Monthly Archives: September 2010

Gers hit by Davis fears

Posted on by
Reply

Rangers could be without influential midfielder Steven Davis for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bursaspor (Rangers Evs, Draw 11/5, Bursaspor 3/1 – Match Betting).

The former Fulham and Aston Villa man was forced to leave the field towards the end of the Gers 3-2 win at Aberdeen on Sunday.

Walter Smith revealed afterwards that Davis had picked up a “slight hamstring” problem and that the medical team will asses him before the visit of the Turkish side to Ibrox.

The Gers boss admitted: “With that type of injury, you would say he must be very doubtful for Wednesday’s game.”

Davis’ absence would be a big blow to the SPL champions, who also have other injury concerns ahead of the Group C clash (Rangers 10/3 To Qualify).

Right-back Steven Whittaker had to be replaced by Kirk Broadfoot at Pittodrie after suffering a bang to the head.

The Glasgow giants will go into the game full of confidence though, having made a 100 per cent start to the domestic campaign and drawing 0-0 at Manchester United (1/2 To Win Group C) in their opening group game in the Champions League.

Sunday’s win over Aberdeen put Rangers back on top of the league table because they have scored more goals than rivals Celtic.

One of the main reasons for that advantage over the Hoops is Kenny Miller (Evs to score at anytime v Bursaspor), who has scored in every league game so far this season.

The ex-Wolves and Derby frontman, who has yet to pen a new deal at Ibrox, believes he is in the form of his career.

Miller said: “To get off to a flyer and score 10 goals in the first six league games and, not just that, to score in every game, is obviously pleasing.

“For me, it is about putting myself in the right position and hopefully taking the chances.”

Miller has rejected one contract offer from the Gers but remains in talks over a new deal, with the striker saying “things will iron themselves out in good time.”

Meanwhile, manager Smith insists that there is “a willingness from all the parties” to agree terms and is hopeful the 30-year-old will remain at Ibrox.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Keegan joins Rooney debate

Posted on by
Reply

The controversy surrounding Wayne Rooney does not seem to be abating as the Manchester United striker continued his poor run of form against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday (Rooney 9/2 to be first goalscorer versus Valencia).

Rooney once again failed to get on the scoresheet as United were held to a 2-2 draw at the Reebok. He was substituted with 30 minutes to go and Michael Owen’s equaliser has only added to the pressure on his place.

United are next in action against Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday (Valencia 9/5, draw 23/10, United 6/4 – 90 minutes) and Rooney could miss the game with a minor ankle injury. However, there are some who believe that Sir Alex Ferguson should play Owen with the in-form Dimitar Berbatov in Spain anyway.

Rooney has received support from the Bolton manager, Owen Coyle, who admitted the England international is “an absolutely class act”. He went on to admit that United are “very fortunate to have him”.

These comments are in direct contrast to those of former England supremo Kevin Keegan, who has insisted that Rooney cannot blame the press for his recent poor form.

Allegations about his private life are clearly affecting the England star but Keegan believes that his lifestyle choices are not helping the situation. He also said the media scrutiny is par for the course with being such a high-profile figure.

Speaking to ESPN, Keegan expressed: “You can’t have all the contracts, sell your wedding to magazines and things like this, and suddenly say, ‘That’s the tap I want to turn on but we want to turn the other one off’.

“It’s just one tap and I know from when I played that if you are advertising boots and all these things, you have to go and make appearances. You are going to appear in the paper.

“But the one thing I would say is keep your home and your family out of it and just take your endorsements if that’s what you want to do.

“One minute you are courting it, the next minute you’re saying ‘I don’t want this’.”

Last week, Ferguson told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that he did not believe Rooney was suffering from a confidence problem, a claim refuted by Keegan. He believes that his performance against the Trotters demonstrated that his self-belief has deserted him.

