Arsene Wenger full of praise for Southampton’s pressing game

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Nov 22, 2013

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his players learnt a valuable lesson after their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United the weekend before the international break.

The Gunners went into the game on a 15-game unbeaten streak but a first-half header from Robin Van Persie ended the run as they fell to a 1-0 defeat.

Despite the disappointment of the loss, Wenger believes the result will spur on the players to make sure defeats do not happen again, and he believes lessons were learnt.

“What I learnt from my team was that we have the potential to play at the top level,” he said. “In the first half, we played with the handbrake, that means we still want to strengthen that belief.

“I watched the game again – Manchester United had two shots on target, one of them was the goal.

“[The fact] we could restrict them to very few chances away from home, that will hopefully teach us a lesson that in the next big games [that we must] play on full cylinders from the start.

“Before every game you have to accept you can win, lose or draw. But I know we have enough quality to decide games in our favour, so let’s focus on putting in a top-level performance and then you have a very good chance to win.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Ledley King wants John Terry to return for World Cup

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Nov 22, 2013

Former-England defender Ledley King has told Roy Hodgson to try and get Chelsea defender John Terry back on side so that he can include him in his World Cup squad for Brazil 2014.

The Blues centre-back announced his retirement from international football so that he could focus on his club career instead, but King is worried that the current English centre-back’s are not experienced or good enough to handle the pressure of a World Cup.

Terry decided to quit international football after the racism storm that dominated the headlines a couple of years ago involving Anton Ferdinand, but King believes England should do all they can to get the 32-year-old back on side.

He told Talksport on Thursday night: ‘John Terry is a top quality defender. He’s got great experience.

‘I’m sure he would add to the squad and the team if he was called upon but the decision would be down to Roy Hodgson and John himself.’

‘I know he would stiffen up the defence. I still believe he is one of the better centre-halves in the country and he’s got the rest of the season to prove that.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Andre Villas-Boas ready to use 4-4-2….

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Nov 22, 2013

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that he has got his players training in a 4-4-2 formation so that they can get used it for match-day.

Spurs are currently deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation with Roberto Soldado leading the line by himself, but bar penalties, the Spaniard is struggling to find the back of the net.

However, in domestic competitions and in the Europa League, Jermain Defoe is scoring goals left, right and centre and the majority of the Spurs fans have been calling for Villas-Boas to use a 4-4-2 formation to help the side score more goals.

So far they have only netted nine times in their 11 Premier League games, and Boas has now revealed that he is ready to use two strikers.

‘Not right now,’ he said in his press conference when asked if he would play that way against City.

‘We’ve trained with 4-4-2 during this international break, we played a game against a local team over here last Friday playing 4-4-2. We probably can moved to it in future.

‘I’m unsure if this is the right time, bearing in mind the fixtures that we have, coming up against Man City and Man United, if this is the right time to change.

‘We have been very consistent defensively and offensively – not in terms of goals but in terms of chances created in the system, 4-2-3-1. That’s probably our way through.’

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mike Ashley to swap Papiss Cisse for Loic Remy?

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Nov 22, 2013

Premier League side Newcastle United could offer Queens Park Ranger out-of-form striker Papiss Cisse as an exchange for their striker Loic Remy.

The Frenchman has been a huge hit at St James Park so far this season and Alan Pardew and Mike Ashley are desperate to secure his signature on a permanent basis after his season long-loan finishes in the Summer.

These reports are coming from a website that is backed by Sports Direct, which is owned by Ashley, the Newcastle owner.

Unfortunately for The Magpies, after seeing Remy set alight the Premier League, the Championship outfit may increase their asking price for the French striker, but it isn’t known whether or not QPR would accept Cisse instead of money.

The story on the website highlights the goal drought that Cisse is currently enduring and it also goes on to say that the club are planning on offering him to QPR so that the price for Remy is smaller.

Could this be the end of Cisse’s career at St James Park?

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Thierry Henry returns to Arsenal!

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Nov 22, 2013

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is currently training with his former-club to keep up his fitness levels during the break in American football.

The New York Red Bull star has returned to London to train with the first-team so that he can keep fit during the close season of the MLS and from pictures put on the club’s official website, it looks like he is enjoying himself being back with Arsene Wenger and co.

The Frenchman enjoyed a successul career under Wenger, scoring 226 goals in all competitions during his eight year stint at the club.

Henry then made a dramatic return in a two-month loan move in the 2011/2012 season where he went on to score a further three times, including the winner against Leeds United in the FA Cup on his return.

