Monthly Archives: August 2010

Milner sets City honours target

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New Manchester City signing James Milner has revealed that manager Roberto Mancini has told him to be prepared to win the Premier League this season (City 8/1 Premier League – outright).

The England international finally completed his protracted move to Eastlands late on Wednesday after a summer of speculation which has dominated the back pages.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the mega-rich club after his reported £24million transfer was completed, a move which saw Stephen Ireland go the other way and join Aston Villa (11/8 – 90 minutes v Rapid Vienna).

The former Leeds and Newcastle midfielder becomes City’s sixth major signing of the summer with Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balottelli having already completed multi-million pound moves to Eastlands.

Milner is likely to have a real battle on his hands to secure a regular starting sport in Mancini’s side, despite having been a vital cog in the Villa machine for the past two years.

However, Milner is adaptable and is able to play anywhere in midfield having featured for Villa and Newcastle out wide and in the centre of the park.

Milner insists the best is yet to come from him and believes this move will stand him a good chance of securing trophies for years to come, including his ultimate goal, the Premier League.

“It didn’t take too much selling by the boss when you see the players who are already here and the plans for the club,” he told City’s official website.

“The last thing he said to me was ‘be ready for the next game’, and then he said ‘be ready to win the Premier League’, and that’s my ultimate aim – that’s what I want to do and why I’m here.

“I’m ambitious and I want to win trophies here. I believe this is a great place to do that and I believe we will do it. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

Having only completed his move late on Wednesday Milner will play no part in City’s Europa League play-off clash with FC Timisoara (4/1 – 90 minutes v City) with the rest of the team having flown out to Romania the same day.

Milner is more likely to make his debut in the massive game against Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday night, when City will be looking to lay down a marker against one of their top-four rivals.

Thursday’s European game represents more of a distraction for City than anything else with the club’s owners keen for them to at least secure Champions League football this season.

Even a weakened side City should have too much firepower for their opponents, especially since Timisoara have struggled in recent European outings, scoring nine goals in their last 15 matches.

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Bent eyes Euros

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Sunderland striker Darren Bent is aiming to play a key role as England look towards the qualification stages for the 2012 European Championship (9/1 to win Euro 2012).

Bent was set to play in England’s last friendly against Hungary at Wembley but had to pull out of the squad due to a back injury.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker wanted to make a claim for a place in the starting XI to play alongside Wayne Rooney.

Bent recovered from the injury and scored in the Black Cats opening game of the season against Birmingham at the Stadium of Light.

The 26-year-old had a strong season for Sunderland in their last campaign, scoring 24 Premier League goals, and looks set to continue that form after getting off to a good start last weekend.

Despite being one of the Premier League’s top English goalscorers Bent failed to make Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

The Three Lions had a disappointing tournament in South Africa this summer with Jermaine Defoe the only striker to get on the score sheet for England.

Bent believes that he can make an impact on the international stage as England (6/1 not to qualify for Euro 2012) look to put the World Cup behind them.

He said: “I saw him [Capello] at the last squad and when I had to pull out, he said it was unfortunate, but he told me to keep working hard and more opportunities would come, and hopefully they will.

“I was selected for the first squad after the World Cup – it was just unfortunate about my back.

“But I know there’s a qualifier coming up and if I can keep knocking them in for Sunderland again and playing well, there is no reason why I can’t be in that squad.”

Bent was disappointed not to make the 23-man squad that flew to South Africa and did consider retiring from international football.

Blackburn Rovers keeper Paul Robinson and Manchester United defender Wes Brown have both announced early retirements from England duty, but Bent was determined to make himself available ahead of the Euro qualifications.

He said: “I sat and talked to my family and all my friends. You get people with different views and there’s a time when you start thinking, ‘Is there a chance for me?’, ‘Am I ever going to get that chance?’

“But you can’t think like that, you have just got to keep working hard, keep focusing, keep believing, which is what I do, and hopefully it will come.”

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Jaaskelainen talks up Bolton

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Jussi Jaaskelainen thinks Bolton Wanderers (9/2 to be relegated this season) can finish in the top ten of the Premier League, providing they make a good start to the season and improve defensively.

Owen Coyle’s side managed a 0-0 draw with Fulham in their opening league game after an extensive pre-season that saw them travel to North America and Scotland and achieve some mixed results.

Keeper Jaaskelainen arrived at Bolton in 1997 and has seen a lot change around the club during his time in the north west.

He admits to being particularly impressed by the effect that Coyle has had on the team since he replaced Gary Megson in January.

The former Burnley manager has worked astutely in the transfer market during the summer, bringing Martin Petrov and Robbie Blake in on free transfers while also signing Marcos Alonso and teenager Tom Eaves.

Former Finland international Jaaskelainen has saved Bolton (125/1 to finish in the Premier League top four) countless points over his 13 years at the club and admits that defensive frailties hampered the side last season – which is something that needs to change this year.

