Week 20

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Week 20

richj363 · Cult Status

SSN caught up with Spurs manager Richard Jefferies after their 6-2 win over Aston Villa

SSN So that win must give you great satisfaction

RJ Yes it does but not for the reason your thinking of, I have great satisfaction because of the way we played and not because we beat Villa. Palmiteri looked top class today and his partnership with Berbatov is flying now.

SSN Do you feel sorry for Liam at Villa

RJ To be honest not really, he built a team around experienced players and i think he is suffering for that now, to have 7 players out is unlucky but if you look at the average age of his squad is it surprising ?

SSN So its onward and upward is it ?

RJ Well i hope so, the play for the last 6 weeks has been terrific and hope that can continue to the end of the season, We have a good mix at the football club and hope we can continue to grow stronger.

Thanks Guys

Football Academy · Cult Status

- Peter Hill-Wood interview: The Newcombe Era

In a week that has seen Arsenal knock favourites Chelsea out the English Cup to reach the final, and then draw with an impressively talented Liverpool team in the league, Soccer Star caught up with chairman Peter Hill-Wood to talk to him about manager Simon Newcombe's announcement last week that he would be stepping aside from the club he supports and manages.

"Simon will be remembered for a lot of good times at the club. We've had a good working relationship between him and the club. You can see the talent he has as a coach from the youth we have been developing in the squad. He has signed talented youngsters from around Europe to work with, and has managed players coming through our own academy. He's always had a philosophy of developing players but for the benefits that had it could be seen as his weakness.

For all the good times, we have won no silverware under Simon's management. As a club with big ambitions this is disappointing and taints his time here. We were very close to parting ways two seasons ago because we tried to encourage progression by increasing targets." Arsenal were in fact one loss away from sacking Newcombe two seasons ago when the board issued a target that would see them win their remaining handful of games, or part company with the manager. The young Gunners went on to win all of their run in matches.

"This season expectations were lifted again. I have commented on Simon's philosophy before and things haven't changed. If the team were matching the off field expectations there would be no problem but I think a fresh approach is needed. We are an established top half team now and maybe a more clinical approach can push us towards silverware."

Despite this, Arsenal appear to be on great form since Newcombe's announcement but Hill-Wood was quick to stifle suggestions the board would ask the manager to reconsider. "We won't be asking him to stay. The whole board agrees the change is needed and the fact Simon agrees will make for an easier change. We need someone with experience and preferably some knowledge of winning things to take us on to the next level. Simon will have until the Cup final at least. We will then be one week from the end of the season and I think the Cup final could well be his final game in charge."

- Report on money in English football

During a time in football where investors are looking to create new power houses in European football, we look at those who have had an impact on the English game. Despite being no major changes at the top of the Premiership, with Chelsea still dominant this season again, a number of fluctuations further down are beginning to happen.

League One side Sheffield Wednesday have gone through much turmoil since Bernie Ecclestone bought the club. A staggering £51.6 million has been invested since then to help cover a fall into debt at the end of one season as well as a number of drastic squad changes. Numerous managers have come and gone and Wednesday now sit in the Championship however with an inconsistent manager turning up this season at the helm some believe the managers days are numbered unless he becomes more consistent with his team management.

Thaksin Shinawatra has invested a healthy £30 million into Manchester City and under the management of first Chris Hanton and then Stuart Price City have moved into a top 3 place in the Premiership. Should they be able to hold off Liverpool they will qualify for next seasons European Cup competition. In addition, they will feature in the English Cup final against Arsenal. Neither side have won any silverware so for one team it will be a historic occasion.

Aston Villa have seen £15 million invested to turn the high Championship favourites into a Premiership side. Relatively inexperienced Liam Riste has taken on the mammoth task with much success investing on the whole wisely and with the last few games still to come, Aston Villa are still in the mix to survive in the Premiership.

