Week 6

Goblets · Cult Status

Week 6

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta News

Fridays match against Napoli must have come as a relief to Atalantas manager Terry Manifold. Things have not gone as well as I expected this season, said Terry, I thought we had put together a reasonable squad but the results have not been as good as I wanted. Today we started really well with a one minute goal by Scott Sinclair, he is only 20 but he has come into the side and really done well. He is due to go out on loan next week, I could regret that decision.

Anyway todays win has taken away the immediate pressure, said Terry, Napoli are well placed in this division and have to be respected. Figueroas goal and the 79^th winner from our centre back loan star Tonelli, was justice for the work the lads put in today. To win away at Napoli is a very good result.

The pressure on results this season is tremendous, Terry said, I am taking every match as a career move and I cant afford to fail. This league has some very good sides and we need to be up with the pace.

The manager then went on to say that he has been very busy trying to bring in an additional CB without much success. I just cant get one at all, said Terry, I have very little to bargain with and reasonable CBs are just not available for loan.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Ramsey set to boost Everton

Everton boss Mark Rollings has tipped new loan recruit Aaron Ramsey to ignite his sides season. The young welsh wonderkid was signed from Premier League heavyweights Manchester City, where he is tipped for massive success by current boss Stuart Price, and will be a central playmaker in a strong Everton midfield. Speaking to Sky Sports news Rollings declared his delight at the capture.

"We were delighted when Stuart (Price) gave us the nod on Aaron. I was looking for that creative force in the middle of the park and I don't think we could have wished for much better. We hope he will pull the strings in a system which has been set up to play around his strengths. We have looked slightly devoid of ideas over the last few weeks and I take full responsibility, but I have real aspirations that may change."

Rollings also moved to strengthen his defensive options by capturing left back Ezequail Arana in a swap deal which sees Daniel Redmond move in the opposite direction. That deal may well signal the end of any immediate transfer activity for Rollings, even though there is thought to be a bit left in the bank. Rollings explained his policy;

"I want to leave a legacy at this club, not an ageing squad or massive debt. We have seen yet again this season clubs plunged into debt for not living within their means. We have built a squad here which can cope whether we go up this season or not. I think perhaps I underestimated the quality in this league this season, but that wouldn't have changed my policy. We have some great prospects here, and I have a long-term plan from the chairman which gives me the freedom to build sustainably. If I am ever deemed surplus to requirements here then I want to leave a squad that will serve this club long after I am gone."

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Ramsey "Should" seal title for Everton - Davies-Evans

Southampton manager Steve Davies-Evans has told the waiting media that Mark Rollings latest signing "should" see the toffees win the league. Aaron Ramsey has joined the Goodison Park outfit from Manchester City this week and Davies-Evans believes this will be the one signing that will see the blue half of Liverpool celebrating a league title.

"Yeah I was slightly taken back to see Aaron [Ramsey] join Everton this week. I think that could be the most important part of Marks [Rollings] jigsaw. I had Aaron on loan whilst at Nottm Forest and he was immense. He has the ability to really rip apart this league and he's at a good club with better players around him than I had. Mark will get him playing and that "should" be enough for them to go on and win the league. I'm sure Mark will push on and continue to look for good players but I think he will know how much of a coup this is. I know I am envious that he's not joining Southampton."

Davies-Evans also confirmed that he's still doing everything possible to shape the side able to challenge for the Playoffs.

"We're still looking about. I've targeted some players and sent a few offers out but we will have to see what comes of them. We're certainly happy to take people like Aaron Ramsey on loan if there are managers out there that want them to be part of soemthing special and get some game time".

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings laughs off Davies-Evans kidology

Everton boss Mark Rollings made light of comments made by rival League One manager Steve Davies-Evans who stated Aaron Ramsey was likely to be followed through the Goodison Park door by the Championship trophy. Speaking to journalists at the clubs rural training retreat Rollings retorted;

"Steve knows his way around League One just as well as me, and its pleasing that he see's us as a competitive outfit. We don't underestimate Steve or Southampton's abilities as he is a very good manager at this level and already you can see his squad is much stronger than when he took charge. With some of the offers he comes to me with I can see why! But he knows as well as I do when you scrambling around in the basement like we are you just have to try your luck and hope if you throw enough mud at the wall some sticks. I take nothing away from him in that respect!"

As for his league chances Rollings was keen to remove the pressure from his young players.

"Steve is right, we have a very talented side! Ramsey joins players like Kuzmanovic, Barilla, Fernandao and Cristiano in a raft of quality. They are all young lads though, and have been brought here after the brief I was given by the chairman. That brief doesn't rely on promotion this year so they have some time if needs be. Saying this I fully expect us to have the quality to mount a serious challenge. Steve knows all this as well as me and I will be expecting two tough games against his side this year."

-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Wednesday 26th of May 2010 08:45:51 PM

-- Edited by Spartikus47 on Wednesday 26th of May 2010 08:46:57 PM

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta News

This Friday Atalanta play Cagliari at home in what should be a very interesting contest. When you play teams at the bottom of the league you can be caught off guard sometimes, says Atalantas manager Terry Manifold. Lets hope we start well and can keep up the pressure.

Atalantas young signing Scott Sinclair, continues to look the part after last weeks game against Napoli, Sinclair was to go out on loan to Charlton this week, said Terry, But with Gareth putting the club up for sale, we have stopped it. He could be a developing faster than we thought and could, in fact, play a big part in this years promotion chase. Asked if he intends to put out his second side against Torino in Monday nights cup match, Terry replied Yes I think they are good enough and I do need to rest some of the more mature players for the match against top of the table Brescia next week. I see that match as being the match of this season, said Terry, A good win against Brescia and my expectations for the season will be realised.

