Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was happy with the performance of his side in their 1-1 draw at Steaua Bucharest which secured progress to the knockout stages of the Europa League.
A Milan Jovanovic goal was cancelled out by an Eder Bonfim strike just past the hour mark, but the Reds held on to secure a crucial point.
He told reporters:"I'm very happy and happy most of all that the team we had the confidence to take on this tough task of playing Steaua away and were able to produce the performance and get the result we needed.
"We always knew it was going to be tough because it was a bit of a last chance for Steaua to qualify, so I was a little bit concerned with my team selection, but the players served the club well and stuck at our task very well.
"I asked a lot of them; asking that team with so many players who had not played for a long time – Joe Cole, Fabio Aurelio, Ryan Babel – and players like Danny Wilson, Dani Pacheco and Jonjo Shelvey who hardly play in the first team.
"Asking them to come to Steaua and get a result against a team of their quality, that is why I was concerned.
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"It was a big ask for those players to stand up to some of the pressure and deal with some of the quality football and I am delighted for them and we now top the group in the final game."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
With the exception of the 5-1 thrashing they received at the hands of their bitterest rivals in the reverse fixture, Sunderland are one club to be having an excellent season thus far and the side most likely to take advantage of the malaise affecting a number of the top sides.
There is a real sense of optimism surrounding the Stadium of Light at the moment, with the Black Cats, amazingly, only three points off Tottenham in fourth as we head into this weekend’s games. A win here could push Steve Bruce’s charges into a Europa League spot.
Newcastle have been far more inconsistent this year, and are coming off one of the worst results in recent memory after being humbled by League Two Stevenage in the FA Cup.
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For the supporters, however, league standings and form are completely irrelevant. Both sets of fans would happily lose two or three subsequent games on the bounce should they triumph here. At home, I would expect Sunderland to gain revenge for their early season defeat to Newcastle and put heavy pressure on Tottenham and Chelsea should either side drop points.
With Andy Gray sacked from Sky Sports, and his mate Richard Keys having resigned, the attention now turns to the future and the question of who should replace Gray and take his job? There are plenty of contenders out there, including ex-players, managers and current pundits who would be keen to get a promotion and of course the pay rise that goes with that!
It will be interesting to see whether Sky Sports promote from in-house, with Jamie Redknapp the favourite in the online betting markets, or look to head hunt someone from one of their competitors. The other option is to go for a footballer still playing but set to retire in the near future. However, they wouldn’t have the experience of a seasoned pro that’s been a pundit for many a year.
So who do you think is the man (or woman) to step into Andy Gray’s shoes at Sky? Take a look at the contenders in our gallery below and then vote for your favourite and of course let us know if we’ve missed a major contender out!
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Every year there are hundreds of rumours in regards to transfers that may or not happen which seem to last for weeks. Each window there is a transfer saga that most of the footbal world gets absolutely sick of and just wants the player in question to just leave and be done with it!
Here are ten of the Premier League transfer sagas which have most interested me. Think I’ve missed out some transfer sagas that just dragged on and on and on? Let me know in the comments section after you’ve taken a look at the top ten…
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John Obi Mikel, Manchester United to Chelsea (2006)
Mikel wore a United shirt a press conference, saying he was “delighted with United move”. A week later, with involvement of Chelsea, he stated he no longer wanted to join United and that he had been “forced into signing a contract” against his will. After death threats and disappearances he eventually did move to Chelsea, who paid Manchester United £16m to settle the fiasco.
Andrey Arshavin, Zenit St. Petersburg to Arsenal (2009)
It was 2 February and transfer deadline day. Andrei Arshavin been linked with a move to Arsenal, amongst others, for what seemed like years, but was actually just many months. With, reportedly, only an hour left on the transfer window clock, Arsenal finally made an offer that Zenit were willing to accept. Although he had agreed personal and medical terms there were still negations regarding extra fees to be resolved. Amazingly, poor weather conditions led the Premier League to extend the deadline beyond 5pm. This gave arsenal the time they needed to complete the move. The deal was not confirmed until the following day nearly 24 hours after the formal transfer deadline had passed.
Rafael Van der Vaart, Real Madrid to Tottenham (2010)
On the final day of the transfer window at 4pm Tottenham signed Van Der Vaart, seemingly out of thin air. Redknapp said: “I thought he was going to Bayern Munich for about £18m and suddenly he became an awful lot cheaper and the chairman came to me and said: ‘Look, he’s available for around about £8m.’” Spurs managed to secure their bargain in the same window as Manchester United spent £7m on Bebé an unknown quantity. This season Van Der Vaart has scored 9 league goals, while Bebé has not scored any.
