Liverpool Manager Heaps Praise On Players For Season Turnaround

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has praised his players for the way they have turned this season into a success.

The Reds endured their worst start to a Premier League ever under Roy Hodgson, who failed to inspire the squad after many off-field problems.

Dalglish took over in January after Hodgson was sacked, and has seen the team climb to sixth and chasing Tottenham Hotspur for a Europa League spot.

Dalglish says this is still the objective and admits his players are better than how they performed under Hodgson.

“I still don’t think sixth place is the position we actually want to be in,” he told the club’s website.

“But credit to the players because there have only been two transfers out and two in, and the lads that have got us to where we are deserve great credit for it.

“I don’t think they could have done much more. I think they’ve done more than they possibly could.

“We’ve won some games maybe people thought we couldn’t win and we’ve lost other games we thought we should win.

“But at the end of the day, as we keep saying, we will add up the points at the end of the season and see where we are.

“If we were to finish sixth it would be an achievement for the players that they have got that far in such a short space of time but we just need to keep going and see what happens.”

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Villa draws Del Bosque praise

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque hailed striker David Villa, whose brace lifted his side to a 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over the Czech Republic.

In the process, Barcelona’s Villa became Spain’s highest ever goal scorer, after entering Friday’s match level with Raul on 44 international goals.Jaroslav Plasil put the Czechs ahead after 29 minutes, and for a while it looked as though the 1996 European Championships runners-up would hold on to pull off the shock.But Villa’s cool finish from the edge of the box on 69 minutes levelled proceedings and he stepped up to convert a penalty four minutes later to hand his side three points – pushing them six points clear of the Czechs in Group I.”Villa is a boy with a lot of poise in front of goal,” Del Bosque said.”Their goal set us back a great deal.”"It cost us some effort to react but we had enough personality to turn the game around.”"Twelve points from four matches is the ideal position but we have to keep it up.”Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek was disappointed his side came away from the clash without a point after working so hard.”Obviously the Spanish dominated the game and played with a lot of patience and in the end got the goals they needed,” he said.”During the match we did not see much of the ball and our stamina was falling away at the end.”"It’s a shame we couldn’t get the draw.”Spain head to Kaunas to take on Lithuania on Tuesday, while the Czech Republic play host to Liechtenstein.

Sat 26 March, 2011

Villa draws Del Bosque praise

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque hailed striker David Villa, whose brace lifted his side to a 2-1 Euro 2012 qualifying win over the Czech Republic.

In the process, Barcelona’s Villa became Spain’s highest ever goal scorer, after entering Friday’s match level with Raul on 44 international goals.Jaroslav Plasil put the Czechs ahead after 29 minutes, and for a while it looked as though the 1996 European Championships runners-up would hold on to pull off the shock.But Villa’s cool finish from the edge of the box on 69 minutes levelled proceedings and he stepped up to convert a penalty four minutes later to hand his side three points – pushing them six points clear of the Czechs in Group I.”Villa is a boy with a lot of poise in front of goal,” Del Bosque said.”Their goal set us back a great deal.”"It cost us some effort to react but we had enough personality to turn the game around.”"Twelve points from four matches is the ideal position but we have to keep it up.”Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek was disappointed his side came away from the clash without a point after working so hard.”Obviously the Spanish dominated the game and played with a lot of patience and in the end got the goals they needed,” he said.”During the match we did not see much of the ball and our stamina was falling away at the end.”"It’s a shame we couldn’t get the draw.”Spain head to Kaunas to take on Lithuania on Tuesday, while the Czech Republic play host to Liechtenstein.

Sat 26 March, 2011

McDermott praise for Reading resolve

Reading boss Brian McDermott was full of praise for his players after they produced a shock FA Cup 1-0 away win at Everton on Tuesday.

Just 10 days after defeating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to progress to the fifth round, Everton were surprised by the Championship outfit who won thanks to defender Matthew Mills’ 26th minute strike.

The win sees Reading reach the quarter-finals of the famous competition for the second successive season and McDermott was delighted afterwards.

“(We had) great shape, great discipline, passed the ball well with real quality and toward the end of the game we needed to keep it and we did that,” McDermott said.

“The work rate of the team tonight was phenomenal and everybody did their job. We had a game plan coming here and I thought we followed it out.”

“It puts us in the next round of the FA Cup and before last season it was 80 odd years before the last time we were in the quarter-finals but we have done it again this season. It’s an absolute credit to the players.”

The task for Reading will not get any easier, with the Royals to meet the winner of Manchester City and Aston Villa’s fifth round clash at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday.

McDermott is not fussed which side his team plays, with Villa the side responsible for knocking them out of the FA Cup last season.

“No not really,” he said when asked if he had a preference on Reading’s next opponents.

“Last year we played Villa and we were 2-0 up at half-time and looking like we had a good chance of getting into the semi-finals and I said to the players ‘if you can keep it tight at half time’ (we can progress).”

“I remember the scoreboard at 2-0 as I came out and then 15 minutes later we’re 3-2 down, that was an amazing game really but no I don’t have a preference, whoever goes through.”

