All posts by h79snht.top

So it’s this time again. Fabio Capello’s squad for the upcoming Montenegro match came under the spotlight, as would be expected following The World Cup performance. Bolton’s 33 year old Kevin Davies won the battle for the media’s attention, after a call up for the first time in his career. But it was another premiership star that turned my head.

Joe Cole. One of England’s most technically gifted players. Back where he very much should be. With Davies, his inclusion was a surprise as it’s felt he no longer has the legs for international competition. But the shock with Cole is that he seems to be so far out of Capello’s plans. Right or wrong, he doesn’t seem one of the England bosses favourites. But why? He got fewer minutes than Paul the Octopus at The World Cup, has rarely started under Capello, and is further down the pecking order than Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he’s never let England down and has always performed to a good level with his club side. And that’s club sides which include Chelsea and Liverpool.

This is a player that has won Premierships, FA Cups, played in Europe and has over 50 caps for England. A short walk down the Kings Road on a match day last season shows evidence that Chelsea fans wanted Cole to stay. Behind John Terry and Frank Lampard, he was one of their own. When it became clear Cole wanted out, you only have to look who came calling. Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool were all linked, with the latter prevailing for the race to his signature. A player being linked with those clubs is surely worthy of a few more minutes on the Wembley turf.

It’s suggested that the key to success in the international game, is using the ball intelligently. Germany, Spain, Brazil, and certain Holland players all do this. As does Joe Cole when called upon. Was it just me shouting for Cole to enter the fray numerous times in South Africa? I’d be surprised if it was. In fact I know I wasn’t. As John Terry said in his somewhat controversial press conference “I personally think that him and Wayne are the only two in the side who can really open things up and be the key to breaking down defences”. Of course he shouldn’t have said it, but maybe he had a point.

Going back to his technique. I don’t believe many England players can compete alongside Spanish or Brazilian stars when it comes to technique. Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, and yes Joe Cole, are the only potential candidates from our shores. I encourage any doubters to watch his goal against Sweden on the 20th of June 2006. A volley which very few could pull off. Especially under the Worlds eye. And just for the record, Cole got man of the match in that game.

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I don’t personally know Capello or Cole. What goes on behind closed doors may be to Capello’s dislike, which is why Cole doesn’t play. Fair enough. But Joe Cole on a football pitch is without doubt a major asset to England, and how many of The 2010 World Cup squad can we say that about?

Written By Rob Edwards

Manchester United fans are a forgiving lot, well this is according to Gary Neville. In his column for the Sunday Times of Malta, Neville has taken it upon himself to assume the feelings of the United fans and believes that the vast majority will forgive Wayne Rooney for his recent shambolic conduct. Rooney has managed to ascertain an increased amount of money in his contract, whilst simultaneously creating a sordid affair that leaves onlookers dismayed and confused. Surely it could have all been dealt with privately and with a certain degree of decorum? Whereas now the fans are being told that they will forgive Rooney by Neville, but I think this is more of a rallying cry and pleading with United fans than anything else.

With a newly signed five-year contract sealed for all parties involved, how are Manchester United fans to react? Do they have a certain degree of gratitude that Rooney felt the club just about meet his immense amount of ambition or do they renounce and revile the player altogether? Gary Neville writes: “The main thing is that after a difficult week the best outcome was reached for all parties. He has apologised to the fans and everyone else connected with the club so we have to put it to bed now.” Is that the end of it? No further repressed feelings of irritation or resentment will be held by any one of the players at United who were deemed inferior by Rooney. This is only speaking of the players, what of the fans? Do they completely absolve Rooney of all of his misdemeanors?

What can be confidently said is that time is short and football is a fickle business. For if Rooney reasserts himself as the goal scoring force we saw last season, it will go an innumerable distance towards winning the favours of everyone at the club. This is what Neville holds true to by stating that, “While there will always be fallout from an incident like this, as soon as we get back to playing football and Wayne gets back on the pitch it will all be forgotten about.”

Let us construct a parallel reality in which Rooney doesn’t recapture his previous form and continues upon this terrible vein of form he presently finds himself. He will no doubt incur the wrath of opposing supporters nationwide and, I believe to be fairly safe in saying this, United fans will lose patience with a player who won’t have justified the money being paid him. There seems only one reality that Rooney must use all of his powers in order to fashion; otherwise a troubled future lies ahead.

