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Fletcher confident of success

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Manchester United midfielder Darren FletcherDarren Fletcher says he is confident that Manchester United have enough star quality to reclaim the Premier League title next season (United 5/2 to win Premier League title).

The Scotland midfielder is well known for his hard working, spoiling style and his play has even been labelled “anti-football” by some correspondents.

However, he is fully aware of his standing within the side and recognises the qualities that others bring to the Reds.

“We’ve got a fantastic squad,” he says. “Plenty of players with ability who can make a difference.

“We’ve got the experience of Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Van der Sar. We’ve got Rooney, Berbatov, and the rest of the players who know their role in the team, who are willing to work hard for the team and who are willing to sacrifice for the team.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has been reluctant to open his cheque book so far this summer.

United currently appear to be going through a transitional period, with Sir Alex Ferguson preferring to invest in youth rather than big names.

With players such as the Da Silva twins, Jonny Evans, Kiko Macheda and Danny Welbeck already firmly in first team plans at Old Trafford, as well as the potential in Tom Cleverly and new signing Chris Smalling, the future looks bright.

Meanwhile, Fletcher is confident that the club’s current stars can step up to the plate and help the youngsters along after the recent exodus of some high profile names.

“People always speak about us losing Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Antonio Valencia has come in, Nani will step up to the plate and others will improve.”

United’s lack of strength in depth has been criticised in recent years and at one point last season Fletcher was forced to play as a central defender alongside fellow midfielder Michael Carrick.

The lack of big names also appears to mean that there will once again be a lot of pressure on striker Wayne Rooney to perform but Fletcher believes United still have the players to back-up the England man and be successful in the Premier League (United 1/5 to beat Newcastle on the opening day).

“I’d have liked to have seen Chelsea cope with Lampard and Ballack at the back,” he says, smiling.

“We’ve still got star quality and we’d have won the league last year if it wasn’t for that injury crisis. But it’s not necessarily about your star players. You need different components to make a team.”

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Mancini closes on left-back

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Manchester City’s bid to sign Lazio left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is still on track, according to the Serbia international’s Italian club (City 13/10 to win Premier League without Chelsea and Manchester United).

Blues boss Roberto Mancini is adding to his squad for a tilt at the Premier League title having joined City midway through last season when Mark Hughes was sacked (City 4/1 – Premier League 2010/11 Outright).

Mancini has so far drafted in David Silva, Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng, and the arrival of 24-year-old Kolarov is imminent.

Lazio sporting director Igli Tare told Sky Italia: “Kolarov to Manchester City – there are no problems.

“Lazio has already done what it had to do. We are waiting for developments in the coming days.

“It is not important if the figure is £20million or not, what counts is the willingness of both parties to close the deal.”

Kolarov’s arrival at Eastlands raises question marks over the future of former England left-back Wayne Bridge who is being linked with Liverpool.

The Reds released Fabio Aurelio at the end of last season while Emiliano Insua is poised to join Fiorentina any day now.

New Anfield manager Roy Hodgson has already snapped up Joe Cole on a free transfer and has also persuaded captain Steven Gerrard that his future lies on Merseyside (Reds 7/4 – Top 4 Finish).

Those factors will work in Hodgson’s favour if he decides to make a concrete move for Bridge – while the former Fulham chief is now hoping to persuade striker Fernando Torres and midfielder Javier Mascherano to follow Gerrard’s lead.

Hodgson told Sky Sports: “(Managing director) Christian Purslow has been talking to Fernando Torres for the last two days so I think there has probably been lots of words from Fernando Torres but I haven’t actually spoken to him.

“Mascherano is on holiday. He’s not due back until August 5 so when he returns to the club I’ll be speaking to him, not before then.

“Steven wanted time to consider a possible option that he had but I was always optimistic that he would stay with Liverpool because he’s the heart and soul of Liverpool and it would have been a major blow to lose him.”

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Fulham go back to drawing board

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Martin Jol has turned down the chance to become the new Fulham manager, leaving the Cottagers (15/2 to be relegated in 2010-11 season) turn their attentions elsewhere in the search for a successor to Roy Hodgson.

Former Spurs boss Jol was the strong favourite to fill the Craven Cottage vacancy, having been frustrated by a lack of spending power at current club Ajax.

The Dutch outfit always stated though that they didn?t want to lose their manager, despite holding talks with Fulham over potential compensation.

But after reportedly telling Jol that he will have money to spend this summer, it appears the Dutchman has had a change of heart and has announced his intension to remain in Amsterdam.

Speaking on the Ajax website, Jol revealed: “Ajax let me know they didn’t want me to go, and I don’t think I can bring myself to leave Ajax at this time.

“I came here last summer to be successful, the build a good team and to have fun and those three things are what I am interested in achieving next season.”

