All posts by h79snht.top

Like any self respecting football fan, I spent most of transfer deadline day sat in my office scouring Twitter for the latest transfer rumour and staring intently at BBC’s sports day live patiently waiting for each auto refreshing nugget of drama to unfold. Not a lot of work was done.

Conversely, those behind the scenes at the Emirates were very busy, something we are not used to from recent deadline days. Overall, Wenger has completed eight new signings this summer with over half of those going right up to the wire. This is the largest intake of fresh blood since 1998 when the likes of Overmars, Petit and Wreh, amongst others, arrived in North London.

That particular group marked a shift in the way we play football and the beginning of our domestic dominance of the late 90’s and early 00’s. And of course we don’t need reminding of the other signings that came during that period and cemented AW’s reputation as a master in the transfer market. So how does this new batch compare?

Obviously only time will tell but my initial reaction was one of relief (yes he’s spent some money, plugged some gaps) followed by excitement and then, this morning, back to reality with a disappointing thud. Let me explain. On the whole I think some good business was this summer, the addition of Mertesacker and Santos means we can finally have a back four that inspires confidence. If Vermaelen can keep fit, he and Mertasacker will provide the Vidic/Ferdinand style centre paring that has been so sorely missed in recent seasons.

Benayoun is a wise, if not underwhelming, loan acquisition and he will bring some much needed Premier League and European experience in the middle. Arteta gives us something to be excited about, I’ve always seen Everton’s former talisman as a natural Arsenal player, he’s creative, quick, and intelligent plus we know he can deliver in the domestic game.

Gervinho looks promising (then again so did Chamakh) and Jenkinson and Chamberlain are young prospects who may need a couple of seasons to mature but could play a valuable part this season, just not in the big games. Good so far but no matter how much I play out the positives I keep on going back to something AW said in a press conference a few weeks ago that has probably haunted him ever since…“(if) you see Fabregas leaving, Nasri leaving…you cannot pretend you are a big club”. Well Fabregas left and Nasri left and the money gained has not been spent on adequate replacements.

All around us big clubs, rightly or wrongly, are spending big, offering big wages and big prospects of silverware. The summer transfer saga has demonstrated that Arsenal cannot compete with this, if we cannot keep our star players, how can we expect to attract new ones?

This season will be make or break for AW and Arsenal FC, we must win a trophy and qualify for the Champions League otherwise the allure of the Man City’s and the Barca’s will be too great for the likes of Wilshere and RVP and we may even struggle to sign someone like Arteta, let alone Kaka’s and Messi’s of this world.

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Article courtesy of Robert Rankin from Arsenal Insider

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The Captain

There is no doubt about it. Wayne Rooney is in scintillating form with eight goals from just four games. Chelsea won’t roll over like Bolton and Arsenal did for the Champions. However, everything the Manchester United forward touches at the moment turns to goals. If United win at the weekend, you’d think he’ll be in the thick of the action.

Honourable Mentions: Darren Bent, Nani, Luiz Suarez, Sergio Aguero

The Vice Captain

Pulling the strings of the Manchester City attack is the mesmeric David Silva. The Spaniard has two goals and two assists to date and his side travel to Craven Cottage on Sunday. The Cottagers are yet to win this season and Silva is sure to take advantage of any nervousness in the Fulham ranks. With Dzeko and Aguero looking so deadly in front of goal, the likelihood of assists only increases for the ex-Valencia playmaker.

The Outside Bet

He was missed against Spurs last week as Wolves struggled to create enough clear cut chances. However, Matt Jarvis should return from injury at Molineux this weekend against QPR. The man with an England cap to his name could well mark his return with a performance. He is certainly one of the main, if not the main creative outlets for Mick McCarthy’s side.

Honourable Mentions: Ivan Klasnic, Tim Cahill, Nicklas Bendtner

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Spot the Clean Sheet

Even though they’ve failed to score yet, Swansea’s defence has looked good at home. Barring any silly mistakes from keeper Michel Vorm, West Brom might find Swansea a harder side to break down than Norwich. Hodgson has never been famed for his record on the road in the Premier League either. With two clean sheets to their name at home already, it’s not a bad bet they can secure a third against the Baggies.

