Riding the crest from the shocking victory over Manchester United, Jermaine Beckford has formally requested a transfer from Leeds. The twenty-six year-old striker is without a contract at seasons end and sought after by a numbers of clubs, including Newcastle.
As per Leeds formal statement:
"Leeds United can confirm that Jermaine Beckford has handed in a transfer request. The transfer request was handed in on Dec 30. By handing in a transfer request it clearly indicates that the player wants to leave Leeds United."
With Newcastle the apparent front-runner, though still well off Leeds rumoured asking price of £3m, Mr. Bates and company are making it known that the striker will not come cheap, further adding in the statement:
"However, that will only be allowed to happen in the event that it is decided to be in the best interests of Leeds United. The best interests of Leeds United involve receiving both an acceptable transfer fee and securing a suitable replacement to ensure his departure does not have an adverse effect on the club's overall aim of securing promotion back to the Championship."
For Leeds, the situation is both a troublesome predicament as well as being inevitable. Jermaine Beckford has been under the looking glass for the last three campaigns and Sunday's performance against Manchester United where he not only scored the matches lone goal but consistently out duelled Wes Brown, reaffirmed the strikers desire to move to the higher ranks. Whilst speculative in nature, one could assume that he is looking ahead with his sights towards Newcastle's successful promotional bid, thus jettisoning him to the Premier League. That aside many will question whether the move on his part is shortsighted and like youngster Fabian Delph, who has rarely seen the pitch since moving to Aston Villa, he would do better staying the course with Leeds.
prepared by J.Davies
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Rubin Kazan’s Cristian Ansaldi to join Manchester City
If rumours are accurate, Rubin Kazan’s Cristian Ansaldi is in route to English Premier League side Manchester City with a transfer fee in the range of €4.2m (£6m). Per Russian media outlet Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс), the twenty-three year-old left back, who as been highly sought after in the winter transfer market with Benfica, Real Zaragoza and Atlético Madrid vying for his services, will be the first major signing for new manager Roberto Mancini.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Leeds begins road back with defeat of Manchester United
Entering the day, Leeds United visit of Old Trafford to face nemesis Manchester United in the FA Cup offered a cornucopia of story lines. Yet in a magical moment that seems destined to live in the lore of Leeds, the troubled League One side rose up, against the odds and resurrected the hopes and dreams of its faithful for a gallant 1-0 victory over mighty Manchester United.
The fall of once great Leeds has been a tale that has been told countless times, a great warning for all clubs who suffer financial fallout as they tumbled from the lofty perches of the Champions League to the third division of English football. On the opposite side of the equation, Manchester United with its billowing hardware case and array of international stars, were clearly the heavy favourites of the day. However, as situations as these so often go, today was not one for favourites and predictable events, as Leeds found within their claret a bit a magic in route to the victory.
As the day began, Man Utd’s erstwhile leader, Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly aware that his opposition posed an eye towards playing David to their Golaith. Still with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in the Reds line-up Leeds was dreadfully out-matched, on paper that is. Leeds, too their credit, took a noteworthy opening stance and pushing aside comments of more defensive approach and instead launched forward with the striking tandem of Luciano Becchio and Jermaine Beckford. Tactically the move seemed both noble as an aggressive stance but equally suicidal, as the third division side would be easy pickings for the hosts.
