Fulham boss Mark Hughes admits the possibility of relegation still hangs in the air despite his team moving into 10th after beating Blackpool.The Cottagers were clinical in the 3-0 win that saw Bobby Zamora strike a brace and Dickson Etuhu tap in a third.
But Hughes said despite moving into the top half of the English Premier League, relegation was not yet out of the question with Fulham only six points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United.
“It’s not done and dusted until you get the points that you know mathematically that you can’t go down. There’s always a little bit of worry,” he said.
“In terms of what we’re producing and how we played in the last two to three months, I don’t have any concerns.”
“Quality of our performances will allow us to pick up more points between now and the end of the season and that should certainly allow us to be safe.”
“But until we actually get them on the board, you can never say never.”
Hughes was delighted with the impact Zamora made in his return to the starting line-up.
“It was important he got over the last hurdle that he had after his injury in terms of getting a few games and I couldn’t have hoped for a better impact from him,” he said.
“Straight from the off he showed quality that we missed and lacked for many games this season. It’s the perfect day for him.”
The former Manchester City boss said he wanted his team to establish themselves in the top half, meaning they had achieved the goals set for this campaign.
Meanwhile, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said he wanted his team to play with the belief they had to get promoted to the top flight.
The Seasiders dominated possession for periods at Craven Cottage but could not find an outlet in the attacking third.
“We look like we’re carrying the world on our shoulders and we’ve got to get rid of that,” Holloway said.
“Our body language was horrible. We got promoted on the strength that we didn’t care about someone scoring, we were going to go and score ourselves.’
Holloway said he has told his team to go and watch the way they got promoted last season, hoping for a turnaround in attitude.
“I’ve asked them to do that because you need to remain totally positive,” he said.
“We can probably have five defeats and two victories and we would still stay up, I believe.”
“Thirty-nine points might keep us up and if we achieve that, it will be a fantastic achievement, better than last year.”
Blackpool have collected just five points from their last 11 outings but have their next four league games at home.
Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has elected to praise his side’s win over Real Madrid rather than respond to Jose Mourinho’s criticism.Lionel Messi scored a superb brace to help Barca to a 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday.
Guardiola said he was content with the Catalans’ improvement on their underwhelming display in the 1-0 loss to their arch rivals in the Copa del Rey last Wednesday.
“We did not allow Madrid chances throughout the first half and that’s very hard to do,” Guardiola said.
“I’m very proud. (David) Villa was sharp and (Seydou) Keita’s work was also very important. But Madrid will be more dangerous on Tuesday (in the second leg).”
“We corrected some things we did bad in the (Copa del Rey) final.”
The reigning Spanish champions capitalised on their one-man advantage after Real Madrid defender-turned-midfielder Pepe’s second-half sending off, with Barcelona’s substitute goalkeeper Sergio Pinto having already been red carded for his part in a fracas between the two sides at half-time.
Mourinho was also sent to the stands for his vehement protests at the dismissal of Pepe.
But having bitten back at comments by Mourinho in the lead-up to the clash – calling his Portuguese opponent the ‘f—— chief’ – Guardiola would not be drawn into addressing the Real boss’ post-match comments that Barca received favourable decisions from referees.
”We played a very good game. The team was very aggressive. We won a lot of duels (and) Keita helped us a lot. We’re now 90 minutes away from Champions League final and we’re trying to get there,” Guardiola said.
“We are lucky to have Messi. At the age of 23, he’s the third top scorer in our club’s history and that’s impressive.”
The former Barcelona captain warned his side the tie was not over, with 90 minutes still to play at Camp Nou next Tuesday.
“We have to recover for (Saturday’s) league match and the second leg next Tuesday, but we are not at Wembley yet,” he said.
Reports in The Sun today suggest that Chelsea are closing in on signing a player that has been labelled the new Didier Drogba. Barcelona have pulled out of the chase for Romelu Lukaku and the 17 year old Anderlecht forward looks set to join Chelsea for a fee in the region of £18m. However, Lukaku is also being tracked by Arsenal and other European clubs.
