All posts by h79snht.top

Having let their two goal lead go up in smoke at home against Everton, Manchester United go into the biggest ever Manchester derby at risk of losing hold of the title.

Three weeks before this clash Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were eight points in front of their neighbours but a surprise defeat to Wigan and a draw against the Toffees has cost them.

A resurgent Manchester City, buoyed by the return of Carlos Tevez, have slaughtered their opponents, scoring twelve goals on their way to three successive victories and making it four will see them return to the top of the table.

It’s the most important battle between the two sides in living memory and having been humiliated 6-1 at Old Trafford in October, United can’t afford to lose the game for so many reasons.

But with fans and pundits completely underwhelmed by the quality of the champions so far this campaign and some dodgy recent performances there are a lot of things for Fergie to consider if he’s going to win his 13th Premier League title.

Here are five things I believe United need to do if they’re going to stop City’s charge.

Tighten up the defence

With the plethora of attacking players at City’s disposal it is vital for United to keep it tight because any slip-ups will be pounced upon. Jonny Evans has taken advantage of Nemanja Vidic’s absence at the heart of the defence and made the position his own alongside Rio Ferdinand, and only City have conceded fewer goals.

But the backline has looked shaky on a few occasions. Against Everton the defending was abysmal as they failed to get in the right positions or pick up players and with the likes of David Silva always looking to find the gaps it will take an improved and disciplined performance if they’re to avoid another demolition.

Pick Phil Jones over Rafael

The little Brazilian hasn’t been at his best in the last few games and needs to be replaced by Jones. While Rafael offers a better attacking option to United, he leaves United exposed at the back far too often and has cost them points recently.

Jones won’t offer the same attacking prowess but can get forward when possible and more importantly his defensive abilities will offer a lot more security and assurance which has to be a positive when lining up against the likes of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez.

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Keep Tevez quiet

After five months in the wilderness, the former Red Devil has come back to Eastlands and had a monumental impact in kick-starting their floundering season. A goal against West Brom was followed by a hat-trick against Norwich City and now even the most positive United fan will be concerned that the Argentinean will have a big part to play in this title decider.

Tevez usually has a good game against his old employers too which makes his reappearance even more daunting, so keeping him out of the game will be vital.

Win the midfield battle

With the crossing strength of both sides, the battle for power in the middle of the park will be key and in particular David Silva versus Paul Scholes.

The Spaniard was sublime earlier in the season and although his form has dropped since then, he is one of the best midfielders in the world.

At the same time, United’s ageless midfielder has once again led them towards the league title and if they do hang on for the title, they can thank him for getting them there.

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However, Silva’s on-ball skills and creativity will cause havoc for United’s defence, and as his high assist count testifies to, will be a huge factor in City’s attacking chances throughout the match.

Both players will be looking to find the gaps and turn defence into attack and their own personal battle could be a sublime sub-plot to the game, so the victor of their contest will probably be on the winning side.

Get Valencia involved

The Ecuadorian has been brilliant for United this season. Perhaps the side’s best player this term, his pace, power, determination and crossing have been a revelation having started the season behind Nani and Ashley Young in the pecking order. His industrious style will be vital against City in an attacking and defensive way. If Valencia is given plenty of the ball he’ll be happy to run down the line and take Gael Clichy towards his own goal in the process. And without the ball, his willingness to put in a shift for the side will have him tracking back after the French full-back when necessary, something that Nani can hardly be relied upon to do.

Valencia doesn’t have the flicks and tricks that the Portuguese has but you always get 100% and in games of this importance, that’s what counts.

What do you think United need to do to stop City? Or should City be thinking about stopping United? Tell me on Twitter @jrobbins_journo.

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As the New Year bells ring out, wine is sloshed through clasping hands and auld lang syne is blasted through the jukebox hidden away somewhere in a secure location David Craig and the rest of the media hyperbole alliance patiently wait to be released.

For January the 1st means only one thing. The transfer window is officially open for business!

