All posts by h79snht.top

I’d like to pretend the ‘United should sell De Gea’ comment was an isolated one from a disgruntled fan following the Spanish keeper’s poor showing against West Brom but unfortunately it wasn’t.

The wonderful interweb was awash with silly dramatic statements calling for a 20 year-old making his Premier League debut to be ‘dropped’ ‘sold’ or even ‘released’ by so-called Reds who know more about footballers than Sir Alex Ferguson.

Don’t get me wrong I was as disappointed as any United fan at the ease with which Shane Long scored West Brom’s equaliser and felt De Gea seemed to look a severe liablity for most of the game, but it’s time -as so often is the case after a United game- for a bit of rational perspective.

De Gea made a mistake for the goal and was extremely indecisive at times but that doesnt mean the most sought after young ‘keeper in world football is suddenly bereft of ability. Keepers make mistakes, and it seems some people can’t help but try and appear witty and knowledgable by spouting drivel such as “he’s another Taibi” without realising they appear niether witty or knowledgable merely ungrateful and unoriginal.

I said in an article on this very site when we signed De Gea that the fans may have to exercise a little patience with him and we could well prove why we are the best in the world by not getting on his case if he does take time to adjust.

Although I wasn’t at the Hawthorns friends that were there tell me the travelling United contigent didn’t give the Spaniard any more reason to feel anxious than he already had. There was no booing or chants of “Edwin Van Der Sar” and rightly so.

The next test comes against Spurs at Old Trafford a week on Monday where we’ll see not only if De Gea’s nerves have settled somewhat but how 70 odd thousand United fans treat him should he show signs that he’s still struggling to adapt to life at the biggest club in the world.

I was at the Southampton game when Massimo Taibi allowed Matt Le Tissier’s daisy cutter through his legs and you knew immediately his United career was over. Taibi wasn’t a 20 year-old £20 million signing that had been touted as the best young goalkeeper on the planet.

De Gea’s not had the best start to his United career but I fully expect him to be at Old Trafford for many years to come, winning lots of trophies and keeping many clean sheets. Let’s not forget, the likes of Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic had United debuts to forget.

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Given time De Gea will no doubt show why Sir Alex forked out such a large amount for a young player who had no experience of the Premiership. It may be difficult for some of us to stomach and I’m sure there’ll be times when we feel like screaming at the poor lad, but in the words of the great Gary Barlow “we need a little patience.”

Article courtesy of Justin Mottershead at Red Flag Flying High

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Arsenal attacker Andrey Arshavin has stated that he is displeased with the London club’s sale of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, and is unsure whether The Gunners can challenge for the title this season.

Arsene Wenger was forced to sell the duo as they both stated that their future was away from the Emirates, and the Russia international feels this has weakened the team.

“The loss of Fabregas and Nasri is very significant,” the forward told Sport.

“When sitting on the bench during the Udinese game, I told [Nicklas] Bendtner that we have no players who can feed [Robin] van Persie or use the strong sides of other forwards. Bendtner said that only Xavi could have replaced Cesc.

“I’m glad I had the opportunity to play with such a great footballer. Some are irreplaceable,” he continued.

Wenger has worked hard to replace the outgoing players, with the capture of Mikel Arteta from Everton on deadline day a ploy to add creativity to the Arsenal midfield, but Arshavin feels this may change the side’s style of play.

“With Arteta and other players in his position, we will play different football from that of the Cesc and Samir period,” he stated.

Arsenal have had a slow start to the season, picking up only one point from their first three games, and Arshavin is unsure whether his team can push for honours this term.

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“It’s difficult to say whether Arsenal can fight with the Manchester clubs and Chelsea, but those teams look very intimidating,” he concluded.

Arsenal host Swansea at the Emirates on Saturday, and then start their Champions League campaign with a tricky away fixture against German champions Borussia Dortmund next week.

Sir Alex Ferguson has stuck up for the medical team at Old Trafford, in light of Owen Hargreaves comments about his treatment over the last few years. The Manchester City new boy questioned injections that he received to his tendon that he felt made it feel like glass; despite being assured that it was fine. Fergie said the quotes will be analysed before an official response is made.

Elsewhere in the papers Gomes is set to leave Tottenham; Darren Bent is critical of Villa’s style, while Bellamy is ready to forge partnership with Suarez.

