Week 18

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 18

Adams · Top Flight Player

Egg On Face 2: Return Of The Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao fans could be accused of having their cake and eatting it this season will another brilliant night of football for the minnows of Spanish soccer. Results against some of the biggest names in the world this season has put them in a top six position with the chance of Uefa Cup football next year.

Earlier in the season they played against a Sevilla team whose manager admitted before the game that he expected his injury hit team to easily take the points from the newly promoted minnows as he looked ahead to bigger and more prestigious fixtures. Liam Riste was left with egg on his face when Athletic Bilbao were the David to his Goliath and won 3-1. Surprise results against the likes of the mighty Real Madrid have followed and the club have an appearance booked this week in the Spanish cup semi against second division Valencia but Jonnie Adams refused to take the league fixtures lightly.

"We have said all season teams need to take this league serious if they want to achieve anything. We showed some other teams weaknesses when they took us for granted so it would have been bad of me to rest players in the game ahead of such an important cup fixture. We knew after the first league game with Sevilla that they would be out for revenge and again he had a few players out injured for the tie but when you can play players such as Klose and Bale that is no excuse. It turned out to be another classic night for Athletic Bilbao football club and if we took Sevilla by surprise the first time they had to know what was coming this time. Dean Ashton was a star again and has really led the line brilliantly for us all season helping the younger players come on leaps and bounds around him."

Athletic Bilbao will carry the big high from this result into their match against Valencia in the cup on Tuesday. Jonnie Adams quickly played down chances of upsetting more odds by reaching the Spanish cup final.

"Everyone thought we were going to be the whipping boys this season in the league. 5th and a semi final is so far beyond all expectations. Reaching a final would be a great experience for me topping my experience of the play off final in league 1 with Sheffield Utd but Valencia are a brilliant team with a brilliant manager. Looking at a second division team who have better players than us just shows how well we have done this season in the league so we will give it a good go on Tuesday but I really just want to soak up the atmosphere and hope it gives the players a taste for more in the future."

pricey · Cult Status

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?
(A) We had a good week so we were happy going into the game this week. I wanted to get off to a winning start so I was happy with the result.

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?
(A) Yes I was quite happy we was only able to play with 2 defenders so that was a little bit of a struggle but I think we bossed the midfield and took control of the game and get the win to move us up the league.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?
(A) We are working hard to raise funds for next season and sadly that means selling a few of our better players but thats just the way football is.

(Q) How will your team cope when the window shuts and you have to finish the run in on the squad you have?
(A) it will be interesting to see how my team copes with the run in I feel and hope we can finish in the top two if we do I cant see there being much of a problem with fitness but if we are in the play-offs thats an extra 2 games and we may find that one step too far.

(Q) Do you believe money buys success as debated in recent the weekender issues?
(A) Yes I believe it does if you have all the money and are able to buy the best then youre going to win things

(Q) Which manager do you consider to be your biggest rival?
(A) I think it is so close at the top of my league that my biggest rival could be anyone of 4 managers

Tezza · Cult Status

Tomorrow night will see the semi-finals of the Italian domestic Cup and the excitement is building. Napoli are still in the competition, although with their current good run I imagine Andy Fletcher may be cursing the extra games the team are having to accommodate. When you look at the Napoli side Andy has put together this season you have to say it is impressive. I must say the front line is as good as any in Serie B. What effect that will make on Palermo tomorrow I am not really sure.

I can see weaknesses in Palermos back line and if they can be exploited then we may see Napoli going to the final. I can think of a few teams around me who will be wanting that to happen. Looking forward to a final may ease the run on the league, On the other hand Callum won promotion last season into Serie A and the side have held their own in that league. They are very robust and deserve their current position in the league. It is always different with Cup matches when you have to remind yourself that another game comes up at the weekend.

This tie is not an easy one to predict.

The Juventus match against A.C. Milan looks much easier to settle but Chris Hanton will not be beat if he can do anything about it. Ill bet he will be up all night watching videos before making the final team selection for tomorrow. I was referring to football videos. Koman & Eder are the key players in this tussle for A.C. Milan and what they will be doing is trying to dominate the centre of the park, and they have the players to do it. Their defence, however, looks as though it could be a problem against the league leaders, Juventus, because I am sure that under Steve Jenkins they will be taking this one very seriously.

With their defensive rock, Kompany, not being available they still have Fabregas and Montella to fall back on, Both I think will take some part, I am sure they will get through.

Can I just say that to get to the semi-finals is some achievement and it takes a lot of planning and gives you serious fitness problems when you have a smallish squad. Tuesday night will be an advert for Italian football whatever the outcome but it does look on paper a forgone conclusion the we will have a Juventus v Palermo final.

My prediction for the semis are:

Juventus 3 - A.C. Milan 1 Napoli 1 - Palermo 2.

Prove me wrong!

pricey · Cult Status

SOUTHAMPTON TO ANOUNCE NEW BOSS

News comming out of the south coast is that Southampton are about to anounce that they are to apoint a new manger. With managers Dave Davis-Evans and Ashley Davis being linked in the last few weeks supporters are thought to be excited for the news. no one was around to comment from Southampton today but the tea lady who was going home fom work looked very excited we think she had just been using a new brand of tea though (possibly PG Tips)

pricey · Cult Status

Southampton announce new manager

A press conference was called at the St. Marys stadium today to announce that former Torino manager Duncan Keary as their new manager. Chairman Dale Price had this to say I am really pleased to announce the appointment of Duncan. We have signed him up till the end of season 11 and we are looking to build a youth academy at the start of next season I and the rest of the board are looking forward to working with Duncan we feel the future of Southampton football club is looking good A member of the press asked why Mr Keary? We have taken our time in appointing a manager because we didnt want to rush and get the wrong person in and have to start the search all over again. We feel that Duncan has done a good job at lowly Torino and they are no longer the whipping boys of the Italian league. The project at Southampton is a long one and I for one can not wait to get this new era started

Tezza · Cult Status

Cup

Cup fever came to Italy tonight with the playing of the Italian Domestic Cup Semi-Finals. There is just the one match left before either Juventus or Palermo go down in history as the cup winners of 2011. A. C. Milan were taking on a lot against Italy's wonder team in Juventus. They managed to keep the score down to 1-0 for the first hour and then Juventus cut lose. Antonio Montella scored 4 and could have scored more in what was virtually one way traffic for most of the second half. James Milner was the provider for two of the goals but I think the match wary players of A. C. Milan were relieved when it was all over. The final score was a 4-1 win to the bookies favourites to take the trophy.

