Tag Archives: Over

Style over substance for Fabregas

Posted on by
Reply

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.

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

Gerrard upbeat over Liverpool’s fortunes

Posted on by
Reply

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists the Reds will ‘beat most teams in the league’ if they can repeat their display at Manchester United on Sunday (Liverpool 2/1 – Top 4 Finish).

The Reds may have come away from Old Trafford with nothing to show for their efforts following the 3-2 defeat, but the England midfielder is confident progress is being made under boss Roy Hodgson, who was only appointed in the summer.

A big piece of Hodgson’s summer transfer dealings was keeping Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres out of the clutches of rival clubs, and the former Fulham chief was rewarded as Gerrard weighed in with a brace which included a penalty at the weekend.

Although naturally disappointed to go down at United, Gerrard was upbeat on Monday morning over the Merseysiders’ chances for the rest of the campaign.

He said: “It is going to take time before the new manager gets his feet in the door and gets his ideas over.

“We are improving and the performance yesterday was very good.

“If we play like that most weeks we will beat most teams in the league.”

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov’s first hat-trick for the club ultimately proved the difference between the two sides, but it still did not stop Gerrard from stressing what he thought were the positives.

“We kept the ball away from them and I thought we passed it really well; of course we had to be edgy in the first half because we were away from home,” said Gerrard.

“I thought second half we were much more positive and played some terrific stuff but you get nothing for that.

“When you go to places like that you have to create chances from your possession and score goals.

“We scored two but it was not enough.”

One of the main talking points post-match was the form of Berbatov after he stole the limelight with possibly his best game in a United shirt.

But talk also centred on the out-of-form Torres who has found himself accused of cheating following a tussle with United utility man John O’Shea which saw the Irishman booked.

Sir Alex Ferguson commented: “I have watched it again. Fernando Torres made a meal of it, an absolute meal of it. There is no doubt he tried to get the player sent off.”

United (11/2 – Carling Cup Outright) are back in action on Wednesday when they make the trip to Scunthorpe for a Carling Cup third-round clash while Liverpool (15/2) entertain Northampton.

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

Hughton firm over strike ace

Posted on by
Reply

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton says he wants to keep hold of young striker Andy Carroll who is now a 28/1 shot to win this season’s Premier League Golden Boot.

The Gateshead-born hitman has rifled in four league goals so far this season – including a hat-trick against Aston Villa – to jointly lead the scoring charts alongside Chelsea duo Didier Drogba (2/1f) and Florent Malouda (28/1) plus Arsenal speedster Theo Walcott (40/1).

Carroll’s form is understood to have put Hughton’s former club Tottenham, who the 51-year-old served as a coach and player for over 25 years, on alert as they look to strengthen their forward options in the mid-season transfer window.

But the Magpies’ relative weakness in attacking options means Hughton is determined to hang on to his star man.

“Amused is probably the right word – I thought the window had closed,” Hughton told reporters when quizzed over Spurs’ reported interest in the 21-year-old.

“Of course, I have heard the speculation and it is probably testament to him and the season he has had so far, albeit we are only four games in.

“He has started the season very well and with any player who is doing well, you expect some speculation.

“But from our point of view, there is absolutely nothing in it – and we don’t want there to be either.”

Newcastle’s season continues on Saturday with a trip to slow-starting Everton who will be hoping to build on last weekend’s last-gasp 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Goodison (Everton 4/7, draw 13/5, Newcastle 5/1 – 90 minutes).

Carroll’s build-up to the game has been hampered by an ankle knock but he looks set to take his place in the side while there could be a first start for veteran defender Sol Campbell following three reserve-team appearances.

However, the Magpies are still without summer signings Dan Gosling (knee) and Leon Best (ankle).

Everton captain Phil Neville is available for selection after a foot injury accounted for the former England international during the opening four games of the Premier League season.

Following an appearance for the reserves against West Ham, he told the Blues’ website: “I think it was important that I played.

“I’m glad to get 90 minutes under my belt and I’m ready to play against Newcastle on Saturday.

“It’s so important (to play) as you can train as hard as you want but 90 minutes against West Ham, who played a strong team, is like money in the bank.”

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

Gerrard still upbeat over Capello’s England

Posted on by
Reply

England captain Steven GerrardSteven Gerrard believes England (9/1 to win Euro 2012) can go forward under Fabio Capello, despite their major disappointment at this summer’s World Cup.

