Rumour Mill

Cadiz fans have begun calling for the head of manager Ashley Davies after he signed two below par players from Leeds in exchange for one of the clubs good defenders.

Michael Owen has admitted he is pleased to return to the Premiership following a £10 million move to new boys Aston Villa.

Middlesbrough fans are devastated at the sale of leading figure Emanuel Pogatetz and the replacement signing of Man United academy player Cathcart.

Fans already becoming unsettled at high pressure Sunderland following a poor start to the season for the new boss.

Sheffield Wednesday have admitted they were disappointed that their approach for Getafe manager Callum Jefferies was ignored along with a further reminder.

Newcastle have remained tight lipped regarding the high speculation over the next Toon manager.

Valencia chairman Juan Soler has backed his decision to appoint Martin Turney despite some managers questioning the move in recent days.

Sulaiman Al-Fahim has revealed his delight at the start to the season for newly promoted Genoa, who are the only team yet to drop points in Serie A.

Sunderland boss Niall Quinn has told board members that anything less than champions will be another grave failure.

Sheffield Wednesday have made an audacious attempt to appoint a leading experienced manager to solve their ongoing vacancy problem.

Ronaldo disappointed by managers revelation that he would accept an approach from divisional rivals Newcastle.

Aston Villa manager Liam Riste has expressed his delight and anticipation at the prospect of Michael Owen joining the Aston Villa attack force which already boasts David Villa.

Riste stated, "I am so pleased that Michael has joined our club, he is a big name and has got everybody who is involved at the club buzzing. The thought of having Michael in my strike force along with David Villa is frightening, and not just for myself. I can't wait to see Michael pull on his shirt this weekend and I'm sure he will let his football show how pleased he is to return to the Premiership."

Riste also commented at how pleased he was with the deal for Owen stating that the Atletico Madrid manager was quick and easy to deal with who offered him 'a deal too good to refuse'.

Davies-Evans - "We must bounce back quickly!"

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Davies-Evans has told how he wants his players to get the defeat to Sheffield United out of their system by beating Wolves in the cup tonight. Forest we're beaten 2-1 at The City Ground on the weekend but Davies-Evans thinks that a game so quickly is a great chance to put things right.

"My players were gutted to have lost the game on the weekend but the beauty of this game is 48 hours later - we have a chance to put it right again. Molineux is never an easy place to go and Adam will have his players pumped up for it but my players are hurting from the weekends defeat and are itching to get back to winning ways."

When asked if he would be giving a debut to Antonio Tomas - Davies-Evans confrmed that the winger would get a run out in this game.

"Yeah we'll have a look at him tonight. We've got two games against Wolves in succession so tonight will give us a great chance to have a look at Antonio [Tomas] before the league game on Friday."

Davies-Evans also denied the chance to confirm that he would be resting "some" players ahead of the league game at Molineux.

"Ah look, We understand that it's a long old season and sometimes you will have to preserve players for later in the season. We may have a look at resting a few but then I have got a young squad so I will decide just before the game."

When asked if tonights cup game gave Wolves an oppertunity to have a look at his sides formation and tactics, Davies-Evans said he saw this game as a positive and not a negative.

"Well surely we get to see their formation too? Maybe it's a positive that we will get to have a look at them before the league game. As I've already said, this is a plus game for us, we can try and get back to winning ways and also give ourselves a chance do some homework on Wolves in person."

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Monday 25th of May 2009 10:00:01 AM

League Cup: Nottm Forest 2-1 Wolves (AET)

Nottingham Forest made hard work of their cup victory over fellow League 1 side Wolves as an extra time winner from Antonio Tomas on his debut was enough to send the East Midlands side through to the next round. Forest will come back up against Wolves immediatley in the league this weekend and manager Steve Davies-Evans wants his players to be more clinical infront of goal.

Davies-Evans on the win..........

"We're happy to have gone through obviously but I think we made it alot harder than we should have. We had a decent amount of chances in both the 90 minutes and extra 30 minutes we forced ourselves to play. I think we need to be alot more clinical infront of goal on the weekend and the players have been told that. I thought our approach play was excellent but if we are going to do anything this season, we need to start putting away these chances when they are presented to us."

