All posts by h79snht.top

Bolton moved themselves out of the relegation zone after beating a slack Liverpool side to record only their second win at the Reebok Stadium this season.

OWen Coyle’s side had lost eight of their 10 home games and hadn’t been victorious in front of their own supports since beating Stoke 5-0 back in November. However goals from Mark Davies, Nigel Reo Coker and Gretar Steinsson sealed an unlikely success against Kenny Dalglish’s side as their hopes of Champions League football suffered a massive hit with Craig Bellamy scoring their consolation. At the other end of the table the Trotters provided themselves with a huge boost in their bid for survival moving out of the bottom three in a game that could prove to be a huge turning point in their season. As for Liverpool they’ll be once again ruing their inability to score goals as a blunt attack featuring Bellamy and misfiring Andy Carroll failed to break down a Bolton defence that has conceded 47 goals in 21 games.

It’s in stark contrast to the visiting back four that has the second best defensive record in the Premier League but it took only four minutes for Bolton to breach it as Davies fired low into the bottom corner after striding unchallenged from just inside the opposition half. That seemed to stun the Liverpool rearguard into a sense of bewilderment as,moments later the usually reliable Jose Enrique lost possession to Chris Eagles on the right only for his cross to evade every white shirt in the penalty. Dalglish’s side struggled to get themselves into the game but finally sparked into life as they appealed to referee Kevin Friend for a penalty after the ball appeared to hit Zat Knights hand. The official merely brushed away any pleas and the Reds found themselves two down as Eagles picked his way through a gap in the 27th minute before dinking the ball over for Re0-Coker to finish from six-yards. The away side upped their efforts after that and halved the deficit eight minutes before half time as Bellamy raced onto Carroll’s flick before clipping the ball over Adam Bogdan.

The Reds seemed to increase their momentum after break in search of an equaliser but their hopes of a comeback were dashed early in the second half as Steinsson volleyed past Pepe Reina after David Wheater had rose highest to nod Martin Petrov’s corner across goal. Liverpool laboured after that with Daniel Agger hitting the bar with a stinging 25-yard drive and Bellamy testing Bogdan with a tame low shot. However Dalglish’s men failed to sufficiently threaten the Bolton defence as Coyle’s men gave themselves a timely lift with games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City on the horizon.

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I don’t want to bore you with all the details because as most of you know, the past few days have been quite eventful. With the resignation of Fabio Capello as England Manager and the even better timing of Harry Redknapp being cleared of tax evasion, there is no better way to parade the inevitable outcome of Harry being the next England head coach.

Despite the Football Association’s poor attempts to hide their unconfirmed decision, it doesn’t take a genius to know the Tottenham boss is wanted by the FA. So in that respect what is next for the club left in the middle of all this?

Spurs have been one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League, largely down to Harry’s free flowing philosophy. They currently sit in 3rd place with just 13 games to go and although winning the league seems unlikely at this stage, there is little doubt in my mind that Redknapp will secure a top four finish for Tottenham before being called to manage at the Euros.

So who should Daniel Levy turn to if he fails to retain Harry’s services at Tottenham? Here is my shortlist of three:

Rafa Benitez – As surprising as this may seem to Tottenham fans, I genuinely think Rafael Benitez would be an interesting bet to take over at White Hart Lane.

And why not? He has Premier League experience with Liverpool and also a Champions League medal to boot. He has also proven in the past for Valencia and Liverpool that he is tactically sound, leading the La Liga team to two titles in 2001 and 2004.

The Spaniard may not bring the flair and free flowing football that the Spurs faithful have seen often this season but I think it’s fair to say he has a winning mentality. I accept that Rafa didn’t have the best of spells at Inter Milan but you could argue he wasn’t given enough time.

With 350 games for Liverpool, Rafa managed to merit a 55.47% win record with 194 victories, so there’s no doubt he has what it takes to win in the Premier League. With regards to his style of play, you could argue it won’t suit Spurs, but the truth is, with the players Spurs have there’s no harm in grinding out results in harder games now and then, which he’s proved he can do in the past.

