Week 19

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Week 19

richj363 · Cult Status

SPURS FIGHTING ALL THE WAY

Spurs manager Richard Jefferies was delighted with his teams perfomance in the convincing win over Portsmouth he said " That was the best performance since i came here, we were terrific with Levi Porter, my two wide men and Berbatov being the pick, Berbatov and Adebayor instantly found an understanding which will only continue to get better, I'm sure all our fans went home with big smiles on their faces and with more optimism than for quite a while"

He then added "We obviously have a very hard game against Liverpool this week but then close with three games where i would hope to pick up points, Lets hope we can continue the improvement and get ourselves out of the mess we are in"

-- Edited by richj363 on Sunday 5th of April 2009 05:34:55 PM

SteW · Top Flight Player

Recreativo Huelva manager Stephen Wells has been keeping a fairly low profile since taking over, but today he's decided to speak to the media gathered at the team's headquarters.

"I've been here for a few weeks now, and I'm beginning to feel like things are being done how I'd like them to be done. I've changed a few things, I've brought people in, and I've let a few people go. A lot of eyebrows were raised; people were questioning me, my signings, my tactics, and whether I was capable of doing the job required here. I think that the next few months will give people a better idea of what I can do.

I was told by the Chairman what he thought the team should be achieving this season and I think we're on course to make the minimum expectations. We've had a disappointing result in the Cup, but we did meet Sevilla, and beating them would have taken something special! With regards to La Liga, we're 8^th at the moment, and apart from Celta Vigo this week, all our games are against teams above us in the league. It's going to be a tough few weeks, but I think we'll at least keep our 8^th spot. I haven't given up hope of taking 7^th either.

My aim for next season is simple, do better than this season."

-- Edited by SteW on Monday 6th of April 2009 12:19:11 PM

Simon · Cult Status

Jenkins to Wells: 'you wish'

Media shy Valladolid manager Simon Jenkins stepped into the spotlight today in response to Recreativo manager Stephen Wells' comments.

"It is laughable that Wells hasn't given up the possiblility of catching me; he is seven points behind me and his last four games are Celta Vigo, Barcelona, Valladolid and Valencia. I have already set aside our game as three points for me, I can't see him getting anything out of the games against Barcelona or Valencia and I'm sure that Gareth Gardener will give him a run for his money seeing as it is a six pointer for both teams.

"Wells should take my advice and focus on what's behind him - the gap between him and relegation is far smaller than the one between him and me."

pricey · Cult Status

PRICE TALKS ABOUT NEGITIVITY IN LAST GAME

Mr Price a lot of Murcia fans have been unhappy about the way the team played last week what is your reaction to this?

To be honest I dont understand the fans when they come out with things like this.Las season before I came here Murcia would have lost that game 5 or 6 nil no problem they were bottom of the league without hope of getting a point. Think they forget how far I have taken them this season.

Quite blunt words Mr Price maybe a bit uncalled for?

I dont think they are uncalled for at all it really gets to you when you do such a good job at a club that is not used to being so high in the league and all you read is bad press noting good at all.

The loan signing of Luis Garcia this past week must put a little smile on your fans faces how did you pull that one off?

I have to say a very big thank you to my mate Glenn who is the manager of Roma he has helped me out loads with that loan and we have another loan deal lined up for this week we just have a couple of last papers to sign and its a done deal. I believe these two players could very well take us into the play offs.

What would taking Murcia into the play offs mean to you?

It would be the biggest thing I have done in my career. It would also put my right in the shop window for a move back to England.

In the past you have been linked with Newcastle United do you have anything to say on these links?

Yes I will say to Newcastle come and get me. I have spoken to new Newcastle chairman Yuri Semikov a couple of times and he has sold the club to me yes they are not having the best of times at the moment they look like they will be going down to the championship I would love to have the chance to take them to the place where they deserve to be they are a massive club and should no way be in the championship.