It’s long been said that there is no value for football managers hoping to conduct business during the first month of the year with clubs requesting ludicrous prices for their players that steadily increase as deadline day draws closer. It’s a period that brings out the worst in modern day football transfer culture as agent’s cackle in delight whilst holding their absurd commission whilst even the most insignificant of deals are given a the Sky Sports yellow ticker treatment. Transactions are rarely well thought out in January and are usually conducted on a whim. We’re still to be offered a feasible explanation from Kenny Dalglish after he blew £35 million on Geordie dud Andy Carroll.

12-months after the ex-Newcastle number nine left St James’ Park under a cloud the Magpies finally replaced him with Freiburg’s Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse. Following in the footsteps of Carroll and other Toon Army greats such as Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and Jackie Milburn the 26-year-old has scored goal after goal since taking over the famous shirt including two stunning goals against Chelsea in mid-week. Cisse has now struck 13 times in just 13 games since moving to Tyneside going somewhere to dispelling the myth that there are no gems to be found in the January window.

But the Geordie supporters’ new goal getting hero isn’t the only player to make a new year move and prosper in the harsh environment that is the Premier League.

Here are Ten January jewels that have flourished in the top-flight. Click on the hit man below to view the list

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Wolves have drawn their last home game of the Premier League season, playing out a 0-0 stalemate against Everton at Molineux on Sunday.

Neither side could break the deadlock in an end-to-end encounter, with the home fans desperate for a victory to end their stint in the top flight.

Wolves boss Terry Connor admitted that it has been a poor season for the Midlands club but praised the outfit’s fans for their support.

“It’s been a long tough season and ultimately a disappointing one for us,” he told Sky Sports.

“But it was nice to give the fans something to go home with throughout the summer and come back next year and support the club again.

“We knew how good Everton are, they were the form side so it was important to knuckle down and defend, yes they gave us one or two scares, but overall I thought we kept them at bay.

“The fans that stayed behind were great. They were great for the majority of the season. We’ve had a disappointing season and in many ways we’ve let them down.

“So it was nice they stayed behind and we certainly wanted to show our appreciation for the support throughout the season,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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When England step out in Kiev on Sunday night to face Italy, they carry with them a history between the two nations of fleeting yet intensely impassioned encounters upon their shoulders. Having met only six times in major international tournaments or qualifiers, the battle is one which has not had the breathing space to develop as vehemently as , say, meetings with Germany; yet they are clashes which hold weighty relevance in the narratives of the English national team.

It was not until 1976 that the paths of the two nations would cross competitively, yet there were significant friendly meetings previously. 1934’s ‘Battle of Highbury’ saw England take a 3-0 lead before being pegged back to 3-2, yet most widely reported were numerous skirmishes on behalf of the Italians seeking retribution for perceived English foul play. Four England players suffered notable injuries in the first-half alone. Only the second meeting between England and Italy would set the tone for a series of stilted, combative matches to follow throughout the 20th Century.

In the first of the competitive meetings honours were uniformly even, as the 1978 World Cup Qualifiers saw a 2-0 victory for the home side on both occasions. England were, however, denied a place in Argentina after a mediocre qualifying campaign despite the victory against Italy at Wembley in the final match. Needing to win by six, England failed to wrestle back the necessary goal difference as the Italians scarcely scraped their way through to the finals.

England were given the opportunity to assail their failings just two years later in Turin as the 1980 European Championships drew Ron Greenwood’s side against the hosts. A partisan home support proved too much for England as Marco Tardelli tapped home from close range just twelve minutes before the end to give Italy victory. Intriguingly, however, the hosts would not progress from the group stage as the 8-team format saw Belgium into the final on goals scored, only to perish against winners West Germany.

The footballing relationship between England and Italy took on a sinister and ominous flavour as the 20th Century drew to a close, with the Heysel disaster of 1985 ripping open an uncomfortable abrasion amongst supporters, players and national associations. No longer were hostilities confined to devious challenges and underhand tactics: divisions between the two nations now cut far deeper into wider society, a cultural disunion adding a further stain to a national game already critically blighted in England. With the Hillsborough disaster to follow in 1989, England travelled to Italy for the 1990 World Cup in search of redemption, bringing with them a wounded national pride in need of vital healing.