Only five clean sheets in 36 games last season held the club back and the 35-year-old told the Bolton News that was the result of “loads of individual mistakes”, something that was not “good enough” for the club.

“With the manager bringing a lot more confidence to players hopefully we can show that during the season and that will result in more clean sheets,” said Jaaskelainen.

“The main thing for us is to have a good start and, in the first 10 games, we need to get around 15 points because in the last three years that is what has been letting us down.

“If we make a good start, then we can look for a top-10 finish.”

One man looking to benefit from the new confidence that Coyle has brought to the Reebok Stadium is striking misfit Johan Elmander.

The £10 million club record signing has scored only eight goals since arriving in the summer of 2008 and has been subject of cruel jibes during his time in the Premier League.

After the draw against Fulham Coyle took time to pay credit to the Swedish striker, stating he was “outstanding” during the game and “deserved a goal” – he was ultimately prevented by young goalkeeper David Stockdale, however.

Speaking about the forward, Coyle said: “I have always had belief in him. I can try and give him confidence because I have belief in him as a manager, and I’ve shown that by picking him.”

Elmander is likely to have his next chance to repay the faith from his manager when Bolton travel to east London to take on West Ham in the Premier League this weekend (West Ham 6/5 to win, Bolton 21/1, draw 9/4).

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Gunners hit by Nasri setback

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Arsenal (4/9 for a Top 4 Finish) will be without Samir Nasri for the next month after the midfielder was told by medics that he needs a knee operation.

The Frenchman suffered the injury in Sunday’s opening Premier League game against Liverpool, in which Arsenal secured a point with a late equaliser.

After scans, it was revealed that Nasri had suffered a meniscal injury and minor surgery is required to resolve the issue.

A club statement read: “Samir Nasri will today undergo minor surgery on his knee following a meniscal injury sustained against Liverpool on Sunday. Nasri will be out of action for a month.”

It’s yet another injury setback for Arsene Wenger, who is already without three first-team midfielders with Alex Song, Denilson and Aaron Ramsey still sidelined.

There are also question marks over the fitness of skipper Cesc Fabregas, who was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw at Anfield due to a chest infection.

Nasri will now be forced to miss Saturday’s home clash with Blackpool (Arsenal 1/7, Draw 6/1, Blackpool 14/1 – Match Betting), as well as the away trip to Blackburn on August 28.

An international break in early September will come at a good time for the 23-year-old, who may target a return to the squad for the visit of Bolton to the Emirates on September 11.

Meanwhile, the Gunners’ opponents on Saturday, Blackpool, could had a debut to a new signing this weekend.

Israeli defender Dekel Keinan is the latest new addition at Bloomfield Road, after penning a one-year deal with the option to extend the deal by another 12 months.

The 25-year-old joins the Tangerines (9/4 To Stay Up) on a free transfer from Maccabi Haifa and becomes Blackpool’s seventh new signing this summer.

Keinan has already been granted a work permit and will go straight into Ian Holloway’s squad for the trip to north London.

The defender insisted: “I am looking forward to the first game and I’m very happy everything is done.

“I had different offers but after I met the gaffer I was sure that I wanted to play for Blackpool.”

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Real swoop for Ozil

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Mesut OzilReal Madrid (Evs to win 2010-11 La Liga title) have agreed a deal with Werder Bremen to sign Mesut Ozil and look set to beat Manchester United to his signature.

The Germany international has become one of the hottest properties in European football after an impressive World Cup this summer.

Despite saying that he planned to stay with Werder until the end of the season, Ozil has been at the centre of speculation over his future since the tournament ended in South Africa.

United and Barcelona have both been strongly linked with moves for the 21-year-old, but it looks like Real have beaten them to the punch after reaching an agreement with his current club.

The Bundesliga side rejected a bid from Real earlier this summer, but its now thought that a fee in the region of £12million has been agreed.

With Ozil due to run out of contract next summer, Werder were at risk of losing their prized asset for free at the end of the season and that has led to them, reluctantly, agreeing to sell.

Werder (7/1 to win 2010-11 Bundesliga title), though, had forced Real to push through a deal after their manager, Klaus Allofs, threatened to play Ozil in Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against Sampdoria.

Jose Mourinho will see the forward as a key player in Real’s battle to lift Europe’s top club trophy (Real 4/1 to win 2010-11 Champions League) and would not have wanted the German international cup-tied.

Real have now confirmed the deal, with a short statement on their website saying: “Real Madrid and Werder Bremen have reached an agreement for the transfer of Mesut Ozil.

“His unique touch, unmatched individual technique, excellent ball control and deadly last pass make the German midfielder one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in European football.”

Ozil will undergo a medical in the Spanish capital on Tuesday evening and it is unlikely that personal terms will be an issue for the forward.