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David Beckham, LA Galaxy to Tottenham on loan (2011)
One of this year’s highest profile transfer rumours began when Harry Redknapp said “He would be a fantastic player to have here – and he wouldn’t be coming just to sell some shirts”, setting off alarm bells over the potential loan of Beckham. Beckham then confirmed he wanted the move. He even got as close as training with the club, being filmed daily to and from the ground. Sadly, Beckham was denied the chance of a Tottenham friendly by insurance snag. It looks like the potential loan transfer will now fizzle out in to what might have been.
Michael Owen, Newcastle to Manchester United (2009)
As Michael Owen’s Newcastle saw relegation, he became available on a free transfer. With teams such as Everton, West Ham, Birmingham and almost every EPL club being linked with the former teenage starlet, sensation was rife. However Owen clearly had his sights set on something higher and so produced a farcical transfer brochure, calling himself “the athlete; the ambassador; the icon”. It also included a full medical review and rewrote many of the tabloid stories which had highlighted his injury-proneness and his lack of desire. It was made available in Spanish and Italian. Despite the hilarious headlines Owen secured a free-transfer to Manchester United, and so concluded the speculation.
Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal to Manchester City (2009)
If the transfer alone was not enough, the proceeding spectacle between Adebayor and Arsenal fans was a saga in itself. In the build up to The Man City v Arsenal game, Adebayor, who had recently left the Emirates for Newlands stoked the fires of Arsenal fan’s by putting his good city form down to the city fans; ‘When the fans love you, you try to give them something back’. In a game where Adebayor was always going to be a central focus he did himself no favours with a challenge on Robin Van Persie that involved a boot to the head. However, the fiasco culminated when Adebayor ran the length of the pitch in order to celebrate in front of his former Arsenal fans. He will no doubt never be forgotten in the heart of Arsenal fans, but for all the wrong reasons.
Robbie Keane, Tottenham to Liverpool to Tottenham (2008-9)
This was not so much an on-going saga as a Rafa Benitez ‘special’. Keane moved to Anfield for a fee of circa £20 million, a similar price to Fernando Torres. Upon his arrival, Keane commented “I’ve been a Liverpool fan all my life… to be here now as a Liverpool player is incredible and I couldn’t be happier.”
But after 6 months Rafa Benitez had still not been convinced by Keane who played largely as an impact sub. In January he returned to White Hart Lane for a basic fee of £12 million, with a net profit of around £5 million. Which was about a million month, not great business really. Keane is still struggling to find a place in the Spurs team and looks set to move in the next week. Last year he went on loan to Celtic, upon arrival he said, rather familiarly, “The club is brilliant. I am a Celtic fan… I always wanted to play for Celtic”.
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Dimitar Berbatov, Tottenham to Manchester United (2008)
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It was a cat fight that saw Levy and Ferguson come head to head. After initially turning down an offer of around £20 million, Daniel Levy commented that he had “absolutely no wish to sell the player”. The problems began when a national paper then reported Alex Ferguson to have said that he would indeed sign Berbatov this transfer window. An argument ensued which lead Tottenham to submit a complaint to the league with, apparently, one year’s worth of evidence, regarding Man United’s illegal pursuit of Berbatov.
Ferguson’s reaction was one of denial; “It’s going to be very embarrassing for Spurs because the complaint appears to be on the basis of a story in a paper.” After all this speculation, to-ing and fro-ing, and negotiation upon negotiation, Ferguson eventually got his wish and Berbatov joined for £30 million. Although it has taken Berbatov time to find his feet at Old Trafford, Ferguson seems to be reaping the rewards this season as Berbatov has scored 19 league goals.
Robinho and The Abu Dhabi to Manchester City (2008)
Deadline day of the summer in 2008 saw the arrival of both the Abu Dhabi United Group and Robinho to Manchester City. These two additions to the Premier League would remain at the centre of transfer talk for years to come. Man City are now linked with anyone and everyone. The Arab Investment group, said to be worth 250 billion, reshaped the Premier League in a matter of moments. Changing the big four into the ‘big 4 plus Man City if they buy some world class players’. Having rumoured to have spent almost 1 billion pounds on the club can see why. The speculation regarding Robinho was caused by his apparent move to Chelsea being scrapped at the last second in favour of £160,000 wages at Man City. Unlike the Arabic owners though Robinho has left and returned to his native Brazil a very rich man but not a billionaire.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United (2010)
Six weeks of headlines saw Wayne Rooney asking for a transfer away from Old Trafford. He cited the club’s “lack of ambition” as the reason he wanted to leave the club. However, amid fears and speculation that he might leave, Rooney made a U-turn and accepted a rumoured £200,000 week contract. This lead many to suppose that Rooney never in fact wanted to leave but used the suggestion of a transfer in leverage to negotiate a new contract. This suspicion has risen since he has been unofficially quoted as saying that he was never going to leave anyway. The mind boggles…
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Germany captain Michael Ballack has been left out of Joachim Loew’s squad to face Italy on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old missed his country’s 2010 World Cup campaign with an ankle problem before fracturing his leg in September.
