Monthly Archives: October 2010

Houston defends defensive Scots

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Peter Houston has defended the negative tactics employed by Scotland during their 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic on Friday evening (Scotland 7/1 to qualify for Euro2012).

The Scotland assistant boss admitted that the squad was disappointed with the result but believed that the side was “unlucky to lose to a goal from a set play”. He also stressed that his players had “worked their socks off” in the hope of getting a result.

The Scotland manager Craig Levein was heavily criticised for the negative approach in Prague, where he adopted a 4-6-0 formation in the hope of picking up a point. The plan backfired when the Czechs scored the only goal of the game in the 70th minute but Houston stressed that he thought Scotland were unfortunate in defeat.

He highlighted the fact that the Scots rarely concede a goal from a set play but also stressed that the game is now “over and done with” and that he is looking forward to facing world champions Spain at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening (Scotland 13/2, draw 10/3, Spain 1/3).

Defending Levein’s tactics, he said: “The only regret we’ve got is that we’ve lost the game. It’s over and done with now, we can’t look back, we’ve got to look forward and what a way to look forward – playing Spain at Hampden.

“We’ve got to put that to bed and start to think positively and take something from that match.

“We are keen to play the world champions in what will be a difficult game. Footballers like to play at the top level and nobody is better than the world champions.”

Scotland have four major doubts ahead of the clash, with Tottenham defender Alan Hutton, Wigan centre-back Gary Caldwell, West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans and Rangers utility man Steven Whittaker all missing Sunday’s training session.

However, Houston has admitted “the majority, if not all” would be available for selection on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Scotland were handed a boost when Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher was fit to train after suffering a knock against the Czechs.

Caldwell participated in Prague for 75 minutes and Houston has not dismissed the possibility of him making back-to-back appearances. If he does, it will be a major achievement as Friday was his first action for club or country this season following a hip operation.

Speaking about Caldwell, Houston stressed: “He has been feeling good, he knows he’s been out for a while but nobody knows his body better than himself, and he was keen to do something today and he’s putting himself up for selection.”

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Tevez admits he could quit football

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Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has admitted he is disillusioned with football and could quit the game (City 15/2 to win Premier League).

The Argentine forward has reiterated the comments he made over the summer, when he said he could quit professional football because he struggles to motivate himself.

He admits that he currently feels drained and that the stress of being one of the most high profile players in the Premier League is affecting his body and mind.

Despite this, he has been instrumental in the improvement of City’s form so far this season, which has seen the Eastlands outfit overcome a shaky start to the season to sit in second place in the Premier League.

The striker has also lead by example as City’s captain after being handed the armband by boss Roberto Mancini. However, this has done little to reinvigorate him and he has now told The News of the World that he is thinking of quitting, citing the number of games he has played this season as being contributory to his tiredness.

The 26-year-old said: “I’m an old guy now, and I started to think about some stuff. For example, I am less tolerant as a person today than I was a few years ago.

“Then I think – what happens if I quit football as long as I am okay in my life?

“When I talk about quitting, I mean quitting football, not just the national team. But at the moment I still don’t know if this is going to be in one month, one year, three or five years.

“I have the idea of quitting in my mind. Maybe one of these days, I will just wake up and say no more football.”

As well as professional issues, Tevez has admitted that his workload is affecting his family life. He says that since playing in England he has not shared a single Christmas or New Year with his nearest and dearest and this is contributing to his lack of enjoyment with life as a footballer.

City fans will be hoping that Tevez does not decide to hang up his boots just yet, particularly as he is in such influential form, having scored five League goals this season. They currently sit four points behind League leaders Chelsea but they are the team in form having beaten the Blues 1-0 at Eastlands before backing this up with a 2-1 success against Newcastle.

Roberto Mancini will be hoping that this form continues in City’s next game against Blackpool next Sunday.

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Montenegro bullish on England

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Montenegro centre back Miodrag Dzudovic says his team are not intimidate by England and believes his high-flying nation can record a famous victory over Fabio Capello’s side (1/5 to beat Montenegro) on Tuesday night.

The eastern Europeans have made a very impressive start to qualification for Euro 2012, winning their first three matches against Bulgaria, Wales and Switzerland all by the same scoreline of 1-0.

Friday’s win against the Swiss moved them to the top of Group G ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Wembley.

Montenegro (11/1 Group G winners) were expected to be the whipping boys of the group but have so far proven to be tough nuts to crack.

Having only been formed as an independent country four years ago the tiny nation, which has a population of around 627,000, are punching above their weight heading into the top of the table clash with England.