- Talented new managers

England's extra tier of professional football allows managers to enter at a lower level and experience the same tests without such a sharp rise to the elites compared to Italy and Spain. Having already brought through some of the top managers in European football, Soccer Star takes a look at potential names for the future.

Ashley Harris - Wigan
The Wigan manager is currently being hotly tipped to move away this summer and get his big break at a higher profile job. He will however have to be careful as big breaks can put your career on the back foot if things don't go so well. Just ask Dale Price (Norwich to Real Betis to Real Murcia) or Glenn Whitter (Palermo to Roma).

Simon Burnett - Preston
At the club that brought through the current Real Mallorca manager, Preston seem to have got hold of another potentially good manager. Simon has been in charge this season and has already shown he has got to grips with tactics and formations as well as being regular with team selections. Preston have lifted themselves from last place under his guidance and are unlikely to be able to hold onto him should a better team come knocking.

- Championship's Champions

With 15 wins and no losses this season, Watford have stormed to the Championship title. Soccer Star caught up with club captain Jay DeMerit to ask him about how the season has gone.

"We have a great squad, the depth available is far too good for this league and I think some of the boys have actually suffered because they haven't got too much experience in the first team. Money has been available since fringe players were sold off and Samuel Eto'o shows the club has intent. I don't know if the rest of the money will be made available to transfers or if the chairman will be keeping that to secure the clubs future but we have quality and youth ready for next seasons battle.

There has been talk of a manager coming in ahead of next season. Obviously the assistant has been acting as caretaker manager and we haven't really needed a manager this season. The chairman has told us he is looking for someone with good top flight experience because we want someone with knowledge of where the squad needs to be heading. We'll have to see who is available to come in I guess."

- Sheffield United: The Locker Room

Sheffield United are a club with the potential to play at the next level, but have been dogged with a slow progression in League One. Manager Andy Fletcher has been in charge for a reasonable amount of time now and some fans viewed this season as their best chance to win promotion.

After a very impressive start to the season, it appeared Fletcher had got his young Sheffield developed players performing well above expectations and they sat in the automatic promotion zone ahead of heavily fancied Sunderland among others.

However reality has dawned on the inexperienced side. The youngsters have flopped in the second half of the season and the impressively high placed team have now slipped 4th, a big 6 points behind the automatic places now.

We spoke to Colin Marrison, the ex-Sheffield United academy player who has broken into the first team. "Last season was great for me. I grabbed a lot of goals and in my first season in professional football, I was really enjoying it. This season I've struggled with only 2 goals in 13 games. We were on a real high in the first half but I guess our season shows it's a marathon not a sprint. We really have to fight hard to stop this season becoming a failure."

- Stars of the future

Soccer Star have spent the season scouring the divisions in England to find the new superstars of the future. A number of managers have adopted high profile youth schemes and with both British and European talent being developed on these shores, we tried to pick the cream of the crop.

Alexandre Pato - Arsenal
The young Gunner made a high profile move from AC Milan recently although this season has been anything but impressive in his goal returns. Yet Pato is still expected to be one of the best players in the next 5 seasons.

Davide Raffaello - Arsenal
The ex-Ascoli winger commanded a high price when he moved to London but at only 21 he is already an Arsenal regular and considered one of the better wingers playing in the Premiership.

Giuseppe Bellusci - Chelsea
Yet another Ascoli product, he was signed by John Brady and is already being touted at the next John Terry.

Joss Labadie - West Brom
The Midlands club have produced someone capable of playing at the level in which they now compete in a competent manner. Ladabie is yet to push his way into the first team but many are tipping him to have a very bright future as long as he can get the games.

Mark Noble - West Ham
Already a regular for West Ham, Noble is a Hammer through and through. The English youngster has had a rapid yet impressive rise into the Premiership sides first team.

Fernandao - Everton
Recently signed from South America, Everton are thought to have grabbed a real gem after other clubs dismissed Fernandao as either too expensive or simply not good enough.