It isn’t known whether Wenger will make the same move this season, but just having Henry around the camp is great for the morale and the current Arsenal stars.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Mark Lawrenson predictions for weekend

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Nov 22, 2013

Former-Liverpool man believes Merseyside Derby will end in a draw

Every Friday before the weekend of Premier League action, BBC Pundit and former-Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson sits down and gives his predictions for the weekend’s games.

So with yet another Saturday and Sunday full of Premier League matches, here are his predictions.

SATURDAY

EVERTON 1-1 LIVERPOOL

‘I am looking forward to the game and I think it will be an indication of how far up the league both teams can finish. I also think it will end in a draw.’

ARSENAL 2-0 SOUTHAMPTON

‘The Gunners are top of the table for a reason. They can out-play you in the middle or out-flank you down the wings and this will be a tough game for Saints.’

FULHAM 2-1 SWANSEA CITY

‘They might get something at Craven Cottage to help them on their way. Swansea have been doing well in Europe but they have not got going in the Premier League yet – they are simply not playing as well as they did last season, despite having bought some better players.’

HULL CITY 2-1 CRYSTAL PALACE

‘Hull have got into a good habit of beating teams who are around them in the table at home, and I expect them to continue that here.’

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2-1 NORWICH CITY

‘The Magpies had to battle hard to keep Spurs out but that doesn’t matter – it was a tremendous win and they could and should be in confident mood this weekend.’

STOKE CITY 2-0 SUNDERLAND

‘Stoke don’t just struggle to score, they struggle to create too, but I am going to go for a Potters win because I am not totally convinced by this Sunderland revival yet.’

WEST HAM UNITED 1-1 CHELSEA

‘If one or two of the Blues players are not on their game, then they might be in more trouble on the road. They have already lost at Everton and Newcastle this season and they might be happy with a point.’

SUNDAY

MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

‘David Silva is out, which is a blow for City, but I still think they will end up winning. I can actually see them going through the whole season unbeaten at home.’

CARDIFF CITY 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED

‘You sensed against the Gunners that the crowd realised that they needed to help their team. It was a big, big result for them and I think they will build on that by going to Cardiff and winning.’

MONDAY

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1-1 ASTON VILLA

‘I still think Paul Lambert’s side are better away from home because their style is suited to playing on the counter-attack but West Brom are on a good run and will be tough to beat at The Hawthorns.’

Cristiano Ronaldo aims to improve

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Nov 22, 2013

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that he is in the form of his career at the moment, but what is scary is that he believes he can improve.

The Portuguese star has been sensational so far this season and single-handedly guided his country to next year’s World Cup in Brazil thanks to two show-stealing performances against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden.

Four goals in a two-legged tie from Ronaldo gave Portugal a comfortable 4-2 aggregate victory and with Lionel Messi out injured for up to two months, this could finally be the Portuguese international’s chance to win the Ballon d’Or.

However, the player himself believes there is still room for improvement in his performances.

“In my head I always think that I can improve. My ambition is to always be better,” the 28-year-old said on Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

“Maybe you get to a level which is difficult to surpass, but I always think I can improve everything.

“Perhaps, at this point, I’m better prepared and it could be that this is one of the best moments of my career.

“I have to show a very high level and very good and I hope to maintain it until the end of my career.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

David Moyes confident Manchester United can keep improving

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Nov 22, 2013

It has been clear to everyone that Manchester United have not had the best start to a season this year.

However Man Utd manager David Moyes remains confident that his team will continue to improve over the season and will be one the front runners for the title.

“I never thought we were out of it (the title race),” said Moyes, who takes United to Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon.

“We just go about our job and try and win each game. Everybody knew at the start what it was going to be like”.

“We knew we had a change of manager and there were always going to be problems, no matter what – whether it be winning games or different personnel in the team”.

Brendan Rodgers predicts intense derby

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Nov 22, 2013

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers predicts an intense derby this weekend when The Reds travel to Goodison Park to take on Merseyside rivals Everton.

Despite both teams producing some great football so far this season, Rodgers believes it will be as fierce and tough as always and if his side can leave with all three points, they will go top of the Premier League and put pressure on Arsenal who take on Southampton later on in the day.

This is the 221st Merseyside derby and Rodgers believes it will be just as passionate as the 220 previous.

“It is going to be a fiercely competitive game,” he said. “It doesn’t take the intensity out by having the football. The idea of having possession is to penetrate and have aggression in your game.

“A lot of our game is based on that aggressive nature. It won’t take anything out of the game, it will only add to it.