Despite England’s dominant displays at Wembley, Zlato Kranjcar’s side are confident about their chances of pulling off a famous victory over the world renown Three Lions.

Dzudovic believes they have nothing to fear and says he isn’t worried about having to deal with Wayne Rooney, given the striker’s recent form.

“We respect England, but we can beat England,” said Dzudovic.

“We don’t fear them and we don’t fear Rooney.

“We know who he is, one of the best players not just in Europe but in the world, but we know he’s not been playing well for many games and that gives us more hope. In football, everything is possible.”

The Manchester United hitman will be hopeful of proving Dzudovic wrong when they meet on Tuesday, Rooney having struggled with his fitness and problems off the field since the summer.

The 24-year-old has scored just twice for club and country since the start of the season and will have a tough time adding to his tally given Montenegro’s steely defensive record in qualifying, keeping clean sheets in all three of their matches thus far.

Fellow Montenegro (10/1 to beat England) defender Stefan Savic has echoed his team mate’s bullish comments by insisting they are capable of stopping Rooney and co.

“We go to London without pressure and we can surprise them,’ Savic added. ‘But we’re not just going for the shopping.”

England will be hoping they can burst Montenegro’s bubble, although they will have to do it without Aaron Lennon after the Tottenham winger withdrew from the squad.

Lennon has a sore back and has been replaced by Stewart Downing, who joins Bolton?s Gary Cahill as a late arrival in the squad after Cahill was brought in for Phil Jagielka.

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Cahill gets England nod

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Gary Cahill has been called up by England to replace the injured Phil Jagielka for Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley (1/7 to win Group G).

The Everton defender was forced to sit out training on Friday after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the week.

Jagielka, who started last month’s win in Switzerland, underwent a scan and the medical team confirmed he would not be able to play any part against Montenegro (11/1 to win Group G).

The 28-year-old has now been replaced by Bolton’s Cahill, although Fabio Capello is expected to recall Rio Ferdinand and John Terry to the starting line-up.

England should also be able to call upon Gareth Barry in midweek, after the Manchester City returned to the Three Lions (8/1 Euro 2012 Outright Winners) camp.

Barry was allowed to have additional time at home because of personal reasons, but the midfielder is likely to start on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, there remain question marks over whether Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere will play any part for the senior squad.

The Gunners’ youngster is expected to team up with Capello’s men despite featuring for the Under 21’s on Friday evening.

Wilshere played a key role in helping Stuart Pearce’s men claim a 2-1 victory over Romania at Carrow Road, in the first leg of their Euro 2011 play-off.

Pearce said afterwards: “I spoke with Fabio before the match was played, and I think Jack will be meeting up with the seniors.

“Part of me is pleased that he is going, as it shows to the rest of the squad the pathway which is there for the players, part of me would have liked to have him in Romania.

“However, we feel as if we have quality in the squad and whomever plays will do themselves proud on Tuesday.”

England are currently second in Group G having played a game less than Montenegro, who defeated Switzerland 1-0 on Friday evening.

Tuesday’s match will be England’s final game of the year, with Euro 2010 qualifying not resuming until March 2011.

Following the international break, Capello will take his squad to Cardiff to face Wales (33/1 to qualify for Euro 2012), still pointless in the group, on Saturday March 26.

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Giggs not finished yet

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Manchester United star Ryan Giggs admits he would love to win the Champions League once more before finally hanging up his playing boots (United 17/2 – Champions League outright).

The 36-year-old has won 11 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League titles with the Red Devils, and is still going strong after two decades of top-flight football (United 11/2 – FA Cup outright).

The talented winger shows no signs of slowing down and is very much part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s plans at Old Trafford for the current season, with United trying to hang onto the coat tails of high-flying Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.

Whether or not the former Wales international midfielder opts to carry on playing after the conclusion of the current season is open to question as he has talked openly about wanting to go into management.

He was linked with the vacant Wales manger’s position but immediately ruled himself out citing a lack of experience and the fact that he was keen to continue playing at the highest level.

Giggs has won everything possible at domestic level but, even as father time catches up with one of the best players ever to grace the Premier League, the Cardiff-born star admits he is still hungry for more silverware.

“You want to win everything before you call it quits,” he said. “You want to win every game that you enter, every trophy that you compete in, you want to win. You can’t always do it but you’ve just got to try your best to win.

“If I’m only allowed one more, I would say Champions League, but it changes. Tomorrow, I could say the League. But the League and Champions League are obviously massive.”

The pinnacle of Giggs’ career must be United’s treble-winning season of 1999, when his winning goal in the FA Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal will live long in the memory.

