*Felix Bastians claimed his 2nd goal of the season for Forest*
Nottm Forest 2-2 Reading

Nottm Forest claimed another impressive point this week as they drew with Reading at the City Ground. Forest dropped to 5th place after the game but currently still only sit 1 point from top place Leeds who they play next at Elland Road. We caught up with Forest manager Steve Davies-Evans after the game at his post match press conference.

Media - Steve, are you happy with the point you got?

SDE - Yeah I think it was a fair point. It was a very even game and I suppose it would have been harsh on any side to have lost it although once we were in a winning position, I'd liked to have seen us hold onto it for longer.

Media - Were you impressed with your teams character after going one down?

SDE - Yeah I was and I have told them that in the dressing room. We seem to like making it hard for ourselves and that's not the first time we've come back to lead after going one down but this time, we couldnt keep them out and hang onto the win.

Media - It's still very close at the top of league 1 with the top 5 teams all seperated by a point, do you see this continuing?

SDE - Well I see it being close between the top 3 formost of the season. I can see Leeds being the team that pull away if any do.

Media - You now face Leeds and  ofcourse your brother Dave, How much of a daunting prospect is that for you and your team?

SDE - I don't think it's daunting! I think they are a very good team and we will give them the respect they deserve but we have been in decent form and I'm sure that Dave will be very relieved if he comes away with a win. We won't be going there to roll over or make up the numbers. I feel they have weaknesses and I will be working with the players over the next week to try and get them to exploit them weaknesses. The fact that Leeds are managed by my brother means nothing, except until after the game when I will have to buy the drinks as Dave never pts his hand in his pocket unlike most managers.

Media - Will it be a fierce battle amoungst the Davies-Evans brothers away from the media spotlight?

SDE - No not at all. I love my brother dearly and we will have abit of banter but it's always a bitter/sweet experience for us if there is ever a winner. We realise that Leeds United are massive favourites for this game and the pressure will be on Leeds to get a result and thats how we like it. Nobody ever expects anything from us and we like to sail under the radar.

Media - So would you say you are confident that you can get a result?

SDE - Yeah I'm always confident! C'mon boys....you should know that  about me by now. I believe we can get a positive result from every game and the Leeds game will be no different. We have a game plan and if we can execute it on the day, we will get something from the game.

Media - Redondo in this week, what will he bring to your team?

SDE - Well you have seen how well Aaron [Ramsey] has done so far, I believe that Redondo can have the same impact as Aaron and Jonathan Howson have already made. I think it will be an interesting season and I can only thank Stuart [Price] at Cardiff again for allowing these players to come to us.



-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Sunday 7th of June 2009 09:01:01 PM

Spurs off and running.

Spurs manager Richard Jefferies was pleased to collect 3 points from the visit to Bolton, he said " We have had three very tough games against teams who will in the top half of the league and we have done very well in all those games without picking up any points, so it was crucial to collect 3 points this week" 

" We played some great football with a real understanding developing between Adebayor and young Levi Porter, Mei did very well on debut for a 20 yr old and even got himself on the scoresheet so all is good "

Levante owner delighted

Claude Kurson has spoken out of the joy he is having at watching his team punching so high in the Spanish La Liga. Following his purchase of the club he invested in the recently relegated team and manager Iain Kochanowksi spent the money under the radar of many of the other big spenders, deciding to invest in defensive players. Levante were promoted at the end of last season and have already collected 2 wins out of 4 this season.

"To see us sitting 5th is a great thrill for me. The manager has bought cleverly and I think we are a combative team who can still play with a little flair. Some of the Spanish teams maybe don't expect us to be so strong on the pitch so maybe we are not really Spanish in our style. I hope the season continues like this."


Martins unveiled

Atletico Madrid announced their arrival on the big transfer stage this week by signing Arsenal striker Obafemi Martins in a massive £28 million swoop. However in his first interview in Spain Martins was clearly unhappy with life at Arsenal.

"Things are not right there. We have already lost 2 games and drawn 1 in 4 matches. 7 points dropped writes us out of the title race nearly and we haven't played 5 matches yet. More young players are coming in and the manager was happy for older players to go. Rosicky is leaving on loan soon; I think that sums up the problems."


Lerner pleased with progress

Randy Lerner has moved to support his manager Liam Riste this week following the managers interview with the media. The Villa owner has invested cash in the club to make sure they avoid a relegation fight but currently sit 10th in the Premiership after an easy promotion season.