At the opening whistle, Man Utd showed a sense of belonging, if not belief that they would given their fans the victory they hoped for. Yet slowly the tables turned, just ever so slightly at first as the curmudgeonly Leeds eleven began to press forward. Then finally it struck like a watchtower bell at the eighteenth minute, the 74,000 were shocked as Leeds notched what would become the matches lone goal. Remarkably, in a week that featured the first Premier League match in which not a single player born in the England graced the opening line-up, it was Jonny Howson, the hometown hero who turned the screw. With a magnificent long diagonal ball, he found Jermaine Beckford who once again outdistanced himself from statuesque defender Wes Brown and after chesting the ball down, the striker slid his twentieth goal of the campaign under ‘keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. Man Utd rolled-up its well-appointed sleeves and went to work, intent on the equalizer and only moments later Wayne Rooney’s goal bound effort was cleared from the line by veteran Jason Crowe. The thin margin continued and with much talent at Sir Alex’s disposal, he summoned Ryan Giggs in three minutes shy of the hour with Michael Owen not that long after. Pressure ensued in the Leeds end but despite the many efforts, Leeds clung to the lead. As regulation time ended, young Aiden White, eighteen years of age and a product of the Leeds academy was called upon for Andy Hughes as the Whites desperately held the lead. Tension thickened with five minutes of added-time called, surely an equalizer was in the offing but heroics were in store for Leeds ‘keeper Casper Ankergren with a stunning match saving save in the fourth minute. With the final tick of the clock, the white knuckle affair ended and for the 9,000 Leeds supporters who had made their way along the M62 to the Theatre of Dreams, their side resurrected the glory of the past once more in the greatest of fashions.
To continue reading please visit Europa League News.
The fall of once great Leeds has been a tale that has been told countless times, a great warning for all clubs who suffer financial fallout as they tumbled from the lofty perches of the Champions League to the third division of English football. On the opposite side of the equation, Manchester United with its billowing hardware case and array of international stars, were clearly the heavy favourites of the day. However, as situations as these so often go, today was not one for favourites and predictable events, as Leeds found within their claret a bit a magic in route to the victory.
As the day began, Man Utd’s erstwhile leader, Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly aware that his opposition posed an eye towards playing David to their Golaith. Still with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in the Reds line-up Leeds was dreadfully out-matched, on paper that is. Leeds, too their credit, took a noteworthy opening stance and pushing aside comments of more defensive approach and instead launched forward with the striking tandem of Luciano Becchio and Jermaine Beckford. Tactically the move seemed both noble as an aggressive stance but equally suicidal, as the third division side would be easy pickings for the hosts.
At the opening whistle, Man Utd showed a sense of belonging, if not belief that they would given their fans the victory they hoped for. Yet slowly the tables turned, just ever so slightly at first as the curmudgeonly Leeds eleven began to press forward. Then finally it struck like a watchtower bell at the eighteenth minute, the 74,000 were shocked as Leeds notched what would become the matches lone goal. Remarkably, in a week that featured the first Premier League match in which not a single player born in the England graced the opening line-up, it was Jonny Howson, the hometown hero who turned the screw. With a magnificent long diagonal ball, he found Jermaine Beckford who once again outdistanced himself from statuesque defender Wes Brown and after chesting the ball down, the striker slid his twentieth goal of the campaign under ‘keeper Tomasz Kuszczak. Man Utd rolled-up its well-appointed sleeves and went to work, intent on the equalizer and only moments later Wayne Rooney’s goal bound effort was cleared from the line by veteran Jason Crowe. The thin margin continued and with much talent at Sir Alex’s disposal, he summoned Ryan Giggs in three minutes shy of the hour with Michael Owen not that long after. Pressure ensued in the Leeds end but despite the many efforts, Leeds clung to the lead. As regulation time ended, young Aiden White, eighteen years of age and a product of the Leeds academy was called upon for Andy Hughes as the Whites desperately held the lead. Tension thickened with five minutes of added-time called, surely an equalizer was in the offing but heroics were in store for Leeds ‘keeper Casper Ankergren with a stunning match saving save in the fourth minute. With the final tick of the clock, the white knuckle affair ended and for the 9,000 Leeds supporters who had made their way along the M62 to the Theatre of Dreams, their side resurrected the glory of the past once more in the greatest of fashions.
To continue reading please visit Europa League News.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Monterrey over Santos 2-0
It's taken quite some time but finally the Rayados gave their supporters a glimpse of how good the club can be, with a resounding 2-0 victory over Santos at the Tecnológico en Monterrey.
