It is going to be a very strange New Year!
November 30, 2008
When you think of the festive period, numerous images will probably run through your mind. Presents, alcohol and football will surely be paramount in your thoughts and as we approach the season to be merry, all of these things will have a part to play over the coming weeks.
However, for the first time since I can remember, I will not be blessed with the ultimate New Years Day hang over cure – and that is stood on freezing cold terraces with a chicken balti pie!
For some reason, those in power have rejected the idea to stage any football on New Years Day, let alone a full programme. Instead, fans will be treated to a full fixture list on December 28th which, I do agree is better than nothing, but does not have the same ring to it as a New Years Day party on the terraces.
No doubt the main reason for this is that New Years day falls on a Thursday and the Third Round of the FA Cup is scheduled in a few days later. However, this is no excuse – surely they would have been better scrapping the fixtures on December 28th and keeping with the traditional New Years fixtures. If they were that bothered about preserving the FA Cup ties then why not play them on 10th December instead?
Am I on my own with this one or do you agree that New Years Day should be a guaranteed football day?
Leave us your comments!
Gareth Barry staying put claims O’Neill
November 30, 2008
England international Gareth Barry is staying put at Aston Villa, despite strong speculation that Liverpool will be back in for him in January, claims their bullish manager Martin O’Neill. O’Neill says that Barry will be at the club until the end of the season at the very least.
O’Neill says:
He is going to see it out here until the summer – at least – and see where we all are positioned.
So any speculation in January will be purely that. I couldn’t be more pleased. His form is very good.
It stands to reason that O’Neill wants to hang onto his prize asset, and captain, as Aston Villa are currently in a Champions League place after Arsenal’s loss last weekend. A top four finish for Villa would be worth millions next season, more than they’d get if they cashed in on Barry in January by selling him to Liverpool.
O’Neill is realistic though, and realises that Barry could leave next summer as he does have an option to buy out the last year of his contract, which would leave him free to join any club on a free transfer; which would surely alert Liverpool and Arsenal to the prospect of getting such a quality player for free.
Shearer says no to Newcastle
November 29, 2008
To many Newcastle faithful he’s the real messiah, the greatest living Geordie, but Alan Shearer continues to snub the club he supported as a boy when they need him most. The former England striker spent ten years of his career at Newcastle, becoming their greatest ever goal scorer, but sadly never managing to win anything with the Magpies, despite getting to two consecutive FA Cup Finals.
Current Newcastle manager, Joe Kinnear, who took over when King Kev walked out again a few months ago, has invited Shearer to become part of the coaching staff at the club, but Kinnear says that Shearer has turned him down.
Shearer said it was a very kind offer but wasn’t ready for it yet, and I said,’That’s fine’.
There’s a possibility I might bring someone else in on the coaching front now.
It seems inevitable that one day Alan Shearer will return to St James’ Park and take the reigns at Newcastle, as he has admitted himself several times that it would be his dream job, just not yet it seems. With the furore over owner Mike Ashley and his public spat with Kevin Keegan still fresh in the minds at the club, Shearer would be wise to bide his time before returning, perhaps waiting until Ashley sells up.
It’s a difficult position for Kinnear as well, amid constant media speculation about Shearer becoming Newcastle manager.
I said he would be welcome to come in any time to give the place a lift and work with our strikers.
It was very honourable of Alan. Speculation linking him with the job is never going to go away and we’re both aware of that.
I told him he’s more than welcome here and there’s not a problem, there’s no aggravation between us.
Pompey gutted with draw against Milan
November 28, 2008
In only their first season in Europe in their history, and fielding a weakened team, Portsmouth were gutted last night with a 2-2 draw against six times European champions AC Milan.
The south coast side let a two goal lead slip to draw the game, when Inzaghi destroyed their hopes of claiming a famous victory with a goal in the dying seconds.
Younes Kaboul put Pompey in front, a goal that lit the touch paper inside Fratton Park and prompted the referee to request an announcement that fans remain in their seats and don’t invade the pitch! It got worse for Milan, and the nervy ref, when former Arsenal striker Kanu slotted home from close range to give the home side an unlikely 2-0 lead.
Just as the Portsmouth fans were turning red from pinching themselves, they came back to earth with a bump as Glen Johnson was found guilty of a foul just outside the box, despite winning the ball cleanly. From that sort of range, Brazilian Ronaldinho is lethal, and the mercurial winger rifled in an impossible shot past the England goalkeeper.
A nervous Pompey looked like hanging on until Inzaghi pounced in the last few seconds of injury time to level the game at 2-2, and deny Portsmouth what would have been the result of their history.
Redknapp works his magic again
November 27, 2008
It seems hard to believe that just a few weeks ago Spurs were bottom of the Premier League and without a win all season. Then they sack their manager, bring in Harry Redknapp, and suddenly they can’t stop winning.
The beat league leaders Liverpool, pull off an incredible 4-4 draw away to Arsenal and get some European wins under their belts. It’s the same players, but Harry seems to make all the difference. Tonight was no exception as Harry worked his magic again and Tottenham Hotspur won 1-0 away from home in Holland against Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.
