Week 18

Liam · Cult Status

Week 18

Football Academy · Cult Status

Valencia have called a crisis meeting with manager Steven Esdale with the club 8 points from safety.

Football Academy · Cult Status

AC Milan have moved quickly to approach an out of contract manager in a shock swoop to replace Luke Coakley immediately.

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley moves to Cardiff

Luke your time in Milan ended with great disappointment, how do you see Milan going over the next few seasons with a new manager.

I have great affection for the club and I hope they can get a good manager in.It wont be easy but I believe the club has a good balance about it.It does need tweaking to progress but I wish them well.

What does the future hold for you?

Well I have moved back home to Cardiff to live for now, I have nothing on the table at the moment so I will relax with a whiskey and a take away tonight and see what tomorrow brings.Not many jobs interest me but obviously the Cardiff one does appeal and ive made no secret of that but no official approach has been made. The one thing I can guarantee is that I will be at the Cardiff Liverpool game this weekend, in what capacity I dont know but either way im enjoying being home and seeing the mighty bluebirds play.

-- Edited by Luke_C on Sunday 22nd of August 2010 10:24:25 PM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Everton move top in hunt for title glory

Toffees boss Mark Rollings hailed the impact of young winger Antonino Barilla as the Italian provided two assists to help his Everton side despatch of Fulham 3-1 and move into first place in league one with just four games to go. Everton have set their sights firmly on the League One title and the welsh boss has set his stars a unsurpassable target of 12 points from their last four games to secure top spot. In his post-match press call Rollings stated;

"The margins are very fine, and we could finish anywhere from top to fourth. We have to thank Southampton for putting in one of the displays of the season to take points of Reading. I spoke to Steve a few times in the week and knew he was going to go all out to get the win. Obviously it is very helpful to us but its also pleasing that he now looks a very good bet in the play-offs. We both said how we hoped to be sharing a beer in celebratory circumstances come the end of the season so we need to make sure we don't lose that automatic promotion place."

Rollings' side now turn their attention to next weeks fixture against Nottingham Forest, ahead of a daunting run of games which see's them take on Southampton, Norwich and Reading. Having held back the likes of Kevin Doyle, David Prutton, Asier and Fernando Amorebieta from recent matches Rollings dropped a hint that they may be used more industriously over the coming weeks.

"We had to take advantage of the easier run and make sure we kept everyone fresh for the final push. A lot of our signings have been made with next season in mind, but we also know we need to get the job done and get out of this league. We know we have something left in the locker and we will assess the threat of each team before picking a team we are confident of going out and getting maximum points. Nottingham Forest present the first threat and from recent weeks we believe we know how to get at them."

Finally, with all the managerial upheaval of recent weeks Rollings was asked about his future at Everton.

"I would have thought the next four weeks will shape my future. I have been given very clear targets from the chairman here and this season it is Champions so I am working flat out to deliver that. I believe that I have pushed this club forwards over the past season and a bit and will continue towards my goal. Forget the targets I have been given, I have my own personal goals and motivation and Everton FC are a massive club capable of delivering those."

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta News

Terry Manifold was still smiling at the win over Brescia at the weekend and fully expected Reggina manager, Jonathan Petty to have sent him a bottle of bubbly for securing him the top spot.

Terry tells me there is still a lot of work to do at Atalanta but from here the planning for the play-offs has started in earnest.

"I think the match this week will be very interesting," Terry said "Lorvorno have a defensive problem with suspensions and sickness and the rumour is that the cleaners playing." "I will be resting 6 players from the side that beat Brescia at the weekend and I think we still have a chance at taking all three points."

"Ben Thompson will be pulling his hair out with team selection but Michael Mifsud will still be a threat."

PRESS, You do seem to have a few in on loan?

TM, It was necessary. We have a good squad of first team players but to have success we needed to add to them. If I can't buy I will have to borrow.

PRESS, That does not say much for survival in Serie A.?

TM, No it doesn't, but we aren't there yet and would prefer to wait and worry about that when we are. You can still loan players in Serie A. They will just have to be better.

PRESS, Do you miss home?

TM, I have to say that I have enjoyed my time here at Atalanta and have no plans to move. I can now order drinks in Italian and that has improved my life enormously.

PRESS, All the best for Friday?

