Fergie bills Gunners clash as biggest game of season

January 29, 2010

Alex Ferguson has billed Manchester United’s visit to Arsenal on Sunday as a match that could make or break his squad’s season.

“I think the game on Sunday, to my mind now looking at the way the league is shaping up, is the biggest game of the season for us,” the Scot told reporters at United’s training ground on Friday.

“Arsenal have gone on a consistent run and it’s amazing how this league has changed.

“The team that is most consistent will win the league now and Arsenal’s current form has been very good and I’m looking forward to it.

“At the moment the league is looking like a three horse race but there have been so many changes and different result from the top sides that you cannot be 100 percent certain.”

Just two points separate Chelsea at the top of the table and Arsenal in third with United in between. “Of course Chelsea have the advantage of the game in hand and if they win that they go four points ahead of us,” Ferguson added.

“So that is the catch up part we are in and that means Sunday has a great relevance to both of us because we have a genuine chance to win the league.”

Ahead of the match, Ferguson has appealed to United’s travelling supporters to get behind his players in a positive way rather than indulging in the personal abuse of his Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger which has been a regular and unpleasant feature of meetings between the two clubs.

“I think it’s unavoidable in the way that managers get abused today,” Ferguson said. “Sometimes I can’t hear these chants and I can’t make them out but I know there’s been some terrible abuse from our fans to Arsene Wenger and there must be a line drawn and I think our fans must know that themselves.

“I was really proud of the way they supported us (in the League Cup win over Manchester City) on Wednesday. We don’t need to worry about anyone else — they should be proud of the team they are supporting.”

Ferguson meanwhile has hinted that United will not appeal against the ban that has ruled Rio Ferdinand out of the club’s next four matches despite what he sees as blatant inconsistencies in the handling of violent conduct cases.

Ferdinand was charged by the Football Association after flooring Craig Fagan with a swinging arm in United’s 4-0 win against Hull last weekend.

The mandatory three-match ban was increased to four after the FA deemed United’s appeal to be “frivolous” and Ferdinand will miss Sunday’s encounter with Arsenal as well as further games against Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.

Ferguson initially announced that United would try to have the decision looked at again only to later contradict himself by insisting the incident is now finished with.

“We have to decide if we appeal it because there are conflicting ways of viewing some of these decisions,” he said. “I watched Charlton and Leyton Orient the other night and the Leyton Orient goal came after an elbow on the Charlton player three times and nothing happened.

“So there’s a lot of confusion in terms of these decisions but we accepted he is banned and we will get on with it – there’s nothing we can do about it.”

If United were to appeal again, they would risk the ban being increased to five matches which would rule Ferdinand out of the League Cup final at the end of next month.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, arsenal, arsene wenger, chants, charlton, CHELSEA, counterpart, Craig Fagan, Ferdinand, four points, game, genuine chance, horse race, HULL, Leyton, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, match, personal abuse, Portsmouth, Rio, rio ferdinand, Scot, unpleasant feature

Luke Young retires from international football

November 11, 2009

Luke Young has announced his retirement from international football after rejecting the chance to replace Glen Johnson in the England squad for this weekend’s game with Brazil.

The Aston Villa ace, who has only recently returned to action after injury and personal problems, was offered the chance to link up with the Three Lions for the glamour game with Brazil after Liverpool’s Glen Johnson was forced to pull out of the squad due to injury.

However, Young has snubbed the overture from manager Fabio Capello and has decided to quit the international scene.

The 30-year-old has made the decision to quit England to focus on playing for Premier League outfit Villa.

The former Tottenham and Charlton defender won seven caps for England, with his last appearance coming against Argentina in 2005.

The loss of Johnson leaves England with Wes Brown as the only recognised right-back in the squad for the game with Brazil.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, Ace, appearance, Argentina, aston villa, brazil, capello, caps, charlton, England, england squad, fabio capello, glamour, glen johnson, international football, Johnson, Liverpool, luke young, personal problems, premier league, rajput, retirement, three lions, tottenham, wes brown

Sullivan reveals Old Town interest

October 18, 2009

Former Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed he came close to buying Ipswich two years ago.

Sullivan, who left his role at Birmingham earlier this month after finally agreeing a deal with Carson Yeung, is keen to get involved with a new football venture.

The 60-year-old claims he has been approached by 14 clubs about investing in them and has also admitted he almost took control at Portman Road when Yeung first tried to gain control at St Andrews two years ago.

