Week 9

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 9

Raymond · Cult Status

With Lazio Manager Raymond Farnell

A decent start to the season for Lazio don't you think?

Yep decent indeed but that is all it is. We have not over or underachieved at this point. Lazio are a much changed club and we have high hopes for the remainder of the season.

Were you disappointed not to beat Roma this weekend? It seemed you deserved all three points.

What a silly question, of course I was dissapointed. I am dissapointed period, we all know what the fans want in terms of bragging rights. In the return fixture we need to ensure that Lazio is the focal point of the footballing world in Rome without question.

Are you pleased with how quickly youth product Aleksandar Kolarov has established himself in your first team?

Lad, clearly you are new to the media circus, firstly you ask me if I am I dissapointed not to win a game and now you ask me if I am pleased with Alek's progress. Of course I am pleased, he has been outstanding. Alek will be the bedrock of our left sided play for many many years I can assure you of that.

Is it a worry you seem completely out of the title race before the middle of the season?

Lets be realistic, we have two fantastic teams is Seria A who under Steve and Callum are up there with the best in Europe. The title is not the goal for us at present, being on their coat tails is and I have to say we have performed excellently against the big two when we have played them. Our battle at the moment is with the rest. If we can come out on top of that pack it will be a great achievement in such a short time.

Is it fair to draw comparisons between yourselves and Genoa considering both were promoted from Serie B following heavy backing by new owners?

Hahahaha, what is fair in football!? I dont think you can draw any form of comparison, Genoa already had a healthy squad when the investment was made. I cant recall the numbers involved but we had to carry out a complete overhall of the team on top of any investment to be competative at this level and only several players remain at Lazio since the Chairman and I got together at the club.

So are you worried that Genoa fired the manager who gained promotion despite finishing in the top 4 in his first season in Serie A, when you're barely hanging on to a top half position at present?

Why worry!? no worries at all, I know I am doing a good job with the resources that have been provided. You cant change someones opinion if they think differently!

Finally, will you be venturing into the transfer market to improve the squad ahead of the second half of the season or do you feel the funding is restricting your spending abilities?

To say funding has resticted us would be ludicrous. At present we have committed monies in terms of marketing and youth so we will have to be calculated if we do enter into any transfer activity, but as we are entering festive season if Zhu Jun wants to give the club a present we will spend it well just like the wise men did!

Football Academy · Cult Status

Re: Raymond Farnell Interview

Media Reaction: The Italian press seemed annoyed with the "us and them" mentality adopted by Farnell and could look to pile on further pressure.

Player Reaction: Aleksandar Kolarov seemed delighted with the backing from his manager.

Chairman Reaction: Zhu Jun has refused to comment on whether he will extend the transfer kitty or not.

pricey · Cult Status

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(Q) Atalanta aren't showing the sort of form many people expected right now are they?

(A) No, we are not. We are a long way off where I wanted us to be at this point in the season.

(Q) Youre 13 points off top already, is it goodbye automatics before half a season has passed?

(A) Yes, I would say that we have no chance of catching the top two now. We need a lot of luck and that is something that we seem to be fresh out of this season. We have a couple of games coming up which I feel we can win.

(Q) Who is to blame for this slump in form?

(A) Me. I hold my hands up and admit that I havent been performing anywhere near the level I need to be at. I feel I have been tactically inept and in the next few weeks I will be looking to change things up. I would say that some of my strikers need to pick their game up and take the chances when they are presented with them. That is something we will be working on in training this week.

(Q) The fans booed you off after failing to score against an unthreatening Messina team this weekend, a low point in your career?

(A) Yes, I have to say it wasnt the best feeling in the world and I hope that the fans know that we are trying our best to sort out the problems we have had this season.

(Q) Will you be venturing into the transfer market to freshen up the squad ready for the second half of the season now?