Avoid for the Weekend

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Although he showed signs of his former self against Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, Fernando Torres doesn’t look nearly prolific enough to make any fantasy team. He still only has one Premier League goal to his name in 18 appearances since his £50 million move in January. Sunday’s game against Manchester United is unlikely to be the game where he breaks his duck for the new season.

A Forgotten Man

Emmanuel Adebayor’s debut somewhat overshadowed Jermain Defoe’s performance against Wolves. If you still give Defoe a chance, he will put it away and it is something Liverpool need to be wary of going into their clash at White Hart Lane this weekend. He’ll be hoping last season was an anomaly in his career.

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Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong believes that this Premier League season is the most competitive for a long time. With the season now well underway the Cameroonian believes as many as seven clubs could battle it out for the top four spots and an all-important place in next year’s Champions League.

The 25-year-old told talkSPORT: “The league is getting crazier and crazier. We can’t even pick who is going to be in the top four or who is going to get relegated.

“It is really interesting and there will be a lot of teams involved in the title race.

“It is going to be a tough season, you have to win regularly and keep the levels really high no matter who we are playing against.”

Take a look at the runners and riders chasing the holy grail of Champions League football and make your own mind up over who will achieve their goal.

Manchester City

The top team in the country at present and looking completely unbeatable. After trouncing rivals United in the Manchester derby they confirmed their rightful place in the top four and having grabbed their first Champions League win against Villarreal last week they are going from strength to strength in the fight for trophies here and on the continent. With the ocean of talent at their disposal and the world-class talents on show in the form of Aguero, Silva and Balotelli, they are virtually guaranteed to finish it the top four and more than likely as Champions.

Manchester United

Fergie’s team are wounded at the minute but it should turn out to be nothing more than a blip in the machine that is Manchester United. The Red Devils have made the most consecutive appearances in the competition than any other side, currently on a run of 16 seasons. Although he’s been quiet in the last few games, Wayne Rooney will surely play a big part in the team’s success and the young blood of Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley will want to show they can be the next home grown legends at Old Trafford. It would be a brave man to bet against them making a return next year. Expect them to chase City all the way.

Chelsea

Under young buck Andre Villas-Boas, the Blues have made an understated start, flying under the radar into third place and only a point behind Fergie’s men. With eight years fighting at the top under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, the experience is there to continue that battle despite the fresh face of the manager. Having reached the final in 2008 only to lose on penalties, they will want to keep trying until the fully repress the demons of that day. The disciplinary record may affect them, having had five players sent off already this season but the players at the club are likely to be able to guide the club into the top four even if a few more see red.

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Tottenham Hotspur

With three places pretty much certainly taken, fourth place is the one everybody else is fighting for. The Spurs side have got a taste of the Champions League now and are determined to get back. The Europa League is not a consolation for Harry Redknapp and the teams he selects for those games reflect how little he cares for it. Having started the season against both Manchester clubs they were unfairly near the bottom, but five wins in the last six games have put them right in contention. Last season the squad was strong but tired towards the end and Harry will be hoping that the acquisition of Adebayor and energetic Scott Parker will be enough to steer them back to the Promised Land.

Liverpool

Everybody’s dark horse for the League this season have disappointed so far, failing to turn their dominance into points on occasions, particularly in front of the home crowd against Norwich. Having said that, the side was very strong in the second half of last season and are in a much better position than twelve months ago so if the form they should early in 2011 comes back at the turn of the year, they will be staking their claim come May. Luis Suarez and returning captain Steven Gerrard will be pivotal in deciding whether the fly or fall.

Arsenal

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Following their horrendous start to the season everybody was wondering whether the Gunners would even reach the top half, nevermind Europe. But three consecutive wins in the league over Bolton, Sunderland and Stoke have put them in seventh, only six points behind Chelsea. And with Robin van Persie banging in goals from all angles, you wouldn’t 8-2 be an Arsenal fan right now.

Newcastle United

Dreams do come true, right? After the regular summer controversy at St James’ Park where three of the clubs best players followed Andy Carroll out of the exit door, one to the Championship and two following some uncomplimentary tweeting, it didn’t look too promising for the Toon Army. But nine games in they are the only team other than the mercurial Manchester City that are unbeaten and have looked strong and composed under Alan Pardew. Chiek Tiote is in good form and Collocini has been a rock at the back, while Demba Ba is showing the form that made West Ham take a punt on him. It could happen. That’s why we love football.

