week 11

Adams · Top Flight Player

week 11

Football Academy · Cult Status

Issue 3: Release -- Sunday 26th December 10pm.

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Issue 3 will be the Christmas special edition.

mg1 · Cult Status

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

(A) The boys have been in great form and we were confident of three points.

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?

(A) It was a good performance in terrible weather conditions. I felt we controlled the game throughout, limiting Newcastle to only a couple of chances all game. I would have like to scored another goal or two to put the game to bed but Newcastle were well organised in defence and proved difficult to break down.

This was Jamie's first game in charge and he is still getting to know his team. I fully expect to face a very different side in the return match at Anfield.

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

(A) I will be making changes for the next game, as I have mentioned before we are still in two cup competitions whilst also trying to achieve as high a league position as possible. This means we have to use the squad to it's full extent to cope with a lot of games. Real Madrid will be a very difficult fixture but I also need to keep in mind that we have an equally tough game next week in the league against an Arsenal side who are on fire at the moment.

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

(A) No further transfer news at the minute. We are in talks with a Spanish team about a possible link up between our clubs. This will see a potential exchange of loan players that will benefit both sides. More will announced closer to the time.

(Q) Who do you believe is the top young talent in your squad at the moment?

(A) We are fortunate to have a number of very good young and talented players playing in the first team at the moment in Redondo, Adam Matthews, Fabio Adobati, Alexis Sanchez and Fabrizio Brezzi. We also have Sebastian Leto who is currently doing very well in Spain on loan at Cadiz.

Adam Matthews in particular is doing extremely well for such a young professional. He is only 17 and if he continues to learn and improve as he has been there is no doubt in my mind that he will go on to become one of the games very best RB's.

The coming weeks could see one or two go out on loan to help further their education and we might even see one of the above leave in order to raise funds for player recruitment. We are going to assess the squad at the mid season point after the Arsenal game.

Whatever happens all these players look to have very bright futures in football and I am sure they will be all be making their mark for years to come.

(Q) Who in your opinion will win your league this season?

(A) Arsenal look a real danger at the moment but I think Chelsea will just pip them to the title.

(Q) With the new look contract system coming into place will you be signing a new deal this season with your current employers?

(A) I have not yet been offered a new contract but I am keen to stay and win trophies. Hopefully the board will approach me soon about extending my stay here, we can then sit down and discuss the best way forward for the club.

-- Edited by mg1 on Monday 27th of December 2010 12:09:08 AM

-- Edited by mg1 on Monday 27th of December 2010 02:57:17 PM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Christmas cracker derby in Milan, as spoils shared

Inter and AC Milan played out a decent 2-2 draw at the San Siro this week, after Roman Pavlyuchenko once again added to his burgeoning reputation in the blue and black half of the city. The striker, who has been loving life during his short term loan, bagged another two goals in an all round impressive display. However, despite Inter Milan doing more to win the game overall the draw seemed a reasonably fair reflection on a good spirited derby game.

Speaking after the match in his post-match interview Rollings seemed contented with the point.

"When we set our targets til the halfway point we afforded ourselves one loss. This result means if we win next week against Brescia we will have beaten that target by a point so we have to be delighted with that. It was great to finally get a chance to play Chris (Hanton) as we have had a lot to do with each other over the years without actually putting a side out against each other. I have stated many times that I firmly believe him to be the man to bring success to AC Milan and hopefully this game will have a lot more hinging on it next season when we are both up the league table!"

With the success of loanee Pavlyuchenko questioning unsurprisingly turned to Rollings' chances of renewing his loan stint.

"I know John (Brady) at Chelsea has high ambitions for this season and clearly Roman has the quality to help him achieve that success. We have been lucky to have been able to take Pav for this long and we thank Chelsea FC and John specifically for helping us out. Obviously we would love to take him back, and his success here shows that he fits in extremely well with the way we play but that is out of our hands. I have spoken to John once about the situation and I would like to think we would be the first phone call should they decide to let him go again. However we have three other strikers who can do the business, and we will treat anything else as a bonus."