Adam Prince - Wigan
Playing for Wigan's first team since he was only 16 years old, Prince has been a bright light in the future for those in the know despite going under the radar for the majority of English fans. Having played up front with the likes of Ronaldo already, he owes a lot to manager Ashley Harris who put faith in the youngster.

Victor Moses - Crystal Palace
Only given a professional contract this season, reports from London suggest Barcelona have already had a bid turned down for the young talent. Moses already has 4 goals in 7 games and has helped his team to an impressive run of form.

Redondo - Cardiff
Out on loan at Nottingham Forest, Redondo has had a fantastic time in English football since he joined the Welsh club. Many believe his days are numbered however with numerous European clubs sniffing around ready to pounce when the loan deal expires.

Martyn Waghorn - Sunderland
With 11 goals and 10 assists in 19 games, Waghorn is not only a regular for the League One favourites, he is a star performer this season. Dale Price has already highlighted the youngster as a key player for the clubs future.

- The Sunderland curse

.For 4 seasons now Sunderland have been considered favourites for the League One title, and for 4 seasons the club have failed to be promoted. Numerous play-off failures and a number of managers have struggled to live up with growing expectation. The squad has always been the best at the start of the season and guided by managers who are rated in the football world, it has led many to question just what is wrong at Sunderland.

With every season of failure, the pressure has increased for the next campaign and 4 seasons on, the pressure on manager Dale Price is incredible. The club announced from week 1 that anything but the title would be a failure and initial comments of winning the league early have always seemed naïve. With Leeds and Crystal Palace on top Sunderland are still in touch with the automatic places and have hit a spell of form recently. However critics believe the team is too heavily based around Phil Neville in the centre of the park and at his advancing age and believe if Sunderland fail to make the automatic places, then Neville may struggle to feature in both play-off matches required to gain promotion.

As for manager Dale Price's future, the situation is on a knife edge. Expectation was 1st place and the team has struggled yet again to live up to that. Price has experience of promotion via the play-offs from his time at Norwich but a difficult spell at Real Betis and a season at lowly Real Murcia have since lowered the managers hype.

pricey · Cult Status

PRICE SPEAKS AFTER FORIST WIN

SSN MR PIRICE A GOOD WIN FOR YOU THIS WEEK WERE YOU WORRIED WHEN YIOU WENT 1 DOWN?

PRICE No not really I always believed that we had enough in us to get the win and put more pressure on Palace and Leeds not to lose.

SSN YOU PLAY CRYSTAL PALACE THIS WEEK HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WILL GO?

PRICE I think we will win and move closer to winning the league. It will be a good game between us and Palace they havent lost this season but I feel we will win the match.

SSN IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THEY WAY YOU HAVE MANAGED THE OLDER PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD HAS BEEN AN INSPERATION HOW DO YOU REACT TO THIS?

PRICE Yes we have had some older players in our team this season but the experience is priceless and the way you pick what players need to play is a big part of being successful.

SSN MR PRICE A RECIENT MEDIA ARTICAL SAID THAT THE HYPE ABOUT YOU THAT YOU HAD AT NORWICH IS DIYING DOWN WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT THIS?

PRICE I dont think it is to be honest with you I have been contacted by a number of big clubs in the last few weeks but I have turned them all down as I am happy here at Sunderland and have no intention of leaving. I understand that the chairman is thinking of bringing in a new manager even if we go up if I dont finish 1^st well thats up to him but I think there will be backlash from the fans who have grown to love me I am like a God to them ha-ha

SSN MR PRICE ONCE AGAIN ITS BEEN GREAT CHATTING WITH YOU GOOD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON

PRICE Thanks

Liam · Cult Status

Sky Sports News caught up with Liam Riste this evening to interview him on recent talking points, here's what the Aston Villa manager had to say:

SSN: So a 6-2 loss to Richard Jefferies' Spurs, does this loss hurt?
LR: The loss didn't hurt that much to be honest, when you have 6 first team players out who would have made your starting eleven, your always going to struggle... Although we battled hard and dug deep, we simply couldn't replace the experience and talent that we had lost.

