Week 3

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 3

Football Academy · Cult Status

The domestic, European and UEFA Cup draws have been made. The highlights in the European Cup has to be English winners Chelsea being drawn in the same group as Italian winners Juventus. In the UEFA Cup, Genoa, AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have all been drawn in the same group. See the Cup draws now in full on their relevant pages.

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

Siena look good for 3 points tonight when they took on Udinese at Home and it was not to be. One missed penalty and 2 disallowed goals sealed the match.

PRESS

That wasnt what you were looking for?

TERRY

No, that was a match we need to forget. The lads performed well and I have no grumbles at all. It is very disappointing but you have to have a little luck on your side at times and it certainly wasn't with us tonight. Apart from Jajalo penalty which is the first one he has ever missed, we had two goals disallowed. Jajalo is obviously distraught but it happens. You do have to take the rough with the smooth in this game.

PRESS

Do you think it will have a bearing on the season?

TERRY

I think it is too early to make any comment on which way this season will go. It is only the start. We have a very good side this season, players have matured over the close season and I have an experienced CB coming in this week to bolster the defence. He will add that little extra when it is necessary. I have also managed to find a CM loan who joins us in a weeks time. These two players will give me the option of resting some of the other team members. The season has only just started but it does need planning to see it through.

PRESS

You seem to be very relaxed about the whole thing?

TERRY

I can't be any other, as I said it is very early days yet, far too early to get despondent. I am a great Arsenal fan and I can understand how they feel at times when the run of the game goes against you.

We are alright we will be back next week and it will be a very different game altogether.

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 16th of April 2011 05:23:31 PM

Football Academy · Cult Status

Liverpools Super Shame

So early in the season the European Super cup pitted the winners of the European Cup last season, Real Valladolid, against the winners of the UEFA Cup last season, Liverpool. The chance to win silverware in only the third week of the season seemed too good an opportunity to pass up and fans flocked to the final with great expectations for the spectacle. Liverpool won their first trophy for some time under Mark Galeozzi last season and fans were hoping an early win would push them on to a potential double this season, while Real Valladolid swiped the treble last season and could do the quadruple if they won tonight and went on to win in all other competitions.

But it was Liverpool fans left scratching their heads pre-match as the stadium announcer named a reserve, youthful looking squad trotting out under the bright floodlights looking like rabbits in the headlights on the pitch. Real Valladolid meanwhile showed their intent to sweep as many trophies again this season as possible by playing a near full strength side despite difficult upcoming fixtures. The confusion turned to despair for Liverpool fans after only 8 minutes as they went behind to the Spaniards and from then on there was no comeback. In a match that saw Liverpool, the best of last seasons UEFA Cup, offer no chances, no shots, at all, their opponents put them mercilessly to the sword grabbing 7 goals and having an impressive 36 chances in the game with 21 shots on target. Bar the reserve Liverpool goalkeeper, the rest of the team might as well not have bothered getting off the team bus. In recent seasons it has been Italian teams not taking European football seriously but tonights result could invite much more pressure on the English clubs in this seasons European tournaments.

Real Valladolid ole's rang out around the packed stadium in the second half which were only matched by Liverpools fans jeers come the final whistle. Given that Liverpool, a big club starved of success in recent seasons, were just 90 minutes from the start of the competition to the potential lifting of a trophy, the squad selection raises many questions about the managers ambitions this season. Some fans have claimed it shows an intent to challenge Chelsea in the league, but beating the dominant Chelsea will be some jump for a team miles from the title race last campaign. Should the league form begin to falter, fans will definitely be wanting to know why the manager chose a 22 game trophy over a 1 game trophy. Meanwhile Real Valladolid fans will hope their success tonight will give the players confidence going into a tough run of fixtures that sees them play both Barcelona and Sevilla.

Fletch · Cult Status

(Q) How confident were you feeling going into the game on Friday?
(A) I had a feeling that the Genoa game was a false dawn and that we would come back down to earth, that happened but we gave it a good go and we will tighten up now in future games, ultimate goal is survival this year.

(Q) Were you pleased with the performance of your team?
(A) The lads did as I asked but I think perhaps we need to be stronger at the back, I will make that happen.

(Q) How do you feel pre-season has gone for your team?
(A) Our change of location worked well and first two games we look fit and strong.

(Q) Do you agree with the chairmans targets for the season?
(A) Yes the chairman has given me his total confidence and I'm desperate to repay him, the targets are achievable.

(Q) What area of your team have you highlighted for improvement?
(A) All over but short term we need to look at our wingers and bring in some better players, we have enquired about some players we think would fit but so far no joy.

(Q) Can you improve on this teams performances last season?
(A) I think we can. despite being in a stronger league I think we can still reach the top 6.

pricey · Cult Status

Atalanta announce huge signing

Atalanta manager Dale Price caught up with Sky Sports today

SSN Well Mr price who have you signed today then?

DP I an officaly announce that we have today put pen to paper with Fiorentina player Rafael van der Vaart. I think he will be a good player for us and give us that extra bite in the midfield.

SSN Other managers in the league will look at this signing and be a little worried what do you say about that?

DP Of course they are going to be worried Rafael is a fantastic player and I am happy that he has chosen to sign a contract with us.

SSN we understand that the deal will not happen strait away when will he be coming?

DP he will be joining us in week 5 ready for the week 6 games against Cagliari and obviously will be in the side for the game against the giants of the league Lazio.

SSN You have been tipped to finish 2nd in the league does that put much pressure on you and your team especially after your loss last week?

DP Yes and no there is always a little pressure on us but most of that is put on by myself because I want to take this club up I think we deserve to be in the top league and hopefully I can take us there. As for last weeks games I have never been that angry at one of my teams after a game we looked like we didnt want it that is something that we are looking to put right this week.

Fletch · Cult Status

He will be too old by the time he gets to you ;0 )

pricey · Cult Status

he'll be fine mate have ordered loads of cotton wool to wrap him up in lol

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

A very disappointed Siena manager left the ground tonight believing that his side should have taken three points. In a closely fought encounter they had to settle for a point a piece.

PRESS

On paper it looked as though you would take this one?

TERRY

I thought so but they came here tonight and pushed us about. All credit to them they deserved the away point. We had our chances and just didn't take them. We should have won this one and we may regret this at the end of the season.

PRESS

You told us at the beginning of the season that you had a team to get promotion this year. What is going wrong?

TERRY

I thought we were ready but things are just not gelling. You know I have been trying to make a couple of changes in mid-field without success but we do have Angelos Tsiaklis coming in on loan this weekend. He may give us that little extra drive in the middle that we seem to be lacking.

PRESS

Where does this result leave you?

TERRY

Last week we were very unlucky, this week we underestimated the opposition and we paid for it. I don't think we are ticking over properly yet, when we do we will be there.

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 23rd of April 2011 12:07:52 AM

Fletch · Cult Status

pricey wrote:
he'll be fine mate have ordered loads of cotton wool to wrap him up in lol

Oops not good news Probbaly cos he scored 4 against me that the deal was retracted ?