Norwich have built their campaign so far on an impressively fit squad, and they easily out ran a young Manchester United team in their last outing, covering 124.4km compared to United’s 122.9km
Bradley Johnson once again covered more ground than any other player with 12.5km
Johnson has been the motor behind the Norwich team this season, and their squad have covered by far the most ground of any club in the Barclays Premier League with 868.7km. Newcastle are second with 834.4km covered but have still covered 4% less ground than Norwich.
Leon Barnett is the top ranked Norwich player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index in 49th place. The defender scored his one goal of the season against Sunderland, and has also won every one of the ten tackles he has attempted while adding 9 clearances and 9 blocks
Marc Tierney is the next highest ranked player in 70th place, and has won 82% of the 17 tackles he has attempted
Steve Morison has expressed that club rivalries will resume when he returns from international duty with Wales to face Swansea. Morison has netted once this season from 11 attempts at goal, getting 55% of shots on target
Swansea took 5 Barclays Premier League games before they scored their first goal, but have since scored six in three games
Scott Sinclair has scored two of those goals from 16 efforts at goal, getting 50% on target.
New signing Danny Graham scored his first goals for the club against Stoke have previously had 14 efforts at goal, again getting 50% on target
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Wales defender Ashley Williams is the Swans top ranked player in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index and is ranked 38th. Williams has scored once from four attempts at goal and won 63% of tackles attempted. He has also made 10 clearances and 12 interceptions.
Jermaine Beckford’s concise first-half double allowed Everton to cruise to an easy win over Sunderland.The 27-year-old opened the scoring in the eighth minute and hit another after latching onto a half-chance just before the break to double his tally and Everton’s lead.Sunderland started with Simon Mignolet in goal after regular number one Craig Gordon was kept out with a knee injury. Everton put him to the test early as Marouane Fellaini went close from a well-worked corner kick routine. With just eight minutes on the clock Sunderland were behind as that early pressure turned into a well-deserved Beckford goal. Leon Osman played a fine through ball which the former Leeds United striker latched onto before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home.Louis Saha passed a late fitness test to start and Everton were glad he did as he nearly set up their second. His skilful flick sent Beckford clear and his shot only just went wide of the target.Despite being under the cosh for most of the half, Sunderland almost levelled the scores on the half-hour mark. Stephane Sessegnon unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the box that sent Tim Howard scrambling and the American goalkeeper made a wonderful fingertip save to deflect the effort into the woodwork.Everton had won just one of their five previous Premier League games but were playing expansive football. That lead was doubled just before the break when Beckford scored his second with a predatory finish. After good work from Mikel Arteta on the wing, Beckford shielded the ball before firing home from close range.Beckford had a golden chance to complete his first Premier League hat-trick just after half-time, but he could only blaze over after more fine work from Osman.Everton continued to dominate throughout the second half, but were unable to add gloss to their deserved victory.
Football journalists are having a field day during the World Cup. Hundreds of writers from the British media have flown out to South Africa to give you their analysis on every second of action from the tournament. Most of the coverage is very similar though, providing us with the same content but just packaged slightly different. If you’re looking for something completely different, a viewpoint on the 2010 World Cup that you won’t find anywhere else and someone who tells it like it is, then Westwood’s your man!
During the 2010 World Cup Radio 1Xtra DJ Tim Westwood will be writing exclusively for the News of the World. The big dawg promises to turn your World Cup experience up to the max in his weekly column in which he airs his passionate football views. The straight-talking Westwood describes his own blog as “the World Cup, supersized, with gravy on the side!” His infectious enthusiasm for the game shines through, making his column truly unmissable. Say goodbye to bland football analysis and hello to Westwood’s unique take on the biggest football tournament in the world, the 2010 World Cup.
After England’s 1-1 draw with the USA Westwood doesn’t pull any punches in his take on the match. He’s far from happy with the overpaid England stars and demands that they step up to the plat in their next match and reflect the passion shown by the fans. He’s embarrassed by the fact that we can’t beat a country who call football ‘soccer’ and calls for Rob Green to be selected against Algeria so that the West Ham ‘keeper is punished some more. Westwood has his own take on Fabio Capello’s exclusion of the WAGs as well.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
To read Tim Westwood’s first contribution to his exclusive News of the World column in full head to: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/world_cup/848429/Tim-Westwoods-first-exclusive-World-Cup-blog.html
The one ingredient often missing from Tottenham Hotspur last season was goals. Their three main strikers from last term Jermain Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch only managed 18 league goals between them, a poor record for a team chasing a top four place. When you consider that Manchester City, who were one of the teams to pip them to a Champions League spot, had Carlos Tevez who scored 20 goals alone, Spurs’ problem becomes even clearer. But after their new look strikeforce of Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor made a good first impression against Wolves at the weekend, has Harry Redknapp found his dream partnership to fire Spurs to success?