SSN: Richard Jefferies responded to a question which read, "Do you feel sorry for Liam at Villa?" by saying "To be honest not really" and he went to to add that was it a surprise with the average age of your squad... What is your view on this?
LR: Well firstly, if I'd have wanted sympathy then I would have asked for it, which I can't recall doing? And secondly, why would he feel sorry for me? I beat his first choice eleven in front of an expectant majority of Spurs' supporters... The Aston Villa faithful were wishful this time around but not expectant so the loss won't have hurt them this time round. Rather than feeling sorry for me, I think he's probably more envious of us as we are the new boys and are keeping pace with Spurs which had pressurised Richard, which led to the board bailing him out!

SSN: Aston Villa were one of the talking points in Soccer Star this week, what did you make of the article which touched on the £15m investment you got to hold the Premiership status that your Aston Villa team currently hold?
LR: I was flattered by the article. And I want to thank the Chairman for putting the money in my hands and taking a bit of a gamble on me to use it wisely and make a difference. I'm hoping that after this season is done, his faith will have paid off...

SSN: Your friend Ashley Harris was also mentioned in the paper as a Talented New Manager. What is your view on this?
LR: Hah, well I am confident in his managerial abilities and we have Nathan Delfouneso out on loan to Wigan with Ash; it was a tough decision for me but I felt Ash and Wigan had more to offer him at this present moment in time. Ash has dont a good job at Wigan and Nath is reaping the rewards of playing alongside the massively experienced Ronaldo and the up-and-coming star Adam Prince. Nath has shown me he can play football and is a natural finisher, which he shown with his two goals this week and his performances which have matched and maybe exceeded the great Ronaldo this season. Ash is a really good friend and I think if the opportunity arose for him to manage at the top-flight, he would be a great asset to whoever employs him.

SSN: The big question is, do you think you can avoid relegation?
LR: Of course I do! Spurs play a Coventry team that have pulled together of late and one of those teams have to drop points at the end of the day, so that is a bonus... We are currently outside of the relegation zone, and our last 2 games are the bottom two teams in the table, so we can only blame ourselves if we drop! Although injuries may take their toll on us, we have adjusted training schedules accordingly and hope to be relatively injury-free for the run-in.

Thank You and Good Night...

jackieyeo · Top Flight Player

Post match conference (Gimnastic)

With just 3 matches to go, things are starting to get exciting in the Spanish Segunda Division.

Media: How do you feel about the result against Athletic Bilbao?

Jackie: First of all, I like to welcome my friend, Mark Rolling, to the Spanish Segunda and congratulate him for his first match win against my outfit. He is a talented manager and Athletic Bilbao made the right choice by appointing Mark as the new manager. I wish him luck for the forthcoming matches. Now, about today's match, I'm quite disappointed with the team's performance. We started the game brightly with an early goal. However, I'm disgusted with the way my team conceded the goals. Not just today's match but the whole of this season. We are leaking too many goals. If you compare with our last season's defensive record (Conceded less 15) with this season, I'm not particular happy about that.

Media: So how are you going to deal with your defensive problem?

Jackie: I'm going to offload some players and find much better defenders to deal with the problem during the summer. I may also request more funding from the Board if necessary.

Media: Real Zaragoza had been crowned Champion after their win against Osasuna. Any thought?

Jackie: I congratulate them for their promotion to La Liga. With the league's best players in the team and their consistent performance throughout the season, they deserved to be promoted. I wish them well for the next season.

Media: So with 3 matches to go, do you think your team can take the second automatic promotion?

