Too big to go down, too small for the Champions League

July 13, 2009

Champions League qualifying has begun so the new football season in Europe is well and truly underway.

But while Mogren of Montenegro celebrate their victory over Hibernians of Malta in the first qualifying round last week, spare a thought for those famous European sides who are unlikely to grace the competition even in a qualifying tie, let alone the group stage.

I live in London and there’s at least one good example right here. With Martin Jol at the helm, Tottenham Hotspur missed out on fourth spot in the Premier League (and a Champions League qualifying place) in the 2005/06 season by virtue of a defeat by local rivals West Ham United on the final day of the season.

Fans will always blame that on a virus that floored several first team players, but that’s another story…

They finished fifth again the following season but weren’t ever really in with a chance of coming fourth and since then they have reverted to their normal role of mid-table underachievers.

The future promises more of the same: too big to go down, too small to mix it with the big boys in the top four.

Tottenham’s billionaire owner Joe Lewis has the money — £2.5 billion according to Four Four two magazine’s latest annual Rich List (which puts him fourth behind the owners of Manchester City, Queen’s Park Rangers and Chelsea in British football) — but not the inclination to lavish hundreds of millions on transfers every season to bring in the world’s top players.

The club once snatched former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne from under the nose of Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United but it is inconceivable that a player of his class would choose White Hart Lane over Old Trafford today.

Without big-name signings Tottenham are unlikely to ever break into the top four. Finishing sixth to 10th seems their best hope.

There are a lot of other clubs in the same boat, too — not just in the Premier League but around Europe. Sampdoria and Athletic Bilbao are examples in Italy and Spain.

Playing in the Champions League itself probably still feels a long way away for Mogren, but for Tottenham and the like it’s even further.

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Tags: alex ferguson, athletic bilbao, big boys, Bilbao, billionaire owner, CHELSEA, English Championship, Europe, football season, group stage, Hart Lane, hibernians, Italy, joe lewis, london, Malta, manchester city, manchester united, martin jol, mid table, Montenegro, park rangers, paul gascoigne, premier league, queen, rich list, s park, Spain, underachievers, west ham, west ham united, white hart lane

Captaincy not on the cards for Gunnarsson

July 11, 2009

Coventry City player Aron Einar Gunnarsson has removed himself as a potential candidate to take up the armband after Scott Dann’s departure to Birmingham.

The armband is up for grabs at the Ricoh Arena, however Chris Coleman is refusing to name the defender’s successor until later in pre-season.

Forward Clinton Morrison is one of the frontrunners for the position, but Iceland international Gunnarsson, last season’s player of the year, has insisted that he does not want the role, for the time being at least.

The 20-year-old told the Coventry Telegraph: “I am not sure if I could handle the armband if I was asked because I am only young. I know Scott was only 21 or 22 but it is not for me. Not yet.”

Gunnarsson, who is known for his long throws, is also keen to pen an improved contract with the Sky Blues which was earmarked following his impressive displays last season.

He added: “I hope as soon as possible the management and chairman will sort us out because we did well and there are teams after us, so we deserve an upgrade on our contracts.”

“Nothing has happened yet and I haven’t been offered anything, I am sat here waiting to sign. But I hope they will come with an offer soon because I am happy to sign an extension of my contract. I am really happy here.”

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: anything, aron, Aron Einar Gunnarsson, Birmingham, cards, Chris, chris coleman, Clinton Morrison, Coleman, contracts, coventry city, einar, English Championship, frontrunners, grabs, gunnarsson, Iceland, impressive displays, ricoh, Scott, Scott Dann, sky blues, successor, telegraph

Chopra makes Cardiff switch

July 4, 2009

English striker Michael Chopra has completed his club record £4m move to Championship side Cardiff City from Sunderland.

The former England under-21 striker joined Cardiff initially on loan in January but has now signed a permanent three year contract.

The 25-year-old said: “I’m really glad it is all sorted and I’m excited and determined to gain promotion.”

The Newcastle born striker is the third player to sign permanently for Cardiff this week while full-back Paul Quinn is set to join.

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: cardiff, cardiff city, England, English Championship, michael chopra, NEWCASTLE, paul quinn, striker, Sunderland

Keane to sign more players

July 4, 2009

Ipswich Town manager Roy Keane has revealed that he is looking to sign “four or five” more players for Ipswich, within the next two weeks.

As the current crop of players began pre-season training this week, Keane admitted that two potential signings were virtually agreed and was still hoping to add at least two more ahead of the season’s kick-off on August 8.

He told the Evening Star: “We’ve probably been linked with 50 or 60 players over the last few weeks and it would be unfair of me to talk about players until they’ve signed.”

“I hope, in time, to bring in maybe four or five. We are close with two and there will be hopefully be another two or three over the next two weeks.”

