Blackburn Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has spoken up in defence of Newcastle United's Joey Barton, after the pair clashed at St James' Park just over a week ago.
Barton was eventually handed a three-match suspension for punching Pedersen in the stomach, but the Norwegian has since received a personal apology from his fellow player and is happy to let the matter lie.
He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph:"I couldn't answer the phone at that moment, but he left a nice message on my answering machine and I called him up the minute we had finished our team meeting.
"Joey shows that there is more to him than what came out on the pitch the other day, and I really appreciate it.
"It's not everyone who has the courage to call to apologise after such an episode, but Joey did without hesitation.
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"Both me and Joey are professional and fully agree to put this behind us and that we can laugh about the whole thing next time we meet."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Once upon a time football matches across the nation set off in unison, with players lining up for the fabled moment that the clock would tick to 3pm. Everybody knew where they must be at that time, and were comfortable with the idea that halfway through the afternoon football would take over, with its weekly slot pre-arranged.
However, the modern game has seen a staggering change in playing times, with clubs across the world’s big leagues having their fixtures shuffled throughout the day in a bid to milk yet more money from the lucrative television market. It would be naïve to suggest that the power of television should be ignored, with its financial muscle supporting many aspects of the sport, but the warping of the traditional kick-off time may be having a detrimental effect on the spectacle.
This weekend’s clash between Arsenal and Chelsea had all of the potential to be a blockbuster of a tie, after the enthralling 5-3 score-line, in favour of the men in red, from earlier this season. Yet, as the final whistle rang around Emirates Stadium the atmosphere was somewhat subdued, with the 0-0 score-line, and quality of play, doing little to excite the vast quantity of supporters who piled through the turnstiles. As has been the case on a few occasions across the season, the early game had failed to deliver the excitement it looked to have promised, raising questions as to whether the mid-day start is detrimental to the quality of the on-field display.
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In recent weeks, many of the Premier League’s early kick-off’s have been subdued affairs, with Chelsea playing out some far from enthralling mid-day ties against both Tottenham and Norwich, and various others not quite matching up to the rip-roaring affairs produced throughout the rest of the afternoon. Although from time to time games of football will disappoint, it seems that increasingly high quantities of ties away from the traditional kick-off period are lacklustre affairs.
To attend one of the Premiership’s earlier starting games, fans often have to crawl from their slumber prior the break of dawn, before stumbling onto some form of transport to make the journey to the venue for the spectacle. Consequently once they have arrived, there is a slightly groggy ambiance, particularly during the winter months, decreasing the chances of an intimidating atmosphere, aside from some local derby ties. Although players have, arguably, the greater responsibility when it comes to inspiring, if they themselves are struggling, a subdued crowd will find it difficult to aid the men on the pitch. As a result the feeling around the ground can be, at times, one of an apathetic nature, with a lack of commitment from either party.
Kick-off times are unlikely to change, as the Premier League looks to market itself as a global brand. To stick to the traditional 3pm start would see other leagues from across the world gain a greater following in the football mad Far-East and North America, with the financial rewards they offer eventually devaluing the English game. It looks like the alteration of kick-off’s is here to stay, and we may just have to live with some lacklustre mid-day ties.
What are your thoughts? Comment or follow @Alex_Hams on Twitter to have your say
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Aston Villa have clarified an approach to Alex McLeish, but Birmingham City still intend to prevent their ex-manager joining their rivals.New Championship club City have reiterated their right for compensation of up to 5.4 million pounds if Villa appoint McLeish to their vacant post.
Having led Birmingham to a League Cup triumph but also to relegation from the English Premier League, McLeish tendered his resignation on Sunday and has wore criticism from the club since.
City maintain McLeish is not a free agent, putting an approach from Aston Villa on Monday in dangerous territory. The English Premier League club has responded to Birmingham about the contact, claiming it was not an official approach.
Birmingham acting chairman Peter Pannu has hinted at legal action for McLeish, and is still likely to report the matter to the Premier League despite Villa’s reply to the allegations.
“I got an email from Aston Villa, finally replying to all of our queries. As expected, their legal department said, ‘Now Alex McLeish is a free agent having resigned, we’re free to speak to him’. This confirms all suspicions. This shows what has happened,” Pannu told Sky Sports.
“Within the first year he (McLeish), or the club who sign him, have to compensate us at 5.4 million pounds.”
“The first year expires on June 30. The second year starts July 1, when the compensation fee is three million pounds.”
“I’ll be seeking an injunction preventing Villa from hiring him.”