Who do you think will fill the top four? Comment below or follow me on Twitter @jrobbins1991.

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QPR boss Neil Warnock has expressed his delight at his side’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday, and feels the referee was not at fault for any of the major decisions in the game.

A Heidar Helguson penalty in the first half gave The Hoops victory over their London rivals, and Warnock is happy to have recorded the three points.

“It was fantastic for the fans,” he told Sky Sports.

“You don’t get results like we did today very often, not when playing a team with so much quality.

“But our boys did fantastically, we had a plan and it worked a treat. To get three points against Chelsea is like a dream,” he stated.

Referee Chris Foy sent off both Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba in the Rangers’ victory, which Andre Villas Boas was displeased with.

However, Warnock has backed the official and feels he had a good game.

“I don’t think the referee’s done much wrong today. He made fewer mistakes than both teams and I was glad to have someone experienced like him in charge.

“We’ve worked hard for 18 months to get a result like this and it’s fantastic. Now we have to take that on board and get more results like that at home,” he concluded.

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QPR have another London derby up next, as they take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane next Sunday.

By Gareth McKnight

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Tottenham’s good run of form continued on Sunday, as they beat London rivals QPR 3-1 at White Hart Lane.

Welsh winger Gareth Bale scored a goal in each half either side of a Rafael van der Vaart strike to make it six wins in seven games for Harry Redknapp’s men.

Jay Bothroyd netted after the interval for the visitors to make it more tricky for the hosts, but Redknapp was delighted with the performance and the result.

It was a fantastic performance,” the 63-year-old said to Sky Sports after the game.

“In the first half we played some great football and moved the ball quickly. The movement and passing was incredible.

“They changed how they played, got it forward and played with more intensity in the second half but Gareth finished them off with a great goal.

“Suddenly they got a lifeline at 2-1 and it changes games so that third goal was important. I said at half-time we shouldn’t relax in the second half but, to be fair to them, they came out and raised their game.

“Overall we were outstanding today,” he stated.

Despite the goalscoring heroics of Bale, the coach picked out midfield general Scott Parker for particular praise after the win.

“Scott is a fantastic player. He was top of my list and he’s just what we need.

“He tackles, doesn’t give the ball away and he’s a great boy and fantastic person. He’s what you build great football clubs around,” Redknapp concluded.

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The victory lifts Spurs up to fifth place, equal on 19 points with Newcastle and Chelsea. The North London side face another city rival in the form of Fulham next Sunday.

By Gareth McKnight

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Controversy has followed Joey Barton around wherever he has gone in his 10 year career so far but could that all be coming to an end. Many off the off-field problems have been well documented and there was a time where Barton was one of the most despised footballers in the English game, but things may finally have changed.

It appears that many people, including myself, are slowly warming to the QPR midfielder, who speaks his mind and plays with his heart on his sleeve week-in-week-out, something that is missing from many modern day players. A big fan of Twitter, Barton communicates with his fans and always makes his opinions heard, something that gets him in trouble with the FA but makes him an interesting person to listen to.

Off the field problems have tarnished Barton’s reputation, whether it be stubbing a cigar out on a youth team players face, assaulting former team mate Ousmane Dabo on the training field at Manchester City or serving 77 days imprisonment for a fight outside a Liverpool night club, that is a difficult position for anyone to come back from, especially a Premier League footballer who is in the spotlight 27/7.

Without condoning anything that may have happened over the years, Barton has come back from the incidents with dignity and responsibility. After initially not getting on with Geordie legend Alan Shearer, Barton enjoyed three years at Newcastle, where he was able to focus on football and show his talents on the pitch.

Barton played a big part in pushing Newcastle into the Premier League and earning a mid table finish the following year with Barton and team mate Kevin Nolan becoming two of the best English midfielders on form. However, more outspoken comments and arguments with management at Newcastle meant Barton was released on a free this summer. With plenty of clubs wanting Barton, including Arsenal, Everton and West Ham, Barton signed a four-year-deal with QPR and has become club captain immediately.

