Newcastle United are on the road to Stoke City in a clash between two teams almost guaranteed to avoid the drop from the Premier League.Neither is mathematically safe but Newcastle, sitting in 10th and five points clear, and Stoke, currently 12th and three points away, will not be feeling too uncomfortable.Stoke are on a high after their FA Cup quarter-final win over West Ham United and with Bolton awaiting in the semi-final.But aside from their glorious cup run, Tony Pulis’ side have struggled in recent league outings and slumped to a 3-0 loss at West Ham before their FA Cup meeting.They have lost 11 of their 15 games on the road and are without striker Mamady Sidibe for the rest of the season after he ruptured his Achilles tendon.Stoke’s struggles for goals are underlined by defender Robert Huth topping their scoring charts with six, although striker Kenwyne Jones has found the net on five occasions.Newcastle have not had such difficulty finding the net, but the issue for manager Alan Pardew has been down the other end, with Newcastle having kept just eight clean sheets in all competitions.On-loan midfielder Stephen Ireland is a chance to make his debut for the club while Joey Barton is also in line for a return from injury.Left-back Jose Enrique is in doubt after coming off with a hamstring injury during the loss at Everton.Although relatively safe, the Potters need to capitalise on the confidence of their Cup run by gathering some points on the league table.Newcastle will have similar confidence of gaining a result out of this match, particularly if Barton and Ireland are fit and in the team at Britannia Stadium.A win for either side would boost their chances of finishing in the top half but a poor result should not have great implications for either team given their current positions.
World Cup goalkeeper Eduardo has snubbed the chance to join Arsenal in favour of Genoa as the north London club dragged their feet over the deal, must Arsene Wenger act now to stop any more keepers slipping through the Gunners’ clutches?
Most Arsenal fans agree that replacing their under-fire goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who seems nervous between the sticks and has been prone to mistakes.
Eduardo was earmarked as a potential replacement after impressing for Portugal in the World Cup as they only conceded the one goal, which was against eventual world champions Spain when David Villa slotted home in the second half of their second round match…and even then many Portugal fans argued it should have been ruled offside.
Despite Wenger’s interest in the player he went from Sporting Braga to Genoa for just £4 million, which is hardly a king’s ransom and in keeping with the club’s financial policy which has been fairly strict over the last decade.
The Portuguese keeper’s agent Joe Donkor had this to say in regards to Arsenal’s interest in the player:
“It is flattering to know of Arsenal’s interest, but Genoa made it plain they really, really wanted Eduardo and he is delighted to have signed for them.”
Was the failure to act the reason why Arsenal missed out on this player, surely he would have chosen the Emirate over Genoa (no disrespect to them) if he was given the chance to?
In any case the manager must act fast as I believe the goalkeeping position is Arsenal’s most pressing concern and has to be treated as the utmost priority.
However, it is not all bad as Mark Schwarzer looks likely to sign for the north London outfit for around £3.5 million and it is a deal that Wenger should look to get done as soon as possible now that the World Cup is over and clubs’ business will start to take priority for the remainder of the summer.
The veteran keeper may be an underwhelming signing to many of Arsenal’s fans but he is definitely a better player than Almunia, who was at fault for one too many of the goals Arsenal conceded for Le Prof.
It does seem something of a short term fix, but a necessary one as promising Polish starlet Wojciech Szczęsny is still only 20-years-old and needs time to develop if he is to become a future #1 for the club.
Alternatively to Schwarzer, Wenger may keep an eye on the situation at Manchester City as Joe Hart’s return from loan to Birmingham will most likely lead to either himself or Shay Given being given the cold shoulder by the Eastlands club and could possibly open the door for a club like Arsenal to take advantage.
The Arsenal goalkeeping situation has been neglected for far too long and cannot go unaddressed yet again, but what do the Arsenal fans think the club should do and does Arsene Wenger need to act quicker to resolve the issue than he has done previously?
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Click on image below to see the SPANISH babes at the World Cup
The English FA have backed Fabio Capello’s decision to include John Terry in his England squad to face Spain and Sweden in upcoming friendlies, and denies any rift between the organisation and the Italian coach.
Terry’s inclusion in the national side was up for debate as he is currently under investigation due to claims of racism made by QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
Despite this, the Chelsea man will represent his country in the exhibition games, and this move has been backed by Club England managing director Adrian Bevington.
