Week 19

Simon · Cult Status

Week 19

Football Academy · Cult Status

Rumour Mill

Hulk has demanded to be sold now Aston Villa look condemned to relegation from the Premiership, not long after signing from FC Porto.

Bosko Jankovic is on trial with Fulham having had his contract terminated by AC Milan.

Ex-Barcelona defender Pique has told of his disappointment at being loaned out to Chievo for the remainder of the season.

French international Ben Arfa scored a surprise double on his last game for Real Valladolid ahead of a massive £15 million move to Premiership side West Ham.

Ex-Valladolid striker David Cortez is pleased to join up again with new signing Ben Arfa at the Hammers.

Arsenal fans want Essien's loan move from Barcelona made permanent after he grabbed a double on his debut.

La Liga is turning into the league no one wants to win after Barcelona's draw this week opened up the title race further.

Atletico Madrid and Real Valladolid are targeting a top 4 finish heaping pressure on Real Madrid and Valencia.

The Cadiz chairman is ready to demand transfer money be put towards the clubs staggering bank loan, the largest in football currently.

Sevilla have invited Mark Galeozzi to their next game to watch from the directors box in an attempt to entice him to the club.

AC Milan players have been called in for extra training having closed the gap on 2nd placed Fiorentina to just 3 points.

Banks across Europe are preparing to put pressure on clubs who have bank loans given the current financial climate.

Simon Newcombe is in talks with Watford about taking over as manager come the end of the season.

Real Mallorca are set to tie up a loan deal, ahead of the transfer window closing, for new AC Milan signing Danny amid reports he is unhappy in the new country.

Darren Bent hailed his managers tactical victory as Atletico Madrid held leaders Barcelona to an away 1-1 draw.

Genoa want to sign Dawson (Spurs), Iniesta (AC Milan) and Pazzini (Barcelona) for a combined £75 million before appointing a new manager next season.

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta Team News.

I just managed to catch Atalantas manager, Terry Manifold, as he left the training ground this morning.

Press.

Was the result at the weekend the one you were looking for?

TM.

No but I am not too disappointed. I think this league is very tight at the moment with about 4 teams in at the top but most of the others are improving.

Press.

I was surprised to see the transfer of Scutti from Torino?

TM.

Yes and the lad scored against us on Friday. I know I was heavily criticised for buying Sawyer but it was that move that gave me the flexibility to bring in Scutti. I think the lad will develop into a very good LM. With Skacel retiring we needed cover next season for Capdevila.

Press.

Is that your dealings finished?

TM.

I think so. I now that have a reasonable team with a few younger members that I hope will come on for next season. Kevin Smith will return to Atletico Madrid of course. I would have loved to buy him but it is not possible at the moment. We do have Tavera and Radovanovic who are both gaining valuable experience on loan. We are still not top draw but, I am on a limited budget and I think the money has been handled very well.

Press.

What next?

TM.

It is all about the run in. We entertain Roma this week and they slipped up last week.

I am sure that Iain will come desperately wanting to put their season back on track and it will be up to us to see they dont. Bringing Bramble here has paid for itself, with us losing the two CBs this week.

-- Edited by Tezza on Sunday 7th of March 2010 08:25:38 AM

GarethGardner · Cult Status

666 !

Spooky goings on in Reggina this week after the devils number 666 apeared.

Firstly ,the dust bins magnificent performance beating Reggina for 6. Then Palermo goes and knocks another 6 past the hopeless Reggina outfit. And finally 6 of the 7 dwarfs was found dead near Regginas training ground.
When manager Johnathan Petty went looking for the dwarfs for some tactical knowledge as he hasnt any himself, he came across a deep cave. When entering the cave he shouted Seven Dwarfs are you in here ? when a cry came back. "Reggina will get promotion to Serie A under Pettys guidance !"

At least Petty then realised Dopey had survived but unfortunately the others were found dead.
Rumours around the training ground are now that Petty will not be needing anymore tactical advice as Mickey Mouse is due to take over at Regginas helm as he has more tactical awareness than Petty himself.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

what on earth??

madhibee · Cult Status

Please read week 18 media. All will become clear Sparticus smile

Luke_C · Cult Status

Milan close gap on second

We spoke to Milan manager Luke Coakley after a 3-0 over strugglers Udinese

A very solid 3-0 win you must be pleased with?

A clean sheet was very important today as we havent had many this season.We also rested three of our key players so the result is even more pleasing.

Now the gap between you and second is only three points, can you get that second place?

We will be looking to win every game and I would hope that would be enough.We still have to play Fiorentina but they would still need to drop further points because of the goal difference but we wont give up on it thats for sure.

Your name has been mentioned with regards to the Genoa job, is this something that would interest you?

Not in the slightest, I dont want to leave Milan and leaving for a rival is a no go for sure.To my mind they already have a capable manager who has done well under strange circumstances.I see Huw Evans name has been mentioned and he would be an ideal choice of course but a name that may have gone under the radar for some is Louis Galeozzie who has done a good job at Real Sociedad and is someone I would back to make an impact.

