Levein coy on Miller talk

Posted on October 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Craig Levein has refused to confirm or deny if Kenny Miller will start for Scotland against Czech Republic on Friday following reports the in-form Rangers ace will be dropped for the Euro 2012 qualifier (Czech Rep 4/6, Scotland 22/5, the draw 13/5).

The Scotland boss was asked about the newspaper reports in the build-up to the big game in Prague on Friday but refused to give any hint over his team selection, stressing he has yet to decide fully on his starting line-up.

Miller has begun the season in brilliant form in the SPL, scoring 10 goals already, while he was also on target for Scotland against Liechtenstein last time out.

It would be a major surprise if the forward was not in the starting line-up against the Czechs but Levein, in refusing to confirm he would be playing, appears to be hinting that will be the case.

“I am not going to make any comment at this minute in time. The team hasn’t been named, I can assure you of that,” he said.

When asked specifically if Miller (15/2 to be first or last goalscorer) was in his thoughts for the game, he added: “Of course. We will wait and see what happens.

“You can couch it in as many different ways as you want, I am not in any way going to give you any indication at this moment in time.

“The team will be named as usual on Thursday evening as usual, 24 hours before the match.

“I am not concerned at all about anything other than to tell you that I will name the team on Thursday evening.”

Queens Park Rangers striker Jamie Mackie, Wolves’ Steven Fletcher, Burnley’s Chris Iwelumo, Celtic’s Shaun Maloney and Miller’s Rangers team-mate, Steven Naismith, are the other striking options Levein has for the game, should he decide to leave Miller out.

Scotland have got off to a decent start in their qualifying campaign – winning one and drawing the other from their opening two games – and, if they can avoid defeat against the much-fancied Czechs, will head into the Hampden showdown with world and European champions, Spain, next week in good heart.

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Scots skipper rates opponents

Posted on October 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Skipper Paul Caddis has warned Scotland’s Under-21s (5/2 in 90 Minutes Betting) that European Championship play-off opponents Iceland (10/11) will be no pushovers in Rejkjavik tonight.

Former Celtic defender Caddis wants to secure a place at next summer’s finals in the next few days when Scotland tackle Iceland home and away with the return leg at Easter Road on Monday.

Billy Stark’s side finished top of Group 10 thanks to a last-gasp winner from Chris Maguire which ensured victory over Austria at Pittodrie last month.

Caddis and his team-mates were relieved to miss Spain and England in the play-off draw, but he acknowledges that Iceland will be up for the match and likely to provide a stern test.

“I hope the nation doesn’t think that because we are playing against Iceland, that it’s an easy game and we are just going to go through,” he told the Daily Record.

“They deserve to be there as much as we do and if people have been following the under-21s they will see that Iceland drew 2-2 in Germany and then beat them 4-1.

“So they are no pushovers.

“I hear that Iceland are bringing a lot of players back from their senior team which shows a bit of respect for us.

“But no matter which 11 they put out, we know they are going to be a really good side and tough to break down.

“We need to, first and foremost, not concede.”

Iceland have called up seven players who would have otherwise been in the senior side but will instead feature for the Under-21s, including Coventry midfielder Aron Gunnarson, Hoffenheim star Gylfi Sigurdsson and Hearts defender Eggert Jonsson.

Scotland are without suspended midfielder Paul Coutts for the first leg while striker James Forrest and defender Steven Saunders are injured.

But Stark is confident Scotland can keep the tie alive for Monday’s return match in Edinburgh.

He said: “We’re not a team who are set out particularly to defend. We take risks trying to score goals and I don’t see that changing. The way Iceland play it would be very difficult to dominate anyway because they put you under pressure quickly.

“We couldn’t have a tougher match.”

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Bent ready to seize chance

Posted on October 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Sunderland striker Darren Bent feels he deserves a starting spot in England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on Tuesday (England 1/25 to qualify for Euro 2012).

