Week 14

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 14

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Ascoli 2-1 Cagliari

Ascoli manager Jonny Sinclair was pleased to see his side record only their fourth win of the campaign at home to Cagliari with goals from Amauri and James Vaughan. However their is unrest with reports of increasing pressure on Sinclair by the board and Ascoli fans.

Jonny are you pleased with the manner of the victory?

Yes i'm pleased how we attacked them right from the start and we were rewarded early on and we carried on and got another one im disappointed though we let them back in the game cheaply our defence need a clean sheet because we just can't seem to keep one at the moment

Recent media news says you are under pressure from the board and the fans is this true despite this victory?

Well i think this is true for eery manager they have pressure from the board and fansto do well the problem is i have a squad very capble and weare not achieving our target so yes im under pressure we hae so much qualty youth players but they need to develop and sadly this taking time and we are not hitting our target so maybe i might need to change the policy i have and maybe sell a few of youngsters and bring a few experienced players in. I just hope the fans and board can be patient with me I did help us get promoted and i know i can get this team in Serie A again sooner rather than later.

-- Edited by Sinky2707 on Sunday 9th of August 2009 11:28:05 AM

Simon · Cult Status

Interterview with Valladolid manager Simon Jenkins

How do you feel the season is going so far

'Well I can't complain. With the arrival of a new Chairman at the end of last season we were given a new target which we have far surpassed in the first half of the season. We've also had a couple of new arrivals this season who have bolstered our numbers and improved the team. And after several poor seasons in the feeder club department something solid seems to have been sorted which I believe both parties are content with'.

You mentioned new arrivals. What is you opinion of the comments released regardings Fabio Quagliarella's transfer request?

'That's nonsense. I keep all my players in the know regarding potention and arranged transfers and loans both into and out of the club. Fabio was delighted to have Saviola arrive at the club. They have both come from the Italian leagues and dispite their different playing styles I'm sure they will gel fine. David Cortez will be departing on loan in a few weeks time in order to guarantee him constant first team football which will mean that Fabio will be on rotation to maintain fitness; the same as he was prior to Javier's arrival at the club'.

Rumour has it that Jesus is interested in moving to England at some point, what's the story behind this?

'Jesus is a fantastic player and there are very few players like him, particularly at his age. Several clubs in England have been chasing him since he emerged from the Valladolid youth academy several seasons ago and I think that rumour was just wishful thinking. Valladolid has been his home since the star of his career and I hope he will continue to play in this country. Besides, England is no match for Spanish football, we have more flair and excitement without the petty sqabbles and obvious divide in class'.

Finally Sergio believes that Valladolid must push for a high spot if you are going to challenge the top 4 as stated in previous media. Any comments?

'Haha, Valladolid in the media is like catching a bus; you wait for ages for one to come along and three arrive at once! I'm pleased that my players are not dismissing my aims immediately. Our position at the moment shows we have increased our constant mid-table finish of the past few seasons into a team who is challenging the top third of the table. We have a young squad who are less likely to suffer fitness issues and I would hope we could use that advantage to reel in the gap between us and Valencia. Espanyol are a tough side but wont realise their full potential untill the bring in a new manager and Atletico Madrid are fast becoming our rivals this season! Paul is a friend of mine and I look forward to our upcoming cup game and the final week where we see who has come out on top'.

Thank you very much.

'Any time'.

richj363 · Cult Status

Tottenham press conference

Media-- Can you tell of your feelings after last weeks result at West Ham

RJ -- Well i have felt it had been coming for a number of weeks, we have been playing really well without really getting rewarded. We just need to keep that level of performance for the rest of the season.

Media-- So what do you make of the other results.

RJ-- Well generally i think the results were good for us, but to be honest we have to keep doing what we are doing and make sure we dont have to rely on other people for help, I'm sure Steve is feeling the pressure now as defeat at Villa has put them right up against it. I'm sure Liam was delighted with the win and hope he enjoyed his cider afterwards. People seem to be making a lot of this feud i am supposedly having with Liam but there is nothing in it just two managers doing there best for there clubs.