Having gone to South Africa as one of the tournament favourites, the Three Lions failed to live up to expectations and crashed out to Germany in the second round.

Capello has made radical changes to the squad for this week’s friendly against Hungary (England 2/7, Draw 4/1, Hungary 11/1 – Match Betting), with a whole host of new faces and younger players being given their chance.

The squad has already seen a number of withdrawals though, with Wes Brown and Paul Robinson announcing their international retirements. This has again put the manager’s position under question.

Responding to the duo’s decisions, Capello stated: “You have to accept what they want to do. I think it’s an honour to be with the national team and to play for England.”

Despite these setbacks, skipper Gerrard believes the Italian still remains the right man for the job and that the players in the squad remain determined to be successful with the national team.

The Liverpool midfielder said: “He (Capello) is a fantastic manager and I still have the utmost confidence in him.”

Gerrard (11/8 to score at anytime v Hungary) accepts that England are likely to be given a ‘mixed reception’ by the home fans on Wednesday, admitting that he would boo the players if he was sat in the stands as a fan.

He added: “We have to take it on the chin. We deserve it. We let them down in the summer.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland striker Darren Bent (20/1 to be 2010/2011 Premier League Top Goalscorer) has pulled out of the squad to face Hungary at Wembley due to injury.

Bent, who missed out on a place at the World Cup, is struggling with a back problem, which forced him to sit out Monday’s training session.

The 26-year-old’s absence means Wayne Rooney is now likely to be partnered by either Carlton Cole of West Ham or Fulham’s Bobby Zamora.

Bent, who scored 24 Premier League goals last season, has been sent back to his club and is a doubt for Sunderland’s opening game with Birmingham on Saturday.

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

Capello sorry over player index

Posted on by
Reply

Fabio Capello’s son has moved to lessen the potential damage caused to the England squad’s moral (6/1 to Not Qualify For Euro 2012) by the World Cup player ratings on the Capello Index website after apologising on behalf of his father.

The Italian tactician angrily hit out at the decision to publish the rankings of the England players, and those from other teams, from the tournament in South Africa on the website without his permission.

Capello demanded that the Index be removed from the internet immediately on Saturday, claiming he had not seen or approved any of the material before it was posted.

The results showed Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe with the highest average score of Capello’s squad with 62.47, while goalkeeper Robert Green had the lowest score of 51.67 out of 100 – probably due to his howler to gift the United States an equaliser in the 1-1 Group C draw.

There were no England players in the top 45 and there was a real fear it could affect the squad as they aim to put their World Cup debacle behind them to focus on Euro 2012 (England 9/1 Tournament Winner).

Capello’s son and agent Pierfilippo has now spoken out to confirm that he is ‘very sorry and upset’ about the publication of the Index.

He told The Sun: “We had told the FA there would not be any ratings appearing on any of the England players.

“So to find out that the opposite has happened just a day later was something we were unhappy about.

“There is no commercial value in this to Fabio – he was just interested to see and compare how the statistics would compare with his own evaluations.

“These are not Fabio’s ratings and we are now looking to have his name removed from the title.”

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

Hodgson digs in over duo

Posted on by
Reply

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has issued a firm ‘hands-off’ warning over star striker Fernando Torres who has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona (Reds 9/1 – 2010 Premier League Outright).

The Spain World Cup winner, who suffered a thigh problem during the final win over Holland which could see him miss the start of the Premier League season, is currently on holiday.

But Hodgson has already met with the 26-year-old former Atletico Madrid star, as he has with England midfielder Steven Gerrard.

And the former Fulham chief insists neither is up for sale as he bids to lead the Reds back into the top four during the forthcoming season.

Hodgson said: “As far as we are concerned he is a Liverpool player and we want him to remain a Liverpool player.

“He is not for sale and we don’t welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him.

“We spoke about football, the World Cup, his injury, and I told him how much I am looking forward to working with him.”

Hodgson also says he has held “positive” talks with Gerrard who has spent his entire career with the Anfield outfit.

“We are in a situation where we hear our players are being courted by other teams but it is all just rumours,” Hodgson added.

“What we haven’t had is a club wanting to buy Steven Gerrard. Steven Gerrard is not for sale – I made that clear to him.”