Thank you very much for speaking to us Mr Price good luck for the rest of the season

Thank you

-- Edited by pricey on Monday 6th of April 2009 04:52:08 PM

-- Edited by pricey on Monday 6th of April 2009 04:53:14 PM

PUREADE1 · International Player

DANDO HOPEFULL FOR CANARIES

Norwich get 2-1 away win at Saints

Hayden Dando said he is very hopeful his Norwich side can finish in the playoffs and possibly even go up!
The Canaries got a 2-1 victory at relegation threatened Southampton thanks to goals from Cozzolino and Nicholls and Dando said he genuinly thinks the Canaries could make the top flight, Dando said "We are playing some nice football and i am bringing in another striker this week on loan untill the end of the season.We are in a playoff place at the moment and i feel we should be able to achieve a place in those playoffs at the end of the season, wether we can win them is another matter as there are some good sides in the mix but we are one of those good sides and i see no reason why Norwich can't go up.It would be a fantastic achievment for us and the supporters deserve at the very least a day out at Wembley and possibly even premiership football if things go well, but first lets make sure we get there"

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

"The Pressure is on our opponents!" - Davies-Evans

Speaking to Football Focus's Garth Crooks, Nottingham Forest manager Steve Davies-Evans tells us how the pressure is now on their opponents from now on.

Garth Crooks - Steve, What are you expecting from your remaining fixtures?

SDE - "Well to be fair Garth, I don't think too many people outside Nittingham Forest expect us to get anything so I suppose we are now in a pressure-less win,win situation aren't we?"

Garth Crooks - So does that mean that you think you can claim something from this set of games?

SDE - "You know me Crooksy, I'm always confident. We know that the top 4 will look at their games against us and expect a win. We also know that the majority of the neautrals will think like that so the pressure is on our opponents to break us down and make sure they get the win, starting with Sunderland this week! I have a hungry set of players here who want to do well and as I have told them, we haven't got to the points tally I wanted when I took over so they are expected by me to get something somewhere."

Garth Crooks - So tell us about this run-in then because some people are labelling it.... "The run of death"

SDE - "To be fair - You can see why. I can't imagine too many teams would like this run. We start with a home game this week against Sunderland before an away trip to Sheffield Wednesday and then we finish with games against Birmingham and finally Cardiff. It's not easy we know that but we will be doing everything possible to get positive results in every game left. We know that if we do take points off somebody, it could end up making a huge difference to the promotion race".

Garth Crooks - So how do you see the promotion race finishing?

SDE - "Well I think it's fair to say it will be Birmingham, Sunderland and Cardiff that will go up but in which order....I have no idea. I think Sunderland probably thought they had the promotion wrapped up a few weeks ago when they were sat at the top of the league and 7 points ahead of Cardiff but that has now been cut to 3 points and they know Cardiff are breathing down their necks. That's why I think our game against Sunderland will add more pressure on them as they know they Have to beat us their players could end up getting nervous at the thought of Cardiff catching them. I personally think Birmingham will win the league and then it's whether Sunderland can hold on to 2nd place. They are in the best position at the moment becuase they have got 2nd place but they are dropping points and Cardiff aren't so it's going to be an interesting tussell."

Garth Crooks - Is that some of the famous Davies-Evans mind games?

SDE - "Not at all Garth, I just think that Jonathan will be feeling it at the moment. His players will be down after surrendering a 2 goal lead at home to Sheffield Wednesday and we are unbeaten in the last two games so I think that Jonathan will be alot less confident of this game than he would have been 2 weeks ago. We know we will be up against it as they are a fantastic side but we are in decent form ourselves so like I said previously - the pressure is on them to break us down and deliver the goods to their fans."

Garth Crooks - Lastly Steve, Did you have any money on the Grand National winner?

SDE - No I didn't. It seems that I was the only one who didn't and I know of a couple of managers that backed it but I put my money on "Offshore Account" which I have had abit of stick for. I'm not a big betting man and If I bet on anything, I prefer the dogs as I'm a very impatient person and the dogs are over in minutes and there are races every few minutes.

Garth Crooks - Well cheers for speaking to us Steve and good luck with the rest of the season!

SDE - Cheers Crooksy!

Football Academy · Cult Status

Rumour Mill

Chelsea fans have been left stunned following their Semi-Final exit to Liverpool in the English as well as seeing their lead in the Premiership cut to just 1 point.

