Week 9

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 9

mg1 · Cult Status

Liverpool manager Mark Galeozzie speaks to the Weekender following the 4-3 victory away to Spurs

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?

(A) I knew this weekends game was going to be very difficult, Spurs are a very good team but i was confident that if the team played to their potential that we could come away with three points.

(Q) What was your reaction when the final whistle blew?

(A) I was delighted. We made some silly mistakes in defense today and found ourselves 3-1 down in the second half, The boys showed great character to come back and win. It was an important victory.

(Q) Will you be making any changes before your next match considering how this game went?

(A) Our next game is against Palermo in the UEFA Cup who have been on fire this season. I will be making a some minor tactical changes and will also give a couple of first team players a rest as we have a lot games coming up in the next few weeks.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?

(A) Battaglia will be be going out on loan to Cardiff as the final part of the Danny deal. We rate him highly and will be looking forward to his return to the club next season.

We will also be signing Akinfeev from Cardiff at the half season point of the season. A deal that will see Jack Rodwell and Curci move in the other direction. We are also trying to line up a deal for a squad player to come in to help the team cope with a large number of fixtures we have coming up in three different competitions.

In an ideal world I would also like to be able to announce a further three signings to fill some gaps in the squad - 2 attackers and a midfielder. I have a few players in mind although I will need to speak to Mr Hicks about funds in order to know what exactly can be done about extra players.

(Q) How do you feel the season has gone so far, two months into the league?

(A) I am satisfied with the way things have gone so far. Losses to Man City and Watford were disappointing from games where we hoping to at least get a point but this weekends victory at Spurs has helped us close the gap a bit.

I always thought the second half of the season might be better for us as Man City, Watford and Spurs have a number of key players well into their 30's who might start to struggle with fitness later in the season. Having said that Spurs and Man City in particular don't seem to be targeting the cups this season as they have mainly played reserve teams so far, which could even things out a bit.

(Q) And finally, your prediction for the end of the season for your team?

(A) Well the target the chairman set was 4th so that is what we will be aiming for, although depending on the squad size we might need to take another look at things and maybe readjust the targets if we continue to progress in both the UEFA and FA Cup's

-- Edited by mg1 on Sunday 12th of December 2010 11:14:30 PM

-- Edited by mg1 on Sunday 12th of December 2010 11:15:04 PM

Tezza · Cult Status

Terry Manifold, Siena's manager, speaks to Weekender,

Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?

(A) Confident but apprehensive. Ascoli are a very good side and I think I would have settled for a draw before the kick off.

(Q) What was your reaction when the final whistle blew?

(A) Relief. They took an early lead and it was hard work to get back for a draw. After they scored we defended very well and things could have been so different had we not been caught in those early minutes.

(Q) Will you be making any changes before your next match considering how this game went?

(A) Yes we will be much bolder this Friday. Three points are for the taking. Kevin Smith will start this week and Poli will come straight into the side after his move from Chelsea.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?

(A) This week saw the end of transfer activity at Siena. We have trimmed the squad, all the players on my release sheet have gone and we now have a team that I hope will develop into a winning side.

(Q) How do you feel the season has gone so far, two months into the league?

(A) The season has gone pretty much as planned. We are now in week 8 and the team has changed beyond all recognition. I feel that I now have the flexibility to try the full range of tactics and see what we can get out of them.

I should easily reach my Chairmans target this season or I could be filling in a new CV.

(Q) And finally, your prediction for the end of the season for your team?

(A) We will reach the play-offs and if things drop into place over the next month we could really take off. I am looking to step over Atalanta by week 12 and go on.

-- Edited by Tezza on Sunday 12th of December 2010 11:12:32 PM

belizeno · Cult Status

Amilcar Vasquez states his position on rumours linking him with league one side Charlton

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?
(A) I went in risking with a more attacking notion away from home. I wasn't entirely positive about the results, but it was what Catania needed. The attacking outcome has been lacking.

(Q) What was your reaction when the final whistle blew?
(A)I was a bit disappointed. We need wins, but considering Parma is a stronger side, it served as a consolation knowing we managed a draw.

