sillyseason’s Manchester XI

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Mar 25, 2014

Ahead of tonight’s derby, we put together our starting XI in Manchester

After the weekend’s phenomenal El Clasico, it’s now time for the Premier League to put on a classic derby match, and all eyes will be on Old Trafford as Manchester United take on Manchester City.

One team fighting for pride, and the other fighting for the title, and with just hours left until kick-off, here at sillyseason, we thought it would be a great idea to put together our ‘Manchester XI’, and here is who makes our team!

Goalkeeper – David De Gea

Now last season, this easily would have been Joe Hart’s spot, but after the season he has had, I’ve now given the gloves to David De Gea as he has been one of few United players that can be proud of how they’ve performed this season.

Right Back – Pablo Zabaleta

One of the most consistent performers in a Manchester City shirt so an easy pick for the right-back slot. Great attacking and just as good tracking back, so overall, a perfect right-back.

Centre Back – Vincent Kompany

Where would City be without the Belgium? I cannot believe they signed him for under £10million, what a steal!! So solid at the heart of the defence and even when he’s just returned from an injury, he makes it look like he’s never been away.

Centre Back – Nemanja Vidic

This slot was a tough one. No centre-backs from Manchester (apart from Kompany) have impressed me this season, but overal if you had to pick one, you’d probably pick the one that David Moyes is allowing to leave for free in the Summer.

Left Back – Gael Clichy

Another position which hasn’t really impressed me this season, but between Clichy, Patrice Evra and Aleksandr Kolarov, I’d have to give it to Clichy.

Centre Midfield – Yaya Toure

Does this option really need explaining?

Centre Midfield – Fernandinho

Had a tough start to the season trying to adapt to life in England, but after impressive during the 6-3 riot over Arsenal, the holding-midfielder has only improved and would easily walk into the midfield at Old Trafford. Sorry Cleverley, you only just missed out.

Right Attacking Midfield – David Silva

He hasn’t had one of his greatest season’s in a City shirt, but on his day, he can still produce moments of magic. Take the goal against Hull City for example. A tricky winger with bags of pace and skill, so he has to make the team

Left Attacking Midfield – Wayne Rooney

Yes this might not be his neutral position, but lets be honest, he plays where he wants. Phenomenal this season and without him, United could have done a whole lot worse this year.

Centre Forward – Sergio Aguero

Now I know he isn’t fit for tonight’s game, but if he was, of course he would make the starting line-up. Very similar player to Luis Suarez, very nifty and quick on his feet with a natural class in front of goal.

Striker – Robin Van Persie

Once again, hasn’t been a great season for The Dutchman, but he has missed a lot of games due to injury and he’s set to miss yet another six weeks, but on his day, he’d walk into the team just because we all know what he’s capable of.

So there you have it. The sillyseason Manchester XI.

Comment your thoughts below!

Written by Alex Batt

Follow me on Twitter – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

After failed bid last summer Arsenal are preparing to make another bid for Lars Bender

By

SteveMilne

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Mar 25, 2014

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Arsene Wenger and his backroom team have been hugely impressed with the German international for over a year and see him as the ideal physical presence to allow their attacking midfielders to perform.

The Gunners failed with a bid of around £19 million for Bender last summer but Wenger is refusing to give up on bringing the talented 24-year-old to the Emirates.

Arsenal have upgraded their scouting network in Germany over the last 18 months, with chief scout Steve Rowley having watched a large number of Bundesliga fixtures last season.

Bender, whose twin brother Sven plays for Borussia Dortmund, has caught the eye and is seen as a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta.

The former Everton man turns 32 on Wednesday and Wenger is keen on signing a younger midfielder to take his place next season.
Wenger views Bender as a box-to-box player, equally capable of doing the dirty work in midfield and playing Arsenal’s trademark style of football.

Arsenal are also keen on Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 23, but there is a feeling that Bender will be easier to land.

Written by Steve Milne

City’s fate in their own hands, claims Zabaleta

By

Alex Batt

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Mar 25, 2014

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Manchester City fullback Pablo Zabaleta claims that title contenders Manchester City can have no excuse if they fail to retain the Premier League title come May 11th.

They sit in 3rd place with 10 games to play, including a visit to fellow contenders, Liverpool coming up. They trail leaders Chelsea by 6 points but have 3 games in hand on the Blues so theoretically, they could be top after those games.

Zabaleta went on to say “We don’t have any excuse now. We only have Premier League games now and we will have time to recover well between games.

“Everything depends on us. We just need to keep working hard and winning games. Hopefully we can celebrate something at the end of the season.”

