Week 11

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 11

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Toffees pass Reading exam after sticky start

Everton gained a invaluable three points this weekend against league leaders Reading, in one of the most dramatic comebacks of the season so far. Everton had targeted the fixture as an important step in clawing back the Royals in their title chase, but early signs suggested their opponents were in no mood to surrender their unbeaten league one record. A superb Jonathan Hayes hat trick stunned the Merseysiders and left Rollings' team 3-0 down with just forty minutes left to play. However a Torres Ramon hattrick and dramatic late Chamakh winner proved Rollings' men are serious about their title challenge and struck a hammer blow to their rivals.

Rollings was understandably happy with the result.

"It's great to come back like that and shows another side of this team. We know we have the creativity and eye for goal but today we showed we are prepared to fight also. I knew if we kept playing our game chances would come and when you have the strikers we do they need no second invitation. We must not get carried away though, it is just three points and we are only half way through the season."

The young Welsh manager hinted he may be in the market for an additional striker, to provide competition for hot shots Torres Ramon and Chamakh, but suggested post-match that search was on ice until after next weeks important clash against promotion rivals Norwich.

"We made various enquiries before the Reading game, but once they were rejected decided to focus on two important fixtures before pursuing other options. The hard work in the transfer market was done earlier this season and we can no bide our time. In an ideal world I would like a right back, centre back, central midfiedler and striker but like all clubs in this league budgets are tight. We are hoping to fill some of the gaps through our academy system but you cannot rely on that so we will reassess everything after the important match against Norwich."

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Saints playoff chances are now in hands of the gods

Southampton's miserable season continued this weekend as they went down 2-1 against Leicester at The Walkers Stadium. The saints took the lead through a well worked move that was finished off by Lorik Cana but then saw the game turn completely on it's head in the second half. Southampton currently sit 3 places from the bottom of th table and some 7 points off the playoffs. A disillusioned Steve Davies-Evans spoke to the press after the game.

Media - Steve, How disappointed are you with that?

SDE - Very! Leicester are a good side but once you get your noses infront, you would expect to close the game out. They probably had more of the game so they will feel they did enough but had we been more at it, I would have expected to have claimed all 3 points.

Media - You're on a terrible run so far and still no win this season. How is life around Southampton at the moment?

SDE - We're still going forward. It may not seem it but we are still a far better team than we were. ALOT has been put in place for this club to start moving forward and we will expect to do that over the next half of the season.

Media - Is the playoffs too far away already though?

SDE - 7 points seems alot but if we go on a run then they aren't. We need to start picking up maximum points. We have Preston and then Wolves so we are looking for 6 points from them games and I think thats the only way we can look at it.

Media - There are rumours that a transfer between yourself and Barcelona failed this week, is that true?

SDE - Yes it is. I am quite disappointed to be honest. I had only emailed Adam on Tuesday/Wednesday to confirm that it was all due to go ahead and he replied stating that it would. These things happen, we will move on and look towards another player now. I am still to hear from Adam as to why the move didn't take place but that is his choice.

Media - Are there any other deals lined up?

SDE - Yes we should have a new left Winger arriving from Reggina next week in Chris Brunt. Brunt has been in superb form in Italy so I think the Saints fans should look forward to his arrival. We are then looking at a couple of positions where we feel we could strengthen but nothing has been agreed yet.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Fiorentina Fan Fury

Fiorentina under manager Rob O'Brien have become synonymous with attacking football and last season were surprise candidates in the race for the Serie A title. Despite losing to Juventus in that fight, and AC Milan pipping them at the last minute to 2nd place in the league, fans and board alike took it as a massive step and the attractive football endeared O'Brien to everyone linked to the club. However this season these positives have been exaggerated leaving huge holes in the team, which has now split the board and fans. While the board seem to hold faith in their manager following last season, a number of shocking moments this season has apparently turned the fans on their manager.

At the weekend Fiorentina conceded a staggering 8 goals loosing 8-7 to Sampdoria and the team who seems unable or unwilling to defend were then punished by Chelsea losing 9-8 in Europe yesterday night having been 7-2 up!! Fans booed their players off the pitch labelling the defensive ability of their team as a 'joke'. O'Brien has only 1 centre back in his entire squad this season which will no doubt only add to the problem.

