Ferguson praises Nani ahead of Benfica

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Nani’s contribution this season.

As his side prepare to welcome Benfica to Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday, Ferguson praised Nani’s playmaking ability and his role in creating chances for United.

The Portuguese midfielder has four assists in the Premier League so far this season.

“I think he’s always had that potential,” Ferguson said.

“I think whenever someone comes to the club from abroad some take to it quickly, and some gradually grow into the club. I think Nani is one of those.”

“Even Christano (Ronaldo) took two or three years just to get the maturity in his game. That’s what we’re seeing in Nani now.”

If you look at the stats, his goals have been fine, but his assists are very high. So he’s progressing really well.”

Benfica share a historical tie with United. They were United’s opponents when the Red Devils won their first European Cup, the predecessor to the Champions League, at Wembley in 1968.

Nani also has added motivation to beat Benfica. He played for their great rivals Sporting for two seasons before joining United in 2007.

United and Benfica are tied at the top of group C on eight points, and a win for either team on Tuesday would put them in a strong position with one group game remaining.

“You hope you do finish top,” Ferguson said.

“You mentioned several big teams we would avoid, but the main thing is having the second leg back at Old Trafford. Which is a big advantage.”

“So it’s always been our aim to finish top. It’s not always been the case, we’ve finished second several times.”

“The quality of the teams at that stage doesn’t make a big difference, but it can make a little difference. I think the main advantage in my mind is to have the second leg at Old Trafford.”

Ferguson did not underestimate the ability of their Portuguese rivals.

“It’s a big game tomorrow, it’s a real European game considering the history of Benfica themselves.”

“We’ve had a number of great games in the past that I can remember. One that I remember is the game with them which we lost 2-1 in Portugal.”

“The performance in the first game I thought we did really well, possession-wise it was good, we deserved the result until the last 15 minutes when they threatened quite a bit.”

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Houllier sings Walker´s praises

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has praised full-back Kyle Walker following his call up to the England squad.

Walker is currently on loan at Villa Park from Tottenham Hotspur, having spent the first half of the season at Queens Park Rangers.

And he has coped well with the transition from Championship to Premier League, catching the eye with some marauding runs from right back as well as notching two well-taken goals, against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and Fulham in Saturday’s 2-2 league match.

Walker’s form has also impressed Fabio Capello, who has rewarded the 20-year-old with a first call up to England’s senior squad.

He will now be hoping to make his England bow against Denmark at Parken on Wednesday, and Houllier sees no reason why a bright future should not await the Sheffield-born youngster.

“He can strike the ball, he can also burst forward and he can defend,” Houllier said.

“He showed some international quality because he is fast and he is quick, he can defend and he can burst through and his use of the ball is good.”

“The full-backs in modern football have a lot of the ball so they need to be good footballers.”

The Frenchman also revealed he believes there is still more to come from Walker.

“He’s not the finished article. Glen Johnson is probably ahead of him. But this is his first experience in the Premier League and he’s got to build on that,” Houllier said.

Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has pulled out of Capello’s squad for personal reasons.

Also out are Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Ben Foster and Peter Crouch. West Ham duo Robert Green and Carlton Cole have been called up.

Mon 7 February, 2011

Houllier sings Walker´s praises

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has praised full-back Kyle Walker following his call up to the England squad.

Walker is currently on loan at Villa Park from Tottenham Hotspur, having spent the first half of the season at Queens Park Rangers.

And he has coped well with the transition from Championship to Premier League, catching the eye with some marauding runs from right back as well as notching two well-taken goals, against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and Fulham in Saturday’s 2-2 league match.

Walker’s form has also impressed Fabio Capello, who has rewarded the 20-year-old with a first call up to England’s senior squad.

He will now be hoping to make his England bow against Denmark at Parken on Wednesday, and Houllier sees no reason why a bright future should not await the Sheffield-born youngster.

“He can strike the ball, he can also burst forward and he can defend,” Houllier said.

“He showed some international quality because he is fast and he is quick, he can defend and he can burst through and his use of the ball is good.”

“The full-backs in modern football have a lot of the ball so they need to be good footballers.”

The Frenchman also revealed he believes there is still more to come from Walker.

“He’s not the finished article. Glen Johnson is probably ahead of him. But this is his first experience in the Premier League and he’s got to build on that,” Houllier said.

Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has pulled out of Capello’s squad for personal reasons.

Also out are Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Ben Foster and Peter Crouch. West Ham duo Robert Green and Carlton Cole have been called up.

