All posts by h79snht.top

Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov anticipates that he will not be playing any football until February.

The Bulgarian midfielder is currently recovering from the partial medial knee ligament tear he sustained in last month’s defeat at Sunderland.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier had initially hoped that the 31-year-old former Celtic star would be able to return to action over the festive period, but Petrov is being more circumspect in his prediction.

He told the club’s official website:“I’m bitterly disappointed not to be involved. I feel okay but the knee injury I picked up against Sunderland means I will be out for around three months.

“It was one of those things and you have just got to accept that sometimes these things happen in football.

“It is the first time I have been out for such a lengthy period since I suffered a broken leg when playing for Celtic ten years ago. But I have every confidence in the boys to go out there and perform to the best of their ability.

“The team have been working really hard under the new manager and we have been playing well recently. We’ve been creating a lot of chances too so hopefully we can start putting a few more of them away.

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.

“But it will take time and that is something that every team needs under a new manager.”

Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

The club verses country row has exploded again this week after Steven Gerrard’s hamstring injury during England’s 2-1 defeat to France. Liverpool claim they had an agreement with the FA and Fabio Capello that Gerrard would only play a maximum of an hour in the friendly. However the Liverpool man was substituted with five minutes to go after injury. The game was effectively over with twenty minutes to go, so why did Capello feel it necessary to keep Steven Gerrard on the pitch?

Fabio Capello can use as many excuses as he wants, but the agreement was in place between the F.A and Liverpool. There was scope to substitute Gerrard during the game but the Italian chose not to take this action. It was not like Gerrard or England were even playing that well. Capello can use as many excuses as he wishes in relation to this, Liverpool are right to be furious at him.

In defence of the manager, it was a difficult night for Fabio Capello and England because of the players that he was without for the game. Jack Wilshere was unavailable and the injuries sustained to Gareth Barry and Rio Ferdinand forced Capello’s hand to a certain extent. Would England have been humiliated in the second half if Gerrard was taking out of the inexperienced midfield. The answer is probably yes, but that is no excuse for Capello to have kept the midfielder on the pitch. If Capello was concerned with his options from the bench, why did he pick such an inexperienced side. Capello can’t expect one senior player to carry the burden of his selection. Gerrard’s injury was not Capello’s fault – it could have happened at any time in the game – but by leaving the player on in a game that was effectively over, was highly irresponsible.

The strong reaction from Liverpool is totally understandable. Darren Burgess, part of Roy Hodgson’s coaching department expressed his feelings on his Twitter page.

‘Unbelievable from all associated with England and English FA with regards to SGs injury. Completely ignored agreement and past history. Completely amateurish and now we pay for their incompetence. Absolutely disgraceful.’

The angry response can be understood in the context of Liverpool’s season so far. They seem to be getting it together and moving up the table and then an injury to their best player. For Liverpool, Gerrard is their most important asset, and an asset that will get them out of trouble. To watch the game, and see your player get injured twenty minutes after England has agreed to substitute him must be infuriating to watch. Liverpool have lowered their stance on this issue but are still clearly angry at the FA and Fabio Capello.

Although Liverpool have backed down on their initial anger and have accepted Capello had to break the agreement, you feel that this might just be a diplomatic stance to escape any punishment for the Twitter rant. The issue surrounding this injury is Gerrard himself. He loves playing for England and has been England’s best performer in 2010. Has his own determination to prevent defeat got the better of him on this occasion. His attitude to play for England is exceptional, and England fans appreciate it, but after this injury will Liverpool expect the England captain to put their club first.

Like what you read? Comment below, subscribe to my RSS feed and contact me on twitter, where you can also keep up to date with the latest Liverpool news!

Click on image below to see Carles’s latest lady

An important week ahead for Tottenham as Harry Redknapp sends his side over to Twente with the task of winning their Champions’ League group. Top spot will ensure that the North Londoners will miss out on facing the big guns in the knockout stages and subsequently give them a greater chance of progressing to the quarter finals.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of Spurs blogs which includes, one deal that Levy must sanction; is Crouch the right fit at WHL and controversial move could save Tottenham millions.

