Wigan refund fans who witnessed Spurs massacre
November 24, 2009
Wigan’s shell-shocked players on Monday offered to refund supporters who travelled to London to watch their side being thrashed 9-1 by Tottenham.
The Latics crashed to the second worst defeat in Premier League history as they conceded eight second-half goals at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Defender Mario Melchiot admitted the result was embarrassing and, along with the rest of his team-mates, will pay away fans the cost of their tickets.
Melchiot told the club’s website, www.wiganlatics.co.uk: “We feel that as a group of players we badly let down our supporters yesterday, and this is a gesture we have to make and pay them back for their tremendous loyalty.
“There is not a lot else to say, just that as a group of professionals we were embarrassed by the way we performed, we feel it was below our standards and this is something we feel we owe to the fans.
“Now we have to draw a line under the game, focus completely on training this week and bounce back on Saturday.
“We are professionals, we will take it on the chin and move on but it’s important that we do not take our supporters for granted.”
Wigan return to action when they host Sunderland this weekend and the club’s owner, Dave Whelan, has insisted that manager Roberto Martinez’s job is safe, despite the humiliation at Spurs.
“9-1 is a serious, serious defeat and we have got to get our heads up and I am sure Roberto will be working on the lads now to get them going again and get their heads back in the air and get some pride back in Wigan Athletic,” Whelan said.
“He is Wigan’s manager and I have complete faith in him and I know the supporters have.
“I am absolutely 100 percent behind Roberto, he’s a great manager and he will pull this team around.”
WIGAN (AFP)
Tags: dave whelan, faith, gesture, humiliation, lads, latics, loyalty, Mario Melchiot, premier league history, pride, roberto martinez, shell, spurs, tottenham, website www, white hart lane, wigan athletic, wiganlaticsRelated posts
Ricketts positive about Blackburn derby
November 22, 2009
Bolton defender Sam Ricketts insists pride will be at stake when they face their neighbors and is certain his side will finish the season in the top-flight’s top 10.
Ricetts, confident about his side’s form, however agrees it is crucial that his side rise above their two back-to-back defeats and bounce back to win their bragging rights against local rivals Blackburn at the Reebok Stadium.
He said: “We are more than capable of finishing in the top half. We have had a hard run of games and our performances deserved more than what we actually achieved.
“It’s time now to get those extra points and to start climbing the table. If we put a couple of back-to-back wins together then people will see us fly up the table.”
“Generally this season we have played well in the league apart from the game at Villa Park.
“It was one of those games where all of the outfield players had an off day and we need to write it off.”
“But we can only do that by putting in a good performance and hopefully getting a win against Blackburn.”
Ricketts insists pride will be at stake when they face their neighbors and former manager Sam Allardyce.
The Blackburn boss led the side into the UEFA Cup and also to the League Cup final during a successful eight-year spell in charge.
Since his move from Hull City in the summer, Ricketts has featured in every game for the Wanderers. The Wales international is determined to keep that run going with his side in the top 10 and said: “All derbies are big games and its bragging rights, the players and fans feel for that as much as anything.
“You always want to win in general but the fact that it is a derby does add something to the game.”
Bolton Wanderers, who currently sit just one point above the drop zone, face Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League game knowing they could do with a victory to stay clear of from the base three.
Anurada Bhat
Tags: big games, bolton wanderers, derbies, drop zone, extra points, league game, neighbors, outfield, premier league, pride, reebok stadium, ricketts, rivals, sam allardyce, stake, top flight, UEFA Cup, villa parkRelated posts
Bellamy: My career could be over in two years
November 20, 2009
Craig Bellamy fears he might have to put an end to his career within two years because of his injury-ravaged body.
“I know there aren’t four or five years ahead of me with the injuries I’ve had,” Bellamy told Sky Sports. “Maybe I’ve got one or two years at the most and it’ll be all over before I know it, so I’m just enjoying it.”
Despite that grim outlook, Bellamy has been Manchester City’s most influential player this season, outplaying more expensive and illustrious team-mates like Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor.
And although Bellamy admitted few City fans welcomed his €13.5m arrival in January, he claimed he has proved himself worthy of the investment and won over the doubters.
“The last few months have given me a huge sense of pride,” said Bellamy. “I think people have seen what I am as a player now.
“I’ve always got goals in my career, but am I a one-goal-in-two-games player? No, I’m not, but my career has been one-in-three, which isn’t too bad.
“When I signed here a few Manchester City fans weren’t sure because when Craig Bellamy’s name is mentioned people think ‘Do we really need this guy?’
“But I understand that. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. I hear the owners Googled me. I’m sure they asked the manager ‘Are you really sure about buying this player?’
