United slump puzzles Welbeck

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Jan 9, 2014

The 2-1 defeat at Sunderland in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final on Tuesday was United’s third in succession – the first time they have lost three on the trot in almost 13 years.

David Moyes’ side also crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Swansea on Sunday and are currently 11 points off the pace in the Premier League title race – with a battle on their hands to secure a top-four finish and a UEFA Champions League spot next season.

Welbeck said: “I cannot pinpoint one thing why this is happening. We were champions last season and we know that the consistency in our game has not been good enough.

“It is a new experience for us all, but the main thing we have to do is look at the next game. Obviously we have to put it right but you can’t look too far ahead.”

United now host Swansea again in the Premier League on Saturday and Welbeck knows only he and his team-mates can rectify things.

The England international added: “The next match is the most important. It is Swansea at Old Trafford now and we really have to get three points.

“It is up to us all on the pitch and the staff to do it. It is not the press or anyone else who are going to change this, it is ourselves.

“It is over 10 years since United lost three games in a row, so we know we have to turn it around and win the next match.

“Being a Manchester lad and being a United fan, there is extra passion inside me and it does hurt me when I see the team losing. It hurts a lot to see United not winning.

“I can understand why fans are concerned. We are not around the Champions League spots at the moment. We need to get our form back and just win the next matches.

“The manager is very upbeat. He lets the players know he wants to do really well and the players also want to win games for United.

“Losing three on the bounce though is really not good enough and we want to put that right

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Arsenal to step up chase for Spain striker Morata

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 9, 2014

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Arsenal will re-double their efforts to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata on a season-long loan this week, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

Wenger sees Morata as the perfect stop-gap between now and the end of the season, but Real have informed the Gunners that the talented striker is not available on a permanent or temporary basis.

But Arsenal remain in contact with Madrid chiefs and are hoping for a significant breakthrough. Arsenal would rather complete a short-term deal for a new forward this month, unless one of their top targets become available.

Paper Round’s view: Theo Walcott’s devastating knee injury, coupled with Nicklas Bendtner’s long-term ankle problem, has left manager Arsene Wenger with no apparent choice but to sign a new centre forward this month.

Despite the club’s lack of central strikers, Wenger was expecting a quiet January transfer window, feeling Bendtner, Walcott and Lukas Podolski could all cover for Giroud. That is now not going to be possible with Walcott’s injury the latest in a string of set-backs.

He must now move for a top striker and Morata appears the best option available in a World Cup year, despite Carlo Ancelotti’s reluctance to lose him.

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Manchester United star Chris Smalling apologises for suicide bomber costume

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 9, 2014

0

photograph of Smalling in his fancy dress, which his management company said was taken at a private party in his home, was on the front page of Thursday’s editions of The Sun newspaper.

It shows the England international with items looking like a mock circuit board and mobile phone around his chest and cables leading up his body. Also on his body are bottles of Jagermeister and cans of Red Bull, while he is also wearing an Arab kaffiyeh head dress.

Smalling’s management group said the outfit was an elaborate pun on the popular “Jagerbomb”, which is a blend of those two drinks.
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“Chris and his girlfriend hosted a fancy-dress party to celebrate Christmas and their belated birthdays with close friends in the assumed privacy of his own home,” Wasserman Media Group said in a statement to AP.

“He dressed in a costume consisting of empty bottles of Jagermeister and cans of Red Bull strapped to his chest in an attempted comedy play on the popular Jagerbomb drink.

“Although he fully accepts in hindsight, it was an ill-thought out and insensitive decision, absolutely no harm was intended whatsoever and he apologises for any offence caused.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Juventus are prepared to rescue Erik Lamela from his Tottenham torment

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 9, 2014

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Lamela’s father has said his son wants to leave London and return to Italy, concerned that his place in Argentina’s World Cup squad will be jeopardised by another six months at Spurs.

Spurs have made it clear they will not allow the 21-year-old winger to leave on loan and expect most of their £30million back, which should be enough to cool interest from Inter Milan.

Juventus have more money and their sporting director Fabio Paratici is a big admirer of Lamela, who scored 15 goals for Roma last season before Tottenham made their club-record swoop, but are not in the market for such a player this month.

The Serie A leaders have won their last ten domestically, and already have a number of big-name players itching for more first team action.

