Week 5

pricey · Cult Status

Week 5

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

BREAKING NEWS: DAVIES-EVANS LEAVES SAINTS

Breaking News coming out of St Marys this evening is that manager Steve Davies-Evans has left the club with immediate affect. Davies-Evans had reportedly applied for the vacant managers job at Crystal Palace earlier in the day but Davies-Evans claims that words in the media from Chairman Dale Price has made his job untenible. Davies-Evans released the following statement:

"It is with deep regret that I announce my resignation from Southampton Football Club. Up until recently I have been very happy at St Marys and have actually enjoyed my best time in football here but my time has come to an end. It is acurate that I applied for the Job at Crystal Palace earlier today and this application has a major part to do with my resignation this evening. I spoke to my chairman Dale Price and informed him of my wish to apply for the Crystal Palace job which he state he was fine with. He also stated that he was happy for me to carry on my job at Southampton if I were unsuccessful which I was more than appy to do. Despite the best wishes from my chairman, I was saddened to hear Mr Price's comments in the media that he was upset with my decision to apply fr Palace. It is not the factthat Mr Price has a problem with it, buy more the fact that he told me one thing and the media a totally different story. I feel that if Me Price and the rest of the board were that upset, they should have made that clear there and then and maybe even have dismissed me of my duties rather than encourage me to stay if unsuccessful. I can honestly say that working for a chairman with these sort of intentions makes my role here untenible. I would like to say to te Southampton fans that they have been magnificent and I have loved serving them as a manager and I hope they get the further success they deserve. I believe that I am leaving this wonderful football club in a far healthier state than when I took over and I'm hoping the next manager will be able to build on this and maybe even go on to bigger and better things. I will no evaluate my options and see where they take me.
Thank you,"

Steve Davies-Evans

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Chievo 0-0 Parma

Jonny Sinclair was pleased to come away from Chievo with a point and praised their character after last week's disappointing loss to Atalanta.

'That was much better from the lads today we stemed Chievo's attacking quality superbly to be honest Adam Lallana was the only player who was causing any problems for us today again though we had our chance but just couldn't put them away we hit the post and Crocuh scored a perfectly good goald and it was chalked off, we really need a break from these stupid referree decisions because they are badly costing us but I can't take anything from the players they were superb the only problem I have with it is that we didn't manage to get the win we craved. Chievo probably have a team on par with us and it showed today I'm delighted we have managed to take a point against them because they are one of our main rivals for promotion this season and this will hopefully give us confidence going into the next few games.

-- Edited by Sinky2707 on Saturday 6th of November 2010 07:10:13 PM

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

It was another match and another draw for Siena yesterday against Catania in a game manager Terry Manifold thought they should have won.

"Catania are a difficult side to beat. They have managed to draw the last three matches which must tell you something about their style of play." Terry said, "I did say the keeper could be a problem and he was," "we had more chances and just did not take them."

PRESS.

You are now 6^th in the league does that bother you?

TM.

No it doesnt. There were four draws in Serie B today and nobody is really pulling away. It is all very even. One win and we could easily shoot up the league. The Siena side should be a little more settled after this week and we can get down to working together better. The additions coming in should make a big difference to our chances.

PRESS.

Who do you think are the teams up for promotion this year?

TM.

I think you have to watch Palma & Chievo very closely but the dark horse in this league could be Napoli. They are playing much better football this season and will take a lot of holding.

We have a Cup match on Monday and I will be fielding a very young side. The average age will be in the region of 24 years. That can only bode well for the future of this club. This year is about bringing these players on and giving them the experience to compete at a higher level. If it works out that we get very close this season, it will be a bonus. The current planning is for a go at a title shot next season, to be there this year, has to be a dream at the moment.

Besty · Cult Status

Second straight defeat for Genoa

Genoa manager speaks to the press after a second straight defeat in Serie A.

Jamie, after losing to AC Milan you seem to have gone backwards with a heavy defeat to Palermo?