“Our game is based upon the intensity of our pressure, to get the ball back as quickly as we can and look to have superiority with numbers around the ball.”

Martinez, who was in fact in line to replace Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool manager before Rodgers eventually did, is known to play possession football very similar to Rodgers and The Reds boss is aware that two similar styles will go head-to-head tomorrow lunchtime.

“When you analyse our last performance against Fulham and assess it over and above the result we were just short of 700 passes in the game, which for me is a sign of the fluidity and the fluency of the team as much as anything,” he said.

“Our rhythm in the game was good. We had nearly 70 per cent of the ball but with that we had 30 shots at goal and we scored four goals and could have had more.

“It just typified the confidence of the players and their belief.

“We are averaging two goals a game and whatever ground we go to we always feel we can score.

“We (he and Martinez) have the inherent belief of dominating the ball, controlling the game with the football rather than without and looking to play attractive, attacking football.”

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Fabricio Coloccini still wants out of Newcastle

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Nov 22, 2013

Newcastle United defender Fabricio Coloccini has revealed that he still wants to return to Argentina and play his football for San Lorenzo.

It was last January when the Argentine first revealed his desire of returning to his homeland to play his football there, but The Magpies were refusing to left their commanding centre-half leave midway through the season.

However, in a recent interview, Coloccini has once again revealed his desire to leave St James Park and this time he’s admitted that he wants out as soon as possible.

“You never know what can happen in football.

“In January we did all we could for a possible return to San Lorenzo, but I always made it clear that Newcastle would have the last word.

“The club have invested a lot in me and I must show respect towards them.

“I have to speak the truth, though, and I would like to return as soon as possible.”

San Lorenzo was the team Coloccini supported when he was a child and he also spent a season there on loan back in 2000/2001.

Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles

Wenger plans to manage injury prone Wilshere carefully

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Nov 22, 2013

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants to make sure that midfielder Jack Wilshere can go the distance this season for both club and country.

Wilshere featured in both of England’s loses to Chile and Germany, and Wenger has played down any talk of a row with the FA of how Wilshere was deployed by Hodgson.

The Arsenal manager, realises however that must not burn out Wilshere so he does not miss the World Cup due to injury, as he has missed both the Olympics and Euro 2012 due to injury.

‘We play 60 games per year and Jack will certainly have to be managed – unless his pains go completely, then he will be used when needed,’ said Wenger.

Theo Walcott will be available again following a two-month injury absence when Barclays Premier League action resumes with the visit of Southampton on Saturday. Which should take some pressure away from Jack Wilshere.

Steven Rout – @Steven_Rout13

Pellegrini loses temper over questions about under fire keeper Joe Hart

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Nov 22, 2013

After being asked the same questions week after week. Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini finally decided to refuse to answer questions about out of form Joe Hart after his poor performance against Germany this past week.

Pellegrini finally lost his cool, and refused to answer questions on whether or not he would be picking Joe Hart for this weekends match against Tottemham.

However the Man CIty manager did answer the first few questions about his keeper saying ‘It was very important for him to play for England. It was a good test for him against Germany, and I thought he played very well. Will he be recalled against Tottenham? I don’t know yet. I will decide later.

The next question again began with Hart’s name and was stopped by Pellegrini who snapped: ‘That’s enough about him. You can’t keep asking about the same player all the time. It is important to have a good team, a good squad, and that’s what we have here.’

Steven Rout – @Steven_Rout13

Mourinho intrigued by Riley’s apology to West Brom

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Nov 22, 2013

Chelsea looked like they were about to lose their first home game under Jose Mourinho to West Brom until Andre Marriner awarded Chelsea a controversial injury time penalty.

It seemed that Baggies defender Steven Reid took down Chelsea midfielder Ramires in the box, until further replays showed Ramires may have gone down to easily.

However Jose Mourinho has remained adamant that the penalty was rightfully given, and is very curious to know why Cheif of Referee’s Mike Riley felt the need to apologise to West Brom manager Steve Clarke.

“I’m very curious to know the consequences of it,” said Mourinho, speaking prior to Saturday’s match at West Ham.

“At least now the referees know, they know one thing. If in a controversial – I’m not saying a mistake – decision that hypothetically – and, I repeat, hypothetically – favours Chelsea, they know they are going to be publicly exposed by their boss. That they know.

“They can make, hypothetically, mistakes, favouring other teams, nothing happens.

“If hypothetically – and, I repeat, hypothetically – they make a mistake, they are publicly exposed by their own boss”.

Steven Rout – @Steven_Rout13

Roberto Martinez confident of handling SAS

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Nov 22, 2013