Bent has scored eight goals so far this season, including his first ever international goal in the 3-1 victory over Switzerland, and the 26-year-old feels he is ready to impress on the international stage.

However, Bent accepts that the decision is down to boss Fabio Capello, but if called on he is ready to fire England to victory.

“Naturally I’d love to start, but it’s not for me to guess what Mr Capello is going to do,” Bent told The Guardian.

“He has his own ideas, so who knows? He can surprise people.

“Knowing what I know already about the way the England manager works, my immediate goal is not starting the game but showing up well in training, because that is what he looks for.”

Wayne Rooney has been included in the 23-man squad to face Montenegro but there are still fears the Manchester United striker will miss out through an ankle injury – and Bent will almost certainly be handed a starting role if Rooney is not fully-fit.

Capello has selected four strikers to face Montenegro, with Spurs’ Peter Crouch and Bolton’s Kevin Davies also included in the squad, and the Italian tactician is likely to partner Bent with either Crouch or Davies if Rooney does not recover in time.

Bent missed out on the World Cup in the summer as Capello overlooked the Sunderland star, despite his impressive goal tally last season, but the striker is expected to be handed his chance to shine for England in the build up to the European Championships.

Bent has been described as “one of the important players for the future” by Capello and after scoring against the Swiss last time out hecould be handed another chance on Tuesday.

Bent admits he was frustrated to miss out on the World Cup and is delighted to have finally been given the opportunity to impress on the international stage.

However, the Sunderland striker insists he is not thinking as far ahead as the tournament proper in 2012, or the World Cup in 2014, as he is concentrating on securing regular action for the national side (England 9/1 to win Euro 2012).

He added: “The next World Cup is too far ahead to have as a target, so I’m looking to cement my place in the England set-up, maybe get a few more goals, and generally give myself the chance of reaching the Euros (in 2012).

“I’d love to go to a tournament with England, but it’s probably best not to look too far into the future. Just try to do well in the next game and take it from there.”

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Roy revels in Reds takeover

Posted on October 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Roy Hodgson has welcomed the potential takeover of Liverpool by American company NESV amid reports the new owners are keen to keep him on as manager (Liverpool 7/1 – Top 4 finish).

The takeover is yet to officially go through and is subject to a legal battle from current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who believe the £300m deal with the owners of the Boston Red Sox undervalues the club.

However, chairman Martin Broughton is confident the sale will be rubber-stamped, with the Premier League set to give it the green light as early as Friday, pending the legal challenge from Hicks and Gillett.

Hodgson has revealed he has been told to expect the club to be sold to NESV and is pleased a change of ownership is finally on the cards.

“It’s very positive and of course I’m delighted,” the Reds boss told the club’s website.

“It’s been going on a long time and I know how hard the board have worked to set things up.

“I know it’s not easy for them because the owners have other ideas in terms of the sale of the club and what is achievable.

“But I was delighted to hear the news and have it confirmed that it looks like it is going to go through.”

Hodgson’s position as manager has been called into question following Liverpool’s dismal start to the season but it is believed that when NESV do take over they will back the former Fulham chief to turn things around at Anfield (Liverpool 11/1 to be relegated).

The group, which also operates Fenway Sports Group and Roush Fenway Racing in the States, has claimed it plans to remove all the “acquisition debt” from the club and has a long-term aim to restore Liverpool to its former glories.

A statement said: “NESV wants to create a long-term financially solid foundation for Liverpool FC and is dedicated to ensuring that the club has the resources to build for the future, including the removal of all acquisition debt.

“Our objective is to stabilise the club and ultimately return Liverpool FC to its rightful place in English and European football, successfully competing for and winning trophies.

“Since 2001, New England Sports Ventures has made successful investments in sports and entertainment properties.

“Our portfolio of companies – including the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park, New England Sports Network,- are all committed to one common goal: winning.

“NESV wants to help bring back the culture of winning to Liverpool FC.”

