Week 15

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Week 15

bigwave1927 · Cult Status

Dave humbly in defeat,
Well done Steve, i think the best team won on the night"he has done some amazing deals since being in charge. Unforuanatly my team were not good enough on the day.Good luck to you bro. I will try my best and help you out with results over the next couple of weeks.
On another note, Im getting fd up with failed deals if people dont know what they are doing read the rules.
Good luck BB99.see you in England (soon)
Dave x

Belizeno · Cult Status

great job steve, get vaughan working!

Fletch · Cult Status

Nastic Coach Fletcher Admits his mistakes.

In an interview with the UK paper, The Telegraph, Club Gimnastic Coach Andy Fletcher highlighted a couple of mistakes he has made in the transfer market.

Looking back selling Juan Antonio who has been scoring for fun was a mistake, in hindsight he would have made the difference to our league status.

I also should have held onto a couple of my experienced defenders I let go, wether it was for the cash or part of a deal to get another player in.

But, you learn and my squad will get the full analysis before I let anyone go in future.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

No Boing Boing for Baggies at The Ricoh

Coventry City pulled off a massive result this weekend to topple their midlands rivals and move into the automatic promotion places for the first time this season. Many pundits will point to West Broms fragile form and suggest this was a result which had some inevitability around it but the Baggies showed no resemblance to the team which slumped to defeat against Southampton last week. In truth, the game could have gone either way, but it was a Dave Kitson hat-trick which took the points for the Sky Blues.

The win leaves Coventry behind Watford in second place and reflects the change in fortunes of both newly promoted clubs over the past two seasons. Both have taken the Championship by storm and now find themselves right in contention to make the step to The Premiership. Manager Mark Rollings was today ensuring that his charges kept their feet firmly on the ground;

People are suggesting that this is probably the most significant result (beating West Brom) in our season but this will mean nothing if we dont consolidate it against Cardiff and Norwich in the next two games. We cant start thinking about league positions yet, we just need to beat the team in front of us and we will see where that gets us. Paul is a great manager, and I fully expect to see West Brom pushing hard to get second spot.

Rollings usual post match press conference was also utilised to unveil the latest exciting additions to his ambitious plans as Pascal Chimbonda and Guiseppe Rossi moved to the midlands from Spurs and Chelsea respectively. Rollings confirmed that both would start against Cardiff this weekend and that he was delighted with his new signings;

Pascal (Chimbonda) offers us great ability going forward from full back while Guiseppe Rossi is a young striker who has a deadly eye for goal. Its a shame to lose Diego but I just started to sense he was beginning to fade after playing too many games and at Chelsea he can be used more sparingly. I know have 15-16 quality players and the ability to adopt several different systems. I believe that will be a large factor over the coming weeks and hopefully will allow us to finish as high as possible this season. Then we will just have to see if our best is good enough to achieve anything come the end of the season.

-- Edited by Spartikus47 at 15:10, 2008-10-01

Football Academy · Cult Status

Manchester derby fails to live up to expectations

Manchester City fans went away feeling let down by their team as the Red Devils swept them aside to reach the Semi-Finals of the English Cup. In a match highly anticipated in the North of England, Manchester City put out a weakened side and were duly thumped by their city rivals.

After a slow first half where United should have been out of sight, they turned on the style in the second half and showed the difference in class, and why Manchester City have dropped out of the top 5 in the league this season. At 3-0 just after the hour City fans were seen leaving the ground to catch the trains ahead of the final whistle rush. Their side created next to nothing going forwards and 5-0 probably flattered the lacklustre blue half.

Cup upset piles on Toon pressure

Newcastle travelled to Watford for their Quarter-Final tie in the hope of proving to all football fans they have what it takes to stay up. Watford sit top of the Championship while Newcastle currently occupy one of the relegation spots in the Premiership, and look likely to be replaced by Watford next season.

