The Soccer Blog: survive

Showing posts with label survive. Show all posts

Thursday, 14 April 2011

Holloway positive Blackpool can survive

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway thinks they will have the edge against their upcoming opponents due to the Tangerines’ early season form.

Holloway’s men have an impressive record against the sides they face in their battle to remain in the English Premier League, including Saturday’s visitors Wigan, who they beat 4-0 on the opening day.

“Over the last 18 points we have got to fight for, we have already got 13 points from corresponding fixtures earlier in the season,” Holloway said.

“It’s a fantastic division this year – nobody knows who is going to beat who.”

“To stay up would be a major achievement for this football club – and for football in general I believe – someone with a budget of our size can stand up for the man in the street and smash all these big people in the face and say ‘have that’.”

“I believe by the end of this season we could be having the biggest party this place has ever seen.”

“It was fantastic last year when we won promotion and it will be even bigger if we stay up.”

“The fans are as huge a part of this as anybody.”

“They make the atmosphere a delight to come and work in.”

Blackpool have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games as promising early season form has slipped severely.

Holloway slammed referee Lee Mason after he failed to award a penalty in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at home to Arsenal. It was the latest in a catalogue of seemingly unjust decisions for Blackpool who have had little luck with match officials recently.

“I’m ever so sorry but if the foul on Gary Taylor-Fletcher wasn’t a penalty, (the referee) needs glasses,” Holloway said.

“We need to score more goals than the team we’re playing against – simple as that. At the moment we are not doing that so we will have a go.”

“It would have helped if – having watched it again – the decisions went our way.”

Richard Kingson continues in goal as Matt Gilks remains out with a knee injury.

Defender Chris Basham (broken leg) and forward Billy Clarke (knee) are both on the sidelines.

Thu 14 April, 2011

Holloway positive Blackpool can survive

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway thinks they will have the edge against their upcoming opponents due to the Tangerines’ early season form.

“Over the last 18 points we have got to fight for, we have already got 13 points from corresponding fixtures earlier in the season,” Holloway said.

“It’s a fantastic division this year – nobody knows who is going to beat who.”

“I believe by the end of this season we could be having the biggest party this place has ever seen.”

“It was fantastic last year when we won promotion and it will be even bigger if we stay up.”

“The fans are as huge a part of this as anybody.”

“They make the atmosphere a delight to come and work in.”

Blackpool have won only one of their last 11 Premier League games as promising early season form has slipped severely.

“I’m ever so sorry but if the foul on Gary Taylor-Fletcher wasn’t a penalty, (the referee) needs glasses,” Holloway said.

“We need to score more goals than the team we’re playing against – simple as that. At the moment we are not doing that so we will have a go.”

“It would have helped if – having watched it again – the decisions went our way.”

Richard Kingson continues in goal as Matt Gilks remains out with a knee injury.

Defender Chris Basham (broken leg) and forward Billy Clarke (knee) are both on the sidelines.

Thu 14 April, 2011

Monday, 11 April 2011

Liga Sagres wrap: Naval stun Benfica, Porto survive scare

Naval 1 de Maio kept their survival chances alive with a thrilling 2-1 home victory against Benfica in Sunday’s Liga Sagres action.

The strugglers moved to within four points of safety after the victory, which was kick-started by Bruno Moraes’ opener in the 22nd minute.

But Benfica, who thumped PSV 4-1 on Thursday, were triggered into action and grabbed an equaliser nine minutes before the break when Alan Kardec leveled proceedings.

Benfica were expected to go on and win the game but Rogerio Goncalves’ side were desperate for the points and claimed an unlikely winner when Marinho scored for just the second time this season with seven minutes remaining.

Champions Porto won 3-2 at bottom side Portimonense, but the result did not come without a scare.

Fatigued after their own Europa League heroics on Thursday, Porto started slowly but hit the lead when Hulk scored for the 31st time in all competitions this season just five minutes into the second half.

Portimonense hit back when Ruben scored on the hour mark, and although Falcao replied three minutes later, George Mourad’s 84th-minute equaliser looked to have sealed a point for the hosts.

But Porto had other ideas and Maicon bagged the winner with four minutes to play to end a fantastic second half of football.

On a day in which all the strugglers played well, Vitoria Setubal, who sit 14th and just four points above Naval 1 de Maio, won 4-1 at home against Uniao de Leiria.

William scored the opener after 27 minutes before Neca, Claudio Pitbull and Jose Pedro scored in the second half.

Fabricio pulled back a late consolation goal for Uniao, but the hosts held on to record an easy victory.

Rio Ave fell a goal behind before netting six second-half goals to thrash Pacos de Ferreira 6-1.

Mario Rondon scored the opener 17 minutes but Joao Tomas struck in the 50th minute from the penalty spot, and then 14 minutes later to edge Rio Ave in front.

Further goals to Braga, Tarantini and a Saulo double ensured an easy victory.

In the day’s other match, Wilson Eduardo’s 59th-minute strike handed Beira Mar a 1-0 home win over Olhanense.

Mon 11 April, 2011