His snub means further problems for Fulham, who have now been without a manager since Roy Hodgson joined Liverpool on July 1.

With the new Premier League season just over three weeks away, the Cottagers face a race against time to find a new boss ahead of their opening game with Bolton (Bolton 6/5, Draw 11/5, Fulham 15/8 – Match Betting).

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones is among those now being touted for the post, while USA coach Bob Bradley has also been strongly linked with the vacancy.

Of the managers currently out of work and linked with Fulham, ex-Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson could be keen on a return to the Premier League.

Mark Hughes, Alan Curbishley and Gianfranco Zola are also believed to be on the list of potential candidates for the Fulham board.

The west-London outfit have not yet moved in the transfer market this summer and with the likes of Mark Schwarzer and Simon Davies linked with moves, the new man could have to do some rebuilding.

Goalkeeper Schwarzer is being strongly tipped with a move to Arsenal, while Everton are understood to be chasing Welsh international Davies.

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Ferguson expects Rooney improvement

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney is still improving but feels the 24-year-old can become a ‘complete footballer‘ if he continues to work hard (Rooney 5/1 to be the Premier League’s top scorer in 2010/2011).

Rooney notched an impressive 34 goals in all competitions for United last season, his best ever return.  The forward’s contribution ensured United continued to push for the Premier League title until the very end, only to lose out to Chelsea, and Ferguson is delighted with his striker’s development.

“He had an improvement in terms of his timing and movement in the penalty box. His positioning also improved from the previous season,” explained Ferguson.

“He got us over 30 goals and if he does that again and adds a little bit to his game then that is what we expect.

“The boy has got an incredible armoury of talent and what we have to do is to wait for that maturity.

“We also do nurture it and try to advise and coach in a fashion which will improve his game.

“But the most important thing I think he needs now is maturity and, when he gets that, I think you will see the complete footballer.”

However, after his blistering domestic campaign the striker disappointed at the World Cup with England, with Rooney unable to find the net or make any real contribution in any of the Three Lions four games in South Africa.

The United boss has always been an advocate of a mid-season break, with Ferguson convinced fatigue played a major part in the poor showing of England – and Rooney – in South Africa.

Ferguson reiterated his calls for the Premier League to implement a winter break and feels this will only improve England’s performances in future international competitions.

“The FA has to give the country the best possible chance of doing well in the World Cup,” added the Scottish manager.

“Because of the nature of our game and because of the demands from television to have a programme every week, I have been talking about a winter break but nothing has happened.

“They must realise that, going into the World Cup, they have handicapped their team.”

Rooney shouldered the burden of scoring the majority of Manchester United’s goals last season but he will have a new striker partner in the shape of Mexican Javier “Chicharito” Hernández for the 2010/2011 campaign, while Dimitar Berbatov has impressed in pre-season.

Ferguson remains confident the Bulgarian will hit top form at Old Trafford after two years with United (Manchester United 5/2 to win the Premier League).

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Rovers boss admits struggles

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Sam Allardyce has admitted he is struggling to lure a striker to Blackburn Rovers (7/1 to be relegated) in order to boost his squad ahead of a long Premier League season.

The former Bolton and Newcastle manager currently only has Jason Roberts and Nikola Kalinic as established top-flight strikers on his books, with untested forwards such as David Hoilett, Aaron Doran and Maceo Rigters his only other attacking options at this point in time.

He was forced to stand and watch his Blackburn (25/1 Premiership without Top Six 2010/11) side go down to a 3-0 defeat to Championship side, and north-west rivals, Preston North End in a friendly game at Deepdale this week.

Allardyce admitted it was “not great” from his side and he will certainly be wanting to bring more out of his players if they are to improve on their 10th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

Blackburn kick off their Premier League campaign against Everton (Blackburn 7/5 to win, Everton 8/5, draw 11/5) on August 14th and their experienced manager is hoping he can have secured the signature of more attacking firepower.

Allardyce has been linked with moves for ex-Manchester City forward Benjani, David Nugent and even Real Madrid legend Raul this summer.

He is also reportedly interested in bringing former Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire back to the Premier League from Greek side Olympiakos.

The Blackburn manager faces competition to get the signature of any of the above-mentioned attackers and he has admitted that the club’s finances are making it hard for him to get quality strikers to Ewood Park

“When you haven’t got as much money as everyone else, it makes it difficult to find the right player to make an impact for you,” said Allardyce.

“It is not a striker we are looking for to make the numbers up, it is a striker we are looking for to make an impact by challenging Jason Roberts and Niko Kalinic. That is extremely difficult for us at the moment.”

One of the forwards currently at Ewood Park remains convinced he could be the one to get goals for the club next season.

Dutch forward Rigters has failed to impress since arriving from NAC Breda in 2007, making only two appearances, but has issued a rallying cry to Allardyce.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: “I know I can play football and I know I can score goals here.

