It is 9 wins out of 10 for Tottenham Hotspur as the North Londoners close in at the top of the Premier League table. It could well be time for Harry Redknapp’s side to start believing in themselves that they can challenge for more than a top four finish.
At FFC this week there has been various Tottenham blogs that include the Postiga mystery; what next for Modric, while Levy’s masterstroke bodes well for Spurs.
There is also a selection of the best blogs from around the web:
Levy’s masterstroke bodes well for Tottenham
Harry provides Tottenham with the missing ingredients?
Simply a marriage of convenience at Tottenham?
The Helder Postiga Mystery
The limit of Tottenham’s potential?
What next for Luka Modric?
Tottenham deliver as Levy finds the financial balance
Tottenham on £9m alert as owners look for January sale
Roma look to tempt Tottenham with swap
Harry provides Tottenham with the missing ingredients?
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Best of WEB
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Best. Spurs side. Ever. (well, since the 1980s) – Dear Mr Levy
Dear Roman … Condolences . Cheerfully Luka. – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2
Aunty’s Got Her Bloomers In A Twist – Harry Hotspur
End Of An Era – Tottenham On My Mind
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Click on Ms Blasi below to see her in all her glory
The Republic of Ireland snared a share of the lead in Euro 2012 qualifying Group B after defeating Macedonia 2-1 in Dublin on Saturday.Goals inside the first 25 minutes from Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane had Ireland cruising but Ivan Trickovski’s strike on the stroke of half-time gave the visitors hope.
But for all of Macedonia’s late pressure, Ireland held on to claim all three points in an unconvincing performance.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni handed debuts to goalkeeper Kieran Westwood, Kevin Foley and Darren O’Dea and his new-look side claimed the lead inside the first two minutes.
McGeady, now plying his trade with Spartak Moscow, cut inside nicely before firing low at Edin Nuredoniski, who could only help the ball into the back of the net.
It was a poor mistake from the goalkeeper and Ireland took full advantage of his shaky nerves after 21 minutes when Darron Gibson fired his free-kick straight at the shot-stopper.
Nuredoniski fumbled the shot and Keane was at his instinctive best, reacting fastest before producing an easy finish.
Kevin Doyle had to be replaced due to a knee injury but Ireland were well on top and should have extended their lead when Doyle’s replacement, Shane Long, missed a one-on-one with Nuredoniski.
Macedonia produced a fight-back, with Trickovski scoring after he made a mockery of Richard Dunne’s defensive work and produced a neat finish to beat Westwood.
The goal gave Macedonia a boost heading into the break and they came out firing in the second, with Inter Milan striker Goran Pandev only just shooting wide on the volley in the early stages.
Trickovski also went close and was well-denied by Westwood, as Ireland held on in the final moments to record victory.
Ireland managed to move to the equal-top of their group after Russia were held to a 0-0 draw in Armenia.
Despite fielding the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Yuri Zhirkov and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Vardan Minasyan’s side were compact enough to keep the Russians at bay.
The other Group B fixture saw Slovakia claim a 1-0 away win at Andorra thanks to Filip Sebo’s first-half goal.
The former Rangers forward is now at Slovan Bratislava and has been in a rich vein of form recently, with his 21st minute strike his seventh in his last six matches.
The result sees the Republic of Ireland, Russia and Slovakia all locked on 10 points at the top of the group, with Slovakia leading the way courtesy of goal difference.
Stoke City have tied up the signing of versatile Ipswich Town forward Jonathan Walters for a fee that could eventually exceed £3million.
The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract at the Britannia Stadium, having been with the Tractor Boys since January 2007 – scoring 32 goals in 146 appearances in all competitions.
Potters boss Tony Pulis told his club's official website:"I have been looking to bring more goals to the squad and Jon certainly fits that bill.
"He has been one of the outstanding performers in the Championship over the past three years and I am confident the lad can make the same sort of impact in the Premier League now that he has been given this opportunity.