Media-- So new faces this week then?

RJ -- Yes i am delighted to have brought in Xavi and Joleon Lescott from Athletico. Xavi is a fantastic player who will bring some flair and creativity to our play and Joleon is a quality centre back who will add to our already impressive defence. Steed has gone out on loan but we have two exceptional wide players coming in later this week so things are looking really good.

Media-- Thanks for your time

RJ-- Your welcome

Fletch · Cult Status

Sheffield United Swap Bramall Lane for Malaga

The players from Sheffield United today boarded a plane for a short flight to Spains Costa and a mid season training camp.

Fletcher said.

" The boys have worked hard this season and with a change in personnel happening this week we thought a week away will be good for a change of scenery and team bonding"

"Obviously we have two new centre backs in O'Halloran and D'Urso to intergrate as well as the experience of Gavin Mcann."

"I have a plan for some small improvements from next week and we will go into the tough clash at Crystal Palace with a slightly different core. We are working on these things tomorrow after a run around the golf course (without clubs) and some work in the hotels swimming pool. The diet and climate here is always a positive in developing new regimes for the club, we are aiming to be at the forefront of sports science."

-- Edited by Fletch on Monday 10th of August 2009 11:08:41 AM

tonymdf · Cult Status

Woods Reminds Santos He is a Striker.......

Middlesboro Manager Tony Wood responded to new Loan Signing Giovanni dos Santos 'demands to be the centre of the team plan and the first name on the team sheet'

If Santos was a GK he would indeed be number 1 on my team sheet but he has come here to develope his skills as a striker, he is central to our aim of promotion by being at the other end of the field and putting a few goals away, having secured the services of Valencia's highly rated LM Aaron and the iminant arrival of another top class Striker Middlesboro will be playing free flowing attacking football, I have put my faith in his unproven ability and am providing him an opportunity to show the world how good he is....I will not bow to player demands however there are no superstars in my team only hard working players that work for each other so Dos Santos might have the talent but he needs to produce...

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley wont give up on double

Luke your first lose of the season to Fiorentina, is that the title race over?

"of course not, we play Inter Milan this weekend and no doubt that is a massive game for our season but its not over. As many pundits have pointed out this is the league no one wants to win and while its not true the clubs dont want to win it we are making a mess of it (laughs). We have drawn way to many games and havent really clicked this season yet. We are still improving and looking for that certain player to make things click."

You mention the double, realistically is the cup yoru best chance this season now?

"No, we are going out full belt to win both and we will see what happens come the end of the season."

You say you still looking for that certain player to make things tick, are we likely to see any further deals?

"Yes we are signing Palermo from Blackburn this week, we believe with the service our midfield provides he will thrive in Italy. We would also love to be able to sign a defender this week, a fee has been agreed however the payment structure may be a problem, we hope not."

And that will be it for the season?

"We also have a high quality and experienced left back and midfielder coming in to help the squad. As for permanent transfer that could be it unless we recieve an offer we think can help us improve. We have to remember we have Swinstiger and Kallstrom coming back having gained much needed experience next season so we may have that key player already on the books."

-- Edited by Milan on Monday 10th of August 2009 04:54:49 PM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings cools Espanyol link

Sampdoria boss Mark Rollings has moved to distance himself from reports linking him to a move to Barcelona based Espanyol. Spanish paper Marca published a story earlier this week suggesting the board at Espanyol had identified the young welsh manager as "an easy target" to acquire after Rollings displayed tentative glances away from his Italian base. Speaking at the launch of his clubs new Fanzine Rollings looked to quash such debate.

"I can assure everyone at Espanyol and Marca newspaper I am not an easy target. I have clarified my future numerous times over the last few weeks so won't bore you all with that now. Bottom line I am manager of Sampdoria and barring a ground shattering offer will be come the start of next season."

