Monthly Archives: October 2010

Rooney targets scoring spree

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has managed to score just once in the current campaign but the England international is confident his form will improve soon (United 16/5 – Premier League outright).

Rooney’s off-field problems have been well documented of late, while his form and fitness have also been questioned but the striker is keen to get back amongst the goals and is certain his luck will change soon.

“You just have to keep working hard. I know I’ve been through this before and once one goal goes in, I am sure I will get more,” said Rooney. “If you don’t score, and you have chances, you are disappointed. I want to score but I have got a lot of games left in the season. I am sure this run without scoring will end soon.

“I don’t do anything different. I train as hard as I can every time I train and I do extra training every day and I’ve done that since I was a young boy.

“I’ll keep doing my training and I’m sure the goals will come.”

The 24-year-old has also struggled in front of goal on the international stage and has not scored for England since before the World Cup in South Africa.

The United star could not make an impact in the goalless draw with Montenegro on Tuesday but club and country team-mate Rio Ferdinand feels Rooney will rediscover his form soon and is confident he will be back to his best for both United and England before too long (England 8/1 – Euro 2012 outright).

“I think Wayne put in a good shift (against Montenegro). Sometimes with strikers you just need that little bit of luck in front of goal,” said Ferdinand.

“The ball didn’t really fall for any of our strikers to get a clean chance so to pick out ‘Wazza’ would not be fair.

“The ball just didn’t drop for us in their box. ‘Wazza’ is a great player but we can’t be too reliant on him.”

United face West Brom on Saturday as they look to continue their battle for the Premier League title, with Ferdinand and Rooney both expected to feature against the Baggies (Match Betting – United 2/9, draw 9/2, WBA 11/1).

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Redknapp questions Crouch tactics

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Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp – tipped by many to become England’s next manager – has criticised current coach Fabio Capello’s use of striker Peter Crouch in Tuesday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Montenegro (Spurs 13/5 – Top 4 finish).

Redknapp is generally a fan of the Italian and believes the former Milan and Juve chief is the right man to successfully guide the Three Lions to Euro 2012.

However, he has questioned his usage of Spurs forward Crouch, who was deployed alongside Wayne Rooney at Wembley this week.

“Peter Crouch is 6ft 7in tall so his best asset is an obvious one,” he said in his column in The Sun.

“It’s no good putting him up front and then trying to play the ball to his feet all the time.

“Peter is a technically good player but England should use his height – because he towers above most defenders.

“I’m the last one to advocate the long-ball game but, if you have a player like Steven Gerrard who can put the ball on his head from 35 yards out, do it.

“While he does that, the team can surge forward as a group and pick up the second ball, the knockdown they know is coming.

“If you’re not going to make the most of Crouchie, don’t play him, simple as that. Use a little striker instead.”

Redknapp also believes Capello needs to get the most out of key trio Rooney, Gerrard and Frank Lampard if England are to become a major player on the international stage once again.

“I have a vision of a ‘golden triangle’ for England,” he added. “Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the middle, with Wayne Rooney playing off a striker and dropping back a little bit.

“In that way, he can play just in front of the two central midfielders and is a great link-man between midfield and up front.

“There is no doubt Rooney is still a world-class striker. But again when Lampard is missing, there is an obvious gap in the team.

“I think Rooney is perfectly suited to the role of dropping off a main striker, because he is superb at running at defences with the ball.”

Redknapp, whose Spurs side go to London rivals Fulham (Spurs 9/5, Fulham 7/5, the draw 9/4 – 90 minutes) this weekend, remains confident England can not only make it to Poland and Ukraine for the European Championships but says they have the ability to win the tournament outright (8/1).

“England had a poor World Cup, yet we still have the players and manager to go and win Euro 2012,” he said.

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Reds optimistic over duo’s return

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Bet on the Merseyside derbyLiverpool (17/10 to win the Merseyside derby) have received a double boost with the news that striker Fernando Torres and left-back Paul Konchesky could be fit for Sunday’s massive clash at Everton (6/4 to win, 11/5 the draw), although Dirk Kuyt could be out of action for some time.

