All posts by h79snht.top

Roberto Mancini’s position at Manchester City was not even on the agenda at a club summit in Abu Dhabi a week ago. Roberto Mancini’s job is said to be safe for the rest of the season, and has been handed a reported £80m war chest for January.

Manchester City took the unusual step of revealing that substantial transfer funds – up to £80million – will be available again to chase primary targets Edin Dzeko, the Wolfsburg striker, and Benfica’s versatile Brazilian defender David Luiz.

How long can this go on for? Manchester City can’t keep adding players to the party and selling off players they don’t need. The squad needs continuity if they are ever to fulfil their ambitions. The Manchester City board and management need to give this squad a chance to both gel and show what it can do. If by the end of the season they haven’t met their goals, then of course there is a real reason to spend. To buy up to £80m worth of talent in January will only unsettle the squad and could have an adverse effect on a fragile team morale.

With the reports that Manchester City are set to sign Edin Dzeko and David Luiz, you think to yourself why? With the system that Manchester City play, where would Edin Dzeko fit in. He would not be the lone striker ahead of Tevez, nor would he play wide. With Emmanuel Adebayor and Mario Balotelli in reserve, it seems a waste of money on a player who has never proved himself on the top stage. In respect to David Luiz, he is a top player but again, is he needed. Vincent Kompany has been superb and Kolo Toure has looked a far better player without the captain’s armband. Is David Luiz better than the centre half’s Manchester City have already? Maybe, but it would disrupt the team ten-fold if either one was to be replaced in January.

Manchester City have to be patient. Along with being patient with Roberto Mancini’s management they need to wait and see what this team can do. The quality is their, without a doubt, and with a bit of tweaking the side could push on in the Premier League. The issue for Manchester City fans must be, can the management sit and wait for success. They will have to, Manchester City can’t run before they can walk. They need to get into the Champions League before they can really set their sights on winning the Premier League – it seems that Mancini knows this. Chelsea were different. When Roman Abramovich came to Chelsea, they were in the Champions League. City are different. It will take a little more time, but it will come. However, it will be a slower process if they keep changing the team around every six months.

Manchester City need continuity. They need to stick with both their manager and the team he has assembled. Sure, a few tweaks here and their but nothing to the tune of £80m. The squad is good enough to challenge and to get into the Champions League – and for now that has to be Manchester City’s primary aim. If Manchester City are patient and let this team grow then success isn’t far away. However, if they keep bringing players in and changing the dynamic of the squad every six months the process will take a lot longer. The madness has to end at some point.

Like what you read? Comment below and follow me on twitter

*

Click on image below to see a gallery of Christian’s lady wife

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Like welcoming a former flame to a new place that wasn’t quite it was cracked up to be, it will be with some level of sheepishness that Roy Hodgson shakes Mark Hughes’ hand and takes his place in the Anfield dugout this weekend.

In all fairness, Liverpool have been very strong under Roy Hodgson’s guidance when playing at home this season, it has been their away form that has been nothing short of woeful. Fernando Torres will return to the starting line-up after missing the Europa League dead rubber in mid-week, and should provide the West Londoners with plenty of problems.

Fulham have struggled to replicate the siege mentality that was so in evidence during Hodgson’s two and a half year spell at Craven Cottage, and whilst there are moments of encouragement for Mark Hughes, the Cottagers are only outside of the drop-zone on goal difference. The injury to Bobby Zamora continues to bite deep, and for a side that has needed a lot of chances in order to convert, profligacy will be punished with a defeat if Liverpool respond well to home comforts.

Prediction: 2-0

[poll ]

Liverpool are 11/2 to win 2-0

Check out these 10 videos which are certain to have you smiling as you wait to welcome in the new year.

1. First up its Jimmy Bullard, Bullard never fails to have us laughing. Check out this vid and just see how much of joker this guy really is.

2. Who remembers former Liverpool defender Phil Babb’s horrific ball crushing collision with the goal post? I know its horrible laughing at others misfortune but this incident had me chuckling.

[divider]

NEXT

3. I know some people love there job, but this is ridiculous. When I saw this it had me chuckling for some time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86AJje3ElDc

4. Next up its Paul Gascoigne. In his playing days ‘Gazza’ as he is affectionately known kept the crowds entertained with his unpredictable behaviour.

[divider]

NEXT

5. Check out this next clip, something is either seriously wrong or the ref has decided to have one too many before the match.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-nFTixyLgw

6. Another one from Bullard next. Look at the numpty larking about during his time at Wigan. I have no idea what he is doing but I do know it is very funny.

[divider]

NEXT

7. I didn’t realize Patrice Evra had a sense of humour but check this video out. The Manchester United left back impressively shows us his high pitched voice which is pretty funny.