Rollings also served a warning to the Spanish club, that they shoul not expect to attract a big name under the current circumstances.
"Espanyol don't have the pull of a Seville or Real Madrid, and certainly play second fiddle to city rivals Barcelona. They have potential, but are in one of the most competitie leagues in Europe and major investment would need to be provided for them to step out of this shadow! I have beard reports that Chris Mort may look to invest heavily and that's something that could make a big difference. Chris is a football man and a great guy and more importantly he backs him managers. His arrival would make a big impact!"

Stu · Cult Status

Manchester Can Dominate

Manchester City managed a poor 1-0 win against West Brom this week. The new signing from Arsenal showed he was worth the money spent on him by getting the only goal. Denilson thumped the air and kissed the Manchester City badge in celebration to show he had no regrets about his move

A poor game must have you scratching your head Stuart?
"We played a weak team and I was hoping we could get the three points still. It was a lot closer than I wanted but the three points are there so we have to move on. Gareth is going to make West Brom a hard team and three points now will look a good result when he starts to get results against the other big teams"

You must be happy with the debut from Denilson?
"It was nice to see him score but I have told him he is here to learn from Mertesacker and I don't expect many goals from him in the future"

Can you tell us about the three bids you have made?
"We would like Ribery to come in to let Davis leave. Kompany is an ideal player for this team and Sanchez looks like he could be one for the future. We will have the money next week but if we lose out on them I will be looking for targets in the countries closer"

What do you think of the Premier League fight?
"I think it is exciting. It is nice that Chelsea are not the only team there this season. Liverpool have a very strong team and a great manager but I think they have to start trying to find some young players for the future and that could put pressure on their results. I really think Manchester could be the new capital of football in England. Craig is going to push Chelsea all the way this season and next season we might even be there with them"

What about Serie A?
"A league that is close doesn't make it a good league. They all lose and draw to many games and they have shown how good they really are in europe but it gives the newspapers in Italy something to write about when they are not covering English football!"

Thanks Stuart

Stu - Man City

tonymdf · Cult Status

Marcelo Zalayeta to end career with Juventus

Middlesboro manager Tony wood today confirmed Marcelo Zalayeta will play his farewell game this weekend against Wigan before jetting off to see out his career with Juventus as part of the Dos Santos loan deal

Zalayeta has been a magnificant player for Middlesboro over the years and even tho he will be 35 soon I did try and persuade him to play for another year, when he declined i felt it fitting that he play out his days at the highest level and am happy for a more development player to come in so Marcelo can go off and compete against the likes of AC Milan, Florentina, Genoa, Lazio & Roma competing for the coverted Serie A Title.

I am hoping that maybe we could invirte him back in a coaching capacity so hopefully he will not hang up his boots totally but I would like to personally wish him a happy retirement and wish him all the best in what ever he decides to do in the future.

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

Davies Preparing for next season!

Liam · Cult Status

RE: Week 14

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

"ROVER TIME"

Match Day programme "Rover Time" speaks to Rovers boss Steve Davies-Evans on last weeks results, looking forward to Liverpool and potential signings.

Rover Time: Steve, How hard was last weekend for you and the club?

SDE - Well it's was obviously a blow to lose to your rivals and we then heard thr Spurs score which didn't exactly cheers us up but it's one of those things! I have said that with the squad Spurs have plus the money they have been given, they were always favourites to climb out of there so they are only doing what alot of people expected. I still think that it will beout of ourselves and Villa and the fact that they have beaten us will give them the psychological advantage but we still feel we have enough to climb out of there and survive this season.

Rover Time: We saw comments from your friend Liam [Riste] regarding the relegation fight, do you fel it makes it harder when you are up agaiinst a close friend?

SDE - Well as much as I like Liam, this is our football club and we don't want to go down which for me means, that we want Villa to be relgated but that's the hard nosed business view of things. Obviously if Villa were to go down, I would feel gutted for Liam as it would tough on them but my first thoughts are for this football club, Liam will be doing the same.

Rover Time: A tough game for Rovers this week up against Liverpool, is this a bridge to far to bounce back from the Villa defeat?

