Week 14

Liam · Cult Status

Week 14

Ash · Cult Status

Spanish sports paper Marca today printed an interview with Real Zaragoza manager Ashley Harris after his side's 1-1 draw with Santander.

M: That's your second draw in a row, any cause for concern?

AH: Nah, i don't think so. We knew that Villarreal are a very strong side and their proving that now having moved up to second in the league, so i thought that was a good point, and i'm sure your well aware of the signings that have been made at Santander, so that was a good point also. We have maintained the gap on the chasing pack, were quite comfortable with our league position and i'm very confident that we can remain unbeaten and win the Segunda.

M: Do you not think there's any complacency kreeping in?

AH: No, definately not. I watch these guys in training every week and there has been just as much intensity as normal within the group in training and on matchdays so i don't think that would be soemthing that concerns me right now. Look at our league position i can hardly complain now can I!

M: Do you believe that the Segunda has grown stronger in recent weeks?

AH: Yes, i think everyone can see that the league has grown stronger as the season has worn on. Santander and Bilbao have made big signings which have improved their squads considerably and a number of clubs towards the bottom have picked up new managers which is great to see, this can only make the league more competitive and i'm looking forward to the remaining games with great interest, i'm just pleased we have been able to pull out the gap we have at the top.

M: You have watched with interest the performances of Victor Moses in La Liga, what do you think?

AH: Well, i always new that if he went back to Liam for the second half of the season that he was perfectly capable of putting in the performances he has done at the very highest level, i'm pleased for Victor he's a great lad and his overiding ambition was to break into the Sevilla first team and i'm pleased that Real Zaragoza were able to help him find some form, he's going to be a top player.

M: Thanks for your time.

AH: It's always a pleasure.

Raymond · Cult Status

Gazzetta News

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Magic man creates Illusion for Farnells Chievo

The Great Suprendo was with you for a matter of days and alas a draw with the might of Internazianale, what was his input into this result?

Well I was a little concerned when the rabbits started coming out of the hat at our training sessions! They were everywhere, but as a result the teams movement has improved ten fold!

I have to apologise to our groundsman though, due to these rabbits we hardly have much of a training pitch left - he is not a happy bunny!

Seriously, what can the Great One do for Chievo?
Im not quite sure! Hoddle had Eileen Drewery, Steve Mclaren had his Umbrella and I have Pif Paf Puf, the differance is if we stay up or go down we will do so laughing. We were never lacking in team spirit but it comes to show what a little bit of fun can bring to the camp.

Whats next Harry Potter?!!!
Hardly! but we have enquired about the services of Jimmy Cranky in order to keep team spirits up!

Can we see some magic next time we arrange a press conference Ray?
I am sure we can arrange the old box and a saw trick?

Gazzetta is not expected back at Chievo any time soon!

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta News

The Atalanta manager faces one of his biggest tests of his tactical management this weekend when the entertain title chasing Reggina at home.

"If the match goes ahead," Terry said, "The forecast is for snow tomorrow," " We will be up against a really good side and it will not be easy."

"But Atalanta is a much more settled side in the second half of the season with all the new signings now looking like they have been with us for years." Terry said, "We now have a mixture of young and experienced players who will be working very hard to contain Reggina and hopefully capitalising on every mistake they make."

"I think we are up for it," said Terry, "Jonathan has put something special together at Reggina, but, we do have the home advantage."

Asked if he had anything else to add, Terry said "Yes, get wrapped up for the match, its going to be cold " " Lets hope its a good game."

-- Edited by Tezza on Thursday 22nd of July 2010 10:05:05 PM

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley sells Fulham

Statement

"I can today confirm the sale of Fulham to a London businessman who will no doubt make him self know to everyone in due course.Firstly I would like to thank the Fulham fans who have backed me throughout my time at Fulham.I feel I have taken Fulham as far as I can and have therefore passed on my duties as chairman. I have lost in the region of 6m of my personal wealth in helping Fulham but leave the club totally debt free and with money in the bank and looking forward.I can leave with my head held high and wishing Fulham all the best for the future."