England’s travails in Italy proved something of turning point for English football. Though still tainted by hooliganism at the tournament, those watching at home had their zest for football renewed by the on-field heroics of the England squad, missing out on the final by the breadth of a crossbar. Interest renewed, English football became credible once again. It was the primary beginnings of the English renaissance. The Premier League and Euro 96 subsequently followed and set in motion the development of the self-titled ‘Best League in the World’. Arguably, however, English football’s emergence as the dominant domestic league in Europe was initiated that summer in Italy. England were once again defeated by the hosts in the Third-Place Play-Off, this time 2-1, but that mattered little to a country who welcomed their boys home as redeemers of national pride.

Seven years later it would prove a similar story as England toiled, laboured and grafted their way to a memorable outcome on Italian soil, this time in Rome. Having plundered to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley earlier in the France ’98 qualifying campaign courtesy of Gianfranco Zola, Glen Hoddle’s charges went into the final game needing only a draw to secure automatic qualification.

The game was characterised by the sight of a bloodied and battered Paul Ince scampering around a vivacious Stadio Olimpico with his head in a bandage after a clash with Italy’s Albertini. It typified the defiant and insolent nature of England’s game that night. Disciplined and organised, England repelled a talented Italian attack for 90 minutes, though were not devoid of startling scares. England’s confidence grew as Italy became further frustrated and Ian Wright struck the post from a narrow angle in the dying seconds, only for Christian Vieri to glance a header alarmingly close some thirty seconds later.

England were to hold on, however, replicating the valiant battling qualities which conquered the Italians at Highbury some sixty-four years previous. That night in Rome perhaps best epitomised England’s footballing history against Italy: taxing, strenuous and uncompromising. Limbs on the line, bodies sacrificed in honour of the nation.

England can anticipate a similar contest on Sunday night. Two sides engaged in the art of solidity over extravagance, strength in place of showiness. Gareth Southgate said of the goalless draw in Rome that England “had played the game in an Italian manner”, soaking up pressure and focusing upon organisation.

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With Hodgson’s team significantly echoing these attributes so far at the tournament, England will aim to emulate the class of 1997 but need to take their game one further. History shows that battling spirit, determination and resolve are all necessary requisites in deterring Italy. But to effectively dispose of Italy and ensure progress, England will need to build upon these traits with dexterity; a touch of enchantment to prevent the skirmished, scrapping spectacles that have defined the history of England vs Italy.

If you have any comments on this or any other football matter, I want to hear from you. Tweet me @acherrie1

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West Ham striker Ricardo Vaz Te could be ready to leave Upton Park following a dispute over wage demands, according to Mirror Football.

The Portuguese striker enjoyed a fantastic vein of form in East London since joining fromBarnsleyin January, scoring 12 goals – including a crucial one at Wembley to ensure promotion to the Premier League for The Hammers.

However, Vaz Te has since met with boss Sam Allardyce and is unhappy with his terms, as others in the squad find themselves earning considerably more than the 25 year old.

Having been likened in temperament to Cristiano Ronaldo, Vaz Te is also said to be unhappy with the ambition Allardyce’s side have shown in the transfer market so far this summer, and is eager for a top ten finish in the top flight next season.

Despite his prolific form in the Championship last season, the 25 year old former Bolton man managed just 3 goals in 58 Premier League games for the Trotters, leaving West Ham reluctant to boost him up the wage bill.

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Samir Nasri’s recent three-match ban by the French Football Federation is the latest stain on a career that promised to be so much more than just that of a misguided pretender. There may still be time, but as of now, Nasri has fallen shy of what his career projection once was.

The early comparisons with Zinedine Zidane were there. Although, I think they were more coincidental than concrete. Any young talent is bound to be compared to one of his nation’s past greats. And at the time, Nasri was one of France’s leading prospects.

Nasri has come a long way since being carried off in the arms of Lorik Cana, the Marseille captain at the time, to the overpaid and increasingly unlikely figurehead for this French generation that we now see.

Is Nasri’s involvement on the fringes, for the most part, of one of European football’s most star-studded teams rooted in poor management at his previous clubs, or is there something a little deeper than just being played out of position?

Nasri’s gift was his artistry in the centre of midfield, and while he was often deployed on the flanks during his time at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger did offer the young Frenchman time as the creator in the Gunners midfield.