No English side has completed the feat before or since but Chelsea star Didier Drogba believes that the Blues could win the treble this term as they have begun the season in superb fashion.

Giggs acknowledges that it could happen again as long as lady luck shines for the team gunning for glory on three fronts.

“It’s possible but it’s difficult,” Giggs added to CNN. “I don’t know if it’s harder than 1999 because it was hard then. You just need everything to go for you.”

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Trapattoni plays down Euro fears

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Giovanni Trapattoni believes Republic of Ireland (6/4 To Qualify) still have every chance of qualifying for Euro 2012, despite a disappointing home defeat to Russia.

The Irish found themselves 3-0 behind after just 50 minutes but threatened to take a point with a second-half comeback.

Goals from Robbie Keane and Shane Long reduced the deficit and put the visitors on the back front in the close stages at the Aviva Stadium.

But Dick Advocaat’s men held on for the points and the result now leaves Republic third in Group B (Ireland 10/3 Group Winner), with six points from three games.

Despite slipping behind Russia and Slovakia (18/5 to win Group B) in the standings, Trapattoni remains upbeat about his side?s chances of making to Poland and Ukraine.

The Italian stated: “At the moment we have three teams the same and we start again the qualification. It is important now we think about our quality and our possibilities.

“Russia lost against Slovakia, now Slovakia have lost against Armenia. The qualification is not easy and there’s a long way to go. I’m sure we have the same chance.”

Ireland now face what looks like an important trip to Slovakia on Tuesday, where a positive result would leave them in a strong position in the group.

Trapattoni added: “Slovakia are a good team with good players. But we can win on Tuesday. We just need to understand immediately what happened (against Russia) and why one or two situations occurred.”

Meanwhile, the coach has indicated that he will stick with the Kevin Doyle/Robbie Keane striker pairing, despite withdrawing Wolves’ striker in the second half.

Trapattoni says he had Tuesday’s match in the back of his mind when making the change and feels Doyle and Keane “complement each other” and claims Republic “cannot do without one of them”.

Russia (20/1 Outright Winners) face a trip Macedonia on Tuesday and Advocaat believes his side need another three points to keep them in the hunt for top spot in Group B.

The former Rangers boss said: “We’re back in the group but we still have to do well on Tuesday because if we don’t do that it’s still not good.”

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Brazil consider starlet Coutinho

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Brazil (2/9 in 90 Minutes Betting) could give a debut to Inter Milan starlet Phillipe Coutinho in tonight’s historic first ever meeting with Asian powerhouse Iran (10/1) at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

The teenager has made only a couple of senior appearances for the Serie A side this term, but new Brazil coach Mano Menezes included the attacking midfielder in a youthful-looking squad for the matches against Iran and Ukraine.

He could play off AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato with fellow Rossoneri Robinho supplying the bullets from on the left of a four-man midfield.

Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva and Chelsea’s Ramires are expected to make up the central axis of the formation with Menezes likely to keep faith with the same back four which helped him get off to a winning start against USA in August.

Brazil won that match 2-0 as Menezes attempts to mould a younger squad and rebuild after the disastrous World Cup quarter-final defeat to Holland.

Iran have named a largely domestic-based squad but have star quality in the form of Osasuna midfielder Javad Nekounam, who was part of their World Cup squad in 2006.

The hot and humid conditions in the Middle East state are likely to be oppressive with the temperature at kickoff expected to be over 32°C.

Several Brazilian players commented on the heat after their training session on Wednesday evening.

“It’s very hot here,” midfielder Giuliano told Globoesporte’s website. “It feels like I’m in a sauna.”

Brazil are 5/1 to repeat the 2-0 scoreline of their last win with a 3-0 win available at 13/2 and 4-0 available at 9/1.

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Hodgson asks for patience

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Roy Hodgson has called on Liverpool’s fans to be patient as he eyes a spending spree to improve his squad in January if the proposed takeover of the club goes through (Liverpool evens – Top 6 finish).

The Reds have agreed to sell the club to NESV in a reported £300million deal but the takeover has been challenged by current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who plan to take the ownership battle to court next week.

All the signs are that the sale will go through, either after the court rules in favour of chairman Martin Broughton, who brokered the deal, or if RBS force Hicks and Gillett to sell up after they default on a loan repayment next week.

Hodgson, along with vice-captain Jamie Carragher, has backed the potential takeover and the Reds boss is already looking forward to improving his squad if, as expected, he gets significant funds to spend in the new year.

“We know what we must do,” he said. “We need new players and investment and know we’re weak in certain areas.

“These things have been the case since I arrived here and we have not had a chance to put it right.”