 

Ferguson defends United’s medics over Hargreaves claims – Guardian

Rodgers: I told Chelsea to sign Torres for £20m back in 2006 – Independent

Wright-Phillips and Sturridge in line to receive England calls – Independent

I need better service: Bent complains about Aston Villa’s style of play – Daily Mail

Rooney: My form is down to barber’s magic powers – Mirror

Coyle expects fresh Cahill bids – Guardian

Cattermole will bounce back from being dropped, insists boss Bruce – Daily Mail

Gomes is likely to leave in January admit Spurs

Pav must wake up and shape up – Sun

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Rafael Van der Vaart has never been the shy, retiring type, but his constant stinging attacks and public criticism of Harry Redknapp’s decisions have started to cross the line. He is beginning to talk himself out of Tottenham, like he has done at other clubs in the past.

Van der Vaart’s latest criticism of Redknapp, came after Harry’s decision to play him on the right wing during Sunday’s win against Arsenal. Although Van der Vaart put Spurs ahead, he was at fault for the equaliser, as he failed to track Alex Song down the flanks, as he set up Aaron Ramsey’s goal. We know Van der Vaart prefers to play a central role, and sure everyone wants to play in their preferred position, but sometimes you just have to take one for the team. His latest comments characterise his selfishness and his laziness, as well as his unwillingness to put the team before his own ego. We see plenty of other players in the Premier League who aren’t playing in their natural positions, but few if any come out and publicly criticise their manager. Redknapp took a risk playing him out there, in order to accommodate him in the side, so he should of just got on with it like a professional, instead of whining about it to the press.

The very public way he has criticised Redknapp both this week, and over his fitness issues and Europe League omission in the past few months, is a worry. These matters should be dealt with in house rather than aired in the public arena. It is embarrassing for the club and manager, and it will be interesting to see how much longer Redknapp puts up with it, as it could be damaging for morale and it is disrespectful to the club and his team-mates. Redknapp is known for his man-management skills, but this might be a bridge too far, even for him.

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Van der Vaart is famed for his strops and tantrums. He has never been one to keep his mouth shut when he feels slighted, and his past is littered with this kind of behaviour. He has argued with players and managers in the past, frequently showing this kind of petulant behaviour, and trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. Doubts still linger as to why he hasn’t achieved more in his club career and his attitude is surely the key reason behind this. Questions remain as to why he moved to Hamburg from Ajax, instead of a bigger club, and why Jose Mourinho was happy to let him leave Real Madrid. There are no doubts that he is a talented footballer, but he should of achieved more than he has in the game. He simply hasn’t achieved enough to even begin to merit the type of ego he is showing, and his behaviour is incredibly disrespectful and childish. He clearly believes his own hype, and isn’t happy unless he is the star of the team, and the centre of attention. The fact that Spurs have the likes of Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and now Emmanuel Adebayor on their books, means Van der Vaart isn’t centre stage all the time, and he clearly has some sort of a complex about that.

His latest outbursts seem as though he is trying to stir up controversy, and might be trying to seal a move away from Spurs. His market value has increased after an impressive spell at the club and he knows the big European clubs like AC Milan are sniffing around him. It seems as though his behaviour might just have a hidden agenda behind it, as he tries to force Spurs into a position where selling him would be the best option for the club. His outbursts signal that his future may lie elsewhere come January, and that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for Spurs as they simply don’t need a player with his kind of ego. A lot of teams haven’t fancied him in the past because of his attitude, so it will be interesting to see if anyone wants to take a risk on him, should his ploy to engineer a move away from White Hart Lane be successful.

Do you think Van der Vaart is talking himself out of White Hart Lane? Let me know your thoughts by commenting below, or following me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate.

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Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has underwent surgery on his troublesome right Achilles tendon, with the centre half now sidelined until the new year.

The England international picked up the injury in Spurs’ 5-1 defeat to Manchester City earlier in the season, and the North London club had ideally hoped that Dawson would be able to return to fitness without an operation.

However, after a number of setbacks in recovery, going under the knife was deemed the only viable option, and this procedure was confirmed by the White Hart Lane outfit.

“Michael Dawson has today undergone surgery to his right Achilles tendon to assist with his recovery,” a statement on the side’s official website reads.

“Medical staff are pleased with his progress and he will be reviewed by the surgeon in early December, at which time a date for a return to full training will be determined,” it concluded.

The news will be a blow for Harry Redknapp’s men, as they have had problems with fellow centre halves Ledley King and William Gallas over the course of the season so far.

Dawson was an integral figure in Spurs’ run to the Champions League quarter finals last term, and his leadership and determination will be missed by the White Hart Lane faithful.

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By Gareth McKnight

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As Harry Redknapp lay convalescing from an operation to unblock two arteries, Tottenham were going down to defeat in Kazan without the heartbeat of their team.

