Tag Futebol

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is gearing up to relegate Mick McCarthy from the Premier League for the second time on Saturday.McCarthy was in charge of Sunderland when they were relegated in 2003 and it was Bruce’s Birmingham City side who dealt the final blow with a win at St Andrew’s in April of that year.

Former Ireland manager McCarthy’s Wolves side is just a point clear of the bottom three with two games left and defeat at Sunderland would put them in big trouble of being overtaken.

“I remember that game at Birmingham,” Bruce said.

“Everyone had known for weeks that they were going down but it was losing to us that made it official.”

“But it will be different this time because Wolves had a terrific win at the weekend against West Brom, which lifted them out of the bottom three and gives them a fighting chance of avoiding relegation.”

“It is in their hands – they know that if they win both their remaining games, they will stay up.”

“But we want to make sure that they do not win on Saturday and that if they do stay up, they do it without beating us.”

Bruce expects a battling game to unfold and argued that his side’s final two games of the season – against Wolves and basement boys West Ham – could not be tougher.

“People might look at our last two games, against Wolves and West Ham, and see where those clubs are in the table and think we should beat them easily, but it isn’t necessarily so.”

“They are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table and both our last two games will be very tough for that reason.”

“He is a genuinely decent man and when he was at this club, it was in a very different situation financially to the one it is today.”

“We know what kind of team Mick will bring. He will have a team that is up-and-at-you and he will demand that they have a go – just as he did when he was a player.”

“As a player he was always fiercely competitive and very hard to beat, and his Wolves team mirrors his personality.”

“Everybody will know that Mick, coming back here, will want to turn us over and beat his old club.”

Sunderland will be without goalkeeper Craig Gordon (knee), defenders Titus Bramble (knee) and Michael Turner (knee) and midfielders David Meyler (knee), Jordan Henderson (ankle) and Lee Cattermole (shoulder).

Forwards Fraizer Campbell (knee), Richardson (calf), Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Asamoah Gyan (hamstring) will also be unavailable.

Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has admitted that he will consider leaving Old Trafford in search of regular first-team football.

The 28-year-old has been with the Red Devils for just over four years, but has made only 55 appearances due to the form of Dutch veteran Edwin van der Sar.

England hopeful Ben Foster quit United for Birmingham City in the summer and Kuszczak is pondering a similar move with a place in Poland's future plans also in his mind.

He told the Manchester Evening News:"I could understand Ben's position. He wanted to move because he wanted regular football and he wanted to play for England.

"If I don't get enough games I will have to do the same as Ben. The years are going by and I will be 29 after this season – I want to enjoy football and I want to play.

"I want to play for my country and if you don't get enough games you don't get promoted to the national team.

"The key to the national team is to play more and more for your club and that is why I want more matches for United.

"The European Championship in 2012 is in Poland and it is very important for me to be there and play for my country.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"It happens once in about 20 or 30 years that a competition like this is in your country, so I am going to do everything to be in this tournament.

"I have to play regularly at club level and play well if I am to be in the squad for 2012."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

I recently stumbled on have an article in the Mirror stating that Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is one of the worst signings in recent history – pretty dire considering he was free. This got me to thinking, is he really that bad in comparison to some of the other howler signings made by Premier League clubs?

Sometimes players fail to make an impact because they cannot acclimatise to the style of the Premier League or the glorious weather in England – especially the north – other times it is the amount of injuries they sustain that hamper their performance, or the sheer amount of money that is paid for them which makes it virtually impossible for them to live up to expectations. We can all remember the classic horror signings such as Sergei Rebrov but here are some more recent signings that had fans despairing throughout the Premier League.

Click on Veron below to see the Top 10 Worst Signings

[divider]

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has hosed down speculation linking him with a move for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.Mourinho enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the Ivory Coast frontman, having signed Drogba from French outfit Marseille in 2003 while at the helm of the English Premier League club.

Drogba was a key element in Mourinho’s back-to-back Premier League titles with the west London club, and the 33-year-old – who has 11 goals to his name this season – has been linked with a reunion with his former boss at La Liga powerhouse Real.

