Monthly Archives: June 2010

Capello must stay – Lampard

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Frank Lampard and Fabio CapelloFabio Capello must stay on as England coach, even if the team fails against Slovenia, midfielder Frank Lampard has insisted (England 11/10 to win Group C).

Lampard was also quick to quieten the storm created by Chelsea colleague John Terry’s comments regarding Capello’s tactics.

The midfielder tried to play down the impact of Terry’s outburst as the thoughts of a player who has the passion to play for his country and who does not want to make an early exit from the tournament.

Lampard said: “I saw some of his comments and John is very passionate, as are all 23 members of this squad. He has been here a long time and is an experienced player.

“He was talking about being 100% behind the manager, that the team wanted to turn it around.

“One of us gets put up every day to speak and John was trying to convey the message that we are going to fight and try and turn things around.”

Lampard added: “I don’t like talking about meetings because the reason we have meetings together is so they can stay in-house.

“But it certainly wasn’t a crisis meeting. The manager spoke, we watched some of the Algerian game, which wasn’t the best.

“We had a look at things that we need to put right – and that was it.

“On the other hand, if the players do want to speak to the manager or (general manager) Franco Baldini, the door is always open for them to speak to them.

“I think people have jumped on things, saying it was a huge crisis meeting with people having it out. But at the meeting yesterday, we just dealt with the Algerian game.

“In terms of team selections and tactics, I’ve always grown up in football where the manager dictates those sort of things.

“If you want to speak to him, that’s fair enough, but it is the manager’s responsibility to get the best out of his players and pick the team.”

Lampard stressed the need to focus on Wednesday’s game.

“We are footballers and when the politics and the off-the-pitch stuff start taking over everything then there is something a little bit wrong.

“We have to be concentrated now on the game and what we do on the pitch.

“I try not to pay too much attention to what is written or said.

“I don’t know how everyone deals with it but as a group we have to stay strong and try not to let outside influences affect how you perform.”

Lampard has immense respect for Capello and would like him to remain in charge whatever England achieve in South Africa.

He said: “The manager did not have to reaffirm his authority at the meeting.

“He got authority from the moment he walked into this job two years ago and continues to have that.

“Everyone can see that in his manner, in his record, and the players have complete respect for him.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with him, I’ve respected everything about him and yes, I would like him to stay.

“It’s a question for him and the FA but I’ve been lucky enough to work with some fantastic managers and Fabio Capello is right up there.”

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Coast hoping for a miracle

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Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran ErikssonIvory Coast’s players say they are hoping for a miracle when they face North Korea in their final group G match. (Ivory Coast 1/3 to win the match)

The Portuguese were highly impressive in their 7-0 thrashing of North Korea and will now face Brazil in their final game, fully aware that their superior goal difference puts them firmly in the driving seat to take second qualification spot in the group.

The Brazilians have already qualified for the knockout rounds and are likely to field an under strength team in order to rest their key players for the big matches ahead.

The Ivory Coast have so far been disappointing in the competition opening with an uninspiring performance against Portugal and then losing to Brazil in a bad tempered match which saw Kaka sent off after a seemingly innocuous clash with Abdelkader Keita.

This now leaves the Ivorians, who only have a point to their name so far in the competition, needing to beat the North Koreans by a cricket score and hoping that Brazil can pull off a shock victory to help the Mighty Elephants qualify. (Ivory Coast 16/1 to qualify)

“If we win this match maybe a miracle can happen – only God knows. We will try to win our last match and if we exit, exit with our heads held high. We must believe we can still do it.” defender Artur Boka told reporters.

The Ivorians are in the so-called Group of Death and knew when the draw was made that it would be a struggle to qualify. However, they never believed their task would be so hard and striker Gervinho readily admits that he held his head in his hands during the Portugal’s rout of the North Koreans.”

“Every five minutes when I saw another goal I thought — this is catastrophic and the end for us,” he said.

Boka told reporters that he believed that his side as well as the other African nations had been unlucky not to fulfil the high expectations placed on them ahead of the first finals played on African soil.

“There are teams which in the future will make an impression — we have shown in this competition at least that we know how to play football.”

“We have teams who play good football but found it difficult to finish,” he said, adding hope was not lost for Ghana to progress, the only team from the continent to have won a game in the competition so far.

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Neill rejects criticism

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Australia skipper Lucas Neill has told reporters his side are not a team of “whingers” as his side stand on the verge of World Cup elimination. (Australia 20/1 qualify)

The Socceroos have only picked up a solitary point from both their games and have a poor goal difference due to the 4-0 hammering they received in their opener against Germany. Australia have also had a man sent off in both their matches so far and have come under fire from their nation’s media for their disappointing conduct both on and off the field.