Davies-Evans on goals from Aaron Ramsey & Antonio Tomas......

"Yeah we're delighted both players got their first goals for us. Aaron had a very good game again for us and you can see why he is so well throught of as he's got great ability on the ball and we're all delighted for him to get off the mark. Antonio has done really well to even be in the team to be honest, he joined up with the squad 48 hours before the game so only had very limited time to train with the rest of the players so we were happy that he got 120 minutes under his belt let alone come up with the winner two minutes before penalties. Hopefully that will give both players a real boost now to kick on and get a few more goals."

Davies-Evans on facing Wolves again just 4 days after this match.......

"Well we've had a look at eachother and I imagine that Wolves will be well up for the league game now after losing this one. We're going to have to step up a gear if we want to take a positive result from the game and that's what we intend on doing. We will make a couple of changes to make sure that we are fresh and are able to carry out our plans so it will be another interesting game. Hopefully we can come away as happy as we were from the cup game.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Tuesday 26th of May 2009 02:55:20 PM

Cardiff manager Stuart Price has told of his joy at seeing his young players succeed this season

Price said to radio Wales "We are sending some young players to N.Forest and playing some here. Buffon is going to be used sparingly this season and we hope he will stay with us next season. This season we need to stay in the championship and improve. Next season I want us to try and get promotion"

On the players out on loan he said this. "N.Forest will have a great midfield when our loans are complete. The players are young but the midfield have the skill to control the game in that division and the strikers we are sending will be a big threat. I think Arcidiacono could be the top scorer in the division"

Price mentioned only quickly talk of new signings. "I have approached Wigan to sign a player but we haven't heard back yet. We have a little money and some will come back from N.Forest later. I hope I can sign one or two more young players"

Cheers Stu
- Cardiff

Yorkshire evening news
Good evening all we have just spoken to leeds manager Dave Davies-Evans in the wake of the comments from Sunderland.

Good evening Dave, What do you think of the comments from Sunderland manager Dale Price.

Wel guys im very very impressed that he has managed to do his first bit of media on his own in the game without help from other people and also i am so impressed that he managed to spell mouthy so well.

What about this weeks game then Dave,

Listen guys this is our hardest game of the season, so im sending my team out to attack attack attack. if we dont get the result we want we will dust ourselves down and crack on with the next game. The pressure is not on my players this week but Sunderlands.

Any new faces coming in soon Dave,

I can confirm we have 4 to 5 quality players coming in the next few weeks, one of them will be Peter Crouch who will be our back up Striker.

Peter Crouch as a back up striker ???

Yes, that just goes to show how much Leeds have gone forward in the recent months. I would also like to wish Kamil Krol good luck this week as he embarks on a journey to Italy to play for Reggina for the season to get experience. I can tell Kamil his future is with Leeds. Go and enjoy your football son and we will see you next season.

Many thanks Dave

Cheers all

 

-- Edited by bigwave1927 on Tuesday 26th of May 2009 08:59:31 PM

Celta Vigo boss planning for the future


Young Celta Vigo manager Gareth Gardner has finally come out of the media spotlight to discuss the ongoings at Celta Vigo with an interview with 909 "Legend" Tim Lovejoy.

Tim - Hi Gareth, hows things at Celta Vigo since your relegation ?
Gareth - I was very dissapointed with our relegation from the top flight last season. To lose out on goal difference was gutting for the fans. Everybody had us down as no-hopers but to do so well and end as we did was heart breaking for everyone at the club.

Tim - Do you think you went the right way about it ?
Gareth - Being honest Tim i made a big mistake in selling Young starlet Levi Porter to Spurs. He did a marvelous job in keeping them in the premier league where as my older age players seemed to not have enough legs to last the pace and have now retired

Tim - Whats your plans for this season ? I see the media has you down as league favourites ?
Gareth - I think this season is a big rebuilding process.There will be a lot of big names leaving including Zabaleta for a club record transfer fee. My aim is to bring in top youth players and nurture them through here at Vigo. If that means not getting promotion this season, then it may work out all the better for them. I see us getting promoted but i dont plan in selling these youth players and they will have all the experiance and game time to improve.