“There was a lot of conjecture about this subject last week and some stories and certain media outlets suggested that there might have been some disagreement between Fabio and the FA,” Bevington told Sky Sports.
“I can confirm that there was nothing of that sort.
“We can’t comment on specific issues, but what we can say is that these are allegations and therefore Fabio was perfectly entitled (to pick Terry) and we agree with this.
“There are allegations in place and nothing has been proved against anybody. So Fabio picked John Terry and we support that decision,” he concluded.
Meanwhile Spain have named a strong squad for the game against England, with Andres Iniesta included after injury and Cesc Fabregas travelling back to London for the game.
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Schalke have earned a shock trip to the DFB Pokal Cup final with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday.It was the second defeat for Bayern in the space of four days, following Saturday’s 3-1 loss at home to Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.That result left Bayern trailing by 16 points in the league title race, effectively ending their campaign, and the German champions saw another piece of silverware slip from their grasp at home to unfancied Schalke.The win was sweet revenge for Schalke coach Felix Magath, who was sacked by Bayern in 2007 despite leading the club to the league and cup double in consecutive seasons.Veteran forward Raul was the hero for the visitors, nodding past Bayern goalkeeper Thomas Kraft in the 15th minute following a well-worked Jefferson Farfan corner.Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger came close for Bayern in the second half, but the German giants could not find an equaliser and must now turn their attention to the Champions League if they are to have any chance of collecting a trophy this season.Schalke, who have struggled for consistency in the top-flight and sit six points clear of the relegation zone, will face second-division club MSV Duisburg in the final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
Ah the World Cup, this time England are surely going to win, or at least get to the semi-finals in glorious and high-octane fashion. But did anyone really think this was going to happen this time? I’m not so sure. Ok the fans with the newly painted St. George’s houses or the man who covered his living room floor with turf might have thought so, but amongst the general populace the build up to South Africa 2010 seemed the most subdued since I’ve been watching. Even James Corden and Dizzee Rascal’s unofficial theme was sung without much hope. As soon as Robert Green’s calamitous error gifted Clint Dempsey and the United States an equaliser the country seemed to say “Do you we have to watch this?” The country was right, and England not only crashed out miserably but also succeeded in being one of the most boring teams in the tournament. All fans have an opinion on why England failed so badly, the man in Middlesbrough says get rid of the F.A., the man in Liverpool says pick Mikel Arteta, and the man in Doncaster says reform the whole coaching system in England. One man however, had begun reforming coaching in a corner of North London in 1996.
Arsene Wenger’s football philosophy is well known and much debated. What is without doubt is that he demands his players have a good first touch, excellent ball control, superb passing ability and high levels of fitness, although even he seems to have made an exception to this rule with Nicklas Bendtner. Wenger has instituted these demands in Arsenal’s youth coaching system, and the results are beginning to be seen. Fabio Capello has stated that he has his eyes on Arsenal youngsters Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs who may be fast-tracked into the England squad for the friendly against Hungary in August. Wenger himself has stated that “I’m happy to bring them (English players) through, just to convince people that I’m not anti-English. I believe we have never had the kind of quality English players that we have now”. To an England fan hoping for better in the future, this is very pleasing to hear, and Wilshere and Gibbs are just the tip of the iceberg. Youngsters such as Henri Lansbury, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, Craig Eastmond and Mark Randall amongst others are all set for big futures within football. Along with players such as Everton’s Jack Rodwell, and Man Utd’s Danny Welbeck, perhaps the future does not look as bleak for England as some might suggest.
It is Jack Wilshere though, who provides the greatest cause for optimism amongst the current crop of England’s young guns. If he is comparable to anyone, it would be Spain’s midfield maestro Andres Iniesta. Both are classy on the ball, have an eye for a pass, and are cool finishers. Iniesta also represents what the current England team desperately lack, a playmaker with consummate passing ability. The impact made by Mesut Ozil, Wesley Sneijder and Iniesta in South Africa has shown what England is missing. It is great when Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney can finish with such aplomb, but with no-one to create chances for them to score then England are relying on one of these players to do something special in every game. At club level where they are undeniably effective, they have foreign players to create the chances for them. Hopefully in Brazil 2014, Wilshere can be setting up these chances in the Maracana. England don’t need to copy Germany as some have suggested, the pace and intensity of English teams has proven to be highly effective in the Champions League. In modern football a combination is required, intensity and guile, closing down and passing. If Arsenal can provide footballers who have skill on the ball and players who can create chances, players like Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard can finish them off. If England can achieve this balance, they might just be able to win something within my lifetime, and we will all owe Arsene Wenger a big thank you.
