Injury heartache goes on for Fulham’s Johnson

February 3, 2010

Andy Johnson, Fulham’s former England striker, will be out of action for at least three weeks with a knee injury that is threatening to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Johnson, who has made only 13 appearances in the current campaign as a result of a dislocated collarbone and a groin strain, is to have exploratory surgery to determine the gravity of the injury.

“If they find that the problem is as major as it could possibly be, then he would need an operation that would keep him out for the rest of the season,” Fulham boss Roy Hodgson said, adding that the 28-year-old had been “shattered” by the latest setback.

“If we’re lucky and the major operation is not needed, and it’s something wrong with the cartilage, then he might be back earlier.

“At the moment we’re talking three to four weeks, and the worst-case scenario is the rest of the season and him being fit to join us in pre-season.”

Hodgson is already without Clint Dempsey and Zoltan Gera because of their knee injuries and he admitted he would not have let Diomansy Kamara go to Celtic on loan earlier this week if he had been aware of Johnson’s latest problem.

“One of the reasons why we let Diomansy go was because we didn’t think the problem with Andy was anywhere near as grave,” Hodgson said.

“I was concerned that I would not be able to give Diomansy regular games, so when a club of Celtic’s stature comes in for him, it is very difficult for me to say ‘you have to stay’.”

Hodgson added: “Andy is shattered. He’s devastated. If it’s as serious as it could turn out to be, it needs to be put right for the start of next season.”

Fulham were due to face the Premier League’s bottom side, Portsmouth, on Wednesday with the west London club aiming to end a run of five straight defeats.

“At the moment I can divorce performances from results, but if you keep losing you will get dragged down there and get into a relegation battle,” Hodgson warned.

“I’m hoping that won’t happen and in the not-too-distant future we will have a squad of players together who are more competitive than we currently are.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Andy, Andy Johnson, bottom side, cartilage, Clint Dempsey, dislocated collarbone, distant future, England, exploratory surgery, fulham, groin strain, knee injuries, knee injury, latest setback, least three weeks, london, london club, Portsmouth, premier league, relegation battle, roy hodgson, stature, west london, worst case scenario, zoltan, zoltan gera

Cuellar happy at Villa despite Real rumors

December 24, 2009

Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar has rejected the rumors that have linked him with a transfer to Real Madrid. Cuellar insists he is happy at Villa Park and wants to remain in England.

Reports in Spain have suggested that Real are targeting a move for Cuellar after losing Pepe through injury. Pepe is out with a long-term injury.

Cuellar, who is enjoying a very good season with Villa, is flattered to be linked with the Madrid giants. However, he says he is happy to remain a faithful player for Martin O’Neil’s team.

“It’s a great honour to be linked with teams of that stature,” Cuellar told the Birmingham Mail.

“Although it’s not true, that they mention you is important. I’m staying at Aston Villa. Nothing could happen. This is the path that I have chosen. I was not forced to do anything.

“My dream was to play in a foreign league. Where better to do that than the Premier League?”

28-year-old Cuellar is Spanish and began his career in Madrid before having his big break at Rangers, after which he was transferred to Aston Villa.

Tags: aston villa, Birmingham, Carlos Cuellar, England, giants, honour, MADRID, Mail, Martin O'Neil, o neil, pepe, premier league, rangers, real madrid, Spain, stature, term injury, villa park

Martinez backs Liverpool to meet top four target

December 16, 2009

Jamie Carragher may be counting on the power of prayer but Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes it is the quality of Liverpool’s players which will ensure the club finishes the season in the Premier League’s top four.

The stuttering Reds entertain Martinez’s side at Anfield on Wednesday having won just three of their last 15 games, with one of those successes coming in the Champions League against Debrecen.

Liverpool’s latest disappointment came when they turned a 1-0 half-time lead into a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, a result which left them five points adrift of the top four, which is the minimum target for under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez.

Their next three games are must-win matches if they are to cut that deficit, with a trip to bottom club Portsmouth and a home match against struggling Wolves following the Wigan fixture.

Carragher said it is imperative that Liverpool’s improvement begins immediately.

“Wigan is a massive game for us,” said the defender. “I’ve tried too many times down the years trying to work things out, so there’s no point looking further ahead than that.

“We’ll just try and get three points on Wednesday and then move on to Portsmouth. We’ve got to look at ourselves and realise that we’ve got to do much better.

