Kamis, 14 September 2023
Selasa, 14 Februari 2012
Tevez returns to Man City
Tevez returns to Man City
Download the latest version here. Stats Centre
Back in Manchester ... Carlos Tevez (Getty
Images)
Tevez ready to play in two weeks
Tevez explains Mancini rift
Carlos Tevez has arrived back at Manchester
City with the apparent backing of his fellow
players.
The Argentinian spent a little more than an
hour at City's Carrington complex and
underwent a medical after flying back into
Manchester Airport, where he was met by a
huge gathering of photographers and TV
cameramen.
The 28-year-old decided to end his
unauthorised absence and return to England
to resume his City career.
Tevez flew to Argentina without the club's
permission in November after deciding not to
appeal against a club fine relating to his
conduct during the infamous UEFA
Champions League loss at Bayern Munich in
September.
He had hoped to secure a move during last
month's transfer window but, despite interest
from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-
Germain, no move materialised.
He gave an interview in Argentina in which he
said: "The most important thing for me is to
return to get fit."
The city squad appears receptive to his
return if the reaction of Joleon Lescott is
typical.
He tweeted: "All I can say...is that all the
players are excited to have Carlos, Kolo and
Yaya (Toure, returned from the African
Nations Cup) back to help achieve our goal."
Tevez flew from Buenos Aires to mainland
Europe and transferred to Manchester.
After a brief trip home, he then travelled on
to Carrington where he was greeted by
several members of club staff.
Although Tevez has indicated a willingness
to fight for a place back in the Premier
League leader's side, it remains to be seen
how quickly manager Roberto Mancini
reintegrates him into his squad.
Mancini, who initially said Tevez was
'finished' at the club after the Munich game,
has recently appeared open to the possibility
of the player featuring again.
The City boss, however, has long maintained
Tevez would need to apologise for that to
happen.
City has also not yet responded to Tevez's
claims in his Argentinian TV interview that
Mancini treated him 'like a dog' in Munich.
Tevez, who was accused of refusing to
warm up at the Allianz Arena, said Mancini
had been arguing with Edin Dzeko when the
controversy erupted.
Tevez told Fox Sports: "So I go and sit down
and he doesn't see me because he's having
this discussion. But then he turns around and
sees me and you can imagine what happens.
"He's in the middle of an argument so then he
tells me to keep on warming up and treats
me like a dog."
Tevez was suspended and later fined after
the Munich incident and then flew back to
Argentina.
While away he was fined another six weeks'
wages, believed to be around £1.2 million
($1.76 million), and his pay was stopped.
Tevez failed in an appeal against that
sanction but has lodged another appeal with
the Premier League.
City is due to train on Wednesday morning
before flying to Portugal for Thursday
evening's (Friday morning AEDT) UEFA
Europa League game against Porto.
Tevez is unlikely to be involved in training as
he has not been registered in City's squad for
the competition. City is then not in action at
the weekend after its elimination from the
FA Cup.
Tevez's availability for the Premier League
run-in would give Mancini a £25 million
($36.68 million)-rated player who has been
the club's top scorer for the past two
seasons.
The inspirational Tevez was also the captain
when City ended a 35-year trophy drought
by winning the FA Cup last season.
The recent form of strikers Dzeko, Sergio
Aguero and Mario Balotelli has led to
suggestions Mancini might want the option of
Tevez back.
There are still some questions remaining,
however.
Tevez has said he can be match fit in two
weeks but City wants to conduct its own
assessment.
The issue of an apology is also still to be
addressed.
Tevez also said: "I do not think I was wrong,
but if they (the club) think so I apologise.
"I am ready to return, to win and do the best
for the club's shirt."
Download the latest version here. Stats Centre
Back in Manchester ... Carlos Tevez (Getty
Images)
Tevez ready to play in two weeks
Tevez explains Mancini rift
Carlos Tevez has arrived back at Manchester
City with the apparent backing of his fellow
players.
The Argentinian spent a little more than an
hour at City's Carrington complex and
underwent a medical after flying back into
Manchester Airport, where he was met by a
huge gathering of photographers and TV
cameramen.
The 28-year-old decided to end his
unauthorised absence and return to England
to resume his City career.
Tevez flew to Argentina without the club's
permission in November after deciding not to
appeal against a club fine relating to his
conduct during the infamous UEFA
Champions League loss at Bayern Munich in
September.
He had hoped to secure a move during last
month's transfer window but, despite interest
from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-
Germain, no move materialised.
He gave an interview in Argentina in which he
said: "The most important thing for me is to
return to get fit."
The city squad appears receptive to his
return if the reaction of Joleon Lescott is
typical.
He tweeted: "All I can say...is that all the
players are excited to have Carlos, Kolo and
Yaya (Toure, returned from the African
Nations Cup) back to help achieve our goal."
Tevez flew from Buenos Aires to mainland
Europe and transferred to Manchester.
After a brief trip home, he then travelled on
to Carrington where he was greeted by
several members of club staff.
Although Tevez has indicated a willingness
to fight for a place back in the Premier
League leader's side, it remains to be seen
how quickly manager Roberto Mancini
reintegrates him into his squad.
Mancini, who initially said Tevez was
'finished' at the club after the Munich game,
has recently appeared open to the possibility
of the player featuring again.
The City boss, however, has long maintained
Tevez would need to apologise for that to
happen.
City has also not yet responded to Tevez's
claims in his Argentinian TV interview that
Mancini treated him 'like a dog' in Munich.
Tevez, who was accused of refusing to
warm up at the Allianz Arena, said Mancini
had been arguing with Edin Dzeko when the
controversy erupted.
Tevez told Fox Sports: "So I go and sit down
and he doesn't see me because he's having
this discussion. But then he turns around and
sees me and you can imagine what happens.
"He's in the middle of an argument so then he
tells me to keep on warming up and treats
me like a dog."
Tevez was suspended and later fined after
the Munich incident and then flew back to
Argentina.
While away he was fined another six weeks'
wages, believed to be around £1.2 million
($1.76 million), and his pay was stopped.
Tevez failed in an appeal against that
sanction but has lodged another appeal with
the Premier League.
City is due to train on Wednesday morning
before flying to Portugal for Thursday
evening's (Friday morning AEDT) UEFA
Europa League game against Porto.
Tevez is unlikely to be involved in training as
he has not been registered in City's squad for
the competition. City is then not in action at
the weekend after its elimination from the
FA Cup.
Tevez's availability for the Premier League
run-in would give Mancini a £25 million
($36.68 million)-rated player who has been
the club's top scorer for the past two
seasons.
The inspirational Tevez was also the captain
when City ended a 35-year trophy drought
by winning the FA Cup last season.
The recent form of strikers Dzeko, Sergio
Aguero and Mario Balotelli has led to
suggestions Mancini might want the option of
Tevez back.
There are still some questions remaining,
however.
Tevez has said he can be match fit in two
weeks but City wants to conduct its own
assessment.
The issue of an apology is also still to be
addressed.
Tevez also said: "I do not think I was wrong,
but if they (the club) think so I apologise.
"I am ready to return, to win and do the best
for the club's shirt."
Minggu, 12 Februari 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid has not yet won La Liga
Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid has not yet won La Liga
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has
insisted that the race for the Liga title is still
open.
The Portugal international put in an
impressive display in Sunday's match, scoring
three of Madrid's four goals against Levante
as Los Blancos ran out 4-2 winners at the
Santiago Bernabeu.
The result sees Madrid go 10 points clear at
the top of the league standings following
Barcelona's 3-2 defeat to Osasuna on
Saturday, but Ronaldo thinks it is too soon to
celebrate.
"There is still a lot left, we are going to have
to wait," he said after the match.
"We are playing well. This was a hard match
in which we got off a bit badly, but then we
scored and we changed.