(A) Not at the moment as we have very little to spend. I have made one bid on a player that I would like to be playing here. I do need one player but as I said the lack of funds is not helping us in that matter.

bigwave1927 · Cult Status

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Manager Interview Villarreal

(Q) You must be delighted with the way your players have bounced back from the disappointment of being relegated?

(A) We are all absoulutley delighted with the start to this season. Being relagated last year hurt like hell, i came in when it was to late really to save the club. We won our last game of the season last year and from that day in we have not looked back.

(Q) Did you expect them to be finding the division so easy, or did you think they might take a while longer to adapt to your style of football?

(A) This division is not easy and there are a lot of clubs slowley finding there form. We are only nearly half way there. We still have a mountain to climb and i will not be letting the players get carried way. We have a good solid squad with a mix of youth and experience, its going to be hard keeping the older players fit but that is something me and the coaching staff are working on.

(Q) Nemanja Covic has come in on loan from Parma and played with real pride in a Villarreal shirt. Will you be looking to make it a permanent move?

(A) I will be having a long chat with Johnny Sinclair soon over the young lads future and i really hope for the club and fans that we can come to some agreement over a perminant transfer for Nemanja.

(Q) How long can the team keep this unbeaten run going? 9 wins in a row is currently a club record.

(A) Next week is going to be a very tough game with both our experienced centre backs out injured and suspended. We all here take one game at a time and a lot of work and planning in training this week will be put in to keep this run going. We have managed to amass a seven point lead so it would not be a major disaster if we were to lose this week.

(Q) How have you reacted to speculation you could be on the move after just a season in charge here?

(A) Simple, i will NOT be going anywhere. This is a fantastic club and im loving my time here. The owners, staff and fans have been fantastic to me since my arrival and i owe it to them to see it through.

(Q) Are you interested in a move to Italy in the future? Would the vacant Palermo and Roma jobs interest you?

(A) Not at all. I have managed in Italy before and not really enjoyed my time there, i would certanly not take over Roma, im fed up of Jonathan Petty leaving clubs in Italy and i have to go in there and sort all the problems he has left behind. Never again

-- Edited by bigwave1927 on Sunday 4th of December 2011 09:57:21 PM

-- Edited by bigwave1927 on Sunday 4th of December 2011 09:58:05 PM

Safehands · Cult Status

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Manager Interview Manchester City

(Q) Manchester City fans weren't expecting to be in a relegation fight this season, were you?

(A) You can never say never to anything in football that much is true, but a relegation battle was not in the thinking for myself or my team at the start of the season. This seasons poor start can mostly be attributed to some awful performances against teams we would expect to beat, key retirements last season, and key transfer targets not being able to join until round about now..............................

(Q) You're bottom of the table after 8 weeks, morale in the dressing room must be rock bottom?

(A) Morale is never good when at the wrong end of the table, but you can keep it in perspective by the fact that we are still rebuilding the club since the administration issues 2 years ago and losing over £120m worth of players is hardly going to be an issue you get over quickly. We have some key games coming up against teams in a similar position so it is up to us to climb out of the bottom three and force the predicament on someone else. An morale can always be boosted by signing a superstar........................

(Q) Who do you blame for the poor results, the older players for not leading or the younger players for not stepping up when needed?

(A) Most things in life are a combination of the two. Older players should take the brunt of the responsibility for any failings of the youngsters as they have the experience built up over many years and have more than likely been in a similar boat earlier in their career. We dont instigate a blame culture at Man City generally speaking the blame is shouldered by anyone that has the shoulders big enough to hold it myself and the management team included

(Q) What effect has the takeover and new chairman had on the squad?

(A) Im not sure the fans or players had seen tangible benefits in terms of investment but perhaps they dont see the workings behind the scenes. To give an example the new chairman agreed to the terms of my old contract and continued to upgrade the youth academy by £5m each season which was good to see. We have had no specific talks around investment, nor have we had specific talks about the targets that investment would bring. The chairman knows where am I for these discussions, as I him

(Q) Your strikers have been woeful this season, is Guidetti really Premiership quality?

