Week 13

richj363 · Cult Status

Week 13

Stu · Cult Status

Goal!

Citizens Show Potential

Two early goals were enough to steal a vital win for Man City against fourth place Liverpool. Aguero got the first and transfer listed Navarro added to talk of an exit when he didn't celebrate his goal for the second.

You must be pleased Stuart!
"The result shows this team has potential to achieve what the chairman wants them to. I don't want to get ahead of ourselves. We are a long way away from winning the league. Man United and Liverpool have better squads and Chelsea have a better team. This result does show we have some substance to our ambition and that is why I came here."

What did you think about Navarro's celebration?
"It was disappointing I want every player to be committed to the shirt until the day they leave the city. Navarro is going to Inter Milan next week and he showed he has quality with his goal. I just hope he leaves the attitude behind and tries hard for Jamie."

Will the new players be picked for next week?
"Mertesacker is a big signing for us it takes this team forwards a couple of steps. Denilson and Ramsey are players for the future. Ramsey was a big player for me at Cardiff but he needs to play in a team who can give him freedom to play. Chris at Parma is the perfect manager to bring him on in his ability as a player."

What do you think of all the new managers in your league?
"Gareth will do well at West Brom and Steve is showing he was the right choice for Blackburn. I enjoy reading the banter between Liam and Richard at Aston Villa and Spurs and the other new managers have spoken a lot about each other. It gives me something to read over my morning cup of tea and the more you people write about them is less room you can use to put pressure on me!"

Thanks Stuart

Stu - Man City

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

"Home advantage means the pressure is on Villa!" - Davies-Evans

Speaking to waiting journalists outside Blackburn's Brockhall training ground, manager Steve Davies-Evans has stated that Aston Villa will be seen as favourites for their relegation clash this weekend. Rovers who currently sit 3 points ahead of Villa will slip below the midlands team if they were to lose and Davies-Evans has also spoken that even a point could heap even more pressure on Spurs boss Richard Jeffries.

Media - Steve, huge game for you boys this week. What's going to be your plan of attack?

SDE - Well I don't think it's rocket science, we need to be positive. If we go to Villa Park and try and defend our way through that game, they will take us apart. We need to go there and play our own football. I believe that we have enough about us in the whole squad to do the job.

Media - Villa have a very good strike force and with you missing Distin for another game, do you worry that you will be able to cope with their attack?

SDE - We've obviously noticed their strikers and what they are capeable of but in all fairnes, their strikers havent been able to fire them up the league so far which means that hey must have other areas of their team where they are weak and we have targeted those areas and we plan to exploit them.

Media - Could the same not be said about your team though?

SDE - It could, but I havent been here all season so I think that we have already started to plug some of our weak areas as we showed against Bolton on the weekend. We feel that we will be able to have enough about us.

Media - We know that you have a decent relationship with the Villa manager Liam Riste, how do you rate the job he's done there?

SDE - Ah listem, Liam is a top guy. I think he's probably done as much as he could have done with the players at his disposal and he's managed to bring in top players lik David Villa, Michael Owen and Gattusso amoungst others which means that he's got enough about him to go and target players when they are needed. I don't think he's finding the pressure of the relegation battle too comftable but then all this is character building if nothing else.

Media - Who do you see yourself up against in this relegation battle between now and the end of the season?

SDE - Well I think Bolton and Coventry have gone which means that there's only one relegation place left and I think that West Brom under Gareth [Gardner] will lift themselves so it really is only us, Villa and Spurs left in there. Many will say that because Richard and Spurs are in the relegation dog fight for the second year running, Richard may have the experience but he also has the best team down there and the most money so really, you have to be expecting them to comepete more than they have.

Media - Are you saying that you expect Spurs to escape the drop?

SDE - Well they have to don't they? When you look at their team, they are far too good to be anywhere down there. Whether it's because Richard can't get enough out of his players or whether he hasn't bought well, you will have to ask him but the simple fact is, they have a good enough team to get out of the relegation zone as it is and he now has £17m to spend - the pressure is clearly on him to buy players that will make sure that he's not in there. Obviously that isnt good news foor ourselves or Villa but it will make sure that it goes to the wire.

Media - Why do you think a team as big as Spurs are down ther?

