All posts by h79snht.top

Chelsea’s recent transformation on the pitch looks under threat with an upcoming fixture pile up that looks more intimidating than the current congestion at your local petrol station. The recent heroics in Portugal have installed the Blues as firm favourites to overcome Benfica and book their place in the last four of the Champions League. However, should they achieve this they will be forced to play either Barcelona or AC Milan just three days after an FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur.

Roberto Di Matteo had pleaded with the FA to move their match with Spurs to the Friday night to allow his team ample opportunity to recover for what would be their biggest game of the season. Unfortunately, the FA has insisted that the fixture will not be rearranged under any circumstances sparking an angry retort from the Chelsea interim manager.

“We have tried to communicate with the FA and co-operate, so it’s disappointing, I would say, that common sense hasn’t prevailed,’ he said.

‘I probably would have been happy with a Friday night kick-off. We have tried to co-operate with the authorities and given our point of view but it seems it hasn’t been taken into consideration.’

Under normal circumstances the two semi-finals would simply have been swapped over to allow Chelsea to play on the Saturday. However, Sunday April 15 marks the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster with Liverpool understandably refusing to play on that day.

The general consensus amongst supporters appears to be that the FA would not allow the game to take place on Friday night because of policing and safety concerns. Would they still harbour the same view if Chelsea and Tottenham didn’t share a local rivalry? It’s fair to say that neither club would consider each other their ‘fiercest’ adversaries but it would appear that the FA will take every precaution to avoid any disturbances in what will prove to be a feisty affair on the pitch.

To make matters worse for Chelsea, ITV have announced that the tie will take place at 6pm in order to fit snuggly within a prime time viewing slot. The late kick off will also ensure that it doesn’t clash with Manchester United’s Premier League match against Aston Villa, which is being screened on Sky at 4pm. Is this another example of TV companies exerting their detrimental influence on modern football or are they perfectly within their right to make such changes, considering the vast amounts of money that pay in broadcasting rights?

Perhaps there wouldn’t be such a backlash against the FA if other governing bodies around the world employed the same resilient stance against their respective clubs. In the previous round of the Champions League both Benfica and Napoli were given compensation to play their league games on the Friday to allow for extra days rest ahead of their midweek ties.  This is however nothing compared to the extreme lengths the French football association have gone to, moving Marseille’s game against Montpellier back an entire week to help them recuperate properly between the clashes with German giants Bayern Munich. Outrageous I hear you cry, but it’s worth pointing out that their UEFA coefficient, which is currently below Portugal, will mean they will likely lose a Champions League place if Marseille do not progress beyond the quarter-final stages.

Perhaps it’s amicable that the FA are setting a good example concerning favouritism amongst clubs in Europe but with English clubs suffering a disappointing season in the Champions League, surely the FA should be doing everything in their power to help our last remaining representative in the competition.

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Does the FA deserve their current barrage of criticism?

Leave your comments below or on Twitter @theunusedsub

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Following an Easter period at Nottingham Forest which has seen goals, a sending off and a penalty, they now find themselves 7 points clear of the relegation zone with 4 games to play.  Forest are home and dry now, surely?

Ahead of the Bristol City game, there was optimism, uncharacteristically, encouraged by the recent performance against Crystal Palace. Steve Cotterill had finally found the way to win, regardless of whether he luckily stumbled across it or not. Being at the City Ground this season, ‘optimistic’ has been scarcely present in the language of a Forest fan.

But for this game however, things couldn’t be more different. Not many teams can claim to be as desperate as Forest this season, but Bristol City were certainly one of those few, and they were undoubtedly in a negative frame of mind when they came to Nottingham, and it reflected in the way they played.