“For the quality of the players and the stature of the club, we should be doing better. Statistics can change quickly and we have got to do that.

“It’s tough at the moment but part of playing for Liverpool is having big character. That’s what we need now.

“Between now and May it is going to be a grind at times but we have got to stick together, get through it and, as I’m doing every night, pray to God that at the end of the season there will be something worthwhile for what we’ve gone through, because it has been tough.

“I pray to God we win the FA Cup or the Europa League and we get in the top four, dust ourselves down at the end of the season and say ‘It hasn’t been so bad in the end’, but at this moment it is tough.”

Alberto Aquilani could make his first Premier League start in a game which is attracting as much attention in Spain as it is in England.

Former Swansea boss Martinez has endured a mixed start to his career as a Premier League manager, the trauma of an embarrassing 9-1 reverse at Tottenham offset by a 3-1 victory over leaders Chelsea and an eye-catching 2-0 victory at Aston Villa.

The Spaniard is desperate to inflict further misery on fellow countryman Benitez although Martinez is convinced that Liverpool will secure a top four finish and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“Look at their players, They have huge experience,” said Martinez, whose side sit 14th in the table.

“You are not talking about young players or a young team. You are talking about Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher.

“It is probably the most experienced group of players in world football. What is happening at the moment will not affect them. I still feel Liverpool will finish in the top four.”

Defender Emmerson Boyce suffered a head injury while scoring in a 2-2 draw at Stoke on Saturday but is expected to feature for Wigan, who have won once in six outings.

Hendry Thomas, the Honduras international midfielder, is also available after suspension.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: alberto aquilani, bottom club, CHELSEA, debrecen, FA Cup, Fernando Torres, five points, half time, home match, Honduras, Jamie, jamie carragher, Liverpool, london, massive game, Portsmouth, power of prayer, premier league, rafael benitez, roberto martinez, Spain, stature, Steven Gerrard, stuttering, Swansea, target, Thomas, three games, Wigan, wolves

Referees´ rep slams ban on United boss Ferguson

November 13, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson was told he’d “got off lightly” by the union representing England’s top referees after receiving a four-game touchline ban for an outspoken attack on referee Alan Wiley.

The Manchester United manager, who admitted a Football Association (FA) charge of improper conduct, publicly labelled Wiley as “unfit” after his Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3.

But on Thursday he was banned for four games, of which two are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, fined 20,000 pounds (33,148 dollars) and warned as to his future conduct following his “grossly improper and wholly inappropriate” comments about Wiley.

However, Alan Leighton, national secretary of officials’ union Prospect, accused the FA of “flunking” the issue by not imposing a harsher punishment upon the 67-year-old Scot and so undermining their own ‘Respect’ campaign, designed to encourage better behaviour towards referees.

“From our point of view it is disappointing. The Football Association had a chance to make a point and they flunked it,” Leighton said. “We don’t think this is sending the right message out to other managers.

“This is not a personal vendetta against Sir Alex but he has a particular stature within the game and if he is seen to be getting off lightly other managers may think what he said was not beyond the pale.”

Peter Griffiths, chairman of the commission which imposed the ban on Ferguson, said after Thursday’s hearing: “Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements and stature within the game.

“Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities.

“The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate. He should never have said what he did say.”

Ferguson, who will receive the commission’s full findings on Friday, has the right of appeal.

But should he accept the ban, Ferguson is now set to be barred from the dug-out for United’s Premier League matches later this month at home to Everton and away to Portsmouth

The commission said the suspended sanction would be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge before the end of the 2010/11 season on top of any sanction imposed for that offence.

Ferguson accused Wiley of not being “fit enough for a game of that standard” and of “walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest”.

Soon after the original incident, Ferguson apologised to Wiley for speaking out, although, significantly, not for the content of his remarks.

“I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views,” Ferguson said.

“My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game.”

Following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, Ferguson questioned whether Andre Marriner, who took charge of the game at Anfield, had the required experience for a match of such significance.

He also accused Martin Atkinson of being in an “absolutely ridiculous” position when he awarded Chelsea the free-kick that led to their winner against United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, football association, four games, improper conduct, inappropriate comments, league champions, leighton, manchester united, national secretary, old trafford, outspoken attack, personal vendetta, peter griffiths, referees, respect campaign, Scot, sir alex ferguson, stature, union prospect

Belief delivering Liverpool goals: Benitez

September 25, 2009

Rafael Benitez has brushed off a suggestion he has switched to a more attacking system, insisting greater confidence is behind Liverpool’s high-scoring start to the season.

