All posts by h79snht.top

Spurs draw Hearts in Europa League

English Premier League club Tottenham face British counterparts Hearts in their Europa League play-off tie this month.Spurs drew the Scottish Premier League side at the official draw in Nyon on Friday, while 2010 champions Atletico Madrid will take on Portugal’s Vitoria SC to try and earn their group stage spot.

Fulham – inaugural finalists in the second-tier European competition – face a battle with Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, while Stoke City will go up against FC Thun, of Switzerland.

The other English club in the play-off – Championship side Birmingham City – will take on Portuguese club Nacional.

Fifth in La Liga last term, Sevilla will take on last season’s fourth-placed Bundesliga side Hannover 96, and their fellow Spanish club Athletic Bilbao will go up against Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Spanish giants Celtic will be keen to avoid any early exits after rivals Rangers’ embarrassing Champions League qualifying defeat in mid-week, when they face Swiss side Sion in their play-off.

In other notable play-off fixtures, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Panathinaikos will go head to head, AS Roma will take on Slovan Bratislava and 2011 finalists Sporting Braga will face Swiss outfit Young Boys.

City to investigate Cook over e-mail claim

Manchester City have confirmed that they are conducting an internal investigation into claims that club chief executive Garry Cook sent an insulting e-mail to player Nedum Onuoha’s mother.

Dr Anthonia Onuoha has been diagnosed with cancer, but despite this acts as her son’s agent in all contractual talks.

The e-mail in question is believed to have been sent from Cook’s iPad, mocking the ill woman’s condition, with the message potentially being meant to be sent to football administrator Brian Marwood.

“Brian . . . Ravaged with it! I don’t know how you sleep at night. You used to be such a nice man when I worked with you at Nike,” Cook’s e-mail read.

Cook, currently in Portland in the United States, denies all claims of wrongdoing and has explained that his e-mail account was hacked into whilst he was on holidays.

Dr Onuoha is said to be deeply offended by the insult, has taken the issue to the FA and the Premier League, and explained her disbelief at receiving the mail.

“When I opened up my e-mails and saw the message, it was the worst day of my life, even worse than being diagnosed with cancer,” Dr Onuoha told The Sun.

“I couldn’t understand how anyone could behave like that. I’m critically ill. I cried and cried for hours.”

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The Eastlands club have released a statement confirming that the matter will be dealt with internally, and Cook will be questioned over the correspondence.

“Following allegations made to the football club by Dr Anthonia Onuoha, subsequently reported in today’s media, the club can confirm that a board-led review has been launched into the matter,” a club statement reads.

QPR 0−0 Newcastle United – Match Review

Neil Warnock will be cursing his sides luck after they missed a glut of first half chances in an entertaining 0-0 draw with Newcastle United at Loftus Road.

All eyes were on Joey Barton as he captained Rangers on his debut against the club he left only two weeks ago. A quiet performance from him was overshadowed by the wastefulness of his teammates who contrived to squander four excellent chances in the first half.

Despite only conceding one goal in their opening three games Newcastle looked shaky at the back and Shaun Wright-Phillips, also making his debut, was at his industrious best torturing Ryan Taylor down the left on several occasions.

He had the first clear cut chance of the game heading over Armand Traore’s cross who was also making his first appearance for QPR.

An entertaining first half saw the game flip from end to end and Leon Best was denied by Paddy Kenny in the QPR goal after turning smartly away from Danny Gabbidon and firing low towards the bottom corner.

Wright-Phillips then conjured another chance this time crossing for Jay Bothroyd who volleyed over from inside the six yard box when it looked easier to score.

The former Manchester City man was a constant terror and almost broke the deadlock only to see his lob over Tim Krul headed off the line by Steven Taylor.

A drop in tempo in the second half meant chances were few and far between although Wright-Phillips shot wide.

Magpies boss Alan Pardew will be disappointed with his attack who were toothless for 90 minutes but his defence shone through yet again with a third clean sheet of the season.

As for Warnock he will be buoyed by the performance of his new players as they began the new era under Tony Fernandes with a well earned point.

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Remember you can catch all the action from today’s action here courtesy of ESPN Goals.

Fergie plan set to be hikacked by £23m bid, Phelan confirms interest in Dutchman, Wayne Rooney poorly treated by Capello – Best of MUFC

United picked up a point against their great rivals in a game where Fergie’s men were far from their best. Hernandez came off the bench to grab them a late point and keeps them within touching distance of the top of the table.

At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Manchester United blogs that includes Wayne Rooney let down; Phelan concedes interest in Dutchman, while Milan look to gazump United with bid.

