Week 10

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 10

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

The Siena manager has had a very busy week with all the transfer activity but this Friday his old club Atalanta will be coming to try and disrupt this seasons plans for a promotion spot.

PRESS

Are you looking forward to this weekends tussle?

TERRY

Yes I see the match against Atalanta as one of this seasons defining matches. If we cant beat Atalanta, at home, we may have trouble achieving promotion again this season. Dale Price has a good side and we are very fortunate that Roman has arrived in time for the challenge. Stuart Price at Valencia agreed to let me have him for a couple of weeks with an option of a return and it has just come at the right time. He may just give us that edge on Friday. I am sure Atalanta have been watching us over the past few weeks and Romans appearance will not be on the drawing board. The bookies dont seem to give us much chance on Friday or for promotion but they thought the Queen would win the Derby.

PRESS

I hear you have made another signing this week?

TERRY.

Yes I can announce that we have an experienced attacking central midfielder joining us next week that will help our drive forward. I am very pleased with the signing. There may well be another in the next few weeks to complete the push. If you have money available it is better to use it to add to the team. I have managed to generate the transfer fund this time and not rush to the Chairman.

-- Edited by Tezza on Monday 6th of June 2011 08:15:48 AM

-- Edited by Tezza on Monday 6th of June 2011 08:16:26 AM

-- Edited by Tezza on Monday 6th of June 2011 11:14:07 PM

pricey · Cult Status

Italian sports news (ISN) caught up with Atalanta manager Dale Price this week to talk about last weeks game and next weeks critical game against Siena

ISN Hello and welcome Mr Price you must be happy with the way your team played this week against Torino?

DP Yes you have to be happy with a 4-0 win over anyone and the way we played think we could have given anyone a good game.

ISN This week you come up against Siena how are you feeling going into this game?

DP Im happy with our preparations for the game. I feel this is one game we have to win we will go out there and give it our best and hopefully the players I have rested from the cup game tonight can be big players in this weekends game.

ISN Sienas manager has commented on the loan signing of Alejandro Torres Roman do you think he will have a big impact on the game?

DP He is a good player but to be honest with you we are not concerned who he has in his team we have to think about our own game and make sure we play the way we have trained if we do that I think we can get the win we need.

ISN Well thank you for taking time out to speak to us good luck this week and for the rest of the season

DP Thank you

Simon · Cult Status

Real Valladolid: Youth Tournament Bid:

A large amount of money has been put into the Valladolid stadium over the several seasons to make it one of the largest in the world. Once the stadium reached it's maximum size a couple of seasons ago, money has begun to be put into other facilities such as the club shop and youth academy, with around £20 million being spread across the two this season alone. Also with the growing possibility of Valladolid moving to a new site, it would seem respectful to host the youth tournament at the current site as a farewell.

Valladolid have a history and a reputation for producing some of the finest talent around such as Jesus, Sergio and Victor and has recently begun to attract foreign youth such as Benzema and Collison because it's widely known that youth prosper here. Just look around the leagues and you'll see RV-grown talent almost everywhere. Whilst the money and prestige that will come with hosting the youth tournament will further our development of various facilities as laid out in the plans to expand the Valladolid youth academy to its maximum in the next 3 seasons.

Having based a club on its youth capabilities and closely but disappointingly missing out last season, it seems only right that Valladolid be granted the honour of hosting the tournament.

-- Edited by Simon on Monday 6th of June 2011 04:45:38 PM

Raymond · Cult Status

Rumours rumble, Records tumble, Player unrest and Persistant pests......

Sky Sports Italia arrive for Lazio and Farnells latest press conference in Rome.....

Ray, rumours are amidst of your young midfielder Jan Hable not only being unhappy but with the board being unhappy of recent transfer speculation surrounding Jan, what can you tell us of this?

Quite simple, yes there was speculation of a transfer which has turned Jan's head a little. A few clubs of which will remain unamed showed interest in the him but I am happy to say he will not be going anywhere as he is an important asset to the team. Our club Captain Tom Soares is his mentor and Jan has got the bit between his teeth once again and is determined to be a star at this club.

Further rumours suggest that the board are not happy with you moving on Superstar players that arrived at the club?