(A) If he is awful, having scored more goals than either more capable and more experienced strikers, perhaps the question is more to do with other striking options at the club? He is progressing very well and will be a true star in the future. Perhaps he is having more of a baptism of fire than expected at the moment but I have no doubt he has a lifetimes future at the club. I want the older strikers to pitch in with their haul of the goals and to criticise the strikers is unfair as they are only as good as the team behind them. We win together, lose together and take criticism equally across the team deserved or otherwise

(Q) Will you be venturing into the loan market to freshen up the squad ready for the second half of the season now?

(A) Never say never but it is not high on our agenda. We are more likely to recruit experience rather than take on additional youngsters. If there are older players in the loan market we will consider all options but traditionally the loan market is a young mans game. Besides we have been focusing our efforts on a permanent signing this week..................

-- Edited by Safehands on Tuesday 6th of December 2011 11:56:22 AM

Luke_C · Cult Status

English leagues write up

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 2

Manchester United were the only victors of this result in a massively competitive game at the top of the premiership. Both teams going for the win in an end to end game at Anfield , both teams playing a lot more open than expected. It would be a strong pudit to suggest anyone other than these two can win the league, both showing tremendous quality. As it stands though Chelsea have the edge with a two point gap between them and second place Liverpool.

Coakleys Corner

I did predict a 2-2 draw , both teams have so much quality that its almost impossible to separate them and we were always going to see goals. Both managers have experience of winning trophies so its going to be a great battle. No one can rule out Manchester United though, they are only three points off top. Craig is very quietly moving his United team along under the radar but I more than anyone (after todays result) know the quality they also have in store.

Wolves Score (at last)

Wolves 1 Sheffield United 1

A game of two struggling teams, lacking quality and flair. Before this game between them they had only scored two goals all season and both those goals coming from Sheffield United. Little was expected of this game which in turn ended up be classed as a goal thriller by both sets of fans. Wolves took a deserved lead early on thanks to centre back Tamai, with fans celebrating like they had won the cup. Unfortunately for Wolves fans the dream of collecting all three points diminished as Casisa scored on the half volley to draw the teams level, the game finished 1-1.

Coakleys Corner thoughts

Both teams have had a drap and uninspiring start to the season, fans like goals and neither team are producing the goods at the moment but I was delighted to see Wolves finally score. JD will be delighted they have got a goal but the fact its come from a defender shows they still have that problem upfront. Wolves will be happy though to finally get a point and its something they can now build on. Sheffield United on the other hand are in a strange position, one point off being in the bottom two and one point off being in the play/offs so the up coming games can really sculpt the season for the

Coakleys Cardiff Corner

Manchester United 7 Cardiff City 3

Another disappointing result against one of the big boys, Its something we need to address. Manchester United showed us the ultimate respect and played the strongest eleven and in the end we just couldnt compete with them. The front two of Huguin and Aquero were simply to much for our defence. We started well and got 2-0 up but they had to much power, pace and movement. We learn from today and look to bounce back against Manchester City in the Cup then Spurs in the league

EURO UPDATE

Man City 0 Cardiff City 1

It was so important that we bounced back with a European win. We rested a number of players so we knew it would be a tight game especially with Manchester City going into the game with a strong line up. The players did what I asked of them and the clean sheet will certainly give them a confidence boost ahead of the game against Spurs this weekend.

Jozz · Cult Status

JD Jaques gave a brief interview this week to the press following his sides last result where they drew 1-1 with the Blades.

"Although it was dissapointing to only draw the game we got that first goal which has been a long time coming. I see that the English reporter has pointed out that it is worrying that the goal came from a defender, and I would not disagree. He refers to the lack of cutting edge up front, and hopefully the transfer deal we have done this week will solve this issue."