The Spaniard’s success as a coach has been founded on his skill at making his teams hard to beat but the Reds have appeared a little shaky defensively this season — nine goals conceded in six league matches — while displaying a sharper cutting edge at the other end of the pitch.

“It is similar to last season – we are creating more or less the same situations but now we are scoring more goals because the accuracy is better,” Benitez said ahead of struggling Hull’s visit to Anfield on Saturday.

“It is true we score a lot of goals. It’s funny because people were talking before about us needing to score more goals because we were good in defence.

“Now they are saying we are scoring goals but conceding goals – so we can never win. Maybe it is because we are more offensive – but it is not because we are changing the system.”

That said, Benitez does accept that the 18-million-pound acquisition of England right-back Glen Johnson has given his side an added dimension going forward.

“Glen Johnson likes to go forward all the time,” he said. “Alvaro Arbeloa defended a bit better so he had more balance.

“Yossi Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are all going forward, maybe it is more than last year but they have confidence and are playing well.

Benitez also feels the players have grown in stature after pushing Manchester United to the wire in last season’s title battle.

“It was very important for us. We won a lot of games in a row at the end of the season because we had a lot of confidence and we wanted to be as close to them as possible.

“You can take it as a positive because we were so close.

“This season it has almost been a problem because from the first day people were expecting us to win and score five goals in every game.

“Now, despite not starting well, we are in a good position and everyone has more confidence to play better.

“We know the teams at the top of the table will not make too many mistakes so we have to keep winning games.”

Jamie Carragher has been blamed for Liverpool’s defensive frailty this season but Benitez insists the former England defender has not slipped past his sell-by date.

“We have conceded some goals and he has made some mistakes but Carra is okay,” he said. “It is a question of the team defending better, not just one or two players.”

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

Tags: accuracy, acquisition, added dimension, arbeloa, benayoun, confidence, cutting edge, dirk kuyt, England, Fernando Torres, glen johnson, HULL, jamie carragher, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, pitch, rafael benitez, reds, scoring goals, Spaniard, stature, Steven Gerrard, success, suggestion

Bassong puts early dent in Liverpool´s title challenge

August 17, 2009

Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong put an early dent in Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge as his debut goal clinched a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Bassong made an immediate repayment on the eight million pounds fee Spurs boss Harry Redknapp splashed out to sign the centre-back from Newcastle last week.

But it was Liverpool who were left to count a more significant cost after a result and performance that already cast doubts on their ability to win the English league for the first time in 20 years.

Rafael Benitez’s team fell behind to a fine first half strike from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and, although Steven Gerrard equalised with a penalty after the interval, Bassong’s winner was well deserved.

Finishing just four points behind Manchester United last term has raised expectations that this will be the season when Liverpool finally end their long wait to be crowned kings of English football.

They will have to improve dramatically to do that and much more will be demanded from Fernando Torres than this lacklustre effort.

After a tepid opening in the north London sunshine, Liverpool suffered a self-inflicted blow when Martin Skrtel collided with Jamie Carragher as both centre-backs tried to head clear.

Skrtel’s head smashed into Carragher’s face and the defender disappeared groggily down the tunnel before resuming with a bandage covering a nasty gash on his forehead.

It was that kind of no-holds-barred encounter but Benitez would have been more concerned with the way Liverpool struggled to find any attacking rhythm.

As the Reds spluttered, Tottenham grew in stature and only a superb save from Jose Reina denied Robbie Keane the opening goal after 30 minutes.

Luka Modric did well to hook Wilson Palacios’s cross back into the six-yard box towards Keane and the former Liverpool forward’s diving header looked destined for the net until Reina plunged to his left to block.

Without the calming influence of Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid earlier this month, Liverpool lacked the ability to cope with the power of Palacios and Tom Huddlestone in midfield.

Lucas Leiva, Alonso’s replacement, and Ryan Babel were well off the pace and it was no surprise when Tottenham took the lead in the 44th minute.

Liverpool failed to clear Huddlestone’s free-kick and Assou-Ekotto, taking possession 25 yards out, hit an unstoppable swerving shot past Reina into the far corner.

Palacios showed Tottenham weren’t going to sit on their lead with a thumping effort early in the second half that Reina did well to tip over.