"We are doing well and we have to continue
like this."
Ronaldo's hat trick puts him at the top of the
Liga's scoring charts, one goal ahead of
Barca's Lionel Messi.
"Goals come as a result of work of the
team," Ronaldo added. "Personally, I am in a
good moment and I want to continue like
this."
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has
insisted that the race for the Liga title is still
open.
The Portugal international put in an
impressive display in Sunday's match, scoring
three of Madrid's four goals against Levante
as Los Blancos ran out 4-2 winners at the
Santiago Bernabeu.
The result sees Madrid go 10 points clear at
the top of the league standings following
Barcelona's 3-2 defeat to Osasuna on
Saturday, but Ronaldo thinks it is too soon to
celebrate.
"There is still a lot left, we are going to have
to wait," he said after the match.
"We are playing well. This was a hard match
in which we got off a bit badly, but then we
scored and we changed.
"We are doing well and we have to continue
like this."
Ronaldo's hat trick puts him at the top of the
Liga's scoring charts, one goal ahead of
Barca's Lionel Messi.
"Goals come as a result of work of the
team," Ronaldo added. "Personally, I am in a
good moment and I want to continue like
this."
Udinese's Isla suffers knee injury
Udinese's Isla suffers knee injury
Chilean midfielder Mauricio Isla's season could
be over after he was diagnosed with a cruciate
knee ligament injury on Sunday.
The Udinese player had to be stretchered off
after a clash with AC Milan midfielder Massimo
Ambrosini on Saturday.
Udinese have said they will need several more
days to fully assess the extent of his injury,
but a ruptured cruciate injury ususally requires
a period of around six months on the sidelines.
Chilean midfielder Mauricio Isla's season could
be over after he was diagnosed with a cruciate
knee ligament injury on Sunday.
The Udinese player had to be stretchered off
after a clash with AC Milan midfielder Massimo
Ambrosini on Saturday.
Udinese have said they will need several more
days to fully assess the extent of his injury,
but a ruptured cruciate injury ususally requires
a period of around six months on the sidelines.
Guerrero grabs Hamburg late win
Guerrero grabs Hamburg late win
Hamburg left it late in a 1-0 victory over
Cologne at the Mungersdorfer Stadion, scoring
through Jose Paolo Guerrero in the 88th
minute.
The victory moves Thorsten Fink's side up to
their highest position all season into tenth
place above Cologne and Hoffenheim.
Cologne spent much of the game on the back
foot and it came as little surprise their defence
breached late on. And although they led
Hamburg by a point coming into this game,
such advantage was not reflected in their timid
approach.
Cologne were extremely defensive, breaking
only once, with Milivoje Novakovic caught
cold in their attack when he failed to control
the ball on the half-hour mark and Jaroslav
Drobny cleaned up the opportunity.
Things had to change in the second half if the
home team were to aspire to anything more
than a goalless draw, and they did. Martin Lanig
thought he had put Hamburg in front from a
well-worked free-kick in the 62nd minute, but
the linesman's flag was raised.
The disallowed goal certainly lifted the
crowd and it boosted the Hamburg's spirits too,
with Odhise Roshi racing down the right and
sending in a dangerous cross a minute later.
As a result, the game opened up and Hamburg
started to find ways through. Mladen Petric
exchanged passed with Guerrero to break into
the penalty area in the 75th minute, but his
volley went wide of the far post.
Three minutes later, the Croatian was adjudged
to be offside when his shot was pushed onto
the post by an increasingly busy Michael
Rensing. A further five minutes had elapsed
when Rensing had to make a good reflex save
to deny Dennis Aogo, who latched onto
Guerrero's downward header.
The Cologne goalkeeper was let down by his
defence in the 88th minute, though, as
Guerrero beat the offside trap to reach Petric's
ball through and lift the ball past Rensing from
a tight angle, with Pedro Geromel unable to
make a clearance on the goal-line.
Hamburg left it late in a 1-0 victory over
Cologne at the Mungersdorfer Stadion, scoring
through Jose Paolo Guerrero in the 88th
minute.
The victory moves Thorsten Fink's side up to
their highest position all season into tenth
place above Cologne and Hoffenheim.
Cologne spent much of the game on the back
foot and it came as little surprise their defence
breached late on. And although they led
Hamburg by a point coming into this game,
such advantage was not reflected in their timid
approach.
Cologne were extremely defensive, breaking
only once, with Milivoje Novakovic caught
cold in their attack when he failed to control
the ball on the half-hour mark and Jaroslav
Drobny cleaned up the opportunity.
Things had to change in the second half if the
home team were to aspire to anything more
than a goalless draw, and they did. Martin Lanig
thought he had put Hamburg in front from a
well-worked free-kick in the 62nd minute, but
the linesman's flag was raised.
The disallowed goal certainly lifted the
crowd and it boosted the Hamburg's spirits too,
with Odhise Roshi racing down the right and
sending in a dangerous cross a minute later.
As a result, the game opened up and Hamburg
started to find ways through. Mladen Petric
exchanged passed with Guerrero to break into
the penalty area in the 75th minute, but his
volley went wide of the far post.
Three minutes later, the Croatian was adjudged
to be offside when his shot was pushed onto
the post by an increasingly busy Michael
Rensing. A further five minutes had elapsed
when Rensing had to make a good reflex save
to deny Dennis Aogo, who latched onto
Guerrero's downward header.
The Cologne goalkeeper was let down by his
defence in the 88th minute, though, as
Guerrero beat the offside trap to reach Petric's
ball through and lift the ball past Rensing from
a tight angle, with Pedro Geromel unable to
make a clearance on the goal-line.
Liverpool condemn Suarez deceit
Liverpool condemn Suarez deceit
Liverpool have revealed that Luis Suarez
misled the club by refusing to shake Patrice
Evra’s hand in Saturday’s clash with
Manchester United.
Suarez snubbed Evra’s outstretched hand
as the teams exchanged handshakes before
the Premier League match at Old Trafford,
prompting an angry response from the
Frenchman and further inflaming an already
tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
Liverpool striker Suarez recently returned
from an eight-match ban after being found
guilty by the FA of racially abusing Evra in
the reverse fixture last October.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded
Suarez ‘a disgrace’ after Saturday’s
match, and Liverpool managing director Ayre
has now revealed the Uruguayan told the
club he would shake Evra’s hand in earlier
discussions.
He has condemned the striker for misleading
Liverpool on the issue, and believes his
actions have let the club down.
“We are extremely disappointed Luis
Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra
before yesterday’s game,” Ayre said in a
statement on the club’s official website.
“The player had told us beforehand that
he would, but then chose not to do so.”
“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong
not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has
not only let himself down, but also Kenny
Dalglish, his teammates and the club.”
“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis
Suarez that his behaviour was not
acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised
for his actions which was the right thing to
do.”
“However, all of us have a duty to behave
in a responsible manner and we hope that he
now understands what is expected of
anyone representing Liverpool Football
Club.”
Liverpool have revealed that Luis Suarez
misled the club by refusing to shake Patrice
Evra’s hand in Saturday’s clash with
Manchester United.
Suarez snubbed Evra’s outstretched hand
as the teams exchanged handshakes before
the Premier League match at Old Trafford,
prompting an angry response from the
Frenchman and further inflaming an already
tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
Liverpool striker Suarez recently returned
from an eight-match ban after being found
guilty by the FA of racially abusing Evra in
the reverse fixture last October.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded
Suarez ‘a disgrace’ after Saturday’s
match, and Liverpool managing director Ayre
has now revealed the Uruguayan told the
club he would shake Evra’s hand in earlier
discussions.
He has condemned the striker for misleading
Liverpool on the issue, and believes his
actions have let the club down.