In addition, back to back Champions League finals with Valencia in 2000 and 2001 is no mean feat, especially when you go to win it with a Liverpool side in 2005. The only downside is that sometimes his transfers can be questionable but he’s certainly a potential candidate worth considering.

Frank Rijkaard – If anyone has the ability to replace Harry Redknapp then the Dutchman holds a strong case in my opinion. Frank Rijkaard’s personal style would most certainly complement the way Tottenham play at present and they wouldn’t lose any of their attacking prowess with the former Barcelona boss commanding things at the lane.

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Rijkaard revolutionised Barcelona’s style of play during his time there and he could take Tottenham to the next level in challenging for the title. His time at the Nou Camp was highly successful with a win percentage of 58.61% during which time he landed two La Liga titles, as well as one Champions League title back in 2006. In some quarters Rijkaard is credited as the man who actually laid down the strong foundations that Pep Guardiola has been working from in the past few seasons.

Rijkaard is currently coach of the Saudi Arabian National Team, although it remains to be seen whether the Dutchman will find the challenge at Tottenham too hard to turn down if the opportunity presented itself.

Jose Mourinho – Famously known as the ‘Special One’ and a manager I’m sure that almost every Spurs fan would love to see at the Lane. His record speaks for itself with a win ratio close to 70% that has included a trophy haul that includes six titles in three different countries, as well as two Champions League titles.

Known for his disciplined tactics, Jose has brought a different style to Real Madrid who play with a certain swagger warranting them a place at the top of the La Liga at present. If Spurs are serious about challenging for the title this is arguably their man.

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Jose Mourinho has already stated he will be leaving Real Madrid this summer, but reports have suggested his ambitions to be reunited with Chelsea again, who he won back to back titles with in 2005  and 2006, however whether that happens remains to be seen.

So they are my three candidates for the Tottenham post, but who would you like to see take the reins at White Hart Lane?

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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has stated that it is likely that the relegation battle will go down to the last day of the season.

The Latics picked up a 2-0 win over Stoke at the weekend, and the Spanish coach is predicting a tight conclusion.

“The other results are going to be like this until the end of the season,” he told Sky Sports.

“We’ve been in this situation before and we know the last seven or eight games of the season the bottom five are going to pick up a lot of points and there’s going to be many twists and turns.

“You can only control your own fate. We need to have as many points as we can when May 13 arrives.

“I don’t think there is a bad team in this league and I don’t think there was a bad team last season. Everyone will be fighting until the end.

“Our last two fixtures are against Blackburn and Wolves, and it’s very difficult not to think it’s going to go down to the last day of the season, but we’re pleased with that because we’ve been through a difficult season, we had eight defeats on the trot and we’re very happy to be able to perform in the manner we do being in the bottom three positions,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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The race for that coveted automatic Champions League place intensified last week after Arsenal slipped up with a defeat to struggling QPR. Arsene Wenger’s men succumbed to a potentially damaging defeat in West London and only edged ahead of their London rivals and clung on to third spot by goal difference. Title chasing City are the next challenge the Gunners must face if they are to secure passage to rejoin the European elite next season. Mancini’s men are stuttering at the top and Wenger has urged his side to take full advantage and secure a win that could put them in pole position for third. It would be a remarkable achievement in what has been a topsy-turvy campaign at the Emirates Stadium.

This week on FFC the talents of Alex Song are analysed – is he Arsenal’s creative hub? Also the positives and negatives of the Gunners’ season are laid down whilst there are rumours of a transfer battle shaping up with big spending PSG .

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Best of FFC

A transfer ‘No Brainer’ For Arsenal to undertake

Alex Song: Much more than just a ball winner

The 20 ‘Positives And Negatives’ To Take From Arsenal this season

Arsenal set for transfer battle with PSG

Arsenal will need to spend big to land Frenchman

Where have all the ‘British Playmakers’ gone in the Premier League?