Written By Max Lintzgy
Click on image below to see the ITALIAN babes at the World Cup
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Robin Van Persie was the Arsenal hero once again coming off the bench to score twice and claim victory over a Stoke side that look destined to leave the Emirates Stadium with a point.
The Dutchman was rested by Arsene Wenger but with the Gunners struggling to find a way past a formidable Potters defence he came on continue his prolific run in front of goal which has seen him now score 29 goals in 34 games. The hosts also cured their European hangover that had seem them lose each of the four fixtures that had preceded a Champions league fixture. They certainly had the fresher legs after having a days extra rest than Stoke who were in Europa League action on Thursday night. Despite having only a few days to recharge their batteries Tony Pulis’ men looked good value for a point after Peter Crouch struck 10 minutes before half time to cancel out Gervinho’s opener before Van Persie’s double sealed victory. The result saw Arsenal leapfrog their opponents into seventh place as they continued their rise up the table with a sixth win in seven games.
Defeat was harsh on the visitors though as they defended superbly to repel wave after wave of attacks from the home side but they found themselves one behind on 27 minutes with Gervinho scoring his second goal in Arsenal red. Aaron Ramsey’s delightful clip over the top of the Stoke defence was expertly controlled by the Ivorian bringing the ball down on his chest retaining his composure to slot the ball past Asmir Begovic. That goal should have seen the home side take the ascendancy but the visitors fought back taking a foothold on the game and their efforts were rewarded when Crouch side footed home Jon Walters knock down. Ryan Shawcross and Matthew Upsonhelped the ball on in the box following Arsenal’s protestations a free kick awarded after Laurent Koscielny fouled the England striker who snapped up his chance without hesitation.
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Both sides faded after the break with the game calling out for some inspiration and Wenger duly obliged sending Van Persie on to win the game. He did just that turning in Gervinho’s cross six minutes after coming on to send a wave of relief soaring around the Emirates. He wasn’t finished there though as he put the Stoke defence to the sword once again eight minutes from time with Gervinho again providing the cross for his captain to hammer the ball past Begovic stretching the Gunners unbeaten run to five games and making their horrendous start to the season a distant memory.
Twitter is the strangest of strange beasts. Unlike any other social networking tool or resource it genuinely has the power to bring supporters a glimpse into the lives of a variety of sportsmen that we as fans may never have the chance to meet.
It is a rare view, and whilst the site has gone a long way to breaking down that wall between players and fans, is this a good thing?
When Danny Welbeck starts tweeting about the adverts he has seen on television, or Glen Johnson gives constant updates as to how much ‘24’ he has been watching, questions as to why we should take such a close interest in what these players think about the most mundane of topics, inevitably rear their head.
It is not simply what is written that frustrates. When you see men capable of such incredible physical and technical feats on the pitch, unable to understand the difference between ‘your’ and ‘you’re’ or spell basic words correctly, it is hard not to lose a little respect for them.
Whilst players are not there to be judged from a grammatical point of view, it is a surprise that in a world where image is paramount, that players are not advised to check what they tweet.
Obviously the content of any such post is heavily scrutinised – just ask Darren Bent or Ryan Babel about the trouble a post can cause, yet the actual way these tweets are written is not heavily guarded.
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On the other side of the coin, you find yourself reaching a point where you become overly impressed when a player uses a word that an 11 year-old student should comfortably be able to incorporate into their written work. A lucid and intelligent footballer is, and should not be, a rarity.
Of course it can work both ways. Since Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere joined Twitter I have been impressed by his eloquence – his sensible, well constructed posts hinting at a maturity beyond his 19 years of age.
Wilshere’s words over the last two weeks have been particularly impressive. Despite hearing some Arsenal fans lament the players’ constant apologising for defeats, Wilshere’s carry on regardless attitude has given some Gunners followers a welcome boost in amongst a series of disappointing results over the last two weeks.