With pinpoint accuracy William Paredes opened the scoring with a perfectly placed left footed strike. The Rayados continued to pressure and if it was not for stellar work of Oswaldo Sánchez, the score would have been much worse. Twenty-four minutes into the match, Santos efforts were challenged as Juan Pablo Rodríguez was red-carded. Excluding the later stages of the match, Santos scoring efforts were at an extreme premium. Finally Monterrey broke through the visitors defense, as Carlos Ochoa brought the match to its final 2-0 conclusion with a nice piece of skilled ball handling to the Santos goal.
With the international break Monterrey is not off till September 14 when they face Toluca.
Match Details
Monterrey
1 Jonathan Emmanuel Orozco,19 José Hiber Ruiz (Octavio Valdez 46'),21 Diego Ordaz,23 Felipe Baloy,15 José María Basanta,2 Severo Meza,8 Luis Ernesto Pérez,22 William Paredes,28 Jesús Arellano (José Joel González 68'),9 Carlos Ochoa,26 Humberto Suazo (Gabriel Choy González 73')
Santos
1 Oswaldo Sánchez,4 Jorge Iván Estrada,19 Rafael Alejandro Figueroa,3 Fernando Ortiz,15 Edgar Eduardo Castillo (Jorge Barrera 58'),58 Juan Pablo Rodríguez,7 Walter Jiménez,5 Fernando Arce,26 Francisco Torres,11 Christian Benítez,30 Vicente Matías Vuoso(Daniel Emmanuel Ludueña 58')
With pinpoint accuracy William Paredes opened the scoring with a perfectly placed left footed strike. The Rayados continued to pressure and if it was not for stellar work of Oswaldo Sánchez, the score would have been much worse. Twenty-four minutes into the match, Santos efforts were challenged as Juan Pablo Rodríguez was red-carded. Excluding the later stages of the match, Santos scoring efforts were at an extreme premium. Finally Monterrey broke through the visitors defense, as Carlos Ochoa brought the match to its final 2-0 conclusion with a nice piece of skilled ball handling to the Santos goal.
With the international break Monterrey is not off till September 14 when they face Toluca.
Match Details
Monterrey
1 Jonathan Emmanuel Orozco,19 José Hiber Ruiz (Octavio Valdez 46'),21 Diego Ordaz,23 Felipe Baloy,15 José María Basanta,2 Severo Meza,8 Luis Ernesto Pérez,22 William Paredes,28 Jesús Arellano (José Joel González 68'),9 Carlos Ochoa,26 Humberto Suazo (Gabriel Choy González 73')
Santos
1 Oswaldo Sánchez,4 Jorge Iván Estrada,19 Rafael Alejandro Figueroa,3 Fernando Ortiz,15 Edgar Eduardo Castillo (Jorge Barrera 58'),58 Juan Pablo Rodríguez,7 Walter Jiménez,5 Fernando Arce,26 Francisco Torres,11 Christian Benítez,30 Vicente Matías Vuoso(Daniel Emmanuel Ludueña 58')
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Catania over Genoa 1-0
Genoa’s opening match of the campaign against Catania was spoiled with Giuseppe Mascara’s sixty-first minute strike that gave the Sicilian club the 1-0 victory. However the match will be remembered by Rossoblu manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, for squandered opportunities and the inability to finish in the attacking end. Clearly Genoa’s defensive issues of last season were greatly nullified in this match. Roughly sixty per-cent of the match was in the Catania end but Walter Zenga’s defensive line held strong with physical, tough marking and reducing sight-lines. Catania ‘keeper Albano Bizzarri kept a cool head, was only challenged on three shots and maintained his angles perfectly. Genoa’s closest opportunity to level the match was Davide Di Gennaro set-play from twenty meters out near the seventy minute mark, which sailed high. The toll of the Sicilian summer sun and physical play with over fifty fouls and eight yellow cards clearly had an impact upon the squads as pace and work-rate deflated as the match wore on. Tactically, from the Rossazzurri vantage, it was textbook Football, controlling play with a defensive set, very good at breaking down the lines of attack and taking advantage of the counter. Their marking was perfect and truthfully Genoa never had a good sight line in the attack. They will need to address the tempo of play as they seemed to slow the attack down and lacked in creativity. If there was a surprise it was that Raffaele Palladino started the match on the bench, however I expect that to change very shortly.