This weekend reports suggested the Italian FA were seeking to bring back defensive qualities to Italian teams seemingly evolving into attacking forces but defensively inept sides. It is unsurprising the two significant defences in Italy are those of Juventus and AC Milan, the two sides top and second last season, and the two sides who sit in those positions again this season. While the board may still back O'Brien no manager has ever survived for very long when the fans have turned on them, and he will surely be looking to swing public opinion back in his favour quickly.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Newcombe Betrays Santander

The Italian press have this lunchtime released a shocking story that Newcombe, the ex-Arsenal manager, has been in Italy these past few days following his teams last gasp winner in the league at the weekend. Palermo have been seeking a manager who can build on their impressive form pushing them into the top half of the league this season, and it has been revealed they have been in discussions with the Racing Santander manager. The Spanish club were promising and dark horses for promotion into the Spanish La Liga prior to Newcombe's arrival, and he has failed to make them anything more during his tenure. However it's thought the lure of Serie A football, with potential European football next season at Palermo, would tempt him to leave his promising side. Palermo boast an impressive attack array as part of the recent development in Italian football towards offence over defence. The leaked story also points towards a significant wage rise for Newcombe, and Palermo will surely want to agree a move soon rather than waiting for the end of the season, should the Genoa position become available with their seemingly never ending Italian fortunes.

Harris to Italy?

Lazio have admitted they are interested in appointing Real Zaragoza manager Ashley Harris before the end of the season. Lazio are fighting to retain their Serie A status with some key players underperforming under the current caretaker manager. Harris has been successful this season leading Zaragoza to top of the Segunda Division ready for an immediate return back to La Liga making him a high candidate for the vacant positions in Europe. Having been relegated last season, Lazio hope a long time top flight team will be able to attract Harris away from a team no doubt due to be relegation favourites next season should they achieve their expected promotion.

Southampton Back Davies-Evans

After a run of tough fixtures in which they have failed to acquire the necessary points tally to support the early season talk of promotion, today the Southampton board have decided to issue a public backing of their manager. In what many have previously considered to be a sign of pending dismissal the backing was given stating they believe Davies-Evans can "turn around the poor form". They are expecting the club to take advantage of an upcoming easier run of fixtures which should propel them back into the promotion race. The signings this season have been impressive and improved the side significantly however failing to reach the play-offs would surely have disastrous effects on the teams finances, struggling to meet the increased wage bill those players have brought. Whether the public support will in fact condemn him to being sacked or drive the team to achieve better results, only time will tell.

pricey · Cult Status

oh dear the dreaded vote of confidence lol

-- Edited by pricey on Tuesday 29th of June 2010 11:05:41 AM

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans: Dismisses reports as pure speculation

At his press conference this morning, Southampton manager Steve Davies-Evans was quizzed about reports that he has been given the dreaded vote of confidence from the clubs board. The Welshman was quick to dismiss the reports and that his relationship with the chairman Simon Newcombe was as healthy as ever.

Media - Steve, we have read reports that your board have backed you publicly today, what do you make of that?

SDE - Well firstly, I didn't see any quotes from individuals which always indicates that it's more than likely just column inches in your papers that need filling. I am not worried about my position at all, if Simon [Newcombe] comes to me with something different then the situation could change.

Media - But do you not agree that a public backing has then turned into a pending dismissal?

SDE - It's happened in the past yeah but this is merely speculation. I am in regular contact with Simon and he is always kept informed of what happens at my level. Our target for the season was 8th, we WILL beat that and as you all know, I am looking to reach the playoffs.

Media - and what about reports that missing out on the playoffs would be catastrophic to the clubs finances?

SDE - We don't have players on huge wages here. Yes there are higher rated players here than there were before but if we didn't change that, we would have been fighting for 11th place without a hope of playoffs.

Media - So are you 100% confident that you will be allowed to finish the season?

SDE - Well as I say, I don't make those decisions and that is something that you may need to ask Simon Newcombe but as far as I am concerned, I am here to stay and I want to carry out the job I started. If Simon decides otherwise, he is the chairman and that is his choice. Until then, I will continue to push these players and hopefully get us moving in the right direction.

Ash · Cult Status

Spanish media caught up with Real Zaragoza manager after his side's 5-1 win over Getafe.

SM: Ashley, you achieved your biggest win of the season at the weekend, is that your best performance so far?

AH: Well, with the greatest of respect for Getafe, they are one of the weakest side's in the division, other performances have probably been more important, however i'm pleased we went on and scored a few as we try and entertain the fans here, they were pleased at the final whistle and certainly got their money's worth. The strikeforce is connecting well at the moment and i'm delighted with our position at the top of the league as we near the mid point of the season.

SM: It's a big game this weekend against second placed Real Betis what's the plan?

