The Soccer Blog: 2010

Friday 31 December 2010

No new buys for Ferguson

Manchester United do not need to make any signings in the January transfer window according to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

He said they would ‘definitely not’ be making any inclusions during the transfer period and the squad they use to travel to West Brom on New Year’s Day is already strong enough.

There will, however, be movement in the other direction, with 19-year-old Italian forward Federico Macheda heading out on loan to gain experience.

United will again be without midfield ace Paul Scholes for the West Brom match as Ferguson has told the 35-year-old to rest for a few weeks.

The Red Devils could only manage a draw at Birmingham in midweek and could desperately do with his presence to beef up the midfield on Saturday.

Ferguson said: “Paul had a little recurrence of the groin injury. We just told him to have a complete break, which is what he has done.”

“Hopefully that break will get rid of the injury problem through rest and we will have him back training sometime next week.”

United have scored 10 goals in their last three visits to West Brom, but Ferguson said they have been a different prospect altogether since rejoining the Premier League this season.

“We expect a tough game on Saturday. West Brom have been a refreshing team this season – they play the right way and have a good threat,” Ferguson said.

“Their goal tally has been very good this season, particularly away from home. So we know it won’t be easy.”

Ferguson promised to make changes to the side and suggested Portuguese winger Nani (hip) could return to the fold.

Fri 31 December, 2010

Grant: Wolves should be bottom

West Ham Manager Avram Grant says Wolves should be bottom of the Premier League ahead of the pair’s clash at Upton Park on Saturday.

West Ham were denied all three points when the two sides met at Molineux in October after Frederic Piquionne’s late goal was harshly ruled out for hand-ball.

And Grant believes that decision was the only reason West Ham, and not Mick McCarthy’s Wolves, were sitting at the foot of the Premier League table.

“Wolves would now be three points behind us if the referee’s decision had been good,” Grant said. “It was one of our best games in Wolves so we want to win.”

Grant said he has told the players to stop being scared of what happens if they lose, but instead concentrate on what would happen if they were to emerge victorious in front of their home fans.

“I think that when we are at home and we have the momentum, even if we are playing against a good team, our target is to win the game,” Grant said.

“I don’t think like this, I think that all the games are big games. Three months ago people were saying every game would be a big game.”

Grant could choose to recall defenders Danny Gabbidon and Tal Ben Haim after resting both in midweek.

Midfielders Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Jack Collison (knee)and Kieron Dyer (thigh) are all unavailable while defenders Manuel da Costa (ankle) and Herita Ilunga (thigh) are also ruled out.

Fri 31 December, 2010

Spurs in five-way race for the title

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes the quest to win the Premier League title is now a five-horse race.

The north London club have gone eight league games unbeaten and have enjoyed a memorable festive period having recorded back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Spurs are now just five points behind leaders Manchester United and can move back into the top four if they manage to beat Fulham at White Hart Lane on New Year’s Day.

Redknapp has no doubts that his squad have the quality to challenge for the title, but knows they will face stiff competition from United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal if they are to come out on top.

“Liverpool could come with a run but you do see five teams fighting for the top four,” Redknapp said.

“The players have done great and have been fantastic. It has been a good run for us and looks to me like there are five teams pushing for the Champions League places and we are right amongst that. That’s where we want to be and even higher if we can.”

“We’re on a good run. Last year we had the pressure of getting into the Champions League and we coped with that.”

“Winning the title is very difficult but we’re there, it’s open, it’s the most open championship for years. Everyone is finding it hard this year.”

William Gallas will return against Fulham having missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury, but Younes Kaboul and Jermain Defoe are ruled out through suspension.

And although Redknapp admits he is happy with the squad at his disposal, he revealed he has been told by chairman Daniel Levy he has money to spend in the January transfer window if he wants to bring in some big-name players.

The Tottenham manager has been linked with moves for Scott Parker and David Beckham, but he insists he will only do business in the market if the players are better than the ones he has already got.

“We have good players getting better. Bale and Modric have been incredible and we have got Van der Vaart now,” Redknapp said. “Those players are not for sale. So the club is going forward all the time.”

“If we found the right player the owner would like me to spend his money and buy somebody who could make the difference.”

