Week 8

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 8

Football Academy · Cult Status

Leicester up for sale

Leicester have confirmed they are in talks with a bank over securing a loan to cover the huge £19 million debt the club still owes despite selling a number of players in recent weeks. The debt was too large to clear and as such a loan will be needed although the club are thought to be concerned at the interest and hope to sell their young talent quickly to minimise this effect.

No buyer has yet been confirmed for the club who lost their chairman when they went into administration. It is believed that a new owner would only have to cough up just over half a million pounds to buy the stadium rights and the team, however the large bank loan would also move into the possession of the new owner and it's believed a number of interested parties aren't interested in having to clear that debt.

Breaking News - FA Confirm Next Season Scouting Region Plans

Amidst much speculation about the locations for next seasons revamped club scouting networks, and FA statement released late this evening confirms a number of the high profile locations which will be used.

"FA can confirm that a South American scouting region will be in use from the beginning of next season. Accompanying this will be at least one European region."

Rumours suggest FA are looking into splitting Europe into an Eastern and Western Scouting region however this hasn't been confirmed. What clubs will be able to look forward to is the guaranteed mix of the South American flair in one single pool of talent as of next season.

Jozz · Cult Status

Luke_C · Cult Status

Week 8

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Sunderland v Nottm Forest - Pre match build up

N.F.F.C World today spoke to manager Steve Davies-Evans ahead of this weeks game with Sunderland.

NFFC World - Steve, many pundits etc are building up our game with Sunderland as one of the games of the season, do you see it that way?

SDE - Well I can see why they are saying that. On paper, it's 4th vs 3rd but I think you need to look alot deeper than that. We've said all along that we aren't really able to compete with the likes of Sunderland and Leeds of this world as they have much bigger squads and have much bigger targets than we do. I'm obviously aware of where we are in the league so many would say that we are competing with them which is a fair point but on a one-to-one game with these teams, we find it that bit harder due tho the quality of their teams.

NFFC World - You always speak of looking for a "positive" result from games, what would you class as a "positive result"?

SDE - Well obviously a win would be very positive and that's what we will be going for but if I was offered a draw now, would I take it? I think I probably would. We know that would keep Sunderland below us and we would have taken a point from one of the potential promotion chasers. It will be extremly hard to get those results though anyway, but even harder now that we hav lost our goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe through suspension.

NFFC World - How much of a loss will Ben be?

SDE - He'll be a huge loss! He's been in superb form for us since he I brought him in and in all fairness to Dale Roberts, it's not an area of the squad where we have much strength in depth.

NFFC World - Rumours are rift that you might actually be looking to bring in another goalkeeper on loan this week, is this true

SDE - Yes, if all goes well, we should be bringing in a current world cup winning goalkeeper who will give us a huge boost and I hope that fans will be excited by the fact that we are bringing in Gialuigi Buffon!

NFFC Word - Wow, I'm sure that fans will be very excited by that. How on earth has this come about?

SDE - Well we obviously have the link with Cardiff City and having spoken to Stuart [Price] last week, it became apparent that Buffon may be available so we obviously jumped at the chance to bring him in.

NFFC World - Finally Steve, we know that you have a good friendship with Sunderland manager Dale Price, has there been any banter between the two of you in the build up to the game?

SDE - Well anyone whoknows Dale will know that he lives for banter and there have been a few text messages that have been sent but I think that although he knows his side are heavy favourites for the game, I think he's secretly worried about this game after he saw how close we came to taking something from the Leeds game. Sunderland are chasing the championship so I think Dale and the team HAVE to win this game to get back on track!

Football Academy · Cult Status

Italian FA slam 'elite' performances

A member of the Italian board for FA spoke of his disgust at the performances Italian clubs have given in Europe. He was keen to point out this trend is not something limited to this season.

"Sampdoria told the media that Italian managers were something special but you look at the performances and you have to wonder what he saw in himself and his fellow managers. Sampdoria themselves have no points no goals and twelve against already in two games. AC Milan have no points and have conceded nine with a minus six goal difference already. Roma have no points and have only managed two goals. Juventus are currently second of group A and look set to be the only Italian side to qualify.