Finally Rollings spoke about the cup draw, and the prospect of pitting his side against the seemingly insurmountable Juventus.

"It doesn't take a genius to understand that it wasn't the ideal cup draw for us. Juventus seem invincible at present and therefore we are massive underdogs. I promised the fans that we would go for it in the cups and we will try to give them a game. I think we learnt a few things from the last time we played them that we can perhaps look at but they are so strong right through the squad that you need them to play poorly, while you hit 100%. We have to look forward to the challenge though and to be successful you have to stand up to these sort of tests so lets just give it a good go!"

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

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

(A) A bit of half and half. Palermo was injured and I feel he can massively determine if we win or not.

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?

(A) Ill be honest, it was a dire game. Lacked ambition and a feel. Our attacking force is worn out, Im trying to keep pace with the top chasers as the is the first time in my career that Ive had a winning feeling, and I will fight for that.

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

(A) Our next match will have big changes. Our attack needs a rest and with Messina are a very attacking team, we should be able to hold them back with my team selection. I would love to have a pop at them as I think we can easily walk over them, that's only with Palermo playing.. you could suggest were a one man team but theirs point denying that.

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

(A) Absolutely nothing at all.

(Q) Who do you believe is the top young talent in your squad at the moment?

(A) We have young lads Henderson and Alcantara here. Both are young and have the ability but they are not showing that at the moment.

Id say young Goalkeeper Alex Cisak has come a far way. He has played 5 games this season and had a good time, improving every match. His stats may not show this but I believe he is a top goalkeeper and will be a big figure in years to come.

(Q) Who in your opinion will win your league this season?

(A) I cant really say, the top 4 are sticking close to each other at the moment, im just hoping to be in the playoffs come the end of the season.

(Q) With the new look contract system coming into place will you be signing a new deal this season with your current employers?

(A) I haven't received my contract yet but will look at my options when it arrives and look them through. I love this club, I want to take them up!

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

The Siena manager Terry Manifold admits to being a little disappointed at lasts week draw to his old club Atalanta. The match was a very even contest which he found a little surprising considering the fitness of the Atalanta players and the unbalanced back row. I thought they were beginning to look a little jaded coming into Friday said Terry, but they came here and played their heart out and we were lucky to get the point.

PRESS,

Its Chievo this week, any observations?

TM,

This week we will be meeting one of this seasons probable promotion teams. It will be another tight match and we will need to keep on out toes if we are to get anything from it. There are no easy matches in this league but I see this as one of the harder games.

Raymond has assembled a very smart outfit and they are currently doing very well in the top spot. He hasnt a very big squad and the majority of the team are over 28 years of age. If he cant get automatic promotion he could find fitness a problem.

PRESS,

Will you approach this game very differently to last week?

TM,

Yes I will be making at least 4 changes to the team this week with the emphasis on a little more experience. With the likes of Lallana and the current form of Stephen Ireland we will need to be on our toes. I will say we are not going there to hang on for a point, we want all three.

PRESS,

Any reflections on how this season is going?

TM,

It is going reasonably well but I must admit I wanted to be a little closer at this stage. There are, however, still only 7 points in it and I have always said that my youngsters should still be running when the others are past their best. The longer this season goes on the better our chances will be.

I keep opening my mouth in these interviews and one day Ill get it right in stead of putting my foot in it!

Sinky2707 · Cult Status

Parma Boss Jonny Sinclair speaking to The Weekender:-

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

(A) Well we had lost the last couple of games but I'm always confident with my squad that we can produce the goods plus we had beaten Messina in the cup earlier in the season. So far we are the only team to have beaten them this season so that'll be a great confidence booster for our next game against Torino.

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?

(A) I was delighted it was a shame we couldn't get any more goals to make the game completely safe and out of Messina's reach but I'm happy with a 2-1 win against we're now 3rd in the league and 1 point behind them now which is good.

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

(A) I might make a couple of changes due to fitness issues however I might stick to the same team because it was avery good performance by all the lads.