Tim -Any names of transfer dealings or targets ? or am i asking a little much ?
Gareth - No Tim its ok. I have agreed deals for Andrea Coda and Pablo Zabaleta to leave the club very shortly to Real Mallorca and Valencia respectively. This may upset a few supporters, but i have agreed transfer deals to bring in young midfield sensation Elostondo from Sociedad in a club record transfer,hes only 21. Also I have agreed deals to bring in Didac Gonzalez 23 from Atletico and also a bit of a senior superstar in El Hadj Diouf from Atletico. Wes Morgan will come in as cover for for Andrea Coda from Mallorca.And as you know Nacer Barazite 18 has arrived from Arsenal. Some of these players will be going out on loan for a little experiance also.

Tim - Sounds like your bringing in a lot of colourful youth players. Do you plan any more ?
Gareth - Well i do have loan signings again coming in from Spurs with Jamie Ohara and Ben Alnwick due to arrive to get experiance with Mussacci and Palmiteri. I very much thank Richard the Spurs manager for them and will repay him with giving them lots of games.Also id like to thank my chairman who has let me spend all my transfer kitty that i have made available from the selling of the clubs stars and theres still over 9 million left to bring in more possibly from the scouting window or maybe from other clubs as thats yet to be decided.

Tim - Theres rumours around linking you with the Sunderland post, any truth in this ?
Gareth - Certainly not Tim. I wouldnt leave a big club like Cellta Vigo for a small outfit like Sunderland. Dale Price just needs time there and im sure he will gain promotion with them just like he did with Norwich City.

Tim - Thanks for the interview Gareth, Do you miss your time over in England ?
Gareth - I do a little Tim and allways keep and eye out for my old club Leeds Utd. I think Dave in charge is doing a great job there and he is going to be a top manager in the game. To take them from where they was, to where they are now is sensational work. I used age there to get them in the playoffs and left them in a little state due to Celta Vigo coming in for me so early. But Dave has rejuvenated that team on his own and the signing of Florent Malouda will take them to the championship.

Tim  -  Will you be brave and predict a scoreline for the 2 this weekend ?
Gareth - I think it will be a free flowing game that can go either way. I expect goals galore in that game and i wil be looking out for Leeds. I think Leeds may just edge in 3-2 with Malouda banging in the winner.
Before I go can i also thank all the managers that i have dealt with this year. Everyone seems very easy to deal with. I dont like the way people dont reply to emails at times but thats just a nit pick in the game.

Tim - All the best in the future Gareth and please feel free to come in any time for a chat. If all goes well i predict Vigo to be challenging for Europe in the Primera in around 5 years if Gardner keeps his nerve.

GarethGardner wrote:

---

Celta Vigo boss planning for the future


Young Celta Vigo manager Gareth Gardner has finally come out of the media spotlight to discuss the ongoings at Celta Vigo with an interview with 909 "Legend" Tim Lovejoy.

Tim - Hi Gareth, hows things at Celta Vigo since your relegation ?
Gareth - I was very dissapointed with our relegation from the top flight last season. To lose out on goal difference was gutting for the fans. Everybody had us down as no-hopers but to do so well and end as we did was heart breaking for everyone at the club.

Tim - Do you think you went the right way about it ?
Gareth - Being honest Tim i made a big mistake in selling Young starlet Levi Porter to Spurs. He did a marvelous job in keeping them in the premier league where as my older age players seemed to not have enough legs to last the pace and have now retired

Tim - Whats your plans for this season ? I see the media has you down as league favourites ?
Gareth - I think this season is a big rebuilding process.There will be a lot of big names leaving including Zabaleta for a club record transfer fee. My aim is to bring in top youth players and nurture them through here at Vigo. If that means not getting promotion this season, then it may work out all the better for them. I see us getting promoted but i dont plan in selling these youth players and they will have all the experiance and game time to improve.