“He has always given 100 per cent when he has pulled on a United shirt, and that is the overriding factor. No-one can doubt that he loves playing football for this club and I have no doubt the fans will support him through the rest of his career here.” These sorts of statement, including the aforementioned ones, can come across as peremptory. They seem to suggest knowledge of the fans that can be, beyond all reason, affirmed. Does it align with your instinct or thoughts concerning the player?

But enough of my thoughts and perspective of Neville’s faith in Manchester United fans, how do you feel about this saga? Will United fans be so easily forgiving and fully back Rooney? Or has the time come that just because you’re a highly talented sports professional doesn’t mean you can disrespect fans without being reprimanded? Are fans superfluous when it comes to matters of this regard? All of your thoughts are welcome below.

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Everton manager David Moyes has allowed youngster Jack Rodwell to team up with the England Under-21s squad, despite not being fully-fit.

He has not featured for the Toffees since injuring an ankle in the defeat to Aston Villa on August 29, but after being named on the bench for the previous three games, Moyes believes it will do him some good linking up with Stuart Pearce's young lions ahead of next week's game with Germany.

With a Premier League clash against Arsenal at Goodison Park next up, the Scot has also suggested he may be ready to make a return.

"Today is the first day I have actually thought, 'Yes, you're looking better'," he said.

"He's said this morning he is feeling more confident in his ankle, so I'm happy for him to go with the under-21s.

"With a bit of luck he might get a bit of that game, which will help him improve his fitness and give him some match time.

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"He is closer, he has got a chance of starting this weekend. I don't think in the last couple of games he was, but he is now just about there."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Avram Grant may be excused for having a face like the Grinch over his turkey this Christmas Day. He will be fully aware that only one side has avoided the drop having being bottom on Christmas Day, and whilst his side are not the no hopers of Premier League turkeys from seasons past, there are some major issues to be resolved heading into 2011.

The Hammers do have some cash to spend in January, and from that point of view they have been linked with some big Premier League names. This fixture, however, may be key in establishing how many of West Ham’s transfer targets take the plunge and make the move to Upton Park.

In comparison, the pressure on Fulham boss Mark Hughes has been minimal thus far. Whilst his side are only a handful of points better off than Grant’s men, there is an air of goodwill around Craven Cottage, and the former Manchester City manager will be given time to rebuild after last season’s exploits.

Both teams need the points, but with Fulham being the league’s stalemate specialists, I expect both sides to draw a blank in this Boxing Day game of charades.

Prediction: 0-0

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You can get odds of 7/1 on a 0-0 draw

If there is one lesson Gerard Houllier has learnt since making a return to the Premier League, it is that the pressure for results has not decreased during his six-year spell out of English football.

Only a month on from a very credible draw with Manchester United, one that attracted much praise from the media, Villa find their small squad struggling to cope with the demands of the Premier League season’s busiest period.

West Brom have picked up recently after their own run of poor form. Two wins in as many games have certainly eased fears of an immediate return to the Championship, however a game against local rivals Villa will guard against any complacency.

This year already has the smell of a transition period for the Villains, and with an intensive Christmas period looming Houllier will be desperate not to spend the festive period staring over his shoulder at the sides below.

Villa welcome back Emile Heskey to their squad, and with goal scoring revelation Peter Odemwingie out, the Baggies may find the trip to Villa Park a fruitless one.

Prediction: 2-0

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Use your FREE £20 Bet – Aston Villa are 10/1 to win 2-0

I got up on Sunday with a sense of optimism. It was a feeling I hadn’t felt for the best part of two years prior to a Liverpool match. The last season and a half has seen the club slip inexorably down the pecking order in English football and the standard of football, especially away from home, has been absolutely abject at times. If Roy Hodgson was still in charge for the match against Manchester United, I would have probably let it out a long sigh on waking up, knowing that another defensive, lifeless away display was on the cards.

Although we still lost to Manchester United, there was enough in my mind to tell me that something was slightly different to previous displays away. There was some spirit. Certainly the players are still lacking in confidence, and the hardworking but disappointing performance by Fernando Torres is testament to that, but it was clear from the outset that they were not going to lie down without a fight like they had done against Blackburn just a few days before. That 3-1 defeat had cost the previous manager his job but any such display would be unacceptable to a personality such as Kenny Dalglish.

There can be a case to be made that the spirited display was down to just the change of manager, and we will come down with a bump against Blackpool tonight, but I think it is plain to see that King Kenny has an ability to get more out of players. He has that X Factor: Charisma, to inspire confidence in people where no inspiration seems apparent. In his post match press conference and his unveiling as manager today, it was clear that the old flame still burns brightly, and his enthusiasm for the game hasn’t diminished since his last managerial role ten years ago.