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

(A) Well we sadly got of Levi Porter this week however we got Jonathan Howson from Middlesboro as part of the deal and he is an equally talented player who will do a very good job for us I think. Also we are trying to sign Goran Maric from Barcelona permanently he has done brilliantily upfront for us and it would great to sign him.

(Q) Who do you believe is the top young talent in your squad at the moment?

(A) I am lucky I could name 5 or 6 players but Eduardo Salvio who is on loan and Pedro Mosquera would be the ones that stick out at the moment both are only 20 and already look as if they should playing in a higher division.

(Q) Who in your opinion will win your league this season?

(A) Well Chievo are 4 points ahead of us but this league has been surprisingly tight, I honestly think Atalanta will fall away I think it's between my Parma team, Chievo and Messina of course I'm hoping we'll be able to do it.

(Q) With the new look contract system coming into place will you be signing a new deal this season with your current employers?

(A) I'm delighted to have just signed a new contract we sees me for another year I'm delighted the Parma board have shown faith in my abilities and I just hope I can reward them with regular Serie A football again I want to be for the long haul the fact I pan on buying a youth academy for the club with most of my careers wages proves this.

-- Edited by Sinky2707 on Monday 27th of December 2010 10:57:02 PM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Inter Milan launch academy plans

Inter Milan today unveiled plans for the construction of a new academy, which club management hope will help safeguard the future of the club, and provide an avenue of development for the very best local talent. Speaking at the unveiling manager Mark Rollings lauded the benefits of the development.

"It is imperative that this club starts to create a long-term vision for where it wants to be, and the academy construction is one of the first steps along that road. Inter Milan have a proud heritage of unearthing some of the worlds best talent and this will help us get back to developing local talent to become the stars of future Inter sides. Over the past four seasons this club has gone from dominating Serie A to struggling to compete and that is because the various managers have focused too much on their personal goals without taking into consideration the long term sustainability of their plan."

Rollings sacrificed £5million of his own transfer kitty to fund the project, and with his job on the line the press were keen to gauge the levels of risk Rollings felt he was taking with his own employment status.

"Sure we could have gone out and used the money to bring in an additional player, there are a few positions I would love to strengthen the squad. However I am interested in the legacy I will leave behind at Inter Milan. Don't get me wrong, I am putting these kind of plans into place so I can benefit myself over the coming seasons, and the goal is to deliver success to this great club. However, Inter Milan need a longer term approach at this stage and I am willing to help them return to where they belong! I have always tried to develop squads I would be happy to take control of if I ever left, and hopefully if you look at my past record you will see all of the clubs I have managed have been just that! That is the same philosophy I am employing at Inter, although this time I want to also help them realise that potential!"

Football Academy · Cult Status

Genoa are in contract negotiations over appointing a replacement for sacked Jamie Best.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Gareth Gardner has agreed an extension to stay with Middlesbrough for another two and a half seasons, making him the longest contracted manager at present.

Rhino · Cult Status

Breaking News

Manchester City can confirm that manager Simon Newcombe has agreed an extension to stay the club for just over 3 years taking him up to the end of season 12.The club Chairman Mr Hanton spoke on his way out of eastlands tonight.

" We are delighted that Simon has agreed to sign the extension as we believe he is the man to return the club to glory and we share the same thoughts on the time scale of the goals and the way we want to go about it........Its fantastic news that he has put pen to paper on this long deal! "

-- Edited by Rhino on Wednesday 29th of December 2010 08:10:03 PM

-- Edited by Rhino on Wednesday 29th of December 2010 08:10:48 PM

-- Edited by Rhino on Wednesday 29th of December 2010 08:10:58 PM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Genoa are in negotiations over a shock move for Juventus boss Steve Jenkins.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Stuart Price has signed a new deal with Valencia ruling himself out of the race for the vacant Genoa job.

dirkdiggler · World Class Player

Real Madrid manager buys youth academy out of his pocket

Why have you decided to buy an academy with your money instead of the club's?

"I am not long in the job so don't feel that it is right to ask for money from the board. I have earned a fair bit of money over the last few seasons and want to put some of it back into the game."