Jol remains hopeful as Arsenal look to summer bid

The top TEN ‘Young Guns’ coming through Arsenal’s latest production line

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Best of WEB

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Is The Squad Mentally Tough Enough To Put That In Their Pipe And Smoke It – A Cultured Left Foot

Why we would be foolish to splash €18M on this Marseille forward – Gunnersphere

No shows and never gos – Online Gooner

The most disgusting C word there is: complacency – Arseblog

M’Vila is going to be expensive | Jens Lehmann and his superb quote | Chamakh smoking shisha… – Le Grove

Say No to Jack! Four players on their toes & striker out to impress? – Highbury House

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Can the signing of this man end our trophy drought? – Gunnersphere

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Quote of the Week

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“Of course you question yourself, and you question what you can do about it, even more than you do when all is going well. When things are going well the players, the press and the fans all have more certainty, and so it’s easier. But it’s these moments when experience helps, because it’s important not to question and change the wrong things.

“How do you know what is right and what is wrong? Well you just try to analyse the situation as well as you can.We do that as a group in the coaching team, of course, and as well I go home and think about things by myself. Part of the job is to make decisions, and in the end somebody has to do that. You have to be decisive – it’s better to make a bad decision than no decision at all.” Arsene Wenger admitting that he questioned himself at times this season

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Match Highlights

The title is guaranteed to be staying in Manchester this season, but whether it will be the red or blue half of the city celebrating is still firmly in the balance.

With just three points separating the sides, a win for United would all but guarantee a 20th league title and ensure the title stayed at Old Trafford while a City victory would put them top of the league on goal difference and back in pole position going into the final two games of the season.

Monday’s encounter is undoubtedly the most important encounter ever between the two sides and has been hailed as the biggest game in 20 years of Premier League football.

So to whet your appetite, we thought we’d show you ten of their best clashes, how kind is that?!

1. United 4-1 City, Division One, August 31,1957

The last derby match before the Munich Air Disaster. Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor and Eddie Whelan all featured in the match where goals from Edwards, Taylor, Johnny Berry and Dennis Viollet ensured United maintained their perfect start to the season.

2. City 3-3 United, Division One, November 6, 1971

A thrilling game which saw a 17-year-old Sammy McIlroy score on his debut, brilliant goalkeeping from United stopper Alex Stepney and Francis Lee get the Maine Road crowd going by accusing George Best of diving. To top it off City’s Colin Bell scored a stunning equaliser to grab a point for City who had been 2-0 and then 3-2 down.

3. United 0-1 City, Division One, April 27, 1974

A game famous for Denis Law’s backheel, his refusal to celebrate and the myth that his goal relegated United. In fact, Birmingham’s victory that day meant United would still have gone down but the former Red Devils favourite refusing to celebrate remains an abiding memory for fans and an iconic football image.

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4. City 5-1 United, Division One, September 23, 1989

Fergie’s side had started well against their newly-promoted neighbours until the players were taken off the Maine Road pitch due to crowd trouble. When both sides returned after a ten minute stoppage, City took control and were only halted by a Mark Hughes bicycle kick. The game was later described by Sir Alex as his “most embarrassing defeat.”

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5. United 5-0 City, Premier League, November 10, 1994

Just eight days after losing 4-0 to Barcelona, a result that saw sales of Barca shirts rocket in the blue half of the city, United recorded their best ever derby win thanks to an Andrei Kanchelskis hat-trick.

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7. United 1-1 City, Premier League, April 21, 2001

Not the most exciting of games but it is remembered for a horror tackle that saw the long-standing feud between Roy Keane and Alfe Inge Haaland come to a head at Old Trafford. Their dispute started in 1998 when United captain Keane suffered a cruciate ligament injury when clean through on goal and being chased by Haaland, then of Leeds. Three years on, Keane went in with a knee-high tackle on Haaland that earned himself a red card. He later admitted in his autobiography that it was a premeditated attempt to injure and he later received a £150,000 fine and a 5 match ban.

7. City 3-1 United, Premier League, November 9, 2002

After going 13 years without enjoying a derby day victory, Shaun Goater’s proved to be the hero in the last derby at Maine Road. A comedy fumble from Fabien Barthez allowed Nicolas Anelka to open the scoring before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer equalised, but the Goat’s double guaranteed Maine Road was given a glorious goodbye.