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Liverpool agree sale in principle

Posted on October 6, 2010 by SoccerCapper

The board of directors at Liverpool (Evens – Premier League Top 6 finish) has agreed the sale of the club in principle, subject to the approval of the Premier League, to New England Sports Ventures.

The potential takeover is also subject to the resolution of a legal dispute between the two owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who did their best on Tuesday night to avert the sale and regain control at Anfield.

Two “excellent” bids were received last night but the US owners tried to block the sale by replacing managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre with Mack Hicks and Lori Kay McCutcheon.

Hicks and Gillett argued that the English directors were not acting in the best interests of the club by saying the NESV bid, and another from Asia, “dramatically undervalued the club”.

Purslow, Ayre and chairman Martin Broughton are taking legal action over their possible exits and are trying to force through a sale.

Broughton told the club’s website: “I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process which has been thorough and extensive.

“The board decided to accept NESV’s proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner. NESV’s philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at the Red Sox.

“We’ve met them in Boston, London and Liverpool over several weeks and I am immensely impressed with what they have achieved and with their vision for Liverpool Football Club.

“By removing the burden of acquisition debt, this offer allows us to focus on investment in the team. I am only disappointed that the owners (Tom Hicks and George Gillett) have tried everything to prevent the deal from happening and that we need to go through legal proceedings in order to complete the sale.”

NESV are partly owned by futures and foreign exchange trading advisor John W. Henry, who has an estimated fortune of £540m, and own a number of sporting companies, including the Boston Red Sox, New England Sports Network, Fenway Sports Group and Rousch Fenway Racing.

Liverpool’s off-field problems have had a huge effect on matters on the pitch with the Reds (11/1 to be relegated) enduring their worst start to a season since 1953-54, when they were relegated.

Roy Hodgson’s men have won just once this season in the Premier League – a 1-0 victory over West Brom at Anfield – and have slipped to 18th place in the table, while they were also dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two minnows Northampton.

Liverpool (10/1 – Europa League outright betting) do top Group K in the Europa League after a win and a draw in their first two matches but will be looking for a dramatic turnaround of their domestic form to try and ensure of qualification for next year’s European competitions.

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Style over substance for Fabregas

Posted on October 6, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has revealed that the style of play is at the forefront of the Spain (7/2 favourites to win Euro 2012) national side’s philosophy and that the team would be jeered by the fans if they played like England (9/1).

Spain’s technique and free-flowing style has been lauded for some time and it has now been rewarded with the Red Fury winning both Euro 2008 and the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

Fabregas, who set up the World Cup-winning goal for Andres Iniesta against Netherlands, admitted that the style of play is more important than the result and that they have no intention of changing their methods any time soon.

Fabregas told the Daily Telegraph: “The way we play is the most important. It’s about how you do it. You will never play the ball longer or do some things you are not used to.

“We want to win playing football. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen but we want to be the best this way. We did it last summer and we want to keep doing it.”

The Gunners ace also had a dig at England and insisted La Roja will never resort to a long-ball game.

“Here in England it is passion and the fans love it when there are hard tackles and you play long balls and counter-attack,” Fabregas added.

“If you do that in Spain they will boo you.

“They are used to another kind of football. Here [in England] if you play good football, good football, good football and you don’t win then they can boo you for the opposite. You have to believe in your style and go for it.”

Spain (1/10 to win Group I) cruised to a 4-0 win at Liechtenstein in their opening match of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and now face a double-header to try and climb to the top of the standings.

First up on Friday is a clash with Lithuania, who currently have four points from two games but lie second on goals scored, and the defending champions are 1/16 favourites to maintain their 100 per cent record, with the visitors priced at a massive 20/1 and the draw at 7/1.

Vicente del Bosque’s men then travel to current table-toppers Scotland (11/2 to qualify) next Tuesday before resuming action next March with games against Czech Republic and Lithuania.