You could have bought a club instead though!

"True, I have been looking at the market but nothing has interested me as of yet. At least this way we may unearth a few gems who could step up to the first team and establish themselves as stars."

It must surely be a gamble considering the pressures that come with the job?

It is a gamble, but one I am confident that will work. I plan to be Real Madrid manager for a while and by paying for an academy the board and fans will see that I am fully commited to getting the club back to the top."

With that the Iain left to look at the new site for the youth academy.

Cult Status

Walker lets Soccer World magazine into home
The once vibrant manager of teams from as far and wide as Cadiz to Watford to Cadiz has taken up a quiet charge of London based Arsenal and started his own revolution behind closed doors and tinted car windows. It was a surprise that he let Soccer World magazine into his house for an exclusive interview after shunning so many footballing tabloids.

Press - We have to start with the obvious Jamie why say no to the football columns and then do this?

JW - I have a reputation in the sport and some tabloids put their own spin on what I say. I feel like now is a good time to open up and talk about things before I go back flying under the radar again.

Press - How are you enjoying life in London?

JW - It feels strange going more unnoticed in the capital but I was in the press more at the more remote teams like Watford. Arsenal was a mess when I was brought here so it was just about getting my head down and working on picking up the players and changing the downward spiral.

Press - Did taking over a team coming out of administration worry you?

JW - It was a new challenge for me. I had quit the game for a while. I remember my time at Inter Milan when we had to extend the trophy room things were going so well. Watford was a fun time moving up through the divisions but things got stale and I felt I had to walk away. It was Simon Jenkins who invited me back saying he had bought a club and was I interested in coming back. I had a look back and things had changed since I had been gone plus Arsenal was a big challenge. Administration was a shadow over the club but that made it more appealing.

Press - How is your relationship with the last Arsenal manager Jamie Best?

JW - Jamie is a good person he has been in touch about Arsenal and anyone can see he regrets what went on. He feels there was unfinished business but he wished me luck with the job so that was nice. Now Genoa have sacked him he might want that luck back again for himself.

Press - Your top six target looks too easy this season was it something you talked with the chairman about?

JW - I told Simon I would come back under my own terms. I had a plan and if he wanted that to happen at Arsenal I was willing but if not I was happy to walk away from any offer. The relaxed target was something I stressed to him. If the chairman is over your shoulder demanding a top two finish then wider plans get restricted and I would not have been able to do what I wanted.

Press - What are these plans for Arsenal?

JW - I have made no secret of them. I hold Arsene Wenger in high regard and his approach to football is second to none. I wanted to build a centre of excellence at Arsenal to develop young players to their full potential. When a player reaches that potential I will sell them on for a good price. This is why Aguero is for sale at this moment. The money raised gets split in two. Half goes on buying a new young talent to fill the empty space in the squad. The other half goes on improving the club facilities. We need a good stadium with a good shop to make the club sustainable in producing its own high income and the new academy idea will add to the young players our scouts are bringing in on transfers.

Press - How can you let Aguero go in such good form?

JW - I have no doubt in my mind he is the best striker in the game right now. I rested him in some of the easier start of season games but he has shone lately in the tough fixtures we have had to face in the league and in europe. I have a plan and I told the chairman I would not want targets to get in the way of that plan so no matter how good a player is performing the plan is bigger than the player. We have a shortlist of young players who can fill his place we just have to wait for a team with big enough ambitions to come in and sign Sergio now.

Press - How pleased are you with second place in the league?

JW - It is a nice feeling seeing the team winning. Eight games undefeated is a great run but it was never part of the plan. If we finish third or fourth I will be just as happy as long as the work off the pitch continues to go smoothly.

Press - Can you beat Chelsea to the title?

JW - It would not be something I think about because it was never an aim I set myself. Chelsea are top and three points clear. Three points is a long way when we talk about a Chelsea team who have won all ten games in the league this season scoring the most out of any team in any league and only letting in eight. Last season they were beaten but the manager has done a brilliant job and I think John will lead them to victory this season.