Forest, lining up with 5 in midfield, ran the game from start to finish, unfortunately though, it was the final ball that was the downer on proceedings. With Lee Camp having nothing to do for the majority of the televised game, the moments he had the cameras on him, had to grabbed with both hands. Well, if he’d actually done that when the cross came in, he wouldn’t have had to draw himself into the siatuation he consequently found himself in. Having not caught the cross, Camp felt he owed it to the team to regain possession. Only, this wasn’t really the time, or in fact the place, to even attempt to snatch the ball from the opponent. With his head running around in circles, and with the spotlight well and truly on him, he rashly dived in and gave away a needless penalty, which was duly converted.

Having dominated throughout the match, Forest found themselves behind. Whilst Forest continued to control, there was something missing. That man was Marcus Tudgay. With Guy Moussi getting worse as the clock ticked on, it was evident to the majority this substitution had to be made, and fast. Cotterill though, had other ideas. The main idea being not to bring on a 2nd striker, until the 85th minute. Baffling to many, but not a suprise. With the Bristol City goalkeeper having the game of his life, it just wasn’t to be, and City escaped with victory.

Moving on to Peterborough, with the points difference from the relegation zone now being an alarming 4 points away, this game was now a must win. With 3000+ Forest fans making the short journey, the Forest players could always be assured the atmosphere would be rocking. With the fans fulfilling their side of the contract, it was down to the players to show us they had the nerve and steel to depart from Peterborough with a win.

There’s many attributes and characteristics that can contribute to winning a football match, and you’d struggle to find anything missing from this performance. First of all, there was the neat, slick passing, ensuring the ability of McGugan, Guedioura and Majewski, were all used to their maximum. Despite starting extremely brightly, Forest were guilty of not finishing off their chances. A problem they’ve had all season, hence the position they’re currently in. With the home team on the back foot, it looked like it would be Forest’s day, and so it proved to be. Blackstock receiving a great cross from McCleary, to smartly turn, and intelligently slot home. With Forest on top, and looking solid at the back, it looked like it was going to be convincing. Half time came, and Forest deservedly went off to a rapturous applause.

Forest continued with their tidy football in the 2nd half, although the referee was soon to have a say on matters. With the ball loose, McCleary went for it, enthusiastically to say the least. From where I was, it was perhaps a little unnecessary, to go to the floor, with the other option to remain stood, and shield the ball to block potential pass options for the opponent. In spite of this, the referee still acted overly sharply to show his red card, not giving himself any thinking time, and vanished McCleary from the game.

After this, it was all about the grit and determination from those in red. With McGugan and Reid tiring, they were withdrawn for former Peterborough man Scott Wootton, and the man that can ‘eat you alive’, George Elokobi. With these defensive, influential figures on, it was clear Cotterill planned to defend, and defend they did. Robustly going into tackles, the players looked up for anything that was to be thrown at them for the remaining 20 minutes. They showed remarkable energy and passion in the remaining minutes, particularly inspired by Adlene Guedioura who bossed the midfield, ensuring he covered every blade of grass.

Big George Elokobi was performing admirably at the back, often marching forward, when he felt like it. The Peterborough players looking reluctant to stop him, unsuprisingly. Lynch was a stalwart in defence, getting rid of everything that came his way. Chris Gunter was doing the job of two men, rampaging forward into right midfield when necessary.

Despite the moment of daunt when the ‘4 minute added on card’ was put up, Forest calmed down nerves, looking composed and disciplined, as they kept possession convincingly, to see out the game.A superb victory, duly celebrated passionately by the Forest contingent, and the players. From showing the pretty, easy on the eye element to their game, they soon appreciated they had to make the transformation into tough, battle-like characters, and to a man, it was achieved.

Having criticised Cotterill for his bizarre decisions against Bristol City, it’s only right he gets praised for his commendable decisions against Peterborough. The subs were timed to perfection, and additionally, the tactics dished out to ensure victory, were equally as brilliant.

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With 4 games remaining against Blackpool, Reading, Hull and Portsmouth, 1 win from those would just about see us secure. Maybe, just maybe, we can be going into the final few games with reason to celebrate, and relax, although this is Forest, so I remain on my toes.