“I’ll be reporting what’s happened to the Premier League. This is like conspiracy to defraud.”
“It’s borderline criminal. That’s how strong I’ll put it.”
Blackburn Rovers supporters have been told to expect a prudent approach from their prospective new Indian owners.
Venky's, an Indian poultry giant, expect to complete a £45million takeover at Ewood Park in the coming days and will wipe of the club's debt, which reportedly stands at around £16million.
However, they are unlikely to go down the route of some foreign owners of Premier League outfits who have bankrolled their club to record-breaking levels.
Reports claim manager Sam Allardyce will be given just £5million to spend on new players in January.
"We will pump in whatever is needed but the main thing is to get the club back into good shape," Venky's chairperson Anuradha J Desai told the Economic Times.
"This is an investment and it will grow on its own strength.
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"We won't need to buy expensive players, we can always lease (loan) them.
"We don't expect to be in the top five of the Premier League. We will be happy to be in the top 10-12."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
In an ever politically correct society, football continues to be thrust under the microscope and people’s comments upon certain issues are played over and over again in the hopes of coming towards a decisive conclusion on whether to punish a few foolish murmurings. In the light of Fabio Capello’s resignation and inevitable rumours encircling Harry Redknapp’s head surrounding the vacant England capacity, journalists and spokespeople everywhere have been urged to remain tight-lipped until the current season is out and the FA come towards an agreement about an appointment.
So if managers cannot comment on the current England role, should they be able to comment upon players from the opposing side? The question comes in light of Arsene Wenger’s public criticism of Luis Suarez in his knack of ‘buying’ penalties following the controversial penalty in the recent Liverpool-Arsenal league fixture. Kenny Dalglish has called on the FA to look into the Frenchman’s comments and thinks Wenger’s labelling of Suarez as a kind of cheat is out of order.
Time and time again, we hear managers referring in transfer terms to the repeated, tired old phrase ‘I won’t comment on another team’s player’ and then weeks later indeed that man has moved to the club. However, this gentlemanly conduct is not always maintained when referring to another playing following a contentious incident or sending off for example.
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When emotions are running high in the immediate aftermath of a match, the media grab hold of managers and obtain more raw and original versions of what has just taken place on the field of play. Whilst some managers tend to remain smart and refrain from naming any players to avoid FA punishment, both Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have been anything but silent in recent months.
Ferguson’s jibes were also in relation to Suarez and the Scot maintained the player shouldn’t play for Liverpool again. A scathing outburst and the standout quote from an intriguing interview after the ill-fated affair at Old Trafford in February.
But back to the case of Wenger, he damned the much documented public courting of Samir Nasri last summer whereby Roberto Mancini boldly claimed the club were looking to sign the midfielder, but what is the difference between commenting on player in transfer terms and commenting on a player in the way Wenger did relating to Suarez?
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It seems there is a grey area of uncertainty in relation to what verbal misconduct is and what isn’t when referring to players of the opposition. Does Kenny Dalglish have a point, is commenting on other teams’ players a manager’s trait that needs to end?
In the season of 2009/10 Wayne Rooney really was head and shoulders above every other United player in terms of performance levels and consistency.
For the duration of the domestic and European campaigns he lead the line and struck fear through defenders in the premiership week in week out; in fact it isn’t too far fetched to say he was ahead of every other player in Europe in terms of delivering impressive displays and to top it off he bagged himself a season record of 34 goals. He was much deserving of his Player of the Year accolade.
Despite Rooney being a shining light, United missed out on silverware and were criticised by fans and media alike for being heavily reliant on Wayne. In for criticism came the rest of the strike force and in particular, Dimitar Berbatov, who was failing to live him up to his £30m pricetag that had been splashed out on him a year previous.
Also on the naughty list fell Michael Owen – not many people expected him to play a massive role for United but after his last minute winner against Manchester City, he set himself up and we expected to see the Owen from World Cup 98 – it did not materialise. Nani and Valencia, although fans favourites and not out-an-out strikers, were also expected to weigh in with more goals than they delivered.
One year on and what a contrast – Wayne Rooney has 14 goals and although has not hit the goal scoring heights of 09/10, is still Sir Alex Ferguson’s main man and when he ticks, United tick.