8. Gazza’s up again with this hotel prank. I’ve decided that if I could, I would make this whole list a Paul Gascoigne appreciation list.

[divider]

NEXT

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

9. Remember prior to the 2006 world cup Rio Ferdinand televised pranks on his England team mates. This was my favourite. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y1ExjNgh50

10. Finally, check out this interview with John Terry. Frank Lampard’s former wife calls the Chelsea skipper in an attempt to embarrass the central defender.

if you like what I’ve written why not follow me on Twitter

[divider]

We are now heading towards the end of the January transfer window as the time left for Premier League clubs to buy and sell players becomes ever shorter. We have already seen a couple of big transfers, as collectively Manchester City and Aston Villa have shelled out over £50 million for strikers Edin Dzeko and Darren Bent respectively, but there is still sure to be plenty more transfer activity until the window slams shut at the end of the month.

Until it does there’ll be a whole host of transfer rumours as different clubs look to buy certain players and offload others. This will all come to a head on transfer deadline day as clubs scurry to do business and improve their squads for the final time in the 2010/11 Premier League campaign.

You can keep right up to date with all the transfer rumours right here…

[divider]

More bodies through the door at St James’ Park?

Last minute transfer dealings at West Ham?

New arrivals at Aston Villa?

Still business to be done at Tottenham?

King Kenny set to delve into the transfer market?

Last minute deals to be done by Arsenal?

[divider]

[divider]

And revisit high profile transfers from the past…

[divider]

Top Ten January transfers of all-time

Top Ten transfers that shocked football

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s 10 transfer nightmares

Top Ten January transfer window disasters

Top 10 worst foreigners to grace the Premier League

Liverpool’s Top 10 transfer bargains of all-time

West Ham’s Top Ten transfer nightmares

Scottish Premier League giants Rangers have confirmed the loan signing of Blackburn’s El Hadji Diouf until the end of the season.

The Senegalese international was delighted with his deal and explained how his experiences playing against Rangers in Australia made the decision an easy one.

“I am very happy to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. This club has a great history. It will be great to wear the shirt and I will do my best,” Diouf told the club’s official website.

“It’s funny because I played against Rangers in the summer in Australia with Blackburn and I was talking about that with my friend Chris Samba and I know it’s a massive thing for me. Rangers are known throughout the world and I want to be a legend here.”

“I was talking with Walter Smith about how many Rangers fans went to watch Rangers in Australia. It just shows the power of the club. I am so excited about this move.”

Diouf says he cannot wait to represent Rangers in Sunday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic, despite the fact he is likely to be jeered by Celtic fans after spitting on one while he was playing for Liverpool in 2003.

“I know all about the big rivalry between the two clubs. I have seen many Rangers-Celtic games because a few of my friends have played for Rangers like Amdy Faye, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Fabrice Fernandes,” he said.

“Every one of them always said great things about the club in the past and I always remembered.”

A managerial change at Blackburn, which saw Sam Allardyce replaced by Steve Kean, meant Diouf was on the outer at Ewood Park and he spoke about how he would love to make his temporary switch to Glasgow permanent.

“I was doing well at Blackburn under Sam Allardyce and I think I was playing the best football of my Rovers career but then he left and things changed.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“I am a loyal guy and I liked Sam and things were not working for me so when this chance came up I grabbed it. I know this is only a loan move but I would love to make it permanent. I need a change and this is great for me.”

Diouf’s signing was not the only work Rangers did on a busy transfer deadline day, with the club also securing the services of Arsenal’s Kyle Bartley on loan, just days after they signed striker David Healy on a free transfer.

There were also two departures on deadline day, with striker James Beattie leaving on loan to Premier League outfit Blackpool while fellow forward Andrius Velicka was released.

Juventus striker Alessandro Matri said it was a ‘dream’ to score the winning goal in his side’s 1-0 victory over Inter Milan on Sunday.

The 26-year-old struck for the third time since signing with Juve in January and put a serious dent in Inter’s hopes of retaining the Serie A title.

Juventus themselves are 11 points adrift of league-leaders AC Milan, but Matri said he would do everything possible to help his new club continue their title push.

“It’s one of the most important goals of my career,” Matri said. “The match against Inter was one of those beautiful ones that I used to watch at home and dream about playing in.”

“I dedicate it to my family who have always supported me. I didn’t expect to start my Juventus career this way, but I certainly hoped for it because I always believed in my abilities and the understanding I have with Luca Toni is working.”

“You need to work double for a big club and I will do that every day.”

Juventus manager Luigi Delneri thought his team’s 1-0 win against Inter in Serie A was well deserved, refuting suggestions from Inter boss Leonardo that a draw would have been a fairer result.