Torres (5/1 to score the first goal at Goodison) suffered a groin strain during the shock defeat to Blackpool at Anfield last month, which ruled him out of Spain’s fixtures over the international break, but has responded well to treatment and could yet make the line-up on Sunday.

Liverpool’s head of sports science and sports medicine Peter Brukner told Liverpoolfc.tv: “Fernando is doing pretty well. He had a slight tear in one of his abductor muscles very early on in the game against Blackpool that prevented him going away with Spain in the internationals.

“He has had intense treatment over the last 10 days and responded very well to that treatment.

“He’s ready to resume training today and if we can build up his training and get through the next few days, then we are optimistic but not certain that he will be able to line up against Everton.

“He’ll join in the full training session on Thursday, then build up Friday and Saturday. If he gets through these sessions and he is able to stretch out fully and has no after effect from the sessions then he will be able to play.”

Defender Konchesky, who has missed the last two games for Liverpool with a hamstring injury suffered in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland at the end of last month, is also making excellent progress and could make his comeback against the Toffees.

“Paul is coming along well and will join in full training on Thursday for the first time,” he added.

“He’s done everything we have asked of him so far and he’s done a lot of running and a lot of strength work on his hamstring.

“Again, it’s a bit similar to Fernando that we are reasonably confident he will be available for Everton, but it just depends on how his body responds to training.”

However, there was some bad news on the fitness front with both Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger picking up injuries while on international duty.

The Liverpool midfielder was forced out of Holland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden after just 28 minutes and the initial prognosis is not good.

“Dirk wanted to play on but our doctor prevented that and told me to substitute him,” Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk stated.

“He is now in a hospital but following the doctor’s first opinion it could be very serious and keep him sidelined for a long time.”

Defender Agger, who has been hindered by a groin problem of late, lasted only 39 minutes for Denmark on Tuesday night and will be assessed at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.

It has been a nightmare start to the season for both Merseyside clubs, who have picked up just one win each from their opening seven games, with Liverpool (11/1 to be relegated) in the bottom three due to having an inferior goal difference to city rivals Everton (33/1 to go down).

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Davies eyes England run

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Bolton captain Kevin Davies is eager to prove he has something to offer on the international stage after making his debut in the goalless draw with Montenegro on Tuesday (England 1/7 to win Euro 2012 Qualifying Group G).

Davies, 33, became England’s oldest debutant since Leslie Compton in 1950 when he made a second-half substitute appearance against the surprise package of Euro 2012 qualification Group G, and the Bolton striker is keen to make more appearances for the Three Lions.

The powerful front man managed to impress in his brief 20 minute cameo appearance after replacing Peter Crouch.  England had struggled to impose themselves on Montenegro and aside from some trickery from Adam Johnson, there was little for the Wembley crowd to cheer about.

Davies came on in difficult circumstances, with the team out of sorts and Montenegro growing in confidence, but the Wanderers captain managed to offer another option for England.  Davies created a great chance for Wayne Rooney, whose shot was well saved, before flicking the ball into the path of Gareth Barry, who also saw his effort denied.

The veteran striker is now hopeful he can continue to impress at club level with Bolton in order to force his way into the England squad again, with the next round of qualifiers now five months away in March.

“I’m disappointed because we didn’t win but to have been given the nod and asked to come and try and win the game, and get my cap, makes me really proud,” said Davies.

“It will be a nice drive home with the family but I don’t want to be one of those players who stick around on one cap.”

He added: “There were a few shouts for me to get on (from the crowd), and I really wanted to come on and win the game for England.

“That didn’t happen, but I’m just glad to have been involved. It’s something I thought might never happen and I’m really proud it has.”

Davies may have to wait until March before he gets the chance to impress in a competitive international fixture, but the striker will be hoping to impress for Bolton in the meantime to keep himself in contention for an England spot (Match Betting – Bolton 11/10, draw 11/5, Stoke 12/5).