I have to hold my hands up on this one, i rested a couple players and played a different formation and it just didnt work, maybe i underestimated them a little. The players gave me everything but we were outplayed today and it wasnt acceptable, i have to take the criticism for that so i apologise to the fans for todays performance. As soon as i saw their team sheet i thought we could be in trouble, credit to Callum and his team on a good win.

So why rest players against a team that has been flying high this season?

Well i felt the team i put out was good enough to get a result but obviously not. We had a poor pre-season which has set the players back a few weeks, even the youngsters have found the first few games hard going which is why i felt i had to try and manage the situation but it has backfired and i will need to review things before the next couple of games as these are crucial ones now.

You say the team you put out was obviously not good enough, does this mean more transfers are on the horizon?

To be honest i havent really had a problem with the team up until now, i felt we were very strong and had depth but maybe i was wrong. It has certainly made me question my position here and whether i am the right person to take the team forward, i really hope i am. We have a centre back coming in this week which i hope will help us to stop leaking goals but maybe i need to improve in all areas i'm not sure. We will see what happens.

Thanks for your time Jamie

pricey · Cult Status

PRICE ACCEPTS DAVIES-EVANSS RESIGNATION

Southampton chairman Dale Price has today come out and said he and the board have accepted the resignation of former manager Steve Davies-Evans Price had this to say The past day has been a fast paced one thats for sure. As I said yesterday I was unhappy about Steve wanting to leave after less than 2 weeks after saying he never wanted to leave it just confused the hell out of me and the rest of the board. Talk turned to who would take over at the saints We have already had a few people ask about becoming the next manager but as I said yesterday we are not going to rush into any decisions and may open it up for applicants to send CVs to us just so we make sure we get someone who wants to be at the club and has the same ambition as me and the board. Price finished the press conference with this statement I would like to thank Steve for all his hard work he put into the club in building a good foundation and a good base for the next manager to build on.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Soccer Star Hit-list

Soccer Star released its top 5 managers facing the sack tonight. The English press, along with pundits and media figures from Italy and Spain, compiled the list based on current form and pressures on the managers.

5 Jonny Sinclair (Parma)

With just two goals all season it is easy to see just why such a big club as Parma is sat in the lower reaches of Serie B. The board, fans and players will all be expecting promotion back to Serie A, but apparently lacking the ability to create or score, and at times to even attack, many will wonder just how much longer Jonny Sinclair can keep this form up before he faces the axe.

4 Martin Turney (Aston Villa)

The highly experienced manager has had time to settle into life in the Midlands but has struggled to find a finish to generally good if unremarkable seasons in the Championship. Investment has been spent on filling weaknesses in the squad and Aston Villa have one of the best squads depth-wise in the division. What they seem to lack is cutting edge, that cost them at the end of last season in their ultimately failed promotion run, and seems to be happening again this season. With just 1 win in 4 games, Villa look a team struggling to finish teams off. Hulk and Cicero have come in from abroad as star players but on their own, they don't appear to have enough to carry the team despite both putting in good display after good display. Martin Turney's future could depend on whether he can find a top class talisman to lead his team back up again.

3 Mark Rollings (Inter Milan)

The newly appointed Welshman is thought to have time this season to rebuild the aging squad to turn them into title challengers. Yet neither board nor fans would have been expecting quite this bad a start to the season. Inter Milan sit just outside the relegation places only on goal difference, thanks to 1 point gained this week in a draw against Lazio, a team just above them expected to face relegation this season. The bard may have inititally planned to allow a new incoming manager time to build without pressures on them, but if results keep going this way the pressure is sure to appear rapidly on Mark Rollings shoulders.

2 Jamie Best (Genoa)

Last season Genoa must have been within a breath of sacking their manager after he failed to deliver the progress that investment and expectation demanded. The previous manager was sacked despite moving the club into the top 4, and since that sacking very little has changed other than more money being spent. The board refused to invest pre-season, hinting at how unwilling they were to give a manager so close to the sack any money to spend if his future was to be a short one. The season started promisingly for Jamie Best with impressive wins and performances but this weeks loss to Palermo, a side not expected to challenge for the title, will be a devastating hammer blow to already paper thin belief in Jamie Best's ability to deliver trophies with the squad he's built.