Listen, Kolo and Iker are world class and both AC Milan and Roma have done well for singing them but lets be honest, these guys are past their peak in terms of stamina and both transfers have enabled us to bring in Defendi and Charles N'Zogbia, these guys will play a big part in our future for a few years yet.

Well we make this approx 32 games unbeaten in Seria B Ray!, that must be some record?

I dont keep a record of such things but if that is correct it suggests the board know what they have done in employing me and my team so if you pests get off my back by spreading rumours we will all live happily ever after!

Anything else we can report on?

Well we are in talks with an English club to bring in a young destroyer in midfield so speculate what you like!

pricey · Cult Status

Atalanta overjoyed with cup win

Speaking after his sides famous cup win over Chivo last night in the Italian cup Atalanta manager Dale Price spoke of his pride with the way his side played he had this to say I cant tell you how happy I am today I thought we would win but it is always good when you cross the finish line and beating a team in Seria A is always good. He was then asked who he wanted in the next round We dont mind who we get to be honest with you every game from here on in is going to be tough but it would be good to play Lazio. Napoli are another team that I fancy our chances against but we are all looking forward to the draw tonight With fans of Atalanta going wild on the streets this cup win will go down in the history of the club as one of the best nights ever

Liam · Cult Status

Sevilla manager Liam Riste caught up with Sevilla FC Television in an interview on the season so far as we approach the mid point and on what the next half may provide us with.

SFCTV: You recently beat Real Madrid 5-3 only to lose 2-1 to them in the cup only a few days later. What do you make of that?

LR: Well the most important thing was the 3 points. We don't have the squad to compete across the 3 cups so the developing youth were given the chance to play on the big stage in a big game, to which they may have been beaten, but they can keep their heads held high at a narrow defeat. Beating Real Madrid is always a good feeling for me as Real Madrid rejected me in the past only for Sevilla to offer me a job. I think I have become more of a bogey team to Real Madrid now as I haven't dropped any points against them, however, they have dumped me out of the cup on no fewer than 2 times...

SFCTV: You go from Real to Atletico Madrid this week. What do you expect from that game?

LR: I really don't know what to expect if I'm honest with you. It all depends on how ambitious Paul Harrington is feeling. He has given up on trying to win the league or even second in the league as shown by his poor team selection against Real Valladolid and Barcelona, so lets see if he thinks third place is achievable by his team selection for tonights game! I have no doubt that he'll play a full strength team against me which is frustrating in a way.

SFCTV: How do you mean, it's frustrating that a team plays their strongest team against you?

LR: It's ridiculous to knock a team for playing their strongest eleven, unless you consider the fact that teams play a weakened line-up and take an absolute spanking from the top two teams in the league. Those top two teams are teams that the likes of myself are challenging, who are given an easier ride as a result and leaves any challenger with less chance. It happens across all leagues and Bilbao have been proof last weekend of this. They managed to snatch a point off us in the last two minutes which was unfortunate for us but fair play to them. They have performed extremely well over the last few seasons but last weekend, even after taking points from me, they weaken their team to take an 8-0 thrashing from Real Valladolid! No attempt to win and easy 3 points for Real Valladolid which gives them the league in my eyes. You can't compete against a team which is given points on a plate when you have to scrap for everything, this lack of ambition throughout is gift wrapping the top spots to teams across Europe, making the bigger teams stronger and weakening the challengers.

SFCTV: Okay... So what are you suggesting?

LR: I'm suggesting Real Valladolid have already won the league. They won't drop points against the line-ups they face, so as soon as the gap between their challengers, Barcelona and ourselves is 4 or more then it becomes extremely hard to topple them as it takes both of us to beat them to close the gap and overtake them!

SFCTV: You have been more active in the transfer window so far this season, seeing several faces leave and few brought in. What are your plans?

LR: Well unfortunately faces had to leave to bring in players in positions to help strengthen us in the not so distant future. We came close to signing a world class striker which would have helped us no end, however, negotiations failed and our scout didn't pick anything up which we wanted. So we're keeping our eyes open and hopefully we can strengthen our squad soon.

SFCTV: So what do you see for Sevilla this season then?

LR: Well if we beat Atletico, then we are looking comfortable for third if we can play it out like I expect. Hopefully I can entertain our fans again with another European Cup run and maybe improve on last seasons' Semi-Final heartbreak. We'll try and push Valladolid and Barcelona but that mainly depends again on other teams and our results against them, which will be tough.