SDE - Well I can't be sure for definate as I'm not around White Hart Lane on a daily basis but when they attracted Chris Hanton there in the past, I felt they had a manager that had the capeabillity to really take them forward and I felt he was doing that with the signings he made. After his departure, I think Spurs needed to appoint a manager that was as strong if not better and the fact that they have been in the dog fight for the second year running under Richard Jeffries] would suggest that they didnt do that. As I said though, I'm sure the Spurs fans, board and the rest of the football world are waiting with baited breath to see his new signings as he's already claimed that they will be good enough to save him so lets hope forhis sake, they are!

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Monday 3rd of August 2009 10:43:45 AM

richj363 · Cult Status

Speaking to journalists at the Spurs training ground Richard Jefferies responded to recent comments from Steve Davis Evans.

Media What is your reaction to Mr Davis Evans comments about your position in the league and use of transfer money.

RJ Well i think his comments are slightly confused, for a start when i took over here half way thru last season we were bottom of the table so i think to finish last season where we did was a good effort, As far as my transfers i realise i may have been guilty of selling experienced players and buying some younsters but i think that is what the club needed at that stage. And the 17m i have to spend at the moment came from transfers and 10M from the board. I think maybe Steve is a little jealous. Thats why he tried to get Adebayor from me for a paltry 7.0M last week ha ha.

This season has been slightly disappointing but most of the games we have lost we have lost by the odd goal, But i am certain we are moving in the right direction and that we will stay up and in fact Mr Levy has just visited the training ground to say how upbeat he is with what is going on.

Media So how do you see the season panning out.

RJ Well i think it will be exciting with 5 teams battling to stay up. Bolton i think are gone but i see Coventry, Villa , Blackburn, West Brom and ourselves battling for the other places. I dont think the fact we survived last year has much bearing on what will happen this year. We are all determined not to be relegated but two of us will be. So lets bring it on, my lads are more than ready.

Thanks Guys

JOP · Cult Status

JOP Speaks to "R" the local Reggina Fanzine.

R: You've settled well here in Reggina, your sitting in a playoff place is that what you expected and where do you want to finish?

JOP: I have settled well, to be honest I haven't been surprised with our start, we have an excellent bunch of lads here and nobody thinks they are better than anyone else. The attitude is spot on and we are really enjoying are current possition.

R: Is the squad the way you want it now? Are there anymore faces your bringing in?

JOP: Well, when we do bring in new faces I have promised one to Michael Ball because that guy is so old, he is desperate for a new face! Ha Ha.

R: Brilliant!

JOP: Nah, all seriousness there will be new faces, we have 3 players leaving in the next couple of weeks, The Fig, Vaz and Cannavaro will be leaving us they have all been superb at this club and we wish them all the best.

R: Anyone coming in?

JOP: Coming in we have a young talented striker and and a very good defensive midfielder who has plenty of life left in him.

R: Last week seen the arrival of Trevor Carson, what the fans are wondering is why you have brought a player in that at his old club he was known as "Spazy Trev" this doesn't sound good for Reggina, what is the logic?

JOP: I had Trev at Sunderland and he is an outstanding professional, he is still very young and has plenty of time to develope and thats what we want to do is develope him in to a cracking keeper that in 5 years he will be wanted by many clubs and still he will only be 26.

R: So Jop, last question, what is you goal this season and your future goal for Reggina?

JOP: This season is to maintain a playoff spot and then if/when we are in the playoffs, anything can happen.

JOP: My ultimate goal is to build a squad that is young and talented and the moment who then develop in to world class players, from that we will hopefully be in Serie A and challenging for cups.

R: Thanks and look forward to the future with you at the helm.

JOP: Thanks and safe journey home.

Liam · Cult Status

Liam Riste was interviewed by Sky Sports News today after this weekends football. Here's what he had to say...

SSN: A 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, just how disappointed were you with the result?
LR: Arsenal haven't been playing at their best this season and we knew that. I am not disappointed at all by the result as Arsenal were the better team this weekend and we managed to stay in the game even though they had a good 9 shots on target!