The arduous trip 450km east of Moscow into the perishable winter environment of Tatarstan was too much too soon following Redknapp’s surgery and without their leader it was too much for a second string Spurs line-up.

Both will ultimately recover. Redknapp expects to be patrolling the White Hart Lane touchline within a couple of weeks and Spurs will be hopeful of eventual progression to the latter stages of the Europa League. However, given the circumstances of Redknapp’s absence, Tottenham fans should be grateful of what they’ve got.

Hindsight is wonderful and all that jazz but it is safe to assume that Redknapp is not unequivocally appreciated down the Seven Sisters Road. His rent-a-quote style and proclivity to plead for yet more transfer funds grates those who have doubts about his tactical prowess and wherewithal to be the man to take Tottenham to the places where the dreamers dream,

In a cruel quirk of fate, Redknapp found himself laid up when he was due to celebrating his third anniversary in charge of the club and his cynics will need no reminding of the critical state the side where in when he found them.

The Lilywhites were a pale shade of gray, languishing in the relegation zone after a dismal start to the 2008/2009 season under the hapless Juande Ramos. The Spaniard was sent packing with Redknapp absconding from Portsmouth to pick the team up, shake them around and very much ‘Harry Redknapp’ them into a Champions League place some 20 months later.

That prestige has since been relinquished and the restless are using the failure to advance from that levied position as a barometer of Redknapp’s failings. He may have his limitations but his overall record in football management over almost 30 years suggests the pro’s far outweigh the cons, and when put in relation to managing Tottenham Hotspur – who could do it better?

Spurs do have to assess their possibilities and limitations. Based on the uncodified hierarchy of the Premier League they peer up towards a quartet of clubs – and Liverpool – with superior resource in terms of squad depth and resource to further improve those squads.

At present Spurs are going through a rare period of stability. The experiments with Jacques Santini and Juande Ramos were unmitigated disasters where cash was frittered away without much return. Redknapp has spent plenty himself, as he has done elsewhere, but similarly to wherever he has been he has spent well and achieved relative success with it.

The wheeler-dealer tag has long been unflattering to a man who’s transfer success rate is enviable and with the pressure of signing big he has the priceless quality of being able to motivate the players at his disposal and instil them with the confidence and bravado to over-perform.

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Once again this summer, Redknapp acted shrewdly even when Daniel Levy tightened the purse string. The acquisition of Scott Parker and the loan signing of Emmanuel Adebayor were typical pieces of shrewd Redknapp business, improving gradually and efficiently by signing players he thinks he could get the best out of to improve his team.

A quarter of the way through the season, Tottenham find themselves in their customary slot on the periphery of the top four, playing some excellent and exciting attacking football to full houses week in week out.

The impending move to a new stadium requires consistency and creativity and in Redknapp, Spurs have a manager who can continue to do so whilst guiding the club through a transition period whereby they will aim to instil an infrastructure which can set the club up amongst the elite for years to come.

The situation at Tottenham is not too dissimilar to their north London rivals Arsenal. Trophies and success are craved but the necessity to build the blocks for future progression tapers any kneejerk wishes they have to stray from their principles.

Redknapp currently has 18-months of his contract to run, although the prospect of the vacant England hot-seat post Euro 2012 will test both manager and clubs resolve to maintain their relationship.

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The likely interest of the FA confirms Redknapp’s reputation as the best English manager around and that notion should not be lost on the Tottenham support who ponder what life without Harry would be like.

Follow John Baines @twitter.com/#!/bainesyDiego10

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Manchester United and Manchester City are set to miss out on Porto striker Hulk as PSG have prepared a £45million bid for January according to talkSPORT.

Both Manchester clubs have enquired about the possibility of Hulk moving to the Premier League but they were both knocked back by the Portuguese champions who are looking for over £50million for their prized possession.

The mega rich Qatari owners of the French capital side PSG, are prepared to spend anything to become the best team in Europe and a huge deal like this would make the rest of the continent take them seriously.

Napoli rejected a £40million bid from PSG for highly rated Edinson Cavani this week and so Hulk is now their number one target, but they do face stiff competition.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a long term admirer of the Brazil international but he is slightly out of his price range, whereas City can afford the striker and he could be a perfect replacement for the departing Carlos Tevez.

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French newspaper La Parisian has claimed that PSG’s director of football, Leanardo, has a good relationship with Porto and his personal approach could give them the edge over City for Hulk’s signature if both clubs offer the same amount for the much wanted striker.

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The FA have announced that England will play friendlies against Norway and Belgium in the lead up to Euro 2012.

With the tournament in Poland and Ukraine this summer in mind, The Three Lions will face Norway in Oslo on 26th May, before hosting Belgium at Wembley on 2nd June.