“Everybody knows the professional and personal relationship that I have with Drogba,” Mourinho said.

“But everybody also knows the relationship that I have with (Blues owner Roman) Abramovich and Chelsea.”

“Therefore if it were true that Chelsea wants to sell him I would be one of the first to know because we have got a very direct, friendly relationship and they have told me nothing.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 I think that Didier is going to stay where he has to stay, where he has made history.”

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is determined to try and force his way back into Wigan Athletic's first team, having lost his place following a dismal start to the new season.

The 29-year-old was dropped after shipping ten goals in two games, with loanee Ali Al Habsi being given the nod by manager Roberto Martinez.

A defiant Kirkland told the Wigan Observer:"It's the first time I've ever been in this situation in all the time I've been playing, but I'm no different to everyone else.

"There are much better players than me who have been left out of the team and have had to work their way back in. I'm no special case or anything like that.

"I've always had to work very hard to stay in the team and now I'm not I know I'll have to work even harder to get back in there.

"It's hard not playing, of course it is, but I know that I didn't play well enough to deserve to stay in the team.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

"And I've always said that it doesn't matter who you are – if you're not playing well enough, there are people here who will come in and take your place."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

You can say what you want about the transfer windows and while most football managers tend to be disparaging about them, most supporters will be lying if they didn’t admit that they get bought into the daily gossip and rumours that sweep the newspapers, forums and various blog sites. Much of the stuff that gets written never prevails, but it doesn’t stop us all getting excited while the speculation mounts up. The January window so far has been a little quiet as we approach the half way through point; however you do get a sense that in this period we are witnessing the calm before the eventual transfer storm in the Premier League.

The lack of spending at the top of the Premier League has surprised many, especially given the open nature of this title race; the fight for a top four finish, not to mention the open fight to stay in the Premier League. It appears that clubs are biding their time and we all sit and wait for that breakthrough transfer that generally kick-starts everyone into action. Whether we will witness the type of money that was squandered last January remains to be seen, but I would be incredibly shocked if the window passed without at least one big money move.

Kenny Dalglish has come out today and suggested that he doesn’t expect any new arrivals or players leaving Anfield in the next 24hrs. Whether that will happen remains to be seen as Liverpool have a habit of undertaking some last minute activity in the transfer market, as proven in the last two windows.

So how do Liverpool fans feel about the lack of transfer activity in January? Did the squad really need improving and have you heard any rumours about potential incomings or outgoings at Anfield?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]

Manchester United target Manuel Neuer has decided where he will spend his future, according to reports on The Guardian website.

Neuer was quoted as saying was “The important people know“.

It appears extremely unlikely that the German number one will be Edwin Van der Sar’s replacement. If his destination was to be Manchester the news would have surely broken by now.

Bayern Munich Sporting Director Christian Nerlinger was keeping his cards close to his chest when quizzed about Bayern’s chances of signing Neuer in German newspaper De Bild. Although, he did give an indication that the much sort after Neuer could be heading for The Allianz Arena “We know which way this is going, the question is now whether we can find a quick solution.”

If Neuer is set to sign for the Bavarians it will cause initial displeasure among some of Bayern’s die hard fans. They have been protesting about the potential transfer as a result of Neuer’s allegiance and strong roots to Schalke.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Bayern legend Oliver Kahn gave his take on the matter, he is quoted in De Bild as saying, “It takes a couple of training session and a saved penalty, and everyone’s on your side, around 75-80% of fans would say it makes sense to get him, because he’s on his way to become absolute world class.”

It appears there is a strong likelihood that Neuer will be keeping goal for Bayern Munich next season. We still don’t know for certain where the Schalke’s skipper will be playing, but he knows and so do the club.

Fulham assistant manager Mark Bowen has confirmed that his club hope to tie England striker Bobby Zamora down to a new long-term contract in the near future.

The 29-year-old was linked with both Liverpool and Birmingham City before the transfer window slammed shut, but the Cottagers now hope to secure Zamora’s long-term services.

Bowen told Sky Sports:“What I know is that he is currently in discussions with the club over a possible new deal.

“It has been ongoing for a few months and obviously way before Mark Hughes and I came in.