"We have managed to sign Colin Kazim-Richards. It involved Brezzi going the other way to Middlesborough. But given that Colin has scored at Premiership level and this will be a step down to the Championship, it should mean that he will get goals for us. He already looks sharp and pacey in training and I am sure he will be what Wolves fans have been hoping for. Colin has already given the facilities the double thumbs, and I hope the fans will do the same when his name is mentioned!"

-- Edited by Jozz on Wednesday 7th of December 2011 10:45:05 PM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Foxes News

Football Academy · Cult Status

RE: Week 9

Football Academy · Cult Status

Re: Dave Davies-Evans Interview

Media Reaction: The Spanish press seemed to respond favourably to his answers and will be pushing his name forwards towards big job vacancies in the near future.

Player Reaction: Nemanja Covic is concerned about the uncertainty of his future.

Chairman Reaction: Is delighted his manager is keen to remain at the club and has said all the right things in public about the job.

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

The game tonight did not go exactly as the manager would have liked but, a point at this stage of the season is a point. The match was a lacking in entertainment as both sides looked as though they did not want to give anything away. The first goal fell to Livorno and it wasn't till the 32^nd minute that Brown, who the side missed last week through his suspension, scored the equaliser.

PRESS. That's another point dropped?

Terry. No, its another point on the board. We were playing away, conceded a goal early and came away with a point. Not a great result but, we didn't lose. I thought we held them and whilst it wasn't a great game, we did alright. We are learning all the while.

PRESS. I hear you have been busy on the loan scene?

Terry. I have. We have Milan Stephanov coming in from Real Madrid this week for a short stay and then I have almost secured the services of two other young players for the rest of the season. I am very close to adding a central defender and a striker to the team. I think the two classy youngsters will just lift the team by making team selection a little tighter and give us that extra punch that we do seem to be lacking..

PRESS. But you are still not in the Play-off positions.

Terry. The position is as it was last week. We stay in 7th spot and have gained a point on Torino. As long as we don't fall back the situation is as it was when we set out. Get into the play-offs again and this time secure the wins.

What happens between now and then is about getting the side to pull together and create more chances.

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 10th of December 2011 05:51:25 PM

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 10th of December 2011 05:52:58 PM

Tezza · Cult Status

Italian Domestic Cup

The ITALIAN DOMESTIC CUP. Round 3

The Italian Cup goes up a gear with Serie B teams joining the big Boys.

Sampdoria v Inter Milan

Sampdoria dropped down from Serie A and have always looked like a team that would bounce back. This season Carl Robsons Sampdoria have not lost a match.They have walked through this competition so far, and I do believe they can beat Inter Milan and progress further.

Reggina v Palermo

I thought that Reggina were a little lucky against Chievo in the last round but this one could be very tricky for them. Palermo let rip on Friday and scored 6 goals. Daniel Robertsons side could go out here.

Fiorentina v Ascoli

In the last round Ascolis had to wait until ten minutes into extra time before their 21 year old midfield player Canales struck the decider. In this round they come up against Fiorentina who lost on Saturday. Difficult to call and it may go to extra time with Ascoli pinching it.

Catania v Genoa

Genoa have only let in three goals this season and look a little too good for Catania. Amilcar has done a wonderful job with Catania but pushing Genoa aside must be a step too far this season. With Parejo on 10 goals and Briand on 9, Genoa has the fire power.

Lazio v Brescia

Lazio should have the edge in this contest. Raymond Farnell is doing a great job here, Lazio who only came up into this league this year, have done very well and seemed to have settled well. They are currently 6^th in the league and I tip them for a win against a side who have not scored too many goals this season.

A.C.Milan v Roma

A. C. Milan are 4^th and Roma are 5^th in Serie A and this one is very hard to call. Roma are scoring goals and hit 4 on Saturday. A.C. Milan on the other hand have veteran striker Martins who at 33 yrs of age is still banging them in. Close one but my money is on Roma.

-- Edited by Tezza on Monday 12th of December 2011 11:16:54 PM

GarethGardner · Cult Status

Gardner looking forward to Leicester challenge

Press - How do you see the game going this weekend ?