The other semi-final was Napoli against Palermo. This too was a little one sided as Palermo showed the class that won them promotion last season. Alexander Frie was very unlucky not to get his hat trick on a night that was a little predictable. So Napoli can now concentrate on the league and hope the trip to the semi-finals has not taken too much out of the side.

So the final will be played out between Juventus & Palermo and I don't think it is as clear cut as the bookies appear to be calling it.
Palermo have done really well this season and may still pull a surprise. Get your ticket early for this cracking contest because there wont be many floating around spare.

-- Edited by Tezza on Wednesday 23rd of February 2011 12:00:40 AM

Wardy · Top Flight Player

PALERMO CUP FEVER

Cup fever has hit Palermo with their confident team reaching the final of the Italian cup. Mr Ward has lifted the once Serie B team to second in Serie A and the Italian cup final is reward for the hard work he has put in on the training ground with his team to get them that high.
"This season has been a rush. We have really moved forwards since last season. To take over Sampdoria and AC. Milan is some achievement."

Palermo beat Napoli 3-0 on the night to reach the final. Napoli were the remaining team from outside of Serie A to reach the semifinals.
"Napoli deserve a lot of praise they showed real quality to get this far when lots of teams from Serie A have gone out in rounds before. Napoli were a threat and that is the biggest compliment I can pay them and the manager. We had to look very carefully at their team in the last two weeks to plan for this match. A lesser team might have been taken for granted."

Italian columnist Terry Manifold has said that tickets will be selling out fast for the Italian cup final and Mr Ward agreed but he did say he knew where to get hold of one.
"I will not be there in person for the cup final. Call it superstition or what you want. The players will know their job before the day and that is my job to prepare them. After that I will watch the game through the eyes of a Palermo fan at home or in a bar on Italian television. No one expects us to win in a month of Sundays. For us the final is a spectical for the fans to celebrate the success of the team this season and to voice this. So maybe Terry can have my ticket."

Steve · Cult Status

Top Two to fight it out!

burnout22 · Semi-Pro Player

RE: Week 18

Luke_C · Cult Status

Cardiff manager Luke Coakley speaks with BBC Wales

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?
(A) I did feel confident, we had everyone available for selection and although against a strong Coventry team I always felt we had to much for them especially going

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?
(A) I was delighted, they really raised the tempo this week. Defensively we could have been a little stronger but the way we set up we knew they would have chance but we also knew we would score.

(Q) Any transfer news you can confirm for the fans?
(A) I can confirm we are signing a goalkeeper from Atalanta and that Lescott will be leaving in the opposite direction. We have been looking to bring in a good keeper at a good age since we let Akineev go so im delighted to have finally found a replacement.

(Q) How will your team cope when the window shuts and you have to finish the run in on the squad you have?
(A) We do have some tired legs now but we will rotate more than ever. We have already gained promotion so the pressure is off in some ways. We now need one more win to be crowned champions and then the target is to go through the season undefeated and for me anything less will be a disappointment.

(Q) Do you believe money buys success as debated in recent the weekender issues?
(A) I think first and foremost its about getting the right manager in and then giving them time. Its all very well giving a manager a mass amount of money and saying deliver a trophy but if a club is going to have any sort of medium or long term success then managers need time. Genoa spent huge amount of money on good players like Henry and other aging players who did a job but that is now dead money as they have since retired.

(Q) Which manager do you consider to be your biggest rival?
(A) Well not to sound big headed but there was no rival manager for me this season. The chasing duo have caretaker managers and other clubs with managers are far adrift of us. Next season will be another story with some of the best managers in Football Academy boasting there trade in the premiership and its a challange I cannot wait for.

Tezza · Cult Status

Tonight was the sad end to Sienas and my dream to get promotion this year to Serie A. In a spectacular game of end to end opportunities Ascoli showed the class to beat us 2-1. In a blistering opening 10 munutes Ascoli scored twice through Cisse and basically caught us knapping. While we were still getting organised the old campaigner Cisse had given us a mountain to climb. With the extra 3 point today Ascoli look certain to keep us out of a play off spots.

We managed to pull one back in the 26th minute through Alvarez but just couldnt get on terms after that. I am proud of the lads because once we settled we did hold a very good side for the remainder of the match. This year has been a big learning curve for me and one thing it has taught me is that for the big matches you cant beat the seasoned mature player.

My Chairman, John Brady, will be disappointed but he has given me two seasons to gain promotion. I stuck my neck out and was sure that I could do it in one. Next season will see a vastly different line up from the one I inherited when I took over at the start of this season. I have managed to bring the overall age of the team down considerably. Over the close season I will be looking to add possibly two loan players to the squad to assist the push forward. I do not rule out the transfer market to exchange a couple of players in an effort to add to key areas.

I have experienced disappointment before but this really hurts.

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 26th of February 2011 08:32:46 AM

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 26th of February 2011 08:35:59 AM