McDermott’s counterpart, David Moyes, admitted his side deserved to lose and said the club’s supporters had every right to be disappointed with the club’s exit from the competition.

“We had a great opportunity with getting a home tie after doing so well in the last round,” Moyes said.

“I think we just didn’t play well enough to win the game.”

“This was a competition they had high hopes for after we beat Chelsea so I totally understand (the fans concerns).”

Wed 2 March, 2011

Ancelotti sings praise for Blues

Under-pressure Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti saw cause for encouragement during his side’s 2-0 Champions League win over Copenhagen.

English Premier League champions Chelsea have struggled for consistency this season – they are 12 points off the pace in their title defence and surrendered the FA Cup with a penalty shootout defeat at home to Everton on Saturday.

Chelsea face Wigan on Saturday ahead of a challenging match against league-leaders Manchester United on Tuesday, but Ancelotti believes some confidence has been restored with a comfortable 2-0 win over Danish champions Copenhagen in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday.

“It was good result, a good performance,” Ancelotti said.

“We were focused for this game, prepared well and the mindset was good. My players worked hard and played good football.”

“The result is good but it’s just the first half and we have to pay attention to the second leg. We are focused because we want to be the best.”

“We have to be able to move on quickly after the bad results and we were able to because we played some really good football: we have to continue to stay focused.”

Expensive striker Fernando Torres showed glimpses of promise but is yet to break his Chelsea duck, leaving Frenchman Nicolas Anelka to pick up the slack with both goals at the Parken Stadion.

“Anelka did a fantastic job and scored two goals,” Ancelotti said.

“Torres did very well because the key to the game was the work of the strikers. He was always dangerous and unlucky he didn’t score but he played a fantastic game.”

“If we are able to maintain the same level we have a chance to win against Manchester United.”

Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken admitted that the odds were now stacked against his team progressing to the quarter-finals.

“It will be extremely difficult to go on in the competition now, particularly with Zdenek Pospech suspended,” Solbakken said.

“Too many of my most prominent players failed to hit their peak: they did OK, but were not at their very best. Furthermore, we made too many mistakes and hit too many inaccurate passes.”

“We lost to a better team. Based on the possession and opportunities, the result was well deserved. Maybe we were a bit too optimistic about our chances before the game. We had some problems with Chelsea’s pace at certain points, but that was to be expected.”

Wed 23 February, 2011

´Genuine´ Raul wins Magath praise

Schalke boss Felix Magath has praised ‘genuine goalscorer’ Raul after his goal in the first leg of their Champions League tie with Valencia.

Raul’s strike on 64 minutes cancelled out Roberto Soldado’s opener for Valencia at the Mestalla, handing Schalke a 1-1 draw and the advantage ahead of their home leg of the round of 16 tie on March 9.

The goal was Raul’s 69th Champions League goal and his 71st in UEFA competitions, moving him above Filippo Inzaghi as the all-time highest goal-scorer in European competition.

The 33-year-old, who joined Schalke after 16 years at La Liga heavyweights real Madrid, won admiration for his contribution from Magath.

“(His) goal was no fluke,” Magath said.

“That’s a genuine goalscorer we are seeing here. His marker has to come the long way round and Raul knows it; he knows exactly where he’s going to put it.”

“The special thing about him is that he works so much for the team as well. We know we still have a lot of work ahead of us, at home against a team that play with such high intensity, and will prepare accordingly.”

Valencia coach Unai Emery conceded his side ‘suffered against Raul and (strike partner) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar more than we would have liked’.

But he was still confident his side can gain progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.

“It’s not the best result for us but it’s not the worst either,” he said.

“Schalke have taken a slight advantage. They are a good team and we will have to make defensive adjustments in order to be steadier at the back.”

“The objective over there (in Germany) will obviously be to suffer less against a physically powerful side.”

“I’m still convinced of our chances to qualify. We’re going to prepare for the return leg but right now we must concentrate on La Liga and work hard to seal our return to the Champions League next season.”

Wed 16 February, 2011

´Genuine´ Raul wins Magath praise

Schalke boss Felix Magath has praised ‘genuine goalscorer’ Raul after his goal in the first leg of their Champions League tie with Valencia.

Raul’s strike on 64 minutes cancelled out Roberto Soldado’s opener for Valencia at the Mestalla, handing Schalke a 1-1 draw and the advantage ahead of their home leg of the round of 16 tie on March 9.

The goal was Raul’s 69th Champions League goal and his 71st in UEFA competitions, moving him above Filippo Inzaghi as the all-time highest goal-scorer in European competition.

The 33-year-old, who joined Schalke after 16 years at La Liga heavyweights real Madrid, won admiration for his contribution from Magath.

“(His) goal was no fluke,” Magath said.

“That’s a genuine goalscorer we are seeing here. His marker has to come the long way round and Raul knows it; he knows exactly where he’s going to put it.”

“The special thing about him is that he works so much for the team as well. We know we still have a lot of work ahead of us, at home against a team that play with such high intensity, and will prepare accordingly.”

Valencia coach Unai Emery conceded his side ‘suffered against Raul and (strike partner) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar more than we would have liked’.

But he was still confident his side can gain progress to the quarter-finals of the competition.