Lamela has not settled well where he has been slow to adjust to the pace and power of English football and has started only three times in the Barclays Premier League

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Chelsea ready to snub Liverpool’s loan proposal

By

Billy Foster

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Jan 8, 2014

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Liverpool are looking to sign Ryan Bertrand on a loan basis however due to the treatment of Victor Moses at the club who is currently on loan to Liverpool, Chelsea are ready to say no. Rodgers had won against a lot of competing clubs to get Moses and the midfielder has only made six league starts so far. The Nigerian was substitued during the FA Cup third round game against Oldham and the manager hinted that he needed to rely on his best players to finish the job.

Moses is on good form so the Jose Mourinho can’t understand why Brendan Rodgers doesn’t play him more often. Due to the lack of attention payed to the on form midfielder Mourinho has no interest in letting the same thing happen to Ryan Bertrand.

By Billy Foster

Manchester City 6 West Ham United 0 reaction.

By

Ben Reardon

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Jan 8, 2014

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Alvaro Negrado netted four as Manchester City brushed West Ham United aside, in a 6-0 drumming in a League Cup tie, with a shattering result for already under fire Hammers boss Sam Allardyce.

City enjoyed a ruthless first half spell, as Alvaro Negrado and Edin Dzeko tore through a vunerable Hammers defence.

West Ham, who were coming into the game an terrible form, had a mountain to climb early on, as Allardyce looked for a better response following their 5-0 hammering away at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

After a bright start from the host’s, which saw Yaysa Toure test Spanish keeper Adrian, City found themselves an early lead as inform centre forward Alvaro Negrado got the ball rolling.

After some neat build up play, after Yaya Toure found the striker with a superb floating ball, and Negrado latched onto the ball and volleyed home past a static Adrian to bag the first, as things would go bad to worse for the Hammers.

City then dominated after that, and several chances later, which included Adrian saving a Dzeko header from point blank range, City had a second sooner rather than later.

Toure sprayed the ball across the turf to Edin Dzeko, who turned Demel, before picking out Negrado, who took a touch, and fired home from a tight angle, as City looked to assert their advantage early on.

In a half were West Ham hardly had a chance on goal, Mohammed Diame saw his driven shot well saved by City’s Cup keeper Costal Pantilimon.

Then, Demel almost headed wide of the post for the Hammers.

Negrado was on fire, and forced a save from Adrian, who is also considered as Jussi Jaaskelainen’s understudy.

City’s powerhouse midfielder then ran half the length of the pitch, holding off several challenges in a lung busting run, and smashed the ball past Adrian, and that was with just 40 minutes played in the Cup tie.

Hammers fans were feared another trouncing after the FA Cup defeat on Sunday, and at 3-0 down in the pouring rain, things were looking rather bleak at the Etihad.

Their team had Mohamed Diamé, a midfielder, playing as the solitary striker and a full-back, George McCartney, in the centre of defence alongside Roger Johnson, who had been loaned from League One side Wolverhampton Wanderers, were completely after their depth, chasing shadows in some cases, as City ran riot, and showed no mercy whatsoever.

Allardyce’s team finding a way back into the tie went from miniscule to non-existent after the break, in what was a complete and utter disaster for the Hammers, as Gold and Sullivan looked on in disbelief.

Defender Roger Johnson looked what he was: a Championship and League One defender, who has suffered three relegations in his career, trying to stop the most formidable attack in English Football.

City have scored a whopping 59 goals in just twelve games, an unbelievable statistic from a superb team, brimming with confidence in every competition.

Negrado soon had a hat-trick, as he teased the City defence, as Toure’s superb ball to Silva, who cut inside and played a superb ball across the box, into the path of Negrado, who fired in first time.

Negredo’s hat-trick, taking his personal total to 18 goals in 28 appearances, in what has been a superb start from the former Seville striker.

Diame saw his tame shot saved by Pantilimon, as Allardyce watched on in the pouring rain, chewing his gum in frustration.

Dzeko made it six after connecting well with Clichy’s teasing cross, to bundle home past a beaten Adrian, with many of the Hammers side looking regretful of the nights. events.

Dzeko then shot just past the post, as City were hungry for more.

Allardyce, sheltering from the rain, with his hood up and his hands in his pockets, was cutting a forlorn figure, of a man who looks like a dead man walking.

Silva saw his curling shot well saved by Adrian.

But the keeper could do anything about City’s sixth, as Dzeko smashed the ball past Adrian into the corner.