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Highly-rated Marseille striker Loic Remy will wait and see whether Tottenham qualify for the Champions League before declaring an interest in moving to north London, according to Mirror Football.

The France international has impressed at club and national level, and was a target for Harry Redknapp’s men in January, only for the Ligue 1 outfit to turn down a sizeable bid.

With Emmanuel Adebayor’s future at White Hart Lane unclear after his loan from Manchester City ended, Spurs are eager to bring in a new centre forward this summer, with Remy the preferred option.

However, with Chelsea playing in the Champions League final this Saturday and able to steal Spurs’ place in next year’s competition with victory, the French attacker is waiting to see if Redknapp’s men are part of next term’s tournament.

If Bayern Munich manage to beat the Blues and Spurs remain in the Champions League, a £20 million deal for Remy is being lined up.

Remy is currently injured, with a thigh knock keeping him on the sidelines for three to four weeks, and threatening his involvement in Euro 2012.

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By Gareth McKnight

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As Martin O’Neill prepares for a busy summer revamping his squad, the first transformation at Sunderland sees away fans moving to the highest point in the Stadium of Light.

It’s a change the club feels will give them better support next season. Having home fans behind both goals will create a better atmosphere and help improve results but what difference will it make to the team?

O’Neill has been tasked with establishing Sunderland in the top 6. While this may be premature given the players at his disposal, the Northern Irishman told the Sunderland Echo that he’s confident it can be achieved.

“I believe that it certainly has the potential to challenge for a place in the top six, simply because of its size.

“We got 40,000 people here for the Bolton Wanderers game recently, which was a game on which nothing was really riding. So, with backing like that, you know you’re a club that can be a top-six club”

Many view Sunderland as a team on the up. They have a large stadium, excellent facilities, passionate support and strong financial backing but after so many false dawns why should fans view a change in seating plan as a sign of things to come?

O’Neill isn’t naive enough to think moving a few fans will mark a sudden surge in results but it’s something that many of Europe’s biggest teams already implement so at least it’s another step on Sunderland’s road to competing at the highest level. Away fans influence matches when sitting in large numbers behind the goal and can be a menacing proposition to deal with. Manchester United already use a similar seating plan as do rivals Newcastle United and both clubs have a reputation for creating a passionate atmosphere that silences away support.

It seems like an excellent idea and considering there are no rules on where to sit fans, why should Sunderland offer their opponents an advantage that others don’t reciprocate? O’Neill told the Daily Mail that he agrees with the changes.

“First of all, it’s behind the goal, it’s important because if you get a big crowd at some of the games, they can take up the whole end, so it’s intimidating for your own goalkeeper having to face that.

“At Sunderland, we’ve got a really great pocket of support in the corner but you want your fans at both ends. I don’t know who will be affected by it, and I apologise if it is people who have been there for some time, but to have both ends full of our supporters will be brilliant.”

While a new look may not be the decisive factor in Sunderland’s progression, O’Neill’s comments still vindicate the changes as being positive. The only negative is a few home fans being relocated but club officials expected some resistance so they gave supporters the option to voice their concerns before a decision was made. Chairman Ellis Short has big plans for Sunderland so will be hoping the new changes encourage locals to return rather than distance any current ticket holders.

The Stadium of Light is an intimidating arena when full but lately it’s struggled to reach capacity. Only the Tyne-Wear derby and matches against the league’s top sides create enough attention to sell extra tickets and this is something that must change if the club is to progress. With an entire stand currently allocated for a select number of away fans the ground has been left visibly empty, especially when television cameras focus on goal mouth action at the visiting end. Moving the empty seats somewhere else will not increase attendances but having both ends full of passionate support is something that will create a much better feel around the stadium.