Mon 7 February, 2011

Grant praises hat-trick hero

Hat-trick hero Victor Obinna drew praise from West Ham boss Avram Grant after he fired his side into the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring against Championship outfit Nottingham Forest before Forest scored twice to take the lead in the 40th minute 2-1.

Not to be denied, Obinna struck back before half-time, In the second half he converted a penalty to seal his hat-trick.

Grant said he was thrilled his striker made the most of his opportunities with the London club.

“He is a good talent. He has not played so many games in the last few years and he is developing,” he said.

“He will get better and better. He scored three goals but we need him to be efficient in the league games.”

Grant said while his side have a cosy fifth-round date with Burnley at Upton Park, he remained focussed on his main objective of the campaign.

“It’s always good to play at home, they know how to support us and push us. I hope to be in the quarter-finals and then it will be interesting,” he said.

“But our target is the league, that is the most important thing, but winning in the FA Cup or the Carling Cup is also a good feeling.”

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies was proud of his side’s commitment to the cause, as they trailed, then led, before going down to West Ham.

“We played some great football, lost a terrible goal early on not clearing the box quick enough and then we deservedly got on top and then from where I was sitting the second was a little bit fortunate but I’d like to see it again,” Davies said.

“And if it was, that’s the break you need, but the first 45 minutes we played fantastic football, had great possession blowing chances galore.”

“(In the) second half you say to the players, ’start the first 15 minutes well’, but gave away another early goal but (I) have to say I am very proud of the players, in the end a great experience.”

Sun 30 January, 2011

Grant praises hat-trick hero

Hat-trick hero Victor Obinna drew praise from West Ham boss Avram Grant after he fired his side into the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring against Championship outfit Nottingham Forest before Forest scored twice to take the lead in the 40th minute 2-1.

Not to be denied, Obinna struck back before half-time, In the second half he converted a penalty to seal his hat-trick.

Grant said he was thrilled his striker made the most of his opportunities with the London club.

“He is a good talent. He has not played so many games in the last few years and he is developing,” he said.

“He will get better and better. He scored three goals but we need him to be efficient in the league games.”

Grant said while his side have a cosy fifth-round date with Burnley at Upton Park, he remained focussed on his main objective of the campaign.

“It’s always good to play at home, they know how to support us and push us. I hope to be in the quarter-finals and then it will be interesting,” he said.

“But our target is the league, that is the most important thing, but winning in the FA Cup or the Carling Cup is also a good feeling.”

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies was proud of his side’s commitment to the cause, as they trailed, then led, before going down to West Ham.

“We played some great football, lost a terrible goal early on not clearing the box quick enough and then we deservedly got on top and then from where I was sitting the second was a little bit fortunate but I’d like to see it again,” Davies said.

“And if it was, that’s the break you need, but the first 45 minutes we played fantastic football, had great possession blowing chances galore.”

“(In the) second half you say to the players, ’start the first 15 minutes well’, but gave away another early goal but (I) have to say I am very proud of the players, in the end a great experience.”

Sun 30 January, 2011

Guardiola praises Deportivo stability

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has praised rival club Deportivo La Coruna as one of the most stable clubs in La Liga.

Guardiola’s league-leading side travels to the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Sunday, and the Spanish manager had the utmost respect when speaking of the club that sits 25 points behind them on the league table.

“I think that Depor(tivo) are an exemplary club, in that their president puts up with a lot from his managers,” Guardiola.

“They are maybe the club who have the most confidence and stability to their managers.”

“I think that the players sense this, knowing that they will start and finish the year with the same coach. It is the second or third year with him, so they know his way of playing very well.”

“I think that they are one of the teams with the most games played in the first division together, so they have seen it all. In the end, they are where they deserve to be.”

The Ballon D’Or winner will be announced 24 hours after their league affair, and

Guardiola also admitted he will be relieved when the Ballon d’Or winner has been revealed, with three of his players – Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi – in the running for the honour which wil be awarded o Monday.

“I really want Monday to be over with. I want the three to be happy on Tuesday, for the fact that they were nominated. We’ve been on this subject for two months, and I want it over with. It’s very important. It is huge news for us, three players who have grown up here,” Guardiola said.

“They are very important for the club, and very good players. All around the world, people will see these three players, and they play in Barcelona. So it’s fantastic for us.”

Sat 8 January, 2011

Guardiola praises Deportivo stability

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has praised rival club Deportivo La Coruna as one of the most stable clubs in La Liga.

Guardiola’s league-leading side travels to the Estadio Municipal de Riazor on Sunday, and the Spanish manager had the utmost respect when speaking of the club that sits 25 points behind them on the league table.