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Since joining QPR, Barton has been on fine form, continuing where he left off last season at St James Park. The free signing has been at the heart of everything good at Loftus Road and is one of the top midfielders in the country at the moment. Many respectable people in football even feel that Barton is deserving of an England call up but with his history and comments made on the England set up, it is extremely unlikely that Barton will be on Fabio Capello’s mind come May.

A new England manager will be installed after the Euro’s next year and that may be a chance for Barton to break into the national team if he can stay on form and out of trouble why should he not be looked at as a possible selection candidate.

Whether he gets his chance or not for England, it is refreshing to have a personality in modern day football that is not afraid to say what he feels and is always worth a listen to when he speaks. Comedy conversations on Twitter with wannabe celebrities have caused many people to change their outlook on Barton and more of the same would be much appreciated in the game.

The days of Paolo Di Canio and Eric Cantona even Robbie Savage entertaining the crowd on and off the pitch are gone and now Barton has very little help in showing supporters a more light hearted view of the game. Mario Balotelli has also brought with him similar traits.  He is interesting to listen to and sees the lighter side of football. It is far too common nowadays for players to be told what they can and cant say by the powers that be, and it should not be that way. Barton and Balotelli should be praised for their free attitudes and communication with the supporters.

It has been a good four years for Barton who has stayed out of trouble off the field and has won many fans on it, with whole hearted performances and passion that many supporters love to see.

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Only time will tell is Barton can keep himself away from off the field incidents, but the FA have now given him the task of teaching young, aspiring footballers how to use technology such as Twitter correctly. It appears that the 29-year-old is hitting his prime and I believe, if he can focus on football, he can be one of the top midfielders in the country and a player that every team would be happy to take on in their squad, along with becoming an interesting player to listen to and his opinions will continue to be refreshing and honest.

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Everton manager David Moyes has admitted that his side were second best against Bolton on Wednesday night, and deserved to be beaten 2-1 at Goodison Park.

Tim Howard scored a freak goal to put The Toffees 1-0 up, as his clearance took a strange bounce and wind-assisted it flew over the head of visiting goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.

However, David Ngog and Gary Cahill netted for the visitors to secure a massive three points, and Moyes feels the Trotters were good value for their win.

“Bolton deserved to win. They played well enough to get the result and we didn’t,” the Scottish coach told Sky Sports.

“The conditions have played their part but both teams had to play in it and Bolton adapted better than we did,” he stated.

The American goalkeeper’s strange goal did not impress Moyes, who stated that his side did not deserve to have taken the lead at that point.

“It was a freak goal and we hadn’t deserved to be a goal up. I hoped at 1-0 we might have enough to keep it but we didn’t,” he said.

The Merseyside club’s misery was made worse by the fact that Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell picked up knocks; the extent of the injuries are yet to be determined.

“I can’t tell you about them because I haven’t spoken to the medical team yet but we’ll assess it in the morning,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has stated that getting the win against Wigan was more important than the team’s performance.

A solitary Edin Dzeko goal restored City’s three-point advantage at the top of the Premier League in a 1-0 win at the DW Stadium.

Despite it not being the best performance from his team, Mancini has admitted that the win was all that counted.

“It was about the victory not the performance tonight,” the Italian coach told Sky Sports.

“It was really important to win tonight. We knew that was difficult because Wigan this month have played very well and Roberto Martinez is a fantastic manager.

“At this moment we have a lot of players injured, we have a big problem and for this reason it is not important maybe to play very, very well, but important to get a good result.

“I was nervous when it was still 1-0 but that’s normal, every player and manager is nervous,” he commented.

Dzeko’s strike was his first in 11 games, and Mancini is happy that the Bosnian striker has ended his goal drought.

“I’m very happy for him because he deserved to score a goal.

“He scored this very important goal for us and I hope he continues it in the next game.”

“Next up is a top of the table clash with Tottenham on Sunday, and Mancini is expecting a close game.

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“It is a big game because Tottenham are having a fantastic season. They are a big team and it will be a fantastic match on Sunday,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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An unusually slow start to the January transfer window has proved that the majority of clubs are taking caution in any deals they invest in during the opening month of 2012 and for good reason. January is often a time where players value is increased and generally a desperate club will splash needless cash on changing the fortunes of their side if the opening five months of the season.