Match Details
Genoa
83 Rubinho, 25 Biava,13 Ferrari, 4 Criscito,7 Rossi, 68 Vanden Borre (20 Mesto ‘76), 28 Juric, 23 Modesto, 14 Sculli (21 Di Gennaro ‘66), 11 Olivera, 18 Gasbarroni (10 Palladino 60′)
Unused substitutes:15 Papastathopoulos, 73 Scarpi, 9 Figueroa, 26 Bocchetti
Catania
1 Bizarri,21 Silvestri,6 Stovini,4 Silvestre,14 Alvarez,10 Dică (Tedesco 60′),27 Biagianti,8 Ledesma,9 Paolucci,25 Martinez (Antenucci 85′),7 Mascara (Terlizzi 89′)
Unused substitutes: Sardo, Plasmati, Morimoto, Kosicky
The Old Firm
As expected, the Old Firm was a hot-tempered affair with both clubs finishing one-man down and Rangers stunning Celtic with a resounding 4-2 victory.
Surprise starter Daniel Cousin threaded a shot in at the thirty-seventh minute from a ridiculously tight angle to give Rangers a one goal margin. However Greek international Georgios Samaras leveled the score a few minutes later when he pounced on a bad clearance from Sasa Papac and slotted home a goal from five or so meters. The pace of the second half was hot and heavy and Kenny Miller gave the Rangers the lead again seven minutes after the break when he converted on a Charlie Adam cross. Pedro Mendes added to the lead when rocketed a shot past Artur Boruc to the bottom corner, who was having a uncharacteristically bad day, some twenty meters out at the sixty-second minute. By the seventy-sixth minute, tempers flared and both Daniel Cousin and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink were shown red-cards. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s mental lapse was particularly costly as it was more of a retribution type when they had a one man advantage. At the seventy-ninth minute Artur Boruc’s nightmare day continued when he bobbled a volley and Kenny Miller netted the rebound for his second of the day. Deep into added time Shunsuke Nakamura struck a academy-lesson on how to strike a free-kick. To say it was a thing of beauty is an understatement.
This was a great victory for the Rangers and while this leaves them in a celebratory mood, they must remain composed and focus upon one match at a time. This is a long season and championships are not won in August.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson (Hutchinson 84), Nakamura, Hartley (Robson 72), Scott Brown, McGeady, Maloney, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 72).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Crosas, Loovens, O’Dea.
Sent Off: Vennegoor of Hesselink (76). Booked: McManus, Samaras.
Goals: Samaras 39, Nakamura 90.
Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Thomson, Adam (Novo 78), Cousin, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Alexander, Edu, Dailly, Lafferty, Niguez, McMillan.
Sent Off: Cousin (75). Booked: Thomson, Cousin, Adam, McGregor, Broadfoot.
Goals: Cousin 37, Miller 52, Pedro Mendes 62, Miller 79.
Surprise starter Daniel Cousin threaded a shot in at the thirty-seventh minute from a ridiculously tight angle to give Rangers a one goal margin. However Greek international Georgios Samaras leveled the score a few minutes later when he pounced on a bad clearance from Sasa Papac and slotted home a goal from five or so meters. The pace of the second half was hot and heavy and Kenny Miller gave the Rangers the lead again seven minutes after the break when he converted on a Charlie Adam cross. Pedro Mendes added to the lead when rocketed a shot past Artur Boruc to the bottom corner, who was having a uncharacteristically bad day, some twenty meters out at the sixty-second minute. By the seventy-sixth minute, tempers flared and both Daniel Cousin and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink were shown red-cards. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s mental lapse was particularly costly as it was more of a retribution type when they had a one man advantage. At the seventy-ninth minute Artur Boruc’s nightmare day continued when he bobbled a volley and Kenny Miller netted the rebound for his second of the day. Deep into added time Shunsuke Nakamura struck a academy-lesson on how to strike a free-kick. To say it was a thing of beauty is an understatement.