Results on the pitch will still decide whether the club achieves success but given the current economic climate it’s important for teams to make their brand more appealing and persuade stay away fans to return. Short is furthering the strides made by former chairman Niall Quinn who was vocal in his attempts to reignite local support. Quinn told the Sunderland Echo:

“The number of fans not coming to the games, the number of fans who are choosing instead to watch it in the pubs, is having a massive effect on our attendances”

Clearly there is cause for concern. Sunderland have a long way to go if they’re to reach their potential so the possibility of better support could lead to improved performances and subsequently even bigger attendances. While a change of seating plan doesn’t guarantee improvement on the pitch, at least the club is showing some initiative and any improvements that help put more money into the team are vital if they’re to progress.

Sunderland may not have a squad capable of challenging for Europe just yet but they’re building a solid foundation for the future. Whether or not their league aspirations are realistic, visiting teams will certainly not relish a trip to the Stadium of Light next season.

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Are Sunderland doing the right thing? Would you be happy if your team followed suit? Can Sunderland challenge for Europe next season?

Let me know your views and opinions by following me on twitter – Tweet me @Alex_Churcher

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Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse has admitted that he is happy at the club and has no intention of leaving this summer.

The Senegal international caused quite a stir in the second half of the season after moving to Tyneside in the January transfer window, and scored 13 goals in 14 games for Alan Pardew’s men.

Due to exceptional form in front of goal Cisse has been linked with an instant move to a bigger club, with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid all thought to be keen to sign the African marksman.

However, Cisse has revealed that he has no intention of leaving the Sports Direct Arena, and will look to fire Newcastle into a Champions League qualifying berth next term.

“I am very happy in Newcastle and I want to stay there for many years. I am looking forward to next season,” he told The Sun.

“We were close to a Champions League position so next season hopefully we will qualify for that and everyone will taste the Champions League.”

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By Gareth McKnight

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Everton boss David Moyes is considering making a move for former Wigan forward Hugo Rodallega according to The Daily Mail.

The cash-strapped Merseysiders are eager to push on by bolstering their squad this summer, but do not have an abundance of money to spend due to financial constraints.

The Colombia international’s contract with the Latics has expired, with the South American leaving the DW Stadium and now available on a free transfer.

Meanwhile, Toffees legend Trevor Steven ha stated that the side need to get off to a good start next season, and the fact that January signing Nikica Jelavic has settled in at Goodison Park should aid this.

“Every team changes their squad in some shape or fashion, whether players are coming out of contract, whether they choose to leave, or whether management wishes that they move on to get someone else in, because you need to freshen it,” he told the club’s official website.

“But the beauty of this season was being able to go into the transfer market last January and spend a considerable amount of money on Jelavic, which was a bargain – he was probably a good 40 per discount on what he might have been had the situation at Rangers not been what it was. So that was an intelligent purchase,” he admitted.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Liverpool have made a clear and deliberate attempt to plan for the future this summer with their transfer business so far, with both Fabio Borini and Joe Allen 22 years of age or younger, but the switch that saw the latter move to Anfield just a few days ago could have a knock-on effect on yet another young player at the club, Jordan Henderson, so just what does the future hold for the midfielder?

Joe Allen arrived from Swansea for £15m in a move that saw boss Brendan Rodgers go back on a supposed gentleman’s agreement between the two clubs – the price may be worth value for money in the long-term, but in the short-term at least, it looks a lot to pay for a player with just one season’s worth of top flight experience under his belt.

What the club’s pursuit does tell us, though, as they paid out Allen’s release clause in his contract, while reportedly tripling his wages and offering him a £2m signing on deal, is that Rodgers was extremely keen to get Allen into the club and on board. Of course, the young Welshman is less of risk when you approach it from the viewpoint that he is familiar with Rodgers ethos, style and what he wants from his players, so in that regard, he should take less time to settle than you would normally expect, and he looks set to secure a starting berth alongside Lucas Leiva in the heart of the midfield, with Steven Gerrard just ahead of them both in something of a free role.