“I’ve scored a lot of goals in the reserves but I have to see where I’m going to start playing football. I hope it?s at Blackburn because I like the club and I really want to play in the Premier League.”

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Hodgson talks up Liverpool

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Roy Hodgson believes this week’s capture of Joe Cole and the confirmation that Steven Gerrard will stay at Anfield means Liverpool (7/4 – top-4 finish) will be stronger than last season.

With most onlookers impressed with the free transfer capture of Cole, Reds fans breathed a huge sigh of relief when skipper Gerrard then pledged his future to the club.

Hodgson is certainly upbeat about the season ahead after securing the services of the England pair, with the transfer work not yet complete.

The former Inter Milan boss admitted: “It will be a tough season with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate. But it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club.

“It’s a great piece of news and fingers crossed the speculation about Steven will go away. It gives everyone a boost without question.”

Hodgson believes that Liverpool (12/1 to win the 2010-11 Premier League) will start the season with a stronger group of players than when when Rafa Benitez ended his spell in charge at Anfield.

The manager added: “Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole – and if we are lucky one or two others to boost the squad – we will be going into this season’s competition maybe stronger on paper than we were last season.”

It looks like one of those further new captures will be the Rangers youngster Danny Wilson, who is on the brink of a move to Merseyside.

The SPL champions have agreed a three-year deal in principle with Liverpool over the sale of the teenage defender.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain claims the Glasgow club will receive £2m for the centre back, rising to £5m with add-ons linked to games played for the Reds.

The 18-year-old, who turned down an offer to remain at Ibrox, is understood to be undergoing a medical will the prospect of sealing a switch this week.

Hodgson also remains upbeat over the future and fitness of Fernando Torres (11/2 to be Premier League top goalscorer), who continues to be linked with a summer move.

The Spaniard is still on holiday following Spain’s World Cup success but Hodgson has spoken to the striker, who suffered a groin injury when coming on as a substitute in the final against the Netherlands.

The Liverpool boss revealed: “I met Torres last Wednesday in Ibiza, albeit briefly. He told me the groin problem was not anything to worry about, it was something which would clear up with rest on holiday.”

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Ferguson happy with his lot

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex FergusonSir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will not be bringing any more new players into Manchester United ahead of the Premier League campaign (United 5/2 Premiership Outright), as he is happy with the strength of his squad.

Ferguson has bolstered his ranks with Fulham defender Chris Smalling, while Mexican striker Javier Hernandez has been snapped up from Chivas Guadalajara. However, both players are arguably seen as future projects and would not be expected to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.

United continue to be linked with several players ahead of their Premier League opener against Newcastle (Man United 1/5, Newcastle 10/1, draw 9/2 – 90 Minutes Betting) at Old Trafford on August 16.

But Ferguson insists that he will not be opening the club’s wallet, despite neighbours Manchester City again spending big money this summer in a bid to become serious title contenders (City 4/1 Premier League winners) next term.

“I cannot speak about other clubs. We are comfortable with the squad we have got,” Ferguson said. “We bought players at the right time of the season and we are happy with what we have.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson is delighted with his players’ progress on the current tour of North America, despite the fact most training sessions are taking place in hot and humid conditions.

He said: “We are doing double sessions at 9.50am and 5.30pm and that helps us get a little rest after lunchtime.

“The conditions haven’t stopped us – they have been really good. The players have been great. They have shown some good application, good concentration and put in some really good work.

“It is now we are beginning to see the benefits of our training. The tempo is at the level we expect of our players.”

United are set to be boosted by Nani’s return to action following a dislocated collarbone injury, which ruled him out of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

The winger has joined up with the Reds in Chicago and could feature in Wednesday’s friendly against Philadelphia and against Kansas City Wizards on Sunday.

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Rodwell hoping for England call

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Highly-rated Everton youngster Jack Rodwell says he is hoping to improve his goalscoring record next season when he aims to catch the eye of England coach Fabio Capello (Everton 150/1 – Premier League outright).

The 19-year-old has impressed in recent seasons for the Toffees and established himself in the Everton line-up towards the end of the last season.

England coach Capello has been widely tipped to introduce a new generation of stars with many believing Rodwell should be the man the side is built around.

Alongside the Everton youngster, Arsenal pair Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott and Manchester City’s Adam Johnson and Joe Hart are all tipped as the players to take England forward to the European Champions in 2012.

Rodwell scored four times for the Toffees last year and says he is hoping that scoring more goals from midfield could be the key to catching Capello’s eye.

Rodwell has been one of the stars of Everton’s recent tour to Australia and opened the goalscoring in their final match against Brisbane Roar.

