Week 22

evertonian · Cult Status

Week 22

Simon · Cult Status

Jenkins Applauds Unsung Hero

Real Valladolid manager Simon Jenkins briefly spoke to the press today after their victory over Levante: "Generally my team is rather media shy, but when a player is placed in the limelight; it tends to be the young superstars, and people forget the more experienced players whose quality provide the support that allow the future players to grow. A player worthy of a particular mention is the defensive brick-wall that is Arruabarrena. At 35 years of age, he is the oldest player in the team but he can still cut it with the younger players having played 12 games this season scoring 1 and setting another up. Earlier this season he announced his retirement from the beautiful game, and I had hoped he would be able to have a proper send off in the last game of the season that will decide whether Valladolid finish 7th or 9th, however an injury means that he will be unable to play of course he will be right there with the rest of the team come the final game, and I can only wish him the best of luck in the rest of his life and hope that he will return to the Estadio José Zorrilla to take on a coaching role in order to continue his mentorship of the Valladolid youth"

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley thrilled with Milan derby win

AC Milan manager Luke Coakley spoke with BBC Italia after Milan thrashed local rivals Inter in a 5 3 extravaganza.

Media Your first win in Italy and it couldnt have come at a better time?Luke I look to win every game but to get my first win over local rivals is extra special. In my time at ManchesterCity we didnt really get close to beating United which always disappointed me so to get my first derby win in Milan is very exciting.

Media Expectation levels from fans may now have been raised, is that a good thing?Luke I think we have to take it as it was A very good performance and excellent victory. However we still have the same problems now as we did before the game with key players Dida, Ballack and Rufete retiring at the end of the season and other key players not getting any younger. Its my job to rebuild and give Milan a team that they can be proud of and I plan to do that as quickly as possible and I hope the fans get right behind me.

Media - Did the fact they had so many players missing mean this was a game you couldnt lose?Luke That simply doesnt happen in football, we had to be spot on in everything we did. Also lets not fool ourselves although they had players out they still had the likes of Cesar in goals, Cambiasso pulling the strings in midfield and then two of the best strikers in the league upfront with Ibrahimovic and Crespo. We also had the best striker in world football Shevchenko on the bench as an unused sub so I dont have any doubts we deserved this win.

Media What positive and negatives can you take from the game?Luke Well we scored five goals against the team second in the league so Im pretty pleased with that especially considering we didnt use Shevchenko today. Conceding three goals is never great but Inter have a great array of strikers. I suppose the biggest negative is the fact we will be losing players who were key today due to retirement but thats my job to replace them and it will be tough but I didnt take this job for an easy ride.

-- Edited by Milan at 19:38, 2008-11-15

-- Edited by Milan at 19:39, 2008-11-15

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Ascoli confirm their place in the play-offs

Jonny Sinclair was thrilled that his Ascoli team secured their play-off place before the final game of the season and would face his old team in the play-off semi final

It was a good performance against Messina and it was nice to see Riccardo and Tomas get the goals instead of just relying on Pietro and Francesco getting our goals we look in good form going into the game against Chievo who have everything to pla for they need a win to have any chance of getting in the play-offs but we've got to go about our own game and make sure we come away with the victory

and as for the Cagliari game i cant wait to see the old fans and players again and challenge Steve again itll be tough because we both want to go up this season and will be desperate to do this Alessandro was thrilled to see the table so he could try and get on over on his old team as well and with the way we're playing at the moment i see no reason why we cant do that

Sinclair also quashed rumours that he wanted to leave due to the lack for funding available at the club

thats rubbish if i felt like that i wouldnt have come here because i knew i wouldnt have much funding to work with the Chairmen has stated that earlier in the week it doesnt mean im about to up and jump ship I'm just pleased he thinks im doing a good job and i want to carry that on with promotion to Serie A i want to be here and will only leave at the moment if i get sacked or i feel i'm doing a bad job at the club thats all i have to say on that matter

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings seeks Speedy resolution!

It has been a wonderful season at Coventry City football club. Consecutive promotions have seen them book their place among Englands football elite in the Premier League next season, and with a string of fine performances and clinical attacking football fans are optimistic of their chances of survival next term.

However, deep within the bowls of The Ricoh Arena things are less rosy! Ray Ranson, existing chairman, has announced he will be vacating his post as chairman any day, and as yet the club have failed to suggest a replacement investor has come forward with an offer. Speculation has continued all week, but unless the club are working behind the scenes, nothng concrete is yet to surface.