(Q) Will you be making any changes before your next match considering how this game went?
(A) Definitely. Now is the time to try more attacking avenues. With Alfredo in from Siena and some other interesting prospects arriving we will look to attack more.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?
(A) Providing all goes well, its almost definite that we will bring in a pair of wingers from Torino. This should boost our attack.

(Q) How do you feel the season has gone so far, two months into the league?
(A) Well we are not below expectations, but just so. My project at Catania is to build a self sustained team capable of fighting for promotion. All things considered, there is definitely room for improvement.

(Q) And finally, your prediction for the end of the season for your team?
(A) Catania will be in the mid table, if not higher up.

As for rumours linking me to Charlton, i respect the team very much, but i am quite happy at Catania. i would like to see us promoted, before i even think about moving in another direction. In football we can never tell, but as is i am quite contented where i am. I managed promotion with Livorno and Blackburn in my career, and Catania definitely deserves that, if not more.

tbarro25 · Semi-Pro Player

Following this week's rumblings regarding possible fines for managers who refuse to talk to the press post-match, Wolves boss TJ Barro has ended his recent silence in a monotonous interview with the BBC:

Hi TJ - thanks for talking to us:

Well it's not a case of thanking me - you should be thanking the powers that be for ensuring I had no choice in the matter.

Okay, well a good result for Wolves today that takes you into an automatic promotion place in League One - what are your thoughts on the game?

It was a decent game - a better advert for football at this level than some of the dross I've seen over the last few weeks and I think we deserved the victory.

What do you think was the key to you getting the three points?

I think we have a few players here who should really be playing at a higher level and they have won games for us this season - I haven't fully stamped my style on the squad yet but given a little bit of patience and a little bit of money it shouldn't take too long for the team to have a more all round quality.

Are there any players in particular you'd like to point out?

I think Sam Vokes has been outstanding for us all year and I thank the chairman for haing the bravery and the trust in my judgement to turn down the numerous offers we have received for the lad in recent weeks - I think he's worth a lot more to us at the moment that he's worth to his potential suitors.

Obviously the kid Julio Santa Cruz has come in from Blackburn and has started brilliantly - he's got great potential and we are of the opinion that these two can forge a succesful striking partnership not just this season but for years to come.

And you've brought in Glenn Loovens from Villareal this week?

Yes Glenn has come in to give us another option at centre back - the previous manager has left us with a very lopsided squad and like I said it's going to take a bit of rebuilding and Glenn is just one transfer of many to come.

Excellent news for the fans - can you name any names?

Well I could but I'm sure you scribblers will do that for me - I'll be linked with everyone under the sun this week I'm sure - another victim of the lazy sports press in this country - typified here by your tepid questioning. I'd be surprised if anyone made the effort to read this far down the article.

It's a shame you feel that way...

No it isn't.

Typically boystrous performance from Barro, who didn't muster a smile at all despite the convincing 3-1 win over Nottingahm Forest at Molineux.

-- Edited by tbarro25 on Monday 13th of December 2010 01:50:18 PM

Liam · Cult Status

Riste Thanks Jesus After Being Bale'd Out.

Liam Riste's Sevilla team got back to winning ways thanks to a brace from left back Gareth Bale and Jesus Navas who put the game to bed with a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad after last weekends' dismal performance to Bilbao.

SFCTV: You had three players out again this week but your team performed better and got a result, don't you agree?
LR: I think the team played well and deserved the points this week. That's all I ask of them. After last weekends' shocker, I had warned the squad of future events if failure in such a manner occurred again! It was nice to see the team react positively and get back to winning ways!

SFCTV: Previous media comments from people suggest that they didn't like your reaction towards Jonny Adams and his team after they caused what was branded "Shock of the Season", do you have anything to say to that?
LR: Well lets start with the "Shock of the Season" statement... Understatement... That is a fantastic result for them and I knew that at the final whistle! They deserve to stay up after that, but still, I believe my reaction would have been the same everytime and that letting the dust settle wouldn't have had such an impact; although didn't stop my good friend Jamie Best from calling me a tit.
I play to win every game, I want to win on the training ground and I emphasize that to the players! Losing is failure and failure is unacceptable.
As for Paul Harrington's comments about pensioners playing for me... He may like to be reminded that even equipt with their zimmerframes, my prehistoric attacking force shifted past his defence which saw them pick up a nice bonus in their pension!