But effort, commitment and even ability was not always to be counted on. He was fantastic two seasons ago for Arsenal – an outstanding run of form that failed to envelop the entire season. In the absence of other leaders at the club, both physically and mentally, Nasri stepped into the role that he was always destined for. After an initial settling in period, we were finally seeing the makings of a Nasri that many had compared to Zidane.

But rather than dwelling too much on the faults of Arsenal and the reasons behind their best players jumping ship, it also has to be questioned whether Nasri falls into a category of player who masks personal fortune with career ambition.

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His move to Manchester City has offered him both goals, and while he picked up a winners’ medal for playing the required amount of games, is it a fair assessment that he was an integral part of the side?

Nasri’s early form with City was a continuation of his previous season with Arsenal, however it was short-lived. Concerns over his attitude forced his natural footballing ability into the background, and maybe a lack of desire to do better really put a halt to his early momentum.

He has the talent, but does he really have the mentality and desire to be one of the leaders of this Manchester City team? An effort that in turn would make him comfortably the leading creative midfield star of the French national team.

But like a number of French stars before him, Nasri has allowed himself to enter a state where one small move can be the decider between a continued successful career or one doomed to nothing more than personal wealth.

Laurent Blanc described prior to Euro 2012 that he considered dropping Nasri altogether, “because he can be a pain in the a**.”

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His manager at Manchester City also had similar concerns over Nasri’s behaviour, as paths were being explored to move Nasri on from the club and bring in a replacement.

A misguided talent, definitely. Nasri could have done so much more in football at this point.

He wants good players around him, that much is clear judging by his performances over the years with Franck Ribery, Cesc Fabregas and now David Silva by his side. But he also needs to be one of the central figures of a side, something which his lack of application doesn’t allow at City.

Time is definitely not against him, but he’s currently so entrenched in this phase that it’s difficult to see any way out in the near future. However, at the age of 25, Nasri may still be guided to alter his ways from a problematic talent and into a focused and valued member of a squad. It’s increasingly unlikely, though, that we’ll see this former Marseille midfielder follow in similar steps as Zidane before him.

Living in Manchester and watching as much football as I do, there are often accusations of favouring either the red side or blue of the city. In actual fact I have a soft spot for a certain white side in Madrid and genuinely have no bias towards either half of Manchester, so when I say City will win the league or indeed burst into laughter after reading the Metro headline about ‘Fergie’s Fab Four’ being back and better than ever – it is genuine opinion not bias forming the reaction.

The article was of course referring to the formerly great forward four from the utter glory days of the club of Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solsjaer, and comparing them with the new fab four – the strikers of Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck and of course the man who makes ‘RVP’ and ‘I feel sick’ trend in the same sentence on twitter.

You could be forgiven for not really seeing why I found the whole story so hilarious – well before the Everton game – and there is no doubting that the four forwards Fergie has at his disposal back then or even now are top class, the ones who can play for 90 minutes, the ones who can produce sheer brilliance and the super subs who can come on and get you that winning goal.

The difference however is that back in 99, United also had the best midfield in Europe. Now they do not even have the best midfield in Manchester. What use is it having the best forwards around when there is no maestro to pass them the ball either through the centre of midfield or on the wings?

After the humiliation by Barcelona in the Champions League final a few seasons gone, Fergie should have seen the warning signs and known that what he had in the middle of the park was simply not good enough to compete with the very best in Europe anymore. Yes Xavi and Iniesta are magicians but it was a warning sign not heeded and now the midfield at United can’t even go toe to toe with the best in the Premier League anymore.

Even the most ardent United fans and Fergie supporters must see that United need drastic changes at the heart of their team – yes Scholes is still special and Giggs has managed to keep himself young through a variety of on and off the field activities, but how long are they really going to last? Does Fergie really think that Scholes, like himself only plans to leave Old Trafford when carried out in a coffin?

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United might have a quality striker force and should they keep Vidic and Rio fit a good defence but in reality what is going on in the middle of the park? Summer signing Kawaga looks utter quality but he alone cannot make the difference in a tight game. There is no other way to put this, if United wish to win the Premier League or even come close in Europe something has to be done about their midfield. A fab four but an average heart will get you very little.

