Sheffield Wednesday show "Bounce-backability"

After thier crushing defeat at home to Sunderland last week, Sheffield Wednesday returned to winning ways in impressive style after Steve Davies-Evans' men claimed a 2-1 win over promotion rivals Birmingham City at Hillsborough this week.

Wednesday have been playing some attractive football of late and this was displayed when they took the lead on 34 mins. A tricky run by on-loan Barcelona striker Victor Vazquez
opened up the Birmingham defence where Vazquez was able to flick the ball with the outside of his left foot to on-coming winger Francisco David Sousa who fired low passed the keeper into the bottom corner.

Wednesdays joy was short lived as a mix-up at the back allowed Birmingham to equalised alomost immediatley. Just 90 seconds after goaing behind, Birmingham won a corner on the right hand side. Sebastian Larsson played an inswinger straight onto the head of giant defender Martin Taylor who rose above Jonny Evans to head the ball down into the path of Gark McSheffrey who volleyed into the top corner to bring the scores level.

In a close second half it was Wednesday who used their home advantage count as they passed the ball around and opened up Birmingham only to be denied by inform keeper Adam Legzdins.

Taylor was helpless to stop the Sheffield Wednesday winner on 64 mins when Wednesday leading score Jose Mari held the ball up on the edge of the box only to play a square ball to Manuel Iarrusso who scored one of the goals of the month as he chipped Legzdins who had tried to slide out to the feet of Iarrusso.

Birmingham did have a chance to equalise in the dying minutes when Stephen Kelly floated over a free kick onto the head of striker Cameron Jerome who completley fluffed his shot and ended up clearing it over the Hillsborough stand which is some going as it stands around 80ft above the goal. The was to be the final chance as Wednesday hung onto a deserved win against their rivals.

We spoke to manager Steve Davies-Evans after the game.

Q - Steve - you must be pleased with 3 points?

"Yeah we're delighted. I've just told the players in there that they have every right to feel pleased with what they have done today. Everyone of them worked their socks off and that is probably the best we have played all season. Birmingham are a good side but I think we bossed things from start to finish today. We could have made things alot easier for ourselves and we gifted them a silly goal but we showed the charachter to come back again in the second half and score a great winner."

Q- You now play Nottingham Forest away next week, are you confident you can continue winning?

"Absolutley, we are playing well and like I said last week, we fear nobody and hopefully we have shown that today. We were unlucky last week against Sunderland and I still think we deserved a point from that game but my players stood strong today and showed the league that we are still very much in the hunt for automatic promotion and we will be doing everything to win every game as Forest will find out next week."

Q -Steve, It's been rumoured that your chairman may well give you extra funds at the mid way point to help you gain promotion. Would you like to comment on that?

"I can't comment on that. The chairman is a fantastic guy who will do what's best for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. Obviously we would be delighted to get some extra money to try and close the gap on the top two but if not then we will work with what we have and I am still confident that we can do well with the team we have. Mr Ecclestone and I have many meetings where we discuss which way the club is going and hopefully with recent preformances, we are proving to him that we are headed in the right direction. What he then does with his money is up to him but I am confident he will do what's right."

Steve Gibson has issued a statement on the clubs website saying sales of further stars is 'an unacceptable step backwards.' Moves for both Yakubu and Rochemback are planned but Gibson has told his manager in no uncertain terms to rethink his player strategy.

"We have sold many assets. Ashley Young, Kieron Dyer, Victor, Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth, Chris Riggott among others, as well as our assistant Bill Beswick. In replace the manager has seen fit to buy players in their mid-30s and players of low league quality. None of our Premiership standard players have been replaced. Our new assistant Walter Mazzarri won't help us produce players that talented so quickly so it makes no sense to sell all our assets.

I'm a man of patience but the current policy is simply not acceptable. League form has us struggling to keep hold of a play-off place and fans are beginning to get unhappy. Middlesbrough manager position is a role that will get huge support from myself and the rest of the board, but it isn't an untouchable position."



Sodinha has blasted Wolves manager and also expressed criticism of the previous boss there following his departure back to Italy in joining struggling Serie A side Sampdoria. Sodinha joined Wolves under manager Jamie Best in a large swap deal after being spotted playing in Serie B.

"I enjoyed my brief spell in Serie B. Jamie Best offered a bright future and when I signed for Wolves I was signing my development as a professional footballer over to him. It was devastating when he left. He sold a dream of promotion to the Championship. I think we all knew he would leave at some point but he said he wanted to gain promotion first. Inter Milan is a big club but that doesn't stop me feeling betrayed a little.

