Mark Hughes wants the Stoke fans to believe in him after some opposition to his appointment as new Potters boss on Thursday.
Hughes has signed a three-year deal at the Britannia Stadium just six months after being sacked by QPR.
His stint at Loftus Road lasted just under 11 months, saw extensive squad renovation, shows a record of only six victories in 30 Barclays Premier League games, and ended with the Londoners bottom of the table.
Some Stoke supporters are unhappy at the decision to bring him in as fellow Welshman Tony Pulis’ successor, with one displaying a ‘Hughes Out’ banner in the Britannia Stadium car park even before yesterday’s confirmation he had the job.
Regarding negative feeling among fans, Hughes said: “I can understand, because for six months they have been told that my ability as a manager is in question.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“You can understand possibly that there is a little bit of reticence towards the appointment, but I think they need to take comfort from the fact that the ownership that has been fantastic for Stoke has made the decision that I am the best guy for their club.”
QPR striker DJ Campbell is poised to join Huddersfield as a likely replacement for Jordan Rhodes, who is reportedly on his way to Blackburn Rovers, Sky Sports has revealed.
The Terriers are willing to use the money raised from the potential sale of Rhodes to fund a move for Campbell.
Since his move to Loftus Road last summer, the 30-year-old has endured an injury-blighted time, making just three starts and scoring one goal.
A host of big names are joining the club, and there no longer appears to be a place for DJ Campbell in Mark Hughes’ plans.
Campbell’s availability has sparked interest from a number of clubs, including a move back to Bloomfield Road to join Blackpool.
But the deal was quashed when Ian Holloway admitted that financial constraints would make it almost impossible to re-sign the striker.
Gianfranco Zola has also tried to bring the player to Watford – a move which could still appeal to Campbell due to the club’s closeness to his London home.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Bristol City also reportedly had a bid accepted by QPR, but a move to the John Smith’s Stadium now appears the most likely.
Newcastle fans are fearing the worst about Rafael Benitez’s future, after the manager said the Magpies should be targeting a top eight finish.
For every ounce of adulation Newcastle fans have for Rafael Benitez, there is an equal amount of disdain for the man holding to key to his future – Mike Ashley.
Ashley has been bashed to no end by fans for his smug demeanour, refusal to invest heavily in the transfer market, and the constant conflicting reports on whether or not he will sell the club.
The 53 year-old businessman, who bought the club back in 2007, has shown no signs yet of extending Rafa Benitez’s contract, and fans are now worried after the manager’s latest comments.
“To do the right things, as I have said many times before. That means to clarify our ambitions going forward,” the manager said.
[ad_pod ]
“What I will say is this, and I have said it many times before: this is a massive club. If we want to compete in the Premier League, and at a good level, then what we have to do are the ‘right things’ – and that’s it.
“Then we cannot be thinking that our position is: ‘Oh, we are safe, great.’ No. We have 52,000 fans at St James’ Park, between 3,000 and 9,000 fans at away games in the Championship.
“That shows that this club has to be competing to be in the top eight or higher.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
While the fact that Benitez is targeting big things for the club is certainly a good sign, fans don’t expect Ashley to share those same ambitions, and they’re worried these conflicting ambitions will result in the Spaniard leaving the club.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Crystal Palace have had a topsy-turvy season but somehow managed to end the slog with much to be proud of. Even before the campaign began there was the shocking resignation of Tony Pulis, who just two days before their first match decided that he no longer wanted to be a part of the project. Then came along Neil Warnock who stepped into the role and saw the club fail to win seven of their ten opening fixtures. This was Warnock’s second spell at Selhurst Park following his previous stint between 2007-2010, but he departed once again as the club suffered more poor results.
Alan Pardew, who had been unhappily managing at Newcastle United for the past four seasons, became Palace’s third manager in six months when he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal. Facing him was a difficult few months as the Eagles sat down in 18th with a potential relegation battle on their hands if they failed to start winning games.
The English manager was welcomed by Palace supporters as he had spent four years playing for the Eagles as a midfielder, and his first match in charge was an FA Cup third round tie against non-league side Dover Athletic, in which they resoundingly won 4-0. But the true test came six days later when they met Tottenham at Selhurst Park. Spurs were just outside of the Champions League places while Palace were stuck in the bottom three, but goals from Dwight Gayle and Jason Puncheon claimed the victory and signalled a change in belief and confidence at the club.
Palace went on to win more than half of their games under their new manager, notably getting the better of Manchester City and perhaps revenge over Liverpool who had knocked them out of the FA Cup. A Marouane Chamakh goal against Swansea City ensured that the Eagles were able to celebrate at their home ground the end of a difficult season, which ultimately saw them finish in a remarkably high 10th position.