The likes of Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres are the victims of criticism after big money January moves but it is not only the mid season window that draw clubs into pointless signings. Over the past few years you find yourself in the rare situation when you see a confirmed transfer that makes you simply think – Why?

Whether it be just to add strength to their squad or to genuinely prevent another team from signing them (Harry Redknapp) a decision to sign a player could make or break a manage. In light of that, here is a look of the top TEN most pointless signings in recent memory.

Click on Bebe below to unveil the top TEN most pointless signings in recent memory

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Have I missed someone out? Let me know on Twitter: @Brad_Pinard

They currently lie in fifth place in the Premier League, they require a replay with Championship Birmingham City to progress in the FA Cup and they have a striker faltering on a scale of epic proportions. Indeed, Chelsea are struggling to navigate their ship through the choppy waters of this season’s Premier League and their manager is struggling to appease a growing sea of discontent. Is it time to wave goodbye to Andre Villas-Boas or is his slender managerial age the key component keeping him at Stamford Bridge both this season and beyond?

Still in contention to finish in a Champions League qualification spot, this would delight the likes of Newcastle United this season but for the Blues and their very high standards as set by the owner, creeping into Europe would represent only the minimum requirement.

Fresh faced, trendy and stylish. This was the man who hot-footed it into SW6 this summer, dubbed as the ‘next Mourinho’. Aside from his Portuguese roots likening him to the Special One, AVB was employed on the merits of his outstanding previous season of success at FC Porto, his fashionable age and his previous attachment to Chelsea in an assistant scout capacity. Fast forward to mid-February and AVB cuts a worried figure on the touchline, trading his early season goal jerks for nervous judders of frustration. Too much pressure for one 34-year-old to handle?

Villas-Boas’ age certainly separates him apart from his predecessors, all elder, wiser and with experienced legacies in the game. With Ancelotti’s double-winning side now a distant memory, the fashionable employment of AVB would prove a mockery if he were to be sacked so early into his tenure.

Back in June, a Chelsea official statement read of his appointment

‘Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job. He is one of the most talented young managers in football today and has already achieved much in a relatively short space of time. His ambition, drive and determination matches that of Chelsea and we are confident Andre’s leadership of the team will result in greater successes in major domestic and European competitions’.

Of course, nowadays, all contracts and club statements can be taken with a pinch of salt, but sacking AVB now would surely ridicule the vision and image of Chelsea in seasons going forward.

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Chelsea have earned a reputation as England’s hire and fire club, much like the regime at Real Madrid whereby messrs Queiroz, Luxemburgo, Schuster, Ramos and Pellegrini have all been swiftly shown the exit door.

This kind of short-term employment has been criticised in many quarters, tarnishing the names of established managers, chewing their reputations into shreds, reflecting badly upon the clubs ruthless owners. Of course, owners want success but patience is certainly a virtue. AVB’s 34 years mean by default that he is owed more time; more time to groom his squad into his own and more time to experience English football in his first-team capacity.

Supporters will point that he has statistically been the worst manager since Mourinho, but in a growing football world of immediacy, the strain is as great as ever to achieve silverware, success and deliver European qualification season upon season.

In a campaign of transition at the Bridge, AVB still employs many of the names that forged a healthy reputation under Mourinho, namely Mikel, Malouda, Drogba and Kalou, but their influence has waned and they haven’t seemed to fit in with AVB’s contemporary vision. Even Lampard has had to be content with a bench role for certain games this term; unheard of during previous seasons. With the additions of Mata, Meireles, Romeu, Lukaku and Cahill, Villas-Boas has done little but add a subtle variation to one of the Premier League’s most aged outfits.

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This summer will really test AVB’s strength’s (if he lasts that long) and allow him to truly revolutionise the squad into his own; the quick passing and flair-laden outfit Abramovich and Chelsea fans so crave. With Juan Mata providing the shining light of the season so far, Chelsea are likely to add similar technical names to their ranks, and the futures of the old Mourinho school look likely to conclude this summer.

Time is certainly on AVB’s side and he deserves more of it. But he is bound by a highly ruthless and cynical football environment; he needs to learn fast and achieve results quick.

Does AVB deserve more time or should he be shown the exit door? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989

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