“I’m demanding and nine times out of 10, I’m wrong. A lot of money has been spent on me but the manager said to me ‘Even though players will be coming in, I still have a lot of faith in you’.
“Being with better players at a club like Manchester City, a club that really sees a big future, is a pleasure to be involved in.
“Everything at City has gone well for me from start to finish. It’s so professional here.”
Bellamy and City face Liverpool on Saturday, in what promises to be this weekend’s most promising fixture in the Premier League. Both clubs have to win to avoid any further problems since their recent bad results have seen them falling down the table.
Paul Haring
Tags: 5m, carlos tevez, craig bellamy, cup of tea, emmanuel adebayor, faith, fears, games player, grim outlook, Liverpool, manchester city fans, money, nine times, one goal, pleasure, premier league, pride, Sky Sports, team mates, two gamesRelated posts
More work needed for US to taste South Africa success
October 14, 2009
Landon Donovan likes what he sees from the US football squad after qualifying for the World Cup, but knows much more work is needed to make the most of their chances next June in South Africa.
Donovan, the all-time US scoring leader and a Los Angeles Galaxy teammate of English star David Beckham, said Tuesday it was difficult to compare US levels at this stage to the 2002 Cup quarter-finalists or the 2006 first-round flops.
“We’re pretty satisfied with where we are now and the hard work we’ve put in but I think we realize if we want to be ultimately successful in South Africa we still have some work to do,” Donovan said.
“OK, we’re there. Now how do we do everything we can to have success once we get there?”
Donovan will spark the Americans in Wednesday’s final North American hexagonal World Cup qualifying match against Costa Rica in the US capital. He feels he has made improvements on and off the field in the past three years.
“I’ve done a lot of that work already,” Donovan said. “I’m comfortable knowing I’m a different player and person than I was the last two hexagonals.”
The Major League Soccer standout said the North American league has already shown it can develop competitive talent.
“Our league can produce players that can play in the biggest tournaments in the world and I think we’ve shown that in the past two World Cups and this one,” Donovan said. “There’s not a vast difference.”
The next step is to win such a showdown. US coach Bob Bradley sees finishing first ahead of Mexico in the CONCACAF regional qualifying as a potential key to boosting the US seeding position for December’s World Cup draw.
“We don’t know for sure it will affect seeding but we believe that it could so in that regard it is important,” Bradley said. “We take a great deal of pride of being the best team in CONCACAF.”
So much so that Bradley is willing to risk top players even with a chance of injury or a red card that would bring a World Cup opener suspension.
“There are risks in the final game but this game is important,” Bradley said. “Of late, we’re very pleased with the way we’ve handled ourselves.”
Costa Rica qualifies for the World Cup with a victory but a draw or loss opens the door for Honduras, which must win at El Salvador to have a chance for the last automatic berth on offer from North America.
The same Hondurans who lost to the US team last weekend will cheer for the Americans against Costa Rica.
“We’ve got a job to do to put our best team out there,” US captain Carlos Bocanegra said. “It’s not fair for us not to go out there and give our best effort. If the situation was reversed we would be pretty angry.”
Costa Rica comes off a 4-0 blanking of Trinidad and Tobago in the first match under new coach Rene Simoes, a Brazilian who once guided Jamaica’s World Cup squad.
“Costa Rica is a talented team that hit a tough stretch in qualifying,” said Bradley. “Costa Rica’s big win has given life to their effort. We expect another big effort and we will prepare accordingly.”
WASHINGTON (AFP)
Tags: bob bradley, captain Carlos Bocanegra, coach bob, concacaf, Costa Rica, David Beckham, Donovan, El Salvador, final game, football squad, Honduras, improvements, Jamaica, landon donovan, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, Major League Soccer, match, Mexico, North America, North American, pride, qualifying for the world cup, quarter finalists, Rene Simoes, soccer standout, South Africa, star david, teammate, trinidad and tobago, U.S., Washington, world cup opener, world cupsRelated posts
Keane says pride hurt by Ipswich´s dismal run
September 27, 2009
Ipswich manager Roy Keane admits his pride has been dented by the Championship team’s worst ever start to a season.
Keane’s side are second bottom of English football’s second tier after going nine matches without a win – a dismal run that has left the former Manchester United midfielder at a low ebb.
The latest trauma came at Portman Road on Saturday as Newcastle handed Ipswich a 4-0 thumping that included a devastating spell of three goals in four minutes.
Keane, who took over at Ipswich towards the end of last season, knows he has to repair his players’ shattered confidence in time for Tuesday’s game against Sheffield United as the season threatens to spiral out of control.
“There are no magic wands and confidence comes with results. The longer this run goes on then the harder it will get,” Keane said.
