Tag Archives: silverware

Toure eyes City silverware

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sagna targets more silverware

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Bacray Sagna believes Arsenal must win some silverware this season if the players are to convince manager Arsene Wenger to stay with the Gunners (7/1 to be FA Cup winners).

The north London outfit haven’t lifted any silverware since they beat Manchester United on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup final.

Since then the Gunners have contested a Champions League final, numerous semi-finals and come within a few points of winning the Premier League.

However, the trophy cabinet at the Emirates Stadium still awaits its first addition since the club made the short move from Highbury to their new surroundings four years ago.

Wenger had enjoyed a hugely successful spell as Arsenal manager up until recently, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Now though the Frenchman is coming under increasing pressure to deliver some silverware, with some sections of the Arsenal fan base going as far to call for the manager’s head in the wake of their barren spell.

Wenger has just one year left on his current contract and there is speculation he will walk away from Arsenal (7/1 Premier League winners) should he fail to guide the Gunners to any trophies this year.

Sagna has now called on his team mates to deliver this season, telling them that they must win some silverware if they want to keep Wenger at the club.

“I don’t need to say how important the boss is to Arsenal,” said the full-back.

“He has done great work at Arsenal and we want to win things for him. Everything he has given us we need to give him back.

“That is what we will try to do and it would be great to win something.

“I don’t know if it will be his last season at Arsenal. We just want to play and give back the trust he gave us.

“The contract situation is not a concern. Our job is on the pitch.”

While the Gunners are once again likely to challenge for top honours they are in danger of being overtaken by Manchester City and Tottenham.

So far Wenger has only brought in striker Marouane Chamakh and defender Laurent Koscielny to strengthen his side, despite calls from supporters to bring in a new goalkeeper and anther defender and striker.

The Gunners lack of strength in depth could already be exposed before a ball has been kicked with Nicklas Bendtner ruled out for the first few weeks, while Robin van Persie is also unlikely to feature in the first game against Liverpool (5/4 to beat the Gunners).

That leaves just Chamakh and Carlos Vela as the only available first team strikers for the trip to Anfield.

Not only has Wenger got concerns over his squad to deal with but he is also fighting hard to keep Cesc Fabregas at the club, the midfielder having been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer.

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