Liverpool have made a disatrous start to the season and sit in the bottom three after seven games while they were also dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two side Northampton Town.

Hodgson’s position was called into question by some fans following last Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat against Blackpool but the former Fulham chief remains confident he can turn things around and has asked for the Anfield faithful to be patient.

“I ask for the fans’ patience, trust and belief as we will get it right,” he added. “It is clear we need to strengthen in certain areas of the team and bring in more quality.

“I can guarantee that at the end of the season we won’t be sitting there at the bottom.”

Following Premier League defeats to Manchester City, Blackpool and arch-rivals Manchester United already this season, another loss in their next game – at Everton a week on Sunday – will really crank the pressure up on Hodgson but the boss is sure an upturn in form is just around the corner (Liverpool 11/1 to be relegated).

He said: “Sometimes, even after a few games, people see you down there and are ready to pass out, but we’re not panicking. There is a lot more to come.

“A couple of good performances and good wins will put us in a decent position for the season ahead.”

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Owen still dreaming of England call

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Manchester United star Michael OwenManchester United striker Michael Owen says he still dreams of playing for England but knows his chances of featuring in Fabio Capello’s side again look remote (United 16/5 – Premier League outright).

The 30-year-old last played for the Three Lions when he came on as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat to France in March 2008 and he was never a contender for the current squad to play Montenegro in Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualifier.

Veteran Bolton forward Kevin Davies has finally been called up for international duty and Owen, who has scored an impressive 40 goals in 89 appearances for his country, believes he could still do a job for England (England 9/1 NOT to qualify for Euro 2012).

He told the Daily Mirror: “I haven’t resigned myself to never playing for England again.

“But I’m not stupid enough to get myself worked up before every squad’s announced and then go ‘oh no, the world’s caved in and I’m not in it again’.

“Everyone deals with things in different ways. The first time I wasn’t named in the squad I was really gutted. The second time I was pretty gutted, the next time I was just gutted and so on.”

Owen has only started two of United’s games so far this season but has scored three goals, and he remains hopeful that the call from England will come again at some point. However, he admits he does not expect to see his name in the squad every time Capello confirms his selection.

“I’d love to play for my country again, but I don’t look out for the squad expecting my name to be in it, unless someone phones me to tell me otherwise,” he added.

“I still have a lot of friends in the team and you can’t play for your country for as long as I did and not still have an interest in how they’re doing.”

Owen will be hoping to feature for United against West Brom next weekend after he came off the bench recently to score a vital goal in the 2-2 draw at Bolton.

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Hughes targets massive result

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Aaron Hughes is eyeing a big upset when he leads Northern Ireland (9/2 totesport.com Match Betting) out on Friday night and feels that if the team can repeat its performance from the opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia, then they can upset Italy (7/10 to win, 12/5 the draw) at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland (8/1 to qualify for Euro 2012) have enjoyed a good recent run in qualifying matches, losing just one of their last eight games with debutant Corry Evans scoring the the only goal against Slovenia in Maribor to get the Euro 2012 Group C qualifying campaign off to a perfect start.

However, Italy have won both their opening games to currently top the group, having beaten Estonia 2-1 away before a comfortable 5-0 rout of Faroe Islands in Florence.

Following a dismal World Cup campaign, the Azzurri are going through a transitional phase but Hughes still believes it would be a ‘massive’ achievement if Northern Ireland avoided defeat in their first home match in qualifying.

However, the Fulham defender also insists that a result is not beyond them if they can show the form that earned them the first win of the campaign.

“We said at the start that you try to pick up what you can on your travels. This is our first home match in the campaign and to get something from it would be massive,” Hughes said.

“It’s not a must-win where we need all three points. Even if we come away with a point, we’ve got to remember who we’re playing, one of the top sides in the world.

“So to come out of the game with something would be a fantastic result for us. It would add to what we’ve already got.

“Italy have talented, exceptional players that can cause you all sorts of problems if you’re not on your game.

“But if we approach the game like we did in Slovenia and do the same things we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

Craig Cathcart, who made his debut in that opening victory against Slovenia, is currently suffering with a back spasm, which may see Manchester United defender Jonny Evans return to the starting line-up.

That is expected to be the only change with Slovenia match-winner Corry Evans again starting from the bench.

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has also stated that Roma striker Marco Borriello (5/1 to be first or last goalscorer) has been preferred to Sampdoria’s Giampaolo Pazzini and Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi and will lead the line for the visitors.

The 28-year-old starts alongside Antonio Cassano and Simone Pepe in a 4-3-3 formation, while Lazio’s Stefano Mauri has been recalled to the side for the first time in three years, and will play alongside Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi in midfield.

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