AH: Well i'm not going to reveal that to you guys here am i! Were training very hard this week with extensive match briefings as were aware of the importance of the fixture. If we win this week it will give us a 7 point gap at the top, which we would be delighted with. Betis are an excellent side as they've proved with their league position and we have done our homework on their players to ensure we get the best possible result. There's a big excitement around the city about the game, and hopefully we can take a few away fans to the big game, despite the long journey.

SM: There have been media rumours about a possible move to Italy in the near future. Can you shed any light on this?

AH: Well i don't often comment on rumours circulating in the press. At the moment there has been no contact from any club and i'm just focusing on the game against Betis at the weekend.

SM: But if there was to be contact would it be something that interests you?

AH: Well to be honest i would have to evaluate that, you never know in football what might be around the corner and i would never rule anything in or out in regards to job offers but as i stated a minute ago there has been no contact and i'm concentraing on the game at the weekend which is of vital importance to Zaragoza's season.

SM: Thanks for time.

AH: No problem

-- Edited by Ash on Tuesday 29th of June 2010 02:16:16 PM

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta News

After a lot of waiting around I eventually managed to get to speak to Atalantas manager, Terry Manifold, before Friday clash this weekend with Empoly. "Every game in this league is tough and Empoly wont be coming here the ride, all we have to do is keep it tight and take advantage of any mistakes they make."

"I have almost finished the job with the re-building of the team and I am expecting to see the goals going in on a more regular basis."

"As I expected," Terry said, "Renato Augusto has given that bit of sparkle to the mid field. He scored twice on his first outing." " We have a final throw of the dice this weekend when the last piece of the jigsaw goes into place." " I have been chasing this player for a month now and I have finally agreed a swop deal that should be beneficial to both clubs." " I think Atalanta will be stronger in the second half of the season," Terry said "Ready to take advantage of any slip up by the top two."

Atalanta continues to do reasonable well in the league sitting very comfortably in 3^rd slot. I know Terry still thinks Atalanta can still get automatic promotion this year. We are now 4 points adrift of the second team and well within striking distance, Terry was quick to point out.

-- Edited by Tezza on Tuesday 29th of June 2010 10:16:03 PM

Liam · Cult Status

Sevilla FC Television spoke to Liam Riste in the build up to La Liga's massive top 4 'clash of the titans' this weekend.

SFCTV: This weekend is one all footballing fans, especially the Spanish, want to see. Real Madrid and Barcelona clash along with your Sevilla team taking on Real Valladolid. How big is this weekend?

LR: Well this weekend will bring most of Spain to a stand still I'd have thought. The quality of football should be good and I'm sure no-one will want to miss any of the action. 1st vs 3rd and 2nd vs 4th. This has the potential to mix up and reshape the top of the table!

SFCTV: So have you made any special preparations for Real Valladolid?

LR: I want to treat this game like any other. Sure the pressures are there and a win would be ideal, but the players know that the season has a second half and I want the players to feel no pressure and go out to enjoy their football and the result is more likely to come if they don't think too much about the opponent and more about themselves.

SFCTV: So do you think your team can get a result?

LR: If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. I think we have a decent chance of getting something, although playing away from home makes the challenge all the more harder. Simon is a good manager and will be looking to win and extend his lead in La Liga, although he will have to keep it together for the next half regardless.

SFCTV: Real Valladolid pipped you for the final European spot this week in the 87th minute! You must be disappointed?

LR: The team and I were gutted! We should have had more than 3 points and qualified in 2nd place after our fantastic win against Man Utd. Unfortunately things happened and we were knocked out! We will be back though and will be looking to improve on this campaign! Also, Valladolid going through may affect their league form.

SFCTV: You beat Levante in La Liga 4-1 last weekend, you must have been pleased?

LR: I was happy to bounce back with that win and we need to keep winning if we want to mount a serious challenge in the league and for European football. All the teams around us won, so it was important to win as well.

SFCTV: Your friend Ashley Harris has a big game this weekend and has also been linked with Lazio, what do you make of this?

LR: Ash is focussed on getting a big 3points this weekend and this speculation hasn't hindered this at all...

I personally think Ash would be crazy to run off to Italy whilst the team he has built in the last few seasons are running away so comfortably with the Segunda at the moment. But it's just speculation and having spoken to Ash, who says he hasn't had any contact from Lazio, I think he would only want to move to a big club, and I wouldn't consider Lazio any better than Real Zaragoza! For me, Espanyol is the biggest club without a manager and even though they are in the same league as me, it would be nice to see them appoint a manager soon as they have massive potential.

SFCTV: Ok thanks again for your time.

LR: No problem, cheers.