SFCTV: Mr. Harrington also believed that the pressure was getting to you this season as you mistook your next fixture of Sociedad for Getafe, can you feel any pressure?
LR: I have broad shoulders but still I feel no pressure. The chasing teams are quite a distance behind us and top 3 is all we need to achieve. So no pressure at all. As for the fixture muddle, I have sacked my Personal Assistant and replaced him with a younger model and I believe I can show her the "ropes" around here...

SFCTV: You face Real Valladolid in Europe tonight, after having already beaten them this season, do you believe you can do it again?
LR: I don't see why not? I have three players unavailable again but I beat them with two out last time. It may be harder for us and we face Espanyol at the weekend which is the highlight fixture of my season, but with no points in Europe, it would be ideal to get some on the board.

SFCTV: You mentioned the Espanyol game this weekend. A friendly rivalry which you are looking forward to. Have you got anything to say before this game?
LR: We are very good friends off the pitch but on the pitch we have jobs to do. There will definitely be banter being thrown around before, during and after the game but we will both be looking for a win rather than sharing points out here so it should be a match for the neutrals too. We both wish that we could play with full strength teams out but that already is off the cards, although we shall both be eargerly waiting for the post-match medical on our players...

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

pricey · Cult Status

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?

(A) i was feeling quite good abot thhe game but we just couldn't get the win

(Q) What was your reaction when the final whistle blew?

(A) gutted with the players they had out i would have thougt we could get a draw

(Q) Will you be making any changes before your next match considering how this game went?

(A) yes i will have to make changes with the players i got out hopefully we get a good result in europe tonight against spurs

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?

(A) i am on the look out for 1 or 2 attacking cm's i have sent a email to the fa as they are in charge of unmanaged clubs but i ask my fellow managers if you have and attacking cm's for sale i have 11 mil to spend and its burning a hole in my pocket

(Q) How do you feel the season has gone so far, two months into the league?

(A) it has gone very bad after th good season we had last season this has been 10x harder

(Q) And finally, your prediction for the end of the season for your team?

(A) staying in the division is the very least i want from this season a run in one of the cups would be a good bonus too

Ash · Cult Status

Real Vallodolid 6-1 Espanyol

Espanyol manager Ashley Harris spoke to the media following his side's humbling at champions Real Valladolid.

Press: Ashley a 6-1 defeat, what went wrong?

AH: Well first off let's face it they are a class act and are champions for a reason no? In terms of what went wrong, i experimented tactically with the Sevilla game in mind, i hold my hands up it didn't come off and i think it's safe to say i won't be playing that way against Liam's Sevilla, or that way again for that matter. We have come off worse against the other big side's this season so i felt it was time to try something different and perhaps it might come off and help me get a better understanding of the side and what to play against Sevilla, but it wasn't to be.

Press: Vallodolid are the champions though, surely you can't be that disappointed?

AH: I am a little disappointed, i mean obviously i didn't expect to get anything from the game points wise, but i was hopeful that we could keep the score respectable, it's not losing that is disappointing but the margin. I mean to be honest we were outclassed in every department and they fully deserved the winning margin they achieved. If we could have put a good performance in against Valladolid then it would of been a good confidence booster for the game against Sevilla, which i am desperate to get something out of.

Press: It's Real Sociedad tonight in the Uefa Cup, what are you hoping for from the game?

AH: Well, i believe that if we win, then it will secure our qualification through to the quater finals of the Uefa Cup, so it's an important game for us. It will be nice to be already through with 2 games to go, as that would allow us to give some players a much needed rest. Were taking nothing for granted though as Sociedad desperately need a win to boost their own qualification hopes so it will be a tough game and we will need to play very well to get the 3 points. As a side note i will be desperately hoping that we pick up no further injuries before the big game at the weekend, but to be fair Liam has a very tough game of his own against Valladolid tonight and i know he is thinking exactly the same thing so I think we will both be relieved to hear the final whistle hopefully injury free.

Press: You have mentioned the Sevilla match, we know you want to talk about it, so any thoughts before the game?