Chelsea is the starlet’s most likely destination now that Barcelona have pulled out and will now turn their intentions to ex-Manchester United and current Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi instead.
Chelsea are in the market for the youngster because they are keen to strengthen their attacking options with Nicolas Anelka and the current Didier Drogba both the run side of 30, and Daniel Sturridge looking to move to Bolton on a permanent deal – after spending time on loan their this season.
Lukaku seems to be the man Chelsea want and his pedigree is established with 35 goals in 87 games for Anderlecht – that is nearly a goal every 2.5 games. The Belgium international is flattered to be compared with Didier Drogba – but keen to be his own man. Lukaku said “I’m flattered to be compared to a great striker like Didier but insist on being my own player.” On the link to a move to the Premier League he commented “My style is best suited to the English Premier League, so a move to England is more likely than a switch to Spain or anywhere else in Europe.”
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The best thing about supporting Spurs, is that secretly, you don’t expect much. It’s an advantage us supporters have over our North London Rivals. I wouldn’t say we are easily pleased, (as you would quickly learn if you spent a Saturday afternoon at The Lane) but the simple things such as a Bale Hat-Trick against Milan when we were 4-0 down with ten men, or a 3-3 draw against Arsenal at home, are considered ‘Good’ if not ‘Brilliant’ performances. Unfortunately, it’s that expectancy and pressure, that every true Spurs fan yearns for, and most of us, due to those teasing flashes of brilliance and achievement this year felt that we were finally about to join the big boys.
It seems though, although it’s not over yet, that the dream of returning to the Champions League next year has almost definitely slipped away. Spurs didn’t get to ‘Pass Go’ and collect £200, they landed on the Park Lane and Mayfair of European football before they’d had a chance to purchase ‘Old Kent Road’ and it seems that in that short cirquit of the board they have been to jail many times, always expecting Gareth to ‘Bale’ them out.
However, this isn’t how world class clubs continue to succeed at a high level. There has to be a depth throughout the squad and money has to be spent in order to retain that status. Van der Vaart was possibly the buy of the season, but fans aren’t interested in bargains and finance. We just want results. We don’t care if we made millions on Berbatov if there’s no -one to fill the void left behind on the pitch.
For years now, Spurs have claimed that they couldn’t lure the big players to the club without involvement in the Champions League. It seems that after a season spent in the top five of the Premiership, beating both AC and Inter Milan in the biggest Football tournament in the world, Spurs are facing a very familiar end to the season.
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Now you’re, you could be forgiven for thinking that this sounds like a rant, because it is. The inconsistency in Spurs performance is probably the cause of many a balding head from N17 to Switzerland (that’s a Phil Collins joke). You see, all of this is in vain if we don’t get that fourth spot! We will possibly lose a couple of our good players (Modric, Defoe, Bale, Kranjcar are all possibilities??) and still be left with Crouch trying to slam dunk the ball into the back of the net come August!! Harry will be off to take England to the quarter finals of the next international tournament, while Gomes will be working closely with Ray Clemence in trying to find new ways in which he can continue to keep Goal without using his hands. And the fans, the fans, will be left thinking about what could have been, and whether it is another twenty years before we enter in to the same league as other clubs that are fortunate enough to have huge financial injections, and benefit from them.
Yes the win at the Emirates was a fine moment and Bale making his mark on the world stage with that hat-trick was something to treasure and remember. But if he’s playing down the left for Man Utd next season, while Spurs lie in 8th position in the table, as Mr. Levy rubs his hands together pondering what Yacht to buy off the coast of Monaco, the fans will be left with that sinking feeling of emptiness, that although it was good, it was all over too quickly.
If you support Spurs, I’m sure you empathise, if you don’t, I can only assume that based on the season we have just had in relation to the twenty that have come before, your feelings towards us Spurs fans quote a classic song from two of our most famous supporters Chas ‘n’ Dave, ” Ain’t No Pleasing You”!!