-- Edited by Milan on Friday 23rd of July 2010 04:52:30 PM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Rumour Mill

Chelsea players admit they have been stunned after losing to Manchester United last week and say training has been tough with morale low in the camp.

Manchester United winger Simon Vukcevic believes his last gasp winner over rivals Chelsea has "thrown the title race wide open".

Lionel Messi is considering a move out of England should Chelsea fail to win the league, with Genoa, Real Madrid and Barcelona front runners in the race for his signature.

Chairman Luke Coakley is set to turn his back on Fulham with a view to a move to Cardiff City.

Cardiff plan to sack Huw Evans before the season is out, but managers Craig Radford and Gareth Gardner top their wanted list despite outspoken interest from the AC Milan manager.

Simon Newcombe is in talks with Luke Coakley over the sale of Southampton.

Reports from Spainish newspapers suggest whoever loses the race for 3rd between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be sacked.

Reggina teenager Lorand Szatmari is set to join Celta Vigo next week.

Danny is in Liverpool to have a medical ahead of a move from AC Milan next week.

Chelsea are close to signing £30 million valued AC Milan playmaker Danny.

Raymond Farnell will be given key to Chievo should he manager to keep them up in Serie A following his signing of a magician.

Genoa board are lining up a massive swoop for Liverpool winger Robinho, but only to attract a new coach if the current manager is sacked.

Chelsea will fund the deal for Danny by selling Marcelo to Juventus to replace Phillip Lahm who is on his way out of the club.

Liverpool will fund the deal for Danny by selling Javier Mascherano to Juventus to replace Sebastian Giovinco who is on his way out of the club.

Top clubs are scouting the Spanish Segunda where a generation of new managers appears to be flourishing.

Espanyol want to appoint a new manager on the back of their recent surge him the table but are inviting interested parties to apply for the vacancy.

Watford are considering an approach for Reggina boss Jonathan Petty.

Peter Hill-Wood worth over £70 million following his sale of assets at Arsenal, is considering a route back into football club ownership.

Luke_C · Cult Status

AC Milan manager Luke Coakley spoke to media Italia before a big derby match against Inter Milan.

Big rivals this week Inter Milan, what can we expect?

I would hope a great game, Gareth Gardener is a good manager and has told me he plans to go full out attack.Of course Milan dont know any other way than full out attack so should be interesting.This season though we have worked on our defending and to great effect now having the second best defensive record in the league, so it wont be easy for them.They also have some very good defenders so it will be interesting.

They have lost Ronaldinho, how much of a loss will that be for them?

No doubt about it, he is a world class player and any team would miss him but Inter still have a strong unit.This game along with the next two means we have three massive games in succession so ive had to leave out a few players like Jones, Terry, Aqualini and Maxi Lopez but the players brought in are by far capable.Its going to be an exciting game for all.

Strong rumours suggest midfielder Danny will be leaving for a top English club, can you confirm or deny this?

Yes he will be going to England, he was set to join Liverpool on loan but now a deal has been agreed where he will move to England in a permanent basis.He never really settled in Italy but he has all the attributes to be a world class player and I wish him well.

Many criticized your original move for Danny, do you admit they had a point?

No not in the slightest, we felt he was someone long term but he wanted to move.People say we paid to much but in loan fees and a his final fee we have earned aroundseven million pound on him so I think its safe to say it was a healthy investment

You released a statement saying you had sold Fulham and many believe this is for a planned move to Cardiff City in the summer?

Fulham needed a chairman with more financial backing than I could offer and they will now have a owner who can take them forward.With regards to Cardiff City it has been well documented that to be manager would be my dream job but they have made no approach at all and I am contracted to AC Milan.Lets also respect the fact they have a manager in Huw Evans.

Would you welcome an approach?

As ive said they have a manager, should that situation change then yes I would.

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Parma get much needed first league win of the season

Parma finally got their first win of the season away at Messina thanks to a 1-0 victory a sole strike from Leon Osman his first of the season just before half time which will no doubt delight the away support and Parma boss Jonathan Sinclair.