“We should always be honest and direct in football and I’m always direct and honest and I have to say that Juventus really deserved to win today and we could have scored more goals,” Delneri said.

“My team didn’t give Inter many opportunities. I don’t know how Leonardo could have said that we could have drawn.”

“Of course there it could have been a draw since their team is made up of many skilled players.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Delneri was also pleased with new signing Andrea Barzagli from Wolfsburg, saying the midfielder gives Juventus greater balance in the centre of the park.

“(Andrea) Barzagli has the skills to play as centre. I think he has improved a great deal thanks to the experience he got in Germany. Now he is working very well and I’m happy for him,” Delneri said.

“Thanks to his presence, we have managed to move (Giorgio) Chiellini on the left, where we have had difficulties in the past and Giorgio is able to adapt very well in this role as if he has always played in that role.”

A brace from Javier Hernandez and late tap-ins from Wayne Rooney and Fabio ensured United’s perfect record against Wigan continued.The Premier League leaders racked up a 13th win against their north-west neighbours, who toiled but were made to rue a couple of gilt-edged chances they created and squandered in the first half.And the late strikes from Rooney and Fabio could prove so important at the end of the season if the relegation dogfight involving Wigan comes down to goal difference.Wigan should have taken the lead as early as the 13th minute, when Paul Scholes gave the ball away allowing Victor Moses to bear down on goal.But goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was off his line quickly and made a good block.United then broke, but Hernandez was stopped dead in his tracks by a textbook block challenge from Maynor Figueroa.The respite was only temporary, however, with United taking the lead from their next attack.Nani played a one-two with Wayne Rooney, and his cross was slotted home by Hernandez from close range.Wigan, though, could have been level within a minute, with Moses again supplying the danger down the left.The England Under-21 winger’s cross was flicked by Charles N’Zogbia towards James McCarthy, but his shot was smothered by Van der Sar.It was nearly game over on the half-hour mark when Nani took the ball off Rooney and unleashed a cracking strike that beat Ali Al Habsi but came back off the crossbar.Figueroa almost found an equaliser at the start of the second period, his thunderbolt from 35 yards being tipped away by Van der Sar.At the other end, Nani twice forced good saves from Al Habsi as United pushed for a second goal.Wigan sent on Franco di Santo for the final quarter, and the Argentinian had the ball in the net within two minutes only for the offside flag to halt the celebrations.The points were sealed on 74 minutes when Hernandez slid the ball under Al Habsi, but further strikes from Rooney and substitute Fabio were extremely harsh on Wigan.

With jaw dropping audacity, and a completely straight face, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) announced this week that whilst they remained undecided on the future of goal line technology, tested systems remaining sub-standard, an outright decision to ban the ‘snood’ had been finalised.

The offending article has been outlawed on the premise that it poses a threat to player health – clearly ignoring the fact that players like Gianluigi Buffon have worn the offending article for several seasons now without any drastic health problems. The years of safe snooding were not enough to prove their harmlessness to players.

Some may argue that prohibiting such a fad is good for the game – several Premier League managers and players have condemned the fashion accessory. The judgement has become a line in the sand for what should be allowed on a football pitch, however, surely IFAB have better ways of spending their days?

Many will be frustrated that instead of clearing up the ongoing debate over goal line technology, the board have wasted time by giving more airtime to an admittedly ridiculous fashion trend.

The main headline arising from the meeting was always going to be the failure to agree a concrete plan on the controversial technology, so why draw attention to this problem by trumpeting a ban on a meaningless piece of clothing?

[ad_pod id=’fox-mpu’ align=’right’]

If decisions are fast-tracked on health grounds, maybe IFAB should have looked at the heart rates of English fans and players when Frank Lampard’s strike at last summer’s World Cup was incorrectly ruled out – I’m sure there was more risk of a cardiac episode there than there would be any problems relating to snood usage.

With a slightly more serious hat, or scarf, on, the latest show of reluctance by IFAB to embrace goal line technology is a nail in the coffin for those looking to see the system implemented for the 2014 World Cup. At least a further year of testing will be carried out before any system can be ratified and there looks to be some major concerns over the products most recently offered as a solution to the problem.

The European Champions in 2012 will see the first deployment of extra officials at a major tournament. The assistants, most recently seen during this year’s Champions and Europa League competitions have been deemed a useful addition to the match day team, although the approval of these extra eyes is another method of disguising the bitter taste of failure to create a more modern solution to goal line disputes.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

From a long-term viewpoint, if snoods are to be banned, should tights, coloured boots and gloves go the same way? Presumably not, although, there will be some players, particularly at Eastlands and the Emirates that will be hoping there is no further delay in the development of a viable goal line system or more optional clothing might need to be banned to bury the bad news.