Yet after rousing words in the media last week, the Newcastle manager managed to score a surprise draw against Spurs and had the Toon Army dreaming of a turn around in fortunes. Those who travelled down to Watford were brought back to ground with a bump though and despite an early goal from Michael Owen Watford claimed their place in the next round with a second half brace from Tamas Priskin.

Newcastle fans not looking forward to the long drive back home stayed to the final whistle but there were a few boos echoing about following the final whistle as last weeks confidence looked paper thin.

Almerias Cup dreams end in red flames

Tonight was going to be the biggest night in recent Almeria history. The Segunda Division club has improved under its current management but still look like they lack the cutting edge and match winners required to make the step up into the top flight. In the cup Cadiz, Getafe and Athletic Bilbao had all failed to beat them. A Quarter-Final tie with Real Valladolid, who after recent promotion from Almerias league were fighting relegation this season, promised a stunning Semi-Final appearance if they could pull off the shock.

Real Valladolid showed the difference in class in the first half and went in at half time with a comfortable 2-0 lead. Whatever the manager said in the dressing room had a bad effect on the game as a spectacle. Almeria came out fighting in the second half, literally. In the space of two mad minutes in the second half, Ricardo and Larrea were both sent off for the minnows in a mass brawl. The lack of discipline will no doubt be a worry to the club representatives who will have to explain bringing the game into disrepute to FA officials.

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley makes cup apology

BBC spoke to Manchester City manager Luke Coakley after being crushed in the Manchester derby and heading out of the FA Cup quarter finals after playing what can only be described as a reserve team.

Luke a terrible display in every sense of the word today?
What can I say, we were outplayed out fought and simply didnt have the quality to make any sort of impact on the game. They had the big guns out and they are a good match for any team in the world so with us not being at full strength it was a massive up hill task, mission impossible almost.

Some fans were seen leaving very early in what is a massive game for them, what do you have to say to them?
I apologise to the fans but my team selection was not taken lightly. The Cup has not been a priority this season and my method in picking the team in this competition has not changed. I know its a big game for the fans but it was a decision that had to be made for the good of the clubs fortunes in the league. I hope we can repay the fans in our league game against United in week 18 of the season.

It pains me to say it but we are three to four players short of being able to compete on all fronts at the moment. We are not at full strength with Anelka leaving on loan and with a tough match against Newcastle Saturday it was not a game I felt we could risk losing any players for Saturday. Three points against Newcastle is paramount and we need to go into that game as strong as possible.

Some fans are also concerned at the current league position, a target of top 6 was set and you currently find yourself in 7th.
Top 6 has always been the target and no matter how tough a target it is we still hope to achieve this. A finish of 7th would be another season of improvement but we have the faith that we can get top 6 still. We have a lot more points on the board compared to last season and our results have seen the gap in quality against the top teams shorten in the league. We are stronger now than when we started the season and will be even stronger in 2 weeks time so Im looking forward to our up coming games.

Your top scorer has left on loan to Real Betis and a lot of fans are highly confused and concerned, can you explain such a decision?
It was a tough decision but one that will put us in a strong position in a couple of weeks and even stronger come the start of next season when we will have Anelka back. We are bringing in two top quality strikers over the next two weeks. Vega and Johnson will be leaving but its will give us more options especially when Keogh returns from his loan spell with Preston in three weeks time.

Is this why Johnson was recalled from Wolves last week?
Yes we had an agreement with Wolves that he could be recalled at any time and we did this last week. We have to say Manchester City are delighted with the way Wolves have conducted themselves and the way they have treated Johnson. We have the highest respect for the club and manager and look forward to dealing with them in the future.

Newcastle this week and Im sure you are looking for a reaction after this defeat?
Of course, we owe the fans a performance and a result and I hope we give them that. We are not at full strength due to pending transfers but we believe we have enough quality to gain the three points and look forward to a good battle.

Stu · Cult Status

''Cup was about Gabbidon''

Stuart Price has admitted in his post match interview that his decision to pick Danny Gabbidon in defence for the cup quarter final was the right one.