SSN: The weekends other results saw Spurs pick up a point against Utd and Blackburn beat Bolton, what were your initial thoughts after hearing these results?
LR: Everyone was expecting Blackburn to get 3pts from Bolton as the haven't picked up a point yet this season. So that was no surprise to anyone, lets be honest. Spurs got a point out of Utd who, if I'm being picky, played out a weaker team than expected. Spurs capitalised on this by grabbing a point. I'm not concerned by other results this half of the season as I am mainly focusing on what we as a team achieve from games.

SSN: What do you mean by this? Focusing on your team achievements from games?
LR: Hah, yes sure. If you look at how the first half of the season finished, I ended up outside the relegation zone by 4pts. This means that if all teams mimic the first half results, then the second half of the season will see Aston Villa clear of relegation... So at the moment, I am hoping that the games we got points in in the last half, we can match or earn bonus points during the second. First game this season we lost to Arsenal so this week we haven't lost or gained any points on our projected total; unlike Spurs who gained a point. However, we have 4pts to play with from the first half.

SSN: So you have added that Spurs gained 'a bonus point' this weekend, how does this affect you?
LR: Well our goal difference is slightly worse, so that point was buying me time as I have the big 3 over four games now! So now if I lose and Spurs win, they rise above me after one game... It's not that crucial though and they have to up their game from their poor performances in the first half of this season.

SSN: Spurs have been invested in and have around £17m budget to buy players in, what is your opinion of this?
LR: Well I personally think the chairman was right to invest in the club. He obviously thought the manager wasn't capable of saving the team by himself and needed a hand. I don't have a problem with this as I know that being in the relegation zone adds pressure to any manager's shoulders. I do think though that this is the last roll of the dice for Spurs as after investment, a failure to survive would result in Rich's head rolling. The investment will have added pressure to perform on Rich and even though he has been here once before, it still doesn't make life anymore comfortable for him.

SSN: You have Blackburn this weekend. With your friend Steve Davie-Evans in charge. Any comments on this big game?
LR: It is a six-pointer for sure and having only drew away means we are eyeing up 'two bonus points'. We will be going all out for the win but will still remain as focused as always! Last time we met, I underestimated them and we conceeded a silly equaliser, but I assure you, this time I mean business and friendship aside, I want to record a decent win.

SSN: Steve Davies-Evans is a friend but also a relegation rival, what will be your attitude towrds each other this weekend before and after the match?
LR: Steve and I are good friends who keep in touch alot. We will obviously both be looking for bragging rights after this week, but during the 90mins we will be focused on the job at hand. After the match, regardless of result, we will have a few drinks and a discussion as always. Neither of us want to see the other drop but no favours will be given in this game that's for sure.

SSN: Steve recently passed comment on your wine cellar and how poor it is. Any comments?
LR: (laughing) Well I'm not a big fan of wine so I'm sure it isn't as good as others. I have told him though that if he wants to bring something for me to drink, any Cider is good! Unless it's as rough as his football...

SSN: (laughs) Well I think we best leave it there for now, thanks.
LR: No problem, cheers.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Roma defeat unconcerns Rollings

Sampdoria arguebly suffered their worst loss of the season In an attritional affair against struggling Roma. The result was made worse by the fact that Rollings' men failed to score in the league for the first time this season.

The outspoken manager discussed his teams impotency and allayed his fans fears when addressing journalists in the post match press conference.

"We know we are now in transition. We are part way through adopting a new system and although I didn't think we were quite ready yet playing with it today answered some pretty important questions. We struggled to move the ball forward quickly enough and then support the front two on the break. Colin (Kazim-Richards) had an okay debut but has shown he is still learning at this level and will go out on loan to Jackie Yeo at Gimnastic to get some valuable experience."

This week also saw the departure of highly rated right back Miguel Torres, a player Rollings only recently described as "Untouchable".

"It was sad to see Miguel go, but we have to make sacrifices to go forward. Regalon and Sosa won't be with us too long but with deals for them we can bring in players we need! We will be signing Alou Diarra and Migi Nieto from Fiorentina over the next few weeks and they will offer us a much more solid base with which to play our system!"

The revolving door at Stadio Ferrais also looks set to continue with Rollings confirming he was awaiting on the registration and medical results of up to 3 other young stars.

"we will be in a lot better position to move forward come next season. I have finalised a deal for a good centre half, talented young midfielder, not to mention a deal for Blackburn's Nsofor Victor Obina. All will be welcome additions!"