"Just look at the games so far. Spurs beat the team at the bottom in their only win but we have drawn with Arsenal. Liam will obviously continue to look to recruit players who will improve us so I don't see our league position is a cause of worry just yet."


Mort quiet on Charlton rumours

Ex Newcastle owner Chris Mort has refused to comment on reports in the English press this afternoon that he is in discussions over buying debt ridden Charlton. The League One club have to clear around £20 million debt however Mort reportedly walked away with around £90 million when he sold his shares in Newcastle and could buy the London club and clear all their debts in one sweep. Pundits have suggested managers may become interested in the vacant job with the thought of Mort backing large transfer deals at that level.


Roma in stormy waters

Following the defeat against Fiorentina at the weekend with a late Hugo Viana goal sealing their fait, Roma fans unleashed a torrent of jeers towards the players and the manager. Glenn Whitter showed a skill for the Italian style of football achieving surprising success with Palermo in Serie A in recent seasons however after a high profile move to Roma in the summer many pundits in Italy believe Whitter has choked at the chance of stardom.

A number of questionable transfer deals have been matched by terrible league form picking up just 2 points from the opening 4 games, despite the board expecting Whitter to continue to deliver the silverware that proceeding his arrival.

Last season saw a disappointing capitulation of the title to rivals Juventus as Whitter took over the (at the time) league leaders. It appears fans aren't prepared to put up with continued disappointment and protests are planned against the current management and board.


Parma want Evans

Tommaso Ghirardi has come out publicly stating what he wants to appoint Brescia manager Huw Evans as the new Parma boss. Evans was tipped for a move abroad following his promotion with Brescia but turned down a move to then Premiership Watford in favour of staying loyal to Brescia. Unfortunately Brescia were relegated to Serie B at the end of the season but Evans has made Brescia the commanding force in Serie B already as they have been marked clear favourites to win the division.

Parma are just 1 point off 2nd place in Serie A at the moment and with a little work some pundits believe they could challenge the more established big clubs who are currently faltering. So far there has been no comment from Evans.


Rumour Mill

Tomas Rosicky will revive his planned move to Ascoli in week 7 where he will stay for the remainder of the season on loan with the view to a permanent move.

Liam Riste is willing to listen to offers on top striker David Villa but only if he can land his top transfer target Adriano from Real Madrid.

Espanyol are planning a double swoop for Everton's Joseph Yobo and Midlesbrough's Aiyegbeni Yakubu.

Villarreal are looking for a new manager to back financially in the hope of moving up the table and League One leader Dave Davies-Evans is top of their list of candidates.

Sunderland will sign Gary Teale from Levante in a £2 million deal to add experience and width to their midfield in their push for the division title.

Celta Vigo are leading the race to sign Leicester striker Paulinho.

Real Sociedad have been put off a proposed move for young Sunderland striker Martyn Waghorn after the club slapped a £12 million price tag on him.

Real Madrid have been told they will have to spend over £15 million if they want long term target Joe Hart from Man City despite the Manchester club looking to change their squad.

Sevilla centre back Danny Gabbidon is close to signing for rivals Real Madrid.

Gabbidon's defensive partner Rafael Marquez is also soon to quit the club following numerous enquiries regarding in his services.

Maxi Lopez has back Craig Radford to deliver what all Man United fans want by storming away to and English trophy double.

Villarreal are looking for a new manager to back financially in the hope of moving up the table and Wigan boss Ashley Harris is top of their list of candidates.

*

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Monday 8th of June 2009 06:49:02 PM

Leeds United manager Dave Davies-Evans issues statement

As Leeds United manager Dave Davies-Evans arrived at the training ground, he was met by a hoard of journalists desperate to get some reaction from the Welshman regarding recent reports that he is favourite to take over at Spanish Premiera side Villareal. Davies-Evans had the following to say...........

I would like to take this oppertunity to put Leeds United fans minds at rest. There has been no contact from Villareal so it is currently purely speculation. I am of course flattered to be linked with a club of that stature and it means that we must be doing something right but, until there is an official approach made to the chairman, there is nothing really to talk about.

I am loving my time at Leeds United and it would take something special to prize me away from this great club but as I have said - at this point, it is merely speculation so there is nothing left to say.

If the club recieve an approach then we can look at the situation but Leeds United fans can reast assured that until that point, I will be going about my business in exactly the same way as I am commited to this football club.