The pair of fixtures join the game against Netherlands on 29th February as the only remaining matches before the home nation start their European Championships campaign against France on June 11th.

Fabio Capello is happy with the fixture schedule, and feels the friendly opponents will test his team.

“Since the draw in December we have been able to work towards these matches and the appropriate opposition, and I’m very happy with these two games,” the Italian coach admitted.

“In the draw we face one of the hosts, Ukraine, which will be a difficult atmosphere to replicate, but looking at the styles of France and Sweden I feel these games are a good preparation for us.”

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By Gareth McKnight

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New QPR manager Mark Hughes has admitted that he is eager to bring players of quality to the club before the January transfer window closes.

The former Fulham boss was unveiled at Loftus Road on Wednesday, and stated that although he feels there are good players already in the squad, he would be keen to add to it.

“There are certainly areas that need addressing, that’s fair to say,” Hughes told Sky Sports.

“But I’ll take my time because it’s important to recognise the strength of the group. I need to assess that so that I am clear in my own mind what needs to be done.

“At Premier League level you need to take chances and score goals, that’s crucial. If I feel we need to strengthen in that area, then we will do that,” he stated.

A number of press sources have revealed that the London outfit have made a bid for out-of-favour Chelsea centre half Alex, but although not confirming or denying the rumour, Hughes feels the Brazilian is of the required standard.

“I’m always wary of talking about players by name, but there is interest in top quality players.

“The one you mentioned is very much at that level. We would hope to bring that quality of player to the club if it is possible,” he continued.

Finally, Hughes has indicated that controversial midfielder Joey Barton will keep the captain’s armband at the club for the time being.

“Joey’s the captain and I see no reason to change that, as we speak.

“Obviously, I’ll be having conversations with all the players and understanding the dynamics of the team. But it’s not my intention to take the captaincy away,” he concluded.

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Hughes’ first game in charge comes this Sunday, as QPR travel to take on Newcastle at the Sports Direct Arena.

By Gareth McKnight

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It’s been proven since Roman Abramovich took over the club that not winning silverware means that your out of a job. In his first year Claudio Ranieri was dumped after only finishing second, Avram Grant was dumped after defeat in the Champions League final and Carlo Ancelotti was dumped after a trophy less season, despite winning the double in the previous year.

When a manager takes over the club, they know they have to succeed, Villas-Boas knew it:

“Who expects to stay as Chelsea manager if they don’t win anything?” he said during his first press conference as Chelsea manager. “You are expected to be successful straight away, to win straight away and on a weekly basis. There’s no running away from that challenge. That’s what I face. I’d be surprised to be kept on if I didn’t win. I want to win as soon as possible and build a solid platform for the future.”

The pressure to win from the board however has meant that ‘to win as soon as possible and build a solid platform for the future’ is a lot trickier than Villas-Boas first expected. Imagine if Villas-Boas had been playing the likes of Ryan Bertrand, Jacob Mellis, Lucas Piazon, Josh McEachran and Gael Kakuta and Chelsea were in the same position they currently find themselves. There would be uproar that senior players had been left out and he probably wouldn’t have lasted this long in the job.The most recent example is Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Manchester United, with Ashley Cole suspended Villas-Boas had a choice, pick the young inexperienced Bertrand at left back and hope he has a good game, or go for the more experience and title winning Paulo Ferreira or Jose Bosingwa to fill the gap. If managers felt they could plan for two-three years down the line, perhaps players like Bertrand would have played and probably would have played a lot more games before as well, but when your reputation as a manager and your job is on the line, your going to pick experience over youth every time.

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The old guard is coming to an abrupt end, but the problem Chelsea have is that nobody is ready to replace them in the team, so if Abramovich’s wants success, he again is going to have spend big money to bring in ready-made talent, because his own managers cannot afford to try and blood youngsters into the first team, something that the club’s recent transfer activity suggests isn’t going to happen.

McEachran has been on the verge of breaking into the first team for the past two seasons now, but with things not going so swimmingly its hard to pick him ahead of seasoned professionals like Lampard, Ramires, Meireles and Essien. So he now finds himself on loan, which means his training ground displays are impressing the wrong manager, putting him further away from breaking into the first team.

The only way Abramovich can show he has changed his attitude is to stick with Villas-Boas for the duration of his contract, in the past if you didn’t win the title, you were sacked, just look at Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant and Carlo Ancelotti, but if Abramovich doesn’t give his manager time to implement his ideas, then Chelsea won’t challenge for any major silverware.

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Have your say by positing a comment or following me on Twitter @DeanMears

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