After the game Jonny Sinclair was obviously delighted 'It's a much needed win for us it was a good performance and finally we got the rewards of all three points and at least not bottom of the table anymore but we have to back this result up with more wins and that comes by scoring far more goals than we have done defensively we're not bad at all I mean Sampdoria and Fioretina have conceded more than we have so that isn't are main issue this season.

We have Genoa next and we managed to nick aa point off them earlier on in the season but of course its going to be a difficult game with the ambundance of quality they have and Jamie Best is a very good manager but if we set outselves up correctly I don't see why we can't get something from the game.'

Jonny Sinclair also had quite a bit to say on the Milan derby that finished 3-3 with a goal that crossed the line not being given for Inter Milan

'Gareth will be furious with the decision it was a great effort by Salomon Kalou and it would have be a very important not only because it's their rivals but because they want to make sure they at least get a uefa cup spot for next season he'll see that as two points dropped and it just brings the question up again why don't the FA bring in goal line technology? Instead of just annoying fans, players and clubs alike it would give referees a far easier time of things instead of us just moaning about them all the time. However considering Steve and Gareth's argument the other week in the media Steve will be quite happy with Gareth that he has managed to help AC Milan drop points haha

Jonny Sinclair then went back on the coach with the squad for a happy trip back to Parma.

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta Post Match Interview

The match against one of Atlantas main rivals in the Serie B league was a very tense affair with not too many chances. "I thought we won the first half and were very unluckly not to be ahead at half time," Terry said, " I don't know what Jonathan said to his side at half time, but they came out very much stronger and a different team." " To be fair there wasnt a great deal between the sides, but I have to give it to Reggina they deserved the win."

Press.

Does this result dent your chances of promotion?

TM.

We have more than an outside chance of being in the play offs with a very good chance at getting through to the third spot in this league, was Terrys reply, I havent made myself popular in the past by speaking my mind, but today just shows how life would be in Serie A. Very difficult in deed. Reggina weren't given much room or time on the ball, but they stuck at it and found that essential opening.

Press.

Could you survive in Serie A if promoted?

TM.

With the current set up and with two of our most experienced players leaving at the end of the season, I wouldn't think so.

Press.

What will the Chairman say after this latest failure?

TM.

I will have my usual meeting with the Chairman this week and I am sure he will agree that we did our best with what we have at our disposal.

-- Edited by Tezza on Sunday 25th of July 2010 07:37:48 AM

PUREADE1 · International Player

BRISTOL BOSS SPEAKS

Bristol city manager Hayden Dando has spoken for the first time in a few weeks today, and issued a clear come and get me to clubs.

Dando said "The task at Bristol is beyond a joke, the team i innherited if i am honest was a poor League One side and never going to compete in the championship, i have brought in one or two good players such as Carew but without the right players around them they will never be able to make enough difference, the 5 million we had when i took over had to spent quickly as we had one or two positions where there was not a player available who could fill the role and thus we are left trying to beg steal and borrow players from other clubs, to be honest i would much rather manage in League One with a club who actually have some ambition and something to work with instead of this, i am thoroughly unhappy and at times the only reason i have stayed in the Bristol job is so that i can keep looking for another club, yes we haven't got a single victory all season and to be honest we will be lucky to get one, i have to send a team out every week hoping for a draw, it is boring for the fans, depressing for me and i do not want to be here anymore"

Dando's comments will come as no surprise following his attempt to get the West Brom job that was so close to his heart but it is now apparant that he would go almost anywhere to escape his City hell.

Wardy · Top Flight Player

RAGS TO RICHES

Three weeks into the job and Getafe is the place to be with manager Mr Ward leading the revolution. Living in the shadow of Madrid and in a time of great success for both halves of Madrid finally do Getafe have something to cheer about?
"We are putting the get back into Getafe. At the start of July we were bottom. Now we are 8th a few points away from the play offs. We are getting points and goals from places the team couldn't imagine before"

A tight 2-1 win over Gimnastic away was an impressive opening match that Getafe had the better of nearly doubling the points of the play off placed opponents and more impressive was the 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao last week who are second in the league.
"I was sad to be given a team bottom of the lowest league in Spain. I admire Spanish football but it was a big move from my home in England. We started really well and young Pareko has been an inspiration. The strikers needed a manager who believed in them and showed them the way to play beautiful football!"

