Coyle unfazed by injury plague

Bolton manager Owen Coyle is not fazed by the club’s mounting injury problems as he looks to end the season in a Europa League spot.

Coyle will be missing a host of first team regulars when he takes his seventh-placed side to Birmingham at the weekend, with Mark Davis, Sam Ricketts and Stuart Holden all on the sidelines.

However the 44-year-old Scot believes possible replacements Fabrice Muamba and Tamir Cohen can use this opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent place in the starting line-up.

“We’ve shown before when we’ve picked up serious injuries that the lads can cope with it,” said Coyle

“What it does is allow somebody to step into the fray and show their quality.”

Midfielder Holden’s absence, with cruciate ligament damage, is arguably Bolton’s biggest blow and he has only returned to club action this season after a long spell out with a broken leg.

However Coyle is confident the 25-year-old will come back stronger from the setback which has ruled him out for six months.

“Stuart is obviously disappointed by what has happened to him, and what happened to him last year when he had a broken leg.”

“He managed to bounce back at the very end of the season to go to the World Cup so he knows how difficult it can be when you’re injured.”

“But he has such a positive mindset and we encourage him in that to make sure, when he comes back, he comes back bigger and better. He did that the last time and he will again.”

“He’s set for a glittering career, so, as disappointing as it is for him now, I’ve told him he’s got to look at the bigger picture and know he’s got so much to look forward to.”

Coyle had better news this week in the shape of Gary Cahill, who shone on his first senior start for England in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Ghana, and his manager is sure it will not be his last.

“People have said he looked like a top player, that’s because he is a top player,” Coyle continued.

“What England need are players at the back to pass the ball out to them, and there will be none better at that than Gary Cahill, because he’s so comfortable on the ball.”

Thu 31 March, 2011

Coyle unfazed by injury plague

Bolton manager Owen Coyle is not fazed by the club’s mounting injury problems as he looks to end the season in a Europa League spot.

Coyle will be missing a host of first team regulars when he takes his seventh-placed side to Birmingham at the weekend, with Mark Davis, Sam Ricketts and Stuart Holden all on the sidelines.

However the 44-year-old Scot believes possible replacements Fabrice Muamba and Tamir Cohen can use this opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent place in the starting line-up.

“We’ve shown before when we’ve picked up serious injuries that the lads can cope with it,” said Coyle

“What it does is allow somebody to step into the fray and show their quality.”

Midfielder Holden’s absence, with cruciate ligament damage, is arguably Bolton’s biggest blow and he has only returned to club action this season after a long spell out with a broken leg.

However Coyle is confident the 25-year-old will come back stronger from the setback which has ruled him out for six months.

“Stuart is obviously disappointed by what has happened to him, and what happened to him last year when he had a broken leg.”

“He managed to bounce back at the very end of the season to go to the World Cup so he knows how difficult it can be when you’re injured.”

“But he has such a positive mindset and we encourage him in that to make sure, when he comes back, he comes back bigger and better. He did that the last time and he will again.”

“He’s set for a glittering career, so, as disappointing as it is for him now, I’ve told him he’s got to look at the bigger picture and know he’s got so much to look forward to.”

Coyle had better news this week in the shape of Gary Cahill, who shone on his first senior start for England in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Ghana, and his manager is sure it will not be his last.

“People have said he looked like a top player, that’s because he is a top player,” Coyle continued.

“What England need are players at the back to pass the ball out to them, and there will be none better at that than Gary Cahill, because he’s so comfortable on the ball.”

Thu 31 March, 2011

Mourinho unfazed by stabbing attempt

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he was unaware of the attempted airport knife attack that left a security guard injured.

Mourinho was signing autographs at La Coruna airport on Friday when a man tried to attack the Portuguse manager with a blade.

The incident left a bodyguard with a four-centimetre wound, but Mourinho apparently had no knowledge of his lucky escape.

“I don’t know anything,” Mourinho said.

“I haven’t seen or felt anything. I got there, arrived at the hotel and went back to Madrid… I didn’t see anything. If something happened, then I didn’t see it.”

“There is no story … we had the normal security that we always have. It isn’t to protect against attack, rather against the passion of the fans. Nothing happened to me.”

Mourinho also confirmed that Kaka will not be rushed back as the Brazil midfielder struggles to regain form following a knee injury.

“That is something for Kaka and the medical department,” Mourinho said.

“I got the information from the player about a small problem that limits his movement and agility, that he doesn’t feel happy when he isn’t at his best.”

“For that reason, he and the medical department have decided that -for his self esteem as much as anything- that he will return when he is convinced of being 100% better.”

Real travel to Racing Santander on Sunday without injured star Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho admits the team will be weaker without the Portugal captain.

“Cristiano is too important for us to say that we won’t miss him,” Mourinho said.