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"The fact that he is versatile will increase competition for places in the squad, which is something we have been looking to achieve."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Sepp Blatter has caused a storm with comments made about the way players should deal with racial abuse. Rio Ferdinand and Gordon Taylor have led the way in condemning the FIFA president with the latter calling on him to resign from his post.
Elsewhere in the news Fernando Torres concedes he is indebted to the Chelsea fans; Suarez is charged with racism rap; while Paladini leaves his post at QPR.
NEWS
Sepp Blatter defends handshake comments
Torres in debt to Chelsea fans
Villa star Bannan charged with drink driving
Johnson signs new Manchester City deal
Suarez charged with racism rap
Spurs to de-list from stock market
Paladini leaves QPR
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TRANSFER NEWS
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Liverpool plot January move for Lyon defender – Mirror
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Chelsea to re-open negotiations with Porto’s Pereira after failed summer bid – Daily Mail
Krasic’s ‘Premier League desire alerts Chelsea and Manchester United’ – Metro
Russians plan £15million Berbatov swoop – Mirror
Sao Paulo warn United and Liverpool told Lucas offer must be ‘irresistible’ – Daily Mail
The Daily Mail has reported that “the hardest man in all the town” could be set to leave Old Trafford in the Summer.
The rather succinct post on the Mail’s website notes:
Wes Brown is considering leaving Manchester United. The 31-year-old fell out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson last summer and believes he has a better chance of getting a long-term deal at another club.
I haven’t shortened that in the interests of brevity, that’s literally the post in its entirety, no mention of sources, or quotes simply two and a bit lines letting us all know how a player who’s been at the club since his childhood, is now on his way out of the door- because the Mail say so.
Call me a cynic but I’ve heard these ‘falling out with Fergie’ rumours ever since the Summer and I’ve struggle to believe them. For starters in Wes Brown has fallen foul of Fergie why was he made captain for the Crawley Town game?
Why has he figured albeit on and off all season? Why did he quit international football to concentrate on a club career if he knew it was doomed?
I’m sorry but the whole article- if you can call it that- smacks of lazy journalism- let’s just think of a fairly plausible story and publish it.
Brown may well leave in the Summer- after all only six league appearances all season mean he’s hardly a regular, but I for one hope he decides to stay.
Wes – and I feel more comfortable calling him that as he seems like such a down to earth bloke- is United through and through. Fergie may look at the defensive injury crisis of the past two seasons and realise that United cannot afford to start letting experienced defenders who can play either centre or full back leave.
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He may not have had the best of seasons but he’s still a top class defender on his day and his popularity with the fans is well justified.
The saddest thing about the Mail’s article is the amount of so-called United ‘fans’ commenting on it slagging him off.
Read more Manchester United articles at the excellent Red Flag Flying High
With England performing so dismally at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, many people have said that it’s time to get rid of the old and put in the new. Now could well be the time to give the youngsters a chance, but which English starlets have a chance to force out the out guard by the time the 2014 World Cup in Brazil comes around. Here’s a look at ten who are in with more than a chance:
Jack Rodwell – The Everton midfielder has represented England in all age groups and it shouldn’t be too long before he gets a full cap. The 19-year-old has already shown that he has composure ahead of his years and is close to making 50 league appearances for Everton already. At 6ft 2in, Rodwell has plenty of height, something that is always handy at set-pieces, and is an athlete you can get around the pitch and perform the box-to-box role. While it has often been said that Steven Gerrard wasn’t always used to his full potential for the Three Lions, surely a player from the blue half of Merseyside will be at the heart of England’s team for many years to come.
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Jack Wilshere – Another Jack, Wilshere is destined for big things and the Arsenal youngster has be touted as being the most talented English footballer since Paul Gascoigne. The diminutive attacking midfielder has the creativity that any team would crave and can unlock a defence with ease. Currently being eased into first team action at The Emirates by Wenger, it will be interesting to see whether the 18-year-old will be loaned out again this season or whether he’ll compete for a place at under the Frenchman. Either way, by the time the 2014 World Cup comes around, it will be a major surprise if Wilshere isn’t a certain England starter.