United failed to capitalise on Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and are now three points behind the league leaders. They have failed to win all three of their away games in the Premier League so far and if they are to challenge for the title, Rooney needs to return to form sooner rather than later.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Mancini stands by Blues claim

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester City manager Roberto ManciniManchester City boss Roberto Mancini has reiterated his belief that Chelsea will win the Premier League, despite the champions losing their 100 percent league record at Eastlands on Saturday.

In a largely cagey affair, a solo goal from striker Carlos Tevez was enough to seal the victory and it saw the Citizens move up to fourth place in the Premier League table, just four points behind the leaders.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had gone into the match having scored 21 goals in their five previous matches to set the early pace this season, but they created few chances against a resolute City rearguard.

Mancini had stated before the game that he thought Chelsea were the best team in the country and that they would win the league “easily”, and despite masterminding their first defeat, the Italian tactician has not seen anything to change his mind.

“I still think they will win it easily because I think they are the best team in the Premier League,” Mancini said after the game.

“Sometimes you might get a result like today. But they are the better team.”

Mancini was aware of the attacking threat that Chelsea had shown in their previous games and made no excuses for denying the Blues the space to exploit any weaknesses in his back four.

“It is not possible for them to score five goals every game,” the City boss added.

“If Chelsea find space it is easy for them to score. But if they don’t have space it is too hard and our players defended very well.

“But we cannot think everything is OK just because we won this game.”

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti applauded his counterpart for his tactical execution and believes City are genuine title challengers, but admitted his players had not played to their full potential at the weekend.

“They used a good tactic to play against us. To play against us they wanted to counter attack and they did some very well. We knew this but from one counter-attack they scored,” Ancelotti said.

“If you play against a good team with a strong defence and you don’t play at your best then it is normal that you don’t score a goal.

“They have fantastic players and a very good squad and they can fight for the title.”

Meanwhile, Mancini has ruled out the possibility of a January move for Everton’s Jack Rodwell and says it will be “impossible” to sign him.

The young midfielder has long been linked with a move away from Goodison Park, with Manchester United reportedly keen to sign him in the summer.

Mancini has confirmed his interest in the player but admits that a deal in the transfer window is unlikely to come to fruition.

“We put English players in the team but it isn’t easy because all the clubs that have English players won’t sell,” Mancini told the Daily Star Sunday.

“I like Jack Rodwell but will Everton sell? Impossible. If I can, I give young players a chance.

“I was just 16 when I first played in Serie A.”

City (4/5 favourites in the match betting) are next in action on Thursday when they host Italian giants Juventus (3/1 to win, 9/4 the draw) in Group A of the Europa League, before hosting Newcastle in the Premier League next Sunday.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Kuyt offers Torres backing

Posted on by
Reply

Dirk Kuyt has given his backing to Fernando Torres to come good after a disappointing start so far to the season but insists that the Liverpool striker plays a vital role for the team, even when he is not finding the back of the net.

Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday and have now managed just one win in their opening six fixtures of the Premier League season, which sees them nine points off the pace in the title race in sixteenth place in the table – their worst start to a season for 18 years – while they have already been dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two minnows Northampton.

Torres has managed just one goal in the campaign to date, scoring the winner against West Bromwich Albion, but Kuyt has been quick to point out that he helped set up both goals against the Black Cats.

The first goal was surrounded by controversy as Torres picked up a back-heeled free kick from Michael Turner to run through unimpeded on goal before squaring for Kuyt to slide home, and the Spain international supplied the cross from which captain Steven Gerrard scored the equaliser.

Kuyt, who made an earlier-than-expected comeback from a shoulder injury on Saturday, said: “Everyone is expecting goals from Fernando but he offers a lot more. Against Sunderland he was responsible for setting up the two goals.

“He is very important for the team even if he is not scoring goals. I’m sure his goals will come.

“His mood has never changed. If you are a striker, and the type of striker Fernando is, you want to be involved in goals.

“But everyone could see how happy he was to have set up two goals.

“When you are one of the world’s best strikers everyone is watching you so if they get a moment to blame him they will.

“And if you are not winning games he is not happy, I am not happy and the team is not happy.