Fri 31 December, 2010

Rooney: I was wrong

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has admitted he was wrong to question the club’s ambitions going forward.

Rooney, 25, stunned the football world when he handed in a transfer request at Old Trafford in October after his contract talks broke down.

The former Everton striker said the club’s failure to sign big-name players and a lack of ambition was reason behind his decision as speculation ran wild as to where Rooney would head.

But just four days later, the issue was smoothed over and Rooney had signed a new five-year deal.

“I went to see the manager and David Gill and asked them for answers,” Rooney told MUTV.

“Now I realise it has nothing to do with me but I wanted to make sure it was the right thing for me to do. I got the answers in the end but looking back it was probably wrong of me to do that.”

Rooney said a visit from 30 fans to his home, although alarming, made him understand the reaction to his comments, but he denied he would have signed for arch-rivals, Manchester City.

“I looked out and saw 30 blokes with their hoods up. I wasn’t going to invite them in for tea,” Rooney said.

“I understood some of the fans were disappointed and felt let down. But it was just one of those things I had to get right. Thankfully I have sorted it out now. I have made the right decision and made myself happy.”

“But I didn’t even think about where I was going to go. There was no way I would have gone to Manchester City and there was more chance of me going to City than Liverpool.”

Rooney also signalled his intent to become a manager once his playing career finishes, but said he was determined to earn his stripes.

“I would like to be a manager. That would be my ambition when I finish playing,” Rooney said.

“You see the players who have played for Sir Alex and gone on to be good managers. I am hoping to do that one day. But I wouldn’t like to follow the manager here, or start at an Everton or Manchester United.”

“I want to learn something about the lower leagues and build a reputation that way rather than just jumping into a big club.”

“It is not right if someone goes in and gets a big job with no experience. There are managers who have worked for years trying to get that.”

Fri 31 December, 2010

Houllier unfazed by pressure

Gerard Houllier shook off the pressure mounting on him and insisted Aston Villa would soon be making a move up the table.

Houllier took over at Villa Park after Martin O’Neill’s sudden resignation on the eve of the season, but so far has failed to inspire the team, who lie 15th on the Premier League table.

But the Frenchman said the club would band together during this tough time and were not worried about outside opinions.

“I knew there would be pressure and there is more pressure and the feeling is not the same when you don’t win games,” said Houllier.

“The club is a unit, the chairman, the staff, medical people, everyone seems to get together.”

The return of players from injury and an improvement from the members of the squad dropped for footballing reasons should make a real difference to the team that faces Chelsea on Sunday.

“The positive thing is a lot of players are gradually coming out of injury and starting to play,” Houllier said.

“The good news is that the treatment rooms are nearly empty. Ashley Young, who we missed for the last two games, should be okay for this weekend.”

After a poor game at Liverpool and a reported training ground bust-up, Richard Dunne missed the last three games and was not in the squad for the last two.

He will be back for the Chelsea game, but fellow Irishman Stephen Ireland will have to wait for his opportunity.

Striker John Carew will also be back in a Villa shirt shortly.

“They are out of the team only on footballing reasons,” Houllier said. “They weren’t performing at times.”

“John said he needed more training to come back to his best level – he is fighting hard to come back to that level. The rest is a matter of choice, but Dunne seems better as well.”

Houllier accepts Villa are one of twelve or so teams in a relegation fight.

“It is very funny because you win two games and suddenly you are near Europe again and but you lose two and you are in the battle for relegation,” he said.

Fri 31 December, 2010

Wolves looking up

Confidence is at an all time high at Wolverhampton ahead of their must-win trip to fellow strugglers West Ham on Saturday.

The Midlands side pulled off a shock 1-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night and manager Mick McCarthy is looking to use this result to propel his relegation-threatened team up the table.

“It’s been a huge lift for all of us,” McCarthy said.

“I keep saying the players have a good spirit but when you’ve won it’s better. Our spirits are all higher, and not just the players, everybody in Wolverhampton.”

“It gives you confidence and self belief that you can go and win away from home. It was a really good performance. It’s a real boost for everybody.”