Tottenham’s 2-0 win over Wolves at the weekend can be seen as a real turning point for Redknapp’s team. They can put the heavy losses to the Premier League’s early leaders Manchester United and Manchester City behind them and take great encouragement from the fact that both Adebayor and Defoe got on the scoresheet. Building a formidable strikeforce is essential for teams across the leagues, especially those chasing honours and trying to compete against the best in the country.
On paper Adebayor and Defoe are the perfect big man, little man combo that has generated so much success in the Premier League before. Adebayor’s strength, speed and ability in the air should be the perfect foil for England striker Defoe, who should now have the freedom to drop deep or play off the last man. Having a successful season is crucial for both players, for Defoe he needs to put the woes of a bad campaign behind him whilst Adebayor will be keen to banish the doubters and win over the Tottenham faithful. Defoe also has a history of working with a big strike partner, most notably with former teammate Peter Crouch at Portsmouth and then Spurs. When both were fully fit and confident the partnership looked deadly and Defoe must look to recreate that success with Adebayor.
[ad_pod id=’vip-2′ align=’centre’]
The key for success when it comes down to Adebayor and Defoe as a strike partnership will be consistency. There was a distinct lack of consistency amongst Tottenham’s strikers last season as all three failed to find the target on a regular basis. Defoe and Adebayor will need to be given the opportunity to gel as a unit so both can fully profit from having a partner next to them. Adebayor and Defoe as a strikeforce will obviously only be utlisied when Redknapp opts for a 4-4-2 formation, so Redknapp’s tactical choices will play a big part as to whether the pair can be a success. Adebayor’s mobility as a lone striker means he can play up front on his own but the movement and link-up play with Defoe in a 4-4-2 would be the better option for Spurs.
The only problem holding back the partnership may be Rafael Van der Vaart. The Dutch international is currently suffering with a hamstring injury whilst his outburst over his omission from Tottenham’s Europa League squad has left a slightly black cloud over a player so readily loved after his arrival from Real Madrid last summer. Tactically though when he returns from injury Redknapp may look to deploy him behind a lone striker, ruling out any partnership between Defoe and Adebayor. There will obviously be times when a variation in formation will be required but Redknapp should look to utilise his new strikeforce to its full potential, which for me means playing both Defoe and Adebayor (whilst trying to find the optimum position for the amazingly talented but sometimes slightly troublesome Van der Vaart).
One thing after last season was clear, Tottenham needed goals. Redknapp has gone a long way to address that problem by bringing in Adebayor on loan and the striker’s arrival at White Hart Lane should also give Defoe the boost he needs to help rebuild his place in the Tottenham attack.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Do you think Adebayor and Defoe will work well together? If you want to read more of my bite size, 140 character views and thoughts follow me on Twitter @jennyk5
Bottom of the table Wolves produced the shock of the season by dramatically ending Manchester United’s 29 match unbeaten run with a 2-1 win.
Nani’s quick-fire opener seemed certain to signal another easy ride as the English Premier League’s top dogs faced its bottom side, until George Elokobi’s powerful header and a close range finish from Kevin Doyle changed the picture at both ends of the table.
A first minute Nenad Milijas effort gave early intent that the strugglers were not prepared to roll over without showing the fight that had already seen Manchester City and Chelsea leave Molineux empty handed this season.
But by the third minute, United had snuffed out that optimism as Nani punished a lapse from Elokobi to seize on Darren Fletcher’s lofted pass.
The Portuguese winger effortlessly drifted in from the right of the area to unleash a powerful left foot shot that beat Wayne Hennessey at his near post.
Elokobi’s error was soon forgotten as the muscular Cameroon defender made amends with a 10th minute equaliser that brought the contest back to life.
Having sent a bullet header past United’s defence in a Carling Cup clash between the two teams in October, Elokobi beat Nemanja Vidic to meet Matt Jarvis’ pinpoint cross and plant his header firmly past Edwin Van Der Sar’s despairing dive.
Nani’s 30-yard free-kick then skimmed the roof of Hennessey’s net as the Red Devils continued to pose the home defence plenty of problems before Jamie O’Hara’s snapshot almost tested Van Der Sar’s reflexes.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Dutch keeper was rooted to the spot though five minutes before the break as Doyle appeared to get the faintest of final touches ahead of Elokobi to bundle home Milijas’ 40th minute short free-kick from the right corner of the box.
O’Hara then chose placement rather than power when set up by Jarvis’ neat foot work before Paul Scholes slid his shot wide and Nani blazed over in a fractious second half as United’s attempts to preserve their unblemished record evaporated.
In the aftermath of England’s 3-0 victory away in Bulgaria, Wayne Rooney came away with most of the plaudits after his 2-goal performance helped seal the win. But it was the other goalscorer that many pundits considered as the real man of the match, with a rock solid display in the heart of central defence, culminating in a clean sheet for his country, topping it all off with his first international goal. That player is Gary Cahill – a man who at 25-years old is finally enjoying his time in the limelight.