Neill was visibly disappointed about the criticism and stated that he believed it to be totally unfair. Australia need to beat Serbia by three or more goals and then hope that Germany beat Ghana. (Australia 16/5 to win)

He told reporters: “Everything that’s been written in the last couple of days is the fact that we’re all of a sudden a team of whingers. I think it’s everybody else who’s doing the  whinging.

“Australia have never been a team that whinges, we don’t want to be regarded as a team that whinges.”

“Did we whinge when we were down to 10 men (against Ghana)? We took it on the chin, stood up and in the end probably could have won the game. That’s not a team that whinges.

“A team that whinges is a team that would have lost 3-1 or 4-1 and then come in and complained to the referee.”

The comments came after both Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell told the press that they felt hard done by after being sent off against Germany and Australia respectively and Cahill was even quoted as saying that side had “have never been given the fair go”.

The skipper was keen to come to the defence of the Everton playmaker and insisted that that the midfielder had been misquoted.

“Tim never said that. Why would he?” Neill added. “Every single player went out of that dressing room the other day and took it on the chin. There is nothing we could have done about it.

With regards to Kewell’s dismissal was also quick to defend the player, saying his comments were borne out of pure frustration.

“Harry Kewell said he has worked hard to get where he has and now he has been sent off after 20 minutes,” Neill continued.

“That is not really a whinge, that is disappointment. “But we are going to give him another game, we are going to try anyway.”

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Robben ready to take a gamble

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Netherlands winger Arjen RobbenArjen Robben is ready to take a gamble by playing against Cameroon on Thursday for the Netherlands (Holland 1/33 to win Group E).

The winger suffered a hamstring injury during the Dutch side’s final warm-up game against Hungary, and had to have five days of treatment.

He said he could play against Cameroon, just 19 days since he suffered the injury.

“Playing against Cameroon is possible,” Robben told reporters. “Risk is a big word as we already have taken a risk by choosing an aggressive treatment, where we could have written off the World Cup and said just go on holiday.”

The Dutch are already through to the last 16, so the pressure is off them to play their first-choice team against the already-eliminated Cameroon side.

The questions about a “missing link” in the Dutch side have made Robben a hot media topic but the nature of the injury has left him on the sidelines.

“You have to be 100 percent to play,” he said. “So far we have been considering the situation day-by-day as it happened only two weeks ago and normally it would take four to six weeks to recover from such an injury,” he added.

“Yesterday I had a tough training session, with some good five-a-side matches, and I came through well. I don’t think there’s a big risk that anything will happen to the hamstring.”

If Robben features at these finals it will be his fourth straight appearance at a major tournament.

“It has been hard so far,” said Robben. “I noticed during the first two matches that it is painful if you can’t play and just have to stay on the sidelines.”

“The recuperation was no fun at all and sometimes I felt like a martyr but I knew why I did it,” he added.

Holland boss Bert van Marwijk will let Robben make his own judgment over his fitness.

The winger has missed Holland’s two Group E victories with a hamstring problem so far as his team-mates breezed into the last 16 by beating Denmark and Japan.

“I am going to leave him to make the decision,” said Van Marwijk.

“He knows his own body best and he will let me know when he is ready.

“It can be in the next game or it can be in the knockout phase. He must take the decision.

“I’d prefer that he is used only when he is fit.”

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Terry’s not all gold for Capello

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John Terry and Fabio CapelloEngland manager Fabio Capello believes John Terry made a “big mistake” when hinting to the media that all was not well in the England camp ahead of the Slovenia match (England 4/9 to beat Slovenia).

The Three Lions need to beat the Slovenians in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to make sure of their passage into the knock-out phase of the tournament after two lacklustre draws with the USA and Algeria.

Terry hinted that some of the players were not happy with the manager’s selections and tactics and the fact that a player of Joe Cole’s talent has been sitting on the bench.

The Chelsea skipper also implied that the players planned to hold clear-the-air-talks with Capello about various issues, but a lack of player support meant that this did not materialise.

The Italian tactician is known as a disciplinarian and he has made it clear that he will not tolerate players such as Terry airing their grievances in public.

“When you speak you have to speak privately,” he told ITV. “This is the big mistake – a very big mistake. It’s not revolution. It’s the mistake of another player – no more.

“I spoke with some players and I think it’s only John Terry said this. No-one speak with me about the problems. My door is open always. If they want to speak with me they can speak with me.

“Every time we have a meeting I ask the captain, ‘Problems? You want to say something?’ Never. I read that John Terry said this. I don’t understand why he don’t speak with me every time.”

Many of the teams in South Africa have improved in their second matches but England went backwards with an appalling display against the north Africans last Friday and they are in real danger of not reaching the last 16 of the prestigious tournament (England 10/1 to win World Cup).

Capello has said that he will make changes for Wednesday’s encounter and has already stated that Matthew Upson will replace the suspended Jamie Carragher in central defence.