''This match was about Gabbidon. He did the job I expect my strikers to do. We were three nil up with twenty minutes to go and I turned to my assistant and said ''did Gabbidon say he was feeling okay? '' It was something special out there. ''

Were you happy with the 5-3 result against your close rivals?

''They won't be the same without John and that gave us an advantage. We let too many goals in and today showed that again. I don't know why we can't do things the easy way. We have to score five goals to make sure they game goes our way. ''

Is the cup your priority this season?

''The European cup is what I want to win the most. It's the trophy we are missing in our trophy cabinet here and if I could only win one trophy before I move to Cardiff it would be that. The other two competitions are still important because it would be fantastic to win the treble and leave on a real high but you can't plan for seasons like that. Those seasons creep up on you.''

How do you feel about your opponents in the semi final?

''Atletico Madrid are still a strong team. Chris did really well making them so good and his legacy is living on this season. It will have to be another professional performance if we want to reach the final. I like playing Real Madrid because I'm very confident in my choice of players and tactics when we play them. Playing them in Europe has helped. Real Valladolid are the weakest team in there and I think we all have to admit we would have wanted them but they are there for a reason and Real Madrid shouldn't be looking to the final before they get there. ''

Thanks

Stu

Stu · Cult Status

''Cardiff need to be run as a business''

In an interview with a British sports magazine Stuart Price was quizzed on his pending move back to his homeland following a successful spell managing in Spain.

You have managed in England and Spain in your career. What style of football will you bring to Cardiff?

''I have learnt from both teams and I believe I'm a better manager for it. Our success in Europe is because we have elements of my Southampton days added to Spanish flair. Sevilla have never been good at defending and that has to be my one criticism of my time here. That will have to change in England because you don't see so many big scores''

Have you decided on any changes you want to make to the Cardiff team?

''Yes. I'm already in discussion with a few people about new signings. I have marked some players for release because there are too many players there who offer nothing at all. Two or three players will be sold from the better players to raise funds so I can make the changes I want''

Which players are you looking to buy in?

''I won't name names but I want to make Cardiff into a business not just a football team. So many teams in the bottom league struggle financially and managers come in and adopt all or nothing tactics putting all the money into very old players just to gain promotion so the manager can move on. I have been around Europe and I want to build something at Cardiff and not exploit them and leave them to suffer when Im gone''

So will you be taking a season to build this team?

''No. Cardiff have to gain promotion. If I don't get an automatic place or win the playoff the board should think if I'm still the right man for the job. What I plan is not to match Watford and Coventry. If we can get into the Championship I then want gradual improvements. In all my career I have made my teams overachieve. If we get Cardiff into the Championship I want to meet targets with a gradual improvement to allow a youthful team to progress and develop''

You want more young players at Cardiff?

''I will be looking to invest in youth. I enjoy developing players and I think I can do this without straining the budget for Cardiff. If the chairman has money in his pocket and the fans have good football on the pitch Ill be doing my job properly''

Thanks

Stu

pricey · Cult Status

Real Betis manager Dale Pricey speaks to Sky sports news before the big game against Recreativo Huelva.

Mr Price how are you feeling going in to this weeks game?

I am feeling a lot better this week than I have over the past 6 weeks where I have played the top 6 and not got a point.

So you think you can win this week?

Yes I believe we have a team that is more than able to beat Rob (McCaw) and his team. Last time we met he was lucky to get the win as I feel we fell asleep right at the end and he took advantage of that but I have warned my players against that this time.

Do you think this is a must win game for you?

Yes 100% we have to win this weekend or it will be even harder to stay up.

A lot of people have written you off for a few weeks now how do you respond to that?

I think people ha e been a bit too quick to write us off at Norwich last season I was in a much worse position but managed to get them to finish in 8^th and I feel I can do the same this
season but if we go down then I think we will come right back up with no problems at all.

That sounds like you have things in place for a good side next season any players coming in over the next few weeks?