The 21-year-old will join fellow Germany (3/10 to win Euro 2012 Qualifying Group A) international Sami Khedira at the Bernabeu, after the midfielder moved to Madrid from Stuttgart earlier this summer.

Ozil will become the sixth major signing of the summer by Real, who have already captured Khedira, Ricardo Carvalho, Angel di Maria and Spanish duo Pedro Leon and Sergio Canales.

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Hodgson keeps up with the Jones

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Roy Hodgson has bolstered his Liverpool side (12/1 Premier League Outright) with the £2.3million signing of Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones, who qualifies as a ‘home-grown’ player under the new league rules.

The Reds boss has drafted the 28-year-old Australia international into his Anfield squad to provide cover for number one Jose Reina for this campaign.

Jones, who has made 75 first-team appearances for Boro and spent time on loan at Blackpool, Rotherham, Stockport and Sheffield Wednesday, qualifies as a home-grown player as the Teessiders signed him from Australian amateur side Bayswater City.

Jones signed for the Reds on a three-year deal on Tuesday after the two clubs agreed a fee and he passed a medical with the Merseyside giants on Monday evening. But, despite his arrival, Hodgson is unlikely to pitch him into the side to face Manchester City in the Premier League next Monday.

Reina remains his number one, despite his bizarre own goal in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal, as the former Fulham boss looks to bring silverware to the club in his first season (Liverpool 2/1 To Win A Major Trophy).

Following the match Hodgson said: “Pepe Reina is very disappointed. I thought he did very well as he’s struggled with a shoulder injury.”

Meanwhile, Hodgson is hopeful that Javier Mascherano will stay at Anfield, despite confirming that he will sell the Argentine midfielder if a good offer is made for his services.

On Mascherano, who has been linked with a move to Italian giants Inter Milan (Evens Serie A Outright) to be reunited with former Reds boss Rafael benitez, Hodgson said: “As yet we haven’t had any offers. There’s two weeks to go in the transfer window and some of these clubs for some reason like to come in with offers on the 28th or 29th of August.

“But we want to keep him here and we will keep him here unless an offer comes along that is correct – one that is commensurate with his value and one where we would think it would be wrong to turn down because we’ve said to him if that offer comes in we’ll accept it.

“At the moment it’s not there, it’s not even on the horizon. If all these clubs are interested it would be nice if they contacted Liverpool one day.”

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Owen dismisses rivals

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Manchester United striker Michael Owen has brushed off the idea that the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool will challenge for the Premier League title this season (United 9/4 – Premier League outright).

Last season saw Chelsea pip United to the title on the last day of the season after the race for top spot developed into a two-horse contest.

The likes of Arsenal and City had been up there at times but eventually fell away as the two sides who have dominated the league for the last five years continued their stranglehold on the silverware.

Chelsea claimed a domestic double by winning the league and FA Cup, while United took the honours in the Carling Cup.

Speaking ahead of United’s first game of the season against his former club Newcastle (12/1 – 90 minutes) Owen said he expected the same sides to continue their dominance of the English game for another year.

“I see United and Chelsea as the two teams to aim at,” he told the Daily Mirror. “If someone else wins, then obviously they would have had a fantastic season.

“But between us we’ve won it over the last half a dozen years and it would take a very good team to have a very good season to finish above us.

“Every season you look for new challenges, to see who could emerge from the pack. But Chelsea have to be the benchmark. They won the league last year and they’re the champions. If anyone finishes above them, they’ll win the league.”

Owen’s point about Chelsea being United’s only challenger was emphasised by results at the weekend when the Blues hammered West Brom 6-0 while the other contenders could only draw.

While the likes of City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal faced tough games against one another Chelsea laid down an early-season marker with their demolition of the newly-promoted Baggies (3/4 – to be relegated).

United will be looking to do the same against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday as they look to keep up their impressive record against the Toon.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side haven’t lost to the Tyneside-outfit since 2001 and will be confident of recording another victory over last year’s Championship winners, who are missing a host of first-team players.

Newcastle will be without Leon Best, Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor and Dan Gosling, while Alan Smith is also a doubt.

United have a few problems of their own with Rio Ferdinand, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves all missing out.

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Redknapp reveals City snub

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has effectively ruled Manchester City out of the Premier League title race this season (City 13/2 – 2010/11 Premier League Outright).

The Spurs chief saw his side held to a goalless draw at White Hart Lane by the Blues in the first game of the campaign and he is not convinced they have enough about them to finish above Manchester United (9/4) or reigning champions Chelsea (6/4f).

City’s mega investment since the takeover of the Abu Dhabi United Group has seen them lavish money on their squad with big-name players like Robinho, Emmanuel Adebayor, Shay Given, Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry just some of the arrivals under Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini.