Thanks, That's all I have to say.

Man City Statement.

The club would like to confirm that no offer from Real Madrid has been made for Goalkeeper Joe Hart, Joe is a vital part of our clubs future and it would take a fantastic offer to take him away from Eastlands. We would like to be upfront and honest with our fans and we can confirm that two clubs have been in talks with us about him and nothing has been done or likely to be done at this stage.

Manager Chris Hanton would like to re shuffle the squad but Joe Hart remains a major part of the managers plans and would like the player to stay at the club, but he says every player has a price.

Other News

Wes Brown has agreed a move away from Eastlands and will move in the next couple of weeks, the club would like to thank Wes who has been a great player for us over the last year since his move from Barcelona.




-- Edited by Rhino on Monday 8th of June 2009 08:14:41 PM

Liam Riste is willing to listen to offers on top striker David Villa but only if he can land his top transfer target Adriano from Real Madrid.

When asked by the press about this rumour, Riste responded;

" I would like to put this issue to rest here and now. David Villa has a great future ahead of him and it belongs at Aston Villa. Michael Owen and David Villa are priceless to our club and strikeforce. Even though I am aware that Adriano is a big name and a good striker, I haven't been approached, or approached Real Madrid on a deal for him. I don't intend on signing another striker this season as John Carew is stepping up his game to match his high profile strike partners; he proved this by scoring our only goal against Liverpool at the weekend. "

Riste also commented on the support shown by Villa Chairman Randy Lerner:

" Mr. Lerner has been fantastic. He has shown loyalty and ambition to the club by investing £15m into the club at the beginning of this season. I do intend on capturing more players, but it will only be on a temporary basis now as I have already used the budget to sign big names like Owen and Gattuso. I am delighted he believes in my ability to keep the club safe and will not let him or the fans down! We have to bite the bullet at the moment as we have slipped into the drop-zone, but as Randy and I have stated, teams that are also fighting to survive have had easier games, so our road ahead should be less rocky. "

-- Edited by Liam on Monday 8th of June 2009 08:36:14 PM

Nottm Forest (5th) v Leeds United (1st) (Davies-Evans v Davies-Evans)

Pre match press conference with Nottm Forest manager Steve Davies-Evans

Media - Steve, are your team ready for what will likely be a very tough game?

SDE - We we still have a couple of things to work on but I couldn't be happier with the way the players have trained this week.

Media - How have the Cardiff City players settled into training and the teams approach to the games?

SDE - Well I think that their performances on the pitch have shown that they have settled into the team very well and there is no difference in training. They are very good players that have obviously been well drilled by Stuart Price and we are very happy to have them in the squad.

Media - It has been highlighted that you have a very attack minded team but ahead of a game against a team that scores atleast 3 goals a game so far, what have you done to try and shut Leeds out?

SDE - Well there's no question that they have an attacking team also and like us - I think their defence isn't the strongest either so we will be looking to exploit that. I have confidence in my defence to do a job on their strikers and and hopefully keep them quiet.

Media - Do you plan plug your defence somehow?

SDE - Yes I've been working all week to bring in defenders and I hope to conclude a deal this week to bring in one Centre Back and I hope to bring in another from the Premiership next week. We have also contacted a good friend of mine about the possibility of bringing in another but as of yet, we haven't hear anything back but we hope something can be done. We feel that if we can shut teams out at one end, we have the players to create chances and score goals at the other.

Media - Is there to be a Cardiff City player joining this week?

SDE - Yes and we feel that Pietro Arcidiacono will give us a real cutting edge upfront and will hopefully form a formidable partnership upfront with Jonathan Howson. I'm hoping that we are really starting to build a good side and we want to give ourselves the best possibility of a decent season.

Media - Do you feel the pressure is on your brother this week?

SDE - I think it's totally on Dave!! They are top, they are in a great run of form and on paper - they should walk over us shouldn't they? We know however that football isn't played on paper and we wil be doing everything possible to get a positive result from the game and Dave and Leeds United know this so I can't imagine that they are too comftable.

Nobody has been able to beat Leeds so far this season.....

Media - Do you think you can?

SDE - I think it's possible but we know we have to be at our best and we need them to have an off day. If we can get a positive result from this game, I think it will show how far we've come but we are under no illusions, this is likely to be a very tough game and we are massive underdogs.....but that's how we like it!

Ratcliff Uninterested in 'Jacks' Opinions