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Ryan Giggs has forged an illustrious and glittering career in the Manchester United number eleven jersey which has seen the Welshman develop into arguably the greatest player to have played in the Premier League. Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history and he is the only player who has scored in every Premiership season, but the ageless winger’s career is edging towards a conclusion. United fans will want Giggs to prolong his career for as long as possible, but when the inevitable day arrives when he has to hang up his boots, United have a player who can go on to dominate the right wing in the same way Giggs did on the left. That player is Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia. Since arriving from Wigan in 2009 for a fee in the region of £16 million, Valencia has produced wing play reminiscent of a young Ryan Giggs, so can he take the torch from the Old Trafford legend in the coming seasons?
Since returning from a serious ankle injury in March Valencia has added an extra dimension to the United side and his return has coincided with their capture of the title. Since returning to first team action Valencia has found the back of the net on two occasions and continued to produce his greatest quality, making goals for his team mates with his excellent crossing ability. Valencia could have struggled after suffering such a shocking injury, but instead he has excelled and restricted Nani, one of United’s top performers this season, to the bench in recent weeks. Last season Valencia played a huge part in Wayne Rooney’s most productive season in front of goal by supplying the England striker with numerous assists. Valencia’s latest show of class came against Chelsea at Old Trafford in the recent title decider where he made, arguably, the best left back in the world in Ashley Cole, look ordinary as he tormented him all game frequently turning him inside out.
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Although Ryan Giggs has stepped into a more central role as he has got older, he spent many years marauding down the United left flank and Valencia has already shown in his time with United he can be a similar success on the right flank. In his heyday Ryan Giggs possessed phenomenal dribbling ability, a trait which Valencia also possess and it’s this what for me makes Valencia the closest thing to the next Ryan Giggs. Clearly, following in the footsteps of such an iconic player is not going to be easy, and Valencia is in many ways a different player to Giggs and of course he won’t emulate him, but he can be the next best thing.
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Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the 25 year old’s biggest admirers and the South American will go on to be a big star for United. Not to the same extent as Giggs has, I don’t think anyone could do that, but I have no doubt Valencia will take on Giggs’ mantel as United’s wing wizard.
It is always argued that the gulf in talent between the Championship and the Premier League is the biggest in the world of football, with regards to the top two tiers in each country. Scoring consistently in the Championship, although impressive, doesn’t necessarily mean a player can maintain his scoring ability in the Premier League, and over the years’ numerous players have single handedly got their teams promoted to the top tier of English football, only to disappoint when there. Steve Morrison, Danny Graham and Shane Long all have had impressive seasons with their respective clubs and are all expected to be subject to bids from several Premier League clubs, but will they join such lists as these ones as success stories or failures? Only time will tell, but until then here are my top five players who either failed to make the grade or excelled in the Premier League.
Shefki Kuqi
The big Finnish striker formed a formidable partnership with Darren Bent in the 2004-2005 season for Ipswich Town, netting an impressive twenty league goals. The striker’s excellent season earnt him a move to Blackburn Rovers, where he failed to continue his goal scoring form netting a measly seven goals in thirty four appearances. Kuqi also went on to have an uninspiring spell at Newcastle United this season, with six substitute appearances bringing no goals.
Michael Chopra
Spent six years with Newcastle United, managing only one goal in less than 25 appearances, however after making the drop down to the Championship with Cardiff City Chopra scored a goal every two games for Welsh side, earning him a move back up to the top flight with Sunderland. In 38 games the former Newcastle player managed only eight goals, which resulted in several loan moves back to Cardiff before he returned permanently after a less than successful stint in the Premier League.
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Robert Earnshaw
Made a name for himself playing for Cardiff City scoring nearly eighty goals in 178 competitive appearances, and earnt a reputation as a ‘fox in the box’ type player. In his two Premier League stints, the Welsh forward was anything but a ‘fox in the box’, for West Brom he managed only twelve Premier League goals in two seasons and Earnshaw managed only one goal in 22 appearances for Derby County.