City face a difficult fixture against the under-achieving Manchester United. Surely this game will prove whether they have the steel to retain the Premier League crown.

Callum

Swansea boss Garry Monk wary of Arsenal backlash

By

Alex Batt

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Mar 25, 2014

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Swansea City gaffer Garry Monk believes his side should expect an Arsenal backlash when they take on the Gunners later today.

Swansea are going into the game on the back of a 3-2 defeat to Everton. Monk fears that Arsenal will look to show their dominance and bounce back from their embarrassing trip across London.

“It’s a horrible feeling whenever you lose a game but to lose a game by such a wide margin is always hard to take. That’s the good thing in football as you get that chance to put that right and I imagine that’s the attitude they’ll have,” Monk said.

“And that’s what we have to be aware of and make sure we try and counter it.”

On their last visit in the league, Michu netted twice to bag the Swans 3 points. But they will travel to London this time a mere 4 points above the drop zone.

Although the pressue is mounting on all of the sides near the drop zone, games like this are games in which the underdogs can go into with a no fear attitude. That being said, I’m sure Swansea will want to come away with a positive result.

Callum

Andre Marriner to officiate Southampton V Newcastle

By

Alex Batt

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Mar 25, 2014

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Premier League official Andre marriner has been under the microscope in the last few days as he shockingly managed to send off the wrong player in Chelsea’s demolition of Arsenal on Saturday.

It may come as a surprise to many that the experienced referee has been given the go-ahead to watch over Saturday’s game at St Mary’s.

There was an uproar in the footballing community after the bizarre decison was made by Marriner for Kieron Gibbs to be dismissed when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the player who committed the offence.

After the match, the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, the referees’ body, issued a statement saying: “Andre is an experienced referee and is obviously disappointed that an error of mistaken identity was made.

Callum

Tottenham ready to make move for Chelsea outcast

By

Alex Batt

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Mar 25, 2014

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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku in the Summer, if Jose Mourinho decides to sell the Belgium

Despite having a very successful loan spell away at West Bromwich Albion last season, Mourinho still decided to loan out Lukaku once again for this season, but this time, to Roberto Martinez’s Everton, where he has once again been a real hit.

However, The Blues boss clearly doesn’t see a future at Stamford Bridge for the 20-year-old as he has admitted that he may look to cash-in on the Belgium in the Summer in order to raise funds to sign a world-class striker, reportedly Diego Cossta or Radamel Falcao.

It is believed that Mourinho will want at least £17million for the striker, as that is what they paid to sign him a few years ago.

Lukaku’s representitives are already discussing the player’s future and with Spurs’ managerial future still in doubt, a move could have to wait until after this Summer’s World Cup.

Tim Sherwood, the current Tottenham manager, who wants to keep the job past this season, has brought out the best in striker Emmanuel Adebayor, but still can’t see to help Roberto Soldado hit the back of the net, and Lukaku could be the perfect mould for the North London club.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Arsene Wenger to be offered two-year deal…

By

Alex Batt

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Mar 25, 2014

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to be offered a new two-year deal at the club, but it is believed that plans about his replacement are already in place.

The board were originally planning on offering the Frenchman a three-year deal, which would see him remain at the Emirates Stadium until 2017, but it now appears that it will only be a two-year deal, which could mean that the 64-year-old is preparing for his exit.

It is understood that the deal has already been agreed between the two parties in principle, but nothing formal will be announced until the end of the season, and it’s believed that Wenger is already talking to the board about potential signing, player contracts and also improvements to the training facilities.

Arsenal are desperate to avoice a Manchester United-like collapse after they failed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson correctly, with David Moyes struggling in his first campaign, and that is why they are keen on spending a couple of years finding the right man for the job.

It is thought that Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Roberto Martinez are all high on their list.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Premier League: Thomas Vermaelen believes Arsenal are still in title hunt

By

roblox0033

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Mar 24, 2014

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The Gunners have been written off by many after suffering a humbling 6-0 defeat to table-topping Chelsea on Saturday.

That result has left Arsene Wenger’s side seven points off the pace in fourth.

They have, however, got a game in hand on Chelsea and eight more fixtures in which to try and claw their way back into contention.

Vermaelen insists there will be no throwing in of the towel at Emirates Stadium, with it important for Arsenal to ensure that they are in a position to pounce if those above them start to wobble.

Vermaelen said “It’s a pity that we haven’t played well in the away games against the top teams, but there’s nothing wrong with our mental strength.

“There are still eight games to go and in the Premier League anything is possible.

“All of the teams are strong and every team can beat another. We still have to believe in it.”

