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Capello recalls Beckham for France clash

Former England captain David Beckham looks set to gain his 100th cap after being recalled to the squad for next weeks friendly in France.

Beckham,32, has been included in the provisional 30 man squad released this morning.

Capello’s assistant Franco Baldini assessed the former Manchester United midfielder’s fitness last week and he was deemed ready for a long anticipated return to the international setup.

Also called up are Portsmouth striker Jermaine Defoe, Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor and Middlesborough defender Dave Wheater. Theo Walcott is also recalled despite not featuring for the national team since the World Cup two years ago.

Surprisingly Paul Robinson has been omitted from the squad despite some exemplary performances of late – Capello opting instead for David James, Scott Carson and Chris Kirkland as his three goalkeepers.

With the return of John Terry from injury, speculation is rife surrounding who the Italian will name as captain for the clash in Paris. Steven Gerrard skippered the side against Switzerland last month, but with the return of the Chelsea defender, and even the inclusion of former captain David Beckham it is unclear who Capello will choose to lead the side out.

The provisional squad will be reduced to a final party of 23 on Saturday evening – despite thirteen players expected to play the following day when “Grand slam Sunday” pairs the top four against each other.

McIlroy axes former Morecambe favourite

Morecambe manager Sammy McIlroy has placed midfielder Craig Stanley on the transfer list for disciplinary reasons.

Stanley,25, has become a fans favourite at Christie Park and played a crucial part in the club’s promotion to the Football League at the end of last season.

Although the actual reason for McIlroy’s decision is unclear, the former Hereford United player has been told that he does not have a future with the Shrimpers.

McIlroy told The Visitor –

“He’s done well for me, played a big part in getting us out of the Conference, but I have to show players we have to be disciplined. One player isn’t bigger than the club”

League Two rivals Bury and Macclesfield Town are believed to have shown an interest in the midfielder whilst Southport from the Blue Square Premier are also thought to be in the hunt.

If you are a Morecambe fan who has an opinion on this story the please leave us a comment!

Rotherham face administration fears

League Two side Rotherham United face an anxious wait to see if they are to be granted a fortnight extension following their notice of intent to go into administration.

Millers personnel are travelling to Leeds County Court this afternoon knowing that if their appeal is not granted, then they will be in administration with immediate effect – and with it a ten point penalty.

The club have pointed to falling crowds as well as a smaller than initially expected insurance claim following floods at Millmoor last summer.

Club Chairman, Dennis Coleman is thought to have met with a likely investor yesterday but with no firm commitment given, the short term future of the club looks distinctly bleak.

The club are thought to owe the Inland Revenue several hundred thousand pounds and were relegated from League One two years ago when they again incurred a ten point penalty for going into administration.

One gleam of light for the Yorkshire side however is the fact that if they can postpone their administration to after 27 March then the subsequent ten point penalty would be carried over into 2008/9. With the team currently challenging for promotion in the league’s basement division, this would be the ideal scenario – other of course than to find an investor.

Winning is Everything wishes Rotherham all the best and hopes that sense will prevail in Leeds this afternoon.

Keegan still looking for first win as Toon draw at St Andrews

Kevin Keegan is still looking for his first win in his second spell at Newcastle after drawing with Birmingham tonight. The match billed as relegation six-pointer ended all square thanks to the first goal in four games for Michael Owen.

Birmingham took the lead in the first half when James McFadden headed in David Murphy’s cross, Faye at the time decided to switch off, something that too many Newcastle players have done too many times this season. Towards then end of the game Maik Taylor kept Birmingham in the match saving form Emre and Martins later on.

Times are getting tough for Newcastle with them only 4 points clear of Bolton who are in the third relegation spot and no wins in 15 matches.

9 banned for racist chanting at Blackpool

Following the news that the West Lancashire derby was marred by racist and homophobic chanting, Blackpool Football Club have announced that 9 fans have been banned following an investigation. The nine fans have been banned for at least 12 months following a review of CCTV footage from the game on Saturday. The fans were from the home section, it’s not clear if they were the two that were arrested on Saturday.

The club condemned the actions of the nine and that the club are committed to stamping out such behavior.

Club secretary Matt Williams was quoted as saying, “We’re not going to tolerate any kind of chanting - either homophobic or racist. We pride ourselves at Bloomfield Road being a family environment for people to come and enjoy football.

 

“We’re fully behind the Let’s Kick Racism out of Football campaign and our manager Simon Grayson is a patron of the Show Racism the Red Card scheme.

 

“We don’t want it, there is no place in society for it - let alone at a football match.”

It’s good to see that the club have acted quickly on this but why so far have only the home fans have received banning orders, what about those away fans who were chanting homophobic songs at the home fans? Does Bloomfield Road only have one CCTV camera?

Also is 12 month ban long enough? Wining is Everything doesn’t think so. What do you think? Comment below.

Seasiders investigate rascist chants

Championship side Blackpool are investigating claims of racist chanting following last weekends derby match with Preston North End.

Club officials are examining CCTV footage of a small minority of fans (namely in the North Kop) and have stated that anybody found guilty on racism would be banned from Bloomfield Road for life.

A number of fans reported offensive chants during the match and Winning is Everything caught up with Blackpool fan Dominic Smith after the match –

“It started off as general banter really, but it got a bit out of hand towards the end of the game…Every away team tells us what we can do with the tower, its nothing new but to respond with “We would rather have a tower than a mosque” was pushing the boundaries a little far”.

