Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has admitted that his side’s derby fixture against title rivals Manchester City on April 30th may well decide who becomes champions this season.
The Red Devils hold a three-point advantage over Roberto Mancini’s men with eight games left to play, but still have to travel to the Etihad Stadium, where City are unbeaten this season.
The veteran has stated that the game between the two may well be decisive, due to the teams being neck-and-neck.
“We have the experience but City have the hunger. If we both keeping going like this, everything will be decided in the derby,” he stated to Gazzetta dello Sport, translated to English by Sky Sports.
The 38-year-old bypassed the 900 appearance mark for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side earlier in the season, and has admitted that he is not ready to retire from the game just yet.
“For now, I just want to play football but I’m prepared for my life after retirement.
“Becoming manager of Manchester United? We’ll see, for now I just want to enjoy the moment.
“My goal as a youngster was to play one game for Manchester United. I achieved that dream, which I’m continuing to live at 38. I could not ask for more,” he concluded.
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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez feels that Chelsea will struggle against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals.
The Blues overcame Benfica in the quarter-finals to set up a mouth-watering clash with the reigning champions, with the first leg to be played at Stamford Bridge.
Martinez, who takes his relegation-threatened Wigan side to west London this weekend, feels that his countrymen may be too strong for Roberto Di Matteo’s team.
“If the second game had been at their place, Chelsea would have had an advantage,” he told The Sun.
“They need to take at least a two-goal lead to Barcelona to win. Ninety minutes in the Nou Camp is a long period to address things and put them right.
“Barcelona did that against AC Milan the other night. If the second leg had been at the Bridge, Chelsea would be favourites,” he opined.
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With striker Darius Henderson facing a court case in June, the Lions could face the new season without their leading goal scorer from 2010/2011 season, I will be looking at who would be left to lead the Lions attack.
John Marquis- This is Marquis’s first full season in the first team, and he has found it a struggle to adapt to Championship standards, with only one goal scored this season, and that came on the opening day at Reading.
Marquis looks a strong player who likes to put himself around the field, a Neil Harris-esq mould of player if you will, but so far he hasn’t produced, plus a twitter rant after losing to rivals Crystal Palace at The Den won’t help his cause with the fans. Can marquis score goals at this level? Maybe, after a loan or two in the lower leagues but not now, he’s nowhere near the answer.
Josh Mcquoid- The Lions faithful have seen little of Josh since his arrival in January 2010. An injury kept Mcquoid out when he first arrived but the South Londoners did get too see a glimpse of what he could do, a magnificent strike against Preston which won the clubs goal of the season award.
Since then certain rumours of a fall out with Kenny Jackett came out in the open. He only played 11 games before going on loan to Burnley where he impressed at Turf Moor the playing majority of his games on left wing. He played 17 games scoring just one goal before returning to The Den. He could be the new goal scorer at The Den but KJ may have him in plans for left midfield.
Sean Batt- Batt will just be happy to be playing football again after suffering a horrific injury in pre season of 2010, missing the whole of 10/11 campaign.
He started to make his comeback in January 2012, including two games against his old club Dagenham & Redbridge. He was sent to League Two promotion winners Crawley Town where he played only six games. He was then brought back to The Den for a string of sub appearances, including the final game against Blackpool. With an awkward body to play against and his blistering pace, BATTman, a unknown quantity, could be the answer Jackett is looking for.
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Last but nowhere least is Andy Keogh – Keogh was brought in on transfer deadline day from now relegated Wolves and his first few lions games were played on the wing but Kenny Jackett soon pushed him to a striker. With 10 goals in 19 games since January he’s gone from being in the reserves at Wolves, to being a top, on-form Championship striker and on the fringes of Ireland’s Euro 2012 squad, another gem found by KJ.
By looking at this the only real quality striker The Lions have is Andy Keogh, so surely another striker to accompany Keogh leading the strike force should be priority for this summer.