Plus we have taken a look at the best Tottenham stories on the Web this week.

Ciao Giorgia – Davide’s lady puts Premiership WAGs in the shade

*

The cost of football to the modern day fan

Make or break time for title contenders

Tottenham’s title talk – inspired ambition or foolish nonsense?

Top TEN most ‘annoying’ sayings in football

The one DEAL that Levy must look to sanction in January

Would this prove the most hated Tottenham deal in years?

FIVE Reasons behind Tottenham’s Champions League success

Is he really the right fit for Tottenham Hotspur?

Controversial move perhaps, but it could save Spurs millions

*

Click here to see the Best TOTTENHAM BLOGS around the Web this week

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.

For some, it’s a brutal interrogation. For others an itch that can be easily scratched – Dear Mr Levy

If It’s Transfer Gossip You Want… – Who Framed Ruel Fox?

A slow news day – Spurs Musings From Jimmy G2

Arry’s £8M Target – Harry Hotspur

“Spurs play primitive football and are extremely naive” – Dear Mr Levy

[divider]

A transfer for Everton’s Steven Pienaar to Tottenham Hotspur seems to be a done deal, either going through this January transfer window for £2million or on a Bosman transfer in the summer for free. At first glance that looks a really good deal for Spurs. Pienaar is a good football player and one that I personally rate at more than £2million given the current market of player transfer fees.

Yet is it really a worthwhile purchase for Tottenham? In my mind not really as he is exactly the kind of player they have in abundance in White Hart Land; slight, deft, skilful are the characteristics I would use to describe Pienaar and the majority of Tottenham’s current midfield. At the moment as things stand I can’t see him getting into the Tottenham first team. He is too similar to, but not as good as, Luka Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon. Unlike the possible signing of David Beckham, he doesn’t really bring anything greatly different that the squad doesn’t already have either in terms of style or experience.

So far this season that Tottenham midfield quartet midfield has been decent to say the least as well as consistent. Pienaar on the other hand, although generally I am a fan of his, simply hasn’t been performing consistently as well. Although no-one really has at Everton, bar Tim Cahill and possibly Coleman, hence the position they currently find themselves in the league.

[divider]

I still don’t think it would be the best deal for Tottenham even if they were to accept that Pienaar was not a first choice eleven player and use him as a squad player to play when he regains his form of the previous season and replace anyone of that midfield quartet, as he is rather versatile, when they’re injured or not playing too well. As I feel Niko Kranjcar is perfectly suited to do this role and is already at the club. To take a look back and see how few games he has played over the last few months I believe gives an indication of how little Pienaar would play were he to arrive, and why therefore he is a player that would be surplus to requirements.

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 is mainly the presence of Kranjcar that leads me to believe Pienaar would be a pointless signing for Spurs. I believe Kranjcar should remain the first midfield creative to replace any of these four. I feel he has been hard done by this season, considering how much he contributed last time and this signing would only hasten his exit out of the White Hart Lane door and with Pienaar hardly flying at the moment it would not be much if any improvement. Ultimately I think Kranjcar carries more goal potential, with a fearsome strike and there is simply no room for both of them at the Lane along with all the other attack minded midfielders Tottenham have.

[divider]

Love fantasy football? Love live footy? You’ll love live fantasy football! Take part in the Ipswich v Arsenal match and play Picklive for FREE Go on, give it a go!

Former LA Galaxy boss Ruud Gullit will make his return to football after signing on as manager of Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny.The 48-year-old has not managed since quitting the Galaxy in 2008, but has signed an 18-month deal with Terek, who finished 12th in the Russian top flight last season.

“I’m very happy with my contract of a year and a half. Next weekend I will join up with the team and we will begin preparing for the season,” Gullit said.

“I look forward to getting back into it and this is a beautiful, great opportunity for me.”