David Nugent
Over two Championship seasons the, then Preston North End, striker scored 25 goals in 75 appearances earning him England recognition as well as a move to Premier League side Portsmouth, and that’s about as good as it got for the Bury striker. It took the Englishman eighteen months to score his first Premier League goal, and much like buses his second one came along just two matches later, however these would be his only top flight goals for the club. Nugent joined Burnley on a season long loan for 2009-10 season and tripled his goal tally from the season before, scoring a poor six goals in thirty games.
But there is always one exception…
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Tim Cahill
The Australian international earnt a reputation as Millwall’s ‘workhorse’ during his time at the club, arguably the main driving force by The Lions run to the 2004 FA Cup final. The former Sydney United player managed an impressive 56 goals in 249 appearances for the club before sealing a move to Everton for £1.5 million, which is now viewed as one of the bargains of the last decade. Cahill has gone on to become The Toffee’s main attacking outlet and all round ‘star’ player since his move from Millwall, winning Everton’s player of the season and player’s player in the process.
Yeah you’re right, I probably should have included Darren Bent, have a go at me for not doing so at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daniel-T-Blazer/185495024836102
Harry Kewell’s A-League move is in doubt after the Socceroo’s agent Bernie Mandic revealed negotiations with the FFA had broken down.Mandic told radio station SEN on Monday that Kewell had agreed in principle to terms with both Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC and had been close to making a decision on his destination.
But the 32-year-old’s move is now in jeopardy after subsequent negotiations with the FFA broke down, with the Kewell camp’s request for a percentage of increased profit from away matches the sticking point.
Mandic also cricitised corporate affairs manager Kyle Patterson for ‘misleading’ comments on the negotiations with Kewell over the weekend.
With A-League clubs restricted by the confines of the salary cap, the FFA’s complementary package to make Kewell the face of the competition is integral to the former Leeds United and Liverpool forward’s move to Australia.
“The catalyst for this was some misleading comments from FFA’s Kyle Patterson over the weekend regarding our negotiations with the FFA,” Mandic said.
“The long and the short of it is that at no point in time have we spoken with Mr Patterson about anything related to Harry coming back to Australia. “
“But, more importantly, as has been the case with all A-League clubs, we have never asked the FFA for any guaranteed income for Harry.”
“The FFA offered to assist in bringing Harry back to play in Australia and asked what it would cost to use Harry to market and promote the sport in partnership with the FFA.”
“We offered them a better deal than we have offered the A-League clubs: a 30-70 split of any additional gate revenue from the away games that Harry plays in.”
“If there are no more people coming to the away games that Harry plays in, Harry gets nothing.”
“But he is still happy to market and promote the sport.”
“Now this was not accepted by the FFA, which is fair enough. But it’s disappointing then that a story gets placed in a paper.”
Mandic said Kewell was still ‘happy to play in the A-League’, and intimated that the ball remained in the FFA’s court.
“The most disappointing part of it is that we have actually just come to agreement both with Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory in principle and were in the final stages of Harry choosing his Australian destination,” he said.
“From our end, nothing has changed.”
“Harry is happy to play in the A-League but he will not doing it for any financial guarantees, whether from the FFA or anybody else. Hopefully this can happen down the track – if not this year, then next year or the year after.”
Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce’s attempt at delivering a humorous, tongue-in cheek observation about his managerial capabilities back-fired spectacularly over the weekend.
After claiming his managerial style would be more suited to that of La Liga giants Real Madrid, Allardyce was immediately ridiculed by the British media who labelled him as ‘arrogant’ and ‘delusional’. Allardyce’s comments may not have gone down well, but here’s some that did, from some of football’s most famous faces:
Arsene Wenger
‘I did not see the incident’ is one quote usually attributed to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, however the Frenchman has a deeper, philosophical side which he likes to revel in from time to time.