We also look at the best Manchester United articles around the web this week

Little Scholes, a Crouch cameo and ex-Chelsea star shows himself to be a plank

Is Wayne Rooney really irreplaceable?

Man United stars have the skills – see for yourself!

The Top TEN Manchester United tattoos…well sort of!

Messi v Ronaldo: Who Would You Sign As a Premier League Manager?

United star falling victim to Man-management at its worst?

Phelan concedes United are keeping tabs on Dutchman

(Part 2) A tale of two cities – Manchester

Old Football Stadiums had a certain magic that is now lost

Fergie and Dalglish join the transfer battle for boy-wonder

Milan look to gazump Fergie with £21m bid

Best of WEB

Why I’m Not Laughing At Arsenal Football Club – Red Flag Flying High

Rooney will break Charlton’s record and here’s when… – United Rant

Bitter Rafa Benitez back at it – The Busby Way

Proof The Pendulum Has Swung In United’s Direction – The United Religion

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When will Fergie bring back the “old” guard? – 7Cantonas

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To see what all the fuss about Luli Fernandez make sure you open up the gallery below

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The Myths About Adam Johnson

It seems Mark Hughes was right after all. Roberto Mancini’s autocratic style has claimed another victim, namely Adam Johnson. “Reports” emerged that he initially refused to get on the team coach after City’s win over Wolves in the Carling Cup, due to criticism of him in Mancini’s post-match interview.

Or maybe not. Many would have you believe that Johnson is being wasted at City, and that Mancini’s criticisms of him are unfair. On both counts, they are wrong. As was Hughes, on many levels.

It’s hard to claim that Johnson is wasted at City when he has improved as a player under Mancini’s tutelage. He was playing in the Championship at Middlesbrough, and was hardly the first name on the team sheet there, sometimes kept out of the side by Stewart Downing. His England appearances have tended to come since his move to City. As Mancini said this week, he criticises him because he knows he can do better, and because he knows what he is capable of, and this is his way of trying to push him further. I’m not totally sure it’s right to talk about players’ deficiencies in public, because as we saw with his coach protest, players are generally precious souls, but in Mancini we trust, as after all he knows the player and the situation far better than I or anyone else does.

“I am happy he is upset,” said Mancini this week. “I love Adam. It is like with the children in your family. If you love your children, then sometimes you should be hard with them and Adam understands this. I say what I want because, if he were not a good player, then I wouldn’t waste my time on him. But because he has everything, I don’t want him stopping at this level. I want him up a level and then a level more.”

The player who some claim is gathering splinters on the substitutes bench has appeared for City 54 times since he signed right at the end of January 2010. He made 43 appearances for City last season, and has featured 8 times this season so far. He is not the forgotten man that some would have you believe.

And if you want reasons for why he sometimes only appears from the bench, then the answer is there for all to see in the games he has started. Quite simply, he has not performed at the required level when in the starting eleven, with a tendency to disappear from games and have limited impact on proceedings.

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From the bench, it is a different story, there being few players better at coming off the bench and putting the opposition to the sword. It seems he prospers against tiring legs, but if he wants to feature more he has to do it for 90 minutes, not 20. But it is something else that irks Mancini more.

With Johnson, the criticism from above has been that he is shirking his defensive duties, duties that are vital when you are a wide player that needs to support his full-back.

Mancini has said this week he was “disappointed he doesn’t put everything on to the pitch”. As he is right to do, Mancini expects it all from his players. He expects forward players to do their share of defending, in the same way he expects his full-backs to bomb forward.

In addition to all that, there have been concerns about his off-field activities and lifestyle – many a footballer has fallen in this trap, but Mancini is not the sort of manager to allow it, or to accept players that are not 100% focused on their football.

Nevertheless, his scoring record is beginning to look very healthy indeed. He scores quality goals, and often when they are most needed, making him a vital squad member. He is a wonderful wide player, the sort opposing defenders must hate to play against, with pace, close control, and as we have seen recently, a deadly shot.

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A few years ago Johnson did an interview with Four Four Two magazine. The final question was:

In five years’ time…

I would like to be playing regularly in the Premier League and challenging for a place in the England team. So far this season things have gone well so hopefully I won’t be a million miles away by then.

And he isn’t. The future is Johnson’s to decide. If he wants to listen to his manager, the world is his oyster. At the age of 24, he has reached a crucial crossroads in his career. Knuckle down, and play for one of the best teams in Europe and at the highest level for club and country, or go on loan somewhere and gain more football at a lower level. The choice is his.