Further rumours suggest they want your captain Iniesta, has an approached been made?

No approach has been made and neither would we welcome one.I dont think they have the money to buy such a player and I know he has no desire to leave.

Rumours are that Danny is set to leave Italy already on loan and heading to Spain? Surely this cannot be true after paying such a large fee?

He is going to Spain with a manager I trust a lot and he is going to Real Sociedad.He is still quite young and its important he gets as many games as possible and with a chance he can get another two games in the play/offs we decided to let him go out on loan. Under no circumstances is Danny available for permanent transfer and will be key player for us next season.

richj363 · Cult Status

SPURS UPDATE

Sky Sports news caught up with Spurs Manager Richard Jefferies after the victory against Newcastle to get his thoughts.

SSN So a win to all but guarantee your place in the premier league, how do you feel ?

RJ Well obviously pleased to get a win but slightly concerned with the amount of goals being conceded. We have progressed again this season but are still not where i want to be.

SSN So where would that be ?

RJ Well i want to finish in the top 6 and be pushing the top teams for a place in europe. We are not there yet but are moving forward each year.

SSN Palmiteri on loan to Sheff Wed ? This seems a bit odd

RJ He has been immense again this year and has really impressed me with whatever he has done. We signed young Nilmar in the transfer window and now we have secured our place in this division i want him to get some premier league experience. Young Callum at Wednesday called and asked about a loan striker so i spoke to Gianluca and asked how he felt about going up there and helping them secure promotion, he was well up for it so that is how it happened. Pricey at Sunderland has been mouthing off for weeks now so thought i would give the Owls a helping hand plus i think it will be good for Gianluca to experience that sort of pressure.

SSN So any plans for next season ?

RJ Just to keep progressing really and push for that European place, I hope we can see some funds at the end of the season to help us achieve that goal in what is the best and strongest division in the world.

JOP · Cult Status

Spartikus47 wrote:

what on earth??

I know he is weird.

JOP · Cult Status

Petty upbeat despite loss.

The only negative part about the weekends game is we scored 3 but still lost. On the plus side, we are still scoring, Ribas scored and set up one, 2 games 2 goals and 1 assist, you can see why Gardner at Inter is coming out with all this weird media, he is still gutted that he had to let Ribas go, and you can see why!

I think Gardner needs to concentrate on his results, yes we conceded six, but at least we found the back of the net, that is more than can be said about his team.

We played top of the league and they are there for a reason. We are still 6 points clear in a playoff spot and are confident we can beat anyone in the mix.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Deportivo eye upset

Unbeaten Segunda side Deportivo enter this weeks Spanish Cup Semi-Finals looking forward to one of the clubs biggest games in its history but while some fans are just going to enjoy the occasion should they really be contemplating an upset? Yet to lose in the league this season Deportivo have already won 4 cup games as well, including beating 2 La Liga opponents en-route. While they miss 2 players going into tonights match through injury and suspension, their unusual four pronged attack will certainly give high flyers Real Valladolid something to think about.

Valladolid manager Simon Jenkins has always enjoyed the cup since his West Brom days but the distraction of a tight top 7 in La Liga could tempt him to field a weakened side tonight in the hope of claiming 4th or even 3rd place in the league, which would be the clubs highest ever league finish. Uncomfirmed reports from the club suggest Tevez may be dropped to the bench and Michael Carrick may not even feature in tonights squad list.

Should Deportivo cause an upset it would go down in the history books as one of the biggest in the Spanish Cup, with Deportivo not even in the top 2 places of the Segunda Division. Fans of Athletic Bilbao and Real Zaragoza, previous round victims to Deportivo upsets, will be advising caution to Real Valladolid ahead of the big match.

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

Torino FC manager has spoken for the first time affront of a small minority of reporters wondering where he has been, Some say that he truly belivex that foot-ball is a medical condition and fear is just a low scoring word in scrabble. All that we know is hes called Ashley.. The Italian stallion left the room with few comments than reporters expected!

To sum up a short story and make it even shorter, the bloke had said he is undecided on weather or not to stay in management over behind the scenes trouble with his personal life. He said he has spoken to fellow managers about how he should handle his decision, but a final conference will be called within the next few weeks to conclude his future in football.

-- Edited by Ashley-ccfc16' on Monday 8th of March 2010 09:27:06 PM

Raymond · Cult Status

ITS A PETTY AFFAIR

La Gazzetta joined the Chievo Management Team at the Stadio Chievo prior to this weeks big game.

Ray, Chievo are in touching distance, this has to be the biggest game of the season for you so far?
Your not wrong gents, Reggina are coming up on the blind side, I have told you before about Reggina, after a slow start under Petty they have put themselves in "the" position in my eyes, they will win the Seria B play offs.......As long as we are not in the mix!

What kind of Reggina side do you expect to face this week?
Its hard to say, Petty always like to attack so I am unsure, will he rest his key boys with the play offs around the corner? or will he go with the best side possible to make a point? One thing is for sure, with Roma in sight we will be playing our big guns.