Investment group Abu Dhabi continue to be linked with a cut price deal for the future Premier League club, but their presence a Levante this weekend has led to doubts over the validity of that rumour. The growing uncertainty around the club was the central topic of the post match interview this weekend at Villa Park, where an under strength Coventry were beaten 2-1 by play-off chasing Villa. Rollings pleaded with all concerned to work quickly to secure the future of the club, so not as to undermine the good work he and his players had put in over the season.

'I just hope we can get this situation sorted out this week. I have spoken to Ray (Ranson) continually this week and I am satisfied he is working in the very best interests of Coventry City Football Club. He has his own reasons for leaving! We are in an ideal position for investment and I urge all those interested to come forward with a concrete proposal.

I have already suggested I would be more than willing to sit down with any potential investor and run through how we can turn this club into a continentally recognised dynasty. I have contacted managers about players and recieved wholely positive responses. I have four in mind who I know would take us onto the next level! I am hoping that we can find a resolution this week. So my message to Abu Dhabi, or any potential investor is "come and get us"!'

Rollings will hope his 'call to arms' to potential investors will bear fruit this week, with his chairman reportedly keen to get out before next week's home game with Blackburn.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Real Valladolid praised

Al-Fahim praised the set up at Real Valladolid after being present for their 2-1 win over Levante which not only secured top flight football for another season for the small Spanish club, but also moved them into 7th place with just one game remaining.

The Abu Dhabi group had representatives at the match in their pursuit for ownership of a football team and Al-Fahim was impressed with what he saw. "We looked at the details of Real Valladolid prior to our arrival in Valencia. The club have a good coaching staff looking to bring through young players which makes them sustainable and profitable. The stadium has received rave reviews from some of our closest advisors so they were high on our list of teams to examine further. You could see the hard work ethic and the mix of young and old on the pitch seems to be in perfect balance. The manager has a lot of experience and the club seems in great shape."

Al-Fahim refused to be drawn on whether any decisions had been made or whether a formal bid had been made.

Real Betis sack Price

The relegated La Liga side today announced that they had terminated Dale Price's contract and that the two had parted ways with immediate effect. Jose Gomez read a short prepared speech at the teams training ground today. "The members of the board met today to discuss the future of the manager Dale Price after his comments to the press about other jobs. We felt we had given him exemplary support despite the disappointing on pitch performances and his comments were gravely disappointing. In the face of fan pressure we felt Dale Price had lost the support of many and it was best for both to end our working relationship. We hope he finds what he's looking for and we will attempt to bring in a new manager ready for a promotion push next season."

Fans were demonstrating outside the ground before the teams home game against Valencia and despite a plucky 1-1 draw against a slightly weakened Valencia team, it appears it wasn't enough to save the managers job.

It has already been rumoured that Sampdoria, Udinese and Reading are all interested in appointing the available boss while the manager has made it clear he is interested in a move to Watford, but nothing has been announced officially from any of the mentioned teams.

Newcastle fans hail 'great escape' dream

Following a tense victory over relegation rivals Fulham, Newcastle moved to within goal difference of survival with 1 week remaining of the season. A late Andy Johnson goal was the deciding factor in a closely fought match and Fulham remain just outside the drop zone only thanks to their +18 better goal difference now.

In recent weeks local papers have speculated on the situation in the Toon club and many believe chairman Chris Mort wants rid of manager Martin Turney following a terrible season. A large percentage of the fans were backing the chairman until rumours broke a week ago that Martin Turney had turned down a move abroad to stay and help Newcastle survive. With fans now split between board and coaching staff, the final game of the season has more than just relegation hanging on it.

Fulham seem to have the odds stacked against them despite being the team in the better league position. A daunting trip to play Arsenal promises an extra special London derby while Newcastle have the easier game on paper knowing they have to better Fulham's result when they play Everton at home, the 11th placed team in the league. The permutations appear when you look more closely at the fixtures however. Arsenal are guaranteed 2nd place and with nothing left to fight for in the league, could well put out a weakened team in the final game to give fringe players a run out. On the other hand up in Newcastle, Everton are still in with a mathematical chance of staying up despite their league position. If they can beat Newcastle and Arsenal beat Fulham in the London derby, it would be Everton who survived leap-frogging both Newcastle and Fulham in what would have to go down as the greatest escape in Premiership history.

It does seem that the futures of players and managers alike will hang in the balance on final day, and Simon Newcombe - a manager who found himself in danger of being fired for underperforming just over a season ago - could have a big say in the futures of these three clubs.