“But my understanding is that we are hopeful Bobby will agree a long-term contract with the club.”

Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has refused to re-open the wounds caused by his move to Arsenal being blocked by the Cottagers.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 37-year-old Australia international commented: “I would really rather not say anything, because otherwise I might say something wrong.”

Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Simeon Jackson scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to gain a well deserved draw for Norwich after Fulham threatened to leave Carrow Road with all three points.

Orlando Sa’s curler after seven minutes looked to have sealed a priceless away victory for the Cottagers only for Jackson to pop up in the 94th minute nodded the ball home to keep Paul Lambert’s side firmly camped in the top half of the Premier League – a similar position occipired by Blackpool who ended the season in the bottom three. They dominated the second half with David Stockdale’s goal bombarded before the late equaliser cost Martin Jol’s side dearly at the death who should have added to their lead long before the Canaries finally broke their resistance. It’s that sort of fighting spirit that will stand them in good stead come the business end the campaign as they refused to throw in the towel even in the dying embers.

With Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson not even in the squad for the trip to East Anglia, prompting speculation over their futures at Craven Cottage, Sa was tasked with leading the line and showed he can cut it in the top flight opening the scoring inside the first ten minutes. The young striker swivelled on Zak Whitbread before curling a sumptuous effort past John Ruddy to give the visitors an early lead. It should have been two soon after only for the 24-year-old to see Kyle Naughton to clear his effort off the line after being played in by Kerim Frei. Norwich finally started to get themselves into the game after that with Bradley Johnson seeing his strike deflected wide before Stockdale did superbly to tip Whitbread’s header onto the woodwork. Fulham still attacked with purpose and were close to doubling their lead through Clint Dempsey but the American’s header rattled against the cross bar before Frei stung Ruddy’s palms with a cracking strike from distance.

Lambert threw on captain Grant Holt at half time and it changed the complexion of the game as the Canaries begun their aerial assault on the visitors goal. However they almost levelled in emphatic fashion with Naughton opting to take a more conventional route to goal cracking the bar with a strike from distance before Anthony Pilkington lashed one over from 20-yards. Andrew Surman then forced Stockdale into a low save before Lambert made his second telling substitution throwing Jackson on for Steve Morison. The Canadian striker saw a swerving effort smarmy saved by Stockdale before heading in Elliott Bennett’s delicious cross to snatch a vital point for the Canaries.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended midfielder Gareth Barry after he was at the receiving end of a barrage of criticism.Controversial Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton had earlier compared Barry’s pace to that of a “tortoise” in an interview with French magazine, So Foot.

The former Man City midfielder went on to question the ability of Barry, who captained England in their friendly win over Ghana last month.

“Barry’s got a very good agent. He’s also discreet and always agrees with the manager. He’s like the guy who sits in the front row and listens to the teacher. I certainly don’t lose any sleep when I play against him,” Barton said.

“Did you see the game against Germany at the World Cup? If you watch the fourth goal, when (Mesut) Oezil was up against Barry, it was like the hare and the tortoise.”

But Mancini has responded, claiming that Barry is a “fantastic” player while Barton is merely a “good player”, also stating that every manager would want a player of his quality.

“Gareth Barry for me is a fantastic man. As a player, he is an incredible player, he works very hard, always 100 percent, he doesn’t speak but works and works for every game. I think that all managers want a player like Gareth,” Mancini said.

“I think that Barton is a good player, but I think that Gareth Barry is a fantastic player, I can only say this, the other situation is not important for me.”

Mancini’s side, fresh from thrashing Sunderland 5-0 last weekend, travel to Anfield on Monday to face a Liverpool side looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at the hands of West Brom.

And Mancini believes his side are in the right shape to maintain their quest for a top four finish

He added: “I think we always had a good spirit and desire. Maybe we had one month when we were really tired because we had injured players.”

“At the moment it’s good, I think it’s important we continue (to have desire) if we want to continue to win and we should start with Liverpool.”

City will have to make do without Micah Richards (hamstring), Jerome Boateng (knee) and Kolo Toure (suspended) for Monday night’s clash.