Players like Puncheon, James McArthur and Scott Dann have been particularly invaluable in defence and midfield for the Eagles this season, though the club’s forwards have been rather disappointing. Glenn Murray has been their top goal scorer having found the net on seven occasions which, when you compare him with Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Austin, who finished on 18 league goals, shows where Crystal Palace need to improve.
The club were previously linked with a deal for Liverpool’s Rickie Lambert but only if midfielder Yannick Bolasie goes the other way. Whether the Reds will want to meet the £20 million valuation, which would also be part of the deal, remains to be seen. But just like the numerous other clubs who were impressed with Austin’s prolific display these last ten months Palace would undeniably benefit from adding someone like him to their squad rather than Lambert, who has only scored twice.
Next season’s aim must be for a more consistent campaign from start to end. Another mid-table finish is entirely reasonable and choosing the right summer signings will go a long way to ensuring that happens again.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Fulham are doubtful over Mladen Petric (hip) and Simon Davies (hamstring) after they missed the home defeat against Reading last week. Both are likely to face late fitness tests. Steven Sidwell sits out once again through suspension.
Steven Gerrard won’t play for Liverpool again this season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Daniel Agger will also miss the final two games due to a back injury. Luis Suarez serves the third of his 10-game ban, while Jonjo Shelvey is line to replace Gerrard.
Martin Jol pre-game…”We will focus on ourselves to try to get a result to be safe. The Wigan result helped and of course we need a result, but you depend on other games as well. We will look at other results and even when the results are going for us we have to try to finish the season on a very good note.”
Brendan Rodgers pre-game…”This season was about putting that base in place – a lot of great work has gone on off the field here – and putting the infrastructure and processes in place that will hopefully allow us to move forward. There have been young players getting the opportunity to play and I’ve seen development in the players.”
Match Statistic: In the 18 games Fulham have conceded the first goal they’ve won none.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Prediction: Fulham 0-1 Liverpool
Make your bets ahead of the showdown at Craven Cottage by clicking on the banner below
QPR are ready to reopen talks with Tottenham defender Michael Dawson over a potential transfer, Sky Sports claim.
The Loftus Road club are on a recruitment drive this summer, and have already added a number of new faces to Mark Hughes’ squad.
England international Dawson is not part of Andre Villas-Boas’ immediate plans, as Jan Vertonghen and William Gallas seem to be the Portuguese trainer’s preferences at centre-half.
The White Hart Lane club had accepted an offer of £9 million for the defender last week, but a potential deal broke down due to disagreements over personal terms.
However, Rangers are ready to invite Dawson for another round of negotiations, where they intend to offer the player a more lucrative package.
Hughes is keen to sign defensive reinforcements after watching his side concede six goals in their first two Premier League fixtures of 2012-13.
The decision over the deal is up to Dawson, who may well opt to stay at the north London side and fight for his place back in the team.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger announced on Friday that he would be stepping down from his position at the end of the season after 22 years in charge of the north London outfit, with the decision over his successor this summer set to be a significant one for the club.
The Gunners’ only chance of qualifying for the Champions League looks to be by winning the Europa League – in which they face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final tie at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday – and that could have an impact on who they can attract to replace the Frenchman.
[ad_pod ]
There are already a number of candidates that have been named as potential arrivals at Arsenal this summer, with Luis Enrique, Massimo Allegri and Thomas Tuchel featuring quite prominently.
We decided to ask the fans to select who they would want from our poll featuring 17 managers, and former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique came out on top with 313 votes in favour of appointing him, and with just 61 against bringing him to the Emirates Stadium.
The 47-year-old, who twice won the La Liga title while in charge of the Catalan giants, finished ahead of Massimo Allegri and Diego Simeone in second and third respectively, while Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers finished bottom of the pile, with supporters on Twitter dreading the idea that the former Liverpool boss could be a strong contender for the role.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Wenger picked up a win in the first game since he revealed he would be leaving as three late goals saw his side beat West Ham United 4-1 at the Emirates on Sunday.
‘Boring, boring Chelsea’… the chants rang out from the Arsenal fans as the Blues held their side to a 0-0 draw to make another step towards the title and effectively kill off, arguably, their biggest rivals’ hopes of lifting the top prize. Barring a monumental collapse, the Blues will claim the top prize in the English game, and they thoroughly deserve it, too.
But despite the excitement in west London, Mourinho had to respond to the claims, digging at the Gunners for their lack of silverware in recent times. Arsenal fans have since pointed back at the often pragmatic style of play Mourinho adopts, but what’s wrong with it? The Chelsea boss is indeed an exciting manager, and here are FIVE reasons why…
[interaction ]
Success
In football, winning trophies is exciting. That’s the aim after all. And no manager does it better than Mourinho His honours list includes some of the biggest and best pots around in club action, including successes in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and, or course, English football. He’s even won the Champions League with two different clubs and ended Barcelona’s La Liga dominance.
