fixture.
Competition favourites Barcelona beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 in Germany, while Lyon edged past Apoel Nicosia to take a slender advantage to Cyprus.
Barcelona dominated as only they can but were given a scare along the way by an out-of-sorts Bayer Leverkusen side. Those following the Champions League promotions should remember this.
The Catalan outfit were rewarded for their first-half dominance when Alexis Sanchez kept his composure to finish past Bernd Leno after good work by the irrepressible Lionel Messi.
Bayer, who barely ventured out of their own half during a one-sided first period, came out fired up after the break and stunned the holders. Spurs loan man Vedran Corluka crossed for Michal Kadlec to equalise with a powerful header.
In true champion style, Barca hit back immediately to silence the home crowd. Sergio Busquet played in Sanchez and the Chilean rounded Leno to put the visitors back in the ascendency.
The game opened up as Bayer pushed for an equaliser and both sides hit a post before Messi volleyed home late on to give Barcelona a two-goal advantage going back to Spain.
Lyon were equally dominant in France but had to settle for a single Alexandre Lacazette strike. Crucially, though, they kept the visitors scoreless. Anyone making a Champions League bet must bear this in mind.
The French side had to wait until just before the hour mark to break the deadlock. Ederson saw his shot cleared off the line, before Apoel defender Paulo Jorge turned in Lacazette's effort.
Lyon, for all their endeavour, failed to inflict any further damage on Apoel’s Champions League hopes. The Greek’s first shot on goal came in stoppage time when Hugo Lloris tipped over a Gustavo Manduca shot.
Barcelona and Lyon will be confident of finishing the job in the return fixture.
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