Smith continues “ It was embarrassing to be there really, some of the chants were really bad and I am surprised the police or stewards did not step in really. I saw a steward just bow his head when some idiot resorted to chanting “You’re just a town full of P*k*s” at the away fans – why did nobody do anything about them? – there was not exactly thousand of fans joining in – just a very small minority”

Winning is Everything understand that a small number of Preston fans retaliated with homophobic chants with the situation causing no end of problems for the Sky Sports reporter who continually resisted giving his update due to the nature of chants behind him.

Blackpool secretary Matt Williams told the BBC

“We don’t want racist chanting. The days of racist abuse on the football terraces are long gone and we fully back the Lets Kick Racism out of Football campaign”

Winning is Everything condemns these mindless idiots for tarnishing the derby match. Racism has no place in our society and that includes at football matches. It is sad that healthy local rivalry is still being infiltrated with racist bigotry – lets hope that the Seasiders catch these morons and make sure they never enter a football ground again.

Have your say – leave us a comment!

Fulham, City and Wigan win.

Fulham gave themselves a lifeline today beating a tired Everton at Craven Cottage 1-0 to go within 2 points of Bolton. A second half header from Brian McBride was enough to separate the sides. Everton looked physically tired from their UEFA Cup exploits on Wednesday when they played 120 minites of footbal.

Fulham still have much to do and will have to transfer the form at home way with 5 of their remaining games being away from Craven Cottage.

It the relegation battle Bolton visited the JJB to play Wigan. It was a terrible start for the home side who went down to ten men when Jason Koumas was sent off for a high tackle on Gary Cahill  after 5 minites. The sending off galvanized the home side and the took the lead in the first half thanks to Emilie Hesky. The big forward volleyed in Mario Melchiot’s long-throw.

In the second half Bolton pilled on the pressure with Erik Edman clearing off the line but the home side held on to take all three points and move 12th in the table

At the City of Manchester Stadium Spurs seemed to have had got over their midweek hangover due to going out of the UEFA Cup. Robbie Keane struck in the first half after a mistake from Vedran Corluka let Chimbomda in. To City’s credit they came back in the second half Stephen Ireland directed a shot in to equalize and Nedum Onuoha thumped in a header from a corner.

Stoke go top as Bristol City lose to Plymouth

Stoke City went back to the top of the Championship after a three match spell at second after hanging on for a 0-0 draw at Watford, Bristol City were knocker off the top after losing at home for only the third time this season by Plymouth.

It was another interesting day in the Championship which is set to have an exciting end due to a lot of teams being very close in the table, top and at the bottom. Eyes were on the top of the table as two of the top three met at Vicarage Road, Watford had former Stoke midfielder John Eustace sent off in the first half for a high tackle, on second inspection it was a poor decision by Rob Styles who went on to have a poor game.

Despite being one man down Watford were awarded a penalty in the second half, a somewhat dubious decision from Mr Rob Styles. Darius Henderson effort from the spot was saved by Carlo Nash in the Stoke goal much to the delight of manager Tony Pulis.

Stoke were able to go top as leaders Bristol City lost at home to Plymouth 2-1. A Rory Fallon brace either side of half time gave the away side the lead. Lee Trundle grabbed a goal with 15 minutes to go from the spot after Jermaine Easter handled.

The shock of the day came at the Hawthorns as third placed West Bromich Albion went down 4-1 to Leicester. Koren had given the home side the lead but loanee Luke Moore was sent off which opened the flood gates for McAuley to equalize and then Brian Howard to grab his third hattrick of his career.

United go top as Arsenal stutter again

Today saw Manchester United return to the top of the league due to Arsenal dropping two points to Middlesbrough.

Derby 0 - 1 Manchester Untied

Manchester United gave a debut to Ben Foster and rested Calos Tevez for their match against bottom of the league Derby County. Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post in the first half which started the trend for the match with Derby on the back foot. He then had a shot saved by ex-Untied keeper Roy Carroll. Derby did have the best chance of the first half Kenny Miller had a shot saved by the debutant when Miller was through on goal.

In the second half it was more of the same with Carroll making a double save at a corner, a free kick from Ronaldo. It seemed that it would be a afternoon of frustration for the away team but 15 minutes from time Ronaldo grabbed his 31st goal of the season poking home a Rooney Cross, a cruel defeat for Derby.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Middlesbrough

After three straight draws for the Gooners they needed to win to regain their top stop after United win. Adebayor has goal disallowed for offside early on, on second inspection the ball was passed by Boro midfielder George Boatang. A long ball and cross from Tuncay found former Arsenal striker Aliadiere who tucked away the ball to take the lead on 25 minutes.

Fabregas had a great chance in the second half to draw level when he went one-on-one with Schwarzer. With five minuets to go Toure headed in from 8 yards to grab the equalizer, it appeared that Schwarzer was blocked by his own player as he went to save the ball. Mido was sent off late on for raking his studs down Clichy’s face, the defender has to go off on a stretcher

Liverpool 2 - 1 Reading

After their midweek win at Inter Benitez kept Torres upfront and Gerrard and Mascherano in midfield, But it was Reading that took the lead with what could be the goal of the season, a free kick was squared to Marek Matejovsky who thumped the ball in off the bar for his first goal in english football. Javier Mascherano then decide to have crack and scored a cracker with a powerful shot form 22 yards for his first goal in Liverpool colours.

Liverpool took the lead in the second half a Gerrard free kick found Torres who headed in for his twentieth goal this season.

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