“We won’t have the same power without him.”

“We aren’t going to be hypocritical and say things that we don’t mean. We know that it will be difficult – more difficult without Cristiano – but we still have the same aims for this match.”

Sun 6 March, 2011

Mourinho unfazed by stabbing attempt

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he was unaware of the attempted airport knife attack that left a security guard injured.

Mourinho was signing autographs at La Coruna airport on Friday when a man tried to attack the Portuguse manager with a blade.

The incident left a bodyguard with a four-centimetre wound, but Mourinho apparently had no knowledge of his lucky escape.

“I don’t know anything,” Mourinho said.

“I haven’t seen or felt anything. I got there, arrived at the hotel and went back to Madrid… I didn’t see anything. If something happened, then I didn’t see it.”

“There is no story … we had the normal security that we always have. It isn’t to protect against attack, rather against the passion of the fans. Nothing happened to me.”

Mourinho also confirmed that Kaka will not be rushed back as the Brazil midfielder struggles to regain form following a knee injury.

“That is something for Kaka and the medical department,” Mourinho said.

“I got the information from the player about a small problem that limits his movement and agility, that he doesn’t feel happy when he isn’t at his best.”

“For that reason, he and the medical department have decided that -for his self esteem as much as anything- that he will return when he is convinced of being 100% better.”

Real travel to Racing Santander on Sunday without injured star Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho admits the team will be weaker without the Portugal captain.

“Cristiano is too important for us to say that we won’t miss him,” Mourinho said.

“We won’t have the same power without him.”

“We aren’t going to be hypocritical and say things that we don’t mean. We know that it will be difficult – more difficult without Cristiano – but we still have the same aims for this match.”

Sun 6 March, 2011

Houllier unfazed by Bruce criticism

Gerard Houllier is ‘not bothered’ by what Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has to say about Aston Villa’s capture of striker Darren Bent.

Bent is set to make his debut at home to Manchester City on Saturday and Houllier insisted he had gone about the transfer the right way, despite Bruce saying otherwise on Thursday.

Houllier said: “I like Steve Bruce. I think he is a good manager. He is doing a good job. He is working for the interests of Sunderland. I am working for the interests of Aston Villa.”

“I think he was not too gracious to me but that’s life. It is not going to prevent me from sleeping, I can tell you that. If we had done something wrong, I would say ‘hands up’ but we have behaved in a very proper way.”

“If I call Steve and say ‘I want his player’ he will go vocal and go public and it will be even worse. You contact a manager when you want a player on loan sometimes. A lot of fellow managers call me if they want loans.”

“This is the life of football. It makes me laugh more than anything else. Am I bothered about what he said? I prefer not to answer that question.”

Manchester City are currently second in the Premier League table and the Frenchman thinks they have really found their stride in recent weeks.

He said: “It looks as if they are clicking now and scoring goals, getting results and competing for the title which is a huge step from last year.”

“I think Roberto Mancini is doing a great job there. I know him. We are good friends – he is a good manager, very successful.”

“He kept his head high and straight when he was under pressure.”

Bent is in line to make his debut while fellow new signing Jean Makoun will miss out as he is yet to receive an international clearance.

Ashley Young is available after suspension.

Fri 21 January, 2011

Houllier unfazed by Bruce criticism

Gerard Houllier is ‘not bothered’ by what Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has to say about Aston Villa’s capture of striker Darren Bent.

Bent is set to make his debut at home to Manchester City on Saturday and Houllier insisted he had gone about the transfer the right way, despite Bruce saying otherwise on Thursday.

Houllier said: “I like Steve Bruce. I think he is a good manager. He is doing a good job. He is working for the interests of Sunderland. I am working for the interests of Aston Villa.”

“I think he was not too gracious to me but that’s life. It is not going to prevent me from sleeping, I can tell you that. If we had done something wrong, I would say ‘hands up’ but we have behaved in a very proper way.”

“If I call Steve and say ‘I want his player’ he will go vocal and go public and it will be even worse. You contact a manager when you want a player on loan sometimes. A lot of fellow managers call me if they want loans.”

“This is the life of football. It makes me laugh more than anything else. Am I bothered about what he said? I prefer not to answer that question.”

Manchester City are currently second in the Premier League table and the Frenchman thinks they have really found their stride in recent weeks.

He said: “It looks as if they are clicking now and scoring goals, getting results and competing for the title which is a huge step from last year.”

“I think Roberto Mancini is doing a great job there. I know him. We are good friends – he is a good manager, very successful.”

“He kept his head high and straight when he was under pressure.”

Bent is in line to make his debut while fellow new signing Jean Makoun will miss out as he is yet to receive an international clearance.

Ashley Young is available after suspension.

Fri 21 January, 2011

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