Samir Nasri wasted a chance to make it seven, after ignoring the open Dzeko, and firing straight at Adrian.

All in all a superb win for City, in a result which leaves Allardyce with much to ponder.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Alonso ties up new deal.

By

Ben Reardon

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Jan 8, 2014

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Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has ended speculation over his future and has today put pen to paper on a lucrative two year deal.

The deal will keep him at the Bernabeu until the summer of 2016, after reaching an agreement with Ancelotti and the Madrid hiarachy.

The midfielder had turned down a deal last week, linking him with a move back to the Barclays Premier League.

But now it appears that Alonso is keen to stay in Spain, were he has had unlimited success since returning to his homeland, becoming one of Madrid’s key players in a squad of Galaticos.

Alonso missed the early portion of the campaign while recovering from groin and foot injuries and is still in the process of returning to top form. But the 32-year-old defensive midfielder has appeared in Real’s last eight league matches.

Alonso will provide support and stability in the centre of midfielder, with a real wealth of support, with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo both profiting from his superb passing skills.

With Alonso’s situation settled, there’s one less distraction as Real Madrid attempt to make a second-half charge in La Liga, as they are currently eight points behind arch rivals Barcelona.

Premier League sides Chelsea and Liverpool were interested in Alonso, but there would be now Anfield return for the Spaniard, who left Merseyside in 2009.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Managers who didn’t make it past a fortnight in the Premier League

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 8, 2014

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The Manchester United manager is having a difficult time of it since stepping into some big shoes this summer.

Currently lying in seventh place in the league 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, they have been dumped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle and find themselves 2-1 against Sunderland going into the second leg of the Capital One Cup.

The former Everton manager has received the support of the majority of the Old Trafford faithful, but some have already concluded that the Scot is simply out of his depth and should be removed from his position.

Even if Moyes was sacked by the United board, a move which seems unlikely given the length of the contract signed in the summer, his tally of 20 games wouldn’t even get him into the top 10 shortest reigns in Premier League history. Not even close in fact.

Here are the men who failed to get past a fortnight in the hotseat.

10. Steve Wigley (Southampton) – 14 games

Reign: 23 August 2004 to 10 December 2004

A two-game tenure as caretaker aside, Wigley’s only managerial experience came with Aldershot Town between 1995 and 1997. Yet Southampton fans were delighted with the appointment by virtue of him not being Glenn Hoddle. It didn’t last long – one win, albeit against rivals Portsmouth, saw him demoted back as a youth coach. Currently working with the Fulham academy.

9. Terry Connor (Wolves) – 13 games

Reign: 24 February 2012 to 30 June 2012

How do you solve a problem like relegation? It isn’t hiring a manager with no previous experience in the hotseat. After the sacking of Mick McCarthy, chief executive Jez Moxey stated the job would be given to an experienced manager. Connor – zero games, zero wins – did not tick that box. He won four points from his 13 games in charge proved, sending Wolves down. Now McCarthy’s assistant at Ipswich.

8. Paolo Di Canio (Sunderland) – 12 games

Reign: 31 March 2013 – 22 September 2013

Not even hindsight was required to suggest this was going to end in tears. The charismatic Italian took charge of Sunderland with the brief to avoid relegation. Victories against Everton and rivals Newcastle, the latter prompting a knee-slide the length of the Tyne, ensured that.

They proved to be his only two league victories however and, sitting bottom of the league after five games of this season with players unhappy, Di Canio waved goodbye.

7. Iain Dowie (Charlton) – 12 games

Reign: 30 May 2006 – 13 November 2006

Dowie was an ascending star in management after promotion with Crystal Palace in 2004, which led to him being granted the task of succeeding Alan Curbishley at Charlton. It didn’t go well. With the club in the relegation zone in October, Charlton and Dowie parted company. A regular pundit on Sky Sports.

6. Chris Hutchings (Bradford City) – 12 games

Reign: 18 June 2000 – 6 November 2000

A trusted number two at Valley Parade who helped Bradford move from League One into the Premier League, Hutchings took charge after Paul Jewell moved to Sheffield Wednesday. He took Bradford into the semi-finals of the Intertoto Cup and won just one game. Not even given until Christmas.

5. Chris Hutchings (Wigan) – 12 games

Reign: 14 May 2007 – 5 November 2007

Hutchings makes his second appearance on this unwanted list. After taking over Paul Jewell at Bradford failed to work, Dave Whelan decided to give it another chance and it appeared to work with Wigan even moving top early in the season. Six straight defeats however saw him sacked yet again after 12 games and nearly seven years to the day of his Bradford departure. Just a touch of déjà vu.