The IFAB decision leave you in bad snood? Find me on Twtter and let me know – I’m trying to shift as many scarves as I can before July – there are only so many I can hide in Arsene Wenger’s coat!

[bet_365 type=’odds’ size=’300′ af_code=’365_050711′]

‘Destined for greatness’ and the ‘World at his feet’, perhaps have become over used in today’s beautiful game, however, when talking about Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere these clichés are verging on fact. The talents of Jack Wilshere shouldn’t be undersold; he has stood ‘toe to toe’ with football talents all across the globe and has come out on top, even outshining his World Cup winning team captain Cesc Fabregas and ousting Frank Lampard from the middle of England’s midfield with his consistent performances.

Wilshere though, like many modern footballers in their younger days, enjoys the lifestyle that fortune and fame brings, and who can blame him? Nonetheless, Wilshere does need to understand that he has become a high profile name and a role model to many out there, with the inevitable intense scrutiny that this brings.

Arsene Wenger arrived in the autumn of 1996 and made radical changes to the Arsenal set-up, including banning alcohol from the bar where players meet their families and friends after games. Wenger’s policy on alcohol hasn’t swayed; which is why, before Wilshere set off to link up with the Three Lion’s squad, Wenger hauled Wilshere into his office and read him the riot act.

[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]

Wenger is not only a manager, but in a way a surrogate father to many of the players coming through the ranks at Arsenal. The youth development policy implemented by Wenger when he joined the club has players being trained the ‘Wenger way’, and Wilshere was no different when he joined the club in October 2001 as a nine year old. Wenger’s eye for up-and-coming talent is the best in the game, he recognises Wilshere’s potential and doesn’t want him to throw away a wonderful career he could have with club and country. However, if you ignore the young Englishman’s career and potential, viewing him as the 19 year old lad he is; getting into scuffles outside nightclubs and confronting taxi drivers who refuse to take him drunk is unacceptable, from the point of view of a manager or a father; and Wenger has taken the correct course of action to ‘nip it in the bud’.

You have to ask yourself whether, without someone like Wenger watching over Jack Wilshere, he would become another Lee Bowyer, Jermaine Pennant or Craig Bellamy; players who promised so much but, despite having delivered to a certain extent, have never escaped earlier unwanted headlines. Wenger’s intervention is key in keeping Wilshere on the path for greatness and has been timed to perfection by ‘Le Professeur’, as Wilshere will now be away on an international break to gather his thoughts away from the public eye; as the limelight is sure to surround Capello, Ferdinand and Terry in England’s latest captaincy farce.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Wenger will be more than aware that fans and pundits alike do not want to be saying to Jack Wilshere at thirty ‘You could have been great.’

[bet_365 type='odds' size='300' af_code='365_050711']

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was pleased with his side’s output in their draw to rivals West Ham, but not the result.The scoreless draw did no favours to either club, with Spurs’ ambitions of a top four spot taking a hit with the two points dropped, while Avram Grant’s men climbed out of the relegation zone, but are only out of the bottom three on goal difference from Wolves.Redknapp said he was satisfied his side maintained their attacking mindset, but was disappointed they could not break the deadlock.”We hit the woodwork a few times. It was just one of those matches. We played great today, we moved the ball around the park fantastically well,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.”(West Ham) defended well but we kept hitting the woodwork today. We were unlucky in front of goal but I couldn’t have asked for much more. I thought we were excellent.””I’ll go home tonight satisfied with the way we played, not the result. You want to win at home, obviously, but they came here not to lie down. (West Ham) worked their socks off, rode their luck at times but full credit to them, they kept going.”Redknapp said his substitution of Spurs’ leading goal scorer in the English Premier League this season, Rafael van der Vaart, was not a fault of the Dutchman’s form, and the English boss voiced his disappointment in van der Vaart’s reaction at being brought off.”I don’t like that. I’ll talk to him about it. If you are part of a team you should stay to watch the rest of the game,” Redknapp said.”The fans have come to watch the team play so if you are a player you should stay to watch the game, you’re a part of it.””He’s a good lad. I just made a substitution. I thought he did everything he could in there today and went for a change in Pav (Roman Pavlyuchenko). He could have scored and was unlucky. You make substitutions and it’s difficult who you take off.”West Ham manager Grant said his side’s clean sheet against a Champions League side like Spurs proved they were worthy of retaining Premier League status for next season.”I think we have a good chance (of survival),” Grant told Sky Sports. “When we were five points behind and had played two more games (than rival teams) we still had a chance, but it will be a battle to the end.””But if you see the football we are playing, not just today but all season, we deserve to stay up. But we know you don’t get points for deserving to, we have to win by ourselves.”