“We are extremely disappointed Luis
Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra
before yesterday’s game,” Ayre said in a
statement on the club’s official website.
“The player had told us beforehand that
he would, but then chose not to do so.”
“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong
not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has
not only let himself down, but also Kenny
Dalglish, his teammates and the club.”
“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis
Suarez that his behaviour was not
acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised
for his actions which was the right thing to
do.”
“However, all of us have a duty to behave
in a responsible manner and we hope that he
now understands what is expected of
anyone representing Liverpool Football
Club.”
Liverpool condemn Suarez deceit
Liverpool condemn Suarez deceit
Liverpool have revealed that Luis Suarez
misled the club by refusing to shake Patrice
Evra’s hand in Saturday’s clash with
Manchester United.
Suarez snubbed Evra’s outstretched hand
as the teams exchanged handshakes before
the Premier League match at Old Trafford,
prompting an angry response from the
Frenchman and further inflaming an already
tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
Liverpool striker Suarez recently returned
from an eight-match ban after being found
guilty by the FA of racially abusing Evra in
the reverse fixture last October.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded
Suarez ‘a disgrace’ after Saturday’s
match, and Liverpool managing director Ayre
has now revealed the Uruguayan told the
club he would shake Evra’s hand in earlier
discussions.
He has condemned the striker for misleading
Liverpool on the issue, and believes his
actions have let the club down.
“We are extremely disappointed Luis
Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra
before yesterday’s game,” Ayre said in a
statement on the club’s official website.
“The player had told us beforehand that
he would, but then chose not to do so.”
“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong
not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has
not only let himself down, but also Kenny
Dalglish, his teammates and the club.”
“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis
Suarez that his behaviour was not
acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised
for his actions which was the right thing to
do.”
“However, all of us have a duty to behave
in a responsible manner and we hope that he
now understands what is expected of
anyone representing Liverpool Football
Club.”
Liverpool have revealed that Luis Suarez
misled the club by refusing to shake Patrice
Evra’s hand in Saturday’s clash with
Manchester United.
Suarez snubbed Evra’s outstretched hand
as the teams exchanged handshakes before
the Premier League match at Old Trafford,
prompting an angry response from the
Frenchman and further inflaming an already
tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
Liverpool striker Suarez recently returned
from an eight-match ban after being found
guilty by the FA of racially abusing Evra in
the reverse fixture last October.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded
Suarez ‘a disgrace’ after Saturday’s
match, and Liverpool managing director Ayre
has now revealed the Uruguayan told the
club he would shake Evra’s hand in earlier
discussions.
He has condemned the striker for misleading
Liverpool on the issue, and believes his
actions have let the club down.
“We are extremely disappointed Luis
Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra
before yesterday’s game,” Ayre said in a
statement on the club’s official website.
“The player had told us beforehand that
he would, but then chose not to do so.”
“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong
not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has
not only let himself down, but also Kenny
Dalglish, his teammates and the club.”
“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis
Suarez that his behaviour was not
acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised
for his actions which was the right thing to
do.”
“However, all of us have a duty to behave
in a responsible manner and we hope that he
now understands what is expected of
anyone representing Liverpool Football
Club.”
Liverpool condemn Suarez deceit
Liverpool condemn Suarez deceit
Liverpool have revealed that Luis Suarez
misled the club by refusing to shake Patrice
Evra’s hand in Saturday’s clash with
Manchester United.
Suarez snubbed Evra’s outstretched hand
as the teams exchanged handshakes before
the Premier League match at Old Trafford,
prompting an angry response from the
Frenchman and further inflaming an already
tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
Liverpool striker Suarez recently returned
from an eight-match ban after being found
guilty by the FA of racially abusing Evra in
the reverse fixture last October.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded
Suarez ‘a disgrace’ after Saturday’s
match, and Liverpool managing director Ayre
has now revealed the Uruguayan told the
club he would shake Evra’s hand in earlier
discussions.
He has condemned the striker for misleading
Liverpool on the issue, and believes his
actions have let the club down.
“We are extremely disappointed Luis
Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra
before yesterday’s game,” Ayre said in a
statement on the club’s official website.
“The player had told us beforehand that
he would, but then chose not to do so.”
“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong
not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has
not only let himself down, but also Kenny
Dalglish, his teammates and the club.”
“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis
Suarez that his behaviour was not
acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised
for his actions which was the right thing to
do.”
“However, all of us have a duty to behave
in a responsible manner and we hope that he
now understands what is expected of
anyone representing Liverpool Football
Club.”
Liverpool have revealed that Luis Suarez
misled the club by refusing to shake Patrice
Evra’s hand in Saturday’s clash with
Manchester United.
Suarez snubbed Evra’s outstretched hand
as the teams exchanged handshakes before
the Premier League match at Old Trafford,
prompting an angry response from the
Frenchman and further inflaming an already
tense atmosphere surrounding the fixture.
Liverpool striker Suarez recently returned
from an eight-match ban after being found
guilty by the FA of racially abusing Evra in
the reverse fixture last October.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson branded
Suarez ‘a disgrace’ after Saturday’s
match, and Liverpool managing director Ayre
has now revealed the Uruguayan told the
club he would shake Evra’s hand in earlier
discussions.
He has condemned the striker for misleading
Liverpool on the issue, and believes his
actions have let the club down.
“We are extremely disappointed Luis
Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra
before yesterday’s game,” Ayre said in a
statement on the club’s official website.
“The player had told us beforehand that
he would, but then chose not to do so.”
“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong
not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra. He has
not only let himself down, but also Kenny
Dalglish, his teammates and the club.”
“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis
Suarez that his behaviour was not
acceptable. Luis Suarez has now apologised
for his actions which was the right thing to
do.”
“However, all of us have a duty to behave
in a responsible manner and we hope that he
now understands what is expected of
anyone representing Liverpool Football
Club.”
Sabtu, 11 Februari 2012
Real Madrid can make us pay dearly, says Guardiola
Real Madrid can make us pay dearly, says Guardiola
Pep Guardiola expects the full effect of
Barcelona’s 3-2 loss at Osasuna to be felt
when Real Madrid meet Levante on Sunday.
Reigning La Liga champions Barca suffered
their second defeat of the league season on
Saturday, when an experimental line-up
went down on a partially frozen pitch at
Estadio Reyno de Navarra.
With his team already trailing leaders Real
Madrid by seven points in the title race, Barca
coach Guardiola expects Jose Mourinho’s
front-runners to increase the gap with
victory over Levante at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
“Distancing ourselves from Madrid is painful
… the reality is that we were already at an
important distance and I imagine it will
increase (tomorrow),” he said.
“We don’t really have many
perspectives to work from, we can only
play the next game as best we can to do
well.”
Hosts Osasuna made a flying start to the
match, with a brace from Dejan Lekic putting
them 2-0 up as early as the 21st minute.
Barca hit back, first through Alexis Sanchez
and then with Cristian Tello’s goal, but
Raul Garcia scored Osasuna’s third either
side of those efforts to secure a famous
victory.
“Osasuna were better in the first half,”
Guardiola said.
“We played a great second half, anything
could have happened.”
“Osasuna started off and adapted to the
pitch conditions better than we did.”
“If we were playing well in the second half
on this pitch we could have done the same in
the first.”
The defeat looks set to cost Barca more
than ground in the title race.
Javier Mascherano was reportedly shown a
second yellow card by referee Jose Romero
after the match, meaning the Argentina
midfield will incur at least a one-match
domestic suspension.
Guardiola was reportedly also censured in
the referee’s match report for protesting
Mascherano’s punishment.
Pep Guardiola expects the full effect of
Barcelona’s 3-2 loss at Osasuna to be felt
when Real Madrid meet Levante on Sunday.