Sullivan had to pull out when Yeung failed to buy Birmingham at the first attempt when he could not raise the necessary funding to complete the deal.

“I was very close to buying Ipswich Town,” Sullivan told the Sunday Mirror.

“I had a two-week window of opportunity but had to pull out because Yeung didn’t come up with the money and the rules prevent me from having financial interest in two clubs.”

Sullivan has been linked with moves for West Ham and Charlton, but insists he will take his time before deciding what presents the best option for himself.

“It’s my intention to take some time off and then I will look around and see what is available,” added Sullivan

“Although I have been approached by a lot of clubs, any investment has to be right for me.

“The criteria I’m looking at are a club with a decent ground, good fan base and in easy travelling distance from my home.

“The major obstacles are the over-inflated prices clubs are attempting to charge and in most cases the significant debt that comes with that club.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, Birmingham, carson yeung, charlton, co owner, david sullivan, fan base, financial interest, inflated prices, intention, money, obstacles, old town, Portman Road, rajput, st andrews, sunday mirror, west ham, window of opportunity

Turner: Hull players respect Brown

September 25, 2009

Former Hull City defender Michael Turner has denied that Tigers boss Phil Brown lost the respect of his squad with his infamous half-time team talk at Manchester City.

Brown gave his side a very public dressing down on the field at Eastlands on Boxing Day last year with Hull chasing shadows and 4-0 down against the rampant hosts.

Some critics have claimed that was a turning point in the Tigers’ season, with a dismal second half of the campaign following and relegation only avoided on the very last day.

But Turner, who moved away from the KC Stadium in the summer when he joined Sunderland in a big-money move, claims the players accepted the events of last December.

Turner told the Daily Mail: “There’s no way he lost the dressing room. I’m not sure it actually had that much of an impact on the dressing room. The week before we’d lost badly to Sunderland, and we were taking another tonking.

“I know how I felt that day, dazed. We were 4-0 down. I wasn’t thinking: “What the hell’s he doing keeping us on the pitch?” I was more worried about what the hell had just happened.

“I had my head between my knees. I can hardly remember what the manager said. There probably was a bit of bitching about it but Phil Brown’s the manager and the players respected that. He makes the decisions. There’s no way he lost the dressing room.

“We were a team that was new to the Premier League and you get swings in form like that. We started well but then we struggled, and yet did enough to stay up. Phil Brown’s a good coach and he was a good manager for me.”

One of the greatest learning curves of Turner’s career came when he was a 16-year-old with Charlton and spent six months in Italy with Inter Milan as part of a player exchange programme between the two teams.

The young defender was then handed the task of marking Christian Vieri as Inter organised a game between their academy and the first-team.

He added: “It was brilliant. Vieri and Recoba up front, Seedorf in midfield, Zanetti. Great players, great day. We got absolutely hammered. We lost 7-0.

“I forget how many goals Vieri scored. Six I think. He was a beast. I remember ringing home and telling my mates about it.

“I learned so much out there. The Italians do a lot of things differently. At the academy we’d study in the morning and train in the afternoon. And a few times we got to train with the first team. Just amazing.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: boxing day, charlton, chasing shadows, christian vieri, city defender, daily mail, dressing room, Eastlands, HULL, hull city, inter milan, Italy, kc stadium, learning curves, manchester city, Michael Turner, Milan, money move, phil brown, premier league, public dressing, recoba, seedorf, six months in italy, Sunderland, time team

China captain Zheng close to joining Celtic

September 1, 2009

China captain Zheng Zhi is close to joining Celtic, according to the Scottish club’s manager Tony Mowbray.

Zheng is a free agent after his contract at League One Charlton expired at the end of last season and has reportedly been offered a two-year contract at Parkhead.

The move can be completed outside the transfer window, which closed at 1600GMT on Tuesday, as long as Celtic can secure a work permit for the 29-year-old.

Hoops boss Tony Mowbray, who tried to sign Zheng while he was West Brom boss, said: “Zheng Zhi is a player I have tracked for some time.

“He is a highly-regarded player and was a thorn in our side when he played against us at West Bromwich Albion.

“I am delighted that he may join us. He will significantly add to the squad with his quality and the fact that he can play in a number of positions.

“We now need to tie up loose ends and obtain a work permit, which we hope to do before our next game.”