SDE - To be honest, we have a few players struggling for fitness at the moment and will miss the game as they needed to be rested in order to keep them fit for the games we see as key games. The games against the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea are seen as "Bonus points" games which means that if we were to get a result against them, it's a bonus as we feel our season is based around games against teams down there with us.....like Arsenal [winks].

Rover Time: Since you have taken over, there have been many changes to the first team, will this continue this week?

SDE - Yeah we have struck up a deal with AC Milan for them to take Martin palermo to the San Siro. Although Martin is a great player, he is coming to the twilight of his years now and we received a bid from Luke at Milan that we feel was just too good to turn down. It will give us some cash that will go towards bringing a Central Midfilder next week and also cover in a couple of positions.

Rover Time: Is relegation a possibility now and would you stay on if Rovers weren't to beat the drop?

SDE - Well It's a possibility as we are only 3 points outside the relgation zone but IF we were to drop down to the Championship, I wouldn't want to go anywhere. I have only just started my job here and I have big plans for the club over the next few seasons so if we were to go down, I am confident that we would be stronger for it and we would make a very quick return back to the Premier League. We have a few players that are retiring so we clearly need to replace them with players that can still do a job for us which is pretty hard considering we were in debt when I took over. I do think that now we are out of debt, we can start moving on and I expect to have a decent squad together by the end of the transfer window.

Rover Time: Lastly Steve, There will be a break after this weeks games, do you have any plans for yourself and the squad?

SDE - Well there will be a week break so we will be taking the team to training camp in Dubai where we will work on things that I feel we currently lack. It will be good to get away from everything so that we focus on the job at hand.

richj363 · Cult Status

Jefferies reaction to recent comments

The Evening Standard caught up with Spurs Manager Richard Jefferies to ask him about his reaction to recent comments from Blackburn and Villa managers. Steve at blackburn said you should never have been in the position you are and Liam said you called his team rubbish and have never apologised, What are your thoughts.

RJ Well i am beginning to think Steve and Liam have got together to try and upset the good things we have got going at Spurs, I know they are good mates but surely when it means one of them going down you would think they could come up with a better plan. My players, staff and Directors are not going to be influenced by comments made. I didn't call Villa rubbish i just made a comment that they didn't have much strength in the team apart from their front players, and i still stand by that comment and don't feel i have anything to apologise for.

I admit that perhaps we should of done slightly better than we have but we are not in a position yet to challenge for a european place, and even the great Steve Davis-evans wouldn't be able to do that with the squad i had.

I am confident we can stay up and if they want to keep this feud going then good luck to them because they are the ones who may have taken their eye off the ball.

We are on the up and they are running scared so have to try and affect me in other ways.

Thanks

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans: "Jeffries clearly feeling paranoid!"

Rovers manager Steve Davies-Evans has spoken out with amusement after watching the latest ramblings from Spurs boss Richard Jeffries. The Spurs boss has been quick to shoot his mouth off recently which has conviniently co-insided with their positive results and Davies-Evans has stated that there seems to be an air of "Sing when you're winning" attitude at White Hart Lane.

When asked how he'd like to respond regarding the recent comments coming out of the backside of Mr Jeffries, Davies-Evans responded with a humour...

"Yeah bless him, they must be so bored at White Hart Lane if this is what get's him off! Rich has been fairly quiet all season and then they put one or two results together and suddenly, you can't shut him up. Sing when you're winning anyone? Possibley! Rich has called me "Great" which would be a compliment coming from a manager that I respected so I guess I will have to take this comment with a pinch of salt shall I? It's a shame that Spurs hadn't done better all season or fans of Richard Jeffries would have heard him every week, I hear they are thinking of making a "Jeffries Podcast" now so that everytime they win and he makes a bumbling statement.....they can put it on audio. They were going to do it from the beggining of the season but apparently up until now, they didn't have much material to use. Nevermind, I'm sure Richard will have plenty to say now that the board at Spurs have had to bail him out rather than let him do his job and rest on his own managerial ability to pull them out of the brown, smelly stuff. Personally,I think It takes a proper manager to pull a team away from the relagation zone without money so if Spurs are to survive, I guess Spurs fans will have to wait yet another year to find out if their manager actually has any other skills other than giving Daniel Levy a Santa Clause style wish list. Maybe St. Nicholas is a Spurs fan afterall?