Adam Tyrone Davies is totally different. He began in Spain so maybe he has picked up different management traits there. All the British core Jamie built us around was sold so quickly I don't think any of the players knew what was happening. A season ago I saw my future at Wolves for a long time so I'm sad to be leaving them for that reason. On the other hand a move to Sampdoria gets me out of the hell hole that club is turning into. I feel sorry for the players left there."

Despite winning this week, the new Wolves manager's form and transfer policy have come under close scrutiny and having already expressed a desire to leave less than 2 months into the job, some pundits believe he is on borrowed time at Wolves now.



Walter Pandiani has hit out at his treatment by managers in recent times. The new AC Milan signing has just left Mallorca but already seems to be on the fringes at Milan before kicking a ball.

"Mallorca made it clear they didn't want me under the new manager. He has spent 3 months trying to flog me and it's ruining my career. I want to be somewhere I can play for someone that wants me. I had a move close to being agreed to AC Milan at the end of last season before Coakley joined them but the deal fell through when his Man City team offered a little more. That deal then collapsed so I was left with no way out.

I thought when Luke came back for me at his new team that I was finally getting the move I wanted, but he's made it clear I'm for sale immediately. I just don't think players should be bounced about like that. He hasn't even seen me play in a Milan shirt and he's dismissing me. I just want out now."

Reports suggest Pandiani has sent his agent to England in the hope that new Spurs manager may be tempted to appoint him.



Napoli are tracking Sevilla centreback Danny Gabbidon preparing a shock swoop for the Welshman.

Pablo Zabaleta hopes to make his loan move to Arsenal a permanent one come the second half of the season.

James Vaughan will join Celta Vigo from Inter Milan on loan for the rest of the season in a bid to gain first team experience.

Andrea Pirlo is being lined up by the new Spurs manager as he looks to stamp his mark on the squad.

Almeria's youth specialist assistant Unai Emery will join Roma in a bid to attract a new manager in.

Atletico Madrid are considering offering a contract to Brescia manager Huw Evans.

Recreativo are looking to renew their interest in the Bristol City manager Stephen Wells despite already being knocked back in pre-season.

Disegni is pleased to link up with fellow Juventus loan players at Segunda side Real Mallorca.

Mohamed Al Fayed is prepared to walk out on Fulham whether a new buyer is found or not. Fayed was willing to sell to the Dhubi group 2 months ago before they bought Genoa.

The Blackburn supporters group are demanding 9 points from the next three games or they will renew protests for the sacking of the manager.

Peter Hill-Wood admits relief at not sacking Simon Newcombe who was 1 match away from being sacked for underperforming last season.

Palermo manager, Glenn Whitter has reacted to the speculation of him being next inline as the new Roma coach.

"Im delighted that a club such as Roma have taken an intrest in me, but i have to turn down the offer as i feel there is still a few things left for me to do here at Palermo. I joined the club last season gaining promotion within my first attempt finishing in second place behind Sampodoria, and now find myself lying 2 points away form third place (AC Milan) in Seria A. My goals for this season is to stay in Seria A where the club deserves to be and then follow it up next year by challenging for a spot in the Champions League. I can say it would become a dream of mine to take control of Roma in the future but for now my heart lies here with Palermo Thank you".

-- Edited by OFFIT at 20:48, 2009-01-26

Reports from a London newspaper claim that Fulham are talking to a Nigerian businessman over the sale of the club. It have been suggested for some time now that the current chairman has become disillusioned with the club and wanted to sell.

Today's news will hold positives and negatives for the fans of the club however. Fulham fans were worried when claims that the chairman was going to simply walk out were reported at the weekend, which would put the club into administration being without any chairman. Yet nothing is known about the Nigerian interested party and some leading officials of the sport are questioning the legitimacy of the offer.



The Sheffield Wednesday chairman has confirmed he will be backing the club further with another financial investment. He is quoted as saying he would like the current manager to show the team can challenge for the top places and if that happens more money will be made available.

This comes after Wednesday dumped Premiership new boys Coventry out of the English cup and went on to beat league leaders Birmingham.

Petty slams ecclestone.

"He spoils the game of football, swans in with his millions and when he has had enough, he will swan off back to his toy cars and his women"

Do you thing Davies-Evans has done well with the money.

"Steve is a mate of mine and is building a decent team for League one and thats all they will be. He hasn't spent wisely if i'm honest, 20m is a lot for this league. I think he must have pocketed a few quid himself for the beer festivals he holds in his hometown of Porthcawl!"