One of the most fundamental consequences of his appointment will be the fact that every Reds fan will be behind him. No more 10,000 empty seats or sarcastic chants about the manager. He will be given all the time in the world to succeed and if he fails there will be no murmurs about his management whatsoever. This, on top of giving the club a much needed lift, will give the player’s the freedom to play under far less pressure and can ensure them the 100% backing of the Anfield support without side issues of the owners or the manager getting in the way. The Kop can now finally focus on football rather than on any other burning issue.

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Of course, this will not be enough to make the club succeed on the pitch. As a fantastic man manager, Kenny will get the best out of his players but he will need to be tactically astute as well. Being so long out of the game has led some to question whether he has the knowledge of the modern game to succeed. He has however kept following matches over the years, and in his Academy Ambassador’s role he has learned a lot and knows more than most about the youth talent at the club. He gave Martin Kelly and Jonjo Shelvey opportunities at the weekend and we will no doubt see a lot more youngsters play in future matches. On the tactical side, he showed enough tactical nous yesterday to show he has still got it.

Playing 4-5-1 rather than a rigid 4-4-2, the players looked instantly more comfortable and kept possession better. He played Meireles in the middle rather than on the right and put Gerrard in behind Torres, with Agger and Aurelio both starting at the back. These seem simple changes, but they were ones Roy Hodgson was seemingly reluctant to make. I would still like to give a word of caution though. Giving Dalglish the job for six months is a complicated matter. FSG no doubt have considerations about a young manager who can fulfil their long term aspirations, and although Damien Comolli did say Dalglish would be considered, what happens if Dalglish does an OK job but FSG decide to give the job to someone else? Perhaps that’s a debate for the future and a different article. For now, I am just glad to be looking forward to Liverpool’s next match, for the first time in a long time.

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Written by David Tully at the excellent Live4Liverpool

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When Michael Owen popped up to equalise for Manchester United at the weekend it made me question whether his decision to join the Red Devils was the right one for his career. Although making several appearances from the bench this season, it was only his second start for United since a League Cup tie against Scunthorpe – where he was on the score sheet twice. So has Owen wasted his exceptional scoring talent by joining United rather than joining another Premier League club that would’ve seen him play regular first team football?

Any player can be forgiven for wanting to join Manchester United if they’re interested in them and this was the case when Owen joined Old Trafford on a free transfer in 2009. However, he was strongly linked to joining the likes of Hull City, Stoke City and even Wigan Athletic to name a few before Sir Alex Ferguson came in for him. In hindsight, Owen probably expected to have started more games, especially this season where he seems to be the 5th choice striker with the likes of youngsters, Javier Hernandez and Federico Marcheda being more favourable behind Rooney and Berbatov.

Although Ferguson can be forgiven for wanting to give these young forwards as much first team appearances as they can get in order for them to develop, he may be overlooking the experience and skill that Owen brings to the game. It’s already been highlighted in the past that he has lost his pace that made him electric during his Liverpool career, but he still possesses a strikers instinct for finding the back of the net.

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The player’s ambitions have been questioned however, with his reported love for horse racing and being one of the richest Footballers in the world suggests a lack of desire to play week-in-week out for the likes of a Stoke or Wigan in order to prove his critics wrong. Although he’d have more chance of playing time  for these teams, at least at United he can add to his winning medals. And when a player’s career ends it’s the medals that really show for something – just ask former United and Blackburn Rovers defender, David May.

Although Owen may now be given more starts by Ferguson, considering the current form of Rooney, there is a question over his fitness. In his debut season for United, Owen played an important role as a back-up striker like scoring the winning goal in stoppage time against City, a hat-trick in the Champions League away to Wolfsberg and scoring in last year’s League Cup final against Villa. But the latter game was the end to his season when that reoccurring hamstring injury needed surgery once again.

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On the bright side, Owen has been without any serious injuries this season and if he continues to contribute when called upon by Ferguson, perhaps he will gain more minutes on the pitch. If so then his move to Manchester United could be seen as a good one, having a main part in their continued success. However, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season so perhaps Owen could look elsewhere to finish his career – I for one hope that Owen is given a chance to show he can still produce goals at the top level rather than drift out warming up the bench at United.

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While all eyes will undoubtedly be on the Premier League this weekend as Fernando Torres’s old club takes on his new club at Stamford Bridge, there will be another reason to focus attention on the capital’s sporting events – and it has the backing of Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn.

