Week 17

Tezza · Cult Status

Week 17

richj363 · Cult Status

Spurs lose again

The Evening Standard caught up with Spurs Manager Richard Jefferies to get his reaction to another defeat at the weekend.

ES So another defeat and 6th place looking impossible now, what are your thoughts ?

RJ Well although we have lost again it was another good performance and once again we lost by the odd goal, the lads all put in 100% effort and commitment and i felt we deserved at least a point. As far as 6th place goes it was always going to hard to succeed, there are too many good teams in this league and we are not there yet.

We are definately moving in the right direction and i know the fans and the chairman are encouraged by what they have seen this year.

ES So do you think you are safe from relegation then ?

RJ Well not yet but one more win should be enough, I have built a much stronger team than i inherited and hopefully there should be some funds available at the end of the season to see us improve and push for european football. This league is a wonderful place to play but it has some of the best club teams in europe playing here.

I am confident given the right backing then we can achieve lots here.

Cult Status

A month in charge of Cadiz has given the new manager a chance to size up his opposition in Spains second division of football and in the after math of the home draw with Racing Santander he was critical of his opponents and the match officials. "We made it hard for them and they got a lucky goal. Small teams will always need to work harder to get results when the decisions go for the big teams. I thought the referee had a poor game and missed a clear foul by Javi Marquez in the build up to their goal but on the bright side it only cost us two points. Simon Newcombe is an experienced manager and his team are trying to get out of this division. They will need to beat much better opponents than us to escape so maybe next time he will prepare his players better before a game. I think they wanted to leave with the points before a ball got kicked. Maybe they thought the referee would help them more."

In a spirited return to football he looks like he has lost none of the interview presence and has already told the supporters club this week not to get used to seeing him around. He has made it known he wants to move at the end of the season. "I was invited back but expected a team a bit better. Cadiz have no future. The debts here are unmanageable with no rich owner. This is my come and get me plea to chairmen who want a new manager next season or if you are looking at buying a team next season. I have already been approached by someone who wants to buy a team next season and any offer I will look at."

Raymond · Cult Status

OLEOLE FOOTBALL.COM

Chievo beats to the Seria B drum..............

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OLEOLE caught up with Raymond Farnell as he turned up at Lake Varda for his weekly round of Golf.

Ray, quick chat?
Well hello! this is supposed to be where I get away from you guys right!?

The Serie B Title race is picking up pace, the fans and the city are hopeful. Can you deliver the heights of Serie A?
You boys dont give up do ya! We are in touching distance and are on Roma's tails, the lads are giving us everything and I could not ask for more from them however, we need to show championship form from here on in to gain that automatic spot, I wont lie to you its going to be tough.

And what if you end up in the play offs?
What do you expect me to say! In my tenure here we have lost in the play off finals twice, I do not think my heart could take a third!
There are some dangerous sides around us, we have lost to Terry at Atalanta twice and watch out for Reggina, Petty has built well and they are going to come on strong I can assure you.

So can we push you into an end of season prediction?
Ho preso mug writeen sulla mia fronte! See you boys!

OLEOLE FOOTBALL.COM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Rumour Mill

Dale Price will quit Sunderland after achieving promotion to the Premiership in search of a money spending chairman.

New Ascoli manager Dave Davies-Evans has annoyed fans already by loaning out the star players to give them games in a 'winning' team.

Real Mallorca want away manager Mark Galeozzi has added weight to his interest in the Arsenal job with a 2-1 win over high flyers Valencia.

Jamie Best survived a nervy 3-2 away game against Spurs following the Arsenal chairman stating the next 6 games were all winnable.

Kevin Nolan has signed for Real Valladolid and tipped the small Spanish club to win a trophy this or next season.

Almeria striker Fernandillo has snubbed a move to AC Milan.

Chelsea and Real Madrid are both tracking highly sought after forward Fernandillo at lowly Almeria.