Reigning La Liga champions Barca suffered
their second defeat of the league season on
Saturday, when an experimental line-up
went down on a partially frozen pitch at
Estadio Reyno de Navarra.
With his team already trailing leaders Real
Madrid by seven points in the title race, Barca
coach Guardiola expects Jose Mourinho’s
front-runners to increase the gap with
victory over Levante at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
“Distancing ourselves from Madrid is painful
… the reality is that we were already at an
important distance and I imagine it will
increase (tomorrow),” he said.
“We don’t really have many
perspectives to work from, we can only
play the next game as best we can to do
well.”
Hosts Osasuna made a flying start to the
match, with a brace from Dejan Lekic putting
them 2-0 up as early as the 21st minute.
Barca hit back, first through Alexis Sanchez
and then with Cristian Tello’s goal, but
Raul Garcia scored Osasuna’s third either
side of those efforts to secure a famous
victory.
“Osasuna were better in the first half,”
Guardiola said.
“We played a great second half, anything
could have happened.”
“Osasuna started off and adapted to the
pitch conditions better than we did.”
“If we were playing well in the second half
on this pitch we could have done the same in
the first.”
The defeat looks set to cost Barca more
than ground in the title race.
Javier Mascherano was reportedly shown a
second yellow card by referee Jose Romero
after the match, meaning the Argentina
midfield will incur at least a one-match
domestic suspension.
Guardiola was reportedly also censured in
the referee’s match report for protesting
Mascherano’s punishment.
Jumat, 10 Februari 2012
Bramble denies sexual assaults
The Sunderland defender Titus Bramble
appeared in court yesterday to deny sexual
assault charges.
The 30-year-old is accused of indecently
touching two women in separate incidents
during a night out in Yarm, Teesside, on 28
September. Bramble appeared at Teesside
Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing.
In a brief hearing, he said "not guilty" after
each count was put to him.
appeared in court yesterday to deny sexual
assault charges.
The 30-year-old is accused of indecently
touching two women in separate incidents
during a night out in Yarm, Teesside, on 28
September. Bramble appeared at Teesside
Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing.
In a brief hearing, he said "not guilty" after
each count was put to him.
Demin funds redesign to make lowly Bournemouth fashionable
Demin funds redesign to make lowly Bournemouth fashionable
With all the talk of football's finances
hitting the buffers, one League One club have
been spending money like it is going out of
fashion.
After years of hardship, Bournemouth
somehow spent more during the January
transfer window than Manchester City,
Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and
Liverpool combined.
Last month was like no other for their fans,
who are more used to fearing which players
they will lose, rather than who they might
buy. Manager Lee Bradbury laid out an
estimated £1.65m – including £800,000 for
Crawley striker Matt Tubbs. Reports also
suggested Bradbury had a £1.2m bid rejected
for Swindon winger Matt Ritchie.
Considering Bournemouth's previous transfer
record was the £210,000 they paid for Gavin
Peacock in 1989, these are astounding
figures and a far cry from the dark decades
of debt that have hung over the club since
former manager Harry Redknapp splashed
out money to attain second-tier football in
the late 1980s.
So what has changed? The club appear to
have had an influx of money from a
mysterious Russian businessman called
Maxim Demin. Little is known about the
multimillionaire petrochemicals trader, who
owns a £5m mansion in Dorset's exclusive
Sandbanks district, and he has said nothing
publicly since buying a 50 per cent stake in
Bournemouth last October.
Signs on and off the pitch appear promising,
though. The club recently made two bids to
buy back their Dean Court stadium – sold in
2005 to raise money – which has also been
spruced up. Around £600,000 is being
invested on training facilities, while chairman
Eddie Mitchell, who brought Demin into the
club after spending 18 months wooing him,
has plans to build a fourth stand, complete
with hotel.
On the playing side, other recent signings
include current top-scorer Wes Thomas
(£175,000 from Crawley), Leyton Orient
left-back Charlie Daniels (£175,000),
Brighton defender Steve Cook (£170,000),
former Manchester City winger Donal
McDermott (£175,000) and Wolves' England
Under-19 midfielder Scott Malone
(£150,000).
The new recruits should form the basis for an
assault on the Championship, if not this
season then next, and have helped the side
rise from relegation candidates to play-off
hopefuls in League One. But how far can a
club this size go? The average attendance
this season is under 6,000, with the maximum
possible until a fourth stand is built less than
10,000.
Bournemouth are the perennial third-tier
club, and have spent just three seasons
above it. But, considering the size of the
catchment area, fans have long believed
they punch below their weight. They
watched enviously as lower-league
opponents such as Blackpool and Reading
were transformed into Championship clubs
who then enjoyed spells in the top flight.
But will Bournemouth be a success story like
those, or overspend and wilt like Leeds and
Plymouth? Mitchell – who came in for
criticism earlier this season for coming on to
the pitch at the end of a game to challenge
supporters, and told critics if they didn't like
what he was doing to the club they "should
go and support Southampton" – is now
making all the right noises with Demin's
apparent backing.
He said: "The club belongs to the supporters
– and myself and Max are managing it. We
have a bigger conurbation than a lot of
Championship clubs and need to get people
through the turnstiles. That would enable us
to build the fourth stand and help us continue
to go through the leagues. It is probably far-
fetched to talk of anything above going into
the Championship but I have always aimed
as high as possible and nothing is impossible."
Unsurprisingly for a club that has lived
through plenty of turmoil, fans cannot agree
whether this new investment is good or bad.
Views range from blind optimism to out-and-
out cynicism, with many in between who
believe there is little to lose.
Charlie Squires, a 48-year-old site manager
from Bournemouth, has been supporting the
club for 36 years. He said: "We have had
years of being poor, and on the verge of going
bust. I'm delighted to see us making bids for
quality players, rather than hoovering up
ones who aren't wanted elsewhere."
However, there will always be those who
do not want to see the club spending beyond
its means. IT consultant Stuart Bramley, 37,
has been a supporter since 1985, and admits
he enjoys supporting the plucky underdog. "I
didn't like seeing Wigan, Reading, Fulham,
Crawley or anyone else buying their way up
leagues and I don't like seeing my club
apparently heading down the same path" he
said. "I don't care for chasing rainbows – I just
want my club to be run in a sustainable way
so it will still be there for my children and
grandchildren to support. The game is littered
with examples of what can happen when
investment dreams turn sour."
Many Bournemouth fans hope for the best
while expecting the worst.
Derek Timoney, 57, is a former chairman of
the AFC Bournemouth Supporters' Trust. He
speaks for many when he said: "As long as
the money invested in the club is not down
to loans that can be called in at any time
risking the club's existence I suspect most
fans are happy to see the investment after
long years of struggling and constant fear of
financial problems. It would be nice,
however, to actually see Mr Demin address
the fans and answer some of the questions
that need answering."
Over to you, Mr Demin.
With all the talk of football's finances
hitting the buffers, one League One club have
been spending money like it is going out of
fashion.
After years of hardship, Bournemouth
somehow spent more during the January
transfer window than Manchester City,
Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and
Liverpool combined.
Last month was like no other for their fans,
who are more used to fearing which players
they will lose, rather than who they might
buy. Manager Lee Bradbury laid out an
estimated £1.65m – including £800,000 for
Crawley striker Matt Tubbs. Reports also
suggested Bradbury had a £1.2m bid rejected
for Swindon winger Matt Ritchie.
Considering Bournemouth's previous transfer
record was the £210,000 they paid for Gavin
Peacock in 1989, these are astounding
figures and a far cry from the dark decades
of debt that have hung over the club since
former manager Harry Redknapp splashed
out money to attain second-tier football in
the late 1980s.
So what has changed? The club appear to
have had an influx of money from a
mysterious Russian businessman called
Maxim Demin. Little is known about the
multimillionaire petrochemicals trader, who
owns a £5m mansion in Dorset's exclusive
Sandbanks district, and he has said nothing
publicly since buying a 50 per cent stake in
Bournemouth last October.