Emile Heskey’s place is under threat and there have been growing calls for Frank Lampard to be left out, after two innocuous displays to date.

But Capello is known to be stubborn when it comes to selection and he may try to get past Slovenia with more or less the same side and hope they can play to the level that saw them qualify for the finals with comparative ease.

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Capello ponders Slovenia options

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England coach Fabio Capello was unable to fully experiment with his midfield options on Monday after Michael Carrick joined centre-half Ledley King on the sidelines (England 10/1 – World Cup Outright).

King is struggling with a groin problem and has already been ruled out of the crunch World Cup Group C clash with Slovenia in Port Elizabeth where only a win will guarantee the Three Lions passage into the last 16 in South Africa (Slovenia 13/2, draw 16/5, England 4/9 – match betting).

Capello’s tactics have come under fire from all quarters, with his reluctance to use Joe Cole baffling to players and fans alike, and it seems certain he will change his midfield for the final group game following back-to-back draws with USA and Algeria.

And although Carrick can only be classed as an outside bet to come into England’s engine room, the fact an ankle knock picked up in training on Sunday kept him out of today?s session will be another irritant to perfectionist Capello.

The England coach is puzzled by his side’s Jekyll and Hyde character after claiming their performances in matches bear little resemblance to the work put in on the training ground (England 4/9 – To Qualify From Group C).

The Italian said: “It almost feels like all the work of the last two years has been for nothing. I am not happy because we have worked hard for 20 days.

“You see all the things during the training. Then on the pitch it is completely different. As a manager, when that happens it is no good.

“I don’t understand why during a game we don’t change the rhythm or the speed. We are really slow.

“At this World Cup if you don’t run or press or fight it is difficult to go forward.”

Capello’s more likely decision on Wednesday will be to recall Joe Cole which was alluded to by former captain John Terry when he faced the media on Sunday.

Terry is baffled at how far the former West Ham youngster and current free agent has fallen down the pecking order for both club and country.

The Chelsea skipper said: “Joe is one of the best players in our country. He and Wayne Rooney are the only two who can open up things up.

“It still amazes me how Chelsea have come to the conclusion of letting Joe go. But he can surely do things for England whether he starts or comes on.”

Nevertheless, Terry also took the chance to dismiss rumour of a split in the England squad over Capello’s strict regime.

He insisted: “I have seen a few reports myself. There is no unrest in the camp at all.

“I’m here on behalf of all the players to say we are all fully behind the manager. Everyone is positive.”

England will be forced into one change against Slovenia after Jamie Carragher picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Algeria. Either Matthew Upson or the uncapped Michael Dawson will stand-in for the Liverpool man.

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Upson gets Slovenia nod

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Fabio Capello has revealed Matthew Upson will play in central defence when England take on Slovenia in Wednesday’s must-win clash.
(England 4/9 to win).

Capello has been heavily criticised after reports claimed that he only named his side to face Algeria a couple of hours before kick off, but now he has made it clear well in advance that Upson will play.

England will be without Jamie Carragher through suspension against Slovenia while Ledley King will miss out with a groin injury so Capello is forced to turn to Upson.

There had been suggestions that Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, who was called up as a late replacement for Rio Ferdinand, could step in but the Italian is going with the tried and tested Upson.

The West Ham stopper, who has been dogged by injury problems, has played alongside John Terry in the qualifiers and Capello will go with him again rather than take a risk on Dawson, who has yet to win a cap.

“Upson will play because he always played with John Terry and I probably will change some others,” Capello confirmed.

What other changes Capello makes will probably be kept under wraps but it comes as no surprise following the dismal performance against Algeria in the 0-0 draw on Friday.

Something has to be done to get Wayne Rooney more into the game and it would certainly help if Steven Gerrard was playing in the right position.

It looks as though Emile Heskey will make way which would allow Gerrard to slot in just behind Rooney with Joe Cole expected to come in down the left flank.

Other than that you cannot imagine the Italian will tinker too much and the majority of England’s under-performing stars should get a chance to put matters right on Wednesday afternoon.

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Barca will land Cesc – Laporta

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Arsenal are a 6/1 chance to win the Premier League title – but they will have to do it without Cesc Fabregas, according to outgoing Barcelona president Juan Laporta.

The Gunners are hanging on to the Spain midfielder with their fingernails as Barca step up their pursuit of the player and Laporta says it is only a matter of time before they land their man.

The words of Laporta are sure to infuriate Gunners officials but you cannot help but agree with him because Fabregas has made his mind up that he wants to return to his former club and player power usually wins day.

No matter how hard Arsenal fight to keep hold if Fabregas sticks by his guns and asks to leave a deal is more than likely to go through if the price is right.

Agreeing a fee could be easier said than done. Barca are already thought to have failed with one bid in the region of £29million and Arsenal will probably want closer to double that if they are to sell.