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

1 year ago.............

As the Cagliari fans entered the Olympic Stadium (Rome) for the Serie B playoff final, they wondered to themselves "Could we actually about to join the elite of Italian football in Serie A?".
This small Sardinian town is only famous for it's fishing ports and express routes from Italy to Africa so what right did they have to be in the playoff final?? Jonny Sinclair had turned this team that had been tipped by most to struggle, into a team that punched above it's weight for most of the season and was now attempting to do what nobody thought possible and deliver top flight football to this earthly little place on the port of Casteddu.

This was not to be and a very professional Empoli came and conqured in Rome leaving Cagliari to reflect on what could have been. Things soon became clear that their idolised manager Jonny Sinclair was to be offered the chance to take the reigns at Ascoli. So the transition started, and the first job that the Cagliari Calcio board had on their hands was to find a manager with a reputation big enough to please the fans and show that they were trying to push on and consolidate themselves amoungst the promotion pushing teams.

The manager they turned to was recently departed Leicester City manager Steve Davies-Evans. Davies-Evans himself certainly had a reputaion and the one thing that the Cagliari faithful knew they had was a straight talking manager that liked to play attractive football. With Davies-Evans came a link to Arsenal through his friend Simon Newcombe so the fans were already salavating over the thought of seeing the likes of Theo Walcott and others playing in the red and blue halved shirts.

With many loan players returning to their parent clubs after Jonny Sinclair left, it was Davies-Evans job to build himself a team that could go on and atleast match their playoff final appearence. Things didn't start well for the new manager and he was without a win in his first 6 games but as the side started to come together, they soon become one of the most consistant sides in the league and were showing that with only 1 loss in the second half of the season, they meant business.

Fast forward to the end of the season and with one game left, Cagliari are sitting 4th and are assured of a playoff place. Manager Steve Davies-Evans has already agreed to join English League 1 side Sheffield Wednesday next season but nobody could doubt his commitment to the Cagliari cause. This week they play Messina and will probably use this oppertunity to rest players as they did against Sampdoria last week.

Whatever happens over the next few games, Cagliari are a plucky little side that never refuse to know when they are down and out and the new manager will have a great set of fans behind him that are loving every minute of their promotion challanges.

Football Academy · Cult Status

FA announce fine

FA have been quick to move on Inter Milan who cant put out a team for their final league match. With a mixture of injuries and suspensions, Inter Milan will be unable to field a side for their final match and FA announced they have already taken measures. "We have forced the club into releasing a number of players. Walter Samuel, Hernan Crespo, and Fabio Grosso would not have been eligible for the rest of the season and are all retiring in the summer break so they have had their contracts terminated. The spaces in the squad have been filled with trial players to allow Inter Milan to complete their fixture list.

We are aware that Inter Milan's manager is leaving the club in a weeks time and feel it is unfair that the punishment be shouldered by the club when it is largely a management concern. As such we will be fining Inter Milan £1 million and Liverpool will have to cover another £4 million fine as a result of them taking on the manager in a weeks time. This fine is because Inter would have failed to fulfill their required fixture list for the season and also to cover the termination of players contracts in order to allow the prior issue to be resolved."

FA confirmed the fines would take place this Friday. This news is expected to be ignored by many Liverpool fans however, who will still have been at Wembley for their Cup Final showdown tonight.

Fletch · Cult Status

Ouch harsh, but as a Toffee I'm not too disappointed.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Bernie Ecclestone announces budget

As promised in the last week, Sheffield Wednesday's billionaire owner has announced the new budget for the coming season. Having promised a good funding of new manager Steve Davies-Evans for the new campaign amid obvious desires for a vastly improved season to this in which the club finishes 11th, Ecclestone has released the figure to the press today.

Fans will be delighted to see Ecclestone willing to break the record for chairman investment by promising £20 million. No doubt this will put pressure on the club to win League One next season but with such a figure they are sure to be the run away power next season in that league once players have been brought in.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Udinese plan Price contract

A source from inside the Serie B bound club has revealed Udinese are expected to offer Dale Price a contract in the coming days. Rumours about Udinese's interest in the ex-Real Betis manager started following the announcement he had been fired from the Spanish club. Although nothing has been officially said, this is the latest development on the rumours that other clubs including Reading and Samdpdoria were tracking the Welshman.

Coventry confirm bid

A spokesman for Ray Ranson has stated that the Midlands club has received a bid. Following the announcement that Ranson was putting the club up for sale and looking to duck out of the intense media spotlight on Coventry, it appears someone has stepped forwards.