Big guns?
Come on you guys! O Shea, Boumsong, Velasco, Collingson, Mutu and Forlan will play. The Team want Roma's second position and we can almost feel it, the pressure is all on Roma now, we have nothing to lose.

Any remarks on Petty's recent press?
Hilarious but yet disturbing! the game would not be the same without such a manager, Petty, best of luck pal, see you on the weekend.

Tezza · Cult Status

I think you are wrong with your assumptions Ray.
My view is that the top two teams in this league has not been decided yet.
Palermo will run out of steam and fall back, Roma should drop out of the top two and your team Chievo may well be in the automatic spot.
Atalanta are more likely to be competing with Reggina & Roma in the play-off matches.
I have still not given up on the automic spot! Iain has lost his LB this week which limits his team selection, I have got to capitalise on tactics. We may have a better picture after Friday.

mg1 · Cult Status

Mallorca Reach Cup Final

Mallorca Manager Mark Galeozzie was in good spirits as Mallorca clinched a place in the Cup final after an excellent penalty shoot out victory over current league champions Real Madrid

" Ill try and keep this brief but I couldn't let the occasion go by without praising each and every one of the players and club staff. It has been an excellent season for the club this year and this victory was a great achievement, I am extremely proud of the performance and the manner of the victory. Our attacking qualities were there for all to see."

"This will go down as a special night for every Mallorca fan, especially as it is the first time we have beaten Real Madrid under my tenure. But the truth is we have won nothing and still face a tough challenge to beat Real Valladolid in the final.

"I would like to pass on my best to the Real Madrid and their manager, there are few better managers in top flight football. I wish them well and I feel there is every possibility that they will soon consol themselves with another league title"

-- Edited by mg1 on Wednesday 10th of March 2010 02:01:55 PM

-- Edited by mg1 on Wednesday 10th of March 2010 02:18:40 PM

bigwave1927 · Cult Status

Gazzeta. Good evening we have today tracked down very quiet Ascoli manager Dave Davies-Evans.

Gazz "good evening Dave. How are you enjoying your time at Ascoli and what to the future"

DDE " Im loving this club, its a dream come true. I have sent my better players out on loan to get the winning mentality back into there systems. We are at THE MOMMENT punching above our wait in this leauge. It is a very strong leauge and im sorry to say we dont have the squad YET to stay in this leauge.

Gazz " so you are building for next season then Dave and what do you think your good friend Jonny has left you?"

DDE" We are 100 percent looking for next season, I knew when i took over we were struggling, so my job now is to get ready to hit the ground running next year. I am on the look out for a club i can send my young guns out to next year.Jonny has left this club in a good situation and its my aim to carry on his good work.

Many thanks Dave

Cheers all

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Jonny Sinclair was pleased to speak about how he is getting on at Parma

'Well I have to admit we are struggling at the moment I've made mistakes and so have my players we just want to get through this season and make sure we are still in Serie A next season where we can try and make the top 6 Chris (Hanton) has done a great job here but we did need to make changes im trying to get together a decent youthful squad together like i had for a few years at Ascoli i mean my defence are all in the 20-22's bar Jurgen Colin my midfield is looking a lot younger that it was and maybe selling Capedevila was a mistake but we have to look to the future and have bought in players who are likely to improve in the future and become stars we have Michele De Bellis on loan now who i know all about as he was one of the stars of my Ascoli team and helped me to promotion so im delighted we've managed to get him in and I can only thank John (brady) for letting me take me for the last few games and we now plan on signing another striker on loan for the few remaining games to pick up the goal rate and so we can pick up as many points as we can before the end of the season and look ahead to next season with positivity'

Cheers

JOP · Cult Status

Petty shows he is a good manager and person

We heard rumours one of your best midfielders is leaving this week, is it true?

Yes.

Well any more information on who? Where? Why?

I've had enough of you media guys sticking your nose, you can never wait until the deal happens can you!

A deal has been agreed and submitted by both parties for centre midfield player Steven Reid to leave Reggina this week.

Whatt!! With a potential playoff spot you've sold a player who can make a difference, are you mad? The fans are going to be furious!

Listen Bloom, one more outburst and i'll have security to remove you and you won't have your precious story.

Ok, sorry...(Whimpers in the corner while other journos s******)

Back to Reidy, basically we had an offer for him last week from Manchester United, the offer was a fair offer. I didn't want him to leave due to our playoff push, however he has already stated he is retiring at the end of the season so from a financial point of view it's a tremendous deal.

Steven is also a massive Man Utd fan and due the respect he has given us, the least we could do was to allow him to finish his career at the club he loves.

Good luck to Steven and I hope to work with him again in the future.

-- Edited by jop1927 on Friday 12th of March 2010 11:12:21 AM

Football Academy · Cult Status

FA Press Conference Planned

The FA governing body has announced to the media of all three countries that a press conference will be held in the next 24 hours with important news regarding European football. Speculation that one of the debt ridden clubs in England or Spain is about to be wound up and replaced by a brand new club have so far remained unconfirmed.