AC Milan manager has rubbished reports that new signing Walter Pandiani is already on his way out of the club and has predicted a bright future for the former Espanyol striker in Milan.
I have read rumours he is going to Spurs and that he is not wanted in Milan but this is nonsense. Spurs have never asked about him and we have only just signed Walter (Pandiani). He has a big future at the club and he will start our game this week. He is a player I have always rated and I tried to sign him when he was at Espanyol and tried to sign him from Mallorca under previous management so Im delighted to finally have him. We now have a good set of strikers at Milan of varying ages and style so it gives me options.

Coakley did however refuse to guarantee that the striker will still be in Milan at the end of the season.
Football is a funny game and every player has a price especially considering we are trying to rebuild a squad a very tight budget. I cant see into the future but as far as im concerned Pandiani is a key player for Milan and should be for the foreseeable future.

Davies-Evans cleans up in 'Wednesday' sweepstake thank to 'Petty Comments'!!

Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Davies-Evans tonight entered his press conference with a beaming big smile on his face. When asked by a local journalist what he was so happy about, Davies-Evans was quick to conclude that he had won a sweepstake held by his captain Liam Miller.

"Liam came to me with the idea that we should have a sweepstake to guess when Jonathan Petty would start getting bored with life at Sunderland and start distracting himself from gaining promotion. Luckily for me, I had this week as my pick and I've cleaned up a cool £300. I was going to send it to Jonathan so he could take his family to porthcawl and treat them to ice-cream and Fish 'n' chips but instead I thought I'd give it to a worthy cause - The NSPCC.

It's normally about this time that Jonathan likes to start playing around with things and fluffing promotion but rather than selling key players, like Phil Neville in previous seasons, he's now gone for the verbal attack on a team he has got nothing to do with.

I feel sorry for Jon as having known him for a while now, I wonder if he will ever actually get Sunderland promoted or just fall at the final hurdle like normal. You also have to feel sorry for the Sunderland fans as they must think the team have the stamina of a one legged man in an arse kicking competition - very amusing but never gonna quite do the business!

However, I invite Jonathan to keep commenting on our team as they still have to come to Hillsborough later in the season and It would be terrible if his side lost out to a team that is 'only ever going to be league 1 standard!'.

I'm sure he will wake up in the morning and wish that he had not picked on a team that will be gunning for Sunderland til the end of the season. My team didn't need any extra motivation but we thank 'Mr Petty' for again helping to 'gee up' my players."

Cardiff talks about life in league one

Press - Stuart you have such a big game this week against Sunderland. Are you excited or nervous?

"I'm excited. Sunderland have all the big players and all the big talk in this division. You have to measure yourself against them to see how good your team really is. They know they have to beat teams like us and we can use that expectation and turn it into pressure on their shoulders."

Press - Do you share Steve Davies-Evans opinion about Sunderland always falling at the final obstacle?

"It could happen. I don't know if even winning the division by a few points will be enough for the fans and the chairman. Big promises were made before the season started."

Press - You said you expected your team to get promoted. Is it going to happen?

"Everyone outside the top two have been rebuilding their teams. Sunderland have been swapping players but they had the quality already they have just been changing the names in their team. I think now the other teams will challenge those top two. I expect us to get promoted because the team is too big for this league and the chairman knows this. I still believe the headstart some teams had will put us in the play-offs but if we have to get promoted the hard way then thats what we'll do."

Press - Scimeca joins Cardiff where he started many years ago. What was the thinking behind that?

"I want an experienced player in the middle. I needed someone to balance Redondo and Ramsey. Scimeca provides experience and defensive knowhow. Adebayor joins this week to give the strikers some competition. I can rotate him in when the young strikers get suspended so his signing was important."

Press - So will you stick with the two young boys up front against Sunderland?

"I don't want to comment on team selections to the press. I will pick a team to frustrate Sunderland this week and limit the goals they can score. Three strikers could leave us very open and wouldn't frustrate them in that way. If we can stop them scoring more than one goal I think we can get something from the game against the odds."

Cheers Stu

Life long Cardiff fan Jonathan Petty speaks out about playing them this week and gives his thoughts about the league.

"I am excited about playing Cardiff this week as I am a local lad and love the club. However I am a Sunderland manager and have a job to do here and I also love Sunderland football club. I feel I am a red anwhite inside aswell as blue and white. I wopuld however love to manage the club some day"

Can you beat Cardiff?

"Well I believe the pressure is on them really to beat us, we are yet to lose this season and Cardiff are a big club in this league so it'll be tough but its up to us now"

You made a commitment of winning this league before half way stage before the season started, how can you?

"Well what I meant by that was at half way point we will be top of the league and thats where we'll stay. So at half way point if/when we are top the league will be ours!"

Will you be looking forward to returning the favour to Sheff Wed this week by beating Cardiff?