He returned for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen in January, but Loew was in no hurry to rush the midfielder back into the national squad for the friendly.
“I am happy Michael is back after the two injuries. He looks to be finding his rhythm. But we both know it will take some more time,” Loew said.
Germany host the Azzurri in Dortmund, with Philipp Lahm expected to wear the captain’s armband in Ballack’s absence.
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Germany squad: Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Dennis Aogo (Hamburg), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Manchester City), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Arne Friedrich(Wolfsburg), Heiko Westermann (Hamburg), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Mesut Oezil (Real Madrid), Christian Traesch (Stuttgart), Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund), Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Cologne).
From the highs of Barcelona, to the lows of Brisbane Road. It’s been a strange week for Arsenal. One the one hand, they proved they could beat the best at their own game using skill, technique and finesse. But on the other, they underlined a problem we have become all too familiar with when questioning why the Gunners can’t seem to end their six-year trophy drought. Once again, Arsene Wenger’s men failed to see out a game which required some grit and what many would call ‘ugly football’. So is this the real problem? Do Arsenal need to learn to win ugly in order to win trophies?
It’s an age-old argument, I know. But if there was one of the ‘top four’ capable of not seeing through the game against Leyton Orient, speaking on past experience, it was Arsenal. They’ve certainly become tougher than they used to be. Players like Jack Wilshere have added a little bite more bite to their game which has been missing since the good old days of Patrick Vieira.
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But I’m not just talking about someone who’s not scared of putting their foot in. Against the O’s, Arsenal needed someone to score the ugly goal. Put the game beyond the home side – be it through the world’s best team goal, or in off Bendtner’s backside – they all count.
Before the Barcelona game, Wilshere himself said that Arsenal needed to be harder, more aggressive and close their opponents down quicker to get the ball back. I’d argue that if they added that to their game on a regular basis, the Premier League trophy would have been at the Emirates long before now.
It seems to be a recurring problem with Wenger’s style. He gets his team playing some unbelievable football and any real fan can appreciate just how good they can be at times. But there is another side to the game; the side where you go away to a small ground, with intimidating fans and a surface designed to upset the usual rhythmic passing of an established quality side. This is the side of the game where you need your players to stand up and be counted. Stick it out, defend together and take your chances, however few and far between they come.
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It’s a frustrating flaw which many have identified over the years. Every season Arsenal go without a trophy, Wenger declares them ‘better off and more experienced’ the next time round. But there always seems to be this result just around the corner. It may seem an over-reaction. After all, it was just a draw against a team who were buzzing for the occasion of an FA Cup tie against one of the best in the world. But the result is symbolic of the lack of trophies at the North London club over the past few years. It seems ridiculous to suggest it, but if Arsenal could be just a littler uglier, would it solve an ongoing problem at the Emirates club? Food for thought, Mr Wenger.
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Nothing would please Liverpool fans more than putting a dent in United’s title chances tomorrow in what promises to be a lively game at Anfield. Kenny Dalglish’s men could certainly with a victory, having gone off the boil in recent weeks.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Liverpool blogs that includes five set for the chop at Anfield; realistic ambitions for Liverpool, while two cheap deals to solve the reds’ problems.
We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.
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Top TEN funniest football chants of recent times
The Top TEN Premier League Wag Imports…well I would!
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FIVE set for the summer chop at Anfield?
Will supporters be hit in the pocket in light of new rulings?
So why are Harry, Kenny and Fergie keen to splash cash on him?
Liverpool’s Top TEN Cult Heroes
Liverpool refuse to budge over £11m fee
Premier League trio in battle for Hungarian Star
Who is England’s most hated footballer?
What is a realistic ambition for Liverpool?
14 reasons why the future is bright at Liverpool?
TWO cheap deals to solve Liverpool’s current problems
*Best of Web*
The honeymoon is over; looking forward to the future – This is Anfield
Should we stay or should we go? – Tomkins Times
Does Kelly’s Emergence Pile More Pressure on Spearing? – This is Anfield
The signings we need to make to capture title No.19 – Live4Liverpool
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5 reasons why Aquilani should return in the summer – Our Kop
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Click on image below to see a gallery of Christian’s lady wife
The Netherlands moved six points clear at the top of Group E following a 4-0 thumping at Hungary in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier.Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk opted to start the likes of Robin van Persie, Ibrahim Afellay and Rafael van der Vaart at the Puskas Ferenc Stadion in Budapest, and the difference in class was evident from the outset.
Van der Vaart put the Oranje ahead in the eighth minute, and goals to Afellay, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt and Van Persie ensured the visitors would secure the fifth straight win of the qualifying campaign.