They will say Cristiano Ronaldo went to Real Madrid for £80million last summer and Fabregas is worth £60million, but Barca will argue they are completely different players and are unlikely to go that high.

Fabregas has always maintained how happy he is at the Emirates Stadium and it is hard to see him kicking up a fuss but if Arsenal block the move over the fee they could have an unhappy player on their hands which will no good to anybody.

Either way Laporta says it is only a matter of time before they land their man and believes it will happen this summer, eventually.

“Arsenal will end up giving in, but I don’t know when that will be. We will have to wait and let the professionals who are taking care of it do their work,” he revealed.

Laporta is set to leave office at the end of the month but if he cannot wrap up a deal in that time, he believes his replacement Sandro Rosell will.

“If it’s not us, it will be up to the new board, if they consider if appropriate, to carry on along this road,” he added.

Arsenal now have some tough decisions to make but nothing will be sorted until after the World Cup. However the time Fabregas is spending with Spain will not help matters as the Barcelona players will no doubt be in his ear everyday urging him to return to the Nou Camp and that looks the most likely outcome.

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Premier League tempts Silva

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Valencia and Spain winger David Silva has revealed that he could be moving to the Premier League with champions Chelsea (13/8 to win the Premier League)  in the front running to sign the player.

Silva could be sold by his Spanish club who are currently strapped for cash and look likely to sell the creative midfielder.

Valencia have already cashed in on David Villa who moved to La Liga champions Barcelona and Silva could be on the move the Premier League’s top team.

The 24-year old has been linked with both Manchester City and United but has revealed that he would be keen on a move to West London.

He said: “Chelsea have established themselves as one of the best clubs in Europe over the last five years.

“They might not have the history of Real Madrid or AC Milan but they are creating their own history now. There is no reason why in the future Chelsea can’t be as decorated as Real Madrid.

“Chelsea probably have, along with Barcelona, the best squad in football and if any player joins Chelsea he knows he is going to win things,” he added.

Silva is currently with the Spain (9/2 to win the World Cup) squad ahead of their second game of the World Cup against Honduras on Monday.

The pre-tournament favourites suffered a shock defeat to Switzerland in Group H and will be looking to bounce back in their next match.

Silva featured in the defeat against the Swiss in a match the 2008 European champions dominated.

However, the player seems to have one eye on his club future after the tournament in South Africa and Chelsea seems a likely employer for the Spaniard.

He said: “In players like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba they have players who would get into any team in the world and it would be a pleasure to play with them.

“There is no doubt in my mind that Chelsea would be a great club to play for – and a club where I could fulfil my ambition of league titles and the European Cup.

The Blues had a successful season after they won the Premier League and FA Cup to complete their first domestic double in their 105 year history.

However they will be looking to make a few more signings as they look to push for that elusive Champions League title.

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Koren warns England

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Slovenia star Robert KorenSlovenia captain Robert Koren has warned England his side will be focused for their Group C showdown in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday (Slovenia 4/6 to qualify from Group C).

England beat Slovenia 2-1 at Wembley last September, after Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson had awarded a dubious penalty as Wayne Rooney and Bostjan Cesar tugged each other’s shirts in the box.

England’s second goal also owed much to fortune as a Jermain Defoe shot took a heavy deflection off Slovenia midfielder Aleksandar Radosavljevic before finding the net.

Koren, whose side only need a point from the game to qualify, says this meeting will be a very different affair.

He said: “We didn’t really prepare for that game and we still gave them a really good game. They were lucky in that game to get a result, the referee was up and down when we played them at Wembley.

“It will not be about revenge for us on Wednesday, it was a while ago since we played them. It was completely different, because we were just preparing for a game in the qualification group, we didn’t think too much about the England game.

“But we’re not thinking about that game, it is already behind us. This is a new opportunity for us and we will be up for it.”

Former West Brom midfielder Koren was pleased with his side’s performance in the 2-2 draw against the USA.

He said: “In the first half we played really well, we got two goals and the game looked easy for us. Still in the second half we were in control and I think we were disappointed in the USA, they didn’t show too much good football – it was lucky for them to score two goals.

“The England game is a different story, but we will go through the (USA) game and see where we were not good enough and try to do better against England.

“Like all the games at the World Cup it will be a hard game but we are full of confidence to get the three points.”

Koren expects his side to be able to match England in every area and would not single out any individuals who they will need to pay special attention to.

“Of course, you expect every game to be hard,” he said.

“It was a hard game against the US, they tried to play aggressive and strong football but we coped with this really well and I think we deserved the three points more than them.

“There is nobody in particular we will have to watch out for when we play England; we will play team against team, 11 against 11, the game starts at zero. We are full of confidence because we have four points so far, we are not worried.”

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