“We have our pride and it has been massively dented. It is hard to take but we have the chance to start to put it right against Sheffield United on Tuesday.
“But if we give goals away like we did today, we will get beat on Tuesday. There is no doubt about that.”
A Kevin Nolan hat-trick and a free-kick from Ryan Taylor condemned Ipswich to defeat and Keane admitted he expected the backlash that came from the fans at full-time.
He said: “The game was dead and buried by half-time. We conceded some unbelievably bad goals and we just have to defend better.
“I don’t know if Nolan has scored a hat-trick before but he won’t get an easier chance to get one. He must have thought it was Christmas.
“I’m not daft, a lot of supporters voiced their opinions at the end but that is fair enough.
“They pay their money and they are entitled to that. But we will keep going.”
IPSWICH, England (AFP)
Tags: AFP, backlash, dismal run, England, english football, four minutes, free kick, full time, hat trick, Kevin Nolan, low ebb, magic wands, Manchester, manchester united, midfielder, NEWCASTLE, no doubt, Portman Road, pride, roy keane, ryan taylor, Sheffield, sheffield united, traumaRelated posts
Wigan boss Martinez vows to pursue strategy
August 16, 2009
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has insisted the Latics will play in the same attacking fashion that saw them beat Aston Villa when they face the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Former Wigan midfielder Martinez made a stunning start to life as a manager in the Premier League with a 2-0 opening day win away to Villa on Saturday and is determined to play positively even against the best sides in the country.
The Spaniard established a reputation for enterprising football at former club Swansea and has made it clear he is only prepared to lose in style.
Wigan secured their first ever opening day victory in the top-flight at Villa Park and Martinez’s classy side will undoubtedly be one of the more attractive teams to watch this season.
“I would still play football at the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and we will always try and play this way,” Martinez said.
He added: “I’ve been told that Wigan have lost against those teams in the last four years but if we’re going to lose, we will lose in style.
“You have to be brave and take pride in what you’re doing. Football is about enjoying yourself and making sure you can express yourself.
“If you don’t enjoy football played like that you’re in the wrong business.
“I take pride in the high standards of the players and I want them to be creative. I want them to put a smile on the supporters’ faces and they have done that today (Saturday).
“We all knew this was going to be a difficult game but I’m very proud of the players for the performance. All the credit should go to them because we have lost a lot of players this summer.”
Hugo Rodallega gave Wigan the lead with a spectacular goal after 31 minutes before Jason Koumas made the points safe with a 56th minute strike.
Martin O’Neill’s Villa were well beaten and were booed off at the end of both halves by their frustrated supporters – only 90 minutes into the season.
Debutants Fabian Delph and Habib Beye were also substituted after disappointing performances but O’Neill refuesd to panic.
“If you (the supporters) pay your money, you can criticise if you see fit,” he said.
“It’s a disappointment really because after the initial 15 minutes we were second-best all afternoon.
“The fans would be disappointed with that performance. This is a new team and we’ve got to get ready for it.
“You can analyse everything but we were tired, which was a surprise. We need to get some more players,” O’Neill added.
“It’s a lengthy season and I’m going to have to look after the players. We played well enough last season to overcome a number of hurdles and we’ve got to do the same again.”
BIRMINGHAM, England, (AFP)
Tags: delph, fabian, habib beye, hugo rodallega, jason koumas, latics, manchester united, martin o neill, opening day, premier league, pride, reputation, roberto martinez, smile, Spaniard, spectacular goal, Swansea, top flight, victory, villa parkRelated posts
Nilmar feted at Villareal
August 1, 2009
Spanish Primera Liga side Villareal on Friday presented their new Brazilian player Nilmar da Silva, the most expensive signing in their history.
The club signed Nilmar last week to a five-year contract from Brazilian club Internacional de Purto Alegre for a reported fee of over 10 million euros.
“I know that my signing was one of the biggest efforts in the club’s history,” the 25-year-old striker told a news conference.
“I am filled with pride and responsibility… I know that I here to score and help the team and my hope is win a title.”
He described the negotiations that brought him to Villareal as “difficult.”
“But I was always very excited about playing in Spain because it is similar to Brazilian football,” he said.
He said he already knew Villareal’s Brazilian-born player Marcos Senna, “and I know that a title is needed and they will fight for it. That was an incentive to come here.”
He also spoke about his time at French side Lyon in the 2004-05 season.
“It was my first experience in Europe and it was difficult to adapt because I was very young, but I still got goals … This experience helped me a lot to know what it means to play outside Brazil.”
After the news conference, some 4,000 fans greeted him at El Madrigal stadium.
Villareal finished fifth in the Primera Liga last season, missing out on a Champions League spot but gaining a place in the Europa league.