Adam Johnson – Perhaps no longer a starlet as such, Johnson will feel aggrieved that he didn’t make the 2010 squad, and will thus need no extra motivation to make sure that his form warrants an automatic place when 2014 comes round. The 23-year-old doesn’t need a second invitation to take full backs on, and he’s already shown in his short time at Manchester City that he has the confidence to ply his trade against the best in the country. I’m sure it will be no different when it comes to playing the best in the world, and with bags of skill and trickery in his locker, Johnson will be a regular fixture on one of England’s wings.
Chris Smalling – Sir Alex Ferguson’s purchase of the young defender came somewhat out of the blue last season. Smalling has achieved an incredible rise up the football ladder, having gone from non-league footballer to Premier League player in less than two years. Fergie has obviously seen something in the 20-year-old that he like and persuaded him to go for the player, but whether he will get many first time outings this season it remains to be seen. If Smalling were to go on to play for England at the World Cup it would be one of the most unconventional journeys in recent years, but at 6ft 4in he could become the tower at the heart of England’s defence.
Joe Hart – Having got the experience of going to a World Cup under his belt, there’s no reason why Hart shouldn’t go from strength to strength. After a stellar season at Birmingham City, the ‘keeper heads back to Manchester City where he’ll have the unenviable task of getting the gloves off Shay Given. The 23-year-old looks to have all the abilities required at the top level and now just needs to prove it on the European and in turn the international stage. As long as he passes those tests as and when he comes to them, there’s no reason why Joe Hart shouldn’t be the England number one for many years to come.
Kieran Gibbs – Another Arsenal youngster, Gunners fans will be hoping that Gibbs can follow in the footsteps of Ashley Cole (on the pitch at least) and become a world class left back. Already having played for the Arsenal senior team, Gibbs would have featured more were it not for injury, something that hopefully won’t plague him too much in the future. The 20-year-old has plenty of pace and isn’t afraid to get forward, something that has helped him to net three times for the England U21 team to date. Cole himself will be 33 in 2014, and by then Gibbs may just have nipped in ahead of the ex-Arsenal player.
Danny Rose – If his stunning volley against Arsenal at White Hart Lane in the Premier League last season is anything to go by, then Rose will be making plenty of headlines for himself in the future. The 20-year-old may not be the most hyped youngster in the country right now but there may just be a chance that he can use this to his advantage. Further first team opportunities at Tottenham will be hard to come by, but the midfielder has already signalled his intent to impress Harry Redknapp in pre-season. With Spurs battling on many fronts this season, Rose should get another chance to shine and show that he’s the latest Leeds starlet to make it at the top.
Andy Carroll – A bit of an outside bet this, there have been mumblings that the Newcastle striker might not be too far from the England set-up. The 21-year-old certainly has the physical presence needed to be a successful target man but it remains to be seen whether Carroll can score goals at the highest level, having only hit the back of the net in the Championship for the Toon thus far. Another thing that Carroll will have to ensure is that he doesn’t regularly get into trouble off the pitch, as this will only hamper his career. He will be much better served using that aggression on the pitch and turning himself into a combative striker.
Micah Richards – The career of Micah Richards has stalled in recent years but I can’t see any reason why future international honours won’t come his way. The 22-year-old won his first England cap four years ago and still has time on his side. Richards is a real athlete who plenty of speed and strength and has much to offer England, but whether right back is his best position it remains to be seen. You feel that the next few years could go either way for Richards, but I wouldn’t discounting seeing him in an England shirt once more and when 2014 comes around he’ll have the experience needed to perform at the highest level.