By Joshua Pritchard – @Josh_pritchard1 – https://twitter.com/Josh_pritchard1

Arteta wants ” big reaction ” from Arsenal against Swansea

By

stebriscoe93

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Mar 24, 2014

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The Arsenal midfielder apologised profusely after after his side crumbled to a 6-0 hammering at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, after Kieran Gibbs was sent of by mistake by referee Andre Marriner.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain appeared to handle the ball in the area from a Eden Hazard shot, which was seen by Marriner, but he sent of Kieran Gibbs instead, in a case of mistaken identity.

Arsenal have a chance to atone for their woeful display when they take on Swansea at Emirates on Tuesday and Arteta insists they will put it right.

” I am expecting a big reaction against Swwansea because Saturday was not good enough for this football club, ” he said.

” I promise everyone that we have the hunger to put it right. We have an opportunity again at home and we just need to bounce back. “

” The good thing is we have a lot of things to play for and we have always reacted to disappointments and difficult moments, but this a really hard one to take, it was a massive game for us and for me it was unacceptable. “

” We just disrupted the great season we was having. I don’t know what to say apart from sorry to everyone at the club and the fans, and as a team we promise we will try hard to put it right. ”

Left back Gibbs woukd be eligible to play against the Swans should Arsenal appeal against the red card in time and it is understood that the club is already taking this course of action.

The suspension would instead be transferred to Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arsenal are also understood to want that red card downgraded to a yellow, claiming Oxlade-Chamberlain did not prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity because the ball was heading wide of the target.

Written by Steven Briscoe

Dante signs new Bayern Munich deal

By

Ben Kelly

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Mar 24, 2014

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Manchester United target Dante has today signed a new deal with current club Bayern Munich, more than likely putting an end to United’s interest. David Moyes’ side were linked with the Brazilian international in January but has now put pen to paper on a new contract keeping him in Munich until 2017, indecating that the transfer speculation may have been created to secure his future at The Allianz.

But Moyes will still be in the market for at least one new centre-back now it has been confirmed that Nemanja Vidic will be joining Inter Milan at the end of the season. However, if links are accurate, Moyes will have to look for fresh targets after today’s news from Munich.

Dante said, “It was the best decision of my life coming to Bayern. Everything here is good, the club, the title wins, the mood. Bavaria is the right club for me.”

“Therefore, I remain very happy to stay until 2017. I am sure we can have a lot of fun and success with our team in the coming years.”

United have been drawn against Bayern Munich in the quarter finals of the Champions League, with the first leg of the tie to be played at Old Trafford next week.

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10 https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs cleared by FA

By

roblox0033

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Mar 24, 2014

0

A FA panel decided that referee Andre Marriner not only dismissed the wrong player, but that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s goal-line handball did not deserve a red card.

Neither player will serve any ban following the incident.

Marriner will referee Southampton’s game with Newcastle at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal claimed that not only was Gibbs sent off by mistake after Oxlade-Chamberlain deliberately blocked the ball with his hand, but that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s offence had not prevented either a goal or a goal-scoring opportunity because Eden Hazard’s shot was going wide from goal.

On the matter of mistaken identity, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, which is responsible for training officials, said after the game that such cases were “very rare”.

“While this was a difficult decision, Andre is disappointed that he failed to identify the correct player,” they stated.

“He expressed his disappointment when he was made aware of the issue.”

By Joshua Pritchard – @Josh_pritchard1 – https://twitter.com/Josh_pritchard1

Premier League: Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick ready for derby showdown

By

roblox0033

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Mar 24, 2014

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Manchester United have endured a miserable campaign and one of the lowest points came earlier this month when they were beaten 3-0 by rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Manchester United has bounced back from their home defeat by Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool with wins against Olympiakos and West Ham United. Michael Carrick believes they can now put a dent in Manchester City’s title bid on Tuesday.

“We were very disappointed and frustrated. You don’t watch the telly or leave the house for a couple of days if you can help it.

Carrick is wary of the threat posed by Manchester City but is confident Manchester United can gain revenge for a 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium earlier in the season.

He then added: “I’ve been part of this club for a long time now and you know what means a lot. This is certainly one of them.

“We’ll go into the City game looking forward to it. It’s obviously a tough game but it’s a tough game for both teams.”

By Joshua Pritchard

Vertonghen claims Suarez is the only reason Spurs trail title chasers Liverpool

By

stebriscoe93

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Mar 24, 2014

0

Having played a game less, the Reds boast a 9 point lead over Spurs and there is an ever-growing belief on the red side of Merseyside that Liverpool could land their first league title since 1990.

It is quite a change in fortunes from a few months ago, when it really looked like a straight tussle between the two sides for fourth.