Atalanta News is generally renowned for being first on the street with the match report, however, the News section will be closed for a weeks holiday from Saturday.

The message to all Atalanta fans eager for news of the results, is that the reports will be missing for the next two matches.

You could almost hear the groans coming from the readership.

-- Edited by Tezza on Thursday 27th of May 2010 11:36:08 AM

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans hopeful of positive a positive result

Sky Sports News: Steve, after a disappointing performance last week, how important is it to get a win this week?

SDE - Well it's not life or death or anything like that important but if we are going to do something this season, our home games are important. In our eyes, we dropped 2 points last week and we'll be doing everything possible to avoid the same this week.

Sky Sports News: Mark Rollings has stated that he's taken your comments with a pinch of salt this week. What did you make of Marks comments?

SDE - [Laughs] Mark's a whiley old fox and he's very good at deflecting pressure away from his squad and I guess that's the sign of a good manager. Mark has got a big task and from my understanding, He has 3 seasons to get Everton back into the Premiership. Now that means a promotion every season from here on in. That is bound to bring it's own pressure so it doesn't surprise me that Mark is trying to take it on and keep the players out of the limelight. It doesn't take a genius, afterall, I can see that Ramsey is too good for this division. He was electric for us at Forest and I firmly believe him to be the difference in Everton going up this season. As Mark has stated, they have a quality team so you can't call them a one man team but between the rest of their players, I'd imagine they'd have the shortest odds if you went to the bookies.

Sky Sports News: He paid compliments to you and what you have already done at Southampton, does that please you?

SDE - I think any kind words from any good manager is always pleasing but it doesn't really count for alot. We're not here to rival the likes of Everton in their bid for the title but we will try and make life uneasy for a few of them and see where that leaves us come what May.

Sky Sports News: Thanks Steve and good luck,

SDE - Cheers guys.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Thursday 27th of May 2010 02:43:55 PM

Liam · Cult Status

Liam Riste was interviewed on Sevilla FC Television this afternoon. Here's what he had to say.

SFCTV: You beat Real Mallorca 5-1 at the weekend to remain top of the table and keep your 100% league record. This must be pleasing?

LR: The win was comfortable and pleasing with goals coming from all over the pitch. Wing-back, Centre Half, Winger, Central Midfielder and a Striker bagging the five. It's reassuring to know that goals can come from anywhere!

As for leading the pack, I have Valladolid who also have a 100% record and tight behind me who have beaten the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona, which is a big bonus for them!

SFCTV: So are you saying Real Valladolid are your biggest rivals?

LR: Of course not. We are not expected to win the league, we were merely asked to finish in the top three and regain European Cup football. We are still yet to play Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valladolid which are big games. They are all rivals, along with Atletico Madrid who we play this weekend. I want to finish as high as possible, but within the top three obviously, but it's still early days in the season.

SFCTV: You say your playing Atletico Madrid who are rivals for a top three finish, what are you expecting?

LR: Atletico are a strong team and Paul is a good manager. His team were outclassed by Valladolid last week but his defence did amazingly to keep the score to 2-0. I don't mean to offend Paul when I say he was outclassed, this Valladolid team has beaten the big names in Spanish football already but his side kept the score respectable, so fair play to them.

I want to win and get my sixth win out of six, but it is going to be a tough clash. His defence proved strong last weekend and we need to find a way of breaking it down! I'm expecting it to be closely contested but I want three points.

SFCTV: You have been keeping tabs on Victor Moses who is on loan to Real Zaragoza for half a season. What do you make of him so far?

LR: Well Ash was struggling for strikers all of last season with only two in the squad. His first game in Segunda was a goal-less draw and he wasn't very happy. Arrive Victor Moses, and they have been scoring steadily with solid performances from Moses himself. Zaragoza are now sitting at the top the the table and looking strong. When he returns, I am seriously considering what to do with him as he is proving himself to be more than capable of challenging for a first team place amongst my ageing but talented front line.

SFCTV: Well thanks again for your time.

LR: Pleasure. Cheers.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Spanish press label favourites

Real Valladolid have made that crucial step from brave underdogs to real title hopefuls. Some six seasons ago, Simon Jenkins moved from upcoming West Brom to take over a lowly Spanish Segunda team with a positive looking academy but little else. Since then, Jenkins has delivered a string of successes that have culminated in the start of this season, the first time the club have played in Europe, and beating both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the opening month of the league. Both manager Hanton and Goble have tried to deflect criticism of their losses by playing up the pressures on Valladolid, and today the Spanish press seem to have labelled them now as odds on favourites to win the division.

This will be the first time that Jenkins has faced real pressure for many, many years and increased pressures on the team will test the highly talented youngsters such as left winger Franck Saint Victor. Pre-season rumours had suggested Valladolid product Jesus could be on his way out following the arrivals of Kevin Nolan and Michael Carrick, however the holding midfielder Jesus has scored 3 and set up 3 in his opening 4 matches. Rumours that Chelsea are lining up a £15 million move for Jesus have been played down this week.

Liam · Cult Status

Breaking News:

Sevilla to sign "Superstar"

Sevilla FC Television and some reports in the Spanish Media suggest that there is a big name about to make his way to 'Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan' where the player involved will sign a massive deal that was struck at the closing minutes of yesterday. The name of this player has not yet been given but it is rumoured that Riste was eager to see the arrival of another big name following Gareth Bale to the club.