Napoli manager Andy Fletcher today praised his side after their 3-1 win away at Catania, Fletcher hailed this performance as the best since his tenure at the club.

It came together for us on the night, it was a 6 point battle for us at the bottom and we came out with flying colours.

Ryan Taylor secured a dream debut at Napoli after his recent transfer and scored the opener just before the break, a fantasctic move down the right after being set up by new scoring sensation Lavezzi, Taylor then had a hand in the next two goals and set both chances up for Lavezzi on 80 and 88 minutes.

Catania provided the obligatory scare as they brought the scoreline to 2-1 on 81 minutes but Napoli held out and finished the game off.

Debuts from Parlongo also provided muscle as Napoli managed 11 chances and 5 shots on goal during the match.

The game sets up the team for their next fiuxture at home to Atlanta and there is no doubt wonderkid Lavezzi will be looking to add to his 4 goals in 3 games tally.

Coakley delight at Danny signing

 

A great win against Genoa last week?

As always with our games, plenty of goals and plenty of drama.  We showed so much character to keep going and it was a big win for us and its a result we can build on.

So your season target must now be second? While youre out of all cups.

For now we chase down Fiorentina in second but our main objective is to try and win every game and see where that takes us.  People forget we are also still in the quarter finals of the European cup and that is not something to be sniffed at. 

A disappointing season overall though?

Well football is a funny game and who is to know how the rest of the season will pan out but I think we should have more points in the league and being out the Italian cup was a big blow.   Next season will be a very big season for my time at Milan, I fully believe we will bring silverware to San Siro next season and I dont just mean a cup, we have big plans and the club is really going in the right direction now.  If we dont win anything this season or next then I would have to admit defeat and allow someone else the chance to move this club forward.

Rumours suggest you have signed Danny from Zenit St. Petersburg?

I can confirm we have agreed a fee with Zenit St Petersburg and he will sign for Milan on Friday and be available for selection the following week.

You have previously said you were looking for a certain type of central Midfielder with the x-factor so you now believe you have that player in Danny?

I really do yes; I wanted a player who could bring goals from midfield and with Iniesta and Aqualini just behind him I think we have one of the strongest midfields in club football now along with Ribery and Niang out wide we have a lot of quality.  It was important we got a central player with an eye for goal and someone who is at a very good age who will only get better.

Many have suggested you have over paid for Danny, how do you react to such comments?

Maybe we could have waited and got him a little cheaper but we would have then been battling it out with a few other managers.  We are in a position where we had money to spend and I am delighted with the signing of Danny.  No one of Dannys quality and age is available at the moment so its a price we had to pay.  The money spend was from the sale of fringe players so its just a case of moving players around to serve a purpose and to make us stronger which we will be.

Do you expect further transfer this season?

Yes I do, we still have some players who are not needed and a bit of money to spend, I would ideally like to see 3 players come in and two to go leave but we will see on that.  We have made a good offer for a striker which is being considered so we will see.

Hill-Wood Interview

Soccer Star spoke exclusively to Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood days after his chairman publicly offered his resignation to the board of directors following a run of poor results. This week alone has seen Manchester City rub salt into the already fresh wounds of the Gunners inflicting two defeats in quick succession in both league and Cup Quarter Final.

"Obviously these are tough times. I think everyone was looking forward to this season. Simon Newcombe finished on a high after a long time in charge by delivering a famous English Cup win. I think everyone knew his tenure had come to an end by then and we were looking to Jamie Best to take us on to the next stage. Some fans have questioned some of his transfers while others have praised them and I think there lies the problem. Jamie, like Simon, is splitting the supporters and it puts the whole club on edge not really knowing which side of the fence we'll all fall."

Hill-Wood dismissed speculation of a Simon Newcombe return to replace Best, despite a 9 point gap between Arsenal and 3rd placed Manchester United.

"The points gap his huge. Manchester United just won't drop 9 points so we can say goodbye to the top 3 places now. I do believe this is why Jamie has offered his resignation because finishing out of the top three is an obvious negative on the season in a big way. Simon had his time here, and he may return in the future but I can't see him being the next Arsenal manager whether Jamie leaves tomorrow or in 5 years time. Simon needs to grow as a manager and the club needs time to venture in a new direction and fully explore other alternatives before it goes back on itself. I still feel we made the right decision parting company with Simon Newcombe."

On whether Arsenal's board of directors will be accepting the offer of resignation or not, Hill-Wood was very non committal but hinted at events unfolding in the near future.

"In the next 6 games we could realistically win 6. We play Boro, Spurs, West Ham, West Brom, Watford and Newcastle. Other than Watford the rest all sit below us in the league. If Jamie got 6 wins under his belt the situation could be looking a lot more different. I think the next 6 games will define Jamie Best's future at the club."

So it seems the man who is once again splitting the Gunners ranks has time to recover his faultering time at Arsenal. Not long ago Simon Newcombe was handed a similar get out of jail card and delivered wins in all bar one match against Chelsea in a dramatic run it that saved his job that season. Some sections of the Arsenal faithful are doubting whether lightning can strike twice.