In recent seasons very few Italian teams have been successful in getting to the late stages of this competition. A look for the Italian teams to make it to the Semi Finals minimum shows this:

Season 1 - AC Milan losing finalists
Season 2 - AC Milan semi finalists
Season 3 - Inter Milan semi finalists

In four seasons, out of sixteen semi finalists, only three have been Italian. Whether teams look at Europe and put out reserves teams or not is no excuse. This is the elite stage and the stage managers should be using to show whether they are great managers as Mr Rollings stated. Italy is being put to the sword by England and Spain and it isn't acceptable."

The Italian FA also confirmed briefly that they would be in favour of splitting the European Cup and forming a UEFA Cup competition alongside to allow teams on a second tier of ability to compete across the three nations. As yet this idea hasn't been backed by any managers.

Luke_C · Cult Status

Italian FA comments disappoint Coakley.

AC Milan manager today came out fighting at comments regarding the form of the Italian clubs in Europe and claims his views were ignorant to the fact Italian football is in a state of transition.

"While stats will back up his case I find the comments very disappointing from someone who should be encouraging Italian football and not trying to demoralise the nation and the teams. Italian football was in a dire state only a couple of seasons ago and I can see clear signs of great things to come here, we (Serie A) are in a transitional period. I think it may take a couple more seasons for the clubs to be challenging for European honors but things are taking a step in the right direction."

"Italy does have some very exciting managers and I believe Serie A this year will be one of the most exciting leagues in Europe. Many different characters and different ways of managing and gradually over the seasons the quality is improving but now squads are being looked after and managers aren't allowing there squads to grow old together. When I took over at Milan they had some good quality players but they were aging, the average age of the squad was very very high and its near impossible to be challenging in Europe, in the league and in the cup with an old squad. We have to find that balance that has been successful in England and Spain and I don't think some clubs in Italy are far off."

"I have to be honest I don't like the idea of Milan playing in a UEFA Cup type competition, Milan need to be on the biggest stage and a second rate cup is not my idea of success for a club as big as Milan. We need to continue to improve as a club and come back strong and stronger and in time dominate the big stage. However I can see the positives in the smaller clubs like Roma taking part and gaining European experience."

-- Edited by Milan on Wednesday 1st of July 2009 03:49:21 PM

GarethGardner · Cult Status

Celta Vigo manager criticises old club !

Gardner makes a statement -

" All clubs should be extremely wary of dealing with my old club Leeds United. Dave in charge is a manager who does not keep to his word. Today I get a txt off him pulling out of a loan deal which he has been confirmed for over 3 weeks.This was not due to the nature of him forgetting,but due to him just getting in a different player to his beloved Leeds team. I see myself as a manager who likes to keep to his word. I arranged a deal with my feeder club this week, totally forgetting about our deal with Leeds Utd. I then re-arranged this deal due to me being a man of my word. Then this goes and happens. Im very upset with Dave at Leeds and will no longer be doing any dealings with him and i warn other managers to be very wary of doing so. Its not the 1st instance with Leeds and iv have now learnt my lesson. I also expect straight away to be barracked from his brother at Sheff Wednesday for writing media like this, but i am just putting my point across.There was also due to be a friendly between Leeds and Celta Vigo at the end of the season to generate a crowd at Leeds Utd (something that hasnt been seen since my reign there) to help with their finances. This has now also been cancelled.
As for my time at Vigo this year, im extremely happy with the job im doing so far. Its very nice to be steamrolling through the Segunda on the season which is due to be my transition year.Iv invested heavily in our youth system for the future and also brought in youth players to currently do the job at the moment.My team will not be quite ready for a crack at La Liga next season, but it will be more mature in around 3 seasons time"

-- Edited by GarethGardner on Friday 3rd of July 2009 08:14:53 AM

-- Edited by GarethGardner on Friday 3rd of July 2009 08:15:13 AM

GarethGardner · Cult Status

GarethGardner wrote:

Celta Vigo manager criticises old club !