Yes we have a young cb coming back to the club and I am really looking forward to working with him he will be joining this weekend. Next week we have a good young cm player coming in who will able us to play in a different way to how we normally play and give us a bit more edge. With these players coming in I can confirm that Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe will be leaving the club they both came here with a lot of hope about them but it hasnt worked for them we wish them well at theyre new club. Last week as you will have seen we signed young lm Lucas from Zaragoza with Gio retiring this season I feel he could be a big player for us next season he will be going back on loan this week thats the deal that we had with Zaragoza.

On a final note is there anything you would like to say to your fellow La Liga managers?

Yes first I would like to say well done to Stu (Price) on getting the Cardiff City job as a big Cardiff fan myself I couldnt have wished for anyone better. To Rob and Simon (Jenkins) dont think your safe yet boys both have to play Betis and there is a long long way to go yet I would say good luck to both but I really hope you lose all your games and draw when you play each other

A little ott then Mr Price dont you think?

No not at all this is the business end of the season and there is no room for niceness or friendship.

Thanks for your time Mr Price and good luck for the rest of the season.

Thank you.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Stu I am confused. You say you don't want to replicate me or Watford. Why not???? lol

-- Edited by Spartikus47 at 00:26, 2008-10-03

Football Academy · Cult Status

Newcastle manager given dreaded vote of confidence

Martin Turney has been given the dreaded vote of confidence from his chairman today ahead of the match with Manchester City. Few would have expected him to win the game even before the terrible run of form they're now in but fans have been discussing not even turning up today to watch mid-table Manchester City come to town.

Chris Mort has stated he believes Martin Turney can turn around the recent form and reach survival this season. We believe at this moment in time he's still the right man for the job. Some sports pundits have questioned if this adds unnecessary pressure to gain a result this week or whether the chairman is at least giving his manager to the end of the season.

Coventry look for stability?

Rumours in the Midlands suggest that Ray Ranson is becoming sick of the speculation surrounding want away manager Mark Rollings. Speculation that Rollings is eager to leave for any top 6 club in any country have added to the already quiet discontent at the Ricoh Arena and an unconfirmed leak from inside the club has suggested Ranson is growing tired of the controversial manager. Ranson is believed to be in Preston for a business dinner tonight but a local newspaper has run with the story that he will pay a visit to watch Preston against Leicester, as the promising Matt Galeozzi looks to take his side into the play-offs, with an eye on bringing in a more stable manager at the helm as Coventry look for promotion to the Premiership.

Betis board back manager

Despite a poor season which sees Betis going into a match against fellow bottom half strugglers Recreativo Huelva, the board have openly admitted they still believe the decision to appoint Dale Price as manager was correct.

"The team has changed massively since he took over. Yes we shouldn't be so low in the table right now but we feel the manager can bring a long term stability to our club that has the potential to overcome the current shortfalls."

Fans have been disappointed at the inability of high rated players to gel under Price but have been pleased with his younger players he's brought in and believe if they go down and bounce straight back up, they will be better for it.

Rhino · Cult Status

Hanton wants to join the reds.

Want away manager Chris Hanton has put his name forward to take over at Liverpool FC tonight and this news has sent shockwaves through White Hart Lane,the much travelled manager has not been happy at Spurs since taking over and admits the warning signs were there before he joined.

We had caught up with Hanton after training today,who had this to say.

"I knew this was going to cause a bit of a storm and im going to get into alot of trouble for saying all this but I was eager to move to England for family reasons and the Spurs job looked ideal but when Mr Levy started laying down the law before I set foot in London it set alarm bells ringing but I just had to get out of Spain,My levy and I don't have a great understanding and we see the team in a different light.Im sure the Spurs fans have been happy with what they have seen so far this season in terms of style of play and the players I have brought into the club like Aguero who will be one the games best players in future years, but Mr levy would rather I spent his money on some 33 year old super star who just wants a big fat pay cheque before he hangs up his boots, I know im in danger of being without a club for my outspoken approach to all this but I feel as the manager of this great football club the fans need to know certain reasons behind my decision of putting my name forward for this position."

-- Edited by Rhino at 17:52, 2008-10-03