Zheng joined Charlton in December 2006 from Shenzhen, scoring nine goals in 63 games for the Addicks.

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: addicks, boss, captain Zheng, charlton, China, free agent, games, Glasgow, hoops, loose ends, next game, scottish club, shenzhen, thorn, tony mowbray, west brom, West Bromwich, west bromwich albion, work permit, zheng zhi, Zhi

Charlton hospitalised after holiday illness

August 26, 2009

Former England World Cup winner Jack Charlton has been hospitalised after collapsing during a family holiday in Spain, his son confirmed on Tuesday.

The 74-year-old was taken to a private clinic after falling ill in Mascarat, on the Costa Blanca, complaining of problems with his eyes.

MRI and CAT scans and heart tests have proved inconclusive so far.

John Charlton said his father was back with his family after being discharged with medication to treat high blood pressure.

He told the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle: “It was a scare at the time and he’s been in for three days but he has had more tests and checks than he would have had in the UK.

“We’ve taken all the right precautions to make sure he’s okay and he was well looked after right from the start.

“He just had a bit of a turn.”

‘Big Jack’, famed for his strength of character both as a player and manager, was said to be looking forward to getting on with the rest of his holiday.

Charlton won the World Cup as a player in 1966 and later managed Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United and the Republic of Ireland.

NEWCASTLE (AFP)

Tags: Blanca, Cat, cat scans, charlton, checks, costa blanca, England, family holiday, heart tests, high blood pressure, holiday in spain, Jack, Jack Charlton, john charlton, medication, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, private clinic, republic of ireland, scare, Sheffield, sheffield wednesday, Spain, strength of character, UK, United, world cup winner

Carling Cup: Norwich City 1-4 Sunderland

August 25, 2009

Andy Reid scored twice as Sunderland swept past League One Norwich 4-1 at Carrow Road and into the third round of the Carling Cup.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder, who had netted only two goals since his move from Charlton, was one of nine changes by manager Steve Bruce for Monday’s clash against the team he lifted the Milk Cup with back in 1985.

The Mackems were, though, still far too good for City, whose main concern under new boss Paul Lambert will be getting back into the Championship at the first attempt.

Although the home side had started brightly, Norwich were undone all too easily on the break.

Teemu Tainio set the ball rolling after 26 minutes, and then Reid netted a well-taken double to put the tie beyond Lambert’s men before half-time.

Wes Hoolahan reduced the deficit just after the hour, only for Owain Tudur Jones to quickly deflect a corner into his own net.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: andy reid, Carling Cup, Carrow Road, charlton, CITY, clash, Lambert, midfielder, milk cup, new boss, Norwich, norwich city, Owain Tudur Jones, paul lambert, republic of ireland, Steve Bruce, Sunderland, wes, Wes Hoolahan

Four-star Sunderland crush Norwich

August 25, 2009

Premier League side Sunderland crushed League One rivals Norwich 4-1 in the League Cup second round at Carrow Road on Monday.

In a repeat meeting of the 1985 final which Norwich won 1-0 with Sunderland manager Steve Bruce in the team Sunderland raced into the third round in the space of ten first half minutes with goals from Teemu Tainio and a double from Andy Reid.

Wes Hoolahan pulled one back for the hosts after the break only for Owain Tudor-Jones’ 67th minute own goal to wrap up a good evening’s work for the visitors.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Reid, who had netted only two goals since his move from Charlton, was one of nine changes by Bruce against the team he lifted this competition with almost two and a half decades ago.

Sunderland were, though, still far too good for City, whose main concern under new boss Paul Lambert will be getting back into the Championship at the first attempt.

Although the home side had started brightly, Norwich were undone all too easily on the break.

Tainio set the ball rolling after 26 minutes, and then Reid netted a well-taken double to put the tie beyond Lambert’s men before half-time.

Hoolahan reduced the deficit just after the hour, only for Tudur Jones to quickly deflect a corner into his own net.

Norwich finished with only nine men when defender Michael Spillane was sent off for a professional foul on Frazier Campbell, and keeper Ben Alnwick suffered up a cut to his face.

Sunderland now prepare for their Premier League clash at Stoke, while next up for Norwich is a long trip to Hartlepool – which just about sums up the current difference between the two clubs.

In other second round ties Tottenham start their bid to reach the League Cup final for a third successive season against Championship club Doncaster.

Big-spending Manchester City travel to Championship side Crystal Palace, while West Ham host bitter London rivals Millwall.