“The fun and games will start over the next few weeks when managers get back to their clubs and take stock of what they’ve got. It’s quite difficult these days with the transfer fees that are mentioned, but if you want quality you’ve got to pay for it.”

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, August, august 8, crop, English Championship, Evening, evening star, fun, fun and games, ipswich, manager, pre season training, quality, rajput, roy keane, season, star, stock, time, Town, transfer, week

Is Ancelotti the right man for Chelsea?

June 1, 2009

As impressive as two Champions League triumphs are, Chelsea’s appointment of former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti will not leave their Premier League title rivals quaking in their boots.

Ancelotti ended his reign at Milan on Sunday after eight years, following top flight stints at Parma and Juventus, all of which amounted to just one Serie A scudetto.

Some may say the Champions League is harder to win than a league, so two is a phenomenal achievement. He also won two domestic cups, two UEFA Super Cups and a World Club Cup, but Chelsea will be expected to challenge for the Premier League next season.

Outgoing temporary boss Guus Hiddink succeeded where his predecessor, Luiz Felipe Scolari could not, in giving a hint of the current Chelsea squad’s potential this season with a third place league finish, a Champions League semi-final and the FA Cup*.

The key to going a few steps further next season will be two or three key signings, including a striker.

In an attempt to put a disappointing fifth-placed finish in Serie A behind him, Ancelotti spent last summer signing the likes of Andriy Shevchenko and Ronaldinho, neither of whom made much of an impact.

John Terry apparently wants Chelsea to sign Franck Ribery and David Silva. Getting players of that quality would certainly make Ancelotti’s job easier. If Chelsea are not prepared to make that type of investment in the playing staff, it’s going to be hard for the new man to make his mark.

PHOTO: AC Milan’s coach Carlo Ancelotti gestures during their Italian serie A soccer match against AS Roma at San Siro stadium in Milan May 24, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

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Tags: ac milan, alessandro garofalo, andriy shevchenko, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, David Silva, English Championship, FA Cup, felipe scolari, franck ribery, gestures, italian serie a soccer, john terry, luiz felipe scolari, Milan, new man, phenomenal achievement, premier league, reuters, right man, Roma, ronaldinho, San, san siro stadium, scudetto, Serie A, serie a soccer, stints, top flight, uefa

Clough in frame for Derby role

January 6, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Nigel Clough could become the new manager of Derby County – the club his father Brian transformed into the champions of England more than 35 years ago – in just a "matter of days".Adam Pearson, Derby’s chairman of football, told reporters in a conference call on Monday: "Nigel is one of the names in the frame… we’ve spoken to his chairman and everything seems positive."Derby, now just above the relegation zone in the second-tier Championship, are presently without a full-time manager after Paul Jewell resigned last week following an unsuccessful 13-month spell in charge which saw the club relegated from the lucrative Premier League.But the club’s American owners are determined to take the Midlands side back to the top-flight.And Derby fans will have a fresh taste of the big-time when their side plays English, European and world champions Manchester United at Pride Park on Wednesday in the first leg of their English League Cup semi-final.Since retiring as a player Nigel Clough, a former England midfielder, has built a reputation as a manager in non-league football with Derby’s near neighbours Burton Albion, where he has been in charge for over a decade."There is obviously a connection with his father but, more importantly he ticks the boxes on a number of other attributes," Pearson said of Clough."We are looking for a manager who can develop, coach and build the confidence of what we believe to be a good squad of players. Nigel has that manner, he is firm and fair, considerate and intelligent and confident."Is it a done deal? No, it’s not," Pearson stressed. "There are other young, upcoming managers also in the frame who have similar attributes. We are looking for that type of manager."We haven’t had a formal discussion with Nigel but the appointment of a permanent manager is literally days away."Nigel is very much in the frame. I’ve known him a very long time and he has the right attributes and the right skills. We’ve spoken to his chairman about the possibility and everything seems positive."But there are also one or two others, which we are keeping under wraps, who we are also having close discussions with. But it would be foolhardy not to admit my interest in Nigel."Clough, 42, grew up in Derby when his father was County’s manager.Brian Clough turned a team languishing in the old Second Division when he became Derby manager in 1967 into First Division champions at the end of the 1971/72 season.However, in 1973, he resigned following a power struggle with Derby chairman Sam Longson.

Written by: AFP

Tags: 35 years, Adam Pearson, attributes, big time, brian clough, burton albion, conference call, derby county, derby fans, discussion, Division, England, English, English Championship, league football, london, Manchester, manchester united, manner, midfielder, neighbours, Nigel, nigel clough, Paul Jewell, pearson, premier league, pride park, relegation zone, Sam, time manager, top flight, world champions

Nottingham Forest appoint Davies as manager

January 1, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – English Championship side Nottingham Forest on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Billy Davies as their new manager in place of the sacked Colin Calderwood.