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Hughes eyes famous victory

Posted on October 6, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Fulham’s Aaron Hughes believes Northern Ireland are capable of recording another famous win at Windsor Park when they welcome Italy (8/13 Italy – 90 minutes) in Belfast on Friday.

Nigel Worthington’s side got their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign off to a flying start with a 1-0 victory in Slovenia and will be looking to make it two out of two when they face the Azzurri.

Northern Ireland have been placed in a tough group and will have to get the better of Italy, Serbia, Estonia, Slovenia and the Faroe Islands if they are to reach their first major competition since the 1982 World Cup.

Their last qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup ended in failure as they finished fourth of six, seven points behind eventual group winners Slovakia.

While it is unlikely Northern Ireland (8/1 to qualify for Euro 2012) will do any better in their bid to reach Ukraine and Poland in two years’ time they will hope for some more famous nights at Windsor Park along the way.

In the past Northern Ireland have caused some big upsets at their famous old ground, beating Spain and England recently.

Despite Italy’s recent fall from grace a victory over the four-time world champions would represent a massive achievement for Worthington’s men.

Italy currently top Group C having won their first two matches against Estonia and the Faroe Islands.

However, it will arguably be their biggest test when they face Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Friday night.

Hughes believes he and his compatriots have every chance of causing an upset against Italy, although the Fulham defender says they can’t underestimate the Azzurri despite their recent performances.

“At home over the last few years we’ve had some really good results,” Hughes told Fulham’s official website.

“The England and Spain games will be talked about for years and we beat a lot of good teams that were ranked higher than us at home.

“Our home form is strong and we should go into the game with plenty of confidence, but it would be extremely dangerous to go into the match thinking Italy aren’t what they used to be because the team is full of quality players.”

Northern Ireland (16/1 Group C outright) follow Friday’s game against Italy (4/9) with a trip to Toftir to face Faroe Islands (5000/1) four days later.

Worthington will have to do with Pat McCourt for both matches as the Celtic winger is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Rangers’ Andrew Little has been called up instead of Adam Barton after he withdrew while Niall McGinn is back after missing the game with Slovenia.

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Hodgson reacts to Blackpool shock

Posted on October 5, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Liverpool are 18/1 to be playing Championship football next season and boss Roy Hodgson admits the Reds are in a Premier League relegation battle.

Hodgson watched on as his side slumped to an embarrassing Anfield defeat to new boys Blackpool on Sunday, to leave them in the bottom three on goal difference.

Liverpool have won just once in the league so far this season, with seven games gone, and they are already a massive 12 points behind leaders Chelsea (Liverpool 7/1 – Top Four Finish).

But by the same token, Hodgson’s men are just three points behind his former club Fulham, who sit in mid-table, but the ex-Inter Milan chief is refusing to take anything for granted as fans await an upturn in fortunes.

He said: “It’s seven games gone and there are 31 left, which is an awful lot of games, but the fact is that when you are in the relegation zone you are in a relegation battle.”

Hodgson now has two weeks to stew over his side’s travails as the international break for Euro 2012 qualifiers means Liverpool are not in action until Sunday October 17.

The Reds’ next Premier League game is the small matter of a trip to Goodison Park to face city rivals Everton.

The Blues have also endured a slow start to their campaign, but did sign off before the break with a morale-boosting 2-0 win at Birmingham.

Interestingly, Everton are still searching for their first home win in the league this term while Liverpool have not won away.

Goodison captain Phil Neville admits the shame of starting last weekend at the bottom of the table played a part in the Birmingham victory.

“We were bottom of the league and it was the kick up the backside we needed,” said the former England international.

“We’ve also let the fans down. They have been deflated these last couple of weeks and we have as well.

“I think they saw us get our just rewards at Birmingham for the effort we put in. The pleasing thing is we’ve not lost that self-belief.”

Neville added: “Sometimes when you have bad defeats, you can revert back to safety first and playing with fear. I don’t think we’ve done that and everybody needs applauding for that.”

Everton can be backed at 12/1 to finish in the top four of the Premier League.