And at number 1 Callum Jefferies (Sheffield Wednesday)

A vastly rich club with a lot of money invested, it wasn't beyond belief that Sheffield Wednesday would complete the full climb from League One to European Cup. However they bombed last season in the Premiership crashing straight back down into the Championship. The board decided funds weren't to be made available as money had already been invested to make the squad good enough to reach the Premiership. Despite this, Callum Jefferies sits rock bottom of the Championship with his Sheffield Wednesday team on just 1 point and they show no sign of promotion ambitions. The owners patience has already been severely tested.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings happy with Inter "pressure"

Inter Milan manager Mark Rollings has responded to recent press reports about his future at the club with an air of defiance, pledging to guide his side clear of the drop and onto better things. Although only 4 games into the job an English based press report has reported the young Welshman's job could already be under threat following a disappointing start to Serie A this season. Rollings however suggested paper talk didn't concern him and he was confident of the task ahead.

"What were people expecting exactly? Inter Milan was fast becoming the job that noone wanted and the side needed major surgery. I was given detailed instructions of what was expected of me when offered the role here and we are all working towards returning this great club to where it belongs. Of course there is pressure involved but if I wasn't able to work under those conditions then I may aswell go back to league one and manage because this is what its about."

Rollings had come under scrutiny for recent team selections, resting many of his top stars for games against the teams towards the top of the league. Once again the manager sternly defended his actions and suggested little would change against this weeks opponents Fiorentina.

"Yeah I could go and put out my bigger players and get them injured when we have much more winnable games coming up. The facts are there for all to see...right now we don't have the tools to compete against these teams. That is not due to my management, but managers who were happy to let the squad age as they achieved their personal goals. Next season, after a season of my management, we will have the resources to compete against these teams and hopefully in a much more sustainable model."

Finally Rollings answered reactionary questions from the media on his team selection against this weeks opponents Fiorentina.

"Does that mean we will be resting some of our stars again this weekend...very possibly! Fiorentina are a top Italian side and have a top squad to match. We have big games coming up, and I need my big players fit and firing. If I miss my targets then I expect criticism for those decisions."

Luke_C · Cult Status

Cardiff City 4 Southampton 2

Luke a convincing win in the end?

In the end yes it was but they caused us a lot of problems and that was partly down to our lazy defensive play. They had chances but they just didnt get that lucky break and we capitalised on that. It was a good win for us but im constantly looking for an improvement and I fully expect us to improve.

You have pinpointed your defence as an area that needs improving; will you be looking to buy a defender?

We need to defend better as a team, we play a very open style of play so its expected that teams will get chances but we need to limit them. We have Bellusci a centre back in on loan for half season which is a massive boost for us and also this week we will be bringing in a defensive midfielder.With all those players we have good options.

You and Steve Davies-evans had a war of words before the game, did it have any effect on the game and did you share that Sheppards pie after?

It wasnt a war of words it was two good honest managing having a bit of banter and trying to get that edge.Did it have any effect on my team selection, no not in any way. I enjoy a good manager battle and I know Steve is strong enough to cope with anything I can dish out.

He has since quite Southampton, any thoughts?

Oh.

Nothing other than to wish him well at another new club again.

A Cup game against Forest will be a tough test for you, do you plan on resting any of the first team?

All our squad are capable at playing and it will be a very strong first eleven on show, in my opinion the team that plays will be stronger than the one who started against Southampton.

Tezza · Cult Status

SIENA NEWS

Siena manager Terry Manifold fielded a team of youngsters in Tuesday nights first round match of the cup against Torino. Kevin Smith slotted in the only goal in the match in the 19^th minute. The manager seems keen to experiment with the squad taking shape. "I am very fortunate in that I can now put out a team whose average age is 24 years," Terry said, "The experience will have helped all of them including Kevin."