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This weekend should see the long awaited league debut of Spurs’ brand new centre-half, the highly rated Belgian, Jan Vertonghen. A player deemed to be a seemingly perfect fit for Andre Villas-Boas’ new defensive style, Vertonghen was spared a baptism of fire in the 2-1 defeat away to Newcastle for a warmer welcome in the comforts of White Hart Lane. A lot, however, may rest on the former Ajax-man’s shoulders in the coming weeks.

A home fixture against against West Bromwich Albion hardly represents a walk in the park for any team, but resting Vertonghen against the Magpies on Saturday probably wasn’t the worst decision Villas-Boas has ever made.

The Belgian stopper will face tougher challenges, but you would have thought the foraging Shane Long would offer less of a shock to the system than what Demba Ba might. And it certainly proved that much, too. Spurs played well at St. James Park but Ba was always a handful and his superbly taken goal is testament to that. Vertonghen has done well to start against West Brom without the added pressure of an opening day defeat on his resume.

Although it’s been other events since the trip to Newcastle that have conspired to heap a little more pressure on Vertonghen’s shoulders. The debate about Villas-Boas’ perceived willingness to let fan-favourite Michael Dawson go, has rumbled on over the past 48-hours. The majority are sensibly backing their new manager to the hilt, although that’s not to say the expected loss of such a hugely popular central defender hasn’t hurt a little bit.

There is no way that fans would take any possible spite that Dawson’s exit may have left, out on their new defensive rock, although it does mean the spotlight on Vertonghen is going to shine a little bit brighter.

If Dawson’s talents are rendered to not be in fitting with Villas-Boas’ style or that he simply may not fancy the ex-Nottingham Forest man at the back, than that is fair enough for supporters. Although the assumption must be that Jan Vertonghen has been deemed to be a clearly superior choice for the coming season. In some ways, it’s a leap of faith that you’d expect the manager to take. But the fact it is Dawson who is in all likeliness making way, means the expectation is cranked up a little bit higher.

Both Dawson and Vertonghen possess very conflicting styles of defending and it is Dawson’s style that would potentially see him struggle to adapt to Villas-Boas’ new defensive set-up. Although the pressure is on for Jan Vertonghen and he needs to hit the ground running.

Optimism seems to be regaining in spades around N17 at the moment and now is not the time to start bringing it back down. Villas-Boas has faced unfair critique from a very vocal minority recently and this seems to have galvanized supporters, building up to what will sure to be a welcome that Villas-Boas will never have seen before. But the stakes will be high against West Brom. Spurs don’t need a second terrible start in two consecutive seasons- especially not with a manager with as much media heat as AVB.

How Jan Vertonghen copes with the expectation will be key to that. As defenders go, he is an extremely talented footballer and fans should have no fears if the ball falls to him under close quarters. He’s not one to panic and he’s certainly a perfect fit for AVB’s preference for a back four that plays it out. Tactically astute, he has the physicality to be able to adjust to the rigors of English football, although he’ll be sure to face a tough examination against Steve Clarke’s men.

Most prominently to Spurs’ hopes for the season however, will be how the defensive shape adapts. Alan Hansen went far too overboard with his crucifixion of Brendan Rodgers’ defense last weekend, although Tottenham could do well to learn from events during Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat.

Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger are superb defenders, but their adoption of a new playing style made them both look pretty average last Saturday. Steve Clarke is no fool and whilst he knows Liverpool inside-out during his spell as assistant manager, he knew that a central-defense adjusting to a new shape harbored an element of vulnerability. West Brom pressed and pressed and Liverpool’s defense ultimately wilted under the pressure. Tottenham’s back four should expect no different.

Playing a high line involves all four defenders to be playing in unison and Kyle Walker, William Gallas, Jan Vertonghen and Benoit Assou-Ekotto will have to begin to develop something of a telepathic understanding- for Saturday, anyway. Younes Kaboul’s knee injury sees him miss the visit of the Baggies and whilst Steven Caulker is a genuine talent, Saturday might not be the time to blood him.