Jackie: I can't give a definite answer for this. This will depends mainly on 3 situations: First, our team performance for the rest of 3 matches. If they still perform like what they did in today's match, we can prepare for another playoff. Secondly, next week's match between Champion Real Zaragoza and Celta Vigo. If Celta Vigo loses, we may have a chance to take the second automatic promotion. Lastly, our last match against Champion Real Zaragoza. If things goes well for the next two matches (meaning winning both matches), this last match will determine if we will take the second automatic promotion. However, if we draw or lose this match, Celta Vigo or perhaps Athletic Bilbao may take the second spot.

Well, all these things will unfold over the next 3 weeks. For now, I would like to concentrate in the team's training and to put things back on track.

Media: Thank you for your time. I wish your team luck for the rest of the season.

End.

paulh_85 · Cult Status

Harrington elated at Madrid derby final!

After a magnificant game against Barcelona, what can the fans expect from the cup final?

Well, hopefully another breath-taking performance like the one in midweek, it was a terrific game, which lived up to the hype. The newer players we have brought in for these big occasions, like Ventola, Rochenback, Harte and Dalla Bona, have all dome amazingly well for us, now we look forward to the final, and the challenge of trying to halt Reals' charge towards a treble.

That will be difficult, excluding 1 drawn slip up by the Real reserves, they havent looked close to losing all season, can you honestly believe you can win the cup?

We must have confidence, nobody gave us a chance against Barca, but we showed without our main striker Martins, that we are more than a match for any team on our day. When the Cup Final comes calling we will be at full strength, while Real will have us in the cup, a league decider agaisnt Sevilla, and a possible European cup final all in the same week. They may have to prioritise some of the older players, and if they are not fully focused, we will capatalise.

So now to the league, you had a rather low key 2-0 defeat to Sevilla this week, and next play a Valladolid team you have stated you really want to beat. Is this going to be a game for the neutrals to look out for?

I hope so, Simon is a great manager and someone i had heard alot about from my days at West Brom, he has done a great job bringing through some talented youngsters, but teams like his and Espanyol are sides we need to stay ahead of. We need to be pushing on not looking over our shoulder at the also-rans. I'm not sure what side ill be putting out against Valladolid, but whoever plays ill be expecting nothing less than a win.

Finally, is there any news on transfers, either in or out for next season?

A few, Koke and Smith have agreed deals for a season long loan, they will both be going to Italy for the year. They are both in need of games and experiance, and i think it is the perfect opportunity for them. We have made a few bid for players but only 1 solid official offer has gone out, and we are waiting to hear back about that one. It's difficult to commit to transfers before knowing what funds, if any are available. However, with European football at this club next year, we have to move swiftly to improve the playing staff to a competable level.

Fletch · Cult Status

Sheffield Uniteds Gavin McCann hopes for one last swansong.

With just 3 games left of the domestic season and a possible two more if the play offs are reached, Gavin Mcann is hoping he can make a final appearence before the closure of his long career in English club football.

Having started life at Evertons Bellefield Academy, Mcann lost favour and made a move to Aston Villa where he made his mark as a no nonsense defensive midfielder. McCann rode the highs and lows with the team until this season when after not seeing any first team action, McCann travelled north to Sheffield on a loan deal that saw Juanito travel in the opposite direction, it was though McCann could do a job continuing the impressive defensive record United had showed.

"Its been good, I have no regrets about playing lower league football and the quality is still very good, the legs have struggled on occasions and its finally taken its toll, I am now out for at least 2 games with an injury and I just hope I can be back before the end of the season. It is my final year before I retire and I want to pull on the boots and run out in front of the crowd for one last time." I hope I have helped Andy Fletcher put something back into training with my experience and the consistent top 6 finishes will get better, we can all see that here. There are some real talents coming through at the club.

For now I am having intensive treatment to get me fit again, If I dont make it I can look back on a fantastic career and a priveleged life"

-- Edited by Fletch on Monday 28th of September 2009 04:16:59 PM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Breaking News

Roma have announced to the Italian Press that a press conference will be held before 11pm tonight. Chairman Franco Sensi is expected to appear and rumours are rife that Glenn Whitter is preparing for the sack while Wigan's Harris and Arsenal's Newcombe are being mentioned in the same sentence as the potentially soon to be vacant managerial seat at Roma.