Signs on and off the pitch appear promising,
though. The club recently made two bids to
buy back their Dean Court stadium – sold in
2005 to raise money – which has also been
spruced up. Around £600,000 is being
invested on training facilities, while chairman
Eddie Mitchell, who brought Demin into the
club after spending 18 months wooing him,
has plans to build a fourth stand, complete
with hotel.
On the playing side, other recent signings
include current top-scorer Wes Thomas
(£175,000 from Crawley), Leyton Orient
left-back Charlie Daniels (£175,000),
Brighton defender Steve Cook (£170,000),
former Manchester City winger Donal
McDermott (£175,000) and Wolves' England
Under-19 midfielder Scott Malone
(£150,000).
The new recruits should form the basis for an
assault on the Championship, if not this
season then next, and have helped the side
rise from relegation candidates to play-off
hopefuls in League One. But how far can a
club this size go? The average attendance
this season is under 6,000, with the maximum
possible until a fourth stand is built less than
10,000.
Bournemouth are the perennial third-tier
club, and have spent just three seasons
above it. But, considering the size of the
catchment area, fans have long believed
they punch below their weight. They
watched enviously as lower-league
opponents such as Blackpool and Reading
were transformed into Championship clubs
who then enjoyed spells in the top flight.
But will Bournemouth be a success story like
those, or overspend and wilt like Leeds and
Plymouth? Mitchell – who came in for
criticism earlier this season for coming on to
the pitch at the end of a game to challenge
supporters, and told critics if they didn't like
what he was doing to the club they "should
go and support Southampton" – is now
making all the right noises with Demin's
apparent backing.
He said: "The club belongs to the supporters
– and myself and Max are managing it. We
have a bigger conurbation than a lot of
Championship clubs and need to get people
through the turnstiles. That would enable us
to build the fourth stand and help us continue
to go through the leagues. It is probably far-
fetched to talk of anything above going into
the Championship but I have always aimed
as high as possible and nothing is impossible."
Unsurprisingly for a club that has lived
through plenty of turmoil, fans cannot agree
whether this new investment is good or bad.
Views range from blind optimism to out-and-
out cynicism, with many in between who
believe there is little to lose.
Charlie Squires, a 48-year-old site manager
from Bournemouth, has been supporting the
club for 36 years. He said: "We have had
years of being poor, and on the verge of going
bust. I'm delighted to see us making bids for
quality players, rather than hoovering up
ones who aren't wanted elsewhere."
However, there will always be those who
do not want to see the club spending beyond
its means. IT consultant Stuart Bramley, 37,
has been a supporter since 1985, and admits
he enjoys supporting the plucky underdog. "I
didn't like seeing Wigan, Reading, Fulham,
Crawley or anyone else buying their way up
leagues and I don't like seeing my club
apparently heading down the same path" he
said. "I don't care for chasing rainbows – I just
want my club to be run in a sustainable way
so it will still be there for my children and
grandchildren to support. The game is littered
with examples of what can happen when
investment dreams turn sour."
Many Bournemouth fans hope for the best
while expecting the worst.
Derek Timoney, 57, is a former chairman of
the AFC Bournemouth Supporters' Trust. He
speaks for many when he said: "As long as
the money invested in the club is not down
to loans that can be called in at any time
risking the club's existence I suspect most
fans are happy to see the investment after
long years of struggling and constant fear of
financial problems. It would be nice,
however, to actually see Mr Demin address
the fans and answer some of the questions
that need answering."
Over to you, Mr Demin.
Micah closes down Twitter account as City star acts over racist abuse
Micah closes down Twitter account as City star acts over racist abuse
Micah Richards has closed down his Twitter
account after suffering racist abuse from
fans on the social network site.
The Manchester City defender asked police
to investigate before reluctantly deciding to
shut his account @officialMR2.
Suffering abuse: Micah Richards (right) in
action for City against Fulham last weekend
Suffering abuse: Micah Richards
(right) in action for City against
Fulham last weekend
A source said: ‘Micah thought about
closing it in November because of racist
abuse from a small but persistent number of
people, but decided at
that time to carry on because he enjoyed
being able to communicate directly with
City fans.
‘Unfortunately it continued and he has
decided now that enough is enough.’
It is understood police are still investigating.
Richards: Watched by City manager Roberto
Mancini at training
Richards: Watched by City manager
Roberto Mancini at training
City captain Vincent Kompany is fit to play
at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure will be back
from the Africa Cup of Nations next week
before City’s Europa League game at
Porto.
Micah Richards has closed down his Twitter
account after suffering racist abuse from
fans on the social network site.
The Manchester City defender asked police
to investigate before reluctantly deciding to
shut his account @officialMR2.
Suffering abuse: Micah Richards (right) in
action for City against Fulham last weekend
Suffering abuse: Micah Richards
(right) in action for City against
Fulham last weekend
A source said: ‘Micah thought about
closing it in November because of racist
abuse from a small but persistent number of
people, but decided at
that time to carry on because he enjoyed
being able to communicate directly with
City fans.
‘Unfortunately it continued and he has
decided now that enough is enough.’
It is understood police are still investigating.
Richards: Watched by City manager Roberto
Mancini at training
Richards: Watched by City manager
Roberto Mancini at training
City captain Vincent Kompany is fit to play
at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure will be back
from the Africa Cup of Nations next week
before City’s Europa League game at
Porto.
Barcelona's Pep Guardiola can understand why Real Madrid is against staging Copa del Rey final
Barcelona's Pep Guardiola can understand why Real Madrid is against staging Copa del Rey final
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has admitted
that he can understand why Real Madrid is
unwilling to hand over the Santiago
Bernabeu for this year's Copa del Rey final.
The Catalans are set to meet Athletic Bilbao
in the showpiece event and that has raised
alarm bells in the Spanish capital given that
the last time the two sides met in the
tournament decider, in 2009 at Mestalla,
certain fans from both clubs booed the
national anthem.
Guardiola thinks that the Bernabeu is the
ideal venue for the final but is aware that
staging the game there could cause
controversy.
"It is a fantastic stadium and has a large
capacity, but I understand the reluctance of
Madrid to host the game against Athletic
there," the former Spain international told
reporters during his press conference ahead
of Saturday's clash with Osasuna.
"I understand that in a final, if there is no
predetermined venue like in the Champions
League, you must seek out a neutral setting.
"So, I would not like to play the final at San
Mames [home of Athletic Bilbao] because it
would be an advantage to our rivals. But it
will be the [Spanish Football] Federation
who decides."
Meanwhile, after it was pointed out to him
during his press conference that Barca had
lost just one of their 40 games in all
competitions so far this season, Guardiola
pondered the fickle nature of the footballing
press.
"A fortnight ago this was the worst year of
Pep and now it is the best," he exclaimed. "I
would have rather lost more games and
drawn less in order to be closer to the [La
Liga] leaders [Madrid], but the balance is good.
"We have won three titles, we have played
some good games and where we did not win,
we competed well. Some teams will play as
many games in a year as we're playing in
February. But it is still not enough to have
lost only one game if someone else is ahead.
"
Barcelona currently sits second in La Liga,
seven points behind Madrid ahead of
Saturday's trip to Pamplona.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has admitted
that he can understand why Real Madrid is
unwilling to hand over the Santiago
Bernabeu for this year's Copa del Rey final.
The Catalans are set to meet Athletic Bilbao
in the showpiece event and that has raised
alarm bells in the Spanish capital given that
the last time the two sides met in the
tournament decider, in 2009 at Mestalla,
certain fans from both clubs booed the
national anthem.