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8. United 4-3 City, Premier League, September 20, 2009

An exhilarating game of football. City must have thought they had snatched a point when Craig Bellamy capitalised on Rio Ferdinand’s nonchalance to make it 3-3 on 90 minutes, but in a rare moment of magic in a Manchester United shirt, Michael Owen demonstrated his undoubted scoring ability, pouncing on Ryan Giggs’ pass in the sixth minute of stoppage time to send Old Trafford into ecstasy.

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9. United 1-6 City, Premier League, October 23, 2011

Changing of the guard or a freak result in a remarkable Premier League season? Whatever the reason, this match will live long in the minds of fans from both sides of the city. Roberto Mancini’s side were dominant and ruthless while United pushed forward suicidally despite having Jonny Evans sent off two minutes into the second half.

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1. United 3-2 City, FA Cup, January 8, 2012.

After their nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams, United were desperate to exact revenge on their neighbours, but by the end of the game they were holding on following a stunning City fightback. The drama began when Paul Scholes announced his return and was named on the bench and United were already ahead thanks to Wayne Rooney when Vincent Kompany was red-carded for a debatable two-footed tackle on Nani. By half-time it was 3-0 United and the threat of revenge was facing City. But they mounted a determined response, pulling two goals back and searching relentlessly for an equaliser in the last 25 minutes, but they couldn’t find a way through.

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Where would football be without the age-old tradition of the cup competition? A time when your team’s diabolical league form is soothed, by an unlikely run to the semi-finals. A time when the fans can justify outrageous claims to glory and dream big, after stuffing the league high-flyers. But more often than not, it’s an exhibition of excruciating moral injustice, as those who have nabbed the sacred away-goal, produce an exhibition of anti-football- often against superior footballing teams. So what happens if we scrapped the away-goal?

When championing an alteration to the rules of the beautiful game, it is always important to realize just exactly why nobody ever tries to tamper with them. The offside rule has been mucked about with several times over the last 20 years. In fact, it’s been altered to such an extent, that the new 50p coin explaining the law, has apparently got it wrong. Clearly, change is not always good.

Funnily enough, efforts have already been and gone in an attempt to eradicate those perennial tournament bus parkers. Who can possibly forget the Golden Goal rule at an international tournament? A rule that produced some of football’s most scintillating moments, like Delfi Geli’s own-goal that sealed Liverpool’s 2001 UEFA Cup win. Who can forget that? For those who may not be particularly familiar with early noughties tournament football, the concept of the Golden Goal had the opposite effect on free flowing, attacking football. With the stakes so high, teams became terrified of conceding, which usually produced a really quite sterile 30minutes of extra-time. Unless you’re David Trezeguet, Golden Goal was a failure.

But such ideas usually work in circles and it would appear we’ve worked our way back round, to the point where footballing bureaucrats are tired of defensive teams, usually the underdogs in a cup tie, having any success in cup tournaments. Indeed, one fixture in particular seemed to twist the knickers of football’s sneering upper class more than any other. The slaying of Barcelona by Robbie DiMatteo’s merry men last month went down like a lead balloon with many in Europe. In fact, they’re raising of the Champions League trophy after a penalty-shoot out win against a superior Bayern Munich side, drew some very depressing headlines indeed. It would appear the Blue side of London upset a fair few people on their route to Champions League glory.

Unfortunately, those who batter and belittle the rest of us who don’t play tike-taka football or rely on two of Europe’s best wingers, are also idealists, living in a parallel footballing universe. Scrapping the away goals rule would never change the way a team like Chelsea played en route to lifting the cup. Why would they? Against Barcelona and Bayern Munich, they simply came across too teams who were better at playing football. Why on earth are they going to try and beat them at their own game? They’re response wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing, but football isn’t just about lots of pretty passes and playing between the lines. Football is about winning trophies and glory- Chelsea played within the rules of the game and came out victorious.