Simon · Cult Status

Interview with Valladolid Manager Simon Jenkins

So Mr Jenkins, with the season almost over; how do you think it has gone so far and what do you expect from the last three games?

'Well, 5th is a great place to be with the season drawing to a close however we have a tough run out in the last three games against Athletico Madrid, Levante and Espanyol. Despite the build up that Paul at Madrid has given us, to be honest they are a bigger team than us and I would be happy to come away from the game with anything. The pressure is on them and judging from the recent comments made by Paul; I think he is beginning to feel it and is trying to make us seem like the stronger team. The Madrid fans cannot be happy to be below such a small and relatively unknown club in the league. Their victory against us in the cup will be some consolation but I think a win is important for the morale of Paul's team.'

Your good friend Simon Newcombe seems to be on the move soon, any ideas where to?

'This is an interview about Valladolid. If you want to talk about rubbish like that then go to England! Haha I kid! I hope that Simon doesnt come to Spain to take over Espanyol because I know he is a competent manager and could cause problems to my plans. If I were to pick out a job for him, it would be taking over a team in the lower leagues which he could mould to his own style without the pressure of the top expectation. I believe that was the cause of his downfall at Arsenal. Maybe Everton or the soon to be unmanaged Roma would be the choice of clubs for him?'

You have certainly been cutting down on your squad size in the past few weeks, what is the reasoning behind this?

'We have no fitness issues do the superb team management choices made by me. But there are a lot of youth players out on loan so there must be room for them to come back at the end of the season. Plus I have a good feeling about the youth players coming through. I predict a superstar will come through the youth ranks at the end of the season.'

Thank you for your time

'No worries.'

Football Academy · Cult Status

Roma warn Whitter

Chairman Franco Sensi has issued the strongest warning yet to under fire manager Glenn Whitter about his future at the club. Roma have plummeted from table toppers a month from the end of last season, to failing to win the league last season, and now sit 10th in Serie A with less than a month left.

"This is a giant club. The world of Italian football would not be the same again if Roma were relegated out of the top flight. We took Glenn as an impressive relatively new manager from Palermo who were over achieving in Serie A but he is drowning under the pressure and expectation. This season has been a sorry state of affairs."

Whitter has recently taken a swipe at the lack of investment forthcoming from Sensi which has clearly riled the otherwise loyal owner. Despite a number of key players retiring, Sensi backs his decision not to invest.

"You can look at it two ways. In terms of title challenging we had less retirements than Inter Milan. They had some investment and are top of the league but with less retirements we should be there with them even without money being thrown at the team. The other way is simply survival. We are facing relegation from the league and even with no investment that is a disaster. We had more than enough assets to survive in the squad, or if the manager saw fit to sell to rebuild and still stay up. I don't know what has gone wrong."

A rough guide to Whitter's transfer record this season shows just how much funds he has been able to release and reinvest in the squad, with many Italian journalists stunned that £45 million could be spent on a team seemingly doomed for relegation. This surely shows what a good job Genoa's manager has done with similar funds turning a Serie B team into a title pushing side.

Players In: 8
Cost: £44.5 million

Players Out: 9
Received: £42.9 million

Free Agents In: 3

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Promotion not focus of attention for new Bilbao boss

New Bilbao boss Mark Rollings has spoken out following Jackie Yeos hint that he sees the historic Spanish heavyweights as a genuine automatic promotion rival. With just three games to go Bilbaos win over Yeos Gimnastic was enough to see odds slashed on the red and white gaining promotion. 5 points still separates Bilbao from 2^nd place, but with teams above them set to face off over the next two weeks the door is seemingly slightly ajar for a late push from the red and whites.