Tim -Any names of transfer dealings or targets ? or am i asking a little much ?
Gareth - No Tim its ok. I have agreed deals for Andrea Coda and Pablo Zabaleta to leave the club very shortly to Real Mallorca and Valencia respectively. This may upset a few supporters, but i have agreed transfer deals to bring in young midfield sensation Elostondo from Sociedad in a club record transfer,hes only 21. Also I have agreed deals to bring in Didac Gonzalez 23 from Atletico and also a bit of a senior superstar in El Hadj Diouf from Atletico. Wes Morgan will come in as cover for for Andrea Coda from Mallorca.And as you know Nacer Barazite 18 has arrived from Arsenal. Some of these players will be going out on loan for a little experiance also.

Tim - Sounds like your bringing in a lot of colourful youth players. Do you plan any more ?
Gareth - Well i do have loan signings again coming in from Spurs with Jamie Ohara and Ben Alnwick due to arrive to get experiance with Mussacci and Palmiteri. I very much thank Richard the Spurs manager for them and will repay him with giving them lots of games.Also id like to thank my chairman who has let me spend all my transfer kitty that i have made available from the selling of the clubs stars and theres still over 9 million left to bring in more possibly from the scouting window or maybe from other clubs as thats yet to be decided.

Tim - Theres rumours around linking you with the Sunderland post, any truth in this ?
Gareth - Certainly not Tim. I wouldnt leave a big club like Cellta Vigo for a small outfit like Sunderland. Dale Price just needs time there and im sure he will gain promotion with them just like he did with Norwich City.

Tim - Thanks for the interview Gareth, Do you miss your time over in England ?
Gareth - I do a little Tim and allways keep and eye out for my old club Leeds Utd. I think Dave in charge is doing a great job there and he is going to be a top manager in the game. To take them from where they was, to where they are now is sensational work. I used age there to get them in the playoffs and left them in a little state due to Celta Vigo coming in for me so early. But Dave has rejuvenated that team on his own and the signing of Florent Malouda will take them to the championship.

Tim  -  Will you be brave and predict a scoreline for the 2 this weekend ?
Gareth - I think it will be a free flowing game that can go either way. I expect goals galore in that game and i wil be looking out for Leeds. I think Leeds may just edge in 3-2 with Malouda banging in the winner.
Before I go can i also thank all the managers that i have dealt with this year. Everyone seems very easy to deal with. I dont like the way people dont reply to emails at times but thats just a nit pick in the game.

Tim - All the best in the future Gareth and please feel free to come in any time for a chat. If all goes well i predict Vigo to be challenging for Europe in the Primera in around 5 years if Gardner keeps his nerve.

---

Better !

 

Sampdoria plan revenge mission on cup victors

Sampdoria boss Mark Rollings claims his side are on a mission to avenge the cup final defeat to last seasons double winners and are once again ready to match 'the old lady'.

The two sides played out a spectacular 4-4 draw in last seasons cup climax and only penalties could seperate them. However, Rollings is readying his troops for a repeat performance this week, and is eyeing a more successful outcome!

"The players certainly don't need any more motivation for this one. We all felt we did enough to defend our cup last season and the way we lost was cruel. We have a gameplan waiting and I am confident I have the players to execute it! We don't fear them, they may have won the league last season but we know we can compete and will be going for the 3 points!

Juventus have failed to hit top form as yet this term, but have experimented with team selection.Steve Jenkins will remember the threat the Blucherati posed in the cup final and isn't expected to take any gambles in team selection. The two managers are rumoured to share a frosty relationship, a fact which looks likely to add to the tension on match day. While stopping short of confirming such intracacies Rollings did take time to fuel such speculation.

"I made a point of both wishing Steven luck pre final, and congratulating him personally after their victory, and came up against a brick wall on both occassions. Be it arrogance or ignorance, or possibly just shyness I got no such grace in return. I will never change the way I operate and felt I wanted to get in touch personally to show my respect. I respect the job Steve has done but there will be no such pleasantries extended on this occassion. I will be saving my words for the dressing room and firing up my players to beat the league champions!"