Guardiola thinks that the Bernabeu is the
ideal venue for the final but is aware that
staging the game there could cause
controversy.
"It is a fantastic stadium and has a large
capacity, but I understand the reluctance of
Madrid to host the game against Athletic
there," the former Spain international told
reporters during his press conference ahead
of Saturday's clash with Osasuna.
"I understand that in a final, if there is no
predetermined venue like in the Champions
League, you must seek out a neutral setting.
"So, I would not like to play the final at San
Mames [home of Athletic Bilbao] because it
would be an advantage to our rivals. But it
will be the [Spanish Football] Federation
who decides."
Meanwhile, after it was pointed out to him
during his press conference that Barca had
lost just one of their 40 games in all
competitions so far this season, Guardiola
pondered the fickle nature of the footballing
press.
"A fortnight ago this was the worst year of
Pep and now it is the best," he exclaimed. "I
would have rather lost more games and
drawn less in order to be closer to the [La
Liga] leaders [Madrid], but the balance is good.
"We have won three titles, we have played
some good games and where we did not win,
we competed well. Some teams will play as
many games in a year as we're playing in
February. But it is still not enough to have
lost only one game if someone else is ahead.
"
Barcelona currently sits second in La Liga,
seven points behind Madrid ahead of
Saturday's trip to Pamplona.
CHELSEA SHOCKER: Capello shadow looms large over AVB
CHELSEA SHOCKER: Capello shadow looms large over AVB
Former England coach Fabio Capello is being
linked with Andre Villas-Boas' job at Chelsea.
The Sun says the Italian's resignation as
England manager has immediately cranked
up the pressure on the beleaguered AVB.
There is spiralling speculation at Stamford
Bridge that the former AC Milan and
Real Madrid boss is about to be installed as
Blues' eighth boss in eight years.
One Chelsea source said last night: "There are
strong rumours that Capello is coming and it
could be sooner rather than later."
Owner Roman Abramovich has been a
regular at the training ground this week,
often in deep discussion with Villas-Boas.
It would not be the first time the Russian
billionaire has courted an England boss.
In 2003, he tried to coax Sven Goran
Eriksson away when the Swede was at the
height of his popularity — and then tried
again a year later.
Former England coach Fabio Capello is being
linked with Andre Villas-Boas' job at Chelsea.
The Sun says the Italian's resignation as
England manager has immediately cranked
up the pressure on the beleaguered AVB.
There is spiralling speculation at Stamford
Bridge that the former AC Milan and
Real Madrid boss is about to be installed as
Blues' eighth boss in eight years.
One Chelsea source said last night: "There are
strong rumours that Capello is coming and it
could be sooner rather than later."
Owner Roman Abramovich has been a
regular at the training ground this week,
often in deep discussion with Villas-Boas.
It would not be the first time the Russian
billionaire has courted an England boss.
In 2003, he tried to coax Sven Goran
Eriksson away when the Swede was at the
height of his popularity — and then tried
again a year later.
Tottenham chairman Levy won't release Redknapp until end of season
Tottenham chairman Levy won't release Redknapp until end of season
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy won't
consider releasing Harry Redknapp for the
England job before the end of the season.
Tottenham will reject any approach from
the Football Association to appoint
Harry Redknapp as England manager before
the end of the Premier League season, says
the London Evening Standard.
The FA have confirmed Stuart Pearce will be
in charge for the friendly against Holland in
three weeks' time but their search for Fabio
Capello's successor begins tomorrow with
Redknapp the overwhelming favourite.
Although no contact has yet been made
with Spurs, chairman Levy is set to dismiss
any possibility of Redknapp leaving with the
club still fighting for the Premier League title.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy won't
consider releasing Harry Redknapp for the
England job before the end of the season.
Tottenham will reject any approach from
the Football Association to appoint
Harry Redknapp as England manager before
the end of the Premier League season, says
the London Evening Standard.
The FA have confirmed Stuart Pearce will be
in charge for the friendly against Holland in
three weeks' time but their search for Fabio
Capello's successor begins tomorrow with
Redknapp the overwhelming favourite.
Although no contact has yet been made
with Spurs, chairman Levy is set to dismiss
any possibility of Redknapp leaving with the
club still fighting for the Premier League title.
Chelsea boss Villas- Boas: Premier League now more competitive
Chelsea boss Villas- Boas: Premier League now more competitive
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas admits the
competitiveness of the Premier League has
surprised him.
Villas-Boas feels the Premier League is
stronger from the last time he was with
Chelsea as a scout under Jose Mourinho.
"It's more competitive. Taking out the two
teams from Manchester, who are ahead of
the others, third to seventh place all are
very close on points.
"But it is also curious that the two leaders are
out of other competitions. We are well
away from them in points, we cannot win
the championship. It is therefore important
to focus on the Champions League and FA
Cup in England," said AVB.
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas admits the
competitiveness of the Premier League has
surprised him.
Villas-Boas feels the Premier League is
stronger from the last time he was with
Chelsea as a scout under Jose Mourinho.
"It's more competitive. Taking out the two
teams from Manchester, who are ahead of
the others, third to seventh place all are
very close on points.
"But it is also curious that the two leaders are
out of other competitions. We are well
away from them in points, we cannot win
the championship. It is therefore important
to focus on the Champions League and FA
Cup in England," said AVB.
Arsenal: Is the Joy of Victory to Continue at the Grove After Sunderland?
Arsenal: Is the Joy of Victory to Continue at the Grove After Sunderland?
There's nothing like old-fashioned
victories to calm restive fans and keep
them happy.
Defeats are like withdrawal from
destructive habits. Without therapy,
the person enters a period of agony. To
hear disgruntled fans rant is to hear the
lament of a people denied their weekly
dosage of adrenalin or fix.
A great part of following a team is the
euphoria its successes bring.
Without this, it is like frosting skimmed
off the cake, the fat cut from the meat
to leave only stiff tendons, flesh and
bones. Those who stick around after
this cheer for reasons other than the
good feelings victories bring.
Some of my no-nonsense readers told
me this week that there's nothing like
winning when it comes to garnering
fans. That's common sense. That's
reality.
But here what another fan told me:
"There are two main ways that people
support in football," he wrote.
a. (applies mostly for people who live
in cities with professional clubs) People
support clubs. I, for example, spent my
early days in Islington, and my father's
an Arsenal fan, and my grandfather,
etc., so i've been a fan since before i was
really even conscious, and that sort of
support is pretty unconditional. You
don't even need to know who plays for
the club—you simply support the
club. you go to matches, you buy shirts
and you 'represent'.
b. When you don't have a professional
club in your area (I currently live in
Miami, Fla., USA, where this is the case),
your choice of support is very
different. You don't really support
clubs; rather, you support players.
People here have their favourite
players, and based on those, they have
their "allegiance," so to speak.
121533048_crop_340x234
Ever faithful even in the
storm.
Michael Regan/Getty Images
A great dose of common sense there.
I have wondered about how many of
the readers, who come after me
vehemently for daring to suggest we
should support the club's laudable
principles or stand behind the team
even when dark clouds overcast the
sky, are a product of the successful
years of Arsenal, when Arsene Wenger
burst on the scene like a hurricane, as
Piers Morgan has put it
somewhere .
I could bet that the older fans, the
ones with a little more perspective
behind them, would be more measured
in their reaction to our less than
satisfactory season.
Of course, not everyone who is calm is
older. You often find that rare specie of
young people labelled "older than their
years."
The opposite is often true, of course.
For example, the monkey noisemaker
at the Kop in the Liverpool-
Manchester United FA Cup match was
an older man. And a few self-
proclaimed older men have taken
strong exception to my views regarding
temperance and support for fiscal
responsibility.
To simply lambast fans who whine
when success proves temporarily
elusive is to miss one point of fanhood.