Press - Have you been offered a new contract for next season yet?

JW - No.

Press - Would you like to stay?

JW - The plan when I signed was agreed to by all parties and this was never a short plan. I had no intention to leave for years to come if I was left to finish what I started here but the chairman has the final say on the matter.

Press - Would wages be a sticking point for the chairman if he wanted to keep you?

JW - I know I am one of the lowest paid managers around. No manager in my league gets paid what I do and I would be stupid not to expect the chairman to pay a wage that reflected the teams position in the league. As time goes on I will have to consider my future if nothing is signed.

Press - Would a challenge like Genoa interest you?

JW - I do not hide my excitement at a challenge this was the reason I signed for Arsenal in the first place. Genoa is a big challenge so many good managers have gone there and not worked out with the board. If I had no future at Arsenal and a good offer came in with an exciting challenge I would seriously consider it. That could be Genoa that could be Preston I have no plans for anything yet.

Press - A quick word on your opponents this week Liverpool?

JW - Another strong team in this division. They have a chance to get european football and a top three finish if results go their way. They are on a good run of three wins in a row so they have to be treated as a threat. Antonio Zito has already told me he would like to exploit their selection problems at right back position.

Press - Are you pleased with the form in europe where you are top of your UEFA group?

JW - Europe has been fun but I have no plans to try and win it. We will get as far as we can giving the young players as much experience on the pitch as possible and playing football the way we want to play it. Any success is a bonus. We are top with twelve points and we have Real Sociedad left to play who are bottom with one point. It will be a bit of a nothing match to watch I would suspect.

Press - Will you concentrate any more on the English cup?

JW - The same has to be said for this. Success would be nice but playing the right players to improve them and playing the right style of football are more important for me. We have Leicester in the quarter final and they have strikers much too good for their team so that could be an exciting one to watch in the tv crews decided to turn up for it.

Press - Will we be hearing more from you or is it back to the quiet life for you?

JW - You will only hear from me when my future is sorted out and I announce a new contract with Arsenal or a move to pastures new. My girlfriend does not let me out the house enough to start any pizza trouble these days.

Adams · Top Flight Player

Breaking news.

Athletico Bilbao manager Jonnie Adams has left negotiations at the club offices this evening without signing a new contract. "A deal was on the table but the club has the chance to play in Europe next season and the offer on the table would damage the league standing instead of improve or even retain it. I felt I had to reject the proposal." Jonnie refused to comment any further on his future.

Football Academy · Cult Status

Negotiations between Genoa and Juventus boss Steve Jenkins have broken down.

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

Siena Manager Terry Manifold wasnt in the best of moods as he left the Chievo ground this evening. In what was a very tight match Siena came off worst with a 48 minute goal from Chievos Anchichebe being the decider.

It could have been two but the 65 minute effort was ruled offside by the referee.

PRESS.

How do you sum that up then Terry?

TM.

Chievo are a good side but I cant help thinking that we should have done better.

We came here to play and not just defend and we were holding them but we just lost a little formation in the second half and you cant afford to do that at Chievo.

It was always going to be difficult but, I thought we had a good chance today to move up the league. We will go away and study the video tapes and see if we can put a finger on the problem.

PRESS.

Some of your key players dont seem to be performing as they should?

TM.

No thats true, Poli has still to settle since his move from Chelsea and I may have to rest Jajalo next week as he is looking a little jaded. Krykic goes back this week from his loan spell and who knows Kevin Smith may be the answer.

Sometimes the solution is staring you in the face the answer could well be on the bench.

PRESS.

There are reports that you are shopping around for wingers?

TM.

I cant deny I have been looking at adding width to the attack. We are now at the halfway stage of the season and I would have thought we would be in a better position league wise. It may only be me but, I am getting a little impatient and want to put a few wins together. I did think that we could manage without wingers but without results I am not so sure.

PRESS.

How is the search going?

TM.

Not very well. Interest has been shown but nothing firm as yet. I am not going to just grab anyone, it wants to be right and the guy needs to fit in.