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Connor Wickham – There’s always a wildcard youngster who makes it to the World Cup and Wickham might just be that man in 2014. At just 17 years of age, it’s far too early to tell which way Wickham’s career will go but there’s a chance that he could just be a star of the future. The Ipswich Town striker has already shown that he’s prolific in front of goal, having netted 9 times in 13 games for England U19 and many people will be following his progress in the Championship this season. Roy Keane is very keen to hang onto the youngster amidst interest from Spurs and Harry Redknapp, and the prospect of a £10m transfer shows just how highly Wickham’s thought of.
These are just ten England starlets who will be hoping to feature for England in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. As is the case with youngsters, some will go onto to big things and some will fall by the wayside, and it will be interesting to see how the players I’ve identified will fare. Who of the above do you think will dismantle the old guard ahead of 2014, and out of those not listed here, who do you reckon we should be keeping an eye on?
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
Nobody wants to be relegated. It’s been the death of many a major club. Club’s like Nottingham Forest and Leeds fell from the heights of European football to relative obscurity; but it doesn’t always have to be like that. The right management of the club and an understanding of the situation at hand is vital to resurgence in form. So which clubs have benefited from a demotion and what circumstances are necessary to use relegation as a catalyst for success?
Newcastle 2009
The obvious choice is Newcastle. After almost winning the Premiership in the mid nineties the Toon army went on to enjoy over a decade of mediocrity before slipping to a deserved relegation. However two years later they currently enjoy their best start to a top-flight season in years and occupy a top four place in the table. This is definitely creditable to their relegation and subsequent promotion.
Newcastle, despite the debt they had, managed to hold on to a number of important players. They used relegation to get rid of much of the dead weight in their squad and came back to the top flight as a new team. Whatever Newcastle fans might say about Mike Ashley I feel that in football you should judge people by their end result and although he did want to sell the club it would appear that he has managed the club well. He has made a fortune for the club with the sale of Carroll, has got rid of Barton who clearly disrupted dressing room morale and sold the expensive Kevin Nolan who was in decline as a footballer. Moreover, he has reduced the club debt by a significant amount and continued his ambition even though they were relegated. The result? A young fresh team with an exciting French element to it. The team, for the first time in years, looks genuinely threatening although they still need to buy a striker.
Man City 2001
After winning promotion to the Premier League Manchester City were immediately relegated back down to the Championship. It seemed that the step up had simply come too soon. However with the appointment of Kevin Keegan Man City won promotion once more with their highest ever points total. Why were they able to do this? Because David Bernstein introduced measures to ensure necessary frugality within the club so therefore if they were to be demoted then they would not collapse as a club (as clubs such as Leeds and Portsmouth have done).
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West Ham 2010
West Ham are by no means ensured of a straight promotion back to football’s top table but they have put themselves in a decent position. They recognised the need to keep hold of some of their players whilst simultaneously offloaded players who were congesting their wage bill. The sale of Scott Parker was a necessary evil as was the release of Mathew Upson who was on a reported £55k per week. Instead they have brought in loan players with proven quality for that level such as Bentley, Almunia and Lansbury. West Ham had almost gone down a number of times in recent seasons and last years relegation was the perfect opportunity to re-invent their squad. They may have a long way to go but I predict that they will be back next year and ready to grow as a club.
Common denominator
So what did these clubs share that made them able to rise back up to the Premier League? Decent finances. The key to being relegated is to make sure that when you go down you can afford to go down. People might suggest that Newcastle went down with over £100m debt but ultimately they have a large fan base and each club can afford different levels of debt depending upon their support. Similarly whilst West Ham do have debt the £35m they owe is more than manageable for a club of their size.
Too many clubs panic buy when they see relegation on the horizon and it is an incredibly risky tactic. If it works the fine your team survives for another season, but what then? Do you struggle the next season too? It is not sustainable. You cannot panic buy forever, clubs that go down with their finances in relative order stand themselves in much better stead than those in the Premier League whose spending spirals out of control in a bid to stop the rot.