Dimitar Berbatov has netted 21 goals season and is the premier leagues leading scorer; Young Mexican Javier Hernandez who was relatively unknown when Ferguson signed him before the World Cup, has been a huge success and having struck 20 goals so far in his debut season has without a doubt been a great asset to the side. Michael Owen, although struggled with injuries this season has still made an impact – not necessarily in the goals department but by offering alternative dimensions to Uniteds attacking play when available – sometimes the reputation of Owen is enough to scare a defender into a mistake.
Then there are the strikers on loan – Danny Welbeck has been inspirational at Steve Bruce’s Sunderland and earned himself an International call up (for England not Ghana). Kiko Macheda has been a regular in the Italian Serie A side Sampdoria and Mame Biram Diouf has regularly impressed at Blackburn.
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So the question that needs to be asked before we go into the 2011/12 campaign, possibly defending a premier league title and champions league triumph is, with four top strikers at the club, and three on loan who all have the capability to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage, who will be the odd man, or odd men out?
I think it is safe to assume that Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez will be at the club next season, not only because of their performance levels but also because of their age. However, as strange as it may seem with Berbatov being the leagues top scorer, at the age of 30 and seemingly no longer a definite in the starting 11, maybe Ferguson will cash in on the Bulgarian. Had it been Rooney who lost his first team place, being 25 there is a huge amount of time and a massive chance he will force his way back in – with Berbatov it just does not seem likely. Would he be happy to sit on the bench?
Michael Owen is at the end of his current deal at United and maybe after two years at the club and not making a first team place his own, he might look elsewhere to get regular first team football. I think his situation is dependent on which loan striker returns; If Danny Welbeck or Kiko Macheda return, I believe they will be further up the pecking order than the former Liverpool man, and any self respecting footballer would not be happy to be fifth or sixth choice, especially one who was once European Player of the Year.
Looking at it from another angle is asking the question, will Danny Welbeck, Kiko Macheda or Mame Diouf be happy to return to the club knowing a minimum of two strikers will be ahead of them in Fergusons preference? Do any of these young strikers have it in them to fight for a place? Further more, will Javier Hernandez keep up his fine form or will his game be found out by defenders, going into his second season?
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Ultimately the decision is down to Sir Alex Ferguson and he has never been a man to let sentiment get in the way of making bold decisions when it comes to showing world class strikers the door; Just ask Mark Hughes, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Dwight Yorke, Andrew Cole, Louis Saha and Diego Forlan. All household names, all completely different scenarios, all adored by the United faithful, all departed from United when the manager felt it was the right time.
Having seven top class strikers is every managers dream, not knowing which ones to keep is our managers nightmare.
Article courtesy of Nathon at Red Flag Flying High
Real Madrid maestro Cristiano Ronaldo has backed former Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney to return to top form in the not-too-distant future.
Twenty-five-year-old Rooney, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, has scored just once for United this season, while he recently hit the headlines by asking to leave Old Trafford before sensationally signing a new five-year contract.
Ronaldo told The Sun:"Wayne has not started this season very well, but he is still a fantastic player and I know that very soon he will be back to show that.
"He has made his decision to stay with United and sign a new contract and we must all respect that. It's not my position to give him advice on that, but I know that things can change very quickly indeed.
"I didn't start this season very well, either. But it is difficult to play at the highest level all the time.
"I just stayed calm, worked hard and did my job for the team and suddenly I scored a few goals and everything changed.
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"Football is like that. Sometimes we play bad and then you score a goal and everyone thinks differently about you. That will happen for Wayne."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
After their latest in a long run of disappointing results, there are rumours that Roman Abramovich is ready to get rid of Andre Villas-Boas, after just eight months in charge. Speculation surrounding the man to take over has been rife, with some areas of the media suggesting that ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could be in line for the job.
A change is likely to occur sooner rather than later, with the Portuguese coach rumoured to have lost the dressing room at Stamford Bridge. Abroamovich is not known for his patience, and this latest revelation could well prove to the straw that broke the camel’s back.
A move for Benitez wouldn’t be the most popular decision among supporters of the club, who are believed to want Jose Mourinho back. Benitez could however be a shrewd decision on the part of the Russian, with the former Liverpool coach’s tactical knowhow and relationship with Fernando Torres.
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Benitez’s finest bit of business in his last visit to the Premier League, was taking Fernando Torres to Merseyside. The striker was a revelation under the guidance of his fellow countryman, scoring and breaking records for fun in the north of England. However, after the dismissal of the ex-Valencia coach at the Reds, Torres’ form dipped, and then collapsed completely following his move to the capital. If there’s one thing Benitez does know it’s how to get the best out, on his day, one of the finest front-men in Europe, and this could be a deciding factor for Abramovich, who will be very reluctant to take a significant loss on the £50 million paid last January.