4. Jacques Santini (Tottenham Hotspur) – 11 games

Reign: 17 June 2004 – 5 November 2004

Spurs hired Santini after he guided France to a disappointing quarter-final place at Euro 2004 but it was Santini who decided to end the relationship prematurely, surprisingly resigning due to personal problems. Tottenham were mid-table with three wins and four draws at the time of his departure.

Has been out of the managerial games since he was given the bullet at Auxerre in 2006.

3. Sammy Lee (Bolton) – 11 games

Reign: 30 April 2007 to 17 October 2007

The sidekick of ‘Big’ Sam Allardyce, ‘Little’ Sam was handed the headset after Allardyce left the Reebok Stadium. Lee proved size does matter sometimes, winning just one of his 11 games before losing his job and joining Rafael Benitez at Liverpool as assistant.

In February 2012 Lee returned to Bolton for a third time as the Head of Academy Coaching.

2. Paul Sturrock (Southampton) – 9 games

The most Scottish of all Scotsmen, Sturrock had enjoyed four excellent years at Plymouth Argyle but his time at Southampton was an unhappy one. Named as Gordon Strachan’s replacement, his time at the club never truly got going and he was sacked after two games on the 2003-04 season with rumours of player unrest.

Was sacked as manager of Southend United on 24 March 2013, although bizarrely it was agreed that he could lead out the players in the final of the Football League Trophy to be held at Wembley. Sturrock declined the offer

1. Les Reed (Charlton Athletic) – 7 games

Reign: 4 November 2006 – 24 December 2006

An absolute disaster from start to finish for Reed, who was assistant to Iain Dowie before promotion. He was knocked out of the League Cup by Wycombe Wanderers of League Two and managed just one victory in the league. The shortest reign in Premier League history and ended, brutally, on Christmas Eve. For Charlton fans, Christmas had come early.

The man with the unwanted record has been the Head of Football Development at Southampton since 2010.

Written by Steve Milne – What are your thoughts – Have your say below 🙂

David Moyes Blocks Wilfried Zaha Proposed Loan Move To Crystal Palace

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 8, 2014

0

New Crystal Palace head coach Tony Pulis has revealed that the Premier League strugglers will not now be re-signing Manchester United wide man Wilfried Zaha on loan in the January transfer window as had previously been rumoured to be the case

The England international has struggled to win a regular starting berth in the Premier League champions’ starting lineup ever since he joined the Red Devils from the south-east London club last January for a fee of £15m.

However, the then United manager Sir Alex Ferguson allowed Zaha to return to Selhurst Park for the second half of last season, with the 21-year-old going on to help the Eagles win promotion to the Premier League with victory over London rivals Watford in the Championship play-off final at Wembley last May.

But following Ferguson’s departure from Old Trafford last summer, the winger has since started just the one match for United under the Scot’s successor in the north west David Moyes, the club’s 4-0 win over Norwich City in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup last month.

And that has led to speculation linking Zaha with a six-month loan move away from the Theatre of Dreams in January, although it will not be back to Palace after Pulis confirmed that Moyes did not want his young star returning to the capital this month.

“We’ve spoken to David Moyes about Zaha and I don’t think he’s too keen on him coming back to London,” said the Welshman.

“It’s not a problem for us, he’s a Manchester United player. We don’t think it’s a goer, although we were very keen if there was a possibility to take him on.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

David Moyes in trouble with the FA over Ref comments.

By

MartinsChokoe

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Jan 8, 2014

0

David Moyes’s problems at Old Trafford increased on Wednesday when the Football Association said they were looking into the Manchester United manager’s latest attack on referees.

Moyes said United were “playing” officials as well as the opposition” after Sunderland’s 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light in the first leg of a League Cup semifinal on Tuesday condemned his side to three consecutive defeats for the first time in 13 years.

Moyes had previously seen his team lose by the same scoreline at home to Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City in the past week, leaving reigning champions United 11 points off the pace in the Premier League and out of the FA Cup.

The Man Utd manager was angry with referee Andre Marriner for awarding a free-kick against Jonny Evans in the build-up to Sunderland’s opener, which saw Ryan Giggs turn the ball into his own net in first-half stoppage time.