Gardner makes a statement -

" All clubs should be extremely wary of dealing with my old club Leeds United. Dave in charge is a manager who does not keep to his word. Today I get a txt off him pulling out of a loan deal which he has been confirmed for over 3 weeks.This was not due to the nature of him forgetting,but due to him just getting in a different player to his beloved Leeds team. I see myself as a manager who likes to keep to his word. I arranged a deal with my feeder club this week, totally forgetting about our deal with Leeds Utd. I then re-arranged this deal due to me being a man of my word. Then this goes and happens. Im very upset with Dave at Leeds and will no longer be doing any dealings with him and i warn other managers to be very wary of doing so. Its not the 1st instance with Leeds and iv have now learnt my lesson. I also expect straight away to be barracked from his brother at Sheff Wednesday for writing media like this, but i am just putting my point across.There was also due to be a friendly between Leeds and Celta Vigo at the end of the season to generate a crowd at Leeds Utd (something that hasnt been seen since my reign there) to help with their finances. This has now also been cancelled.
As for my time at Vigo this year, im extremely happy with the job im doing so far. Its very nice to be steamrolling through the Segunda on the season which is due to be my transition year.Iv invested heavily in our youth system for the future and also brought in youth players to currently do the job at the moment.My team will not be quite ready for a crack at La Liga next season, but it will be more mature in around 3 seasons time"

predator · Cult Status

The sun was able to catch up with ex-wolves manager adam davies about linking him with a move back to spain

All i can say at this time i am moving back to spain because i have recieved a job offer from real betis and that i very happy moving back to spain because that where i started as a manager and to take over a club like a real betis a dream come true and i will do my best to get them back up the league

thank you for time mr davies

bigwave1927 · Cult Status

Yorkshire Echo

Good morning all we have managed a quick chat with Leeds manager Dave Davies-Evans in the Wake of the comments coming from Spain.

Dave good morning could you please clear up the comments made from Spain.

"No problem chaps, i had enquired about a deal some time ago and had heard nothing back from the manager. Late last night i recieved an e-mail from him stating that the deal would be going through this week. So i had to hounour the original deal that was made before the deal with Mr Gardner. As for past dealings we at Leeds have only ever loaned one player from Celta Vigo which went through no problem so i really dont know what he is on about this is not the first time.

Celta Vigo have cancelled a freindly against you is this true.

"I have never arranged a friendly with them this is something GG has cooked up in his small little mind, i will be looking for a much better team than them to play in a friendly as i feel if we played Vigo it would be no challange for my players."

So do you think this has harmed your name in the transfer market.

"good god NO i can pried myself in never having a failed deal and we are one of the best clubs to deal with, as many managers will back up."

Talking of transfers is it true that you have sold Niko Kranjcar?

"Yes Niko will be leaving this week a bid from a massive club came in for him that Leeds nor Niko could turn down. I sat down with the lad and disscused the offer and he was desperate to move on. But dont worry fans i have already sorted a replacement."

Any other deals coming in Dave?

"Yes we have a loan player coming in this week that will really strenghen our squad"

Cheers Dave

Thanks Guys

Fletch · Cult Status

Blades Boss Fletcher In Awe of Developing Talent at Bramall Lane.

Andy Fletcher had time to make some comments today to the Blades website.

" For us to be sitting second in the Championship is remarkable and full credit goes to the players, this league in football can be very transient for players and there are always a lot of transfers, in my mind I have a fixed plan, to bring through young talent where we can and surround them with experienced settled players.

Since I came in last season we have had very few movements, we have to deal in the loan markets but that can help me in looking at players before raising funds to buy, everyone knows we dont have any money here.

I think if young players know they will get a chance then they may be more inclined to look at what we can offer here.

Stephen Quinn came into the squad from the academy last season and settled straight in, that can only happen when the academy are perfecting our philosophy, sometimes you have to take a chance on a lad and see if he can do it, I have faith that they all can. Colim Marrison is another, he sat for a season on the bench then came in and blew the league away with our push for the play offs.

Momentum is now our focus, we must keep it going, sitting below us are 3 or 4 teams who can hurt us and we need to keep the points ticking over.

The play offs still remain my target but if you asked me if I could end the season now, in 2nd place, I would.

The players are looking forward to testing themselves against the best team this weekend, they will want to prove thay can match them all over the park, if they play 94 minutes with this attitude I can ask no more of them."

-- Edited by Fletch on Friday 3rd of July 2009 10:30:16 AM

Simon · Cult Status

Media shy Valladolid manager in support of Leeds manager

After the public outcry from Celta Vigo manager Gareth Gardener, Valladolid manager Simon Jenkins rallied to his good friend Dave Davies-Evans side:

'I have never had bad negotiations with Dave at Leeds, he is always helpful and responsive when I have been in contact with him. Normally I wouldn't take sides but Gareth is making a habit of speaking out in public and to be honest I would prefer to use my own experiences of manager to decide who I do and do not deal with rather than take his word.