Memories are notoriously short in football, although when it comes to the bashing of Chelsea, people seem to be under the illusion that the beautiful game has always been dominated by the beautiful football. It hasn’t. Cup football at the highest level, like the UEFA Champions League, will never be any different. In modern times, when have teams ever traditionally gone hell for leather in the crunch stages, which for the sake of argument, is the last-16 upwards? The two-legged cup-tie today, is a long-drawn out, tactical game of mastermind. Not a game of FIFA or YouTube montage of Lionel Messi clips. Get back to reality.

And that is the problem. The great games, the great teams, often have a habit of skewing reality. The 6-5 aggregate Real Madrid victory over Manchester United in a Champions League quarter-final sits as prominently as the images of Lionel Messi knocking five past Bayer Leverkusen. And both the Ronaldo team of 2003 and the Messi led bunch of today, had/have-conquered Europe already a few times between them- the argument that beautiful football never wins is absolute rubbish.

But the point it, changing the away goals rule is another flash in the pan idea, devised by those who can’t relate into the concepts of reality. Nothing would change but the rules on paper. Before the advent of away goals, a play-off would often be played on a neutral ground, if teams couldn’t be separated after two legs. Like the Golden Goal, it wouldn’t change the tactical make up of games. Just add another 90 minutes on to it.

Tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League will always produce some of the very best spectacles that football has to offer, be it with the away goals rule, or without. But perhaps we need to stop over-analyzing and dissecting every single aspect. As a game of clichés, maybe we should refresh this one for the billionth time. The best team will win the league, but it won’t always win the cup. And that is the joy of it. Barcelona already have enough going for them- there’s something slightly macabre about changing the rules to try and help the best get better.

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What do you think about scrapping the away-goals rule? Eureka moment or waste of time? Get involved in the discussion on Twitter, follow @samuel_antrobus

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Change is good. Change comes slowly and creeps up on us unexpectedly like a bump in the night. Though we don’t always realise when defining transitions are taking place, gradual change is essential for positive evolution. For England, Euro 2012 marks the moment in which a measured shift in personnel at last signifies the beginnings of something better, something fresh and renewed.

The sight of a suited David Beckham looking on in clear distress as David James and Matthew Upson contrived to make a right dog’s dinner of incessant pressure from Germany’s sprightly charges at the 2010 World Cup is one which is unshakeable from the memory.

Upon a 20-year-old Thomas Muller scoring his second to put Germany  4-1 up that day, England called upon a 32-year-old Emile Heskey to salvage a nation’s pride. Though not apparent at the time, the final crescendo of a man who nine years previous had applied a glossy finish to that famous night in Munich would signify the expiration of a generation; the termination of outdated way of thinking.

During those fateful couple of weeks in South Africa, England would also call upon Ledley King, Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips, neither of whom have since pulled on an England shirt again. Peter Crouch has appeared only twice in the following two years, whilst Stephen Warnock’s England career has run only a further 20 minutes since his inclusion in the World Cup squad. Of the 23 who went to South Africa, only nine are present at Euro 2012. A beneficial transition?

Whether through misfortune, circumstance or merit, the national team’s composition takes on vastly different appearance, a fledgling character which radiates youthful optimism.

Though contextual developments have dictated Rio Ferdinand’s omission and injuries have rendered Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry unavailable, Fabio Capello’s insistence upon youth during qualifying and Hodgson’s subsequent inheritance means the structure of the English national side takes on a more nimble and energetic feel. Gone are the ghosts of the ‘golden generation’. Gone are the dodgy metatarsals, immobile frontmen and calamitous goalkeepers. Gone are centre-backs more suited to marking bingo cards than strikers.

The less than desirable off-field frolicking which tainted England’s preparation may well have proved a blessing in disguise. Putting John Terry’s discouraging personality traits to one side, a genuinely robust partnership has been moulded with Jolean Lescott which may well form the basis of future success either this summer or in Brazil in 2014, whilst the inclusion the Premier League winner has undoubtedly brought the previously vacant aspect of defensive pace to the side.

Likewise, England’s renewed defensive stability is arguably down to the emergence of a reliable first-choice goalkeeper in Joe Hart where once a succession of flapping, grasping-for-air pretenders stood. Not since David Seaman have England had a stopper playing consistently amongst the highest echelons of English football, winning trophies on a regular basis amongst world-class colleagues.