This was a great victory for the Rangers and while this leaves them in a celebratory mood, they must remain composed and focus upon one match at a time. This is a long season and championships are not won in August.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson (Hutchinson 84), Nakamura, Hartley (Robson 72), Scott Brown, McGeady, Maloney, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 72).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Crosas, Loovens, O’Dea.
Sent Off: Vennegoor of Hesselink (76). Booked: McManus, Samaras.
Goals: Samaras 39, Nakamura 90.
Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis, Pedro Mendes, Thomson, Adam (Novo 78), Cousin, Miller.
Subs Not Used: Alexander, Edu, Dailly, Lafferty, Niguez, McMillan.
Sent Off: Cousin (75). Booked: Thomson, Cousin, Adam, McGregor, Broadfoot.
Goals: Cousin 37, Miller 52, Pedro Mendes 62, Miller 79.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Dynamo Kyiv defeats Spartak Moscow 4-1
Dynamo Kyiv's destruction of Spartak Moscow is complete as they obliterated their old rivals 4-1 in a Champions League qualifier match.
This wasn’t as close as thescore-line reads as the Ukraine squad were in control of the match start to finish. They opened-up scoring at the four-minute mark as Oleksandr Aliev waltzed through the Spartak defense and sent the ball into the back of net. Taras Mykhalyk doubled the score twenty minutes later as his cross was flicked on by Ismael Bangoura. Two minutes after the break Spartak’s Artem Dzjuba brought the visitors to within one but this dance with respectability didn't last long. Dynamo's Artem Milevskiy scored two minutes later and then again twelve minutes from time to bring the match to its final 4-1 score. Dynamo Kyiv advances to the next round of the Champions League.
This wasn’t as close as thescore-line reads as the Ukraine squad were in control of the match start to finish. They opened-up scoring at the four-minute mark as Oleksandr Aliev waltzed through the Spartak defense and sent the ball into the back of net. Taras Mykhalyk doubled the score twenty minutes later as his cross was flicked on by Ismael Bangoura. Two minutes after the break Spartak’s Artem Dzjuba brought the visitors to within one but this dance with respectability didn't last long. Dynamo's Artem Milevskiy scored two minutes later and then again twelve minutes from time to bring the match to its final 4-1 score. Dynamo Kyiv advances to the next round of the Champions League.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
week 1 FC Porto
As you may have gathered I am a big supporter of the Portuguese Liga and each week I'll be looking at the a highlight match. With the start of the campaign, none would be better than the start of FC Porto's defense of their title.
Porto's quest for their sixth Portuguese Liga title in the decade and fourth in a row started today with a solid 2-0 victory over Belenenses at Estádio do Dragão. It has been a trying pre-season for the champions as they they are facing the reality that the talismanic Ricardo Quaresma wishes to play elsewhere and they have looked less than impressive in the attack without him. In the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira the offensive flourish that is characteristic of the squad was absent and to complete today's match most of their upper-tier players were on international duty this Wednesday and manager Jesualdo Ferreira was dealing with some interesting decisions.
In speaking to the media pre-match, Jesualdo Ferreira had commented that he had learned from the Supertaça defeat and corrected the problems. Proving true to his word Porto came out looking likely a completely different squad in comparison to the Supertaça and displayed creative yet confident flourish.
The match was an overwhelming one-sided affair from the get-go and quickly Mariano González gave the champions the lead at the fifteenth minute. Finishing still needs some work but the quality of movement and tactical precision was superb. New addition Cristian Săpunaru did a tremendous job and in the back-line and served notice that Porto is planning towards its Champions League bid. Fellow new-man Hulk was brought-in for Cristian Rodríguez with thirty-one minutes left in the match and was rewarded with his first goal with a brilliant left-footed strike from roughly twenty meters out to the far corner to bring the match to its final 2-0 score.