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Fantasy Football Weekend Picks

This weekend provides one of the English top flight’s rarities with five of the top six in action on a Saturday. With this will come the majority of the players in your Fantasy team. It’s time then to identify who will be Matchday 11’s movers and shakers.

The Captaincy Debate

There is only one place to start and that’s with Arsenal Captain Robin van Persie. His hat trick at Stamford Bridge last week was sublime. The Dutchman will be up against West Brom at the weekend. Jonas Olsson and Paul Scharner might not be relishing playing against one of the Premier League’s in form players. The worry for them is the hunger that van Persie is displaying currently.

You could be better off though taking a chance on Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. This turn of phrase is not commonly associated with the England forward but he has lost his way since an impressive start to the season. A stand out performance against Otelul Galati in the Champions League could signify a change in fortune for Rooney in the league beginning with Sunderland at Old Trafford..

Maybe you’re  looking for a value-for-money option who’s in more convincing form. Step forward Demba Ba. Two hat tricks in his last five games has helped to fire Newcastle into the top four at this early stage in the season. He’ll be looking to continue his run against Everton in the early kick off on Saturday.

Then again, perhaps you would prefer to put your faith in Liverpool forward Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan was unfortunate not to net in his last two outings against Norwich and West Brom. It could well be a case of third time lucky when Swansea City travel to Anfield. The Reds’ leading talisman already has four goals this season despite being up against one of the best goalkeepers in the division in Michel Vorm.

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The Captain – Although no Roy Hodgson side tends to ship goals, the confidence coursing through van Persie currently means if he is in your team, he simply has to be captain.

The Vice Captain – Wayne Rooney is not the sort of player to go missing for long periods and he will surely end his run of four games without scoring in the Premier League on Saturday.

Long Term Look

Managers are always important to a player’s progress. Last season, Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor struggled to find any form under Gerard Houllier. Since Alex McLeish’s arrival at Villa Park, the forward has looked capable of rediscovering some of the dazzling form he displayed when Martin O’Neill was at the helm.

Agbonlahor has four goals this season, which is already more than he netted in the whole of last season in the Premier League. Add to that four assists and it demonstrates how dangerous the man with three England caps  has been  in the final third this season. In comparison to other forwards, he is a relatively cheap option in Fantasy Football and is well worth consideration if any striker in your team is starting to falter.

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If you’d like to continue the Fantasy Football debate or any other footballing matters, then why not follow me on Twitter. @arhindtutt

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The Tragic Loss of Gary Speed

There is so little that can be said, or written, to explain the news that popped up on my television screen on Sunday morning. In a desensitized world, little seems to shock me any more, but the death of Gary Speed was one of those rare times. As the Guardian commented, it was one of those “stop all the clocks” moments.

When someone dies, there is the need to highlight the good points of that person, to pick out their achievements, to paper over the cracks. There was no problem doing this with Speed, because we were dealing with a man that no one, absolutely no one, had a bad word about. I know nothing of him personally apart from what I saw on a television screen, but the consensus from those who did know him was clear: we are dealing with a man who went out his way to help others, was a true gentleman, and was a giant of the Premiership era. With a wife, two young sons, a successful career bringing Welsh football out of the doldrums, and Hollywood looks to boot, he appeared to us to have it all – but we were wrong.

I haven’t witnessed such an outpouring of grief and shock from the death of a football man, of any man, in recent years. This spread beyond Welsh football fans and fans of the clubs he wore the shirt of, though their grief will be harder to cope with.

Swansea and Aston Villa made the difficult decision to play their game just hours after the terrible news broke, Shay Given was in tears, as were many others, a minute’s silence breaking out into spontaneous support. Craig Bellamy was withdrawn from the Liverpool squad for their match against Manchester City by manager Kenny Dalglish, Bellamy known to be in awe of the Wales manager who had done so much for his career. Howard Wilkinson too was on the phone, struggling to put his grief into words. There was an impeccable minute’s silence too at Anfield, not only for Speed, but for the tragic loss of Brad Jones’ son, taken by leukaemia at the tender age of five. And as I watched on in my local, the pub fell virtually silent – that spoke more of Speed’s legacy than any words I can offer.

But let’s remember the man. He gained 85 caps for Wales – only Neville Southall had more. He made 677 senior appearances for Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United during a 22-year career, most notably part of that championship winning Leeds side – the only trophy he would pick up. He was a tenacious midfielder, not merely a jack of all trades, but a master of many. Howard Wilkinson spoke of his versatility, commenting that he had played him in virtually every position bar in goal – he would never let his team down, a consummate professional performing to a high standard long after most would have called it a day. Good players don’t always make good managers, but Speed was turning around the Welsh national side. There was an optimism not felt for many years as he nurtured a new wave of youngsters towards some impressive recent results. There was a real feeling that qualification for future World Cup and Euro finals was now a realistic target. And thus it is incomprehensible that the man sat in the Football Focus studio laughing and joking and reminiscing was twenty-fours later no longer with us.