Patrice Evra joined from Expanyol on the cheap in his final season in football and was made captain. He then scored two goals last week.
"Pat is a top player and we know if he wasn't retiring he would be at Espanyol still. The money was worth it to add something special in defence. He is so good he can add something going forwards as well."

Getafe finally got produced the sort of display fans have wanted for so long this week anihilating Almeria 6-1. Captain Evra scored once and young strikers Parejo and Berbil got the other five!
"Almeria were above us when I took over. To win by so many shows how far we have come. The team are playing beautiful football. Real Madrid charge 18 to watch top football but you can see football as it should be played for just 10 here. The crowds have not been coming to watch the old team but I hope my style of football will bring them back in droves. We believe our football is worthy of a play off place so Osasuna better watch out. Can we get promoted? Anything is possible when you play football like we are right now."

Mr Ward wouldn't comment on his future after admitting Spain was a long way from home.
"Spain is my home now. It was a big move for me but I owe Getafe for giving me my first job. There are some big teams with out managers and I hope they take notice of me because that means I am being successful here with Getafe."

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Leeds 2-6 Southampton

Sky Sports caught up with Steve Davies-Evans after their emphatic win against Leeds at Elland Road this week.

SSN - Steve, what a result! You must be extremley happy?

SDE - Yeah of course, it was very almost the perfect result!

SSN - Almost perfect?

SDE - Well yeah, the boys were awsome all day going forward but I think we got to 6-0 and we just took our foot off the gas and allowed Leeds to come back into it and score 2 goals. When you're 6-0 up you can get away with it but if we were 2-0 up then it would have been very different. I'm not putting the boys down at all because I thought they were excellent today.

SSN - Four goals from Antonio Guayre on his debut, what's his mood like in the dressing room at the moment?

SDE - As you can imagine, 4 goals on his debut has meant that he has the biggest smile on his face ever! He was excellent today to be fair and pretty much took every chance that came his way.

SSN - Another good display from Ronaldinho today, making one and scoring another?

SDE - Yeah Ronny was solid for us today and despite not making every goal, he was instramental in most of our goals today. Lets hope he can keep this form up.

SSN - You're now in the playoffs, after 10 points from you're last 4 games, how happy are you with that?

SDE - Yeah really happy. Unbeaten in four games, 10 points from a possible 12 and we are finally in the playoffs. We have been building all season but we are finally starting to hit form when it matters. We still have ALOT of work to do but we are confident of gaining a playoff place at the end of the season if we stick to our game-plan.

SSN - Fulham up next at home, after they lost 4-1 against your old team Nottm Forest this week, are you confident of another three points?

SDE - Fulham are still a good side. They have recently lost their manager and chairman so they whole club will be pulling together. The players there will be doing everything they can to play well to make sure they have a place in the team when a new manager is appointed. It won't be an easy game but the confidence is high in the squad so we will be working hard again to try and claim a win.

SSN - Steve, thanks for your time and good luck.

SDE - No worries guys, Thanks.

-- Edited by Bluebird99 on Monday 26th of July 2010 05:06:58 PM

Luke_C · Cult Status

Disastrous week leaves Coakley wondering

Luke not a good week for Milan, dropping points in the league against rivals Inter Milan and now out of the cup against Juventus.
Yes it has been a very bad week for Milan, we had two big games and they were the worst performances of the season and are unacceptable for the standards I expect from my team.

We should have beat Inter Milan, we scored two excellent goals that were disallowed as did Inter have one but we had better possession and more chances. Maybe it was a mistake to leave out Maxi Lopes but he cannot play in every game. Credit also has to go to Gareth Gardener and Inter Milan who took a risk and tried to take the game to us and it worked.

And Juventus?
We were never in the game, and Juventus were deserved winners. We had a mistake on our teamsheet which meant John Terry was unavailable for this game but Im not sure how much of a difference that would have made. We didnt do the things we have been doing all season and that disappoints me. They had Macherano making his debut and he had a massive effect on the game. We congratulate Juventus and now look onwards to the league and European cup.