Saturday morning will see the Fred Perry Table Tennis Urban Cup 2011 reach its crescendo. But this is a football website, I hear you ponder. It is, and while the sport being played at London’s Business Design Centre in Islington will involve tables rather than turf, football will be well represented on the day.

The competition is the result of a collaboration between the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA), Sport England’s Sportsmatch initiative and the Premier League 4 Sports (PL4S) campaign. Over 100,000 youngsters aged 11-14 representing all 20 of the Premier League’s clubs have been taking part in the tournament over the past year and on Saturday, a winner will finally be crowned.

Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn, who has been backing the campaign at the Emirates Stadium this week, says: “When you look back at what the Premier League clubs have done, with the sponsorship of Fred Perry, the community and the initiative of the clubs, it does unbelievable things not only for the sport but also for the kids playing it. A lot of kids have maybe not even thought about table tennis.”

Winterburn, who won the Double under manager Arsene Wenger, has always been a fan of the sport and has a table tennis table at home today. He says: “Obviously I played a team sport, so I love looking at the individual sports and at how someone pits themselves against somebody else, not only through their talent but their mental strength.”

Also backing the initiative is Darius Knight, a 20-year-old British table tennis star and 2012 Olympic hopeful. He says that a lack of funding in the sport is what is holding it back: “With the recession and all the financial problems, they’ve had to cut a lot of the funding and table tennis is one of the sports that got cut massively so it’s been quite difficult financially. I can still do it, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a bit more of a struggle. For England in table tennis there’s only one me but if there was the funding and support, there’d be twenty of me.”

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If you fancy getting yourself down there to support your team (the youngsters will be in club colours), the finals of the Fred Perry Table Tennis Urban Cup 2011 will be held at the Business Design Centre on Upper Street in Islington, between 11am and 5pm on Saturday 5th February.

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Well, well, well. All the pundits are going crazy at the moment, discussing just how long it will take Fernando Torres to settle in with the Blues, after already causing somewhat of a dressing-room uproar by shifting Didier Drogba to the bench on Monday night’s derby against Fulham.

Chris Baird already warned Chelsea that the Cottagers were not afraid of the Spaniard, as they had tactics to contain him the same way they did at Anfield. Torres lasted just five minutes longer than his debut spell against Liverpool last week, and wasted two very good opportunities to score.

There is no doubt that the 26-year-old will come good, but the recent performances of Daniel Sturridge, who is currently on loan at Bolton Wanderers for the rest of the season, is showing that he can also score goals.

Of course, it would be absurd to say that Chelsea made a mistake in splashing £50 million on Torres and should have kept Sturridge because of his recent run of good form, but the England U-21 man is doing exactly what he should be doing: keeping his head down and proving his worth.

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The youngster has scored three goals in three appearances at Bolton so far and has produced worthy displays in each match. Of course, there is already speculation that Bolton want him on a permanent deal, but it would be surprising to see him make the switch as he is one of the Blues’ best youthful prospects, right behind 17-year-old Josh McEachran of course.

However, whilst Torres, Drogba, Anelka and Malouda all battle for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s XI, Sturridge has slipped in nicely with the other Bolton strikers Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies. Some suggest that the kid was merely in the right place at the right time, but I disagree as he has produced his best form of the season so far at Bolton.

Sturridge does not need to do anything else at the moment apart from stay out of the drama and let his feet do the talking on the pitch. There was no way in hell that he would push into the starting line-up at Chelsea at 21-years-of-age, but there is a good chance that, should he prove his worth at Bolton and has a good season next year, he could push one of the aging strikers out at Chelsea by the summer of 2012.

So keep up the good work Daniel, because scoring is exactly what gives any striker in the world his starting position.

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New Roma boss Vincenzo Montella says he will focus on the side’s psychological problems rather than make wholesale changes to the squad.Montella was appointed as an interim replacement for Claudio Ranieri, who resigned after watching his side throw away a 3-0 lead before succumbing 4-3 to Genoa over the weekend.The defeat left last year’s Serie A runners-up in eighth position on the standings.”I think the team’s main problem is above all a mental block,” said Montella during his official unveiling on Tuesday.”The players are sensitive and they are carrying inside them this big weight.””They need to free themselves from this burden, and this is the first step we need to take so that they can play to their true potential.”The 36-year-old Montella is the youngest manager in the Serie A but does not think his inexperience will be an issue.”This was not my idea but I have accepted this role with calmness.My aim is to do well until the end of the season, when my contract expires.””I will bring out my best to help the team, but the future does not interest me. I’m just concentrating on the task at hand.”Montella’s first game in charge will be Roma’s Serie A encounter at Bologna on Wednesday.