“But we all know next week he could score a hat-trick and then everything changes.”

Liverpool (2/5 favourites to win the group) are next in action on Thursday in the Europa League and will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of Group K, following their opening 4-1 success against Steaua Bucharest, with Napoli and FC Utrecht playing out a goalless draw in the other game.

Liverpool (Evens favourites in the match betting) travel to Netherlands on Thursday to take on FC Utrecht (23/10 to win, 9/4 the draw) but whether Torres plays in the match is open to question as he was left out of the squad that won the opening Group K fixture.

The former Atletico Madrid has been struggling for with injury since the World Cup and is slowly working his way back back into full fitness.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Wenger a ‘nutter’ – Redknapp

Posted on by
Reply

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger now acts like a ‘nutter’ on the touchline after 14 years in the Premiership (Arsenal 1/5 to beat West Brom).

The Gunners boss accepted an FA charge of improper conduct and was fined £8,000 for confronting fourth official Martin Atkinson after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend.

He was fuming at officials after they permitted play to run over the allotted four minutes of added time, allowing Darren Bent to grab Sunderland’s equaliser.

The 60-year-old’s touchline demeanour has changed dramatically since he breezed serenely into English football in the mid-1990s with the reputation as a thinker and not a screamer.

Wenger now cuts an agitated figure at Premiership grounds around the country, giving off the impression that the world is against him and his team.

Redknapp has always enjoyed a good relationship with Wenger and joked that more then a decade in the English top-flight had dramatically altered Wenger’s character.

“When Arsene first came to England I remember reading articles and they said that he was like a professor watching the game,” he said.

“All the other nutters were jumping up and down shouting and screaming, hollering and hooting – and this man is not like those idiots.

“He just sits there and is studying every move that goes on the pitch like chess. They didn’t lose a game all season.

“Now he has joined the nutters, you know. In fact, he is one of the key nutters. That is the tension that you are under. It has affected him now.”

The pressure on Wenger to succeed increases every season that Arsenal fail to land any silverware, with the Premiership title eluding them since the 2003-2004 campaign, while it has been five years since they have claimed the FA Cup (Arsenal 11/2 to win Premiership).

The Emirates outfit have enjoyed a solid start to the season, with 11 points from five matches, but they are already four behind league-leading Chelsea, who travel to Eastlands today to try and keep up their 100 per cent record in the Premiership against Manchester City.

City boss Roberto Mancini has already conceded the title to Chelsea after just five matches, saying on Friday that he is sure the Blues will claim the trophy this season.

Wenger is known to be the eternal optimist and will never concede that Arsenal cannot win the title until it is mathematically impossible – one trait that has not diminished after such a  long time managing in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the English top flight.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Hargreaves pushing for return

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has missed nearly two years with knee problems but boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he expects the former Bayern Munich man to push for a starting spot soon (Manchester United 5/2 to win the Premier League).

Hargreaves has been suffering with chronic tendinitis in both knees and there were fears he may be forced to hang up his boots.

However, the 29-year-old has now returned to training after seeing renowned specialist Dr Richard Steadman and Ferguson has revealed the midfielder could be back in the near future.

“Owen Hargreaves has come back training, he trained with the first team,” Ferguson  told MUTV.

“He looked very good. I was surprised how good he was looking. It’s an extra string to our bow.

“Bringing him in at this time, after being out for so long, obviously we’ll have to monitor him and see how he’s going to progress in the next few weeks.”

Hargreaves made a brief return to action towards the end of last season only for his problem to flare up again and Ferguson admits he is wary of sending him back into competitive football too early.

He added: “He’s been out for so long you have to see whether there’s going to be a relapse.

“That’s the first thing on our mind at the moment but having watched him in training, if he continues that way he’s going to give me another selection problem, no question about that.”

United take on Bolton at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday at high noon. Hargreaves will play no part against the Wanderers as he is still lacking match fitness.