The very reason why teams are
constituted and made to compete is the
fundamental and psychological reason
why it is imperative that a team be
successful.
That is, despite our sophistication, we
are still tribal at the very core of our
being. We can't do but compete, and we
can't do but win. We must win. That's
how we are wired.
If, along the way, we can learn the
virtue of loyalty, then that's an
additional bonus. So when I write
the following, I assume that
loyalty comes with fanhood.
How can you say you love the club
when you care for nothing but the
goosebumps?
How can you claim to support a club
when you are unwilling to stick with it
in the difficult times?
How can you claim to have principle
when you want to throw under the bus
the person who has given you the
brightest part of your history?
And not because he is doing anything
wrong, but because he tries to guide
you into the next phase of your
development.
A few of my readers try to turn the
table on me by telling me it's not
loyalty if you don't demand for
change when things don't work.
True.
But the other side of the story is called
vision. You don't just discard it when
difficulties come. You persevere. You
become resilient.
Arsenal predicted the exact scenario
the team has undergone this past six
seasons when the move from Highbury
was proposed.
137883407_crop_340x234
Arsenal is our pride.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
It was necessary to move if the club
hopes to remain competitive in decades
to come. A decade would be required to
service the loans taken to build the
stadium. After this, the team would be
able to compete again in the transfer
market.
Meanwhile, the minimum standard
would be to compete for the top four
spots on the Premiership table. The
team, of course, would seek to
continue to win. The minimum standard
has been achieved in the last six years,
and this is a great achievement.
But does this means fans shouldn't
grumble? No.
It means that when they do, they
should remember why the situation is
as it is.
Nobody starves in college or in the
university for the fun of it; there's
always a vision that calls the person to
steadfastness.
I should return to the question in the
title.
Is the joy of victory to continue at the
Grove after Sunderland?
Hope answers yes.
Sunderland (as will be Spurs) is simply a
hurdle that Arsenal must overcome. I
believe the team will scale it on
Saturday.
The players seem to have recovered
their confidence. They like their
manager and they want to please the
fans.
Going to Sunderland to win is not an
easy task, but I believe the team will
come through. Time of joys will return.
They are already here. Let's keep the
faith.
There's nothing like old-fashioned
victories to calm restive fans and keep
them happy.
Defeats are like withdrawal from
destructive habits. Without therapy,
the person enters a period of agony. To
hear disgruntled fans rant is to hear the
lament of a people denied their weekly
dosage of adrenalin or fix.
A great part of following a team is the
euphoria its successes bring.
Without this, it is like frosting skimmed
off the cake, the fat cut from the meat
to leave only stiff tendons, flesh and
bones. Those who stick around after
this cheer for reasons other than the
good feelings victories bring.
Some of my no-nonsense readers told
me this week that there's nothing like
winning when it comes to garnering
fans. That's common sense. That's
reality.
But here what another fan told me:
"There are two main ways that people
support in football," he wrote.
a. (applies mostly for people who live
in cities with professional clubs) People
support clubs. I, for example, spent my
early days in Islington, and my father's
an Arsenal fan, and my grandfather,
etc., so i've been a fan since before i was
really even conscious, and that sort of
support is pretty unconditional. You
don't even need to know who plays for
the club—you simply support the
club. you go to matches, you buy shirts
and you 'represent'.
b. When you don't have a professional
club in your area (I currently live in
Miami, Fla., USA, where this is the case),
your choice of support is very
different. You don't really support
clubs; rather, you support players.
People here have their favourite
players, and based on those, they have
their "allegiance," so to speak.
121533048_crop_340x234
Ever faithful even in the
storm.
Michael Regan/Getty Images
A great dose of common sense there.
I have wondered about how many of
the readers, who come after me
vehemently for daring to suggest we
should support the club's laudable
principles or stand behind the team
even when dark clouds overcast the
sky, are a product of the successful
years of Arsenal, when Arsene Wenger
burst on the scene like a hurricane, as
Piers Morgan has put it
somewhere .
I could bet that the older fans, the
ones with a little more perspective
behind them, would be more measured
in their reaction to our less than
satisfactory season.
Of course, not everyone who is calm is
older. You often find that rare specie of
young people labelled "older than their
years."
The opposite is often true, of course.
For example, the monkey noisemaker
at the Kop in the Liverpool-
Manchester United FA Cup match was
an older man. And a few self-
proclaimed older men have taken
strong exception to my views regarding
temperance and support for fiscal
responsibility.
To simply lambast fans who whine
when success proves temporarily
elusive is to miss one point of fanhood.
The very reason why teams are
constituted and made to compete is the
fundamental and psychological reason
why it is imperative that a team be
successful.
That is, despite our sophistication, we
are still tribal at the very core of our
being. We can't do but compete, and we
can't do but win. We must win. That's
how we are wired.
If, along the way, we can learn the
virtue of loyalty, then that's an
additional bonus. So when I write
the following, I assume that
loyalty comes with fanhood.
How can you say you love the club
when you care for nothing but the
goosebumps?
How can you claim to support a club
when you are unwilling to stick with it
in the difficult times?
How can you claim to have principle
when you want to throw under the bus
the person who has given you the
brightest part of your history?
And not because he is doing anything
wrong, but because he tries to guide
you into the next phase of your
development.
A few of my readers try to turn the
table on me by telling me it's not
loyalty if you don't demand for
change when things don't work.
True.
But the other side of the story is called
vision. You don't just discard it when
difficulties come. You persevere. You
become resilient.
Arsenal predicted the exact scenario
the team has undergone this past six
seasons when the move from Highbury
was proposed.
137883407_crop_340x234
Arsenal is our pride.
Paul Gilham/Getty Images
It was necessary to move if the club
hopes to remain competitive in decades
to come. A decade would be required to
service the loans taken to build the
stadium. After this, the team would be
able to compete again in the transfer
market.
Meanwhile, the minimum standard
would be to compete for the top four
spots on the Premiership table. The
team, of course, would seek to
continue to win. The minimum standard
has been achieved in the last six years,
and this is a great achievement.
But does this means fans shouldn't
grumble? No.
It means that when they do, they
should remember why the situation is
as it is.
Nobody starves in college or in the
university for the fun of it; there's
always a vision that calls the person to
steadfastness.
I should return to the question in the
title.
Is the joy of victory to continue at the
Grove after Sunderland?
Hope answers yes.
Sunderland (as will be Spurs) is simply a
hurdle that Arsenal must overcome. I
believe the team will scale it on
Saturday.
The players seem to have recovered
their confidence. They like their
manager and they want to please the
fans.
Going to Sunderland to win is not an
easy task, but I believe the team will
come through. Time of joys will return.
They are already here. Let's keep the
faith.
Manchaster United fail to keep pace in financial stakes
Manchaster United fail to keep pace in financial stakes
Real Madrid remain top of the money league
with revenues in 2010/11 of (£438m) with
Barcelona second on (£398m) and
Manchester United third on (£349m).
The report by analysts Deloitte says
although United's revenues continue to grow
they have not kept pace with the Spanish
giants, who have the advantage of being able
to negotiate their individual TV rights deals.
The report states: "We are starting to see
widening gaps between clubs at the top of
the Money League.
"Manchester United's consistent on-pitch
success has helped establish it as a continued
fixture in the top three of the Money League,
yet in recent years a gap has grown between
themselves and the Spanish giants
Real Madrid and Barcelona, rising again to
83.7m euro in this year's edition.
"United's failure to qualify for the 2011/12
Champions League knockout phase will
have a detrimental effect on revenues
relative to the top two, which may result in
this gap increasing to over 100m euro.
"In addition, there is a 70m euro gap between
fourth-placed Bayern Munich and fifth-
placed Arsenal.''