AH: Both me and Liam have been looking forward to this game since the start of the season to be fair, neither of us wants to be on the losing side. As it stands we both have injuries so i don't think either of us can use those as an excuse if we lose. I know that we are the underdogs but Bilbao have proved that upsets happen and hopefully we can tire his pensioners out in the first half and then take advantage in the second half. Were good friends and it will be a great game and i'm sure there will be plenty of banter but hopefully the best team on the day will come out with the 3 points and then we can get on with the season. I have also been informed that Liam is offering his services as a pre match motivator, so hopefully he might be willing to dismiss us like he did Bilbao and that will inspire us to get the win.

Press: Thanks for your time.

AH: Always a pleasure.

richj363 · Cult Status

Spurs Manager Richard Jefferies spoke to The Evening Standard after training today.

ES So what do you feel about the defeat to Liverpool ?

RJ Well i am really gutted, we had more chances more possession and more shots on target and still lost, I'm still in shock. Liverpool are a quality team but we played them off the pitch for most of the game.

ES It was a really exciting game for the fans though and those watching on ESPN.

RJ Yeh i guess so but would rather have 3 points and win a boring 1-0, we are entertaining but still naive at times.

ES So what are your thoughts for the rest of the season ?

RJ Well we have a few players struggling for fitness and not much money so it could be a tough second half of season, Could do with a few quid from the chairman to push on for top 5.

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings pleased with "positive" week as Roman conquers Rome

Inter Milan produced eleven sintilating minutes of football to hammer current relegation rivals Roma and finally give their fans something to shout about. Rollings has been under pressure to inspire improved performances following a poor start to his tenure at the club and this current win will at least buy the young welsh boss more time. That league improvement was followed by a unlucky draw away at West Ham United in the UEFA Cup, after the away side created far more chances, and tested the opposition goalkeeper much more than their hosts. Speaking at his weekly press call Rollings was quick to move his thoughts towards future challenges.

"I am very pleased that the fans finally have something to shout about. We now have 2 wins from 3 in the league and the loss came at the hands of Juventus so we aren't too disheartened at that result. We would have liked to have brought home a win from Upton Park, and I think we deserved it, but there will be times this season that we pick up points we perhaps wont deserve so you have to accept that. We want to progress in both the UEFA and Italian cups this season so there will be no let up from here on in."

Rollings reserved special praise for his strikeforce, after the Italian side bagged a much improved 13 goals in the last 4 games.

"Obviously the plaudits from our Roma win will go to Roman Pavluchenko, but I think we now have a fantastic striker force who will score plenty of goals. I have to mention Nsofor Victor Obinna, who I have had my eye on for some time, and think gives us something different up top to trouble the opposition. You only have to look at the stats to see he has scored 2 and made 7 goals in just 8 games. I still believe that for £5.5million we got an absolute steal so am delighted with that."

Finally Rollings readressed his targets for the coming league games.

"We set ourselves a target of 9 points from 12 starting with last weekends game against Roma. Obviously we have a tough derby fixture against AC Milan during that time but considering we have Rafael Van der Vaart waiting to get his chance in the first team I am confident of giving them something to think about. Given the fact we then have Brescia before the halfway point of the season we have set ourselves the target of 12 points from 15, which should lift us clear of the drop zone, and allow us to pay more attention to giving our fans something to get behind in the cups."

Ash · Cult Status

Espanyol manager Ashley Harris and Sevilla manager Liam Riste gave a joint pre match press conference ahead of their clash at the weekend.

Press: Very rarely do we get the chance to do a joint press conference, so who do you both think will come out on top after the game?
AH: I obviously believe we are underdogs but I feel that Sevilla are vulnerable at the moment and may slip up if my players put in a performance right out of the top draw.
LR: It is a game which we both have been waiting for and I would like to win as always. I hope that I come out on top, and we have bragging rights after the match. Ash had asked me to play down his team to motivate his players, so I believe we should be able to snatch an easy three points here! (laughs)

Press: Is there any key players you are both looking to single out as potential game changers?
AH: Well there are many options for me; the usual suspects being David Villa, Klose and Kaka. However, I think Gareth Bale will be a player we really need to look out for after his performance last week and due to the fact that our reserve right winger will be tracking him back. So a very big game for him! I would like to see Victor Moses as I know him well from my Zaragoza days, and I know what he can do, however I don't think I will get chance to see him in action first hand...
LR: Well Ash has made some good signings for Espanyol which has seen them grow in strength. De Rossi is world class and with Javi Marquez along side him, may give my midfield something to think about. His attack have proven to be potent and from last season's draw with Espanyol, Kranjcar and Pedersen love to score against me!