PRESS.

How do you think they did?

TM.

We are proving to be a very difficult side to beat. I would like to score more goals and not have to worry about the possibility of the opposition getting back into the game. I think that will come, as I said they are only youngsters.

We need to take the chances, that is not happening at the moment.

PRESS.

I thought you had finished the first phase of your rebuilding program?

TM.

I dont think you ever finish a program like that. Opportunities come your way and you have to respond. This weekend, for instance, will see another player exchange. I think we need to put back a little more experience at the back to support the youngsters. If all goes well we will achieve this on Friday. Then with the loan of Krkic from Chelsea, things will be allowed to settle down. With the strike force I will have after the weekend I will then be looking to stay in the Play-Off zone until after the halfway stage. I am hoping the age of the team will then come into play and we will still be going forward in this Division. The only problem is having said that, it may come back to haunt me.

-- Edited by Tezza on Wednesday 10th of November 2010 07:58:40 AM

Wardy · Top Flight Player

COMING OF AGE

Manager Callum Ward has praised his team heavily after they came through a tough challenge against wealthy Genoa.
"We came through comfortably and that impressed me most. They must have been one of the teams every fan thought would be up there this season and we have delt them a massive blow to those hopes. The strikers Chopra Parejo and Frei were top draw and any defence in the world would of struggled to stop them at the weekend. To dominate them from start to finish has to send out a message about the togetherness of the team here. I can see the press are putting pressure on the Genoa manager after that loss but he should be able to handle the pressure like any manager who gets a job at a top team. If he fails it is the chairmans fault too not just the managers fault"

The Genoa manager told the press after the game that he might have underestimated the Palermo team.
"I hope the big teams keep underestimating us. I have no doubt he looked at us and saw three points. I hope now we can take this form into the game against AC Milan and cause another upset. For a top 6 team any points we can get against these top teams is an upset and will boost the players confidence so much. If we did the unthinkable and beat AC Milan people might start talking. We are level pegging with Juventus so far and people might expect me to bring in better players to take advantage of this position in the league. I have to show faith in the players in the team. We have won four on the trot and have beaten teams who think they are bigger and better than us I think it would send out the wrong message to start selling the players who were doing this. We have youth with a mix of flair and hard work and I want my players to grow in that environment. Big teams can change players like old pairs of socks but if Palermo are going to achieve anything I want it to be done the right way helping our own players grow and playing beautiful attacking football."

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Former Saint looking for swift return.

Former Southampton manager Steve Davies-Evans has today spoken of his desire to make a swift return to football management and indicated that hopefully the right job will come up sooner rather than later. Speaking in the Sky Sports News studio this morning, Mike Winterburn and Millie Clode put the questions to the Welshman.

Millie; Steve what have you done since leaving Southampton?

SDE: I've just taken some time out and spent abit more time with my family. Football is a great profession but sometimes you don't get to spend as much time with the family as you would like.

Mike: Any regrets on leaving Southampton?

SDE: None at all no. I'm not going to start going off on one about the Saints chairman etc but I just felt in the end that I didn't belong there and I wanted to give the club and it's fans the right amount of time to find a successor to carry on there.

Millie: Is there any news on whether you will be returning to football?

SDE: Well I do want to return yes. I'm ready to get stuck back into things aslong as the club is right really. I've identified a few clubs that currently don't have a manager and I have have approached the "Powers that be" about the possibility of managing them but as yet, I'm still waiting for news.

Mike: What sort of club will you be looking to join?

SDE: Well hopefully an up and coming team. It's out there that I applied for Crystal Palace and my name is still in the hat but if not there then a club like that for sure. It doesn't have to be in the lower leagues but most success stories are built around the smaller clubs making it big. As I say though, the people who need to know have been informed of my intentions and I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Millie: There has been a few rumours that a possible club would be that of Blackburn Rovers where you spent a short term previously. Would that be the sort of club that you'd like to manage?