But, according to Redknapp, it is not enough for City to be classed as credible title candidates at this moment in time.

“I wouldn’t tip City from what I’ve seen,” said Redknapp. “I wouldn’t say they’ll win the championship.They have a long way to go. Chelsea are a team, Man United are a team.

“They are fantastic teams with people who have been there, done it all and won everything, Champions League winners.

“So I wouldn’t see City finishing above them.”

Spurs’ season continues with a trip to Switzerland for the first leg of the Champions League play-off round against Young Boys on Tuesday night.

Redknapp has been quiet during the summer transfer window in terms of signing players as he looks to get into the Champions League before adding to his squad.

If successful, Spurs will be able to be more ambitious with their targets although they have again been told not to bother bidding for West Ham captain Scott Parker.

Hammers co-owner David Sullivan told the Daily Mail: “I made a promise that I will not sell Scott and I will not, for any amount of money, break that promise to West Ham supporters.

“This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it.”

The Hammers entertain Bolton on Saturday looking to bounce back from their opening-day mauling at managerless Aston Villa (West Ham 1/7 – To Stay Up).

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Oyston reveals Prem doubts

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Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has reiterated his desire to walk away from football after becoming disillusioned with the way business is conducted in the Premier League (Blackpool 9/4 – To Stay Up).

The Seasiders’ faithful may be walking in a top-flight wonderland but the same cannot be said for Oyston who has taken a swipe at agents.

He told the Independent: “I expected the landscape to be different. I expected the way people behaved to be different and I have been very disappointed in the way some agents have conducted themselves.

“My offer to step down is still there.

“I have told the board that, and I am very serious because I am not sure I have got the right approach for this division and the more I talk to other Premier League clubs the more I realise I am a lone voice.

“There was some accord with the things I said in the Championship but there does not appear to be any in this division.”

If he does get his wish then boss Ian Holloway will have to deal with somebody else as he looks to sign the players he feels he still must add to his squad.

Blackpool picked up three early points in their first-ever Premier League game after beating Wigan 4-0 at the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Many pundits did not give Holloway’s men a chance of staying up before the big kick-off but they laid down a marker, although there is still a long way to go this season.

The former Bristol Rovers, QPR, Plymouth and Leicester manager has waited patiently for his chance in the top flight and he is not about to go back down without a fight (125/1 – Top 6 Finish).

Holloway’s faith in former Aston Villa hitman Marlon Harewood was instantly rewarded against Latics by two goals, with fellow new boys Craig Cathcart, Elliot Grandin and Ludovic Sylvestre all playing their part as well.

“We’ve just been catapulted into this and I have to say it’s just mad,” Holloway told The Sun.

“It’s like being in Big Brother.

“I need a few more players but they’re all so expensive – it’s a shock.

“But hopefully my chairman will now be more confident in who I’m telling him to bring in after that performance.”

Whether or not that chairman is Karl Oyston remains to be seen.

Blackpool are odds-on (1/3) to drop straight back down into the Championship at the end of the season.

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SPL aim for Bhoys

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Celtic chairman John Reid insists the club’s “fundamental objective” is to win the Scottish Premier League title this season (Celtic 8/11f – Outright).

The Bhoys have seen fierce rivals Rangers win back-to-back championships following a three-year reign as top dogs and Reid has identified new boss Neil Lennon’s primary goal.

Celtic saw their Champions League hopes dashed earlier in the summer – for the second season running – which means they now face a crunch qualifier against Utrecht this week just to make the Europa League (Celtic 7/10, draw 5/2, Utrecht 16/5 – 90 minutes).

And Reid told the BBC: “Whoever is appointed as manager of a club like Celtic, there is a gamble attached to it.

“But in Neil Lennon, we have a potentially great manager at Celtic. He’s a motivator and a leader, and he knows the club.

“Our fundamental objective is to win the league, as it is the gateway to Europe and the future.

“We want to go into the Europa League group stages. Of course, when you’re at Celtic, you’re expected to do that, and we want to do that.

“But the fundamental objective is the Scottish Premier League.”

Celtic have recorded losses of £2.13m to the year ending June 2010, with turnover down by 15% and their debt up to £5.85m.

However, Lennon has been backed in the transfer market this summer and has also raised by money from the sale of Aiden McGeady to Spartak Moscow last week.

Reid is now looking for Celtic to put the “false start” of the ill-fated Tony Mowbray era behind them and push on after insisting the club is on a sound financial footing.

He added: “It’s sustainable debt. It’s not out of control or anything of that nature.

“But we now start again, and I have to say that we have a renewed vigour and optimism created by Neil Lennon.

“There’s an urgency and passion about the club, so despite the difficulties, we know what we’ve got to do and we’re optimistic about the season ahead.

“We’re a strong club, we can pick ourselves up and start again. We’re up to the challenge.”

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