Tottenham have confirmed that manager Harry Redknapp has left the club by mutual consent.
The north London side finished fourth in the Premier League last term, but missed out on Champions League football due to Chelsea winning the 2011-12 tournament.
With only one year left on his contract at White Hart Lane, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has confirmed that Redknapp has left his post.
“This is not a decision the board and I have taken lightly,” a statement on the club’s official website reads.
“Harry arrived at the club at a time when his experience and approach was exactly what was needed. This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the club and I should like to thank him for his achievements and contribution. Harry will always be welcome at the Lane.”
Redknapp has spoken of his sadness at leaving the role, and wished the club well in the future.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Spurs and am proud of my achievements. I have had a fantastic four years with the club, at times the football has been breathtaking.
“I am sad to be leaving but wish to thank the players, staff and fans for their terrific support during my time there,” he concluded.
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Everton’s David Moyes is the early favourite to be Redknapp’s replacement.
Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that rumblings that he supports the Glazer family as Manchester United owners due to the financial reward he receives are insulting.
The Red Devils’ major shareholders made 10 per cent of the club’s shares available on an initial public offering (IPO) recently, with some Old Trafford fans critical of the American businessmen’s intentions.
However, claims that Ferguson is financially motivated by the deal have been swatted aside.
“Being aware of the media coverage that is currently ongoing I felt, on this occasion, that I should make my position clear to the Manchester United fans,” said Ferguson in a statement, published on Sky Sports.
“In regards to suggestions that I have praised the Glazer family because I stand to financially benefit from the proposed IPO, there is not a single grain of truth in this allegation.
“I do not receive any payments, directly or indirectly, from the IPO.
“Ultimately, I run the football side of this club and in order to do this, you need backing from above.
“The Glazer family have let me get on with my job, there is no interference or obstruction, only support.
“My decisions and beliefs are not based around what is best for my personal financial gain.
“That is an accusation that insults me. If that was the case I would have left Old Trafford a long time ago.
“I am speaking because I do not want a situation to develop whereby the media and other parties create a rift, however small, between myself and Manchester United.
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“I’ve spent 25 years of my life pushing this club forward and not only could I not have done that without those fans, I do it for them,” he concluded.
Three games into the season into the season and most Daggers supporters would agree that there is much to admire about the displays so far this season at Victoria Road.
Performances have been full of chances, good football, youthful exuberance and touches of quality. However, the opposition’s grit and determination (with elements of quality) has more than matched that of the Daggers so far. The result is a stalemate and two defeats from the opening three matches.
One thing I have learnt from this embryonic season in League Two is that the quality and organisation of teams gets better year on year, and the fact that John Still’s boys (meant literally- all of his starting line ups have been under the age of 26 so far) can play so well and give their best you can’t really fault them.
Finding players like Dwight Gayle, playing in the Essex Senior League for Stansted two seasons ago, (he got off the mark at the weekend and looks to have bags of potential), is a skill of the highest esteem for Still and his backroom staff.
You often find that in many games last season the Daggers and the team they were playing cancelled each other out for the vast majority of the match with one moment of quality separating the winner from the loser. Too often last season that went against the Daggers. This season, if Gayle can keep this form up there is no doubt he can win a few games with that touch of quality himself.
It is refreshing as a supporter to see young, hungry players being given a chance. Win lose or draw the outlook for the immediate future looks bright, one win looks set to springboard these players to new heights. I often say to my friends the season is a marathon not a sprint, but with games coming thick and fast the 1st win must come about soon or the pressure gets greater game by game. However, this group of players seem to believe hugely in their own ability. Take Gayle on Saturday, in his third Football League start he nominated himself to take the penalty he won in front of the Gillingham fans. Despite their best efforts to put the youngster off he assertively fired the penalty down the middle into the net. You can’t teach confidence like that. Another few doses of that in the short term and later on in the season should propel us up the table.