Ascoli are looking to tie up a loan deal for new Inter Milan striker Karamoko Cisse this week.

Joe Hart has described his move to Real Madrid as a dream come true.

Real Mallorca want to make Sergio Aguero's loan deal permanent and have raised half of the £20 million required already.

Atalanta are on the verge of sacking manager Terry Manifold following a poor run of form from the expected promotion chasers.

Chris Bishop is being tracked by Sevilla to take the vacant managers seat.

Bishop faces stiff competition with Mark Galeozzi also in the frame for the job.

Genoa are prepared to sack manager Chris Ratcliff despite battling for a top 4 position in favour of a manager to deliver trophies.

Steve Jenkins is top of Genoa's new manager list and the chairman is prepared to offer a large war chest to steal him from Juventus.

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta Team News.

Press.

What have to add to the speculation that you are in line to be sacked?

TM.

I think every football manager lives with that possibility, every day. The game is one where winning is paramount and you are only as good as the last result.

The Chairman knows my views on the need for extra finance to firmly establish this club where it should be. I came here with the job of re-building this team to get it back in Series A. That job is ongoing and there is no reason, at the moment, to think we can't still do it. The side has been transformed and we have a mixture of youth and experience, and it will take a little time for the new set up to start pulling together.

Press.

Has the Chairman ever spoke of you about your immediate future?

TM.

No, I have always been very frank about what I feel and need here, and he has always been very firm and honest about what I can have. I know we don't agree, and it is a shame because if you look at this team now, a lot has been achieved on a very small investment.

Press.

Will you be looking to clear the air with the Chairman?

TM.

I dont think that will be necessary, it is only speculation and preparing for Fridays game is the real world. If you look at the fixture list Atalanta has a great chance of winning promotion this year with a reasonable run in to the end of the season. I have not put all this together for somebody else to take the credit. Thank you..

-- Edited by Tezza on Tuesday 23rd of February 2010 09:45:33 AM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings offers Bilbao resignation

Bilbao boss Mark Rollings has sparked controversy in the board room today by offering the board and fans of the illustrious Basque outfit his resignation. Bilbao look set to break all records this season as they stare down the barrel of a pointless season. No statement has been made by the clubs board on the situation, and fans reaction seems somewhat luke warm towards their manager.

After guiding his side up via the play-offs, in an impressive 6 game winning streak, the welsh manager was ominously vocal about his sides chances in La Liga. Bilbao have been torn to shreds by their more illustrious opponents this season, and fans have had little to cheer.

In a brief statement made in a privately arranged press conference Rollings confirmed that he was formally offering his resignation to "all stakeholders" in the clubs future, namely "the board and the fans".

Rollings' youth policy relies on young talent emerging from the clubs renowned youth academy, but his young troops have been outclassed this season. Rollings confirmed that he was seeking assurances that fans and the board were happy with this policy.

His statement went on to describe he felt, like the fans, "utterly frustrated" that he was unable to strengthen his side, but that he refused to allow his young stars to be poached by the promise of older, established talent.

Rollings then stated - "all stakeholders in the club should be reviewing their positions and ability to do their job - including the board. It is my opinion that the board should be doing everything they can to fund, or find fresh monetary investment into the club. We have a fantastic chairman here, but everyone needs to ask themselves - could they be doing more!"

-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Tuesday 23rd of February 2010 12:33:46 PM

pricey · Cult Status

PRICE HITS OUT AT MEDIA

An angry Sunderland manager Dale Price hits out at media rumours that he is going to quit the Stadium of light at the end of the season saying I think its shocking that someone can write rubbish like that. Yes a number of clubs in England and Italy have enquired about my availability at the end of the season but at the moment I am very happy at Sunderland and I want to push on and get them to the place they belong the premiership. After Mr Price finished this statement the assembled media were asking each other which clubs have come in for him and should the Sunderland fans be worried. Mr Price briefly spoke about the win over Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday losing sending his side 2nd in the league. This weekends game against Leeds was a lot closer than I would have liked but a win is a win. a lot of people were shocked when Wednesday lost I for one wasnt as I said last week I dont think that manager Callum Jefferies has the bottle to keep his team in the race for 2nd. As Mr Price finished his statement he said his goodbyes and went to take training.

crj66 · International Player

Jefferies laughs at Price

Sheff Wed Manager Callum Jefferies was highly amused by the comments of the Sunderland Manager.