Meanwhile, boss Fabio Capello has been heavily criticised following the failure to beat Montenegro and the lacklustre display.

However, the Italian insists he is a “fighter” and has vowed to continue in his role despite being booed by the home crowd at the final whistle (England 8/1 to win Euro 2012).

“I am a fighter. It is one game. We have to fight again. I think we are a good team. The goalkeeper was the best player for Montenegro. This is football,” said Capello.

“You have to respect little countries. They have good players. At this moment they are psychologically at a high moment having won three games.

“They were compact. The quality was good. Against Algeria (0-0 at the World Cup ) we didn’t create a lot of chances. Tonight we did create chances.”

England remain second in Group G with seven points, three points adrift of leaders Montenegro, who have played a game more.

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Williams tips Bale to star

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Ashley Williams believes that Gareth Bale can fire Wales (6/1 in the match betting) to success in the Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland (1/2 favourites to win, 3/1 the draw) in Basel on Tuesday night.

Wales have yet to pick up a point in their qualifying campaign to date, losing away at Montenegro and at home to Bulgaria, both 1-0, and currently prop the table – along with tonight’s opponents.

The Swiss have also lost both of their opening group games, 3-1 at home to England and 1-0 away at Montenegro, and defeat for either side will seriously harm their chances of even finishing second.

Wales captain Williams, who is hoping to shake off an ankle injury, concedes that Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side may well dominate large parts of the game, but he believes that Bale (7/2 to score at anytime) will provide plenty of attacking threat.

“Everyone knows how good a player he is,” said Williams.

“He’s probably going to find it tough when he plays for Wales, especially if we don’t have Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey playing.

“He’s our biggest attacking threat and teams are going to pay special attention to him.

“But I think he’s a good enough player to deal with that.

“They will have a lot of the ball and hopefully we can get it to him on the break and let him do his stuff.

“I think he really gave it a go against Bulgaria, he did make things happen, and if he plays in an advanced role, that’s the way he plays.”

The 1-0 defeat in Montenegro last month saw John Toshack end his six-year reign as the Wales (33/1 to qualify for Euro 2012) boss, with Brian Flynn taking over the senior side on a temporary basis following an impressive spell in charge of the Under-21s.

Flynn is looking to use the two games he is leading the side to make a case for a permanent role, although he did his cause no favours with a 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria on Friday.

However, Flynn has not been helped by a whole host of injuries to his squad which will leave him without 12 players for tonight’s game and Blackpool midfielder David Vaughan insists all the players will be doing their best for the manager.

“No one wants to let him [Flynn] down and hopefully he will get the job, regardless of the results, if we play well,” said Vaughan.

“Hopefully we can do the job for him.

“We have only had a few days’ training with him but if he is around long term I think you will see the benefits in the performances.”

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Toure eyes City silverware

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Kolo Toure says he joined Manchester City (15/2 Premier League Outright) to win silverware and feels they can achieve plenty of success with the squad they have.

The former Arsenal star joined the Eastlands revolution last summer, following an eight-year spell with the Gunners, where he won a Premier League title and two FA Cup winners medals.

Toure believes City (5/2 to win a major trophy in 2010/11) have taken another big step forward this season, including his own form, as they look to break the Premier League dominance of Chelsea and Manchester United.

The 29-year-old told the club’s website: “I came here to win trophies and play Champions League football and that is what we are all working hard to achieve.”

Toure feels he still has “five or six years left” playing at the highest level and wants those years to be packed with success and silverware.

The defender added: “I have played in one great team and I want to be part of another one. People who know me, know that I am as enthusiastic about the game as I have ever been.”

Despite admitting that he is happy with his current form, Toure believes there is still more to come from him and says he feels “much fitter” than he did last season.

He concluded: “Now I am settled in Manchester, I know everyone at the club; I know how it all works and feel very happy and comfortable with the way things are going.”

Roberto Mancini’s men return to Premier League action this weekend, when they travel to Bloomfield Road to face new-boys Blackpool (5/4 to stay up this season).

Ian Holloway will have to prepare his Tangerines side to face City without the benefit of his encouragement from the touchline.