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Blackburn aren't jealous of being in the relegation zone! - Davies-Evans

At his his official Pre-Match press conference, Blackburn Manager Steve Davies-Evans spoke of tactics, transfers and the lack of jealousy at Ewood Park!

Media - Good morning Steve, firstly...We here that the weather this weekend is due to be dreadful. Will this hamper your passing game?

SDE - Well it's bound to have some sort of affect but we clearly have some very good players that can pass the ball in all weathers so I'm sure that we will still be able to get it around the park the way we like to.

Media - We have heard Liam Riste calling this a "six-pointer", is that how you see it?

SDE - Well, I suppose it is yeah. We are currently 3 points ahead of them but they have a decent goal difference which means a win for them would but them above us. That all means that if we manage to beat them, we will put 6 points between us and them and if Spurs lose, we will put 10 points between us and Spurs so it's a big game for many reasons which is why we will be going all out to get the rsult we want.

Media - Liam [Riste] has also mentioned that he feels his wine cellar may not be up to your expectations and he suggests that you take some Magners Pear Cider with you to the game. Will you be taking him up on his request?

SDE - To be honest, I don't mind doing that but I'm hoping that Liam is so down after the game that he will want a can of Special Vat and to sit in the door way of "Boots" sobbing into is beer [laughs]. Liam is a good lad and if the boy wants cider, we'll give him some top Lancastrian Cider!

Media - Steve, You've also been accused of being jealous by the Spurs manager Richard Jeffries regarding the transfer budget they have at their disposal, would you like to comment?

SDE - Yeah that made me chuckle! Jealous of being in the relation zone with the axe firmly hanging over my head? I think Richard lives in a different world most of the time, possibley why Spurs are struggling again this season? We have been informed of Richards signings that are due to come in and lets just say that if he can't get out of the relegation zone with these players then Mr Levy will no doubt be reviewing the managers position come the end of the season. They are due to being in some very good players that "should" make a difference to his team. As I have said, he hasn't been able to get the best out of the current lot so lets hope for his sake, he manages to get the best of of this lot. You do have to ask the question whether making wholesale changes to a team at this point in the season is that desperate though? We too will be making changes but I have only just got here and I feel the squad was slightly mis-managed by the previous manager, I don't think Richard has the same excuse.

Media - Steve you play Spurs in 2 weeks time, will this feud add extra spice to the game?

SDE - Not really, I have no personal issue with Richard, I don't know him well enough to make a personal attack but I can only go on what I see and where a club like Spurs currently sit. If he pulls it out of the bag again then Im sure the Spurs fans will be singing his name, if they don't pull it around then the only autograph he will b giving if at the jobcentre when he signs on.

Tezza · Cult Status

ATALANTA Thrashing.

Fletch · Cult Status

Week 13

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Aston Villa 2-1 Blackburn

Davies-Evans takes positives from a bad day at the office!

Blackburn manager Steve Davies-Evans spoke to the media at his post match press conference where he would not accept that the Blackburn are set for relegation after a series of dreadful results for the Rover boss.

Media - Steve, Firstly....It must be very hard to lose a game like that to a bitter rival but then to find out that Spurs beat West Ham couldn't have come as much comfort?

SDE - Well I am very disappointed to lose our game. I think that we did enough to get something from the game but it wasn't to be. I have a fairly down dressing room at the moment but the boys will be back on the training pitch and ready to fight on. As for Spurs, no doubt that they will be very happy with thier result and credit to Richard but we still have 3 points on them at the moment so we will continue to make sure that is the case.

Media - How pleased were you to see Jay Bothroyd score on his debut?

SDE - I'm very pleased for Jay. I think he was a handful to the Villa defence all game and I was delighted to see him get his goal. I was always confident that he could make the step up and although there's a long way to go, It's pleasing to see him willing to fight for the cause. Jay is a goalscorer and I hope he continues to prove that.

Media - You now have a very tough game against Liverpool, can you get something from that game?

SDE - It'll be hard, Steve [Esdale] is a very good manager and they are fighting at their end of the table but I feel that we can get something yes.

Media - Any transfers this week Steve?

SDE - Many, I will let you know when they have all signed their contracts.

With that, The Rovers boss upped and left the room.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Friday 7th of August 2009 01:20:56 PM