However, Rio Ferdinand is expected to be handed his first league start of the season after a lengthy lay-off stretching back to before the World Cup (Bolton 13/2, draw 16/5, United 4/9).

Bolton will be without defender Gary Cahill, who will serve the final match of his suspension following a questionable red card at Arsenal, but goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is available again after serving his own suspension.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Houllier sets Young example

Posted on by
Reply

New Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has penned as three-year deal at Villa Park and believes winger Ashley Young will soon follow suit and pledge his future to the club (Villa 6/4 to beat Wolves).

Houllier has replaced Martin O’Neill in the Aston Villa hot-seat after the Irishman quit his position just five days before the start of the Premiership season, following a difference of opinion with owner Randy Lerner.

Houllier spent six years in charge of Liverpool between 1998 and 2004 before moving back to his homeland to coach Lyon for a couple of seasons.

He then became technical director for France before deciding to move back to the Premiership with the Villans, penning a deal to remain at the club until 2013.

The 63-year-old failed to guide Liverpool to the Premiership title but did mange to secure the Uefa Cup and Uefa Super Cup in 2001, while also claiming both the FA and League Cups in the same year.

And it may well be that his ability to put together cup runs was a factor in Lerner opting to employ the French veteran.

Villa have seven points from their first five matches and face West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, looking to build on last weekend’s 3-1 success over Blackburn Rovers.

One of Houllier’s first tasks will be to persuade Young to pen a long-term deal at the club to prevent one of the bigger clubs luring their prized asset away from the Midlands.

And the former Paris St-Germain boss is confident that the 25-year-old will sign a new contract sooner rather than later, after discussions about the role that he needs to play in the team as a whole.

“Am I hopeful Ashley will sign a new contract? Yes. It’s going on well,” he said.

“The discussions are positive. We had a chat and all I told Ashley is that I thought he could be a leader not only in terms of quality but in terms of effort.

“He can be a star but a star as a team player. His input must not be only making goals and scoring goals. It’s his work-rate and his attitude that can improve the rest of the team.”

Houllier’s appointment has not been met with universal approval by the Villa fans, with many wary of the style of football he might play.

But victory over Wolves on Sunday will go a long way to winning over his doubters and moving his new club up into a European spot in the table (Villa 5/2 to finish in the top six).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Houllier gets Heskey backing

Posted on by
Reply

Emile Heskey is hopeful that his former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier ‘can bring good times’ to Aston Villa (10/1 Premiership Top 4 Finish) following his recent appointment as Martin O’Neill’s successor at Villa Park.

Former England striker, Heskey, revelled under the Frenchman’s stewardship at Anfield 10 years ago when he bagged an impressive 22 goals in his first season alongside the prolific Michael Owen after being signed by Houllier for £11million from Leicester City.

Ironically, Heskey immediately found his golden touch in Houllier’s first game in charge of Villa on Wednesday when he scored one and set up two Ashley Young goals as a second half substitute in the side’s 3-1 Carling Cup (Villa 7/1 Outright) win against Blackburn Rovers.

And the 32-year-old is now backing Houllier to emulate his record at Liverpool – where he won an FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup treble in 2000-01 – to bring some long-awaited success to the Villains.

Ahead of Houllier’s first Premier League game in charge at Wolves on Sunday (Wolves 17/10, Villa 7/5, draw 12/5 90 Minutes), Heskey said: “It’s nice to be reunited with the manager. I know all about him and fingers crossed he will bring good times back to Villa.

“He did brilliantly at Liverpool and I am sure he can do the same here.

“He has many qualities and discipline on and off the park is one thing he definitely brings.”

Meanwhile, Heskey is now looking to try and have more of an impact with Villa, where he has struggled to play regular first-team football since being snapped up from Wigan in January 2009.

He added: “I’ve been working hard in training to be ready for when called upon.