SDE: Well everyone knows that my two teams are Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers so yes of course I'd like to get another crack at managing them. I do feel I have unfinished business there but again, this isn't my hands. There are alot of clubs that I feel I could do very well with and hopefully I'll hear something very soon.

Liam · Cult Status

SFCTV:Liam Riste spoke to Sevilla FC Television after yet another high scoring weekends' action which saw his Sevilla team maintain their 100% win record with a 5-3 victory over Atletico Madrid.

SFCTV: So your 100% winning record continues, how much of a surprise is this for you after playing both Madrid teams in your opening four games?
LR: Well it's about as surprising as Steve (Davies-Evans) moving clubs again... No, seriously, I am very happy with the way my team are playing and I hope it can continue for another two weeks when we take on Real Valladolid!

SFCTV: So what did you make of the game this weekend and David Villa's debut?
LR: I was very pleased with the result and I believe we are a team in form. Atletico Madrid are a strong team as they proved last season, so to beat them quite comfortably was pleasing. I'm not going to lie, they pushed hard and it seemed like they could have stolen a point at times, but at 3 down at half-time, they were always playing catch-up!
As for David Villa, he was only missing a goal to cap off a typically quality performance. He grabbed two assists which were key and he will get his first goal very soon I'm sure.

SFCTV: You mentioned playing Real Valladolid in a few weeks, so how do you see that difficult away trip panning out for you?
LR: I would be very much looking forward to it if I knew I had a full squad! Unfortunately after playing Atletico this weekend, Fred (Fazio) got sent off for chopping Milevskyi whilst he was running through on goal. He may have saved a goal but now he'll be watching the next few games in the stands... We will go there and look to win, however, as long as we don't lose, we can be pleased with ourselves I think.

SFCTV: You have Getafe this week, you must be confident of maintaining your winnning ways?
LR: It's a game I will expect to win, however, everyone loves the underdog and with no pressure, anything can happen. I will make sure my team don't get complacent and are fully focussed on the task at hand though. Three points is a must!

SFCTV: Your friend Ashley Harris watched his side draw 2-2 with Real Zaragoza, have you anything to say on that?
LR: I think it's really nice to see Ash doing his bit for charity. He doesn't like resting players and unfortunately he dropped two points there. I don't think he will mind too much at this stage as he's still sitting fourth, but he may look back on this result come season closure and wonder what if?

SFCTV: Well thanks once again for your time.
LR: Cheers.

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

The game against Cagliari was Sienas 4^th draw of the current campagne.

Manager Terry Manifold was very careful with his match comments but I think he was expecting more from his revamped side. The first half was dominated by the opposition who passed the ball around with ease. I dont know what Terry said at halftime but Siena certainly came out with a little more aggression.

It was on 64 minutes that Cagliary made the breakthrough with a great touch from midfielder Aloe. Within 2 minutes Siena drew level with a super effort from Jajalo who is looking more like Fabrigas every day.

Siena are still unbeaten this season but 4 matches have gone to draws and they have only recorded 1 win in the league.

PRESS.

How did your new boy Nathan get on?

TM.

He did alright. He is settling faster than some of the other new signings. I think Bradley Wright Phillips will take a little longer because he is having to adapt to a role change I am anxious to put through.

PRESS.

Who are the new players coming in this week?

TM.

You have been watching one today. We should be signing the paperwork for Ivan Fatic this evening. I am hoping Ivan will provide that little bit of experience to the back line and support Nathan. Although watching the game today it is more about providing the service to the forwards that seems to be the problem. As you know we will be playing 2 loan strikers for a while from next week. Bojan Krkic joins us this week and we will not be wanting for a front line up. I have got to work on the midfield and try and get them to work together. We are at that stage where it is just about time and getting a real understanding going. We are very difficult to beat. I want to take it to the next stage where we score more.