One player who looks set to move on imminently is left-back Emiliano Insua who is in talks with Italian side Fiorentina over a £5m switch.

Meanwhile, Hodgson admits he has been unable to touch base with Argentina captain Javier Mascherano who is believed to have returned home following the World Cup.

Hodgson revealed at the club?s Swiss training camp: “I have tried to contact Javier. I have left him voice messages and sent him texts but had no reply.

“To be fair to him, that’s not unusual because he’s had a tough World Cup and I believe he’s gone back to Argentina.

“It’s not always easy to get in touch with people. I have tried to reach him to make clear I am happy to talk with him at his convenience.”

Liverpool kick off the Premier League season with a home clash against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal (8/1 – Opening Day Fixtures – Game With Most Goals).

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

Hodgson stands firm over star man

Posted on by
Reply

World Cup bettingRoy Hodgson has insisted star striker Fernando Torres is not for sale as he aims to rebuild Liverpool after a poor season last time out (Reds 12/1 to win the title).

Speculation has been rampant over the summer that the Spanish star may move on to pastures new after enduring a disappointing campaign at Anfield.

Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing in a lowly seventh place in the Premier League. They now face a third qualifying round clash against Rabotnicki or Mika to qualify for the Europa League.

Torres himself was plagued with injury but the appointment of Hodgson, who succeeded Rafael Benitez in the Liverpool hotseat two weeks ago, is seen by many as the start of a new era at the Merseyside club.

Hodgson was quick to meet his star players, including Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, but has only just had the opportunity to meet with Torres after the Spaniard returned home following his World Cup exploits.

The Liverpool boss admitted afterwards that he found the striker a “very pleasant man”.

He went on to say “As far as we are concerned he is a Liverpool player and we want him to remain a Liverpool player. He is not for sale and we don’t welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him.

“We spoke about football, the World Cup, his injury, and I told him how much I am looking forward to working with him.”

Hodgson also confirmed that managing director Christian Purslow was at the meeting with Torres and spoke to him for a far greater length of time than he did.

Meanwhile, Liverpool officials flew to Spain to see Torres in order to assess the extent of the injury he sustained in last Sunday?s World Cup final. A slight tear in an adductor muscle has ruled the player out of action for thenext three weeks.

This means that Torres is unlikely to feature in the Europa League clash between Rabotnicki or Mika, whilst it is doubtful whether he will play many pre-season games before Liverpool’s tough opening match against Arsenal on August 15 (Liverpool 5/4, draw 23/10, Arsenal 7/4).

Hodgson has also had talks with Gerrard, which he believes were positive. He made it clear that Liverpool don?t want to sell their captain and also stated that they have had no offers for him, despite rumours to the contrary.

Meanwhile, the situation regarding Javier Mascherano is a little more complicated as Hodgson has yet to receive a response from his texts and voice messages. However, he believes this is not unusual as Mascherano is probably recovering from a gruelling World Cup back in Argentina.

Hodgson also dismissed rumours linking him with a move for Nice striker Loic Remy. He said; “He’s a player who was mentioned to me by the scouting department and a player the club were following before I came.

“He’s a player I know very little about. If I am going to be interested in a player I am going to have to watch him playing, study him and make judgments which I have not been able to.”

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

Aquilani over ankle injury

Posted on by
Reply

Liverpool's Alberto AquilaniLiverpool (12/1 to win the Premier League) midfielder Alberto Aquilani is fit and ready to start the new season, the club have said.

The Italian, who signed for £20million from Roma last year, had to wait more than two months to make his debut after suffering an ankle problem.

The injury was not completely healed throughout the season, leaving him out of sorts.

But the 25-year-old is able to start pre-season training, says the club’s head of sports medicine and sports science Peter Brukner.

Brukner told LFC Weekly magazine: “Alberto’s ankle, which was a problem last year, is now 100% healed.

“He has been training and has looked very sharp. He’ll have to keep working on his injury prevention programme and if he does, I’m sure the supporters will see the best of him because last season was very frustrating for him injury-wise.”

Brukner is pleased with the fitness levels of the players ahead of the start of training.

“Staggering pre-season presents a challenge,” he said. “I’m guessing that the World Cup guys will be pretty fit anyway.

“You don’t lose a lot in three weeks and they’ve all been in contact with us to speak about their programme over that period.”