‘Le Professeur’, who once claimed to have started his football education talking to locals in his parent’s French pub, delivered this timeless classic when questioned about his attacking philosophy at Arsenal. Although looking back, he may have just been talking about Swedish winger Freddie Ljungberg’s pants. Wenger revealed:
“When you’re dealing with someone who only has a pair of underpants on, if you take his underpants off, he has nothing left—he’s naked. You’re better off trying to find him a pair of trousers to complement him rather than change him.” Indeed.
Ian Holloway
Current Blackpool manager Ian Holloway earnt his reputation as something of a wordsmith following his entertaining post-match interviews in the Championship, before his recent revival of the Seasiders.
After overseeing a languid QPR win against Chesterfield in 2003, Holloway poetically compared his side’s display to a night out on the pull.
“To put it in gentleman’s terms if you’ve been out for a night and you’re looking for a young lady and you pull one, some weeks they’re good looking and some weeks they’re not the best,” Holloway explained.
“Our performance today would have been not the best looking bird but at least we got her in the taxi. She weren’t the best looking lady we ended up taking home but she was very pleasant and very nice, so thanks very much, let’s have a coffee.’
Sir Matt Busby Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby revealed the secret behind his phenomenal success at Old Trafford later on in his career. Busby identified George Best as the man at the centre of his tactical plans, saying:
‘It was a very simple team talk. All I used to say was: “Whenever possible, give the ball to George Best.”’
Simple as that.
Continue reading on PAGE TWO for Cloughie…
Harry Redknapp Just a quick one from Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, explaining the problems of communicating with his side’s foreign contingent:
“Samassi Abou don’t speak the English too good.”
Bill Shankly Liverpool manager Bill Shankly never missed an opportunity to wind up local rivals Everton, bringing the club’s Red supporters closer together in doing so. Shankly’s most famous speech will forever remain his views on football, life and death, however the one below remains one of my favourites.
“When I’ve got nothing better to do, I look down the league table to see how Everton are getting along.”
Brian Clough
Brain Clough had wit, charm and charisma in abundance and his humorous quotes could have easily filled a list of on their own. After announcing himself as in ‘the top one’ managers in the game, Clough was also keen to emphasis how he believed the beautiful game should be played. He famously said:
“If God had wanted us to play football in the sky, He’d have put grass up there.”
Jock Stein
Jock Stein is regarded as one of the finest managers in the history of football after becoming the first manager to win the European Cup with a British side in 1967. Stein was an uncompromising figure who strived to be the best; his philosophy was summed up when he uttered the immortal words:
“Celtic jerseys are not for second best, they don’t shrink to fit inferior players.”
Continue reading on PAGE THREE for the Special One and more…
Jose Mourinho
Self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004 and soon developed a habit of winding up rival managers. One memorable moment was Mourinho claiming he was more afraid of catching Bird Flu than of Manchester United winning the title, while one of his most controversial was his description of Arsenal’s Wenger:
“I think he is one of these people who is a voyeur,” said the Portuguese coach. “He likes to watch other people.
“There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families. He speaks, speaks, speaks about Chelsea.”
Bob Paisley
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Bob Paisley was Liverpool’s most successful ever manager with six league titles and three European Cups. Despite his success, Paisley never forgot the bad times:
“Mind you, I’ve been here during the bad times too – one year we came second.”
Sir Alex Ferguson
A list of famous football quotes wouldn’t be complete without a mention for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. When asked by a journalist what his greatest challenge was, he replied:
“My greatest challenge is not what’s happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f*****g perch. And you can print that.’
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Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez is refusing to get complacent ahead of Sunday’s Copa America final against Paraguay in Buenos Aires.Tabarez’s side will enter the final as heavy favourites, as they bid to claim a 15th Copa America title, but the 64-year-old said they will face a stern test from Paraguay, who are yet to win a match in normal time in the tournament.
“I think just about everyone at this level knows how to play against teams that are supposedly superior, this is a part of the game,” Tabarez said.
“Those who think that because they are from some country or because they have a strong history that they will always win titles, then I think they are dreaming too much.”