Nilmar’s presentation had originally been set for Thursday but was postponed by one day after he missed a connecting flight from Brazil.
MADRID (AFP)
Tags: 10 million, brazil, brazilian football, Brazilian-born, champions league, connecting flight, da silva, el madrigal, Europe, first experience, Lyon, MADRID, marcos senna, negotiations, news conference, nilmar, pride, Spain, spanish primera liga, striker, villarealRelated posts
Brown: Proud of Owen chase
July 8, 2009
Premier League Hull City’s manager Phil Brown has expressed his pride at City’s failed attempt to sign England international Michael Owen, who signed for Manchester United.
The 50-year-old manager, whose side avoided the drop on the last day of the season, was keen to bring the experienced striker to The KC Stadium, after his Newcastle contract expired at the end of last month.
And the Tigers boss was confident that a deal could be brokered.
However, his hopes dented when English Champions joined the party in signing the 29-year-old.
Sir Alex Ferguson quickly handed out a two-year deal for the free agent, but the failed transfer persuit has not left a bitter taste in Brown’s mouth.
“We had hoped to meet with Michael before we went to Italy but when you’re up against Manchester United, you know you’re on the back-foot,” he told Hull Sport.
“To be in a two-horse race with Manchester United for an England international gives me great pride.”
“He was ready to consider coming to Hull City but he has joined the champions of England. You can’t argue with that but for me it was positive to see us in the running.”
By:
Tags: bitter taste, England, england international, english champions, English Premier League, free agent, horse race, HULL, hull city, hull sport, Italy, kc stadium, Manchester, manchester united, Michael, michael owen, NEWCASTLE, Owen, owen chase, persuit, phil brown, premier league, pride, sir alex ferguson, striker, tigersRelated posts
Fabregas pride at becoming Spain regular
June 16, 2009
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AFP) – Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says he is proud to have cemented a place in Spain’s starting 11, but knows he needs to perform consistently to stay there.
The 22-year-old played a starring role in Spain’s 5-0 demolition of New Zealand in their opening Confederations Cup game on Sunday, proving the perfect foil for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
He also scored a goal, in the first time he had started for Spain at a major international tournament.
“I played well, as did the whole team. It was a great way to set the ball rolling, and I hope that from here we can improve with every game,” he told fifa.com.
Fabregas, who this month moved to quell speculation over his future by pledging to stay with Arsenal, said starting for Spain was a source of pride, although he talks down the achievement.
“It’s not as though I wasn’t a regular before this tournament. I came on as a substitute in many games and played 30 minutes or more, so in total I played for longer than a lot of the players who started,” he said.
“I’ve always felt like a regular on the team, and I think I’ve played my part in our success.”
Fabregas admits, however, that there is something special about being on the pitch from the outset and lining up for the anthems.
“Naturally ever player wants to start games, but there are fantastic players in this team, all of whom are good enough to be out on the pitch. That’s why breaking into the starting 11 is no easy task.”
Next up for Spain is Iraq, who ground out a 0-0 draw with South Africa in their opening game.
Despite Spain being favourites here on Wednesday, Fabregas said there was no room for complacency as the national team searches to extend its 33-game unbeaten run.
“We know we’re favourites but we’ve got to be wary going into these matches,” he said.
“We saw the game between South Africa and Iraq before travelling to the stadium and we’re going to analyse the video. We’ll be taking the remaining matches extremely seriously.”
A victory for Spain would ensure the European champions’ progression into the semi-finals.
Tags: 30 minutes, anthems, arsenal, Bloemfontein, bloemfontein south africa, cesc fabregas, complacency, confederations cup, cup game, demolition, Fernando Torres, Iraq, LA Liga, Liverpool, New Zealand, outset, pitch, pride, South Africa, Spain, speculation, striker, victory, World CupRelated posts
Cristiano Ronaldo ignores Portuguese award
May 23, 2009
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to receive the Portuguese ‘Personality of the year 2008′ award, becoming the first recipient in 20 years to ignore the honor all-together.
“We are not going to hand over the award as [Ronaldo] hasn’t replied in any way to the invitation to receive it,” said organisation president Belen Rodrigo.
“It is a shame not having received even a few words of gratitude from his part. Previous winners always received it with great pride. Ronaldo doesn’t value the award with which he represents his country,” she added.
In the past, the award has been received by well known personalities as Luis Figo and European Commission President Jose Barroso.
Written by:
Tags: belen, cristiano ronaldo, English Premier League, European, european commission, european commission president, few words, hasn, invitation, Jonathan Roorda, luis figo, Manchester, manchester united, personalities, personality, President Jose Barroso, pride, recipient, rodrigo, ronaldo, shame, words of gratitudeRelated posts
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