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Just look at a club like Charlton. They had plenty of money after the sale of Darren Bent but instead of spending it wisely they went through a succession of managers who wasted their money. The result was that when they were eventually relegated they had no money to rebuild causing them to be relegated even further.
Relegation doesn’t have to be a disaster, as long as clubs are prepared for it and act accordingly. It almost seems better to wait until one has been relegated to bring in new players in order to win promotion straight away than it does to buy players in order to prevent your club from being relegated in the first place. Obviously it helps to have a large fan base and reputation as clubs like Newcastle and West Ham do. It is easier to draw crowds and attract players but for anyone who says that is the only reason they were successful in the season after they were relegated is wrong. If that were true then why do not all the big clubs who get relegated immediately win promotion.
There is obviously no exact formula or specific tactic for turning relegation into an advantage, but the prospects it provides are there for all to see. Yes there are grave financial implications but with the careful management of Premier league parachute payments the apocalypse might not seem so near. Shedding unwanted players from the wage bill and starting afresh is key to the growth of clubs who have stagnated after years in the Premier League. As long as clubs have been sensible financially whilst in the top division they can enjoy success in the second tier of English football.
Follow Hamish on Twitter @H_Mackay
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We return to the Champions League this week as Manchester United and Chelsea look to follow Tottenham’s lead and book their places in the last eight of the competition. There is no such thing as a foregone conclusion in football but you do expect both sides to prevail victorious with home advantage ensuring English clubs have a healthy representation in the latter stages of Europe’s elite competition.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes Lehmann in Arsenal talks; Henry concedes that Liverpool are yet to open talks with Kenny, while Manchester City have been given permission to sell naming rights of their stadium.
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Lehmann in Arsenal talks – Sky Sports
Nani weighs up leaving United and eyes possible move to Italy – Guardian
Henry: we have yet to talk with Dalglish – Daily Telegraph
City to sell stadium rights – Sun
Winger deal is Marveaux-llous for Liverpool – Mirror
Captain Jack! Fabio earmarks Wilshere as future England leader – Daily Mail
Terry may regain England captaincy – Guardian
City schedule forces FA to put plans on hold – Daily Telegraph
Roo: Don’t Ed off from Man Utd – Sun
Drunk Dunne ‘blasted Villa legend Cowans’ – Mirror
Wenger’s real blind spot is the captaincy – Guardian
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Just over two weeks ago, I revealed my five least favourite football pundits. Unsurprisingly, several readers threw in their two cents, venting their collective spleens over the men they believe are responsible for hideous crimes against television and radio decency. According to the readers of footballfancast.com, the following five ‘experts’ shouldn’t be let anywhere near a camera or microphone…
5 – Joe Royle
Affectionately referred to as ‘Mr. Potato Head’ amongst a small section of Liverpool fans, ESPN’s decision to deploy the services of former Everton manager Joe Royle as a co-commentator adds further weight behind the argument that ‘Americans just don’t get football’. Royle is another man from the stable of ‘commentators who state the blatantly obvious’, although he also has a tendency to assert the ludicrous, having once stated that ‘speed’ is one of Emile Heskey’s qualities.
4 – Graham Taylor
Having annoyed the country for three years in the early 1990s with his pitiful work as England manager, Elton John’s best buddy has also built himself a reputation as a similarly rubbish co-commentator and pundit for the best part of the last six years. Like so many others, Taylor seldom deviates from stating the obvious, although Taylor seems to have turned said fault into an art-form. Speaking of a game featuring Arsenal, Taylor once stated “the thing Arsenal need to do here, is score a goal”. Thanks for clearing that one up Graham.
3 – Craig Burley
Hands up, who thought that the best thing about Setanta’s demise was the prospect of Craig Burley being removed entirely from our TV screens? Unfortunately, ESPN (Grrr, damn you again!) provided Burley with a route back into the punditry game, giving the nation the chance to hear more pearls of wisdom from the man with the missing teeth. Described by one forum poster as ‘the grumpiest man alive’, the former Chelsea man has additionally alluded to a lack of command over the English language, stating “Mark McGhee had the right word for the conditions – ‘not adept’” after a clash between Celtic and Motherwell was called off.