There is already an element of risk, no matter how small, in the deployment of Vertonghen. William Gallas isn’t getting any younger and many fans still wake up in cold-sweats thinking about his performance in the 5-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea last season

Although supporters shouldn’t be too adverse to the idea of the Frenchman playing a part this season. He shouldn’t be a starter, but he has been there and done it and there could be few better than a two-time Premier League winning defender to coax Vertonghen through his Premier League debut. Caulker’s time will come, but there is no need to play Vertonghen and Caulker for the sake of it. Villas-Boas doesn’t need and shouldn’t need to be taking any risks at this stage of the season. He just needs wins to get Spurs off to a flying start.

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But Jan Vertonghen has a real platform to get his team and his own Premier League career, off to a flying start. The fixture list hasn’t been too harsh on Tottenham for the season’s opening and a run of West Brom (H), Norwich (H) and Reading (A) isn’t a bad bunch of games for the Belgian to get his bearings in English football. A good, steady start will inspire confidence within the team and perhaps most importantly, the defensive unit. Villas-Boas doesn’t need a repeat of his Stamford Bridge disaster, but the likes of Vertonghen are far, far better equipped for the Portuguese than his Chelsea old-boys.

Tottenham supporters must be patient and they have to recognize how potentially volatile such specific tactical changes can be. All the signs are that Spurs can go on to enjoy a superb season under Villas-Boas. All are hoping for a positive result on Saturday and the prospect of Vertonghen making his league debut will give it an extra buzz. He’ll need time to adapt, but the time for talk is over. Let’s see what Spurs’ new centre-half has to offer.

How do you see Spurs’ defensive set-up panning out this season? Excited for Vertonghen’s debut or worried about Kaboul’s loss? Let me know how you see it on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and bat me all your Tottenham based views. 

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Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor wants manager Paul Lambert to deploy him as a centre-forward this season.

The 25-year-old was used in a number of positions last term, including wide midfield and behind the main striker. Agbonlahor, who missed Villa’s first two games of the 2012/13 Premier League campaign with a knee injury, is now hopeful that he will be played in his preferred position.

He told Sky Sports:

“Last season I was being used more left midfield or off the striker and it was a different sort of formation. If you don’t get a run of games (in the same position) it can sort of mess your head up. Hopefully I can get a certain amount of games in my preferred position.”

However, Agbonlahor admits that he will have to fight for the centre-forward position with Darren Bent, Andreas Weimann, Christian Benteke and Jordan Bowery.

“No one is guaranteed a starting place and they’re going to be coming after my place. That was the same when I was younger. I was going for other players’ places.”

Villa will host Swansea City in their next Premier League game on Saturday.

Joleon Lescott has admitted that he would love to sign a new contract at Manchester City.

The England international has two seasons left on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium, and is starting to think about his future.

“I’ve got this [season] and one more. I would love to extend it and finish my career here but’s that for another day,” The Guardian have Lescott as saying.

“I’m just focused on doing the job this season and, if that brings an extension, then great. Going knocking on doors isn’t really my style. That’s not in my character and I don’t think my mum would be very happy with me if I did that. I just continue to play well and do a professional job.

“I know where I’ve come from. A few years ago I was playing at Plymouth on Tuesday nights, now Tuesday nights mean Champions League. I’m grateful for what I have, so I won’t be rocking the boat.

Lescott has been in competition with new signing Matija Nastasic for a staring place alongside Vincent Kompany and has revealed his disappointment at being left out recently against Real Madrid.

“It hurt to be left out at the Bernabeu. I wanted to play. It’s a great stadium, it was a great occasion but you have to respect the manager’s decision and pick yourself up and support the lads. Matija has been training with us for a couple of weeks now. He’s an international, he played a lot of games for Fiorentina and he’s looked strong.

“I just have to work hard. It’s happened before over the last couple of seasons. I’ve played, been left out. It’s happened during my career and I’m ready for the fight. But we’re all together and we have the same goal, which is to win trophies.

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“The team was named and I wasn’t in it. The manager gets paid to make those decisions and he has to live by them; he gets the plaudits when it turns out to be the right one. He takes it all on his shoulders and we have to respect what he decides to do,” Lescott concluded.

By Gareth McKnight