A brilliant start to the new season with the action picking up next week as they face Benfica.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Porto starts defense of title
Porto's quest for their sixth Portuguese Liga title in the decade and fourth in a row started today with a solid 2-0 victory over Belenenses at Estádio do Dragão. It has been a trying pre-season for the champions as they they are facing the reality that the talismanic Ricardo Quaresma wishes to play elsewhere and they have looked less than impressive in the attack without him. In the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira the offensive flourish that is characteristic of the squad was absent and to complete today's match most of their upper-tier players were on international duty this Wednesday and manager Jesualdo Ferreira was dealing with some interesting decisions.
In speaking to the media pre-match, Jesualdo Ferreira had commented that he had learned from the Supertaça defeat and corrected the problems. Proving true to his word Porto came out looking likely a completely different squad in comparison to the Supertaça and displayed creative yet confident flourish.
The match was an overwhelming one-sided affair from the get-go and quickly Mariano González gave the champions the lead at the fifteenth minute. Finishing still needs some work but the quality of movement and tactical precision was superb. New addition Cristian Săpunaru did a tremendous job and in the back-line and served notice that Porto is planning towards its Champions League bid. Fellow new-man Hulk was brought-in for Cristian Rodríguez with thirty-one minutes left in the match and was rewarded with his first goal with a brilliant left-footed strike from roughly twenty meters out to the far corner to bring the match to its final 2-0 score.
A brilliant start to the new season with the action picking up next week as they face Benfica.
In speaking to the media pre-match, Jesualdo Ferreira had commented that he had learned from the Supertaça defeat and corrected the problems. Proving true to his word Porto came out looking likely a completely different squad in comparison to the Supertaça and displayed creative yet confident flourish.
The match was an overwhelming one-sided affair from the get-go and quickly Mariano González gave the champions the lead at the fifteenth minute. Finishing still needs some work but the quality of movement and tactical precision was superb. New addition Cristian Săpunaru did a tremendous job and in the back-line and served notice that Porto is planning towards its Champions League bid. Fellow new-man Hulk was brought-in for Cristian Rodríguez with thirty-one minutes left in the match and was rewarded with his first goal with a brilliant left-footed strike from roughly twenty meters out to the far corner to bring the match to its final 2-0 score.
A brilliant start to the new season with the action picking up next week as they face Benfica.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Euro 2008 Netherlands v France preview
The Netherlands can seal their advancement to the quarter-finals with a victory over France. France which looked positively abysmal against Romania needs to play a more inspired and creative match or they will likely find themselves out of the tournament.
Marco Van Basten will not tinker with the Netherlands front lines as we will see Ruud van Nistlerooy ready to poach with Rafael Van Der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder in support.
Raymond Domenech will have Thierry Henry back from injury with Karim Benzema. Samir Nasri will be drafted into the midfield with Franck Ribéry moving over to the left. It is also possible that Patrick Vieira will be match fit.
My prediction...simple, without Zizou, France is not ready. Legends aren't replaced like cold product and mes amis, it will take time. The Oranje will take this.
btw..Zinedine's birthday is this June 23rd and you do know he's only 36. Impossible you say...well don't tell me that.
Marco Van Basten will not tinker with the Netherlands front lines as we will see Ruud van Nistlerooy ready to poach with Rafael Van Der Vaart, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder in support.
Raymond Domenech will have Thierry Henry back from injury with Karim Benzema. Samir Nasri will be drafted into the midfield with Franck Ribéry moving over to the left. It is also possible that Patrick Vieira will be match fit.
My prediction...simple, without Zizou, France is not ready. Legends aren't replaced like cold product and mes amis, it will take time. The Oranje will take this.
btw..Zinedine's birthday is this June 23rd and you do know he's only 36. Impossible you say...well don't tell me that.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Panache
Huge breaking news from BBC that Sam Allardyce's managerial of Newcastle reign has ended after 24 matches reached by "mutual agreement". Rumors flying of Alan Shearer taking control will be rampant although it has been further reported that it will not be happening.