Another weapon in the coach’s armoury is his impressive record in the Champions League, a competition that the Russian billionaire has craved success in since his arrival at the club. Benitez steered his Liverpool side to victory in 2005, beating Chelsea on the way, with a squad that, arguably, had no right to win the tournament. He was again successful in 2007, coming runner-up to Milan, once more defeating Chelsea en-route. It’s no secret that failure in the competition has been a factor in the demise of previous managers under the Russian’s regime, which shows just how high the trophy, is on his list of priorities.
All of these successes were quite some time ago now, with Benitez having a less enjoyable spell at Inter Milan in the mean time, but Benitez’s knowhow in the world’s leading club competition, alongside knowledge of the Premier League, could make him an ideal candidate for the Chelsea role.
Although there has been no official contact as of yet, Abramovich wants the Champions League, and Benitez wants a job, it could be a match made in heaven.
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Swindon Town boss Paolo Di Canio has described his new job as ‘destiny’ just days after taking over as manager of the League Two club.Di Canio, 42, accepted the job on Friday with the County Ground outfit who will play their football in the fourth tier of English football, after being relegated from League One this campaign.
It is a low-profile job for the Italian, who delighted fans with his career at the likes of Lazio, Juventus, AC Milan, Celtic and West Ham United, but his excitement was obvious when speaking to the press.
“This is my destiny,” Di Canio said.
“I feel like this is the most important thing for me. I was happy the last two years to work for a sports (TV) programme but a lion can’t stay in a cage, a lion has to stay on the pitch.”
“This is my job, this is my life. I think I am sure that I can help with my knowledge and experience every team to achieve their ambitions.”
“So, I am sure about my quality, of course (Harry) Redknapp maybe reckons that I was a little manager already when I used to play football.”
Victor Obinna has settled nicely into life in the English Premier League. Scoring once and providing three assists in only six appearances, Obinna’s emergence in the West Ham starting line-up has coincided with an upturn in fortunes for the east London club, with Obinna having tasted defeat only once in claret and blue, on debut, against reigning champions Chelsea, in a 3-1 home defeat.
But with Obinna only on a season-long loan from Italian giants Inter Milan, should the Hammers move swiftly to secure the striker on a more permanent basis? Obinna himself has stated he is enjoying life in England having been snapped up by West Ham in late August and feels his game is suited to the Premier League, stating; “The football is really fast and that’s the kind of football I’m hoping to play. I’ve been trying to adapt and it hasn’t been that difficult for me”. He also noted; “I’m settled now and I’m enjoying myself” adding “This is the kind of football I really wanted to play and I’m really happy to be here”.
So with the striker settled, happy and feeling himself to be a perfect fit for both club and division, is there anything stopping West Ham swooping to secure a permanent deal, or at least an extension to his season-long loan? The only obstacles in West Ham’s way are price and whether Inter Milan are willing to allow the 23 year-old to move on. But having only appeared 9 times for the San Siro club since his move from Chievo in 2008, and having been shipped out on a season-long loan to Malaga before his journey to Upton Park, I am not sure either Obinna or Inter see each other in their respective futures, leaving the door open for the east Londoners.
Obinna’s youth, ambition and footballing ability should make him the perfect candidate for the struggling club, but the Hammers have had their fingers burnt before by burgeoning young talent hailing from the San Siro. Not 12 months previously, Luis Jiménez, a 25 year-old Chilean international, signed from Inter Milan on a season long, was flattering to deceive with his performances in the Premier League, before a dip in form, combined with falling out of favour at West Ham, meant his contract was terminated early by mutual consent, allowing Jiménez to join Parma until the end of the season. Issuing a parting shot that his “experience in the Premier League ha[d] not gone as [he] wanted”, Jiménez has since returned to Chile to ply his trade, and although he is a player that will not live long in the memory at Upton Park, the Jiménez experience will have left the Irons cautious over jumping too quickly to conclusions.
But with Obinna appearing far more settled and involved at the club, already matching Jiménez’s goal tally for the Hammers, and maintaining a first team spot with far more regularity than the Chilean international known in his native country as ‘The Wizard’, Obinna seems to be a far better fit.
If Obinna’s scintillating form continues, there will be far more clubs than just West Ham interested in the 23 year-old, so it is imperative the Irons strike while the proverbial iron is hot, sealing the signature of the Nigerian, in what would be an investment for the club’s future.
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