Star Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was named best player at last year’s World Cup in South Africa, but hasn’t scored for his country since the end of that tournament.
The Atletico Madrid marksman is delighted to have his strike partner Edinson Cavani back in the squad, and is looking forward to the contest.
“We are delighted to be here,” Forlan said. “It’s my first ever final with Uruguay and the truth is I’m relaxed, just resting and getting ready for the game.”
“We know it’s going to be tough but we’re doing everything we can to be ready in the best way possible, to get to the game in good form on Sunday.”
Paraguay, meanwhile, look set to be without injured striker Roque Santa Cruz and defender Aureliano Torres.
Their cause will be further complicated by the absence of coach Gerardo Martino and his assistant Jorge Pautasso from the touchline after both men were banned after a brawl at the end of their semi-final victory over Venezuela.
Martino admitted his side would face a stern test from the in-form Uruguayans.
“Yes, they are probably the best team in the tournament,” Martino said.
“Maybe if you analyse an individual moment there might have been a team that played better, but Uruguay has been a solid for some time and are very confident in what they do.”
“All that they have done is to (do) what they have been doing the last three years, more or less. This is the time and they have come very solidly to play and it should be noted.”
It was certainly a mixed start for all of the promoted sides over the opening weekend of the season, where QPR look well out of their depth, the Swans caved in at Eastlands and Norwich will take comfort from an encouraging start. But the big question is who will survive the drop come May?
Let’s start with QPR a side largely assembled of freebies headed by two troubled front men were dire to say the least at Loftus Road. A game many would have fancied Neil Warnock’s men to take the spoils to get the all important first win of the season on board, but Owen Coyle’s side had different ideas and look set to build on last seasons success and secure a top 10 finish. Gary Cahill’s opener will add another couple of million onto his price tag.
Neil Warnock has a few doubters myself included there is no argument he is a top bloke and is refreshingly honest but he is not cut out for success at the top flight as his time with Sheffield United proved when they bottled it when they seemed all but safe with ten games to go. I can’t see him being there too much longer as QPR will struggle to string any sort of run together to stay up.
The most impressive outing from the new boys came at the DW Stadium where for much of the game Paul Lambert’s well drilled and organised team were the better team. Home form is key for Norwich and their fans can build up a terrific atmosphere (something that cannot be said for QPR) and with battering ram in Grant Holt leading the line they will score goals. Lambert has instilled a positive mantra since lift the club off its knees only 2 years ago, and they will provide a few shocks along the season and will be up for the fight against the teams in and around them.
Wales’ first Premier League side kicked off on Monday and for 45 minutes more than held their own at Eastlands. Despite a distinct lack of a genuine attacking threat, Swansea looked organised and in all honesty the 4-0 score line was harsh. Brendan Rodgers has taken note from the time he spent under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and will adopt a attractive style of play particularly at home, with former Chelsea man Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer providing genuine threat from the flanks. The Swans play the better football of the three sides but could this be their downfall as City proved on Monday they will get exposed by the better sides especially on the road.
There is no doubt about it is going to be a tough season for all of the new teams and I cannot see how on earth QPR are going to beat the drop, boardroom unrest along with an oddly assembled side make for what could be a season of horrors for men from Loftus Road. Norwich will battle and fight tooth and nail over the course of the season but will this be enough I think so. Paul Lambert has the tactical awareness to shut up shop when they have the lead, something Ian Holloway must of wished he had done on a number of occasions. As last season proved they don’t know when they are beaten scoring 16 times after the 86th minute.
Swansea will be the easier on the eye and will produce some wonderful football like they did at Wembley in May, but I worry about their defensive fragility. They have a wonderful opportunity to put Welsh football on the map and they will make an entire nation proud (apart from the capital perhaps).
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Overall I can see only one of Swansea and Norwich surviving who? I cannot decide but one thing is certain if the battle to beat the drop is half as intense as last season we are all in for a treat enjoy!