I know we lost at the weekend but to say we cant handle the pressure is a ridicilous comment to make, If you look at the league everyone would say we are holding our own against teams who are much stronger, Sunderland should be up there and therefore i think it is Mr Price who is feeling the strain.

My players and I are working as hard as we possibly can to get this team up and i am sure my fans and indeed my chairman are over the moon with our showing so far.

Mr Price should concentrate on his own job and leave us to do ours, at least from now on i dont have to fire my team up, Sunderland have done that for me.

Thanks Pricey really appreciate it !!!!

Football Academy · Cult Status

European Lights

It was another big night of European football this week as the Quarter Final matches kicked off. Three English, three Italian and two Spanish teams made up the eight teams in the Quarter Finals, hinting at an evening out of the success of the three countries in Europe. Yet 120 minutes later and an argument for failing leagues has reared its head with all three English teams and one Italian team making the Semi Finals.

Italy have taken a large amount of criticism in recent seasons with the Italian FA claiming the teams were underperforming and the managers defending it as a time of rebuilding. A 2-1 Extra Time win over Spanish leaders Barcelona has given Italy their flagship team in Europe and Juventus may just deflect the criticism this season from the likes of AC Milan and Fiorentina who have still struggled to produce on the big stage.

Spain are the surprise flops though. In the high profile battle of league leaders Juventus against Spanish leaders Barcelona, Juventus came out on top. Real Madrid took a heavy 4-2 defeat to Chelsea and the rest all crashed out in the group stages. La Liga is seen by many pundits as the most competitive league with up to 8 teams having a chance at the league title at the start of the season, and the top 4 places still openly up for grabs. Yet surprisingly none have moved that quality into Europe this season.

Into the Semi Finals Juventus have the chance to pit their wits against European holders Chelsea while the other Semi Final is a Manchester derby with both sides evenly matched in the English league. Pressure is growing on Manchester City to deliver a trophy while Manchester United have been deprived of late of silverware. Chelsea are the dominant side in all competitions while Juventus are the up coming power in Europe and beginning to establish a dominance in Italy. Fans from England and Italy are already rushing to book their tickets.

pricey · Cult Status

SUNDERLAND PRESS RELEASE

Sunderland manager Dale Price wanted to take this time to say how sorry he is for not being able to respond to Sheffield Wednesday manager Callum Jefferies comments last night as he had to go to A&E after his sides split a little. The much loved Sunderland manager had this to say My goodness that bloke dont half talk some rubbish how can he stand there with a straight face and say that his team are holding their own against stronger teams when it is his team that has had well over 30 million pumped in to it over the last 2 seasons. Also saying Sunderland should be up there hate to remind him that this is our first season in the Championship and we have had no money invested in over 3 seasons now I have had to sell to spend so I think it is us who are punching above our weight this season Mr Price later went on to talk about Mr Jefferies Saying that he will not have to do a team talk this week after that Sunderland manager came out in the press yesterday morning Mr Price had this to say Well to me it looks like he doesnt do a team talk anyway after going into the break leading 2-1 against Blackburn only to throw it away But I am happy to take Sheffield Wednesdays team talk this weekend they may win a game then. Those comments made the gathered press laugh with Sunderland going to Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday facing Wigan all eyes will be on the two games to see who can stay in that all important 2nd spot.