The bottom of the table clash is a must win for both sides and McCarthy knows the Hammers, currently bottom of the table, will be stiff opposition.

“West Ham have played well in the last few games. I watched them against Everton and I thought they were excellent against Fulham,” McCarthy said.

“Last season at West Ham was our best away performance and for that reason the West Ham players will be up for it even more.”

“But if we play like we did at Anfield then we’ve got every chance.”

With Wolves 19th on the table, the former Sunderland boss knows his team will have to fight to survive this season.

But McCarthy is confident his players have the quality to avoid relegation to the Championship.

“We’re still in the relegation positions and we’ve got to out of there,” he said. “The team is scrapping for it and no-one is giving up here.”

Fri 31 December, 2010

Sunderland to Make £12m to Bring Aston Villa Winger Stewart Downing Back to the North-East

no comments by The Newshound on December 31st, 2010

Stadium of Light side look to snap up in form wide man.

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Classic Football Assaults #7: Team-Mates Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer Decide to Punch Each Other

3 comments by Mad Dog and Glory on December 31st, 2010

No one on Planet Earth likes Lee Bowyer. There are Amazonian tribes who have as yet not been in contact with the modern world, they live in huts and no little of electricity or indeed the magic of a nice sausage sandwich drenched in HP sauce, yet when scientists who discovered them a few months back they showed the natives a picture of Lee Bowyer and the resultant anger meant that the scientists have been turn to paste. This is the type of hatred the former Leeds, West Ham, Charlton midfielder engenders. Therefore it was no surprise when Kieron Dyer, who was surprisingly fit enough to be involved in this scuffle, decided to have a good old fashioned punch-up.

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Hodgson apologises for fan criticism

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has apologised after copping criticism for a perceived dig at the club’s supporters on Wednesday.

The former Fulham boss vented his anger after his side’s shock 1-0 loss to then-bottom Wolves at home, suggesting energy spent by fans criticising him would be better placed supporting the team.

Hodgson went onto say he has not felt that ’special’ Anfield atmosphere since he arrived, but apologised and backed away from his comments on Friday.

“I didn’t set out to attack the fans; I had to answer a question about being the butt of their jeers and of course whilst empathising with them, of course, I also tried to defend my position a bit,” Hodgson said.

“I certainly regret it if I have offended anyone in any way, it was in no way meant to be an offensive comment.”

“The support of the Liverpool fans is the best in the country, but to get that support you have to play well and give them something to really look forward to supporting.”

Hodgson has not spoken to the club’s owners since the Wolves defeat despite speculation he might be relieved of his duties, and he just wants the team to turn a corner against sixth-placed Bolton, who are the visitors to Anfield on New Year’s Day.

“I can only hope that I can help make the team better, help get the results that everybody wants and I know that then they will get behind the team again and get behind me,” Hodgson said.

“When we don’t win I’m afraid I have to accept some of the stick is going to come my way. It’s a great opportunity for players who, like myself, have found themselves in the firing line for criticism, to prove people wrong.”

Joe Cole aggravated an ankle injury in training and is a doubt whilst fellow midfielder Steven Gerrard is also a doubt after being ‘extremely tired’ by his 90 minute comeback game in midweek.

Fri 31 December, 2010

Ivanovic out, Drogba okay for Chelsea

Chelsea will have to face Aston Villa on Sunday without centre-back Branislav Ivanovic because of suspension.

Ivanovic picked up his fifth booking of the season against Bolton and will serve a one-match ban, meaning either youngster Jeffrey Bruma or veteran Paulo Ferreira will receive a call-up for the match at Stamford Bridge.

In better new for manager Carlo Ancelotti, Ivorian striker Didier Drogba is expected to be passed fit despite picking up a back injury during the midweek victory over Bolton.

“Drogba is ok, he had a knock on his back but he will be fine. We will miss Ivanovic but we have to find another solution,” Ancelotti said.

Chelsea, who beat Aston Villa 7-1 in the corresponding fixture last season, are desperate to take three points again to make it back-to-back wins after beating Bolton 1-0 at home on Wednesday.

“That victory was important to change the atmosphere, to change the trend and to come back to winning ways,” Ancelotti said.

