Bolton’s lofty position in the league thus far this year has come despite some very inconsistent performances against some of the divisions lesser lights. Despite manager Owen Coyle and striker Johan Elmander being named manager and player of the month for November, dropped points over the last two weekends have tarnished what was an excellent league position.
For Blackburn, a win at the Reebok could propel them into the top six, and for former Trotters boss Sam Allardyce, there is no doubt that this fixture will be of major personal significance.
Rovers bounced back admirably from their hammering at Old Trafford with a home win against Wolves, however if they are to move away from the chasing pack and challenge for a top ten finish, getting points out of away fixtures such as this will be crucial.
Prediction: 1-1
[poll ]
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QPR manager Mark Hughes will be given a £1 million bonus by owner Tony Fernandes if he can keep the club in the Premier League, according to The Daily Mail.
The Loftus Road club are still in a relegation dogfight going into the last day of the season, but have their fate in their own hands after beating Stoke 1-0 last time out.
With Bolton two points adrift of Rangers, Hughes men need a point against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium to ensure survival due to their superior goal difference.
With Hughes’ former club City needing to win to claim the Premier League title, it is sure to be an all-or-nothing clash for both sides, and Fernandes has issued the reward as a motivation to the Welsh boss.
Coaches Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki are also believed to be in line for a handout if QPR stay up.
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Following Arsenal’s rejection of a £20 million bid for Samir Nasri from Manchester United, the player is believed to be content to play out the last year of his contract at the Emirates. The Frenchman has returned to pre-season training with the club, and despite speculation linking him with a move, he will travel with the squad to Malaysia and China on Sunday as part of the side’s pre-season.
The ex-Marseille midfielder’s current deal with the North London club expires in June 2012, and he is the subject of transfer attention, with the Premier League champions the most adamant of his suitors. Despite risking closing him on a free transfer next summer, Arsene Wenger is reluctant to sell one of his key players to domestic rivals for less than £25 million and the player looks set to stay at the Emirates for another year.
Arsenal offered the 24-year-old a new deal, thought to be worth £90,000 a week, which would make him the side’s top earner along with Cesc Fabregas, but Nasri is believed to want wages in excess of £100,000 per week, something Manchester United are willing to offer.
Nasri started the 2010/11 season well, scoring a considerable amount of the club’s goals, but had an injury prone second half to the campaign. Despite this he still was runner up in the PFA Player of the Year award to Gareth Bale.
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STOP THE PRESSES! ADAM JOHNSON IS UNHAPPY WITH LIFE AT MANCHESTER CITY AND WANTS TO LEAVE THE CLUB UNLESS HE STARTS TO PLAY MORE OFTEN! HE SAID SO HIMSELF, WITH WORDS FROM HIS OWN MOUTH! EVERYONE PANIC! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! WON’T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN? ETC. ETC.
I might have over exaggerated the situation a little, but isn’t that what everyone does?
Here’s what Adam Johnson actually said, speaking to The Sun after the Manchester Derby: “Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider it. It is disappointing when you are not playing from the start in games like [the Manchester Derby]. I was itching to get on. I was dying to play from the start not just come on.
“The manager has to make decisions but I was gutted to be left out. With the players we have it will be a rotation but I am full of confidence and I just want to be playing. I have got to train and get on with it, nothing is going to change. I have to keep the right frame of mind and get in the team because I want to play for the national team as well.”
Of course, there’s not really much in what he’s said that suggests he’s making an ultimatum to Roberto Mancini. Yet that doesn’t stop The Sun running with ‘Adam Johnson’s Manchester City Quit Hint’. After checking The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Independent and The Guardian, the story was reported in pretty much the same way. And, after checking The Daily Express, I’ve come to the conclusion that Diana might have died…
The fact that Johnson understands that he needs to work hard in training and insists that he will do that is glossed over (after all, it’s not actually the quotes that people will remember). The quotes where he says that are buried near the bottom of the story, while the report centres around the implication that he might need to leave City in search of first team football sometime in the future.