Jens Lehmann's move to Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga is being reported as complete
With the Reds off to Riverside to face Middlesbrough eyes will be turned towards the club’s performance after a horrible match in the third round of the FA Cup against League One, Luton.
Luton, which is dealing with significant problems associated with being “under administration” put up a spirited performance against Liverpool in a 1-1 draw this past Sunday. While it is true that the Reds were without the likes of Mr Stephen Gerrard, Torres, Kewell, Mascherano, Reina, Arbeloa and Aurelio what was left, gave an uninspired and unimaginative performance, once again raising a perplexed eyebrow if Rafael Benitez is the man to bring the title home.
While it is unclear whether the American ownership group of Hicks and Gillett are circling the wagons and preparing to replace Benitez with the likes of the often rumored Juergen Klinsmann who resides in sunny Southern California, quite obviously Rafa is spending a great deal of time in damage-control and has somewhat relented on his cash requests for the present January transfer window. Although it remains to be seen if Klinsmann is keen on leaving the cozy confines and the beautiful people of Huntington Beach (although I do believe he like many are tiring of the rapidly changing area) to reside full-time in Liverpool. Knowing his stance previously, any involvement with Liverpool is likely posturing without any real intent and more for bargaining leverage and given he has resisted that previous offers (including when he was head-coach for Germany) any decision he makes will be purely lifestyle and profile associated. Yet the hand-writing is on-the-wall in that without a significant run towards the top level of the Premier League or success in Europe, Mr Benitez’ fate will be the same of Sam Allardyce.
Fulham @ West Ham
Newcastle> @ Manchester United
Ligue 1 Orange
St Etienne @ Valenciennes
AJ Auxerre @ FC Girondins de Bordeaux
AS Nancy Lorraine @ SM Caen
FC Sochaux Montbeliard @ Le Mans Union Club 72
F.C. Metz @ Lille
Toulouse F.C. @ Olympique Lyonnais
FC Lorient Bretagne @ AS Monaco F.C.
OGC Nice @ RC Strasbourg
Eredivisie
SB Excelsior @ FC Groningen
SC Heerenveen @ FC Utrecht
VVV Venlo@ NAC Breda
Willem II Tilburg @ Roda JC Kerkrade
1-13-08
Serie A
Roma @ Atalanta
Udinese @ Cagliari
Genoa @ Lazio Società Sportiva
ACF Fiorentina @ FC Parma
Palermo @ Sampdoria
Internazionale@ AS Siena
AS Livorno Calcio @ Torino FC
SSC Napoli @ (AC)Milan Associazione Calcio
English Premier League
Portsmouth @ Sunderland AFC
Blackburn @ Bolton
La Liga
Espanyol @ Union Deportivo Almeria
FC Sevilla @ Athletic Bilbao
Valencia Club de Futbol @ Atlético Madrid
Real Murcia C.F. @ FC Barcelona
Real Madrid C.F.@ Levante Unión Deportiva
Real Racing Santander @ Club Atlético Osasuna
Getafe C.F. @ Real Betis
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca @ Real Zaragoza
Recreativo Huelva @ Real Valladolid C.F.
Deportivo La Coruña @ Villarreal
Ligue 1 Orange
Lens travel south to Paris to face Paris Saint-Germain FC (maybe this is a good time for some obscure Parisian references or "things to do" in Paris. But of course mes amis, since we're in Paris it's only a café au lait and a quick jump to the Alps and Courchevel. Hmm, I better get back to Football-talk or I'll be telling you about a time long ago and this perfect little place by the banks of the Sienne when it all could have been so very different, so very, very different....l'argent ne fait pas boneheur...enough drama for you yet?)
Olympique de Marseille travel to the north-west in their match against Stade Rennais F.C.
Eredivisie
AZ Alkmaar @ Ajax Amsterdam
Vitesse Arnhem @ De Graafschap
PSV Eindhoven @ Feyenoord Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam @ SC Heracles Almelo
1-14-08
English Premier League
Tottenham @ Chelsea
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