"We can confirm we have received a bid from an unnamed party for the club. Ray will take time to consider the details of the bid and he will come to a quick decision." That decision is expected soon, as Ranson has admitted he wants out of his club before the new season.

Besty · Cult Status

Best speaks about future at Inter Milan

Press: Jamie, Inter were today hit with a fine and Liverpool will also be hit due to the poor management of players there, what's your view on this?

Best: Well obviously it's a shame that it went that far and my first job will be to bring in some new blood but it's difficult to plan for the future when you don't know what budget you have to work to, but i guess i'll cross that bridge when i come to it.

Press: So what plans do you have for Inter?

Best: It seems quite clear to me that they need fresh input to help transform the club and this will take time, but i have spoken with the chairman and i know that he is a very ambitious person, i just hope i can bring success to the club. I have certainly done a good enough job at Wolves to get me noticed and i think with the right staff, players and money the task at Inter will not be an impossible one.

Press: Have you got any transfers lined up for next season?

Best: No there is nothing solid down on the table yet but like i said working to an unknown budget is quite difficult, and i can't exactly offer players swaps with nearly half the team finishing their careers this year, so i'll take a good look at the team in the new season and build from there, i just hope the chairman and fans know that the transformation won't happen overnight.

Press: So things are looking good at Wolves, do you think they can get promoted?

Best: The highlight for me would be to move on to new pastures knowing that i have done the best i can at Wolves and getting them promoted to the Championship. If we can do this then obviously they will be in a much better position when a new manager is appointed, i love it here and it will be a shame to go but the time is right.

-- Edited by Besty at 18:39, 2008-11-18

pricey · Cult Status

PRICE TO HOLD PRESS CONFRENCE

Former Real Betis manager Dale Price will give a press conference tomorrow afternoon. It is rumoured that price has taking a new job and will be revealed by the team that he is taking over. Speaking while moving his things out of his apartment in Andalucía Price said "I have agreed to take over a new team it is a job that excites me and I cant wait to take training on Thursday" people have been talking about where price is going to land. Many feel after his disappointment with Real Betis Price is heading to Italy with Udinese, Sampdoria and Reggina among the front runners for prices signature. All eyes will be fixed on Dale Price tomorrow and for his first game with his new club this weekend.

-- Edited by pricey at 18:50, 2008-11-18

-- Edited by pricey at 21:07, 2008-11-18

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans coy over investment

Sheffield Wednesday bound Steve Davies-Evans has declined the chance to speak out about the huge investment that will be made by Bernie Ecclestone when he arrives in Yorkshire.

"I said some time ago that as long as I am Cagliari manager, I will not speak about Sheffield Wednesday. I know that Wednesday fans may want to hear what I have planned for them but all I will say is that I have already made several enquiries and that they should look forward to the times ahead but at the moment - I have to be professional just like I would be if I was at Sheffield Wednesday right now. Cagliari are about to enter the most critical stage of the season so everybody at this club has to be focused on what we are trying to do. "

So Steve Davies-Evans is not giving too much away but sources close to the manager have confirmed that deals have already been sorted for Sheffield Wednesday and that you can expect Davies-Evans to use his knowledge of Italian football in the transfer market.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings; Investment imminent

Coventry City chairman Ray Ranson sparked a flood of interest yesterday when his representatives released a hurried statement that the millionaire had received a written offer for the club. The haste of the press release from the Ricoh Arena alerted press that a take-over may be imminent, a point fuelled by Ransons desire for a quick resolution. Indeed, a swell of local opinion in this mornings press has suggested that a deal could be concluded immediately, as Ransons eagerness to depart has met financial favour with the unnamed investor. As speculation continued to roll in Sky Blues boss Mark Rollings did nothing to quell the rumours when talking to Sky Sports News before training in the last hour;

I have spoken to Ray already this morning and I can tell you he was up all night trying to finalise a deal. As yet I do not know who the mystery investor is, but Ray assures me he believes he is the right man to take this club forward! Ray wants a quick exit, and from what he has told me the potential investor is keen to get started. From what he says I would not be surprised if a deal was struck imminently. I cannot confirm or deny whether that will be today, but I would imagine you will not have to wait too long to find out the details. I am hoping to make contact with the prospective investment today, and Ray has indicated I can expect communications to start so I am waiting on that like everyone else at the moment.

The sooner things get tied up the sooner we can all start focusing on making Coventrys return to the Premier League a successful one.

Press are remaining camped outside Coventry Citys Ricoh offices this morning in anticipation of further developments.