That could be in two years’ time if he is still playing in dribs and drabs or in ten years’ time when there is younger talent available to whoever is in charge of the club (“Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes”). There’s no ‘play-me-or-I-will-leave’ threat there: he’s just confirmed that he’s unhappy at starting most games from the bench. In fact, it reads more like he’s looking forward to getting on the pitch for City, not looking at which clubs he can move to.
Since this article has appeared in The Sun, I’ve heard City fans talking about Johnson “spitting his dummy out” or “making thinly veiled threats” or “running to the tabloids”. Of course, none of which are likely to be true. Saying something is disappointing is not to spit one’s dummy out, for one thing, while affirming a desire to play regularly isn’t a thinly veiled threat. And it would seem most likely that The Sun approached City (or England) for an interview with Johnson and posed the question ‘would you consider leaving if you needed to get first team football?’
It’s cracking journalism: it’s turned a dull story that, without that question and subsequent quote, would barely be touched, into a story that every City fan has an opinion about. And, of course, The Sun has a few more pound coins in the bank account. And then the other papers got in on the act by using the quotes along with the words ‘speaking to The Sun, Adam Johnson said…’
I understand the frustration of the fans. Coming off the back of two disappointing goalless draws and reading that one of the club’s prospects for the future isn’t happy at not starting matches isn’t the ideal opening to the week. That being said, however, there are positives to be taken with City’s ‘dip in form’ (plus it’s good to know that one of the players wants to play for the club instead of sitting on the bench every week – yet that’s a bad thing?).
Continued on Page TWO
For a start, having conceded two silly goals against Wolves, two soft goals against Blackpool and having a man sent off (and subsequently shipping three goals) against Arsenal isn’t a great way for a defence to be performing, especially if that defence belongs to a team looking to challenge for honours sometime in the future. City have actually conceded 10 league goals all season and eight of them came in October over a period of four matches.
It would seem that Roberto Mancini has gone back to basics: the foundation of any good team is a solid defence and, with Birmingham being City’s seventh Premier League clean sheet (from a possible 13) this season, City are showing they have just that. In fact, Joe Hart hasn’t had a meaningful save to make in the last three matches, and no team that leaks goals for fun will do well in the long term.
And despite the recent leakage, only Chelsea have conceded fewer goals this season.
That being said, it would be wrong of me to sit here with a desire for crisps or chocolate (in a house that is deprived of both of those snacks) and make excuses for City not beating Birmingham. On paper, the squads aren’t even near each other in quality. It’s that very reason I think many City fans – and perhaps even one or two City players – expected to turn up last weekend and win. Birmingham, to their credit, had other ideas and restricted City to half-chances and long range efforts.
Watching an inherently defensive performance isn’t a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, but, given the choice between attractive, free-flowing football and another season without success and occasionally dull, but mostly effective and efficient performances with success, can we, as City fans, honestly say we’d prefer not to win something? I’ve been starved of any success for my team for all of my lifetime: it’s a very difficult choice.
City played no differently against United and Birmingham than they did against Chelsea earlier in the season. Except they failed to score, obviously. Thinking back to the Chelsea game, I can barely remember a chance for either side, other than Tevez’s goal and Ivanovic’s header. Yet that winning goal is the dividing line between many fans (myself included, in all fairness) saying that it was a good performance instead of a disappointing one.
I agree that Roberto Mancini needs to find the correct balance between defence and attack and that, at this moment, he is currently more focussed on keeping the opposition out than he is sticking the ball in the net. But, as silly as this may sound, the performances aren’t too far away from what’s needed to be classed as ‘free-flowing’ and ‘entertaining’. The possession football City have been playing has been good; it just needs to be a bit quicker.
The reason, I think, that City are currently struggling to open teams up is because they are allowing their opposition too much time to get back into position. Moving the ball quicker doesn’t give them that time and allows gaps to be exploited, resulting in more chances and, potentially, more goals. Add that to the current defence and you’re no longer talking about a manager who’s on the verge of losing his job, but a manager who’s on the verge of revolutionising a club that’s been a laughing stock for years.