“It’s not the best result for us but it’s not the worst either,” he said.

“Schalke have taken a slight advantage. They are a good team and we will have to make defensive adjustments in order to be steadier at the back.”

“The objective over there (in Germany) will obviously be to suffer less against a physically powerful side.”

“I’m still convinced of our chances to qualify. We’re going to prepare for the return leg but right now we must concentrate on La Liga and work hard to seal our return to the Champions League next season.”

Wed 16 February, 2011

McLeish praise for matchwinner Zigic

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish hailed the influence of big striker Nikola Zigic, who scored his second crucial goal in a week for the St Andrews club.

After scoring the winner against West Ham at Upton Park last Sunday, Zigic bobbed up again on Saturday, with a 90th-minute header lifting his side to a 1-0 English Premier League win over Stoke.

McLeish said after taking his time to settle in England after his move from Valencia prior to the season, the 202cm Serbian was becoming an integral part of the side.

“If you get the right balls to him, that’s what he can do,” McLeish said.

“When I see the pictures again to see him towering above John Carew, who looks almost small next to Zigic, it’s quite amazing.”

“The big fella’s jumped above the crossbar to head it down into the net, but it’s a wonderful three points for us.”

McLeish believes the win was just reward for his side, who he said had worked tirelessly to secure the all three points.

“It was great to see the goal go in in the last few seconds. We fought every minute of the way again, persevered right until the very end and concentrated,” he said.

“We stuck to it in the last couple of weeks and taken six magnificent points and we hope that can allow us to kick on into the next Premier League game and of course the (Carling) cup final (against Arsenal on February 27) will take care of itself.”

In contrast, Stoke boss Tony Pulis was disappointed with the manner in which his side conceded, particularly with the handling error by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic that led to Zigic’s goal.

“It’s hard to take in respect that I couldn’t see them scoring to be honest. I didn’t think that during the 93 minutes that we played, there was ever an occasion where they were going to score,” Pulis said.

“It (the goal) had nothing to do with Zigic. Asmir really should collect that ball. It’s come out of his hands. It’s our fault but Asmir has come in and held his hand up. From there on in we were in trouble.”

“But really, (David) Bentley shoots from the edge of the box and it should go straight to Asmir. Unfortunately the kid hasn’t held it, and then we’re in trouble.”

Sat 12 February, 2011

McLeish praise for matchwinner Zigic

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish hailed the influence of big striker Nikola Zigic, who scored his second crucial goal in a week for the St Andrews club.

After scoring the winner against West Ham at Upton Park last Sunday, Zigic bobbed up again on Saturday, with a 90th-minute header lifting his side to a 1-0 English Premier League win over Stoke.

McLeish said after taking his time to settle in England after his move from Valencia prior to the season, the 202cm Serbian was becoming an integral part of the side.

“If you get the right balls to him, that’s what he can do,” McLeish said.

“When I see the pictures again to see him towering above John Carew, who looks almost small next to Zigic, it’s quite amazing.”

“The big fella’s jumped above the crossbar to head it down into the net, but it’s a wonderful three points for us.”

McLeish believes the win was just reward for his side, who he said had worked tirelessly to secure the all three points.

“It was great to see the goal go in in the last few seconds. We fought every minute of the way again, persevered right until the very end and concentrated,” he said.

“We stuck to it in the last couple of weeks and taken six magnificent points and we hope that can allow us to kick on into the next Premier League game and of course the (Carling) cup final (against Arsenal on February 27) will take care of itself.”

In contrast, Stoke boss Tony Pulis was disappointed with the manner in which his side conceded, particularly with the handling error by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic that led to Zigic’s goal.

“It’s hard to take in respect that I couldn’t see them scoring to be honest. I didn’t think that during the 93 minutes that we played, there was ever an occasion where they were going to score,” Pulis said.

“It (the goal) had nothing to do with Zigic. Asmir really should collect that ball. It’s come out of his hands. It’s our fault but Asmir has come in and held his hand up. From there on in we were in trouble.”

“But really, (David) Bentley shoots from the edge of the box and it should go straight to Asmir. Unfortunately the kid hasn’t held it, and then we’re in trouble.”

Sat 12 February, 2011

Guardiola praise for Xavi

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola praised the longevity of midfielder Xavi after he equalled the club record of 549 appearances for the Catalans.

Xavi played in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Levante on Sunday, and Guardiola predicted there are many more matches to come for the 30-year-old.

“This game belongs to Xavi. I reached 300 matches and that seemed an outrage. Migueli played 549 and retired at 38,” Guardiola told AS.

“But Xavi is 30 years of age and has played 549 games. Xavi will surpass Migueli, I would not be surprised if he managed to reach 700 games.”

Guardiola was also full of praise for Pedro, whose brace set up the victory at the Camp Nou, likening the winger to the seemingly incomparable Lionel Messi, who was rested for the match.

“Pedro is very important. He is in the form of his life and does almost everything brilliantly, he is a very fine player,” he said.

“When he is near the area he is like Messi, in that he only sees the goal. But he works very hard for the team as well.”

Mon 3 January, 2011