Merry Xmas Richard! Looks like you've been a good boy."

With that, Davies-Evans laughed and carried on into the Blackburn training ground.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Wednesday 12th of August 2009 12:55:16 PM

richj363 · Cult Status

Jefferies rambling again

Spurs boss Richard Jefferies continued his rambling on wednesday night after reading Steve Davis-Evans comments.

"If you look back over the season i have made just as many comments when not winning as i have when we have won, Just because my face and comments are not all over the press like a certain person does not mean i am in hiding, i think the podcast is a terrific idea and will be putting one together in the near future to deal with staying up and who knows i might even mention a certain Lancashire club slipping down into the championship !!!"

Fletch · Cult Status

Give it a rest now boys, with all due respect its a message board for press articles !

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans: "Spurs failing more than Rovers!"

On reading Richard Jeffries recent sparkling media onslaught, Blackburn manager Steve Davies-Evans has claimed that even if Rovers were to be relegated, it's what many expected whereas the fact that Spurs are even anywhere near the relegation zone is a massive failing in itself.

Davies-Evans on Jeffries comments.......

"Yeah I took all of 30 seconds to read Richards comments. I'm glad that Richard liked my idea of a podocast, I'm sure there are insomniacs all over the word waiting with bated breath for it to come out so they can use it in order to beat their condition!

I think Richard is getting a little bit silly in all honesty. Rovers came up through the playoffs last season and as I have said before, have been mis-managed by the previous manager so have a squad nowhere near the pedigree of Spurs so we have still done pretty well. I would go on record in saying that had I been hear from the start of the season, this football club would not be fighting relegation but it is. Richard forgets that he has both a very talented squad and money to call on this season and he is still in the relegation zone. I put it to him to deny that it's been another very bad season for Spurs? How much longer will the fans and Mr Levy put up with it....you will have to ask Mr Levy!

I have always stated since my arrival that we have had to totally change this squad in order for us to build and as we had 4 key players announce retirment, it was always gonna be up an uphill struggle but I am delighted with the way the squad is taking shape and I believe that if we were to go down, we would come straight back up and actually be in a stronger position as we were this season. Richard did to a good job with Zaragoza as he dealt witht he pressure of being favourites to go on and win the league but Spurs are too much of a big club to be fighting relegation and surely he can't feel proud of the fact that the Spurs board have to plough him with money in order to keep him up? It clearly states that they don't have confidence in his managerial ability and feel they have to step in themselves."

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Thursday 13th of August 2009 02:09:14 PM

Stu · Cult Status

New Website

Citizens Website Relaunch

Manchester City relaunched their website this week with help from the new manager Stuart Price. Price has incorporated a section on the academy like he did when he was at Sevilla and he believes the academy is an important part of the club

How important was it to have the Academy involved in the site?
"I always try to work with some young players. I think if a manager can develop players he leaves a legacy behind him. I hope people will associate me with Sevilla even 3 seasons after I left them and I hope Wales will remember the changes I made at Cardiff now I have gone. I wasn't at Cardiff for as long as I had planned but I worked young players in there and I think it shows you have a plan. If I went in and bought lots of old players I could have won success easily but I wouldn't deserve to be remembered as fondly"

Is this more proof you like a challenge more than success Stuart?
"I like success. Who likes to be relegated? I enjoy seeing players I have developed even when they play for clubs I don't manage. If I see Acuna score for Cardiff it makes me happy because he was a young player I spent a lot of money on at Sevilla and then I took him to Cardiff in another big deal and I think he is worth every penny I spent on him"

Do you think every manager should be more involved with youngsters in football?
"I think managers should be rated on this not just their success on the pitch. Some managers buy to get to their target then they leave after one season. If that team then goes backwards that must show the manager did a bad job. The sign of a good job is being able to leave the team better than when you arrived and for the success to continue when you are gone. Sevilla kept winning even with no manager and Cardiff I think could be in the Premier League next season with their new manager. I hope that shows I have some desirable attributes as a manager"