Rollings however, utilized a pre-arranged press conference to launch the new bring your pet scheme an initiative to boost dwindling attendances at the club to cool promotion talk.

"It was a great result against Gimnastic which hinted that there is some talent at this football club. However, you only have to look at the squad Jackie has assembled to see that we have a lot of catching up to do before we can consider ourselves ready to compete in the top flight of Spanish football. It has taken Jackie the best part of two seasons to get Gimnastic to the position they are now, we are simply not ready to compete."

Rollings frank words looks likely to dampen the joyous scenes which accompanied his arrival in Bilbao but Rollings suggested everyone must start taking responsibility for his new clubs ailing position.

"I was warned about making a statement about promotion perhaps not being the best thing for this club. Fans would see it as being unambitious I was told. Well we are averaging under 2,000 per game at home so maybe it is time some of those stay away fans stopped living on past glories and got behind the new Athletico Bilbao. Dont get me wrong, the fans that do turn up are first rate, and helped us get the win this week but we simply need this town to fall back in love with its football team would getting thrashed every week in La Liga help that? It is my job to win football matches, and that is what I will be doing we will then have to deal with whatever situation we are left in."

Finally Rollings took time to promote his marketing teams recent initiative.

"Things have got pretty poor down here attendance wise. One of the guys in the marketing team here suggested we have a bring your pet game where owners could treat their animals to some Segunda action. At the moment we will try anything to get more bums on seats!"

-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Monday 28th of September 2009 11:35:13 PM

PUREADE1 · International Player

DANDO HOPEFUL FOR EWOOD PARK SUCCESS

Blackburn Rovers boss Hayden Dando has admitted he needs to hit the ground running to have any chance of surviving in the Premiership.Blackburn sit in the relegation zone 2 points behind Aston Villa with just 3 games to play and Dando has admitted it would take something special for the side to stay up, "We are no in the strongest position i admit that but whilst there is still a chance of styaing up we have to battle, hopefully we can take as many points as possible and hope that Villa dont take an, at the end of the day Blackburn Rovers belong in the Premiership and i for one am not going to just roll over and take relegation and having spoken to the players i know they feel the same"

BLACKBURN REMAINING GAMES - Wk 20. Manchester United AWAY, Wk 21. West Ham United HOME, Wk 22.Manchester City AWAY

ASTON VILLA REMAINING GAME - Wk 20.Manchester City AWAY, Wk 21. Coventry City HOME, Wk 22.Bolton Wanderers AWAY.

Dando's side face an uphill task as the fixture list has been unkind to them facing both Manchester clubs away with a home tie against West Ham in between whilst Villa have a slightly easier run in following this weeks game with Man City they face Coventry and Bolton home and away respectivly but Dando still remained positive "Im not interested in who Villa have got, they could lose all 3 games but if we dont get 3 points out of our last 3 we are down anyway, my lads know they have got to put up a fight and prove the pundits wrong, just because they say we can't stay up dosen't mean we can't"

Stu · Cult Status

Citizens Reach Final
(City 3 - Villa 0)

How pleased were you to beat Aston Villa?
"People had us as favourites I think but they are a very good team. The way we won was pleasing. The defence is looking much better and when we can find him I will add some invention in our midfield but for now things are working"

Liam was unhappy with his injury list after the game and blamed your tactics
"I can sympathise with him but his players were falling down left right and centre. We weren't even touching some of them. You can't dive around on some of these pitches with out expecting a rough landing. I was surprised he put his strongest team out. I thought he would prioritise the league but that is what the manager gets paid for"

You play Arsenal in the final now
"I have read it will be Simon's final match. That just makes them bigger favourites in my eyes now. The players and the fans will be really fired up to give him a good send off. The way they are playing in the league now is how they should have been playing all season and it would have definitely put them above us if they had. I wanted us to be competitive in the last half of the season and a cup final appearance is good experience. I think Simon will have the support of most managers in FA so we just have to get out heads down and try hard to put on a good game"