“I think that Depor(tivo) are an exemplary club, in that their president puts up with a lot from his managers,” Guardiola.

“They are maybe the club who have the most confidence and stability to their managers.”

“I think that the players sense this, knowing that they will start and finish the year with the same coach. It is the second or third year with him, so they know his way of playing very well.”

“I think that they are one of the teams with the most games played in the first division together, so they have seen it all. In the end, they are where they deserve to be.”

The Ballon D’Or winner will be announced 24 hours after their league affair, and

Guardiola also admitted he will be relieved when the Ballon d’Or winner has been revealed, with three of his players – Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi – in the running for the honour which wil be awarded o Monday.

“I really want Monday to be over with. I want the three to be happy on Tuesday, for the fact that they were nominated. We’ve been on this subject for two months, and I want it over with. It’s very important. It is huge news for us, three players who have grown up here,” Guardiola said.

“They are very important for the club, and very good players. All around the world, people will see these three players, and they play in Barcelona. So it’s fantastic for us.”

Sat 8 January, 2011

Kidd praises Blackpool boss

Manchester City assistant manager Brain Kidd believes Ian Holloway should be the manager of the season ahead of Blackpool’s visit to Eastlands on Saturday.

Holloway has led the Seasiders to eighth after be written off as relegation fodder at the start of the season following their promotion from the Championship.

“If Ollie keeps them in Premier League, he’s got to be manager of the season,” said Kidd.

“I think they only had nine players at the start of the season. The owner and the staff have been very good and the players have been brilliant.

They’ve been tremendous after everybody wrote them off.

“We had a severe examination at Bloomfield Road where we managed to win. It was a hard-fought victory that day and they’ve gone on from strength to strength.”

Kidd was speaking in the absence of manager Roberto Mancini, whom he said had “one or two business things to clear up,” adding to rumours a deal was being finalised for Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.

And while Kidd played down the situation concerning Dzeko, he did not rule out that Mancini could bring in fresh faces in January.

“At the moment it’s just speculation. The window hasn’t opened. No buy, no sell. I don’t think it’s right to speak about players at other clubs.

“We’ll explore every option and every avenue. We need to look at the right players and the positions.”

“If he (Mancini) feels we can improve the squad and there’s a player available we’ll explore that. We know we’re not the finished article.”

Kidd also praised the way the squad have rallied around Italian forward Mario Balotelli, who has been suffering from home sickness.

“The players have been very good with Mario. There’s an empathy and they can understand that it’s not easy,” he added.

“Mario’s worked hard in training and the boss knows him very well. He got a hat-trick the other day and you can see the response of the lads – every man went up to him and was genuinely pleased for him.

“He’s certainly a talented lad. Technically, he’s a very talented boy.”

Thu 30 December, 2010

Kidd praises Blackpool boss

Manchester City assistant manager Brain Kidd believes Ian Holloway should be the manager of the season ahead of Blackpool’s visit to Eastlands on Saturday.

Holloway has led the Seasiders to eighth after be written off as relegation fodder at the start of the season following their promotion from the Championship.

“If Ollie keeps them in Premier League, he’s got to be manager of the season,” said Kidd.

“I think they only had nine players at the start of the season. The owner and the staff have been very good and the players have been brilliant.

They’ve been tremendous after everybody wrote them off.

“We had a severe examination at Bloomfield Road where we managed to win. It was a hard-fought victory that day and they’ve gone on from strength to strength.”

Kidd was speaking in the absence of manager Roberto Mancini, whom he said had “one or two business things to clear up,” adding to rumours a deal was being finalised for Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.

And while Kidd played down the situation concerning Dzeko, he did not rule out that Mancini could bring in fresh faces in January.

“At the moment it’s just speculation. The window hasn’t opened. No buy, no sell. I don’t think it’s right to speak about players at other clubs.

“We’ll explore every option and every avenue. We need to look at the right players and the positions.”

“If he (Mancini) feels we can improve the squad and there’s a player available we’ll explore that. We know we’re not the finished article.”

Kidd also praised the way the squad have rallied around Italian forward Mario Balotelli, who has been suffering from home sickness.

“The players have been very good with Mario. There’s an empathy and they can understand that it’s not easy,” he added.

“Mario’s worked hard in training and the boss knows him very well. He got a hat-trick the other day and you can see the response of the lads – every man went up to him and was genuinely pleased for him.

“He’s certainly a talented lad. Technically, he’s a very talented boy.”

Thu 30 December, 2010