The Blackpool boss has been handed a one-match touchline ban after his outburst at the referee Mike Dean following the home defeat to Blackburn last month.

An FA regulatory commission heard the case in London on Monday and handed him a one-match ban and a fine of £9,500, he will not be allowed any contact with his players during the game this weekend.

After the hearing Holloway apologised for swearing, saying: “You should never swear, I shouldn’t have done it and I apologise.”

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Capello backing Rooney to shine

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England boss Fabio Capello believes Wayne Rooney is both physically and mentally ready to make a big impact on Tuesday night’s Euro 2012 clash with Montenegro (England 1/5 to beat Montenegro).

The 24-year-old striker had been a doubt for England’s third match in Group G after picking up an ankle injury but the former Everton man has made a speedy recovery and is set to partner Peter Crouch in attack at Wembley, after Darren Bent was ruled out of the match with a groin injury.

Rooney failed to spark at last summer’s World Cup and has yet to hit the heights for Manchester United this term, with allegations about his private life seemingly affecting his performances and overall state of mind.

But he has been training well with the England squad and the boss believes that his body and mind are now both pulling in the right direction for the vital clash with the surprise leaders of the qualifying group.

“I spoke with Sir Alex who told me, when I decided the squad, that Rooney would be fit because the ankle problem was not so big,” Capello said.

“I spoke with Rooney about the situation, his situation. I monitored him during the training and he trained perfectly, really well.

“He’s focused on the game. He’s happy. He’s smiling a lot. He’s in a good moment, better than he was when we played against Switzerland.”

An England victory would see them take over top spot from the Balkans outfit on goal difference and open up a sizeable gap back to third place, with any one of Bulgaria, Wales or Switzerland possibly sitting in third spot depending on Tuesday’s results (England 1/25 to qualify for Euro 2012).

It appears as though young wingers Adam Johnson and Ashley Young will start for England and try to provide the crosses for Crouch to feed off, and Capello is unconcerned about their lack of playing time at the top level.

“People say they are inexperienced players but the confidence of Adam is good. He’s played three or four games,” he added.

“Ashley Young has also played very well in a couple of games and done well in a more central role for Aston Villa.”

Rio Ferdinand will captain the side after returning to fitness, with Steven Gerrard returning to the ranks after leading the team with distinction.

Much is expected of the Manchester United defender, who missed the World Cup in South Africa through injury and has only just returned to first-team action at Old Trafford, as John Terry is absent through injury and Phil Jagielka is also missing.

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Rio regains skipper role

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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that regaining the captain’s armband for England (8/1 to win Euro 2012) will help him put aside the disappointment he felt during the World Cup.

The 31-year-old has been named as skipper for England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on Tuesday night.

It’s the first time the former Leeds United defender has been in the England squad since he picked up an injury before the start of the World Cup in South Africa.

Ferdinand was injured during the first England training session in Rustenburg where he sustained knee ligament damage after a collision with team-mate Emile Heskey.

The central defender missed out on the tournament where the Three Lions failed to live up to expectations, going out to old rivals Germany in the knockout stages.

Ferdinand is delighted to have been named as England captain once again, though, after Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard took over the role in his absence.

He said: “It is a great honour to be named England captain.

“It is great to be back playing again.

“Obviously, I’ve been out for a while since the World Cup when I injured my knee.

“I have worked hard on my rehab, worked hard on the training ground at Manchester United, and the staff have been fantastic for me to get to this point,” he added.

Ferdinand has recently returned to action for United (16/5 to win the Premier League) as he looks to rebuild a strong partnership at the back with fellow central defender Nemanja Vidic.

The former West Ham United academy player is happy to be back playing after the disappointment of missing out on leading out his country at a major international tournament.

He said: “It has been well documented that the first 48 hours after I got injured at the World Cup were probably my worst moments in terms of over-analysing and really thinking about the consequences.

“To miss the World Cup was a real big disaster for me.

“But you have to wipe yourself down and get on with it.”