You play Blackburn and Aston Villa in the last three games of the season now
"Yes we could have a big say in who goes down. At this stage we need to make sure we get a top three finish then I just want to get the young players experience. If that means a team against Blackburn is weaker than against Aston Villa that is not my priority"

Have you made any decisions ready for next season?
"We are considering an approach from a potential feeder club but nothing has been decided yet. If any of the young players improve could affect their futures at Man City so it is early to say"

Thanks Stuart

Stu - Man City

paulh_85 · Cult Status

Valladolid not on our radar.

Paul, what do u make of the recent comment from Simon Jenkins, that you are feelnig the pressure at Atletico?

Well, i feel its slightly ironic that Simon can comment on pressure, as im unsure he knows the meaning of the word. He's waltzed into a job where he has had buckets of money to spend, a surprising, seemingly endless stream of youth, and absolutly no solid targets to achieve! He has been bumbling along for seasons making snail-pace progress, all the while hiding behind the facade of the "small town club" after his achievments at West Brom im sure the Valladolid fans are scratching their heads a little!

So with bragging rights up for grabs, what side have you gone for tonight?

I can't say obviously, but we have but out a fairly strong side that i expect to get a result. we havent been able to go at full strength, as we need to save some of the guys for the cup match, this game isnt a big deal for us, the board or the fans, everyone is too busy focusing on the mammoth task of toppling Real Madird in the cup! but there are players that need match sharpness, and we will be giving them a run out tonight.

Simon · Cult Status

Jenkins' response to Madrid comments

Today Valladolid manager Simon Jenkins came forward in response to the comments made by Atletico Madrid manager Paul Harrington

'Well to be honest it was laughable. Maybe Paul doesn't understand the meaning of 'small town club' because when I took over Valladolid they were near the bottom of the Segunda and in one season we finished unbeaten in the league and established ourselves as a mid table club in La Liga. That also doesn't sound to me like snail's pace progress.

'Bragging rights are not 'up for grabs' for him and he shouldn't have to say that we are not on his radar because we are a small club and Madrid are not; Fact.

'As for buckets of money to spend; £5 million in 4 seasons... oh yeah, thats buckets! Sounds to me like pathetic attempts at covering himself on the off chance that he doesn't take the three points. Nor have I had an 'endless stream of youth'; everybody gets youth players but my squad was small and so they have been getting first team places. More fool him for being in such close competition with a team of kids.

While on the topic of 'bumbling' and 'waltzing into a job'; Paul took over my West Brom team which had been set up for the future. How much more of an easy job could he have asked for? To be honest he jumped ship early and the West Brom fans cannot be happy, a second promotion was a given for the team but when he really had to challenge for something big he bailed out to a big team.

As for 'no solid targets to achieve', we have been given little money (as mentioned earlier) so we cannot compare to the like of Genoa. Maybe Paul does not understand how the promotion situation in Spain works because he skipped it all out, but teams are expected to fight for their position in the league. Just because I exceeded expectations by getting mid table in the first season does not mean that people would ramp up the targets because that's not how people work. They would want me to make that mid table position ours and not just through luck, which is what we have done. Atletico Madrid haven't had serious targets yet and Barcelona have already shown that they are not happy just sitting just shy of silverware season after season - can Madrid break the top four? In a word, no. Next season is the start of something big for Valladolid and I expect both Espanyol and Valladolid will leave Madrid in their dust - then we will see how Paul really reacts to pressure.

Finally, can I just say I didn't expect this from Paul, we have always had a good friendship but this seemed out of the blue and to be honest; a bit of a cheap shot. In my previous media I was only speaking the truth and the fact that in a recent manager poll; the majority claimed that they felt Madrid would finish above Valladolid, proves that we are the underdogs. His accusations are wild, unfounded, totally ridiculous and downright false'.