Say what you want about how it gets done, the excitement of those massive victories outweighs it all.
Been involved in some of the biggest matches
The ‘ghost goal’, the famous 0-1 with Barcelona at the Nou Camp, the 2004 Champions League Final win with lowly Porto… Just a small selection of the top matches Mourinho has been involved in, with excitement, tactical nous and controversy all on show. No matter what happens there’s a story, and isn’t that exciting?
Helped to nurture the best players
Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard, Petr Cech… Just a handful of top, top players who have Mourinho to thank for their success and talent. Some bosses just let talented players go out and play, but the Portuguese coach moulds his stars. Look at Hazard, a world class talent in an attacking sense, but now he’s added a defensively resolute nature to his game which makes him, arguably, the best all round attacking midfielder on the planet.
Turned Chelsea into a great side
Before Jose Mourinho, Chelsea were very much a ‘second string’ top tier side. Title challenges were not commonplace, while top stars came and went. But with Mourinho, and Roman Abramovich’s cash, the Blues are now one of the most feared sides in the beautiful game and have cemented their slot at the very top of Premier League football. Pretty exciting for their fans, right?
Great quotes…
Over to the big man…
“I think he is one of these people who is a voyeur. 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.” – on Arsène Wenger.
“We would have lost if there were six Inter players left on the pitch.” – After defeating AC Milan 2-0 with nine men.
“Sometimes you see beautiful people with no brains. Sometimes you have ugly people who are intelligent, like scientists.” – On the state of the Stamford Bridge pitch prior to their home Champions League game against Barcelona in 2006.
“Young players are a little bit like melons. Only when you open and taste the melon are you 100 per cent sure that the melon is good.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Sometimes you have beautiful melons but they don’t taste very good and some other melons are a bit ugly and when you open them, the taste is fantastic… One thing is youth football, one thing is professional football. The bridge is a difficult one to cross and they have to play with us and train with us for us to taste the melon.
For example, Scott Sinclair, the way he played against Arsenal and Man United, we know the melon we have.”
“I saw their players and manager go for a lap of honour after losing to us in their last home game. In Portugal if you do this, they throw bottles at you.” – on Manchester United.
“Barcelona have a great club. But in 200 years of history they have won the European Cup only once. I have been managing for a few years and I have already won the same amount.” – said during the 2005-2006 season. Barcelona went on to win the Champions League.
“How do you say cheating in Catalan?” – after Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in a match where Mourinho accused Lionel Messi of getting Asier del Horno sent off.
“It was a goal that came from the moon – from the Anfield stands” – defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League.
The media circus surrounding Wayne Rooney has turned from the misguided and misinformed to the completely ridiculous. Speculation over his future was triggered in rather bizarre circumstances, with the tabloids and broadsheets linking Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to bench the England man for Manchester United’s second leg fixture against Real Madrid in the Champions League with him apparently being caught smoking earlier in the season. Its lead to allegations that Rooney’s future at Old Trafford was delicately hanging in the balance, and a long-standing rift had formed between player and manager stemming from the striker’s abrupt and surprising decision to transfer list himself a few years ago.
Following the reports that immediately followed the now infamous 2-1 tie at Old Trafford, that focused almost solely on Rooney’s future rather than the match itself, Ferguson was so appalled by rumours of a sour relationship that he banned three major newspapers from Manchester United press conferences until they formally apologised for their misreporting. But rather than quashing the question-marks lingering over the 27 year old’s head, it appears to have only added fuel to the fire, and now every time Rooney is subbed off, match day commentators and the media quickly allude to it being a sign that his days are numbered and he will be jettisoned in the summer, without even a moment’s hesitation.
[cat_link cat=”manchester-united” type=”tower”]
This is quite simply getting out of hand. I am not suggesting that there is no way Sir Alex Ferguson would sell one of his most influential players, considering he only has a year left on his contract, but the litmus test for a player’s future should not be based upon how often he is substituted or not included in the starting XI.
Going back to that Champions League defeat, Rooney’s replacement, as a supporting striker to play behind Robin Van Persie and do much of the legwork, was Danny Welbeck. Although there is a gulf in quality between the two England internationals, there is no doubt that Welbeck posesses uniquely athletic attributes and a physique that Rooney is sufficiently lacking in.
Furthermore, for the first hour, until Luis Nani was shown a red card for dangerous play, the 22 year old was playing an integral role in United’s game plan by pinning back Xabi Alonso and limiting his time and space on the ball, in addition to getting alongside Van Persie in the final third. In fact, as soon as Ferguson’s hand was forced into taking off Welbeck during the reshuffle following Nani’s dismissal, Real Madrid’s deep-lying playmaker was suddenly conducting play, and the Champions League semi-finalists found themselves in complete control of the match in just a matter of minutes after spending much of it unable to find any sort of groove.