Real Murcia chairman Juan Pina has told friends that he is deeply hurt by Dale Price's apparent nonchalance towards his existing contract.

Genoa are looking at making Mido's loan move from Atletico Madrid a permanent deal with the chairman waiting to hear from Chris Ratcliff on how he settles into the squad.

Birmingham fans have praised the team for their resilience at bouncing back to top of the Championship yet again this season.

Reading are preparing a shock move for ex-Bristol City manager Stephen Wells should he want to return to English football.

Carlos Acuna has reportedly been seen in Nottingham following confirmation that Forest and Cardiff will be linking up next season, sparking rumours of a deadline day loan deal.

Reports from the North of England suggest Niall Quinn is prepared to offer his manager Jonathan Petty a new deal.

Sulaiman Al-Fahim is considering making an audacious swoop for Cesc Fabrigas from Arsenal and Matthew Taylor from Barcelona ready for their assault on Serie A.

Huw Evans is being tipped by some Italian pundits to be the next Parma manager.

Reports from Spain suggest Dale Price faces crisis talks with the board at Real Murcia after telling Newcastle to 'come and get him'.

Valencia manager Martin Turney is tracking Juventus young centre defender Andrea Pisani.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Sampdoria celebrate consecutive cup finals and close in on world class striker

It was the Blue and White side of Genoa left celebrating Monday night, as Sampdoria triumphed in a fierce and competitive local derby. The match was a great advert for Italian football and both teams held the lead throughout the match while neither took a backward step throughout the 90 minutes. Without their star duo of Juan Roman Riquelme and Thierry Henry Genoa produced a spirited display full of the attacking quality that has taken them clear at the top of Serie B. However, Sampdoria held on to reach their second Italian Cup final in two season and now face the ever impressing Juventus in what promises to be a good final.

Speaking after the match Bluecherati boss Mark Rollings took time to acknowledge the attitude and determination shown Genoa.

"I thought they were superb tonight. It was a major blow for them to lose two players like Thierry and Riquelme but I thought they dealt with their absence exceptionally well and gave us one hell of a football match. A lot was said in the build up to this game but it was all theatrics. We have the utmost respect for our city partners and relish the healthy rivalry that we have with Genoa. Obviously next year will be very interesting as Mr Fahim looks to exercise his financial muscle and we will face a stern test to try and keep hold of our city superiority. However, I think that could be a positive influence on us and we will use it to our advantage. In Chris (Ratcliff) Mr Fahim has the perfect manager for what he wants to do with the club and I wouldnt be too surprised to see Genoa battle for the Serie A title next year! It may be a stretch too far for us to match that sort of form but over the last few games I have seen enough to suggest a top 6 finish has to be our goal next season."

With the transfer window closing rapidly, talk soon turned to deadline day, and whether the Sampdoria boss, who has been extremely quiet in the market (in and out) over the last few weeks, was readying any deals.

"We had no intention of anyone moving in or out of the club until the summer and have our eyes on long term development. We need to give the younger guys the chance to develop together as a team and it is very much up to me to provide them with the environment and patient attitude to do so. However, we received what can only be described as a substantial bid for two of our young starlets this week which we have accepted. Fans can rest assured that I will only act in the best interests of this football club and the offer not only represented a fair amount of cash but also the arrival of two world class pros who will significantly increase the immediate quality in the side. We have invested heavily in youth, not least with the arrival of Brian Beswick, who is working flat out to nurture the next crop of youth products. However, I believe the Sampdoria fans will be extremely happy with our new recruits."

Finally Rollings spoke about his realistic ambitions for the season run-in.

"We will be going all out for three points this week against Lazio. They have a new manager and struggled last week and we will be looking to exploit that. We have to keep one eye on Brescia, who have picked up a couple of good wins over the last couple of weeks. Apart from that we will look to take the game to Juventus in the cup final and if our fans get into it and we can front up to them who knows what can happen. They are a great side and will surely win the title this year but our young lads have no fear and if we play to our best then who knows!"

-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Wednesday 8th of April 2009 01:51:49 PM