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The obvious comment is that it puts everything into perspective – it shames us to have our petty squabbles about whether it was worthy of a yellow card, how bad the referee was, or how much Suarez dives. But whilst the sentiment is true, these minutiae of the sport are an essential part of what makes it the most popular game in the world.

There is no evidence to suggest that Speed took his life because of any link to depression, but I still feel the need to mention it in the week that Stan Collymore laid bare the ravages of the illness. John Gregory once commented that Collymore had nothing to be depressed about, a perfect example of the ignorance of what depression is and how it affects these unfortunate enough to succumb to its destructive path. Collymore went overnight from 8 hours sleep each day to eighteen. He spoke of being fit and healthy one day, mind, body and soul withering and dying the next – he once spent a month in bed.

Much has been done off the pitch to support those who choose football as a profession, and much more needs to be done. Depression does not pick out the poor, the unemployed, the ill. It can pick out anyone. We all have a preconception of footballers having it easy, and many do, relatively speaking. But that is a different argument to that of depression – money cannot keep the demons away. And the support must remain after the playing career ends, as this can be a terrible time for a player who knows nothing else.

Football is a world of machismo and testosterone where you can’t admit to frailties, as it shows weakness. You can’t admit to being gay, you can’t admit to being depressed, you can’t admit to being anything other then perfect. Of course you can really, but it is made very, very hard, and it is no wonder many hide their feelings, their sexuality, and more. This has to change. If anything good can come out of tragedies like this, then the sport must shed this image and catch up with other sports, with other walks of life. Robert Enke was a master at keeping his feelings hidden. The book A Life Too Short by Ronald Reng is a moving and harrowing account of the German goalkeeper’s constant battle against depression. The support structure needs to be there in football to help people like him, like Collymore, like Justin Fashanu.

People often use such terrible occurrences to show their displeasure at other footballers. Graham Poll disgustingly used Speed as a stick with which to beat Mario Balotelli on Talksport, stupidly sinking to even criticising his hairstyle. Similar ire has been directed towards Carlos Tevez, seemingly the antithesis of Speed, representing everything that Speed would have found deplorable. But we must be careful. I, like most City fans, have expressed my disgust at the antics of our rogue Argentinean striker, but who are we to know what goes on in his private life? Who are we to criticise the club’s handling of the whole affair towards a man we know to have family issues? Perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to judge after all. Refusing to walk onto a football pitch was portrayed by me and many more as the ultimate betrayal – perhaps sometimes we football fans need a tad more perspective.

The fact is that we don’t know why Speed took his life, and we have no right to know. But sadly the newspapers will dig until they find out, and inflict more pain on a family who have already suffered way beyond what I can comprehend. Already they are pulling apart his final hours, desperate for answers. The family bear the brunt, hence their call for privacy. Our thoughts should be with them, and I hope they can one day move on. No parent wants to bury their child. No child wants to grow up without his or her parents. I hope that Speed’s family can take at least some comfort from the tributes pouring in from around the world.

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Rest in peace Gary.

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Manchester City’s chances talked up

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany has stated that he feels that it could be a successful season for his team, and that he is happy with how the Etihad Stadium outfit are playing this term.

Roberto Mancini’s men are top of the Premier League currently by two points, and the Citizens’ fans have been impressed with their side despite an exit from the Champions League.

When asked about his thoughts on City’s current situation, the Belgium international was positive in his outlook.

“This year in particular has certainly been proof of the fact we’re going about it the right way and that’s the main thing for us,” he told Sky Sports.

“I almost feel like I want to wait before I talk so much, but I really have a gut feeling that tells me that this is the season for us.

“It’s not based on the fact that I’m being pretentious because of the players we have in the team or the money that has been spent. It’s not about this.

“I feel we have a very good team spirit. This is something probably is the thing people don’t expect as much in our team.

“The fact I see it every single day motivates me even more because I believe we’ve got it more than what people see and what people think,” he concluded.

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City take on West Brom at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day, and will look to keep their lead at the top of the division.

By Gareth McKnight

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Football News – Tottenham hold out for £8m, Chelsea to wait until summer for Lucas Moura & much more

Roberto Mancini was left fuming at referee Phil Dowd, for handing a cup final spot to Liverpool. The Italian was left frustrated at the awarding of the Reds’ controversial first half spot-kick, while having a blatant penalty of their own turned down. Mancini feels they suffered ‘an injustice’ on the night, but doesn’t believe it will have an adverse affect on their title challenge.