Benitez’s decision to sign flying England right-back Glen Johnson had signalled his intention to cast off the defensive shackles that contributed to Liverpool’s inability to break down inferior opposition last season.

And it was debutant Johnson who played the key role as Liverpool equalised in the 56th minute.

The 17 million pound signing from Portsmouth surged past two defenders into the penalty area and was up-ended by Heurelho Gomes as the Brazilian charged off his line.

Referee Phil Dowd immediately pointed to the spot and Gerrard stepped up to lash the penalty high into the roof of the net.

But Tottenham refused to let that set-back affect them. Just three minutes later, Jermain Defoe won a free-kick and when Modric curled it into the area, Bassong rose above Carragher to plant a perfect header past Reina.

Gerrard’s free-kick forced Gomes to nervously push over the bar as Liverpool tried to respond, but Benitez was soon ringing the changes, with Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin on for Babel and Kuyt.

Liverpool pressed hard at the end but the closest they came to an equaliser were rejected penalty appeals against Assou-Ekotto, who nudged Voronin and then appeared to handle Torres’s cross.

Sammy Lee, Benitez’s assistant, was so frustrated that he was sent off for a tirade of abuse at the officials. It was that kind of day for Liverpool.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: english football, Fernando Torres, four points, Harry Redknapp, jamie carragher, jose reina, long wait, manchester united, martin skrtel, modric, north London, rafael benitez, real madrid, Robbie Keane, stature, Steven Gerrard, title challenge, white hart lane, wilson palacios, xabi alonso

Man United deny stealing French teen

August 2, 2009

Premier League champions Manchester United have dismissed claims they stole 16-year-old midfielder Paul Pogba from French club Le Havre.

United have been accused of offering very large sums to the parents of the teenager, who has captained the national team at under-16 level, to induce him to end a contract he has until the end of this season.

In an angry statement Le Havre said: “This act is even more unacceptable as it comes from a club with such stature.”

But a United spokesman told BBC Sport: “It is complete nonsense. Everything has been done within UEFA guidelines.”

Le Havre, who were relegated to the French second division last season, claim an agreement between the club, Pogba and his parents was in place for the player to stay until the end of the 2009/2010 season.

A statement – under the heading ‘Manchester United steal Paul Pogba from HAC (Le Havre)’ – on the club’s website said: “Le Havre wishes to express its indignation regarding the dealings of Manchester United’s directors in relation to the young Paul Pogba.

“The player and his parents refused to keep the arrangement because Manchester United offered very high sums of money to the parents of the (player) with the aim of obtaining the transfer of their son.

“At a time when numerous parties – including at European Union level, governmental (level), or within FIFA or UEFA – are speaking out against the ‘trading of minors,’ Manchester United does not hesitate to uproot a 16-year-old kid.”

Players from European Union countries are able to move to Britain on academy or scholarship contracts at 16, and to sign full professional contracts at 17.

By signing a player under the age of 18, the buying club minimises the level of compensation the selling club will get.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

Tags: Britain, european union, european union countries, european union level, FIFA, french club, french teen, governmental level, hac, indignation, Le Havre, league champions, man united, Manchester, manchester united, Paul Pogba, premier league, professional contracts, spokesman, stature, sums of money, uefa

Granqvist keen on Wolfsburg switch

June 22, 2009

FC Groningen defender Andreas Granqvist has declared his interest in a move to newly crowned Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg.

The Swede claims he has been watched by the Wolves, who are reportedly prepared to pay £3million for him.

“I know that the club have watched me play several times,” Granqvist said in Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

Granqvist, who joined Groningen from English side Wigan Athletic last summer, is under contract with the Eredivisie outfit until 2012.

He added: “At the moment I don’t think there is any concrete interest. But we will see what happens in the coming weeks. If I get the chance to play at a top club like Wolfsburg I would of course grab it.

“It’s my ambition to play for a top team and it’s nice that my name is being mentioned at a club of that stature.

“But playing another season at FC Groningen is no problem for me. I’m having a great time there.”

Written by: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, ambition, andreas granqvist, Athletic, Bundesliga, chance, Eredivisie, groningen, having a great time, keen, rajput, several times, stature, wolves

Cahill in World Cup plea to absent Viduka

June 19, 2009

SYDNEY (AFP) – Two-goal Australian hero Tim Cahill has urged undecided striker Mark Viduka to return to the international fold to spearhead the Socceroos World Cup bid in South Africa next year.