The man whose name was on many people’s lips throughout the summer transfer window has experienced an unprecedented amount of interest over the last 12-months, all culminating in a chaotic couple of days which saw him start, and score, for England during a competitive international, and being subject to the uncertainties of where he would be plying his trade as the drama of the transfer deadline day unfolded.
Gary Cahill is now a very much a wanted man. But if his rise to prominence seems meteoric due to the fame and interest of the last 12-months, it may seem surprising for many to learn he’s actually been playing in the Premiership since 2004, breaking through the ranks at Aston Villa. A few seasons on loan spent at Burnley and Sheffield United (his home town) saw him gain first team experience before establishing himself at the heart of Villa’s defence, even scoring a wonder goal – an overhead kick, in his first midlands derby. Interest gathered and in the January transfer window of 2008, Bolton Wanderers, on the advice of head scout Colin Harvey, plumped to sign him. It didn’t take long for the centre-back to become a firm favourite with the Trotters fans, where he remains this season, in the final year of his contract – despite the ongoing interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
The host of Premier League clubs have been chasing Cahill’s signature since last season and many tipped the defender to leave this summer. However nobody stepped forward in meeting Bolton’s valuation of the player, thought to be around the £15 million mark. When Arsenal did come forward with an offer, their £6 million bid was instantly dismissed as ‘derisory’ by both Bolton’s Chairman and manager Owen Coyle who stated: ‘When I make an offer for a player, I’d like to think it’s in the right ball park. But this wasn’t even close. I’m only passing it on as a third party, but the word derisory doesn’t even cover it.’ Arsenal didn’t return and despite Harry Redknapp’s late desperation for the player, Tottenham failed to come up with the money on deadline day, ensuring Cahill will remain at Bolton until January at least.
[ad_pod id=’vip-2′ align=’center’]
To Cahill’s credit, the amount of interest shown in him from the bigger clubs (with all respect to Bolton) hasn’t swayed his attitude or commitment to Bolton’s cause. He has never kicked up a fuss and never looked to capitalise on the interest by handing in a transfer request unlike Messrs Modric, Meireles and Nasri. Or maybe he chose to remain, confident in the knowledge that if form is maintained, he can have his pick of whoever comes calling when his contract expires at the end of this season.
Cahill seems a down to earth character with his feet still firmly on the ground. As a teenager he played Sunday football for Sheffield side AFC Dronfield and still stays in touch with the club: ‘I still call in and visit whenever I’m around the area and have helped out in training and had a kick about with some of the younger groups. It’s amazing if you go back all those years and think of where you are now. I am very proud of what I have achieved. As a young English player coming through, playing for your country is the highest honour you can get.’
The way his season has begun, Cahill’s form shows no signs of dipping and is only serving to intensify the hype surrounding his abilities. Unflappable but tough, with an eye for a spectacular goal, the defender seems to have now transferred his club attributes to the international stage – and that ensures that his stock will continue to rise for the foreseeable future.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If you want to read more from myself including news, thoughts and views you can follow me on Twitter @fantasista1077 thanks!
Borussia Dortmund’s Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa, who broke a bone in his right foot at the Asian Cup, is heading home for surgery.
Kagawa broke the bone in his foot in his team’s semi-final against South Korea forcing him to miss Saturday’s final against Australia.
He is expected to miss the rest of the season with the injury.
“He is on his way to Japan for surgery,” Dortmund said in a statement.
“It was his wish and the club agreed. It is not yet decided when he will return to Germany.”
Bundesliga leaders Dortmund said it was unlikely the player would return before the end of the season.
“There are variations in this injury but I do not know of any case that a player came back earlier than three months,” said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Kagawa, snapped up in the close season from Japan’s second division for 300,000 pounds, has been crucial in Dortmund’s spectacular run this season with his team eight points clear at the top of the table.
The 21-year-old has scored eight league goals in his first season in Germany and his value is now estimated at about six million pounds.
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has stated that Premier League champions Manchester City will face a tough campaign in defending their title.
Roberto Mancini’s men are the team to beat after lifting the crown on the last day of the season last term.
Despite this, the Serbian defender is predicting that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United will be motivated to overthrow their big-spending rivals.
“City will find it a lot more difficult next season, every team will want to beat them because they are the champions,” Ivanovic stated at a press conference in the United States, published in The Daily Mail.
“It was the same with us, when you win something – it doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small club – they will fight and have extra motivation.
“The real test of a good team is if they can be successful again in the next season, particularly in the Premier League because it’s a long season and everyone wants to beat you.
“For me Manchester United are always the number one favourites.