2 – Mark Lawrenson
Unlike former Liverpool teammate Alan Hansen, erratic former Eire international Mark Lawrenson has yet to provide the impression of a man with unquestionable, authoritative knowledge of football. The once moustachioed pundit/co-commentator frequently acts as if drunk on several pints of bitter, an illusion reinforced by his pathetic weekly Premier League score predictions on the BBC website. What’s more contemptible is Lawrenson’s proclivity for the cringeworthy ‘Dad/embarrassing uncle’ pun, as highlighted below.
“Much Adu about nothing.” (After USA international Freddy Adu came on as a substitute against England and misplaced a pass)
1 – Andy Gray
Part of television’s most ubiquitous commentary team (with the irrepressible Martin Tyler of course), Andy Gray has managed to become a figure of hate for a surprisingly large and passionate group of his detractors. Gray is allegedly anti-Liverpool, anti-Chelsea, anti-Tottenham, anti-Arsenal, whilst apparently being pro-Everton, pro-Manchester United, pro-Fernando Torres, pro-Wayne Rooney and pro-Steven Gerrard (phew!). Perceived sense of bias aside, the man responsible for coining the oft-mocked phrase ‘tikkaboo son!’ has suffered several bouts of verbal diarrhoea in his time narrating the game. The following quotes attest to this assertion.
“It’s what I call one of those ‘indefensible ones’ – you can’t defend against them.”
“People say footballers have terrible taste in music but I would dispute that. In the car at the moment I’ve got The Corrs, Cher, Phil Collins, Shania Twain and Rod Stewart.” (for the record, this writer LOVES Phil Collins)
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Read my selection of the game’s worst pundits here
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Click image below to see a gallery of the Brazilian babes at the World Cup
The Spanish La Liga side have reportedly made a u-turn over the sale of Bruno Soriano with Manchester United now in pole position to sign the midfielder. Villarreal President Fernando Roig appeared to be holding the 27 year old to ransom in an attempt to ease the financial pressure at the club.
Riog had previously suggested that Soriano could not be released for less than £10million leaving United boss Alex Ferguson mulling over whether the player was worth the fee.
However, now it seems Riog is prepared to negotiate that figure following the sale of Soriano’s team mate Santi Cazorla to Malaga for around £21million. The emphasis was originally on the midfielder’s sale to help balance the books but Villarreal have accepted that Soriano will now leave them in January for a far-less sum.
It remains to be seen if Sir Alex is still interested as the United boss is not one to be kept waiting for any player but rest-assured he will be more than aware of European rivals Barcelona circling the Villarreal nest. Despite the giants of Europe having a surplus of midfielders, they have had an interest in Soriano for some time but as yet have not come forward with a bid.
Soriano is believed to be regarded as the best player in his position in La liga by the Villarreal President but the lure of United and Barca will be tempting the midfielder to consider his options. United will offer the opportunity of English football and better wages which almost every player in the world would fancy a stab at. Barca on the other hand can only offer the same league except with improved wages but also the possibility of reduced first team opportunities. This would suggest Soriano may opt for a move to England but that can have its negatives given the standards at United.
Competition at United is fierce and the expectations are immensely high so it would soon be revealed how good Soriano is based on how well he adapts. Soriano though does offer more than just a midfield talent with evidence of playing at left-back. This could help Soriano increase his first team opportunities with either United or Barca.
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It’s always hard to tell how good these players are that are linked with high profile clubs until they get out on the pitch. The clubs scouts will know their potential and so only time will tell whether Soriano will prove to be a real find for either club and worth the wait. If he is as good as Villarreal make him out to be they will struggle to replace him once he’s gone.
Read more of Phil Wareham-Mewse’s articles at the excellent Transfer Tavern