Youngster Jamie O’Hara grabbed his chance for Spurs and headed home the winner on 14 minutes, a goal that sees Spurs within a hair’s breadth of reaching the last 32.
Spurs are now on 6 points, and have a home game against Spartak Moscow still to come, meaning they’re practically in the knockout stage. Just a draw at home against the Russians would be enough to see them safely through.
Spurs can now return to London and look forward to their league game against Everton on Sunday.
Manchester City win in Germany
November 27, 2008
Despite the impending Manchester derby this coming weekend against city rivals United, Manchester City put those thoughts behind them to put on an impressive display and win 2-0 in Germany against Shalke to practically book their place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.
City had much the better of the chances and the play in the first half before former Portsmouth striker Benjani (who’s old team are also playing tonight against AC Milan) put his side in front from close range.
City could have doubled their lead shortly after but Stephen Ireland’s effort was ruled offside, when in truth he need not have touched it as it appeared to be going in anyway. He made up for it in the second half though when he did score City’s second and gave his side a much deserved 2-0 win.
City are now on six points from two games, needing just one point from their final two matches to be sure of going through.
Man City, having left star striker Robinho behind in Manchester, can now turn their attention to their bitter rivals United on Sunday, a game that they won last season when they completed the double over Manchester United.
Steven Gerrard once again sees Liverpool through to last 16
November 26, 2008
Liverpool’s most influential player, captain Steve Gerrard, returned from injury (and after missing his side’s 0-0 home draw with Fulham) to put his side into the last sixteen of the Champion’s League tonight.
It was a typical Gerrard performance as he pulled side up by the bootstraps from an otherwise poor team display, scoring with a header in the first half. Alonso crossed the ball for Gerrard to powerfully head home at the back stick on twenty-three minutes.
Liverpool were well below par and Marseille dominated the game for long spells. The Liverpool keeper was busy in the first half, making a brace of saves to keep Liverpool in the hunt.
In the other game in the group, Atletico Madrid defeated PSV Eindhoven to also go through with Liverpool. The reds now play PSV away with a chance of topping the group, which would be vital in order to avoid teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and possibly Inter Milan.
Bore draw sees United and Villarreal through
November 26, 2008
Manchester United and their opponents Villarreal played out a dull scoreless draw to see them both through to the knockout stages of the champion’s league last night. There were few openings during the game, with the highlight being Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort that was turned onto the bar by Villarreal keeper Diego Lopez.
The draw proved to be the fourth straight 0-0 between the two sides, which probably didn’t surprise many people.
The match wasn’t without a talking point though as Villarreal’s Capdevila was sent off for a high challenge on Ronaldo, a challenge that prompted United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to complain about his star player’s constant treatment in recent matches.
The home crowd believed the United man had made more of the challenge that he should have, and howled at him during the remaining ten minutes.
There was an earlier contentious moment when Rooney appeared to have been fouled for a penalty, to which the replay showed he had clearly dived as there was no contact. Rooney has since apologised for his dive.
As a result of the game, Celtic go out of Europe after they lost 2-1 in Denmark.
William Gallas is going nowhere insists agent
November 25, 2008
When it comes to arguing, the French have a habit of doing very well with each other. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and his ex-captain William Gallas had a much publicised falling out last week, which saw Gallas dropped from the squad and stripped of the captaincy.
As a result, Arsenal suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.
However, despite rumours that Gallas’ time at Arsenal is at an end, his agent insists that he’s staying put and will fight for his place in the side.
Etienne Mendy, William Gallas’ agent, stated:
William doesn’t express himself and the English media take advantage of that.
They haven’t missed a chance to do that ever since his bad-mood gesture at Birmingham, and they envisage him leaving Arsenal. That is wrong.
He has taken the criticism and has already moved on. Anyway, William is never better than when he has his back to the wall.
As a result of Gallas’ being stripped of the captaincy, young Spaniard Cesc Fabregas has been made the captain of Arsenal.
Peru banned from playing international football
November 25, 2008
It’s not often that a country is banned from international football, but South American Peru has been banned from football, including the 2010 World Cup. The ban came after a dispute between the Peruvian government and the Peruvian FA.
Further to the ban, Peru has been issued with an ultimatum stating that they have one month to settle the problem. If they fail to do so, they could face a permanent ban from world football.
A statement about the banning read:
The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) will only return on the basis of negotiations with the president and the board of the FPF.
It probably won’t be an issue in terms of Peru being banned from the 2010 World Cup as they had little chance of reaching it anyway. They’re bottom of their qualifying group with just one win from ten games. The South American group is notoriously hard to qualify from, with both Brazil and Argentina part of it.
The situation will be discussed by FIFA in Tokyo just before Christmas.
Arturo Woodman, from the Peruvian government, stated:
If Burga’s position is going to remain the same as before… this is a dialogue of the deaf.
There is absolutely no intervention by the government. What there is, is respect for Peruvian law.