In fact, whilst his captain and manager have bemoaned poor officiating and a string of injuries, Wilshere’s tweets have been optimistic and upbeat.
Many top players still avoid the move into social networking territory. Perhaps wisely the extra scrutiny on what they write for millions to read is something a few could do without.
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Nevertheless, the overall presence of players on the network provides something of a mixed bag. I might be in the minority, but I would far rather judge players on what I see on the pitch than what I read on the screen.
To get stuck into my powers of grammar, follow me on Twitter.
A lighthearted tweet conversation between members of the French squad and Mr Toure and Eboue.
[Please note that this is a spoof series and doesn’t represent the actual views of Evra, Gallas, Henry, Eboue and Toure]
Sitting back and watching the football. Better to be at home away from the traitor in our ranks. Wish we were allowed to tell-all…
It’s harder than it looks to stay quiet, init Pat? They’re going to edit so much of our interview from Monday.
What interview?
Titi, Eric and I were asked to do an interview for French TV on Monday. It wasn’t a big deal. We were just fielding a few questions.
Yeh, Willie – don’t worry about it. Nothing important.
No one told me.
They wanted the representatives of the team so it makes sense to ask me and Thierry.
Don’t patronise me. There’s a saying in my country that says ‘you can’t skin an apple twice’. I’m no fool, gentlemen. Eric is almost as stupid as Franck.
We come from your country, Willie. That’s not a saying in France.
William, please can you stop sending me letters. The World Cup is over; I don’t appreciate it any more. Frankly, it’s a little boring.
Like his screen play? HAHA
LOL
Not the screenplay nonsense again. Please, no.
Shut up, all of you. When the Postman Prophecies premieres in Leicester Square we’ll see who’s laughing.
Ok, William.
Keep antagonising me. Denzel will be playing me in my own biopic soon enough and you guys will have nothing to do with all of your money.
I read that Postman stuff because the Boss needed someone to break the tension. I didn’t like it that much, Willie. It’s nothing personal.
It should be personal. He’s a twat.
Why haven’t you changed your profile pic, Kolo?
I don’t know how to do it. I’ve asked Manu to help.
I had to do everything for you in South Africa. What the hell happened to you since you moved to Manchester?
I don’t know. I’m forgetting things a lot more now.
Well, well, well, Kolo.
Ok, guys. Relax. There’s no need.
No need, Manu? This man slandered me in front of my peers.
What did he do?
Oh my god, can we stop talking about this. During training all I heard was ‘Do you know what Kolo did to me, Pat? Do you?’. You even told Forlan in the Uruguay game.
Continue reading on page 2…
Hey, he asked me. And you can’t hear the buffalo unless you put your ear to the ground, Patrice.
What does that even mean??
I will leave if you two begin this again.
No, come on. I want to know.
You don’t even know why, Kolo??
I have no idea! One day we were fine, and then the next he’d taken the laces out of my boots and told all the lads I can’t read.
What happened??
Do you really want to know?
Go on then. I can’t believe I’m hearing this again.
Very well. One evening I decided to walk from training and –
Walk? It’s like 17 miles to your house from the training ground, Willie.
I do it when I need some time to myself. It’s ideal actually. I wrote most of my screenplay walking home from training.
Back to the point please, William.
Yes, as I said, I was walking home. And I bumped into Ashley. And he told me that he saw Manu, Ade, Kolo, Theo and Samir all coming out of Krispy Kreme together with doughnuts.
And then what happened?
What do you mean?
There has to be more to this story.
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No, that is it.
So why did you fall out with Kolo??
Isn’t it obvious. He’s my central defender partner. There can be no secrets between us. We must be a symbiotic unit. And he didn’t ask me if I wanted doughnuts.
Did you want doughnuts?
That is not the point!
Oh my god.
I told you. Forlan knows this about us too. No wonder we’re being laughed at.
There are no facts, only interpretations.
Shut up. I left Arsenal to live in Manchester over some doughnuts. Bloody hell.
You should do what we did in South Africa. Just ignore him.
I think you should fight him.
Already done both.
In these moments I cling to Gandhi’s words; ‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win’.
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
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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.