But the win was soured by what appeared to be a serious ankle injury to Afellay, the Barcelona midfielder limping gingerly from the pitch in the 56th minute after coming down hard in a tackle.
Wesley Sneijder was on hand to ensure Van der Vaart ended a goal drought stretching back over a month, the Inter Milan man weaving his way into the area and poking a pass to the Tottenham midfielder for a cool finish.
Afellay made it 2-0 in the shadows of half-time with a bit of individual brilliance, picking out the bottom-left corner of the net with a blistering strike from range after 45 minutes.
Sneijder also played a part in the third goal, releasing Van der Vaart with a through pass.
Van der Vaart skimmed his way into the box and slid the ball to Kuyt for the easiest of finishes; and Kuyt repaid the favour on eight minutes later with an assist in Van Persie’s strike.
The Liverpool striker dipped a ball over his mark to release Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel, who cut his way through two defenders on the right flank and cut back a pass for Van Persie.
The result leaves the Netherlands six points clear at the top of Group E and in excellent shape to clinch their berth at the Euro 2012 finals.
Hungary remain second on six points, equal with Sweden but having played two games more than the Scandinavians.
American business Thomas Di Benedetto is believed to be close to securing a takeover deal for Serie A club AS Roma.Di Benedetto landed in Rome on Monday for exclusive negotiations with Roma’s holding company Italpetroli and stakeholder Unicredit bank.
The reported US$108 million bid from Di Benedetto – an investor in Liverpool owners New England Sports Venture – is believed to be favoured over four other offers to purchase the club.
“Our aim is to make Roma one of the top clubs in the world,” Di Benedetto told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We want a team that the city will always be proud of, but of course this will take time.”
“Rome is a wonderful city and for us to be able to represent it in the world is a great opportunity.”
Roma’s widely-reported financial concerns – the club are believed to hold debts of up to US$56 million – are set to worsen if the club misses out on lucrative qualification for the Champions League.
Vincenzo Montella’s side are sixth in the table, six points behind Udinese in the last Champions League qualification berth.
“We all hope that Roma qualifies for the Champions League,” Di Benedetto said.
“Roma have recently recovered after a difficult period. But they still lack continuity.”
Di Benedetto is believed to represent several other NESV board members interested in purchasing up to 67 percent of the club.
“They’re my friends, they’re all successful businessmen or managers with the necessary economic resources for this deal,” Di Benedetto said.
“James Pallotta, one of the owners of the Boston Celtics, will provide his sports knowledge and he has already carefully evaluated the club’s potential.”
“Michael Ruane has had a successful career in investments funds and real estate and his involvement will mostly regard the plan for the new stadium.”
“Richard D’Amore is an expert in new media and will help us develop in that area.”
Blackburn Rovers will carry the threat of relegation and a major selection headache into their trip to Everton on Saturday.The Trotters are suffering an ill-timed slide down the English Premier League table as their form under manager Steve Kean worsens, slumping to 15th with nary a win from their past eight games.
There is just three points separating Blackburn from the drop zone and four points between them and last-placed Wigan Athletic, and with six games left – including visits from Manchester United, Manchester City and Bolton – there is little margin for error.
Making matters worse, the club is dealing with a sudden availability crisis due to a rash of injuries.
New Zealand international Ryan Nelsen limped from the field with a knee injury during Blackburn’s 1-1 draw with Birmingham City last Saturday and will not feature in the fixture.
So too is on-loan Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz, who is battling a hamstring strain, and captain Chris Samba, who is laid low with a twisted ankle.
Add to that Steven N’Zonzi’s suspension for his red card against Arsenal, Gael Givet’s ongoing contract dispute and Kean’s apparent dislike for Nikola Kalinic and the Trotters are beginning to look thin indeed.
But in some better news, Junior Hoilett is expected to play despite suffering hamstring soreness last weekend.
The Canadian starlet fired his third goal in four games against the Blues and will be sorely needed in a Blackburn outfit short on attacking options.
The Merseyside visit will pose a test to Hoilett and his team-mates and Everton will be keen to keep their six-game unbeaten run alive.
The Toffees have staked a claim for seventh on the table with 44 points from 32 games, and could find themselves one point off sixth place and a possible Europa League berth if they win and Liverpool topple Arsenal on Sunday.
That Everton have managed to keep their season ticking along while carrying their own extensive injury list is a credit to boss David Moyes.
Moyes has had to do without a number of first-team regulars, including Tim Cahill (foot), Louis Saha (ankle), Marouane Fellaini (ankle), Mikel Arteta (hamstring) and Jack Rodwell (ankle).
Republic of Ireland international Seamus Coleman, who was shortlisted for the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award earlier this week, is also in doubt to play with a recurrence of an ankle injury.