SFCTV: Well thanks for your time and good luck.

LR: Cheers.

paulh_85 · Cult Status

Harrington repsonds to Riste jibe

Atletico manager Paul Harrington read out a short statement before heading to the stadium for tonights match.

"i find liams assessment of my team amusing, first we player a full strength team against valladoid and lost by 1. which alone proves he pays no attention to the league and the teams in it. Futhermore, id like to suggest the reason his side isnt competing with Barca and Valladoid isnt becasue these teams get easy wins, its because they are light years ahead of his own. Perhaps if Liam didnt build all his hopeson players approaching 40 he would have a full strength team capable of beating the "lower" teams of the division. At the end of the day Bilboa obviously see the aging Sevilla side as a soft touch with the possibility of points, and have got something out of the last three games against them, while also getting a great entertaining draw against us this season.

with regards tonights game. the creaking joints have been oiled, and the pensions have been collected so Sevilla have a rare full strength team, so naturally we dont expect a win. as a result were trying a new formation/tactics to see how effective we can be in some areas"

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

Bolton manager Ashley Davies considering his future after shock 1-0 defeat.

'' I will have a lot to think about Tonight and tomorrow, I've had full backing from the board since joining, now made a decent team but if the problem is me, then I may leave. '' Davies told the gathering journalists after their shock 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

'' The situation is not planning out, I've brought in the players and took some risk's here, the players are putting everything in but something's not going right. Most club's I leave seem to do better.. Cadiz and Udinese having decent runs themselves ''

'' We will see what happens; I'll have to have time to think about again another disappointing position in my managerial career. ''

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

The Siena v Atalanta match did not go in favour of Terry Manifolds plans with the result going to Dale Price and the team Terry managed a couple of seasons ago.

PRESS

Does this end your title hopes?

TERRY

We never really had a chance to win the title anyway but, yes it has dented our progress. Atalanta were too good for us. I may have played the wrong tactics on the day but you cant take it away from them, they played well today and deserved the points. We showed them too much respect and couldnt finish.

PRESS

Your new man didnt really perform today did he?

TERRY.

It is a lot to expect for a young striker to move to the club and fit in straight away. Roman showed his class but he obviously needs more time to settle. He will be alright next week and then unfortunately we have to lose him. I will do my utmost to get him back later in the season when it could be crucial. I know the Chairman will be very disappointed with the outcome but the season isnt over just yet and we have a very important match next week.

Atari · Sunday League Player

ELLIOTT NAMED BRESCIA MANAGER
Sunday 12th June

Sky Sports can reveal that Brescia Calcio S.p.A. have installed Tom Elliott as the Club's new manager.

The former English Youth Coach has signed a one year contract and is joining immediately ready to lead them in the second half of the season.

While stepping into the Rondinelle hotseat will be his first venture into management, the 43-year-old Irishman attended the match at the weekend to see his new team lose to Udinese.

He said: "This is an experienced group of players with a group who have played at a higher level in their career now finishing their time with the Club.

"I was attracted by the Club and the Chairman's ambition to get out of this division. That's what made up my mind.

"A target for the season of a top 2 finish is a huge expectation when the Club is 6th at the time I join but it shows how ambitious the Chairman is and it gives us all a target to aim for. I'd like to help the Chairman implement his vision, which is to take the Club even higher and eventually escape second tier football."

Tom Elliott has a full week of training with his new players before his first match in charge and has already sent out his scouts to look for new players to freshen up the tired looking team.

Liam · Cult Status

Riste 'jibe sparks touchy response'

Following recent comments by Sevilla manager Liam Riste after his sides 2-0 win over Paul Harrington's Atletico Madrid side Sevilla FC television were keen to interview him again!

SFCTV: Firstly congratulations with your 2-0 win over Atletico you must be happy with that?

LR:: Yes it was a great win over a good team like Atletico, we cut off the supply to their striker well and kept a clean sheet as a result, Atletico are a strong team and are never easy opponents for us even if they sit in 6th place in the league which is below where they should be.

SFCTV: Mr Harrington has suggested that you were directly criticising him about weak team selections against top sides, was that the case?