Viduka, 33, missed playing in all 14 qualifiers over the past 16 months as Australia qualified for the 2010 finals with two games to spare.

The Newcastle United striker last played for his country in the quarter-final loss on penalties to Japan at the 2007 Asian Cup in Hanoi.

Cahill, whose goals on Wednesday ensured Australia finished top of their Asian World Cup qualifying group after a 2-1 win over Japan, has issued a plea for Viduka to lead Australia’s attack in South Africa.

“He’s a player of stature and brings to the team his experience, knowledge and goals,” Cahill was quoted as saying in Friday’s press.

“Playing off ‘Dukes’ in the last World Cup, people question that he doesn’t get his goals, but he does all the ugly work, holds the ball up, makes us look good, makes me look good.

“We miss that and it’s crazy because we’ll take any experience.”

Australian coach Pim Verbeek has made several fruitless attempts to get Viduka back into the Australian squad.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who plays for Fulham in the EPL, said he has spoken to Viduka about playing at the World Cup.

“I spoke to Mark two games before the end of the Premier League season and told him everything that was going on and what a fantastic opportunity it was to be part of this squad and the group of guys and the management,” Schwarzer said.

“I said to him that if he has any possibility to join he should jump at the chance, and hopefully he does.”

Cahill said Australia’s comfortable qualification has put pressure on the Socceroos to improve on their last World Cup performance in Germany where they were beaten by eventual champions Italy via a last-minute penalty in the second round.

“The World Cup’s a lot of pressure on us now. We expect to do better and we’ll be putting a lot of pressure on ourselves to emulate what we did in Germany and, hopefully, go one better,” Cahill said.

The Everton star said he would be back at Goodison Park for the beginning of the English pre-season on July 13.

Tags: asian cup, asian world cup, Australia, epl, fruitless attempts, fulham, Germany, Goodison Park, hanoi, hero, Italy, Japan, Mark, mark schwarzer, mark viduka, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, plea, premier league, socceroos world cup, South Africa, stature, SYDNEY, tim cahill, two games, verbeek, World Cup, world cup performance, world cup qualifying group

Kaka ready to assume more responsibility

June 17, 2009

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AFP) – Superstar Kaka, buoyed by his recent high-profile move from AC Milan to Real Madrid, is ready to accept more responsibility as a senior player with Brazil.

The 27-year-old, who signed a six-year contract with the Spanish giants for a reported fee of 65 million euros earlier this month, recognises his growing stature as a senior player in Dunga’s national team.

His willingness to step up was evident in Brazil’s 4-3 victory over Egypt in the Confederations Cup here.

When the referee blew for a penalty in injury time with the scores tied 3-3, the Brazil No.10 showed no hesitation, immediately making his way to the spot before placing his strike past goalkeeper Essam El Hadary.

“Yes, I’m now a leader within the squad. Definitely not the only one, but one of several,” he told Fifa.com.

“It is to be expected that more senior players such as myself, Gilberto Silva, Lucio or even Robinho should take on more responsibilities.

“It’s a role that I take in my stride as it’s a natural progression, it’s not something that was forced upon me.”

His decision to step forward for the penalty kick in a pressure situation was seen by many as a defining moment and one that he said he had learned to handle during his time at AC Milan.

“I think that my attitude is what people expect from me in the national team,” said the midfielder, who will link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real next season after the Portuguese forward’s move from Manchester United.

“As for the crucial penalty against Egypt, for example, I’m used to those situations from my last few seasons at AC Milan, so it’s only natural that I should perform a similar role for the national team.”

Kaka was at AC Milan since arriving from Sao Paolo in 2003, scoring 70 goals in Serie A and 23 in the Champions League.

He won the 2007 Champions League with them, the 2004 league title, two European Super Cups and the world club championship in 2007.

His experience also stretches to World Cups.

He was part of the winning squad at Korea/Japan in 2002, though in a peripheral role, and was a starter at Germany 2006 in a team packed with household names like Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu and Ronaldinho.

Despite his high-profile summer transfer the Brasilia-born attacking midfielder, crowned FIFA World Player of the Year in 2007, was not at his best last season, spending time on the sidelines with injuries.

But he is now fit and gnashing at the bit, keen to see Brazil win the Confederations Cup and do well at the World Cup in South Africa next year.

“Playing in the Confederations Cup is a great opportunity ahead of the 2010 World Cup, and as long as we remain strong in adversity like against Egypt, I think we’ll be on the right track,” he said.