Huddersfield manager Lee Clark will look forward to a return to the north east against his former club Newcastle. Stoke are away at Leyton Orient and Hull entertain Southend.

Portsmouth are at home to League Two Hereford, who knocked out League One Charlton in the first round.

Blackburn face a tough trip to newly promoted League One outfit Gillingham, while Premier League newboys Wolverhampton host Swindon.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: andy reid, ben alnwick, Bruce, Carrow Road, charlton, city travel, crystal palace, frazier, good evening, Hartlepool, Hereford, Lambert, long trip, manchester city, michael spillane, midfielder, new boss, Norwich, Owain Tudor-Jones, paul lambert, Portsmouth, premier league, professional foul, republic of ireland, Sunderland, tainio, tudor jones, tudur, Tudur Jones, Wes Hoolahan, west ham

Bent´s debut strike gives Sunderland winning start

August 15, 2009

Sunderland striker Darren Bent enjoyed a debut to remember as he scored the goal that gave his new side a 1-0 win against Bolton on Saturday.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce paid a club record 10 million pounds to sign Bent from Tottenham earlier this month and the England international began to repay that fee with an impressive display at the Reebok Stadium.

He dispatched Steed Malbranque’s cross with a far-post header in the fifth minute to ensure Bruce made a winning start to his reign.

Bent, 25, recently made the headlines for the wrong reasons after he used the Twitter website to publicly criticise Tottenham and express his desire to join Sunderland.

The former Charlton star eventually got his wish and, along with fellow new recruits Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana, gave Sunderland a more dynamic look than the drab outfit that just avoided relegation last season.

Bolton had plenty of new faces as well as Sam Ricketts, Paul Robinson, Zat Knight and Sean Davis all made their debuts.

But Sunderland were soon celebrating as they opened the scoring inside the fifth minute with a classic header from Bent.

George McCartney found Malbranque in the left channel and he flighted in a wicked cross to the far post, where Bent rose above Robinson to plant a firm header past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The visiting fans celebrated wildly but they were almost silenced moments later when Fabrice Muamba sliced a fierce 20-yard shot wide of Marton Fulop’s goal.

Cattermole seemed to cover every blade of grass for the visitors and twice within the space of as many minutes Sunderland could have scored.

In the 20th minute, Bent and Malbranque combined to send Kieran Richardson clear through on goal but Jaaskelainen raced off his line to parry the midfielder’s left-foot shot from 14 yards.

Sunderland pressed again moments later when a vicious low cross from Richardson found Bent at the far post and he swivelled before driving a low left-foot shot inches wide of the far post with Jaaskelainen beaten.

Bolton handed a debut to South Korea midfielder Lee Chung-Yong a debut in the 67th minute when he replaced former Sunderland midfielder Gavin McCann.

The home side pressed more as the match wore on and Fulop emerged the hero in injury-time when Sean Davis drove goalwards from 14 but saw the keeper deny him with a brilliant save.

BOLTON, England (AFP)

Tags: black cats, blade of grass, Bruce, charlton, Darren Bent, england international, fabrice muamba, Gavin McCann, George McCartney, impressive display, jussi jaaskelainen, kieran richardson, Lee Cattermole, Lee Chung-yong, left foot, lorik cana, Malbranque, Marton Fulop, midfielder, new faces, new recruits, paul robinson, reebok stadium, Richardson, ricketts, Sam, Sean Davis, south korea, steed malbranque, Sunderland, zat knight

Former England defender Mills retires

August 8, 2009

Former Manchester City and England right-back Danny Mills retired from football on Saturday after admitting defeat in his battle to recover from a serious knee injury.

Mills suffered the problem over a year ago and has been told it will not recover sufficiently to allow him to resume his career.

The 32-year-old, who also played for Norwich, Charlton and Leeds, won 19 caps for England and played at the 2002 World Cup.

“Unfortunately I have now got to the situation where I can no longer continue to play,” he told BBC Radio Five Live. “So, really as from today, I’ll be retiring from the professional game and looking to do other things.

“It has been difficult. I was fortunate it wasn’t my decision in the end.

“I’ve been around the world – America, Germany, Sweden, London – I’ve been everywhere trying to get it sorted.

“I’ve been out for 18 months. I’m likely to have another operation in three or four months’ time. Basically the knee just can’t cope with it any more.”

LONDON (AFP)