Former Derby boss Davies will start work at the City Ground on Monday after signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the former European champions.

His first game in charge will be against fellow strugglers Charlton at The Valley a week on Saturday.

Calderwood was sacked following a Boxing Day loss to relegation rivals Doncaster.

Written by: AFP

Tags: AC, AFP, appointment, Billy Davies, boss, boxing day, Champions, charge, charlton, CITY, colin calderwood, contract, derby, Doncaster, English, English Championship, european champions, fellow, first game, form, half year, manager, Nottingham, nottingham forest, relegation, rivals, The Valley, work

Barnsley set to sue over elbow-victim Hume

November 26, 2008

LONDON (AFP) – Barnsley are considering legal action against Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan over the elbow which left their Canadian striker Iain Hume with a fractured skull, the Championship club said on Tuesday.

The announcement came after English football’s governing body, the Football Association (FA), said it would not initiate disciplinary proceedings against Morgan, who was only booked for the challenge during a match earlier this month.

It also coincided with news that Hume had been readmitted to hospital after complaining of feeling unwell, seven days after he was released following emergency surgery which had left him fearing he could die.

The player suffered the injury during Barnsley’s 2-1 home defeat by their local rivals on November 8.

Morgan’s challenge was judged as deserving of a yellow card by referee Andy D’Urso but Barnsley subsequently asked the FA to re-examine video footage of the incident.

The governing body however confirmed on Tuesday that it would be taking no further action, leaving Barnsley "extremely concerned and disappointed."

In a statement, the Championship club said: "The decision by the FA to disconnect a violent act from its consequences runs contrary to the principles of civil and criminal law.

"The FA’s failure to act has let Iain Hume down badly and the only option now remaining is for recourse outside of the normal football processes."

The FA said it had to "consider the challenge itself and not the outcome of it," whilst indicating that it would be impossible to prove Morgan had acted maliciously.

"The FA has been given express direction from FIFA that we cannot upgrade yellow cards to red.

"On this basis we can only bring additional charges in the most exceptional cases and only if it can be proved beyond doubt the actions of a player were a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent.

"Having reviewed all available evidence in this case, including submissions made by Barnsley, there is no basis on which an additional charge could be brought."

In an interview last week, Hume revealed that he had pleaded with D’Urso for protection from Morgan, who he said had caught him with his elbow in previous matches.

Written by: AFP

Tags: English Championship

Pardew leaves struggling Charlton

November 23, 2008

LONDON (AFP) – Charlton manager Alan Pardew left the struggling Championship club by mutual consent after his side’s 5-2 thrashing by Sheffield United on Saturday.

Pardew paid the price for a woeful run of eight games without a win that left Charlton languishing in the relegation zone just 18 months after they dropped out of the Premier League.

Speaking after the match but before news of his sacking was confirmed, Pardew had said: "My record coming to this club has been good, but it’s been difficult here. When I arrived they were on the slide and I haven’t been able to stop that.

"We’re in a sticky situation and I have to accept whatever decision is made."

Written by: AFP

Tags: English Championship

I could have died says hospitalised striker Hume

November 17, 2008

LONDON (AFP) – Barnsley striker Iain Hume feared he might die after being hospitalised by an elbow from Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan.

Hume needed emergency surgery for a fractured skull and internal bleeding after Morgan caught the Canada international with a sickening blow during his Championship club’s 2-1 defeat at Oakwell on November 8.

Morgan was only booked for the foul and Hume is furious that referee Andy D’Urso failed to protect him even though he warned the official that Morgan had caught him with his elbow in previous matches.

"I feel very angry about what happened to me. I feel very, very upset because what I went through was potentially a life-threatening experience," Hume told the Sunday Times.

"I had pleaded with the referee to give me some protection. I could have died.

"Last Saturday night the signs were that I was suffering from concussion. It was only through the passage of time that I deteriorated.

"Subsequently a brain scan revealed the injuries were dangerous and I became an emergency. Then my immediate thoughts were about my family and what effect this would have on them.

Hume is considering whether to take legal action against Morgan, while Barnsley are set to submit video evidence to the English Football Association to get a heavy punishment for the defender.

The 25-year-old, whose family have flown over from Canada to be with him, will be in hospital for some time and has resigned himself to missing a significant part of the season.

"Having thoughts like that is an horrific experience. All I want to do is get home to my family and start having a normal life," he added.

"Then I can begin to think about playing again. I can only set short-term goals. I’m not ready to look too far into the future. There are issues that require to be addressed."

Written by: AFP

Tags: English Championship