LR: I wasn't having a 'jibe' directed at him it was just a generic point across all leagues, however Paul Harrington's touchy response is potentially a result of a guilty consience after a 7-0 hammering by Barcelona, this wasn't his finest moment with a far from full strength team fielded, god knows what the Atletico fans made of the team when they turned up for the big game full of excitement.

SFCTV: Recently in the press Mr Harrington had suggested you were overwhelming favourites for yesterdays game and you should of won, what do you make of his comments?

LR: His response proves my point about his lack of ambition as he's got a good squad capable of beating any of the top 3 on their day and his current position of 6th represents a poor return on the squad available to him.

SFCTV: Mr Harrington has said that he tried new tactics against you and criticised your ageing squad, what do you have to say about this?

LR: Well with 1 shot on target his tactics were obviously a great success and even with a team of pensioners we managed to beat his full strength team maybe if he showed more ambition he would be higher than 6th place in the league.

SFCTV: Thanks for your time, always interesting.

LR: Cheers.

Fletch · Cult Status

Napoli Miss Opportunity to Extend the Gap above the Bottom 3.

Andy Fletcher rued his young Napoli sides missed chance to see daylight between his club and Parma after the teams played out a 1-1 draw.

I juggled with the team, I rested Noble and Yakin who are both struggling for fitness, I may have underestimated the importance of these players to the starting line up although I know the others have scored goals previously. This season and last its been very much a squad game and I try to be able to choose from whoever is available and fit.

Mark Noble needs a couple of weeks out really, he has not had the same pre-season as the rest of us and that is showing.

We need to look at the next fixture now and see how we can pick up points, I think he next 2 or 3 weeks will be defining and we need to come out of it with something.

On a more positive note I have signed a new RB this week, Fran Consenza from Manchester City, who will be ready to play for us perhaps later in the season, I would like to get him some games and that may not be with us for a little while but he fits in well with the age and ethos of the team here at Napoli, I think we can improve him.

We have also let Luigi Vitale, a stalwart of the club go as a free agent, he wanted first team football and with two players in front of him he wasnt getting any games, I hope a club snaps him up and he manages to play some games, He is still only 29 so a good few years left of service from a top professional.

Adams · Top Flight Player

Egg On Face 3: Bilbao Strikes Back

Athletic Bilbao fans might wish they can play against Sevilla every week. Their exploits were again in the media when the Sevilla manager Liam Riste criticised their performance against Real Valladolid.

The match before they had got another surprise result at the expense of Sevilla drawing 3-3. Last season in their first season in La Liga it was Bilbao who had the most joy from the two fixtures against Sevilla something not many could have predicted when little Bilbao had arrived on the scene with the big boys of Spanish football.

"First I wish to thank Liam and his players for another highlight in my spell with Bilbao. They say once bitten twice shy but we've got him three times now. Liams team are like a masochist coming back for more punishment now. I'm starting to worry our fans will expect us to keep getting points from a fixture we should be easily beaten in. Our chairman made it very clear of his personal rivalry with Liam and this just helps get me and the players going."

The team that went down hard to Real Valladolid was a much changed side the following week. Riste has obviously been upset by the below strength team that came out a week later and lost 8-0 to Real Valladolid and told the press that the match had gifted the title to Real Valladolid.

"I think that says it all and shows his desperation at the situation he finds himself in one of his own making. He is a man one the brink of losing his top three position in the table. I felt I saw a weakness in the Sevilla team that we could get at and three times now it has produced a good result for us. We are a little team with one very big name surrounded by much younger players who came up with us when we got promoted. Ashton has seen better days and I have to manage his fitness by picking which teams to rest him against. I think resting him against the european champions was an easy decision any manager would have made. If Liam wants some easy games he will have to look elsewhere my players don't fear his team."

Mr Adams left the interview with a parting shot of retaliation to being dragged into the media spotlight.

"If he needs us to beat Real Valladolid to stand a chance of winning the league he is doing something seriously wrong."

Adams · Top Flight Player

Atari wrote:

Good media I love the headlines in the picture. Welcome to the game.

Jonnie (Bilbao)

Ashley-ccfc16' · Cult Status

Agree with you there! Always good to see others getting involved with media etc..

Adams wrote:

Atari wrote:

Good media I love the headlines in the picture. Welcome to the game.
Jonnie (Bilbao)