Stu · Cult Status

Sevilla win double

Stuart Price spoke to BBC Wales after a thrilling Spanish cup match

Press - How does it feel to win the cup?

SP - We have always been a cup team and thats why I was sad not to do better in the european cup this season but we did the double and its a great way to finish in Spain

Press - Have you got any transfers agreed for Cardiff yet?

SP - I have had two offers accepted and Im talking to teams about more signings and sales. We received a bid for Palladino this week and I had to admit if they up their offer enough I will have to sell a player I wanted to hold on to

Press - Whats your reaction to the money given to Sheff W?

SP - Steve must be really pleased. They will be able to challenge the better teams easily now. I joked to him they might be favourites if they got £10mil invested so now Im not sure what to think

Press - Lastly have you got anything to say about your old feeder managers

SP - Ive seen Jamie is leaving Wolves and Rob is going to leave R.Huelva. I think Jamie can do really well at Inter and wherever Rob goes he will do a great job. They were both great managers to deal with and I hope they achieve much success next season

Press - Thanks for your time

SP - Thanks

Stu

bigwave1927 · Cult Status

Nobbys last dance!

The term 'Legend' is often mis-used and given to players that frankly don't deserve the accolaide but this week, The world of football will see the final game for a player that has brought entertainment to thousands. Nolberto Solano will don the white of Leeds for the very last time before he moves into retirement and starts a new chapter in the Solano legacy.

Many fans at his different clubs have been treated to some special football by the little peruvian and this week with his team facing a Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday, 'Nobby' will surely be fired up for one last swan-song. Whether it's his inch perfect passing, his trademark free-kicks or just the fact that he can create something out of nothing, football fans will unite in the fact that they have often witnessed pure genius on the football pitch when 'Nobby' is playing.

Many different managers have tried to bring out the best in him and none more so than ex Leeds manager Gareth Gardner who many will argue got the best of of Solano for a pro-longed period of time. It was Solano himself that frieghtened defences in League One under Gardner with this crisp passing and deadly eye for goal. Many said that after Leeds lost to Coventry in the playoff final last season, that would be it for Solano but he didn't want to finish on a low and has again 'wowed' crowds up and down the country - all be it in a more part time roll these days.

Injury did hamper his final season in Football but there is no doubting that fans of opposing teams were still dis-heartened when they heard Solanos name read out in the starting XI on matchdays.

Only time will tell what Solano will now go and do but I'm sure that there isn't a football fan in the world that doesn't wish 'Nobby' the very best success in whatever he decides to do and I'm sure that he will not be short of offers if he was to move into the wonderful world of managment.

Leeds manager Dave Davies-Evans - "It is a big loss to our team as Nobby is a wonderful player. He has given many years of fantastic service to clubs in this country and abroad and as a mark of respect, Saturday will see Nobby wear the armband for us in his very last game in football. There is no question that Nobby is a true gent, a player that never ever complains about anything and just gets on with the job in hand. He will not only be missed on the football pitch but also in the dressing room. He is a big hit with our players and a major role modle to the younger players coming through at Leeds United. I would like to take this oppertunity on behalf of everyone at leeds United in wishing Nobby the very best in the future."

pricey · Cult Status

Press conference called at La Nueva Condomina

Real Murcia chairman Jesús Samper has called this press conference to unveil new manager Dale Price and he will take charge of the team for this weeks game against Deportivo. Price said of his appointment This is a club on the up, lets face it we cant get any lower can it? Asked about the players at the club and if there would be any players leaving Price said Yes there will be as results has shown this season there is improvement needed, We will try and use full use of the loan market I have already started contacting managers of top clubs about loaning us some players. Price was asked by a season ticket holder what were his plans for Murcia Price responded This season my planes are to finish as high as we can and meet and pass the targets given to us the future who knows lets just concentrate on this season first. Price thanked everyone for turning up today. With everyones attention turning to the weekends game an air of excitement filled the room

richj363 · Cult Status

Full strength squad for Zaragoza

Zaragoza manager Richard Jefferies has no injury worries as he sends his team into battle for the Segunda division championship this weekend.
Jefferies said " I have all players available and i fully expect them to go out and at least get the point we need to secure the title, the lads are feeling really good and the atmosphere in the camp has been fantastic this week as it has been all season"

"The battle with Gareths Vigo has been great this year and i look forward to the challenge of La Liga next year, We have a lot of exciting players and a real togetherness within the playing staff"

Jozz · Cult Status

Play off place three way tie