-- Edited by pricey on Wednesday 24th of February 2010 03:40:40 PM

Fletch · Cult Status

Napoli New Boys

Three new faces have graced the Stadio San Paolo in recent weeks and all come from different backgrounds and have different stories to tell, their goal though is unified, to take Napoli into Serie A.

Ryan Taylor

From the EPL via the might of Inter Milan, Ryan Taylor has made an impressive start to his career at Napoli, at 28 years old Taylor insists he is here for a long while yet.

"I joined as the plans that the Chairman and Manager spoke to me about were something I wanted to be part of, this club are going to develop the right way, without debt and within their means but with young talent and a passion to play attacking football. I'm a defender first and foremost but I love getting forward and setting up and scoring goals. Andy has given me licence to do that and we have had some bigger clubs recently on the back foot, I think I have five good years of football left within me and I hope to be playing a part of that in Serie A against my old team Inter Milan, I enjoyed my time there and I know what it takes to be succesfull in the league"

Ezequiel Lavezzi

" I'm just delighted to be playing first team football, it is a great honour for me coming through the ranks. To score 5 goals in as many games is what I expect of myself but I want more and I want to learn as a player, I have the right support around me and the manager has given me the opportunity of playing alongside some fantastic players. I'm not thinking about next season or the future, I just want to play football here with Napoli, I know the manager has had offers from many top european clubs but I'm happy here."

Giuseppe Parlongo

Parlongo followed Ryan Taylor through the exit door at Inter to be given a new opportunity at Napoli.

"I'm really excited, the manager has shown that age isnt a barrier, if you are playing and training well you will get a chance and Im trying to keep my run of form going at the club. I would like to follow Ryan and get forward more and score some goals, this is something I am hoping to add to my game. The players and the fans have been great to me, the lads are brilliant and I look forward to coming into work every day. If we can move into Serie A in the next couple of seasons it will be an amazing performance and success story."

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley demands Trophies next season

Luke Coakley you are now out of Europe having lost out to Manchester City your former club in the quarter finals, that one must hurt?

Manchester City is a great club with so much quality and at a guess they have had a lot more investment than most clubs over the years some of which Ive helped spend (laughs).They had a very strong base when I left and the managers after have built on that with investment and now they have a lot of quality in the team.We knew it was going to be tough with the quality they have but we gave it a go.It being my former club Man City had no bearing on how I felt, I was as gutted as ever to be out of the competition.

But it is an improvement on last season?

Wells its what the funny-duddys at the Italian FA wanted and I think Serie A this season has improved in Europe.Getting to the quarter finals is an improvement but its not enough of an improvement in my books.I want silverwear, I want my name in Milan history and until I do I havent achieved anuthing.

How important is a trophy for Milan?

Its vitally important, this club has great tradition of cups and titles and I want to bring that back.When I took over it was never going to be easy with the squad I inherited and I will be honest and say it took longer to rebuild than I expected but I now believe we are at a stage where we have a lot of quality with a little bit more depth and thats something we didnt have before. This season its near impossible to catch the top club Juventus so we just have to go out to win everygame and see where that takes us.I still believe second place is still very much up for grabs.

What about next season?

Next season is a different story we must win something and if not Iwill go to the chairman and ask him if he feels there is another manager who can get him trophies and if he thinks so I will offer to resign for the sake of the club.I fully believe next season will be a season where Milan will bring home some silverware, the squad is now ready to take on that challange.

Recent weeks you have brought in Danny and Lopez to the squad for large sums of money, what do these players add?

They add a lot of quality and a bit more depth, we now have the option of playing with 3 central midfielders or five across midfield and upfront we have more power and depth as well so these were very important signings.Also last week Montenegro came in from Parma who is a player that has played here before and is a great professional who again adds depth so I am pleased.

Can we expect many more movements in and out of the squad?

I doubt it, the squad is very much settled, a few fringe players may move out and we have a little amount of money to spend but I can say I am happy with the squad now.