Gardner - I see it being a very tough game against Steve Jenkins men this weekend, Its going to be very close but we are working very well as a team and it will be a good contest against Leicesters big individual players

Press - Dont you mean Mark Rollings men ?

Gardner - I suppose you could say that, but being honest, i only see Mark as Steves puppet. Im pretty sure the chairman has a big say in what team is picked and how its run. Dont get me wrong, Steve is one of the best managers in the game, but personally i would like to do things my own way and i dont think Mark gets that

Press - We understand that you are out of contract at the end of the season. Will you be staying at Boro or moving on ?

Gardner - I am currently in negotiations to extend my contract at Middlesbrough F.C. I have rejected the 1^st contract offer and am currently awaiting a responce from the board. Im hoping to stay and build a team for the future thats capable of staying in the Premier League for now and the foreseeable future.

Press - Will there be any new faces coming in soon or many leaving ?

Gardner - We currently have no deals on the table. Jacopop Galimberti at Cadiz, Fabrizio Brezzi at Southampton and Adam Hammill at Inter Milan will all be returning at the half way point to boost the numbers to help out the team. If a new contract is agreed then a highly rated youngster maybe also coming to the Riverside but thats not decided as of yet.

Press - Theres rumours around that a number of teams are after your signature including Athletico Bilbao, Spurs and AC Milan. Any truth in these ?

Gardner - You have named 3 massive clubs there, As you know im a Spurs fan but think iv currently got a better job at Middlesbrough, as for the other 2 named, both are huge jobs but i can see them personally going for a higher profile manager, but if they did come knocking at the door and the chairman gave me permission, then i would consider my options. But at the moment i am fully focused on my job of keeping Middlesbrough in the Premier League

Turney · Cult Status

This week Skysports caught up with Martin Turney and had an exclusive interview with the Aston Villa Manager.

Skysports: Approaching the mid way point of the season, How do you feel it is going for yourself and Aston Villa?

MT: I am reasonably pleased with our form now that the team has started to adapt to the new formation that I have decided to employ this season. When I first changed to 4-4-2 we were in the midst of playing some of the strongest contenders in this league Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham. It was very important for the players to keep faith and have patience in the new formation and you can now start to see the rewards.

Skysports: What were your reasons for changing your formation this season?

MT: In the past 3 seasons we have fallen at the final hurdle in the play offs and I felt this was mainly due to our poor defensive record. We were the highest goalscorers in the league last year but we just conceded too many goals last season. We were playing a 3-5-2 formation last season which meant teams were able to exploit us in the wider areas. By going to 4-4-2 you can now see that we are defensively tighter but we also still have that attacking threat to score the goals required. We have now won the last 4 games in all competitions without conceding a goal so the signs are that the players have adjusted now.

Skysports: You have a big cup game coming up against Crystal Palace how seriously will you be taking this competition?

MT: Extremely serious! We unfortunately have Ciaran Clark unavailable due to suspension but apart from that I will be playing my strongest starting 11 possible. I feel that the English cup is a competition which my team can get to the latter stages of and we would like to keep this winning run we are on going.

Skysports: Finally what are your targets for the rest of the league campaign ?

MT: Firstly it will be to secure a play off place because you can not take anything for granted in this league. Secondly it will be to keep to pressure up on the top 2 and that if they do start to drop points we must make sure we are there to capitalise. If we are not able to bridge the gap to the top 2 and have to settle for play offs. We will have to make sure we are 100% ready physically and mentally for the two big games that will come in the play offs and lets hope it will be fourth time lucky and that this great club can be finally be back in the top tier of English football.

-- Edited by Turney on Tuesday 13th of December 2011 02:22:54 PM

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Rollings laughs off Gardener jibes

Leicester City boss Mark Rollings today laughed off accusations from Middlesbrough manager Gareth Gardener over his control at the midlands club.