“But now we need to follow it up with another win. It was important to end the bad moment but we are not yet at our best, we can still improve and we want to do that.”

“We have to put in another performance against Aston Villa. That’s the next step. We have to maintain the same performance against Villa – it will not easy but that is our aim.”

“The Premier League is open again and we have to stay in focus. The next game is at home and it’s a period when if we do our best we can come back quickly at the top of the table.”

“Villa are in trouble now so we have to pay attention because they will consider this game a good opportunity for them to come back.”

Chelsea captain John Terry is hoping to make 2011 every bit as good for the Blues as 2010.

Last season Chelsea won the Premier League and FA Cup double and Terry wants more success in the New Year.

“Winning our first double is something that everyone who was involved will always remember,” Terry said.

“But now we want to go on and have many more days like those we spent celebrating in May. We want 2011 to be as good as 2010 and now is a good time to win games.”

“With so many teams close together at the top of the league at the moment this is an important spell in the league season.”

Fri 31 December, 2010

Cigarini rules out Sevilla exit

Sevilla midfielder Luca Cigarini has ruled out leaving the Primera Division side in the January transfer window.

Cigarini has been strongly linked with a return to Italy in January.

Udinese forward hints at Premier League move

Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez has revealed that he would be interested in a move to the Premier League.

The 22-year-old Chile international has been linked with a host of clubs around Europe, including Manchester United.

Sanchez told Goal.com Italy: “I’d like to play for a big club but I still lack a final piece for the big leap. I must still improve as a person and as a player.

“I like the English football best because they go at thousand miles per hour speed and never stop – a little like me.”

Cattermole, Welbeck close to Sunderland return

Sunderland could receive a double boost with Danny Welbeck and Lee Cattermole likely starters against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Both players are expected to be in the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon with Cattermole shaking off a back problem and Welbeck a neck strain.

But Sunderland will definitely be without defender Nedum Onuoha, while record signing Asamoah Gyan is also not expected to feature.

Bruce blames the casualties on a punishing round of festive fixtures which he publicly criticised on Boxing Day.

The biggest culprit, says Bruce, has been the scheduling of two games within 48 hours – the away trip to Manchester United on Boxing Day and the game against Blackpool on December 28.

“It’s not something any of us should have to deal with, to be fair,” Bruce said. “It’s a nonsense.”

“Welbeck has got a neck problem but we think he will be fine. Cattermole has suffered the same kind of hamstring and back problem that he had last season.”

“I’m not ruling Catts out at this stage though, because hopefully he will be fit, as will Danny.”

“As for Nedum, he is definitely out, hopefully for not much more than a week.”

“And Asamoah is struggling with a series of knocks at the moment, and the hamstring is just the latest.”

“I think he struggled to play two games in the space of 48 hours, because it’s not something he has ever had to deal with in his career before.”

“You just can’t ask players to play two games in that short a space of time – not at the kind of intensity required in the Premier League, anyway.”

“Players are going to pick up injuries, and that’s exactly what has happened.”

After having 33 attempts on goal against Blackpool in midweek, Bruce is expecting a complete contrast against Blackburn.

Bruce said: “You couldn’t have had a much more open team than Blackpool.”

“They give it a go but they also leave themselves exposed at the back when they do that.”

“We exploited that fact fantastically – we just couldn’t do the final part and put the ball in the back of the net.”

“I don’t expect it to be a particularly exciting and open game. It’s likely to be hard-fought and difficult but we’re determined to finish the year on a high.”

Fri 31 December, 2010

Wenger: Title is ours for the taking

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists the title is there for the taking, but warned his side they must be mentally strong in this season’s race.

The Gunners missed the chance to draw level on points with league leaders Manchester United on Wednesday after they conceded a late equaliser against Wigan.

And Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd this week claimed the title is now “Manchester United’s to lose”.

But Wenger remains confident his side can return the title to north London for the first time since 2004.

“Everyone has an opinion on it but I think it’s Arsenal’s title to win,” Wenger said.

“The only thing we have learned from the first six months is that this could be the league of the mentally strong.”

“It’s a league of many ups and downs and the teams who can deal best with that will certainly be the team who wins it.”