But rather than drawing on the fact that football is a team game, and furthermore, in the modern era, is a squad game, where managers are allocated a roster of 25 to pick and chose from at their own preference for each particular fixture, and therefore, despite the grand occasion, Welbeck was a much better suited candidate to play in a rather unique ‘duel role’, as Ferguson himself has referred to it as, the British media have concluded that Rooney is no longer of sufficient use at Old Trafford.
The United forward’s substitution against West Ham two weeks ago, in an incredibly dogged affair which could have ultimately won the Red Devils the title had they claimed all three points, appears to have been the que for claims that his speculated summer transfer to PSG is now a ‘done deal’.
As I’ve previously stated, I am not suggesting that Rooney’s future at Old Trafford is completely guaranteed. With just a year left of his contract, now is the time Fergie will be using his ‘helicopter view’ of the club, as described by former assistant Steve McLaren, to decide whether or not to move on his long-serving forward. It would not be the first time the Scottish gaffer has shafted one of his key players during their prime, and there is certainly a case for letting Rooney go in the summer.
Although I am a fan of Rooney’s abilities myself, there is a growing concern that despite being the focal point of what has been the most consistent club in England over the past ten years, he is still yet to reach the dizzy heights many expected of him as a teenager at Everton. He may be one of the Premier League’s best performers when it comes to facing rank and file teams, but in the big occasions, he gets too involved in the dog fight, using his priceless spirit and determination, but in the process sacrificing his duties as an attacker.
Furthermore, Fergie’s dilemma of where to play the 27 year old raises more questions than it answers. There is a strong case for pushing him deeper into the midfield to play alongside Michael Carrick, as the need for a ball-winning midfielder is becoming less of a requirement in the modern game.
But with the United boss expected to delve into the transfer market heavily during the summer, amid the fear of a serious backlash from Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal next season following their rather lacklustre campaigns, the Red Devils are said to be bringing in a new centre-back, a new central midfielder and a new striker, whilst attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa appears to be improving by the game.
It does not mean Wayne Rooney would constantly be chosen over for all of his three most prominent positions, but from a cost-effective point of view, it clearly does not make sense for one of the club’s highest earners and most financially valuable players, in terms of the size of transfer fee he’d command, to be making sporadic appearances in various different departments of the United starting XI and becoming a victim of his own versatility.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
However, my own hunch is that the United man will end his career at Old Trafford. Perhaps his stay will not be extended to the levels of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who both have an incredibly professional approaches to maintaining their fitness and performance levels, but he is an a unique type of player that only comes round once in a generation.
Whilst perhaps the likes of David Silva, Juan Mata or Gareth Bale, whom take up similar positions and fulfil the same duties for their respective teams, possess greater technique on the ball, there is no doubt that Rooney’s aggression, power, work-rate and desire, which spills over into him filling in at right-back or clearing off his own goal line when requried, is an incredibly rare trait for an attacking midfielder to the extent where it is difficult to find a comparative player to the same level of ability throughout Europe.
But just as I criticise the newspapers for second-guessing Sir Alex Ferguson, I’m afraid my own predictions are guilty of doing the same. The fact is, despite the rumours of a ‘done deal’, or an ‘already agreed’ transfer with PSG from anonymous sources, only Fergie himself will know the truth over Rooney’s future, and he will have decided the England man’s fate some time ago.
However, I can safely say that it was not decided in the build up to the Real Madrid tie, and similarly, not starting the England man for the second leg was not a subliminal indication that his days are numbered, just as taking him off against West Ham was not a sign that Rooney’s use to the United first team had expired. Both decisions were made for footballing reasons, and it is a shame they’ve been misinterpreted and misreported as a central point of Sir Alex’s summer transfer policy.
Everton fans are calling for Oumar Niasse to get more playing time after the club posted a birthday tweet to the Senegal international.
It’s been a rather weird season for Everton fans, as the signings that were supposed to deliver European football have only delivered disappointment.
January signings Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott have certainly made a more positive impact, but they have also meant less playing time for fan favourite Oumar Niasse.
Niasse was treated very poorly under Ronald Koeman, and his occasional lack of ability is more than made up for through sheer hard work and determination.
[ad_pod ]
Fans will always appreciate a player who gives 110 per cent for the cause, and plenty are calling for him to get more minutes after the club wished him a happy 28th birthday.
The Senegalese star has started just nine games in the Premier League this season, but has still managed seven goals and two assists.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
With pretty much nothing left to play for this season, fans are wishing Niasse all the best on his birthday, and also hoping he gets some more chances before the season ends.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…