TM, Thank you, I think you will be surprised on Friday by the strength on display even with the 6 players sitting out.

-- Edited by Tezza on Monday 23rd of August 2010 09:20:48 AM

Turney · Cult Status

Villa Manager still confident of Play Off Place

Today Aston Villa Manager Martin Turney came out and told skysports news that he was confident that his side would secure a championship play off place.

Turney Said "Although results have not been good I feel that the new players that I have brought in are starting to settle and the team results would start to show this. I was obviously disappointed with the result but believe we can bounce back from this poor result"

"On another note I cannot believe how badly my old team Valencia have done this season. The blame can not be totally put on the manager but on the chairman who has made an habit of sacking managers. If as expected the manager does get sacked then I can not completly rule myself out of returning to Valencia but it would require the current chairman to leave before I ever went back"

Football Academy · Cult Status

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have lodged official papers to the English FA against an unnamed club over "questionable financial irregularities".

Football Academy · Cult Status

Luke Coakley has left his new home in Cardiff to talk with officials from an unnamed club over a contract.

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley confirmed as Cardiff gaffer

Press conference held at Ninian Park

Luke you described this as your dream job, how does it feel?

"It has been well documented since I came into managed in football Academy that this is the club I wanted to manage.It has a special place in my heart and now Im here, its an emotional day for me.Ive managed and played in some of the best stadiums in the world but nothing compares to managing Cardiff City.The pressure will be on and now the hard work starts for me and for the players."

So your initial target will be to keep the club in the premier league?

"Of course, that is not going to be easy but we will give it everything we can.We need to get three more points than West Brom and as we dont play them its out of our hands.Sadly the transfer window has closed we I dont have the chance to sign anyone or loan in or out which is a shame.We go with what we got though and see what happens.Im here with a long term plan so its not just about the next three or four weeks but three or four years."

You start with Liverpool tonight, its not going to be an easy task?

"I will be at the game tonight although Terry Burton will be taking charge as he has been training them for the past few weeks. I have spoke to Terry and had a brief chat with the players to tell them the minimum I expect from them in every game and how I see the club going forward."

What do you make of the squad you have inherited?

"Well from the league position I would say its simply not good enough at the moment.As mentioned the transfer window is closed so that is that.When the window re-opens I think we will see a shift around with some players.It does mean that some players have extra time to prove there worth to me.Having four right midfields seems a bit excessive to me."

Do you still have plans to improve the stadium as mentioned in your Cardiff City application?

"It was always a long term plan to improve the stadium, it will improve by at least two thousand seats this summer but It will depend what division we are in with regards to improving it anymore."

And finally can you do the Ayotallah for us before you leave?

"With great pleasure" (pats his head)

Tezza · Cult Status

Atalanta Post Match Interview

What an afternoon for Atalanta. Manager Terry Manifold did tell us that he was dropping 6 players from last weeks win against Brescia, and he even hinted at taking all three points. Well they did.

Livorno took the lead on 22 minutes with a cheeky goal through the legs of Atalanta's young goalkeeper on loan from Chelsea. It wasn't until 26 minutes before Atalanta had a worthwhile attempt on goal. But Ryan Jarvis made no mistake and put the home side on level terms.

On 34 minutes Michael Mifsud found the same space between the goakeepers legs and Livorno were again back in front.

However it took two more goals from Scott Sinclair to secure the three points for Atalanta in what was a really interesting encounter.

Press.
Well you did say you could exploit Livornos defensive problems?
TM.
Yes I did think we could take advantage of Livornos defensive problems. Ben Thompson could only really play 2 5 3 today with his player suspensions, so I think they did well to keep us to a 3 -2 scoreline.
Press.
What about Schlich?
TM.
He is only a young lad but he has real potential. He will have learned a lot today, some of it about the space between his legs. After his nightmare start he did settle and played well in the second half. He will be alright.

Press.

Good day today then?

TM.

Very good, I expected to be dropping a few points this week until I was told the problems at Livorno so it is a bonus. I am not sure how the other results have gone.

Press.

We are hearing that Ascoli have drawn today

TM.

If that is true it has been a great day. My reserve side have pulled off a great victory and it keeps the club on a continued high. The season is nearly over and yet it is only just starting. Must go!

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 28th of August 2010 10:52:00 PM

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 28th of August 2010 10:52:55 PM