“We defended a terrible free-kick, but how the referee has given a free-kick for that is way beyond me,” Moyes said. “I just cannot see how that is a free-kick.” Nemanja Vidic equalised for United early in the second half, only for Marriner to award Sunderland a penalty after Tom Cleverley was adjudged to have impeded home substitute Adam Johnson.

Again, Moyes was unimpressed by the decision. “We are all just laughing at them at the minute,” he said. “It looks as though we are having to play them (officials) as well as the opposition at the moment.”

Moyes’s comments followed his claim it was “scandalous” United were not awarded a late penalty against Tottenham at Old Trafford.

The Scot could face disciplinary action if the FA deem him to have called into question the impartiality of match officials. The FA are also investigating how several flares were let off in the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, despite recent safety warnings.

“We are looking into David Moyes’s comments to the media following the match at Sunderland,” an FA spokesman said. We are also contacting both clubs to seek their observations in relation to the use of flares last night.”

Written by Martins

@MartinsChokoe

Toronto sign Defoe.

By

Ben Reardon

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Jan 8, 2014

0

Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermaine Defoe has completed his long awaited move to Canadian side FC Toronto.

After months of speculation surrounding a possible transfer, the Canadian side have finally captured their man, with Ryan Nelsen building an ever improving team in Toronto.

Defoe is set to fly out to Canada over the weekend, ahead of his official presentation on Monday morning, with supporters of the club eagilly awaiting Defoe’s arrival.

The fee is not yet understood to be known, but the 31 year old is set to pocket a huge wage for his services in North America.

The up and coming Canadian side, who are stalwarts of the MLS, since being founded in 2006, finished in 9th in the Eastern Section of the league, with the side currently managed by former Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen.

The Canadians are captained by former Wigan Athletic, and Birmingham City centre back Steven Caldwell.

After his introduction, Defoe will immediately fly back to England, where he will rejoin Spurs on a loan deal until March, Harry Redknapp was rumoured to have been interested in a loan move for Defoe, as the MLS season only kicks off in early March.

He will presumably make his Toronto debut against the Seattle Sounders in the first week in March, against former Tottenham team-mate Clint Dempsey, who is currently on loan at Fulham.

The former West Ham and Portsmouth striker enjoyed a superb career in the Premier League, and spent two spells at Tottenham Hotspur, scoring ninety goals in the two spells at the Lane.

However, Defoe had fell out of favour under former manager Villas Boas, with Defoe being frozen out of the squad on several ocassions, with the mis firing Roberto Soldado picked ahead of Defoe.

This is surely to be a final money spinner for Defoe, who joins an ever expanding League becoming more and more attractable for players in their twilight years of their career, as the likes of Robbie Keane, Nigel Reo Coker, Robert Earnshaw, Tim Cahill and Thierry Henry all plying their trade across the Atlantic, and of course, David Beckham spent five years in Los Angeles.

By Ben Reardon

@BenReardon1

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes his first signing as Cardiff manager.

By

MartinsChokoe

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Jan 8, 2014

0

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has captured his first signing as manager of Cardiff City when the Premier League side announced on Wednesday his fellow Norwegian Magnus Wolff Eikrem had signed for the club for an undisclosed fee from Dutch side Heerenveen.

Eikrem, who is 23 years old, is also a former Manchester United youth team player, where Old Trafford favourite Solskjaer got to know him as a coach.

“I’ve known Magnus for many years, having worked with him at Manchester United and then signing him for Molde,” Solskjaer said this on Cardiff’s official website.

“While I was there I had to sell him as he was our best player and now I feel lucky to get to sign him again for Cardiff City for a reasonable price. I see this as money well spent. He’s a playmaker, a quarterback if you will, someone who likes to get on the ball and can see a pass.

“He is technically very good, including set-pieces, and has great vision. Magnus will add a lot to Cardiff City and will blend in very well with the midfielders in the squad.”

Solskjaer won his first game in charge of Cardiff when the Welsh side knocked Newcastle out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory on Saturday. The 40-year-old has signed a contract with Cardiff after Malky Mackay was sacked on December 27 following the collapse of his relationship with controversial owner Vincent Tan.

He also described that the reports of former United manager Alex Ferguson had warned him not to take the job as “absolute nonsense”.

Cardiff are currently just a point above the relegation zone and will look to improve under the capable hands of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Written by Martins

@MartinsChokoe

Which team has the most fantasy-savvy fans in Major League Soccer?