Follow me on twitter @scottycrowe92
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed he could spend again before the summer transfer windows closes. There may also be further departures from the Emirates Stadium, the Frenchman said, prior to next Friday’s deadline.
With the losses of Robin Van Persie to Manchester United and Alex Song to Barcelona, Wenger has added Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud to his attacking options. And Wenger is not ruling out another dive into the market if the right player emerges. He told the official Arsenal website:
“I don’t want make a promise that I cannot keep. It does not only depend on me. But there still could be some action on the transfer market – ins and outs. We are working [in the market]. We’ll see what we can do. The transfer market is open for two months and yet for one month and three weeks it is nearly closed. It wakes up completely in the last week and then every minute becomes important.”
The Gunners drew 0-0 to Sunderland at the Emirates on the opening day of the season, and Wenger has admitted he is happy with the state of his squad at the moment: “They are all international-stature players. I focus highly on that. If we get these players back in good shape then we have a very, very strong squad.” Arsenal head to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City on Sunday, where England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to make a return to first team action.
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After three near-flawless displays from Blackpool, we finally came unstuck away to Leicester at the weekend.
I don’t know whether Holloway still feels guilty for his time at Leicester (which ended in relegation) but since then, every time he has come up against them he feels the need to prove himself as a tactical mastermind. Unfortunately, it has always ended up with a lacklustre performance and Leicester walking away with a gift-wrapped 3 points. Alternatively, we could just say that it is that strange phenomenon of a bogey team. Not necessarily for Blackpool, but for Holloway. Whatever he tries, he just can’t seem to get one over on his former employers.
Blackpool went into this game on the back of a 6-0 mauling of Ipswich. Yet, rather than stick with a winning side, Holloway decided to make 2 changes. Veteran striker Kevin Phillips was replaced with raw pace in Nouha Dicko, a change that seemed fairly logical being away from home. The change that baffled everyone though, was the removal of Angel Martinez in favour of Barry Ferguson.
Martinez, who has been fantastic at the end of last season, and start of this, was the big loss. His interplay with Tiago Gomes had been something to behold in the last 2 home games. Taking him out didn’t just weaken that one position, but also meant Gomes had more work to do. It is no fault of Ferguson, who didn’t have a particularly bad game, but he just doesn’t move the ball as well as Martinez. Ferguson is fantastic when you are winning. He is sensible, covers the defence and keeps the ball ticking over. But he isn’t great when you need to force the issue and really attack.
Leicester came out flying in this game and kept Blackpool virtually in their own third in the opening stages. Blackpool lacked any cohesion and for some reason kept pumping it long and surrendering possession. It was a very shaky start by Blackpool who took nearly 25 minutes to settle down. But, for all Leicester had of the game, they never really looked like scoring. Vardy was sent through only to be denied by Gilkes, but that was about the extent of the Foxes’ real chances.
Although it was a poor first half display by ‘Pool, they created the best chance of the half when Taylor-Fletcher slid a ball though to the in-form Ince, who hit it straight at the ‘Keeper. Ferguson also had his annual jaunt into the opposition’s half, and hit the post with a cracking effort from the edge of the box.
The second half took on a different pattern with the game becoming stretched and Blackpool finally keeping the ball on the floor. Just as the game was hotting up a series of penalty claims changed the game. Firstly, Vardy threw himself into Crainey and took a tumble, but his appeals were rightly waved away.
Then as Dyer was about to get on the end of a cross, Eardley slid in (or slipped) and seemed to get the ball and man simultaneously. Certainly debatable, but again waved away. But now the fans were baying for blood, and almost gave themselves a penalty when Vardy again went down. Not much debate with this one, by all accounts, it never was, never has been and never will be a penalty. Ever. But Mike Jones gave in to the crowd and pointed to the spot. Marshall stepped up and although Gilkes was close he couldn’t keep it out.
