December 6th, 2009 by admin

Fabio Capello is not one for showing his emotions, but he did find it hard to conceal his delight with England’s World Cup draw.

English supporter must be delighted as they avoided the Group of Death, instead had been granted a place in the Group of Breath with the USA, Algeria and Slovenia.

“I don’t think it is an easy draw. I will be telling the players it is not an easy group,” News of the World quoted Capello, as saying.

Look elsewhere and you see Germany lined up against Australia, Serbia and Ghana, or Brazil pitted against Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea.

However, Capello says that England won’t have it easy.

“Look, we respect everyone but we fear no country. That has to be the attitude. The biggest test, though, will be the first game. There is always a massive amount of pressure when it comes to the first game, especially psychologically,” he said.

“In that respect, I see the USA as potentially dangerous opponents because they are a very physical team but they also now have good technique. They showed how good they are in the way they performed in the Confederations Cup here in South Africa last summer, especially when they beat Spain,” he added.

Capello’s message is clear – we respect all teams but we fear none.

“There will be no easy games. We respect all of the teams but we have to do what we have to do. Yes, there are stronger groups than ours. But that doesn’t mean to say ours is easy,” he said.

“Every game at a World Cup is different, especially because of the psychological pressure. But, yes, I am in a good mood. I think this is England’s time but I also respect the other teams,” he added.

Bring it on!

November 30th, 2009 by admin

If football history is to run to form then Hughes will not be the city manager for much longer. We all know that when a football club owner gives you a vote of confidence that your days are numbered.

According to The Sun, Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak are believed to be willing to give Hughes time to turn the draws into three points as the club chases its first trophy in 33 years.

Hughes said: “Arsenal and Chelsea could be a big springboard for us. We’re all looking forward to going up against Arsenal. It will be a huge night. We have to be up for the challenge. I sense we will be.”

Asked if he had spoken to Khaldoon about the current situation, Hughes replied: “I don’t think that’s an issue yet.”

Hughes out of a jon before the end of the year?

November 10th, 2009 by admin

Former multi grand slam winner Agassi thinks Andy Murray will win a Grand Slam.

“Murray has a self inflicting tortured spirit about him when he’s on the court. In the last 18 months, he’s learnt how to use it,” Agassi said.

“He needs to stay with it. I know he was on the verge in a couple of grand slams, with the hopes of doing it, and once he wins one, he’ll keep going.

He’s proved that he’s a strong person. My advice? To keep getting better. Every day’s an opportunity to get one day better. He shouldn’t get hung up on results. Results are a by-product of your commitment and work ethic and not cutting a corner,” The Times quoted Agassi, as saying.

October 31st, 2009 by admin

Cristiano Ronaldo upset many United fans with his latest statement claiming he wants his former strike partner Wayne Rooney to join his club Real Madrid.

Ronaldo said the Manchester United striker would be a sure-fire hit alongside him in Spain.

“Wayne would be a sensation out here. I think we could do with Rooney to help us out. He would be brilliant if he came. This is the ideal place for the world’s best players and there’s little doubt he is one of them,” he said.

“Wayne has all the skill and determination you need to make a fine career here. He has shown just how good he is over the last few years in England. And there’s no doubt he would be the same sort of player in Spain. It would be lovely to see him here one day at Real Madrid,” The Sun quoted Ronaldo, as saying.

“I realise it would take a lot for him to move from England. He loves the country, he loves Manchester and he is a Liverpool boy. And United is a good club for him. But you never know what could happen in the future,” he added.

I can’t see Fergie letting Rooney go anywhere. Can you?

October 19th, 2009 by admin

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is in a bit of trouble in regards to comments he made about the fitnesss of referee Alan Wiley.

Fergie’s comments came after Man U’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland on 3 October, Ferguson had said: “The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He (Wiley) was not fit.”

Though Ferguson did apologize to Wiley, he could face a hefty fine or a touchline ban if he is found guilty.

“Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct,” The Independent quoted a FA statement, as saying.

“The charge relates to media comments made by Ferguson about referee Alan Wiley following United’s match against Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3. He has until November 3 to respond to the charge,” the statement added.

October 7th, 2009 by admin

It looks like Nott’s County’s big plans are in tatters and there is no chance that Campbell will return. Latest reports suggest a shock return to Arsenal for Campbell! Can these rumours be true? At the moment Cambell is just training with Arsenal but we expect a contract to be on the table in the very near future.

Former England star Campbell said: “It will be great to train here and get fit. I’ve spoken to Arsene. Hopefully, we can speak to the right people and get a couple of the physios and fitness guys to help me train.”

September 30th, 2009 by admin

Not sure if Ashley Cole will be happy to hear this but Gay magazine Attitude has compiled a list of sportsmen with the “camp factor”, reports the Daily Star.

And the 28-year-old footie star has made it to the top 10 because he is married to Cheryl Cole, 26, who has a huge gay fan base.

Enough said!

September 16th, 2009 by admin

Liverpool fans hoping for big money signings took may not like what co-owner Tom Hicks had to say on the matter. He said the Reds will continue to operate as a “smart club” and will never be tempted into an “unsustainable” spending spree as carried out by Manchester City.

Hicks told The Times: “You have to look ‘cash flow’ rather than accounting – and we intend to operate Liverpool where it has a very strong positive cash flow, so we have the resources to be as competitive as possible on the pitch.”

“We had strong, positive cash flows last year. Our debt levels are at a very comfortable level, and we are going to continue bringing it down.Our goal is to have less debt than any of the top clubs, and that’s a commitment we have made and will continue to make,” The Independent quoted him, as saying.

Hicks also said that City’s huge outlay on signings is not sustainable.

September 5th, 2009 by admin

Cappello’s long term future is not dependant on Englands progress in nexts year’s Wolrd Cup. It is reported that the Italian has a 6 million pound-a-year deal with the Football Association until 2012.

“The target is to respect my full contract. It ends in 2012 and I want to respect it.

It is not only a matter for me but also for the FA,” The Sun quoted Capello, as saying.

Capello has led England to the brink of World Cup qualification with seven straight wins.

But after last month’s 2-2 friendly draw in Holland, the Three Lions chief has warned that there can be no more slip-ups against Slovenia today.

“We have defended very well in all of the competitive games but in the friendly matches we have been so-so. We have made mistakes and I have discussed this matter with the team,” he said.

Skipper John Terry revealed: “The manager is very strong-minded and if he sees a mistake he will sit there for 30 or 40 minutes in the team meeting until the message is clear.”

August 31st, 2009 by admin

Remember when Beckham returned to LA Galaxy after an extended spell at Milan and the fans turned on him? Well it looks like he has turned it around after transforming his struggling side into title contenders in just six weeks.

Since Beckham’s return, Galaxy have won four of their seven matches and lost just one.

Now fans are cheering The Becks Factor with their team tipped to reach the play-offs for the first time in three years, The Sun reported.

Becks, 34, sparked wild celebrations as he drilled home the 80th-minute winner in a 1-0 victory over local rivals Chivas USA on Saturday.

Internet forums were flooded with jubilant Galaxy fans hailing Becks.

One, using the nickname “drew coho ohio” wrote on bigsoccer.com: “Great Job Sir David Beckham! The team’s got heart and fire.”

Pegasus 503 wrote: “He looked like a man who cared.”

While “dashiel” joked: “My new favourite bit of side-amusement at games is hearing people scream, ‘Beckham you suck’ seconds before he scores – then cheering like crazy!”

Beckham was jeered during his first game, while banners branded him a “part-timer”.

And he had to be escorted from the field at half-time after he confronted booing fans in the stands.