You future must now be very uncertain after you said you would leave should you not win a cup?
I said I will offer my resignation should we not win a trophy and stand by that comment. Its not over yet, we are still in Europe and the league title is still in our own hands. Its going to be very tough but we will keep going.

Rumours are circling that both Ribery and Danny are leaving, can you confirm any of the rumours?
I can confirm both will be moving to Liverpool but Ribery will be returning on loan until the end of the season. We have a good cash injection and some good young players coming in to help balance what was starting to look like an aging squad. We have agreed a deal for a replacement right midfielder also. We also have Siqueira coming in from Udinese for 8m in week one of next season. The squad will have a fresh look about it next season while keeping the important experienced players.

-- Edited by Milan on Wednesday 28th of July 2010 01:21:39 PM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Lansdown disappointed in Dando

Last week Hayden Dando professed to the world his desire to leave Bristol City less than half a season into the job. Dando, an ex-manager in Italy had taken time out of management but was given a way back at Bristol City in the Championship. Following a surprise promotion from League One with their manager moving onto better things in Spain, Bristol City continued to surprise many by surviving in the Championship despite no manager and a squad viewed by many as League One standard.

Chairman Stephen Lansdown hit out critically of Dando's comments today defending his team and suggesting Dando was partly to blame for the failures this season. "Money was there but is now gone. A manager can't have unlimited funds unless he proves himself and if he hasn't he should be respectful of the job opportunities he gets. We have over achieved for 3 seasons but this season we are struggling. Hayden's appointment hasn't had the wanted effect. We hoped his experience could help us move into the play-offs but instead he brought his own presumptions about us. If you join a team thinking they are rubbish and will amount to nothing, you bring negative tactics and team selections and it spreads like a virus. Dando might not want to manage us next season but it would be a miracle if he is still here next week after such disrespectful comments about the club who have taken him in."

Cardiff attracting competition

Huw Evans is fighting to keep his job at Cardiff who face certain relegation from the Premiership this season but in the face of his struggling there appears to be managers moving into position ready to apply the minute he is axed. Luke Coakley this week sold Fulham and opened the way to manage in England now with no conflicting chairman interests in that country. His dropped points to Inter Milan in the league and loss to Juventus in the cup in the last 7 days could spell the end to his reign despite support from the board who seem to still believe he is the right man for the Milan job having rebuilt them over the last few seasons.

Inter Milan crashed out to the hot prospects who are Palermo in the cup last night and reports suggest the restless could be set to walk out on another club which could leave the door open for an application to Cardiff. Gardner has experience across Europe but has struggled to add silverware in his big job at Inter Milan and while this may have been expected in a season of rebuilding, the team sit in 6th place. On form Genoa are hunting down Inter Milan and a resignation from Gardner could be seen as an easy way out before being overtaken and losing the last European place for next seasons new competition.

However the favourite has yet to position himself in the race. Craig Radford has built a strong Manchester United side and while other Welshmen have struggled in recent weeks Craig recorded one of the outstanding results of his season, beating holders Chelsea in the Premiership. While they are some way off Chelsea still, they sit comfortably in 3rd place a long way above the chasing pack.

PUREADE1 · International Player

Dando responds to Lansdowns Comments

Following comments in the media by the Bristol City chairman Hayden Dando responded by defending his comments "I have said quite clearly why i don't want to be here, the club had a small amount of money available considering the division they are in when i took over and when you look at the state of the squad when i took the job the money was quite simply pitiful for the club to stand a chance in the division. I like the people of Bristol but i will not take comments back that are an honest assesment of where this club is at. I would rather not manage than stay here much longer with the chairman lacking ambition as much as he does so to threaten to sack me is ridiculous when i don't want to be here anyway. I have stated that i would accept any job with an ambitious team but i am not prepared to stay with a club that are happy to sit at the bottom of the table and lose every week near enough, it is a waste of my time and the clubs"

The controversial manager has been rumoured to have sent an email to the chairman offering his resignation.