Ferdinand will be looking to earn England another three points against Montenegro as they hope to continue their strong start the Euro qualifiers.

The Three Lions skipper will then be aiming to help United close the gap on rivals Chelsea who currently sit five points above them at the top of the Premier League table.

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Terry injury blow for England

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England coach Fabio Capello’s selection plans for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro (England 1/5, Montenegro 10/1, Draw 9/2 90 Minutes) at Wembley on Tuesday have been hit by the news defender John Terry has been forced to pull out with a back injury.

The 29-year-old Chelsea skipper appears to have suffered a recurrence of an old injury which required surgery to rectify back in 2006.

And, while it is not known how severe the injury is, Capello has sent Terry back to Stamford Bridge for treatment and the Blues will hope he will not face a lengthy absence from their bid to retain the Premier League title (Chelsea 8/13 Outright).

Terry’s absence means that Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who is making his comeback from the knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup finals, is set to partner either Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott or Bolton’s Gary Cahill in the centre of defence for the game.

Cahill was drafted into Capello’s plans when Everton’s Phil Jagielka pulled out due to a hamstring problem, while Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing came into the reckoning when Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon withdrew with back trouble.

However, the Football Association has revealed that it will make do with the players currently available to them, despite Terry’s withdrawal.

Terry’s absence means he has only played one game for England since the World Cup – a friendly win against Hungary in August – after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Lescott performed well in the win against the Swiss in Basle and will no doubt pip Cahill for a start alongside Ferdinand on Tuesday.

The Three Lions go into the game aiming to continue their 100% start to their qualifying campaign against a Montenegro side which tops Group G (England 1/7 Group Winner) after winning their opening three matches.

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Collins downbeat on Euro hopes

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James Collins has conceded that Wales need a ‘miracle’  if they are to make it through to Euro 2012 as they head to Basel to face Switzerland (1/2 to beat Wales) on Tuesday night.

The Welsh couldn’t have made a worse start to their qualifying campaign, losing their opening two matches to Montenegro and Bulgaria, failing to score a goal in both.

Defeat in the opening game with Montenegro (11/1 to win Group G) saw the end of John Toshack’s time in charge of the Wales (50/1) team.

Brian Flynn has taken over on a temporary basis and built up Friday’s match against Bulgaria as a must win contest.

The former Wrexham boss also promised the Welsh public goals but failed to deliver as the Bulgarian’s came away from Cardiff City Stadium with a 1-0 win.

Flynn must now try and pick up his disillusioned players for the game against Switzerland, who are also winless from their first two matches.

The caretaker boss will be without some key men for the trip to Basel with skipper Craig Bellamy absent along with Sam Ricketts, Chris Gunter, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Collison, Joe Ledley and Robert Earnshaw, most of who would have started on Tuesday night had they been available.

To make matters worse Wales haven’t won on Swiss soil for 12 years as they look to avoid losing their first three qualifiers for the first time in 40 years.

Collins has almost admitted defeat in their bid to reach a first major championship since the 1958 World Cup, claiming they can’t expect to be in the Ukraine and Poland in two years time when they have lost their first two matches.

“Miracles are needed to if we are to get second place in this group,” said Aston Villa defender Collins.

“And we can’t expect to qualify after losing our first two qualifiers.

“Everyone has to up their game and performance.

“And being one of the older players, I must show some of the younger boys how and lead by example.”

Wales fans will certainly be hoping for a better performance from the one they got on Friday night when a lacklustre team was punished by a well organised Bulgarian outfit.

Despite the qualification campaign being just two games old Wales appear to be on the brink of another collapse in their bid to reach a major tournament and are now 33/1 to qualify for Euro 2012.

With Montenegro on nine poins and England on six it would take a huge turnaround of fortunes if Wales are to reach Euro 2012.

However, Tuesday’s opponents are also desperate for a win, with Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld telling his side they must beat the Welsh if they are to reach Euro 2012.

“We desperately need a win so that we can release the tension and we have got to beat Wales on Tuesday to start our recovery,” said the German.

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