Speaking to gathered journalists ahead of his pre-cup press conference Rollings slammed Gardener's sentiments.

"Firstly, it doesnt surprise me. Gareth is the quiet as a mouse when he is losing and shouts form the roof tops the minute he starts getting any success. He has no idea of what goes on within the Leicester hierarchy and judging by his transfer policy and approach to squad management this season he isn't likely to anytime soon. Steve and I have a plan of how we build up this club, and that doesn't include signing pensioner players in a bid to land my next job."

Rollings followed up his comments in a warning to Boro fans and board of the pit falls of their current boss.

"Leicester City have a solid structure built on young and talented players. We are self-sustaining, and our financial results are ever improving. It doesn't happen overnight. Sure I could have cashed in on Joe Mattock, Harry Worley, Fabrice Muamba etc and brought in ageing pro's to make sure we stayed in the league this season but that is not in our plan as a club. Gareth is already lauding himself around to any club that will listen. Lucky Middlesbrough! Perhaps the Middlesbrough board will wish they got more involved in a season or two as Gareth suns himself in a job abroad while they are left to sift through the ageing debris."

Tezza · Cult Status

Siena News

Atalanta versus Siena, a match that never looked like being a classic turned out to be a very lively affair. Siena set off like a train and for much of the first half seemed to have Atalanta where they wanted them. These two teams last played in the play-offs at the end of last season and this time it did not go all Atalanta's way.

PRESS.

It may be a dropped point but I think you would settle for that?

Terry.

Certainly would. It was never going to an easy match but I thought we were the better side today and generated the most chances. We were a little unlucky not to take all three points. I think Dale would have a little surprised by our determination today. We had a disallowed goal in the first minute.

PRESS.

That was a lovely goal from Stephanov?

Terry.

What a talent. Milan Stephanov only came in on loan this week from Real Madrid and unfortunately for us, he will only be with us for a couple of weeks. The lad is clearly going to make his mark.

PRESS.

I have heard that you have other loans being considered.

Terry.

The only chance we have to push on this season is the change the pace and commitment of the team. You have seen how Stephanov changed things today and I just hope that with a central defender and another striker we intend to bring in, we can continue where we left off today. That was a good result and is really encouraging.

-- Edited by Tezza on Saturday 17th of December 2011 11:45:20 PM

GarethGardner · Cult Status

Gardner signs new Middlebrough deal

Middlesbrough F.C manager Gareth Gardner is pleased to announce after succesfull negotiations that he is staying with the club

" Im pleased to announce that i have pledged my future to Middlesbrough Fc for the forseeable future, I hae agreed with the board a new 4 yr deal which will take me up to the end of season 14 (currently season 10).

This also means that the board have given me extra trasfer funds to spend to hopefully keep Middlesbrough in the Premiership this year and beyond. I was very pleased with the point against Juventus 2nds and hopefully we will go on and stay in the Premiership and build more for the future using our academy. "

Luke_C · Cult Status

Coakley delight at Euro progression.

Luke four euro games and four euro wins, you must be delighted with the way your players have adapted in Europe?
The team all season have put in a good shift in, we run with a small squad but our form in Europe has been exceptional. It was important to get the points on the board early and secure a place into the next round.

A good win against a strong Sevilla team?
Both teams rested a few key players but its still a very good win. They have a very experienced manager so it was always going to be tough. We played very well though and the scoreline in no way flattered us.

How seriously are you taking Europe?
Very seriously, we were very disappointed to go out of the FA Cup so early this season so we have to make it up to the fans with Europe and so far we have done that. We want to progress as far as we can. Its going to be very tough to win the competition but we will give it our best go.

Inter Milan up next, another tough challange?
They have some very very good players but are struggling at the wrong end of the league in Italy so im not sure Europe is the clubs priority. It certainly wouldnt be if it was my club but we we go into the game wanting to win. We will rest a few players but we run with such a small squad that we will still have a strong starting eleven.