“I feel we are on a good track. We are in a strong position but we want to improve our home record. Our away form has been fantastic.”

Arsenal’s trip to Birmingham on Saturday is their penultimate fixture of a frantic festive schedule which has seen them play four games in just 10 days.

Despite starting the spell with a superb 3-1 victory over Chelsea, Arsenal were brought back down to earth by their midweek draw at Wigan.

“I see the Christmas period as a whole. We had a little disadvantage with the way the fixtures were organised compared to some other clubs,” Wenger said.

“At the end of the day we know that Christmas will be very important because we play Chelsea and Manchester City and then have two away games against Wigan and Birmingham.”

“For us it will have a certain impact on the rest of the season so it’s important we have a good game against Birmingham.”

Wenger is set to recall striker Robin van Persie and midfielder Alex Song after they were rested for the trip to Wigan.

Captain Cesc Fabregas is also available again after serving his one-match ban, but fellow midfielder Abou Diaby is unavailable.

“We lose Diaby for a calf strain, (he will miss) three weeks approximately,” Wenger said.

“The squad will be approximately the squad that has gone to Wigan but we get back Song, Fabregas – who was suspended – and Van Persie.”

Fri 31 December, 2010

Injuries hit hard at Blackburn

Blackburn have eight senior players unavailable for Saturday’s clash at Sunderland while defender Chris Samba is also in doubt.

But new manager Steve Kean, who enjoyed his first win at West Brom on Tuesday, still believes he can field a team capable of forcing another positive result.

“We are stretched, no doubt about that,” said Kean. “However, the long list of unavailable players means chances elsewhere, especially for the young players.”

“We have a game plan and I think we can give Sunderland a really good game.”

“If we can pick up a point, or maybe even all three, then it would really set things up for the second half of the season.”

Striker Nikola Kalinic and defender Michel Salgado are both suspended while goalkeeper Paul Robinson, striker Jason Roberts and midfielders Steven Nzonzi, Phil Jones, Vince Grella and Keith Andrews are all injured.

Kean added: “It is difficult and we are hoping that big Chris (Samba) comes through. He has had a lot of intensive treatment and we are quite optimistic. He will have a late test, as late as possible to give him the best chance of making it.”

“Sunderland are a strong side who like to start with a high tempo and try to force you back as they go for the first goal.”

“We have got to match that and then try to get our game going in their final third as well. We defended well at West Brom, but we also attacked with real purpose.”

Rovers won 3-1 at The Hawthorns on Tuesday – the first time the team has scored three times away from home in a league game since Paul Ince’s first game in charge, a 3-2 win at Everton in August 2008.

Fri 31 December, 2010

Moyes searches for end to goal drought

Everton manager David Moyes refuses to confirm he will make a January signing as he desperately searches for a goal scorer.

Leading scorer Tim Cahill will be missing for a month after Saturday’s trip to Stoke when he flies out to represent Australia in the Asian Cup.

Moyes said the whole team was responsible for filling the void left by Cahill.

“I need somebody to score me goals. If I don’t get the goals then I’m going to have to keep looking to find a solution,” Moyes said.

“I’ve asked ‘Have they been creating enough opportunities? Have they been creating enough chances?’”

“I mean, sometimes centre-forwards say they didn’t get a chance and got bad service and I think that’s been the case in several games.”

“But if you look at the majority of them we have had opportunities to score. I think it’s not always falling to centre forwards – Sylvain Distain had two opportunities in midweek and didn’t score so it’s not always been the centre-forwards.”

Everton sit in mid-table at present, but Moyes knows that things could change very quickly, starting with a win at the Brittania Stadium.

“I don’t know if it’s nervous football but I think because the league is very tight you know that a couple of defeats and a bit of poor form could find you at the wrong end of the table,” Moyes said.

“In the same breath, run into good form and you could find yourself very easily moving away from the pack.”

“In football management you’re always trying to look long-term, but in the main, you’re always looking short-term to try and get a couple of results, then you can start to look a bit further afield.”

“I wouldn’t say we’re looking forward to it but because we know it is going to be tough but we look forward to going there and competing.”

Defenders Phil Jagielka (thigh) and John Heitinga (knee) both have an outside chance of making the game.