The emerging prominence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain so far has also highlighted the prevailing direction Roy Hodgson intends to head in during his tenure. Despite impressive club form, the Arsenal winger was a dicey selection on Hodgson’s behalf, but a gamble paying dividends. Possessing a steelier figure than Theo Walcott at the 2006 World Cup, Oxlade-Chamberlain brings a genuine menace to the England front-line; an invigorating change from a decade of turgid, one-dimensional widemen.  Similarly, Ashley Young’s arrival onto the England scene has brought originality and a much needed creative presence to the midfield.

Elsewhere in the squad, Danny Welbeck provides further enticing reasons to be wholly sanguine about the future. His two goalscoring contributions to the England set-up have been utterly sublime, a masterclass in deft, delicate finishing. Again, after years of alarming average exploits in front of goal, the omission of England’s old guard has provided the opportunity for regeneration, a chance to renew. A shot at redemption. If Emile Heskey had even the slightest fraction of Welbeck’s ingenuity around the box, the past ten years of international tournaments would be significantly devoid of the utter desolation felt as England approach the final third only to fumble hopelessly in front of goal.

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Through a combination of forced omissions, brave inclusions and the natural phasing out of an older generation, England have fallen upon an increasingly promising set of players at Euro 2012. For the first time in many years, focus is upon future potential rather than a perennially underachieving ‘golden generation’ failing to reach their peak.

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Do you feel that this generation of England players can make the grade? I’d love to hear from you @acherrie1

The approaching Financial Fair Play has made many clubs rethink and think once more when it comes to signing outcasts from other clubs. There might be a bargain for one or two; or a player whose career is clearly over might be detrimental to any potential new employer.

The problem is that clubs are no longer in a strong position to take gambles. The financial cloud that has cast it’s shadow over the football world means there might be very little for those who have failed to hit the heights on a regular basis in the recent past. And those looking for a big final payday may be looking for quite some time.

There’s also a number of Arsenal’s players, specifically, who have found themselves in an unenviable position this summer. Like players at other clubs, few have pulled their weight over the past season, and there is unlikely to be a great number of teams willing to invest time and money.

However, that’s not the case for all of these players. Some do have a great deal to offer, but find themselves at a potential crossroad at the current club. Some will undoubtedly have a far easier time finding a new club than others.

 Click on Michael Owen to unveil the top 10

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Leeds United have completed the signing of Lee Peltier from Leicester City,  for a reported fee of around £500k.

The former Huddersfield man now becomes Neil Warnock’s 10th signing this summer, signalling a complete revamp from the squad that existed last season.

Neil Warnock said that a new face would be in place for the friendly trip at Preston North End, and yet again the old timer has stuck true to his word. Lee Peltier now fills a void at right back, a position that has lacked any real quality since the days of Gary Kelly.

The former Liverpool trainee is known for his pace, a commodity that is valuable in going forward and of course defending efficiently.

Neil Warnock also stated to fans before the Preston game that a possible move for Jermaine Beckford could work ‘if the fans can round up some money for his wages’ with the playful 63 year old also claiming that Jermaine Beckford would turn down Southampton to re-join Leeds United.

Sadly Mr. Warnock could shed no further light on the mooted takeover that still drags on heading into the early stages of August.

Fans will have their fingers crossed that come August 18th, fans will be able to sing, ‘Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak al-Khalifa give us a wave!’.

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Tottenham are ready to make a move for Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, with negotiations over a transfer underway according to Mirror Football.

Andre Villas-Boas is eager to bolster his Spurs squad this summer, with a new goalkeeper on his wishlist as a long-term replacement to the ageing Brad Friedel.

With Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen already been signed, Daniel Levy has flown to France to talk to the Ligue 1 side over a possible move.

Lyon have stated that they want £16 million for their star man, but Spurs are trying to bring that price down to around £12 million.

Lloris captained France at Euro 2012 and is widely-regarded as one of the most exciting goalkeepers to shoot onto the scene in recent years.

Villas-Boas was keen to sign Lloris last season for Chelsea, and will try again this summer as Tottenham boss.

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By Gareth McKnight

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