Chelsea remain sixth in the Money League,
but Liverpool have fallen a place to ninth
behind Inter Milan and the report states the
Reds' lack of European football could see
them drop out of the top 10 unless they at
least qualify for the Europa League.
"The club needs European football each year
to maintain its status in the Money League
top 10 in future editions,'' says the report.
"In the medium to longer term, the Warrior
Sports kit deal will underpin further
commercial revenue growth, whilst
formulating a viable plan to either redevelop
Anfield or move to a new home is key in
driving matchday revenue increases."
Tottenham are 11th in the Money League,
just in front of Manchester City thanks to
last season's Champions League income, but
the value of the huge Etihad sponsorship
deal, which could total £400m, should see
City break into the top 10 next year.
Alan Switzer, a director of Deloitte's sports
business group, said: "The club's heavy squad
investment secured Champions League
football for 2011/12. When combined with
the groundbreaking 10-year partnership with
Etihad, this will provide substantial growth
across all three revenue sources and will see
City break into the top 10 in the Money
League next year."
Click here to reach the No1 destination for
hard news and exciting gossip on Manchester
United
Real Madrid remain top of the money league
with revenues in 2010/11 of (£438m) with
Barcelona second on (£398m) and
Manchester United third on (£349m).
The report by analysts Deloitte says
although United's revenues continue to grow
they have not kept pace with the Spanish
giants, who have the advantage of being able
to negotiate their individual TV rights deals.
The report states: "We are starting to see
widening gaps between clubs at the top of
the Money League.
"Manchester United's consistent on-pitch
success has helped establish it as a continued
fixture in the top three of the Money League,
yet in recent years a gap has grown between
themselves and the Spanish giants
Real Madrid and Barcelona, rising again to
83.7m euro in this year's edition.
"United's failure to qualify for the 2011/12
Champions League knockout phase will
have a detrimental effect on revenues
relative to the top two, which may result in
this gap increasing to over 100m euro.
"In addition, there is a 70m euro gap between
fourth-placed Bayern Munich and fifth-
placed Arsenal.''
Chelsea remain sixth in the Money League,
but Liverpool have fallen a place to ninth
behind Inter Milan and the report states the
Reds' lack of European football could see
them drop out of the top 10 unless they at
least qualify for the Europa League.
"The club needs European football each year
to maintain its status in the Money League
top 10 in future editions,'' says the report.
"In the medium to longer term, the Warrior
Sports kit deal will underpin further
commercial revenue growth, whilst
formulating a viable plan to either redevelop
Anfield or move to a new home is key in
driving matchday revenue increases."
Tottenham are 11th in the Money League,
just in front of Manchester City thanks to
last season's Champions League income, but
the value of the huge Etihad sponsorship
deal, which could total £400m, should see
City break into the top 10 next year.
Alan Switzer, a director of Deloitte's sports
business group, said: "The club's heavy squad
investment secured Champions League
football for 2011/12. When combined with
the groundbreaking 10-year partnership with
Etihad, this will provide substantial growth
across all three revenue sources and will see
City break into the top 10 in the Money
League next year."
Click here to reach the No1 destination for
hard news and exciting gossip on Manchester
United
Minggu, 29 Januari 2012
Sneijder plans talks with Ranieri
Sneijder plans talks with Ranieri
Inter’s Wesley Sneijder intends to speak
with coach Claudio Ranieri over his half-time
withdrawal in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at
Lecce.
After being handed his first start in Serie A by
Inter since returning from a couple of
months out with a muscular problem, the
Netherlands international failed to shine in
his usual role behind in-form striking duo
Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini and was
replaced by Ricardo Alvarez in the interval.
When asked about his substitution after the
game by Sport1, Sneijder replied: “The
coach’s decision. I’ll probably talk with
him about it tomorrow.”
Ranieri explained the tactical change was
because he he is struggling to work out
exactly what to do with Sneijder.
“He was not playing badly but I wanted to
restore (defensive) security,” he said,
alluding to the fact that Inter had been
caught out on the break a number of times
during the first half.
“We’re still not developing well with
4-3-1-2 (and) we can express ourselves
better with 4-4-2.”
“Can he play in behind the forwards?
We’ve said it many times before, he is a
central player that must be free to make
mistakes.”
“He’s a trequartista, he cannot be
conditioned to play on the outside.”
“He could play in a 4-4-1-1 but we must
then strive to adapt well to a diamond
(formation in midfield).”
“We tried it (the diamond) today but we
have seen again that the team didn’t cope
well with it: we were unable to press well
and I changed it.”
“In future we will try maybe with a
4-2-3-1, with (Diego) Forlan on the wing and
Sneijder a bit behind the striker.”
“We should try that because in the first
half today we did not have the necessary
solidity.”
Sneijder was repeatedly linked with a move
to Manchester United last summer and this
latest development could spark further
speculation over a possible move to Old
Trafford.
Inter’s Wesley Sneijder intends to speak
with coach Claudio Ranieri over his half-time
withdrawal in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at
Lecce.
After being handed his first start in Serie A by
Inter since returning from a couple of
months out with a muscular problem, the
Netherlands international failed to shine in
his usual role behind in-form striking duo
Diego Milito and Giampaolo Pazzini and was
replaced by Ricardo Alvarez in the interval.
When asked about his substitution after the
game by Sport1, Sneijder replied: “The
coach’s decision. I’ll probably talk with
him about it tomorrow.”
Ranieri explained the tactical change was
because he he is struggling to work out
exactly what to do with Sneijder.
“He was not playing badly but I wanted to
restore (defensive) security,” he said,
alluding to the fact that Inter had been
caught out on the break a number of times
during the first half.
“We’re still not developing well with
4-3-1-2 (and) we can express ourselves
better with 4-4-2.”
“Can he play in behind the forwards?
We’ve said it many times before, he is a
central player that must be free to make
mistakes.”
“He’s a trequartista, he cannot be
conditioned to play on the outside.”
“He could play in a 4-4-1-1 but we must
then strive to adapt well to a diamond
(formation in midfield).”
“We tried it (the diamond) today but we
have seen again that the team didn’t cope
well with it: we were unable to press well
and I changed it.”
“In future we will try maybe with a
4-2-3-1, with (Diego) Forlan on the wing and
Sneijder a bit behind the striker.”
“We should try that because in the first
half today we did not have the necessary
solidity.”
Sneijder was repeatedly linked with a move
to Manchester United last summer and this
latest development could spark further
speculation over a possible move to Old
Trafford.
Man Utd boss Ferguson: Liverpool defeat SICKENING
Man Utd boss Ferguson: Liverpool defeat SICKENING
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
described their FA Cup defeat at Liverpool as
"sickening".
Ferguson was unable to mask the shattering
disappointment of losing a game he did not
think it was possible United would fail in once
Park Ji-sung had levelled.
"To lose the game is hard to believe," said the
Scot.
"We dominated the game and we were
comfortable.
"Our movement off the ball was good and I
thought we were in the driving seat."
Indeed, so much in command did Ferguson
think the visitors were that he introduced
Javier Hernandez in an effort to avoid a
replay.
"I was looking to win it," he said.
"I thought Javier's pace around the edge of
the box would be difficult to handle.
"To lose it is a real sickening blow."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
described their FA Cup defeat at Liverpool as
"sickening".
Ferguson was unable to mask the shattering
disappointment of losing a game he did not
think it was possible United would fail in once
Park Ji-sung had levelled.
"To lose the game is hard to believe," said the
Scot.
"We dominated the game and we were
comfortable.
"Our movement off the ball was good and I
thought we were in the driving seat."
Indeed, so much in command did Ferguson
think the visitors were that he introduced
Javier Hernandez in an effort to avoid a
replay.
"I was looking to win it," he said.
"I thought Javier's pace around the edge of
the box would be difficult to handle.
"To lose it is a real sickening blow."
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