Speaking of which, to the fans who are disillusioned with the current state of affairs: a laughing stock is not what City are. That was a title reserved for being beaten by York City to sink to the lowest point in the club’s history. Neither is this a crisis or disaster: that is needing to beat Stoke and pray that one of QPR, Portsmouth or Port Vale lose.
This is just a blip.
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The frustration is that any side looking to win the league (or, indeed, finish fourth or above) doesn’t fail to win that match at home to Birmingham. Manchester United don’t drop points at home to West Brom, or Chelsea don’t lose to Sunderland at the Bridge, or Arsenal aren’t beaten at The Emirates by West Brom or Newcastle…
Ah, no, hang on…
The truth is, City will drop points in matches they should win. They’ll also do it at infuriating times in the season: last weekend was, in essence, a ‘good’ time (if that’s possible) to fail to win, given that Chelsea lost, Manchester United drew, and, from the teams around City, only Arsenal won. City were always going to stay in fourth by not winning, but, on the bright side, they’re not as far behind the rest as they could have been.
So, City aren’t currently playing like Real Madrid or Barcelona and they aren’t winning every game by three or four goals. But is anyone in the Premier League doing that?
Besides, as fans of the club, we’re in it for the long haul. We have to be – it’s the very nature of being a fan of one club; whatever they do, wherever they go, however they play, we support them.
Betting has become an essential part of football for many supporters in recent years. While Manchester United may be odds-on favourites to win the Premier League title every season, there are plenty of other betting opportunities open to fans.
You can bet in the traditional markets, such as whether a team will win, lose or draw in their upcoming match, go for the first goal scorer or the correct score and so on. There are usually plenty of specials available as well, which are as random as which player while perform a Nani-esque celebration.
One of the big football betting developments in recent years has been the introduction of in-play betting. This allows you to follow the game and make all your usual bets but in real time, so if the Arsenal defence looks a bit shaky then you might bet on them conceding before half-time.
However, for some you just can’t beat the football accumulator. Pick from a handful to a dozen teams all to win over the course of a weekend and if all the results go your way then you’re in for a tidy amount of cash to spend down the pub or on your next bet.
What are your football betting habits? Answer a few simple questions in our survey below and you’ll be in with a chance of winning a pair of Premier League tickets* for next season…
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.
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Manchester United begin their title defence at West Brom and Queens Park Rangers host Bolton on the English Premier League’s opening day.The 2011/12 Premier League season officially gets underway with a number of low-key matchups, including United’s trip to The Hawthorns to face Roy Hodgson’s men.
But things improve markedly for United fans in the following weeks, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s team hosting back-to-back games at Old Trafford against Tottenham and Arsenal.
Arsenal have been handed a tough start in their quest for silverware, beginning with an opening-day match at Newcastle United.
The Magpies famously held the Gunners to a 4-4 draw in the same fixture last season, despite the visitors leading 4-0 after 26 minutes.
Arsenal will then welcome Liverpool to the Emirates before the trip to Old Trafford.
Chelsea’s next manager has somewhat of a soft opening with an away game at Stoke City to kick off the 2011/12 campaign.
The Blues then return to Stamford Bridge to host West Brom and promoted club Norwich City.
Spurs host Everton on opening day in an early pick for match of the round, and also welcome Manchester City to White Hart Lane following their clash with City’s Mancunian rivals.
Liverpool’s new signing Jordan Henderson could make his Reds debut against former club Sunderland with the two set to meet at Anfield on opening day.
Alex McLeish gets his first chance to win over Aston Villa fans when he leads his new club against Fulham at Craven Cottage, while Manchester City host Swansea City in the latter’s first-ever top-flight fixture.
Of the other promoted clubs, Championship winners QPR mark their return to the top-flight at Reebok Stadium and Norwich travel to Wigan Athletic.
Blackburn host Wolverhampton in the final opening day fixture.
The final day of the 2012/13 campaign could be another relegation scrap, with Swansea hosting Liverpool, Norwich at home to Villa and QPR travelling to Eastlands to face Man City.
United round off their season away to Sunderland, Chelsea host Blackburn, Tottenham welcome Fulham to White Hart Lane and Arsenal visit West Brom.