Brukner’s next task is to assess the fitness of star striker Fernando Torres, who pulled up with an adductor injury in Sunday’s World Cup final in South Africa.

Torres has now returned to Madrid with the rest of the victorious Spain squad and Liverpool (5/1 to win Premier League betting without Man Utd and Chelsea) staff are to fly out to meet him this week.

The 26-year-old is due to have a scan before beginning his summer break.

Reports on Monday suggested he faced a spell of up to eight weeks on the sidelines, but Liverpool have moved to allay those fears.

Brukner, told the club’s official website: “We’ve been in touch with the Spanish medical team and they don’t think it’s too serious.

“It’s an adductor muscle injury but they’ve not had a chance to assess it today.

“We can’t say too much more at the moment until it is properly assessed.”

The striker flopped at the World Cup, failing to score, but his services are very much in demand and new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson faces a difficult job in trying to keep him at the club.

The 26-year-old has been strongly linked with both Chelsea and Manchester City, and while international colleague Andres Iniesta would not shed any light on where the player might be going he did say the issue should be settled soon.

Iniesta, Spain’s World Cup final hero, spoke to Torres on the flight home from South Africa and told the Daily Express: “He is going to take a break with his wife and daughter, speak to Liverpool and take things from there.

“Any club that has him is lucky to have him. David Villa says Torres is the most complete striker in the world and his future will be decided in the next two weeks.”

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

Concern grows over Buffon

Posted on by
Reply

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi BuffonItaly remain concerned that first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could miss the rest of the World Cup after he again sat out training on Wednesday with a back injury (Italy 8/15 to win Group F).

The Juventus keeper has been struggling with a nerve problem in his back and was forced to come off at half time in the world champions’ unimpressive 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Monday.

The 32-year-old was confident the injury was only minor and he would be available for the Azzurri’s next Group F game against New Zealand on Saturday (Italy to win 4-0 – 10/1) but now there are suggestions he may miss the rest of the tournament.

A statement later released by the Italy camp read: “It’s impossible to estimate when he might return.”

If Buffon is ruled out, Federico Marchetti, who came on at the break against Paraguay, is expected to stay in goal as Marcelo Lippi’s men look for a better showing against New Zealand.

Italy have been criticised for their lacklustre display on Monday but Lippi was keen to stress the positives and insisted they deserved more than a point in their opening game.

“Italy is right here. We’re here tactically, physically, with our hearts, we’re here full stop,” he said.

“I just regret that we did not get the points we deserved, but sometimes that’s what happens, you get less than you deserve.”

He added: “The important thing is this was not a decisive game. What is important is that people now realise we are here and have got our act together.”

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

Barry’s American dream is over

Posted on by
Reply

Gareth Barry has confirmed he has been told by coach Fabio Capello he will not be involved when England begin their quest to end a 44-year wait for World Cup glory against USA on Saturday (4/9 England, 16/5 draw, 13/2 USA – totesport match betting).

The Rustenburg opener comes too soon for the fit-again Manchester City midfielder, who is short of match sharpness given that he has only just returned to light training following a serious ankle injury towards the end of the domestic season.

England coach Capello had always had in mind the deadline of June 13 for former Aston Villa favourite Barry to step up his recovery, so confirmation that the 29-year-old will not feature against Bob Bradley’s men comes as a surprise.

Barry will intensify his training as of Tuesday in his attempts to get match fit for the second Group C game against Algeria, which takes place in Cape Town on June 18 (1/4 England, 4/1 draw, 8/1 Algeria – match betting).

“I’ve been told I’m not playing against USA to give me more time,” Barry told www.newsoftheworld.co.uk. “I’ll be back in full training with the team from tomorrow.”

The news means that Capello is likely to stick with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield, while Joe Cole is almost certain to be given the nod on the problematic left-hand side of the England engine room.

A clear indication was given when the trio started Monday afternoon’s 3-0 practice match win against the Platinum Stars.

Capello will be keen to get Barry involved having bent his own rules to accommodate the Eastlands star.

The Italian had long held the view that he would only take match-fit and in-form players to South Africa, but Barry has not played a competitive fixture since he damaged ankle ligaments at the beginning of May.

Tottenham hopeful Jermain Defoe gave the Three Lions an interval lead against the local South African side at Moruleng Stadium on Monday, before Cole and Wayne Rooney made sure of the friendly win.

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