'When Gareth spoke out about me, I took it personally - my reputation is important to me and I would have admitted if I had made a mistake, but the truth is that his allegations were completely untrue and I will not be unjustly slandered in public; something that I'm sure that most managers will concur with. Had Gareth apollogised to me then I would have bee gracious and hopefully we could have gotten our friendship underway once again. Unfortunately he did not and despiter not knowing the full details of the deal between Leeds and Celta Vigo I must side with Dave on the assumptions that Gareth is twisting the truth once again. Thank you for your time.'

Mr Jenkins then departed in prospect of his upcoming game against rivals Villareal.

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Nottm Forest v Sunderland

NOTTINGHAM FOREST manager Steve Davies-Evans has today spoken of his delight at his sides start to the season and whether or not his side loses this weekend, they will still be ahead of his projected pre season target.

Media - Steve, how are your players on the eve of what is going to be a very tough game?

SDE - They are in great spirits! When the fixtures come out, you always look when you are playing your rivals and when you are playing the big teams. Sunderland are obviously a huge team in this league and I'm sure we weren't the only team to look when we were playing them pre season. The players I have available and fit are pumped up to get something from this game.

Media - What do you think has gone wrong at Sunderland this season for them to be in 4h after 7 games?

SDE - I'm not sure to be honest. Dale is a decent manager and has experience of taking a team up from this league so it wasn't hard to see why Sunderand went for him but Norwich were a totally different animal to Sunderland and the league isn't quite like it was back then either. It's alot harder now and sometimes the pressure can get to you abit and when you are the promotion favourites, people will always be looking to shoot you down. To be fair though, Dale has a fantastic chance to claim back his 2nd place this week and he will be doing everything possible to get it.

Media - How much pressure is on your game?

SDE - Well I have made the point to the players that nobody is expecting us to beat Sunderland especially without our first choice keeper so if there is any pressure, it certainly isnt on us. Sunderland certainly need to get back on track and I think Dale will see this as a chance to get back above us. A point will keep them below us but we are also aware that there's a chance tht we can go 2nd this week and there's also a chance that we can finish 5th at the end f the weekend so my players will be focused.

Media - You must have seen the recent outburst from the Celta Vigo manager this morning, Would you like to comment?

SDE - I don't really no what to say [laughs]. Gareth seems to do this from time to time. He's picked fights with Drew at Chelsea, Dave at leeds and now it seems Simon at Valladolid. Not sure what he thinks he gains from this but in an arguement where he mentions me and that I am still the Sheffield Wednesday manager (Davies-Evans left that post last season), you have to question the other comments in there too. Gareth is a nice enough guy but I think he gets bored from time to time so likes to pick battles with managers that generally make him look silly. I hope that Gareth learns from this this as I'm not sure the Vigo fans are that pleased to see him spending more time and effort worrying about League 1 and it's managers that he does on his own team. I'd like to suggest to Gareth that if he's that interested in League 1 that he moves back to England......I hear Wolves are managerless? [laughs again]

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Friday 3rd of July 2009 12:54:30 PM

Football Academy · Cult Status

FA Issue Warning

FA have issued a warning to Simon Jenkins (Real Valladolid), and Gareth Gardner (Celta Vigo) for "improper use of the media" this afternoon. A spat surrounding the Vigo manager today got out of hand and the FA have moved swiftly to clarify this is not acceptable.

"Further misuse of the media will result in potential transfer bans or club fines. Managers Know how to use it, if they chose to ignore the rules they open themselves for penalisation. Any Private Messaging is just that, private. Should managers have issues they should be resolved in private email through the FA, not making Private Messages public. We are extremely disappointed with the developments, and unfortunately it's not the first time for Gardner."

FA also admitted they would consider sanctions on moderating media submissions before they were made available to everyone, if people couldn't be trusted.

pricey · Cult Status

Price talks before tonights game with Notts Forest

SSN Mr Price how are you and your side feeling about tonights game with one of your mates teams Steve Davis-Evans?

DP We are really looking forward to getting going now after last weeks result it was a shock to us all and we want to put it right this week.

SSN So you are confident of a win then yeah?