Press: So Ashley, have you got any tricks up your sleeve to try and further upset Liam's season?
AH: I may do. I think the term, up your sleeve implies I will be doing just that until the game. I feel we will need to do something different to get a result and I believe we can do that.

Press: So Liam, with Van Bommel out injured, what is your game plan a week before Barcelona?
LR: Van Bommel is a key player but he isn't expected to play every game of our season! We will make that change to the team but I'm keeping my cards close to my chest about the rest. I believe that we have been playing well and getting good results with our usual plans, so not too many changes need to be made I think.

Press: You both had European games midweek, do you think this will have effected your players?
AH: No. These guys are very fit and strong and are used to playing two games in a week! No player will be allowed to use tiredness as an excuse for poor performance within my squad, I think it will be a great game with two very attacking teams and I am sure it will be a great game for neutrals as well as the fans. My players are on strict instructions to put in a few hard tackles to try and get rid of a few of his pensioners early on.
LR: I rested players midweek for the next two fixtures, so the players should definitely be raring to go. Admittedly, I thought I was resting players against Real Valladolid, but that was my human error as I'm not a good PA for myself! However, my new employee started after that game, so lets pray for no more ****-ups eh? I don't really want to weaken his team by injuring players... But he who bite's last, bite's hardest!

Press: So will there be a friendly atmosphere between you two throughout?
AH: Yeah of course, both of us will be concentrating on our two sides, but before and after there will be some good laughs and I am really looking forward to it.
LR: No doubt. We always have banter about each others' games, but as we are going to be in the same stadium and not watching and laughing at highlights, I expect it to be a good crack whatever the scoreline...

Press: Well thank you both for your time and good luck to you both.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Genoa sold out

Stadio Luigi Ferraris II the home of Genoa football club has tonight been sold out. Fans filled the stadium in anticipation of a game that would make or break the course of the clubs future. A win against league leaders Juventus would breathe fresh life into their title hopes and would keep manager Jamie Best up with the board expectations of points acquired before week 12. However a loss would result in a failed attempt to meet the demands of the board imposed only a few weeks ago after they stated only one loss would be tolerated before week 12. Most highlighted this Juventus match as the one loss, however a 4-1 loss to Fiorentina 2 weeks ago put pay to those plans.

Media have also flocked to the match that could see Best fired and Genoa scouring the globe for yet another manager. The high spending Italian side have struggled to find the right person to finally deliver the success Genoa demand as a growing club. Some betting firms have already been paying out on Best being fired following the loss to Fiorentina while others have hung on, searching with fans for that miracle turn around. Despite the intense media presence, the Genoa board members arrived in secure cars and refused to comment on what might or might not happen following the 90 minutes that is just an hour away now.

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

Manager Terry Manifold was a little disappointed with the result today at Livorno.

The tactics employed clearly didnt work and it took a 66 minute goal from the youngster Nathan Baker to seal the match.

PRESS.

How do you sum that up then Terry?

TM.

I was not very impressed I know we won but I really expected a much livelier game with more chances. It was a game of two halves with Livorno having the best of the first half and the second half was ours. Ben Thompson is putting a side together that are shaping up to be very useful in deed.

PRESS.

I thought you now had the team you wanted and that the tempo would be increasing?

TM.

I have and they should. Nathan Baker had a cracking game today and he is definitely one for the future. Krkic had a few chances but the rest never seemed to be in it. We were very lucky that the goal they scored in the 26^th minute was disallowed or we could have been looking at a draw.

PRESS.

Where do you go from here?

TM.

We will assess what we did or did not do today and then we will have to look at overcoming the shortfalls. It is possibly only a blip and we will just put it behind us and get on with the rest of the season. It should be a wake up call because we will be facing far stronger teams in this league and we will need to be stronger and more inventive.

I have heard that some of the other results have gone our way and that we are now only 5 points adrift from the top of the league. Thats not bad!