Liverpool will be going for a seventh straight win in the Barclays Premier League if they win on Sunday and Spurs centre-back Vertonghen knows what has been the difference between the two sides.

The Uruguay international moved to Anfield in 2011 and after deciding to stay at the club after speculation all summer, has netted 28 goals this term helping to make Liverpool one of the most dangerous sides on the continent.

” They are one of the best teams in the league and they show it every week ” Vertonghen said ” It is going to be very hard, especially at Anfield, and I hope we can play as we did last season because we did very well, not the result but the performance.

Vertonghen netted a brace in a late 3-2 defeat at Anfield last term – a fate Southampton suffered against Spurs yesterday.

After falling behind to goals from Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana, Christian Eriksen strikes either side of half-time drew Spurs level before Gylfi Sigurdsson’s late strike earned Spurs all 3 points.

“It is always good to come from two goals down, but then again it was not our great performance, although it was a good effort ” Vertonghen said.

” The manager told us at half-time that we had to improve, put more pressure on them because we let them just play their game, just passing the ball. ”

” They were passing into midfield and the runners gave us a lot of problems at the back, so we tried to put more pressure on the midfield “

” We have always had good players, and Gylfi did very well when he came on. I think we showed great mentality as a team. ”

That win alongside Arsena’s mauling at Stamford Bridge, has seen the gay closed to six points and Vertonghen is not ruling out a late charge.

” We will try to get as many points as possible, and in the end we will see what we get, ” Vertonghen added.

” We will not give up until it is mathematically over, we will try to get far as possible. With the mentality in the team there is nothing wrong, ”

Best is yet to come

By

Ben Kelly

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Mar 24, 2014

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Brendan Rodgers has insisted that the best is still to come from his title challenging Liverpool side. With 5 home games left this season, including massive games against Chelsea and Manchester City, many Liverpool fans are beginning to believe that this year could end the 20 year title wait. But that Anfield boss yesterday insisted that his young side is far from the finished article, and regardless on where they finish in the table this year, they will only get better.

“The verve and excitement in the fans is there for all to see, and I’m glad our level of performance can deliver that,” said Rodgers, “but it is about continuing our work and improving because we’re only going to get better. We are a long way from where I want us to be.”

“There is no doubt we are on the right road, but we are not the finished article.”

Rodgers though, is happy to bring the fans the excitement of a title charge, especially after 8 straight league wins, keeping Liverpool the only unbeaten team in the league in 2014,

“What we are is an exciting team who can flood forward in numbers and give the opponants plenty to think about. We are a tough team to play against and on a par with the top teams, we are up there. If you look at us and what we are trying to build, we are trying to create an environment where players can fulfill their potential- and people enjoy watching us do that.”

By Ben Kelly

Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10 https://twitter.com/benkelly_10

UEFA punish Bayern

By

stebriscoe93

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Mar 24, 2014

0

UEFA have ordered FC Bayern Munich to partially close the Allianz Arena for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United FC

The part-closure is a punishment for the fans displaying a homophobic banner during the last 16 tie vs Arsenal FC

The closure will not, it is understood affect the travelling supporters – the section of the stadium where the homophobic banner was displayed will be closed.

FC Bayern Munich have also been fined 10,000 euros for the “ discriminatory behaviour “ over the banner which also targeted Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil.

UEFA has released the following statement “ as a result of FC Bayern Munich supporters… displaying of an illicit banner, the UEFA control and disciplinary body has decided to order the partial closure of the stadium in particular, the closure of sector 124 for FC Bayern Munich’s next UEFA competition home match, namely their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United FC on April 9^th 2014. “

UEFA has also warned that a repeat offence will carry a 50,000 euros fine and a future match will be played behind closed doors.

Written by Steven Briscoe

SillySeason.com

sillyseason’s Manchester XI

Ahead of tonight’s derby, we put together our starting XI in Manchester

After failed bid last summer Arsenal are preparing to make another bid for Lars Bender

City’s fate in their own hands, claims Zabaleta

Swansea boss Garry Monk wary of Arsenal backlash

Andre Marriner to officiate Southampton V Newcastle

Tottenham ready to make move for Chelsea outcast

Arsene Wenger to be offered two-year deal…

Premier League: Thomas Vermaelen believes Arsenal are still in title hunt

Arteta wants ” big reaction ” from Arsenal against Swansea

Dante signs new Bayern Munich deal

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs cleared by FA

Premier League: Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick ready for derby showdown

Vertonghen claims Suarez is the only reason Spurs trail title chasers Liverpool

Best is yet to come

UEFA punish Bayern

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