DP There is no point being in this game if you dont have confidence about you and your team I know the pressure is on us and has been all season due to past failings at the club and I am looking forward to turning that around this season.

SSN So Sunderland fans can look forward to playing in the championship next season then yeah?

DP Yes they should have been playing in there 2 seasons ago they defiantly should have been playing in there last season and this season without doubt they should be in the championship and I will take some of the blame for not getting them up last season. This season though Leeds are the biggest challengers but I think they will fall away.

SSN On to Leeds what do you think about the Leeds manager applying for the job at Everton?

DP Yeah I have hear that he put in for the job. He says that he went for it because he is a blue nose or whatever they call themselves but I think the real reason he went for it is cause he cant handle the pressure of league one with talk of managers not wanting to deal with him and unrest in the Leeds camp I have to say I dont blame him

SSN Thank you Mr Price for taking the time out to speak to us

DP No problem

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

Sky sports news have caught up with Welshman Ashley Davies.

SKY: Ashley, A resounding point or frustration?

Well, To be honest with you I am getting frustrated now, I have on only lost once since being here and drew the rest, Its not bad that we are picking up a point but I know I need to put more focus into club and push for them further 3 points each time. Our new signing Lago is settling in well, He ripped the defence open today, Hopefully next week, Himself and Snodgrass can combine for a stronger force, Our fans man of the match and my man of the match is Serhiy Predko, The young defender picked up his second goal today and was the key man in defence, Holding off a lot of shots these past weeks.

SKY: Thanks very much for the update, Hopefully all gets better.

Thanks very much for asking

-- Edited by Ashley-ccfc16' on Saturday 4th of July 2009 04:51:34 PM

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Sunderland 2-2 Nottm Forest - Post match interview with Steve Davies-Evans

Nottm forest faught back from 2-0 down to grab a last minute equaliser against Sunderland at the stadium of light and inturn mount even more pressure on the Sunderland manager Dale Price. Price who has guarenteed his players, board and fans that they will be playing Championship football next season have now slipped to 5th in the table and are 5 points from their target position of 1st place. We caught up with a boyant Steve Davies-Evans just after the game where he decleared his pleasure at his teams character.

Media - Steve, how much of a huge point is that?

SDE - It's massive! We always knew it was going to be hard to take anything from this game but to fight back from 2-0 down in the fasion that we did, shows that we have some young players with massive hearts here.

Media - It looked at one point like you were dead and burried, what did you say to them at half time?

SDE - Well I told them to believe in themselves more! Sunderland haven't been playing well and I was sure that if we kept plugging away and laying our own game, we could get something, I'm delighted that the boys put it into practice and they deserved that point for their endever.

Media - How much pressure do you think this mounts on Dale Price now? There was a loud chorus of boo's at the final whistel and many fans chanting for the managers head.

SDE - I think this is exactly the result Dale didn't need. I think they are now 5 points behind Leeds and I just can't see them getting that back. Even f they were to beat them now, they'd still be 2 points behind them and I just cant see Leeds losing twice. If I'm honest, I think that Dale should maybe stop concentrating on auto-matic promotion and maybe just make sure that he gets a playoff place as at the moment, it's looking touch and go.

Media - You now face Southampton, Charlton and Crystal Palce, with that run in, do you think there's a possibillity of Nottm Forest being in the top 2 by the mid-season break?

SDE - Well there's an oppertunity but it depends on many different things. We have to take maximum points from the three games mentioned and we would need to rely on Sheff Utd and Southampton slipping up but we aren't looking that far ahead. We are in a great position at the moment and having a great season. We are just aiming to secure our playoff place and results like today will go a big way to doing that. We have 14 very big games ahead of us between now and the end of the season and we are hoping that by the end of it, the fans will have something to be excited about.

Fletch · Cult Status

Sheffield United Manager Apologises to Fans

Blades boss Andy Fletcher said after their 2-0 loss at home to Leeds, "sorry, I got it wrong"

I tried to ensure we had a fluent midfield and that probably left us less effective up front than I wanted, I'm disappointed to conceded two, even though Leeds are a cracking team.

I have some loan commitments with managers for players to play games, thats why they lend them out and its a double edged sword, Ben Sahar had a difficult time up front on his own but he worked hard and fair play to him for keeping going.

Its back to the training ground on Monday and we prepare for another difficult game next week.