"Not really, I'd like to help but like I said before Sheff Wed are a league 1 team so if I help them I don't think they'll take advantage anyway. They helped us last week by beating Brum and we took advantage by winning. If they make the playoffs I think they will lose in the semi-final"

But they will have another cash injection soon as promised by their adventurous chairman, do you feel threatened by this?

"Ha ha! Why? Steve will wast it again, tell Bernie to cut his losses and get rid of Steve now! before he makes im bankrupt"

What do you think of Stephen Wells getting a new Job?

"Excellent, STeW is a very good tactical manager and with money behind him he could be very dangerous and do very well. On the other hand if he has only worked on a tight budget it may go against him. He's a good mate of mine and we've already agreed a deal this week, if he wants any advice he knows where I am. Good luck mate!"

What is happening with transfers this season, other managers brand you as the tinkerman! Is that fair?

"It was but not any more, I believe by "tinkering" we have a much stronger squad and are ready to go up and stay up! We have few more players lined up, this week Osagowara is going to Sheff Wed and Riccy Gardner is coming in, also a great centre mid is coming it to strengthen this week on loan. And we may have a class striker joining at half season which is good timing as Sahar and a few others go back to their clubs"

Prediction for this week?

"I think a certain Mr Zamora will get a brace on his debut and we'll sneak a win and Birmingham to slip up again with Sheff Wed losing 1-0 to Forrest and Steve becoming under major pressure from Bernie"

-- Edited by jop1927 at 10:24, 2009-01-29

Ascoli manager Jonny Sinclair today spoke out about the team's disappointing season so far

It's not been at all we knew we'd be up against it this season and eight straight losses have proved i think we got promoted too early bt io havent given up all hope we're only 6 points away from being out of the relegation zone but at the moment i'd be happy with our first point of the season thats what our fans deserve

Rumours suggest you might be about to resign can you comment on this?

Welli can say definately not i don't want to leave the club as soon as we have some disappointment but i m trying my best the only way i would leave is my chairmen saying im not doing a good enough job and with the way we've being doing i wouldnt be surprised football is a result based game but the chairmen says he's still happy with me

plus the last rumours suggest werent true as Norwich did not offer me the job at all

Davide Raffaello has been attracting a lot of interest recently will he soon be on his way?

no he will not don't get me wrong we've had some amazing bids for him but he is an amzing talent and at the moment we do not need to sell our players Davide is happy with the club he's grown up at so it would be crazy to sell him

Genoa are doing really well this season thanks to the abu dhabi group do you regret on getting the money now?

again no i don't Genoa first off were a decent team anyway thats why they ended up 3rd last season and now with a new manager in Chris Racliff with the money they have got they have only signed two old players who are likely to retire soon i also wouldn't have been happy with the group signing a player like Riquelme without my say so im happier naturing my youth players who love the club than blowing money on players i'm always happy with some money to bring in players but as i don't i'll have to keep going with what i have and im happy with what i have

What do you think aout recent events in the media?

Well im shocked to see Paul (Harrington) reject the Roma most managers would jump at the bit to take over there he has done an excellent job at West Brom it's also nice to Stuart has move to La liga he's done a brilliant job at Bristol who'll be distraught he's left them but Stuart deserves to be manging at the top level hopefully he can do the same with Recreativo and with some cash at last it'll be interesting to see how he spends it.

After harsh words from Celta Vigo manager Gareth Gardner, Recreativo Huelva's chairman Petr Kellner has defended the decision to move for Stephen Wells. Gardner accused Wells of jumping ship mid season but Kellner is of a different view.

"If Stephen had stayed all season he would undoubtedly have kept Bristol up. Suggestions that he would have gone down are stupid. Last season 12 points would have kept you up in the Championship and Stephen has amassed 13 before the half way stage. If we had waited and Bristol had got into the play-offs or better, we would have been fighting against some of Europe's best teams to appoint him as manager. Getting him now suits us and it helps us build towards a better future now instead of waiting.

It's nice another manager looking on with envy saying they wouldn't move clubs now. He is in the envious position of being able to claim such loyalty but the truth of the matter is it's because no one has come knocking for his signature, not because he is ever loyal."



Chairman of Middlesbrough football club Steve Gibson has planned a crisis meeting with his fellow board members for mid-day today. Gibson announced his disappointment with the transfer policy at the club under the current management and issued a public appeal for change to keep the fans on side and help the club move forwards.

Since then it is believed a number of players have come under offer from the squad to reduce the team further, and just half an hour after Sampdoria announce talks over Arca are progressing, it is thought Gibson has finally decided to move on the issue. Press correspondents are rapidly gathering outside the ground awaiting an official announcement with people phoning into a local radio news show demanding O'Connor or Gibson's head.