What do you make of the relegation battle in your league?
"I would like Bolton to stay up. The manager looks like a genuine person and he is unfortunate to take over a team in that position. I even want Coventry to stay up now. If Aston Villa Spurs and Blackburn all got relegated it would make the league a lot more peaceful. People should be talking about Liverpool Chelsea and Manchester United not Aston Villa Spurs and Blackburn. Why do we not hear from the good managers in this league who are having the success? I think hearing how Manchester United are turning around a team that was on the brink of falling apart a few seasons ago would make for a very good read and much better than listening to the struggling manager poking fun at each other"

You play Spurs this week will you rest players like last week?
"I wanted to try some of the young players last week and we got lucky against a good West Brom manager. I said my mind has changed on who I want to go down and I will field a full strength team against Spurs this week. My players have had the newspapers delivered to them every day this week and they are fed up of reading about excuses and squabbling. They want to show every body that the Premier League should be about football not just fighting"

Thanks Stuart

Stu - Man City

GarethGardner · Cult Status

Gardner speaks out

Press - Hi Gareth, how do you expect the team to respond after last weeks 1-0 defeat to Man City ?

Gareth - Last week was a planned result. I was very happy with the performance and happy to keep the score down. Stew Price is a top manager. I played a team with no recognised 1st team midfielders and held them to 1. I was very impressed with my strength in depth.Maybe i should have gone a bit stronger and got an even better result but thats football and we all learn from our mistakes.But congratulatons to him.

This week sees a total re-shuffle and back to full strength again. Im expecting a positive result against Bolton tonight. Me and Dan at Bolton live very close, but for the 90 mins we will be enemies untill the full time whistle goes when we will then sit and discuss hopefully a good game of football. Iv wished him all the best for tonight. Tonights game should put a big smile on our fans as iv gone extemely attacking and hope to see us benefit with a few goals.

Press- Whats your oppinion on the recent press ramblings between Spurs and Villa ?

Gareth - Im friendly with both managers. I expect nothing less from Steve. Hes the type of manager to take the pressure for himself and hopefully take the pressure off his players. But this time i reallly think Rich has rattled his cage. Not many managers are able to do that and i only see it working in Tottenhams favour.

Press - Whats your prediction then ?

Gareth - I honestly see Spurs finishing above Ourselves,Blackburn and Aston Villa. Rich is a top manager and we discussed tactics over a game of golf last weekend. All i can say is if his management is as good as his golf then the Spurs fans should expect big things shortly.
If i was a betting man im afraid ill say Bolton and Coventry are more or less gone and Blackburn will be the team to join them. Although Steve is a top manager, i think the job is just to difficult. Saying that i fully expect Blackburn to bounce straight back up and be a stronger opposition in a few years.

Press - Thanks for talking to us Gareth and good luck

Gareth - Thanks, anytime. I hope you enjoy the banter between the Premier league managers and long may it continue. It makes funny reading and sells papers for you guys !

-- Edited by GarethGardner on Thursday 13th of August 2009 03:52:03 PM

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

Hey Ashley, is it true you love good arguments about managers?

(laughs) Yes, Yes I do, dont seem to have much of this in Italy but looking at the comments between mangers in England is excellent, Football is nothing without the banter, Its great!

(Laughs)You looking for some high profile media statements then?

I think we should keep this at a minimum, Im not the brightest person around!

(laughs) Ok, Lets get serious. Your prediction for tonight?

Aye, Lets keep that till tonight, As for our chances, I think they are high, Our team is starting to pull together, Hopefully we can pull some wins off and be a forced to be reckoned with.

Thanks for this, High profile statement ( Laughs)

Funny arent you, No problem

GarethGardner · Cult Status

Huge story coming out of The Hawthorns that after Gareth Gardner finished talking to the press, a massive deal has been done that sees the Italian International striker leave for Spain.
No statement has come out of West Brom but Gillardinho was seen heading for Birmingham airport with the destination likely to be Spain