Striker Garry O'Connor does not know whether he has a future with Birmingham City beyond January.
The Scotland striker was handed a six-month contract during the summer following an injury-plagued last season.
The 27-year-old started Saturday's 2-0 home victory over Blackpool after steadily climbing the pecking order in recent weeks but his long-term future remains a mystery.
"Nothing is being said at the moment about a new contract," he explained.
"The gaffer has got faith in me. It is just about people upstairs at the club.
"I would love to stay at Birmingham. It's a fantastic club and I've enjoyed my time here and hope it can continue.
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"I've got to keep my head down and keep working hard.
"But, if it doesn't happen for me here, I can move on being happy with my form at the moment."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal will look to build upon their 2-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday night when they host Watford in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, and Gunners fans are all telling manager Arsene Wenger to make the same change to his XI against the Hornets.
The north London outfit had suffered four successive defeats in all competitions heading into their Europa League last 16 tie against the Serie A giants, but goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey gave them a big first leg advantage.
Danny Welbeck, who did receive praise from the fans for his display at the San Siro, started up top with Alexandre Lacazette injured and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup-tied, but the Emirates Stadium faithful want the latter to return to the line-up against Javi Gracia’s men as they look to pick up just their second victory in their last six top flight fixtures.
Arsenal supporters have been quick to have their say on who Wenger should play up top via social media, and while one said “put Auba up front instead of Welbeck”, another said “just Auba up top for Welbeck”.
After their impressive league standing last year, it would be wrong to speculate Roberto Martinez’ job could be under threat at Everton.But the Toffees have endured a horrendous start to the new Premier League season, as they currently lay just two points above the relegation zone with the worst goals conceded column in the division.Clearly, something has to change and some additions to the squad in January certainly wouldn’t go amiss – like always, squad depth is already proving to be a problem for the Goodison outfit this season.With that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE signings, all realistic and available to Everton in January, that could turn their fortunes around.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON MARTINEZ TO REVEAL
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FABIAN DELPH
According to the tabloids, Everton are eying a January deal for Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph:
The Toffees are already blessed with quality and mettle in the middle of the park, through the likes of Ross Barkley, Leon Osman, Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and Mo Besic, but keeping them all fit has been a real problem this season and another body could do Everton’s squad depth a world of good.
Meanwhile, the 24 year-old’s stock has soured over the last twelve months. Last term, he bagged the Supporters’ Player of the Year award at Villa Park and he impressed on his England debut in August, featuring in a 2-0 win over Switzerland.
Delph’s a real box-to-boxer, with an endless engine and the ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch, perhaps epitomised best by this stunning goal against Chelsea last season:
Most appealingly, the England international’s Villians contract is up at the end of the season and appears to be holding out on a new deal. Paul Lambert is so concerned he’s flying to the US to discuss his budget with Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner.
That could force the Birmingham outfit to sell in January, but as revealed above, Everton face competition from Arsenal for his signature.
Potential transfer fee:£8million-£12million
MOUSSA DEMBELE
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Another Premier League midfielder linked with a Goodison switch in recent weeks is Tottenham’s Moussa Dembele:
The Belgium international’s bounced back to first team status in recent weeks after spending much of last season of the peripheries of the squad.
But he’s never quite replicated the form that earned him a £15million move from Fulham to White Hart Lane in summer 2012. Here’s a look at Dembele in action for the Cottagers:
And with Spurs already privy to a number of like-minded industrious centre-mids, such as Paulinho, Benjamin Stambouli and Etienne Capoue, whilst Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin also remains on their radar, the Lilywhites could be convinced into selling when the transfer window reopens.
A phenomenal athlete with good technical quality and an eye for goal, the 27 year-old is certainly a natural suitor to Roberto Martinez’ progressive philosophy. And a reversion back to the more advanced role he adopted for Fulham could see Dembele return to his former best.
Whether Daniel Levy is willing to do business with a direct divisional rival midway through the season however, remains to be seen.