“Even when (caretaker manager) Kevin MacDonald was in charge, he said ‘make sure you are ready’ so I’ve been working on that.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Mancini makes shock title claim

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester City boss Roberto ManciniManchester City boss Roberto Mancini has tipped Saturday’s opponents Chelsea, the 3/4 favourites, to “win the Premier League title easily” this season (City 21/10, draw 9/4, Chelsea 6/5).

Carlo Ancelotti’s men make the trip to Eastlands for Saturday’s early kick-off in fantastic form although they did blot their copybook with a Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle in midweek.

Ancelotti elected to give some of his stars the night off but the XI still featured the likes of John Terry, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou alongside some youngsters and fringe players.

The Italian saw his side reduced to 10 men but only through injury when all three substitutions had been made so he was happy with the performance as Chelsea came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3, before eventually losing 4-3.

Injuries are a problem for City as well – with Saturday’s hosts able to call on just three defenders who are described as fully fit.

Mancini is definitely without Micah Richards (hamstring) while there will be late decisions taken on Joleon Lescott (groin) and Jerome Boateng (knee).

But it is Mancini’s apparent concession of the title to Chelsea that is sure to raise a few eyebrows at Old Trafford and the Emirates.

“Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League at the moment,” said Mancini. “They are probably going to win the Premier League title easily.

“They are a strong team, who have been playing together for many years.

“They have a fantastic manager and they have worked to reach this situation.”

Chelsea have won all of their Premier League games this season, scoring 21 goals and conceding just one in the process (Chelsea 17/10 – To Keep A Clean Sheet).

But they travel north mindful of the fact City did the double over them last season when they backed up a 2-1 win at Eastlands with a 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge at the end of February.

Chelsea will again be without England midfielder Frank Lampard following hernia surgery  and he is joined on the sidelines by striker Salomon Kalou (thigh) and midfielders Yossi Benayoun (calf) and Gael Kakuta (back).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Liverpool reveal united front

Posted on by
Reply

Boss Roy Hodgson admits the Carling Cup defeat at Anfield at the hands of League Two Northampton in midweek was “not acceptable” for a club of Liverpool’s stature (Manchester United 2/1f – Carling Cup Outright).

The Reds’ sluggish start to the season has seen them win just one Premier League game – against West Brom – and pick up just five points from five matches.

Liverpool are now also out of the Carling Cup which was arguably their best chance of a trophy this season to end a drought which goes back to four years to the 2006 FA Cup win.

However, the real prize for the Merseysiders will be a return to the top four and Champions League football which, for financial as well as sporting reasons, is crucial for the club’s future (Liverpool 2/1 – Top 4 Finish).

Hodgson is putting on a brave face ahead of Liverpool’s home clash with Sunderland in the league, however, and insists the latest setback must be put into context (Liverpool 4/9 – 90 minutes).

“I’ve had many disappointments,” said Hodgson. “You can’t work at 35 years at the level I have without having disappointments.

“Any criticism which comes my way and the team’s we have to accept because it is not acceptable to have a home game in the Carling Cup against a team several divisions below you and not come out with a victory.

“Wednesday was a really bad result for the club, it has knocked us backwards, and has put us in a situation where we are heavily criticised – perhaps rightly so.”

He added: “We’ve had some good moments – with five straight Europa League victories – but also some bad ones, like the (3-0) defeat at Manchester City and the one in the Carling Cup.

“It’s been pretty much a mixed bag but we’ll live through the bad moments and over the course of the season we’ll do well.

“We are reading an awful lot into a bad result.”

Hodgson’s sentiments have been echoed by captain Steven Gerrard who is looking for a response now the dust has settled on the Carling Cup shock.

He said: “Football isn’t just about highs. Throughout my career I have experienced both highs and lows and probably learnt more from the lows because you look at yourself first, look at what went wrong and try to learn from your mistakes.

“Playing for this club there are big games every two or three days and we need to get everyone’s head focused on Sunderland now.

“What I would ask all the supporters is to trust the players and what the players are saying.

“I’ve been reading and listening to what they’ve been saying and they’ve all said we’ll get it right in the end – and we will.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.