“It was a nice way to sign off the tour,” said Rodwell. “It was good to get another win and to be on the scoresheet, which is my main aim for next season – to get more goals.

“Any goal counts but obviously it was a bit special to get a goal like that. The top players in the world, the Gerrards and the Kakas, score from long distance and that is something I am aiming to work on in my game. I am still young so hopefully I can keep improving.”

Another England hopeful Leighton Baines also commented that the tour had been a satisfying exercise for his side.

“It was a good tour for us and the teams we have beaten have been of a decent standard,” said Baines.

“We played some decent stuff and there are still plenty of top players to come back. The three victories were good and overall we are pretty pleased.”

Tim Cahill was the only player who played in the World Cup to take part in the tour of his homeland with Steven Pienaar, Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu, Jan Mucha and John Hetinga all due to meet up with the squad in the next few days.

Everton start their Premier League campaign on Saturday 14 August against Blackburn and Rodwell is hoping this will be the season where he becomes a key component in manager David Moyes’ side (Everton 8/5 to beat Blackburn).

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O’Shea looking for fitness

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Fit-again defender John O’Shea says Manchester United will be hoping to avoid the injury problems that cost them their Premier League title to Chelsea last year (United 5/2 – Premier League outright).

O’Shea missed much of the last season with a thigh problem and was one of a number of defensive injuries that affected United during a dark December month which saw them lose to both Aston Villa and Fulham, two defeats that eventually proved crucial at the end of the season.

During that time, Sir Alex Ferguson was without key men Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic as well as Wes Brown, Jonny Evans and the Da Silva twins, Rafael and Fabio.

This crisis also coincided with an injury to goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar which meant he was forced to pair midfielders Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick in the heart of the defence with the unfortunate Ben Foster between the sticks.

O’Shea said: “Injuries were a key factor last season and we hope to avoid them this time around. I can never remember so many defenders being injured.

“But we still got so close to retaining the title – only a few lapses of concentration let us down in the end. Now we are all hungry to succeed again.”

United are currently on tour in America and have been regularly training in heat of 30 degrees Celsius. However, O’Shea is not fazed by the heat and insists it will benefit the side come the first weekend of the season.

“It is hard but not as hard as it was in years gone by, mind you,” said the Republic of Ireland international.

“It is more personalised now, which is down to the sports science staff. A good pre-season is so important.”

The Red Devils are currently stationed in Pennsylvania and are due to face a new MLS side on Wednesday night.

Ferguson will have to decide whether or not to risk winger Nani in the match and is expected to field a similar side to the one which won 3-1 against Celtic on Saturday due to the continued absence of a number of first-team regulars because of the extended break after the World Cup.

United start their campaign on Monday 16 August at home against Newcastle as they aim to achieve their fourth title in five years (United 1/5 – 90 minutes).

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Gerrard now likely to stay

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Steven Gerrard appears likely to stay at Liverpool – on offer at 12/1 with Totesport to win the Premier League – after manager Roy Hodgson revealed the skipper played a key role in persuading Joe Cole to move to Anfield.

Gerrard’s future has been the subject of plenty of speculation this summer following Liverpool’s disappointing campaign last season and the subsequent departure of boss Rafa Benitez to Internazionale.

However, Hodgson has indicated Gerrard spoke to Cole to convince him to make the move to Anfield while the two were together at the World Cup with England, and it would now come as a major surprise if the 30-year-old opted to leave the club he has served so well for his whole career.

Hodgson’s first major signing since taking over the Reds was a major coup with Spurs, Arsenal and West Ham all keen on signing the free agent following his release from Chelsea and he revealed Gerrard, along with team-mate Jamie Carragher were influential in helping Cole decide where to play his football next season.

“Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard did a good job in selling the club to Joe at the recent World Cup,” said Hodgson.

“He was undecided about what he wanted to do and to be fair it takes a bit more selling to persuade a Londoner who has played all his life in London to move up to Liverpool. The simple solution would have been to stay in the London area.”

Carragher himself is delighted with the capture and says it proves Liverpool (7/4 to finish in the top four) under Hodgson mean business.

“We have signed a top international player who has been really important for Chelsea,” he said on the club’s website.

“A lot of clubs wanted to sign him but it is a real coup that he has chosen to come here and you have got to give the manager and the board a pat on the back for convincing him to come here.

“Every supporter that I have spoken to is absolutely delighted and all the players are the same – it’s given everyone a boost, just at the right time.

“It’s good news again and, hopefully, there will be more to come. It’s the kind of signing that we needed to make.”

Carragher added: “Joe is someone I have known for a long time from playing with England. He is a great lad to have around the squad, he mixes well and is a lively character – he’s also an outstanding footballer.

“In the modern game, you need forwards that can function in two or three different positions and Joe will do that, no problem at all. He can play on the right, through the middle or on the left.”

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