Gullit has reportedly been set the target of a top eight finish with the Chechen club, but could face a challenge settling into life in the war-torn Russian province.

The Dutchman made his name as a player with AC Milan, winning three Serie A titles and two European Cups during his time at the San Siro.

He has since gone on to manage some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Chelsea, Newcastle and Feyenoord, before moving across the Atlantic to take the reins at MLS franchise Los Angeles.

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.

Gullit will not have an easy start to his time in Russia, with Terek scheduled to face defending champions Zenit St Petersburg in their season-opener on March 10.

A mixed day at Anfield yesterday as Liverpool agree a fee for Luis Suarez, while at the same time being rocked by the news that Fernando Torres has handed in a transfer request. Liverpool still hold all the cards here and according to reports will ensure that the Spaniard remains at Anfield; however Dalglish will have to weigh up whether it is worth keeping a player, especially if his heart is elsewhere.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes David Gold insistence that West Ham never intended to axe Avram Grant; Fabio Capello hails Gareth Bale as the Premier League’s best, while Trevor Brooking believes the FA can improve England.

*

Torres demands to leave Liverpool despite Suárez arrival – Guardian

Gold: we were never going to sack Avram Grant – Daily Telegraph

Brooking: FA can now improve England – Guardian

Gareth is Prem No1 for Capello – Sun

England skipper Ferdinand backs West Ham for Olympic stadium – Daily Mail

Harry rules out striker signing – Sky Sports

Ancelotti: We’re not desperate – Sun

Wenger backs Wilshere for England role – Guardian

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.

Oyston won’t let Holloway quit – Sky Sports

Saints starlet has the AleX factor – Sun

[divider]

[divider]

Racing Genk missed the chance to cut Anderlecht’s lead in the Belgian First Division to just one point following a 1-1 draw with St Truiden.

Israeli winger Elyaniv Barda gave Genk the lead after eight minutes but Nils Schouterden equalised for the visitors on the stroke of half-time to help secure a point for 12th-place St Truiden.

Genk remain in second place with 51 points, three behind Anderlecht.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Lokeren climbed to fifth with a 2-1 home win over Cercle Brugge, who dropped to seventh.

Jeremy Taravel gave Lokeren the lead after eight minutes but Cercle hit back three minutes later with a goal from Frederik Boi.

But Benjamin De Ceulaer scored the winner for the hosts two minutes after the interval to see his side leapfrog Standard Liege into fifth place.

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.

Mechelen enjoyed a 1-0 win over Kortrijk thanks to a goal from French midfielder Julien Gorius while Zulte-Waregem cruised to a 2-0 win over 13th-place Eupen.

And Charleroi remain anchored to the foot of the table despite their 2-0 home win over fellow battlers Germinal Beerschot.

West Ham secured a vital victory in their battle to avoid relegation thanks to goals from Scott Parker, Demba Ba and Carlton Cole.

Liverpool’s recent resurgence was checked with a stunning display from Avram Grant’s men, who are now only in the bottom three on goal difference.

Glen Johnson pulled one back to make it 2-1 in the final minutes but Cole settled it with a late third goal.

West Ham went into the match looking to build on last week’s heroic draw at West Brom, keenly aware a result against Liverpool would give them renewed hope in their battle to stay in the Premier League.

Parker’s half time team talk inspired the fightback that day and he backed up his words with actions on the pitch, scoring an impressive opener after 21 minutes.

Having exchanged passes with Thomas Hitzlsperger, the West Ham captain brilliantly flicked the ball past Pepe Reina’s grasp to give West Ham the lead.

The hosts got the second goal their first half display deserved when Ba headed home Gary O’Neill’s cross in stoppage time.

Ba, who seems to have settled well in east London, angled his header perfectly to leave Reina with no chance.

Ba almost added another on 52 minutes when his rasping drive just crept past the post while Luis Suarez brought a fine save out of Rob Green on the hour.

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.

Liverpool finally started to wake up as the match entered the final 20 minutes and Steven Gerrard’s powerful effort stung Green’s palms.