“After watching City win it last season United will have the motivation. Also other teams, like Chelsea, will look at City and try to build something new and looking to be in the race to win the league. It will be tough for them,” the eastern European concluded.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
In light of the launch of the new football gaming phenomenon that is ‘Goaldash’ I decided to look at the six biggest opening day victories ever to be recorded in the Premier League. I am not sure it will influence any of your choices ahead of the big kick-off, but it may serve as a source of inspiration.
*
What better way to begin your season than by handing out a thrashing? Here are the six biggest beatings given out on the opening day. Whilst fans on the receiving end wonder how much their season tickets will get on ebay and use their replica kits to wipe away the tears, the victors laugh and drink and get completely carried away about the prospect of a season with mountains of goals and unbridled joy. Of course it doesn’t always work out like that.
6. Manchester United 5 Fulham 1
In their opening fixture of the 2006/07 season, Manchester United set out to try and stop Chelsea wining a third successive domestic title. This thrashing of Fulham was the perfect start and United went on to win their 9th league title. The youtube comment sums it up perfectly. “Man Utd is the good.”
[youtube nXUr68gmI7M]
[divider]
5. Blackburn Rovers 5 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
For a full and not in any way biased account of Blackburn’s demolition of Wolves on the opening day of the 2003/04 season, go to the Blackburn Rovers website http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10303~21979,00.html unfortunately you can’t actually see the goals. Wolves’ miserable start to the season continued with the finishing bottom of the league, whilst Rovers failed to maintain anything close to this form, finishing 15th.
Find Out More About GOALDASH by clicking here
[divider]
4. Leicester City 0 Bolton Wanderers 5
Newly promoted Bolton gave Leicester City an absolute pasting on the opening day in 2001. The goals, particularly the 2nd and 3rd really are a joy to watch. It makes you wonder why Big Sam got such a hard time. Lovely football. Leicester finished bottom that season, Bolton 16th.
[youtube u3-g7TZ4t7U]
[divider]
3. Crystal Palace 1 Liverpool 6
Freshly promoted Palace were rudely welcomed to the Premiership with this walloping from Jan Molby, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Co. Despite the previously poor form of the Reds, they dismantled Palace with ease. A teary-eyed recollection of this wonderful day can be enjoyed here. Palace went on to finish fourth from bottom in the Premiership that year, however due to the streamlining of the division to 20 clubs they were still relegated. Brutal.
[divider]
2. Everton 1 Arsenal 6
In 2009, Arsenal flew out of the traps away at Goodison Park, mauling what looked a strong Everton side. The fifth goal looks distinctly like it was lifted from the end of a park game when the score is 32- 24 and half the players have left but you’re still playing on a huge pitch. Ridiculous. Needless to say, Arsenal crumbled towards the end of the season having looked likely contenders. Everton rallied and finished 8th.
[youtube aTTjyZwAWdU]
[divider]
1. Chelsea 6 West Brom 0
On the opening day of last season, newly promoted West Brom visited the Premier League Champions at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea didn’t hold back and proceeded to ruthlessly flay the Baggies, inflicted the largest opening day victory in the history of the Premier League. Unfortunately, people have gone to great lengths to remove the evidence, most probably some West Brom fans who are still hurting. Anyway, we all know what happened there was a lot of this going on (see below). Chelsea had a large blip and finished the season second behind Manchester United and West Brom hired Roy Hodgson and finished in a very respectable 11th place.
**
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
So what is Goaldash?
Bored of playing the Lottery? Failing every week on the Pools? Then why not give ‘Goaldash’ a go – a football gamble with a difference.
‘Goaldash’ is a fabulous concept which fuses the Lottery format with pre-chosen football fixtures. Whereas you may use birthdays or your own favourite numbers to pick your six numbers, with ‘Goaldash’ you need to use your foresight of the Beautiful Game to select the six teams that are likely to score first in the pre-selected 24 fixtures.
It only costs £1 a pop to enter and you have the chance to win a million pounds, every given week.
All you have to do is scour the 48 teams and pick out the 6 teams that are likely to score first on the Saturday afternoon. The matches are chosen from the Premier League, the Football League, as well as the Scottish divisions therefore you will have plenty to work out and strategise before you make your selections.
Playing the Lottery has just got fun, especially as your odds are a damn sight greater.
Fancy your chances? Fancy winning a million pounds? Why not give it a go! Visit Goaldash to find out more
The wretched run continues for Gerard Houllier’s men after a disastrous 4-0 defeat this afternoon.
Aston Villa fans have every right to show concern as the defeat sees them precariously close to the bottom three, as we reach the half way point of the season. You do sense that the French boss will have to make some changes in the January window to inject some fresh blood into this confidence shot squad.
So how do Aston Villa fans feel about today, and what are the five things we learnt from Houllier’s men this afternoon?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
[divider]
Holy Crap – it’s live fantasy football! Become part of Birmingham v Man United and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!