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 8, 2014

0

Attendance numbers, jersey sales, noise level and the extensive process of creating tifos are a few examples of how supporters’ groups in soccer can – more or less – “compete” with one another.

But with the emergence of MLS Fantasy the past two seasons, we now have the ability to compare league-wide knowledge at the digital level.

Here are the final results for the 2013 MLS season…

Best Fans – Top 10

Sporting Kansas City – 1,800 points
Portland Timbers – 1,777 points
Columbus Crew – 1,769 points
Philadelphia Union – 1,729 points
D.C. United – 1,717 points
Houston Dynamo – 1,713 points
Colorado Rapids – 1,706 points
Montreal Impact – 1,700 points
Real Salt Lake – 1,699 points
Chicago Fire – 1,691 points

*Averages based on all manager point totals

Sporting KC finished in the No.1 spot, which might not be surprising to some, but as we start to go down the list, things change rather quickly.

Crew fans finished in the No. 3 spot, Philadelphia at No. 4 and D.C. United fans came in at No. 5. All far off their actual rank in the 2013 MLS standings.

It’s easy to recognize fan representation on TV and at the stadium, but MLS Fantasy gives supporters the ability to compete against one another in a whole new way.

Since league-wide knowledge is crucial to having a successful fantasy season, one could suggest that SKC have the “smartest” fans in Major League Soccer.

The Seattle Sounders had the most fan participation in 2013, but they failed to make the Top 10.

TO JOIN OR LOGIN TO MLS FANTASY MANAGER CLICK HERE>>> http://bit.ly/1cPife0

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

Peter Crouch sends wishes to Theo Walcott

By

Alex Batt

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Jan 8, 2014

0

Stoke City and England striker Peter Crouch has sent his wishes to Arsenal star Theo Walcott after he sustained an injury that will see him miss this Summer’s World Cup.

The Englishman damaged ligaments in his knee on Saturday during The Gunners’ 2-0 North London Derby victory and on Monday, the news was revealed that Walcott would miss the rest of the season and also this Summer’s tournament.

It is believed that the Arsenal forward will miss around six months, and his counterpart, Peter Crouch, has sent him ‘get well soon’ wishes.

“I’m gutted for Theo.

“He was an absolute banker to go to the World Cup and possibly start. Having experienced World Cups they are the pinnacle, really.

“They’re fantastic to be a part of, so obviously I do feel sorry for him and I wish him a speedy recovery.

“Maybe Arsenal have ruled him out completely, but I think he’ll have some hope and if he’s got a chance he’ll be trying, but if he is ruled out obviously it’s a bitter blow.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Liverpool Boss accepts FA referee charge

By

SteveMilne

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Jan 8, 2014

0

Rodgers criticised the “horrendous” performance of the match officials and questioned the appointment of Bolton referee Lee Mason after the 2-1 loss.

He said: “Hopefully we won’t have a Greater Manchester referee with Liverpool-Manchester games in future.”

Rodgers will be fined following a short hearing, which he will not attend.

The Liverpool Boss was charged by the FA of being in breach of FA Rule E3 which in previous cases carries a financial penalty and warning of future conduct rather than a touchline ban.

Rodgers, 40, had subsequently clarified the remarks he made on 26 December and said he had not queried Mason’s ability to referee the match.

“I was talking in terms of geography and I certainly wasn’t questioning the integrity of referees,” Rodgers later said.

“I wouldn’t suspect that Mike Dean, from the Wirral, has refereed many games for Liverpool over the years.”

Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below 🙂

SillySeason.com

United slump puzzles Welbeck

Arsenal to step up chase for Spain striker Morata

Manchester United star Chris Smalling apologises for suicide bomber costume

Juventus are prepared to rescue Erik Lamela from his Tottenham torment

Chelsea ready to snub Liverpool’s loan proposal

Manchester City 6 West Ham United 0 reaction.

Alonso ties up new deal.

Managers who didn’t make it past a fortnight in the Premier League

David Moyes Blocks Wilfried Zaha Proposed Loan Move To Crystal Palace

David Moyes in trouble with the FA over Ref comments.

Toronto sign Defoe.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes his first signing as Cardiff manager.

Which team has the most fantasy-savvy fans in Major League Soccer?

Peter Crouch sends wishes to Theo Walcott

Liverpool Boss accepts FA referee charge

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