Johnson then poked home Luis Suarez’s cross to set up a tense finale but Cole blasted home in the final minute to end hope of a Liverpool comeback.

Even though the game was marred with four sending off’s and more crowd trouble involving Liverpool and Manchester United fans, for United at least, something positive did come out of the 3-2 Youth Cup quarter final at Anfield. A victory is always sweet against your rivals, especially after being 2-0 down, but Ravel Morrison once again managed to force himself into the thought process of first team manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. He’s been on the radar for a while now and after his brace for the youth team, it may be time to unleash the talent on the Premier League.

It’s a tough call to make, because the youngster is obviously going to attract a lot of attention. But there is only so long the 18-year-old can continue to make other youth teams look stupid. He’s definitely got the talent, so you would have thought his first team bow would be sooner rather than later. Given United’s below par performances, it may not be such a bad time anyway. We’ve all come to recognise that Fergie’s men sit top of the league by default, and his midfield is in desperate need of freshening up. The return of Antonio Valencia will be like having a new signing, and Park Ji-Sung will also add some much needed energy. But even so, fighting on three fronts with the form United are in is going to be incredibly difficult. Against Arsenal in the FA Cup, it was pleasing to see the Da Silva twins get a start because you know you’re going to get energy and commitment – which is more than can be said for some of the laborious displays we’ve witnessed whenever United play away from home.

[ad_pod id=’fox-mpu’ align=’right’]

Ravel Morrison would fit into that bracket of player who will ensure of a full-blooded performance. The best part about it though, is he wouldn’t be picked to make a point to some of the other regulars, Morrison could make a huge difference as he’s quick, confident and has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. His second goal against Liverpool was one of real quality, and it isn’t something which has come out of nowhere. He has been doing it all season, and if you believe some stories, they only reason he hasn’t found himself warming the first-team bench more often than he has done, is because his attitude has let him down somewhat.

I’d argue that if that is one side of his game he needs to rectify, being under the watchful eye of Alex Ferguson will soon pay dividends. He wouldn’t be the first problem player to grace Old Trafford, in fact he would just become another on a long list, so it isn’t something Ferguson can’t handle.

United have a difficult run in to secure a 19th league crown, and add on top of that an FA cup semi-final against Manchester City and possible further Champions League involvement, the stronger their squad the better. Ravel Morrison is proving himself to be quite the player, and now could be the time for Fergie to finally unleash the prestigious talent on the rest of the Premier League, starting with Bolton on Saturday.

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.

Like what you read? Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@joino

Schalke have announced that coach Felix Magath will leave the Bundesliga club with immediate effect.Magath, 57, had been widely tipped for the exit owing to the team’s disappointing form in the league this season.A championship-winning coach with Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich, Magath was due to meet with club officials at an extraordinary session of the supervisory board on Wednesday, but chose not to attend. The club later confirmed that he had been removed from the post, but a replacement is yet to be announced.”Schalke have very good reasons to part company with Felix Magath,” chairman Clemens Tonnies said.”We will not communicate these reasons as a legal battle now awaits us. We’re very disappointed about the departure of Felix, but we feel this is the best solution for Schalke.”Earlier, Magath’s lawyer Ralf Hoecker revealed the reasons behind his client’s refusal to attend the meeting. “Mr Magath won’t attend Wednesday’s board meeting as he feels participating doesn’t make any sense,” Ralf Hoecker said.”Mr Magath only received a minimal and incomplete agenda of the meeting on Tuesday. He needs to be well prepared if he is to debate about important subjects.”Magath, who arrived at the Veltins-Arena in July 2009, guided the team to a second-place finish in his first season in charge, but leaves with the team 10th in the Bundesliga table. They have reached the final of the DFB Pokal and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.A Germany international midfielder, Magath spent the majority of his playing career with Hamburg before coaching the club. He has also taken charge of Nuremburg, Werder Bremen, Frankfurt and Stuttgart.