After the goal Holloway then made some bizarre substitutions. With Blackpool crying out for some slick passing, Gomes was taken off for Matty Phillips. So now we had 4 strikers on and nobody to give them the ball. Then, Kevin Phillips and Delfouneso came on for Ferguson and Dicko. 5 strikers on, and only 1 midfielder. Considering our summer signings were almost exclusively midfielders, it seems odd that we ended with more on the bench than on the pitch. However, after a great goal-line block by Baptiste, again Blackpool created the best scoring chances, falling to Ince and Matty Phillips. Both fluffed the chance of an equaliser and, with Blackpool starting to go long again, the game ended with the Foxes seeing out any remaining Blackpool threat.
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Despite a relatively poor showing, it was only a shocking penalty decision and some poor finishing that cost us. We created the better chances without ever having the better of the game. Maybe just a bad day at the office, and we can still be pleased that a sub-par performance resulted in a 1-0 loss, where previously it may have been more.
So how do we look heading into the international break?
Well, we still top the league having played superbly in 3 out of 4 games. We’ve scored 10 goals and have added more firepower in the transfer window, recruiting Nathan Delfouneso and Nathan Ecclestone. Hopefully both will settle into our system fairly quickly and prove themselves. Perhaps most importantly though, we have only conceded 2 in 4 games. Once from a corner, and once from a horrendous penalty decision. A leaky defence has been an issue of ours for a few years now, and if we can keep it this tight for long spells this season, we will surely see a promotion challenge. Not all that much to moan about then…
Would it be remiss to suggest that blood pressure levels amongst Premier League managers skyrockets during an international break? Constantly on tenterhooks praying that their key players return unscathed with a clean bill of health. It’s little wonder then that Arsene Wenger will be cursing his luck after Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott returned to the Emirates Stadium carrying injuries after representing their country during the week. The potential loss of Diaby, in particular, will come as a huge blow to Wenger given the France international’s excellent start to the season and rendering Alex Song a distant memory in the Gunners midfield. After six stop-start years in North London the 26-year-old was finally starting to exhibit his undoubted talent that often saw him compared to Patrick Vieira forging a superb connection with Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla in the first three games of the campaign. There is no doubt that keeping Diaby fit and flying will be key to the Gunners achieving their goals this term and proving once and for all that he has what it takes to cut the top-flight mustard.
This week on FFC how important will the Gunners’ collaboration with the MLS be in years to come and which Atletico striker is Wenger keeping tabs on?
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Best of FFC
Does he really still have a future at Arsenal?
Is there anything wrong with Bacary Sagna’s comments?
An ideal partnership for Arsenal to consider?
Bould-ly going where Arsenal have never gone before?
Is Wenger Paying The Price For Their Ineptitude?
Wenger denies Drogba link
Arsene Wenger issues ultimatum
Arsenal and Spurs on £14.5m alert as contract talks stall
The Boy’s A Bit Special…Ignasi Miquel
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Best of WEB
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Pantomime Villains On The Arsenal Horizon – A Cultured Left Foot
Should Wenger stick with this youngster even when Sagna returns? – Gunnersphere
Long Live Project Youth – Online Gooner
Why Wenger should NOT send this midfield starlet out on loan this winter – Gunnersphere
Here we go again – Arseblog
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Does Arsene Wenger deserve a new 4 year deal? – Le Grove
Diaby out, Theo sick & Is Sagna fearing for his place in the side? – Highbury House
Is Adrian Lopez The Missing Piece Of A North London Puzzle? – Transfer Tavern
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Quote of the Week
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“In the past I have always shown my commitment to the club, and at the moment I am not in the mood to think about the long-term future because we want to do well this season. I am an Arsenal
man and I think I have always shown that, but I have to consider whether I do well or not, and if I don’t do well then I have to consider my future. I am long enough at the club to have the confidence of people I work with, but I will assess my own performances and whether I do well enough for the club. At the moment we are not there. Two years is a long time in my job, so I just want to do as well for the club as long as I can and accept all the rest.” Arsene Wenger claims he could step down as Arsenal boss if he considers himself to be doing a poor job