Potential transfer fee:£8million-£10million
CHRISTOPHER SAMBA
Everton desperately need some added cover at centre-back. John Stones has been ruled out until 2015 with an ankle injury, whilst there appears to be a rift developing between Sylvain Distin and Roberto Martinez, following the Goodison gaffer’s decision to leave the Frenchman out of his match day squad for the Merseyside derby.
How about Congo international Chris Samba? His short stay at QPR in 2013 was rather disappointing as the West London side plummeted into the Championship, but he was once regarded as one of the better centre-halves in the Premier League amid a 161-game tenure with Blackburn Rovers.
Samba measures in at 6 foot 4, offering a beastly presence, experience in the top flight and a decent contribution to the goal tally – his strike-rate was one-in-ten at Ewood Park. Here’s a look at Samba in action:
There are certainly less risky options on Everton’s radar, such as Stoke City centre-back Ryan Shawcross.
But the 30 year-old’s contract at Dynamo Moscow has reportedly entered its final year according to Transfermarkt.com, suggesting the Russian side can be convinced to sell in January.
At the same time, Samba staged a half-time walk-out after being subject to racial abuse against Torpedo Moscow back in September, and already constituting the second incident of this kind since moving to Russia in 2012, it’s likely he’ll be keen on a return to England too. His family are still based here.
Potential transfer fee:£6million-£8million (but wages could be an issue).
FABIAN SCHAR
A more youthful centre-back option for Everton to consider is FC Basel’s Fabian Schar, often linked with north London duo Arsenal and Spurs:
Statistically, the 22 year-old was the best defender in the Champions League last season, as viewable below:
And the Swiss international’s World Cup performances weren’t too bad either, making eight interceptions during two outings at Brazil 2014.
A front-footed, goalscoring defender, who once netted this incredible strike during his FC Wil days:
Schar would fit Roberto Martinez’ progressive philosophy perfectly. Here’s another look at him in action:
Like many of the names of his list, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season and a new deal looks unlikely with a plethora of European clubs circling.
There’s still time for Everton to weigh in, but recent speculation suggests Inter Milan are currently leading the race for his signature:
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Potential transfer fee:£6million-£10million.
ANDRE AYEW
Andre Ayew looks set to become one of the best value-for-money deals of the January window and Everton would be wise to get in on the act.
The Ghana international has emerged as one of the French top flight’s leading widemen over the last few years, racking up 51 goals and 18 assists in 171 appearances for L’OM. That includes this ‘rabona’ finish against Reins earlier this month:
He also enjoyed strong form at the World Cup, as detailed below:
The 24 year-old isn’t the most conventional wide man but he’s strong defensively, notoriously versatile and as shown in the video below, is outrageously good at heading for a 5 foot 9 winger:
Capable of adopting virtually any role in midfield or attack, Ayew would add quality and depth to Everton’s squad, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, will be available for a pittance in January.
But there appears to be a plethora of competition for his signature:
And his virtually-guaranteed absence whilst the 2015 African Cup of Nations takes place from January to February remains an issue.
Fulham and Sunderland are monitoring the situation of Rayo Vallecano star Leo Baptistao, according to reports from talkSPORT.
The Brazilian has been given the responsibility of replacing Swansea midfielder Michu at the Spanish club and has, so far, been impressive.
His six league goals already this season have seen him talked about as one of the rising stars in La Liga and are believed to have attracted the attention of Atletico Madrid as well as the Premier League duo.
The 20-year-old is under contract until 2015, but there is believed to be a clause in the deal that would allow him to leave for as little as £6.5m. However, Rayo may accept less than this due to financial difficulties.
Atletico are convinced that they can lure the South American away from the club, but Fulham and Sunderland are thought to be watching developments closely.
Both could make moves next month in a bid to aid their respective domestic campaigns.
Baptistao joined Rayo at just 16-years-of-age from Portuguesa Santista is his homeland.
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After impressing in the club’s ‘B’ team, he found himself promoted to the senior squad, following Michu’s move during the summer.
Due to operating in a similar role, Baptistao has been likened to the Spaniard who has made a stunning start to life in English football.