Elsewhere in the news UEFA look to get tough on those teams who flaunt the rules; Carlos Tevez considers appealing the fines he has accumulated at Manchester City, while Arsene Wenger calls on the loan system to be reformed.

UEFA intend to sanction football clubs who fail to comply with the NEW financial fair play rulings. Exclusion from the Champions League are just some of the measures under consideration as the footballing body look to get tough on those who flaunt the rules – Guardian

Carlos Tevez is considering appealing against the fines he has been given by Manchester City. The Argentine has racked up fines of £9.3m in the past few months and has until Monday to make his appeal to the Premier League – Guardian

West Ham United are considering their Stadium options after getting increasingly frustrated by the Olympic Stadium tender process. It is thought that the Hammers will still submit a bid for their stadium, but it will be under their terms – Guardian

Chelsea will wait until the summer if they want to try and sign the young Brazilian, Lucas Moura. Sources in Brazil claim that Chelsea has already made an offer, but have been frustrated by the price put on his head by Sao Paulo – Daily Telegraph

Craig Bellamy spoke of his delight in what will be a dream final for him. The Welshman scored and starred in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw that ensured progress to the Carling Cup final against his former club, Cardiff City – Daily Telegraph

Marc Albrighton has revealed his frustration at being branded a cheat by Wolves fans, following the sending off of Karl Henry at Molineux at the weekend – Independent

Tottenham are holding out for £8m for Giovani Dos Santos, following Villarreal opening offer of £6.5m.  The Spaniards are desperate to get hold of the Mexican, who according to Jose Manuel Llaneza is keen to join the yellow submarines – Daily Mail

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Newcastle United are chasing the loan signing of Juventus winger, Eljero Elia. The Dutchman has failed to settle in Italy following his move from Hamburg and is deemed to be surplus to requirements by Conte – Daily Mail

Arsene Wenger feels that there should be a ban on loan deals for players over the age of 21. The Frenchman believes it gives the parent club an advantage, as the players can ultimately look to defeat their rivals – Mirror

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Don’t Newcastle United fans deserve just a little snippet?

This week saw the removing of the famous St James’ Park sign proudly marking the façade of the Milburn Stand, and Newcastle United’s 120 year association with the renowned old name.

Step forward, the Sports Direct Arena. Rolling off the tongue like a sharp razor blade, football’s conglomerate powers have reared their ugly head once more.

The name change has been at large since last year, but removal of the former insignia this week has truly choked staunch Magpies fans and football traditionalists alike.

Would it have been so bad to keep that little snippet of history for Toon Army fans?

St James’ is the latest football ground to reluctantly part with its distinct appellation in resigned succession of a sponsor clad label. Leicester City’s King Power Stadium will always be regarded as former sponsor; The Walkers Stadium and York City’s once KitKat crescent will always be truly viewed as Bootham Crescent.

But as the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new, Mike Ashley has swooped ruthlessly to stamp his mark all over the stadium in which he decided to rebrand.

If Ashley hopes to hear nattering Geordie accents around the city fondly chatting about a jaunt up to the ‘Sports Direct Arena’ then he is most definitely mistaken. It is a battle he is never going to win. Who is one Buckinghamshire millionaire to tell the Geordie nation otherwise? Long live St James’.

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Magpies fans have been around a much longer time than their owner, and to undermine their connection to the club in such a thoughtless way again demonstrates the widening gap between a club and the most important ingredient; its supporters.

Yes, as managing director Derek Llambias stated whilst

“Stadium rebranding offers a lucrative way for clubs to secure significant additional income”

Understandably, a staple part of Newcastle’s future, the club cannot overlook its past and where it all originated.

Modern conglomerate football takeovers are part of football, whether we like them or not, but erosion of club traditions should not be.

Some may say it’s just a name, but for Newcastle supporters St James’ Park means so much more than three syllables. Famous names of Milburn, MacDonald and Shearer have all trod the hallowed turf and giant soulless Sports Direct logos simply signify the contemporary regime; they have no more impact than to merely remind the football world of who’s in charge. It will forever be St James’ failing meaningless media mentioning’s to adhere to modern records.

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A man was charged this week following his graffiti instalment of the words ‘St James’ following the signs removal representing the palpable dissent on Tyneside; something which Newcastle have been famed for over the years from onlookers across the rest of the nation.

Whilst Alan Pardew’s side continue an impressive campaign, fans will remain to turn up in their droves to their true home; St James’ Park and blank exclamations of the Sports Direct Arena.

Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989

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