Henderson, lest we forget, is still just 22 years of age himself and despite a rocky first season on Merseyside, where he failed to justify the £16m fee forked out for him from Sunderland, he is still undoubtedly a fine player in the making with huge potential and he’s shown good strength of character in being able to cope with all of the criticism that has come his way, which is wholly unfair when you consider his age.

Much in the same way that Theo Walcott is hampered by lofty expectations at Arsenal, Henderson isn’t a very typical English style of player – quietly effective, composed and with a tidy range of passing – there are no barnstorming forward runs, last-ditch tackles and headline-grabbing performances and the talk of him being the club’s long-term heir to captain Steven Gerrard upon first completing the move has given some people unrealistic expectations and the result is that some appear to have an extremely loose grasp, let alone appreciation, for what kind of player he actually is.

Instead, he’s disciplined, tactically aware and as fit as a fiddle, with possessing the ability to play the ball on the deck and you suspect that he fits in rather neatly into Rodgers vision for the club going forward and his much-talked about footballing philosophy, but the signing of Allen does mean that his path into the starting eleven, when everybody is fit at least, is blocked off to an extent.

Here’s what Rodgers had to say on Henderson to the Liverpool Echo last month: “I look at the young kid Jordan Henderson who got a wee bit of stick last year but do you know what, this is a boy who was 21 years of age. I thought when I first saw him at Sunderland that this kid is going to be a really good player. He’s coming to a massive club and massive expectation. He moves away from home, he is on his own and he has to be a world beater straight away. It was never going to happen.

“This kid can play football. If he is in a certain system – in an environment which is going to help him and educate him in the game – you will see that. The biggest thing for me that I’ve heard about Jordan is his attitude. He has got an incredible attitude. If you have got a player like that who has got the ability and the thirst to learn – he can run all day, he is physically good, he is strong, he is quick – and you can remodel him.”

While obviously sounding a bit like the voice-over to the six billion dollar man: ‘Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man. Jordan Henderson will be that man. Better than he was before. Better…stronger…faster’, Rodgers does have a point regarding Henderson and the main problem for him last term was that he lacked a clearly defined role under previous boss Kenny Dalglish, often being shunted out wide into an unfamiliar position on the right – a top flight version of what every Sunday League club does when they stick the young lad up front even though he doesn’t play there, just because he might be quicker than everyone else.

Henderson flourished at Sunderland in a three-man midfield and it looks as if Rodgers is keen to replicate the system he used at Swansea during his time at Liverpool and with a European campaign in mind, Henderson will surely start upwards of 30 games over the course of the season. If anything, not being a guaranteed starter, but a relied upon squad member could be exactly what was needed to take the spotlight away from him and the near-constant talk about his hefty fee.

You only have to look at the competition in midfield to realise that Henderson, despite the Allen signing, will be seeing a lot of playing time. If the club manage to clinch the signing of Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, which everyone now assumes they will do now that their priority target of Allen has been secured, then that leaves five players into three positions.

Alberto Aquilani has already been moved on to Fiorentina this summer to create space in the squad and room to manoeuvre in the wage budget for the Allen switch, while Charlie Adam looks like he’s going to be moved on if the club receive a suitable offer for him with Fulham mooted as a potential destination after he struggled for consistency last term, and the Scot clearly lacks the necessary fitness and mobility to play in a Rodgers side.

There has been talk of youngster Jonjo Shelvey being moved out on loan again this season, but the new-found maturity he displayed during his composed display at the heart of the midfield alongside Lucas during the club’s 3-0 win over FC Gomel surely provided food for thought for the new boss. Jay Spearing looks set be kept around if for no other reason than he provides a decent understudy to Lucas should he get injured again.

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Henderson may not be assured of a starting place in the same way that he was under Dalglish last season, but the same can be said for both Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll too as Rodgers looks set to rotate his squad a lot more, relying on past performances as opposed to the player in question’s transfer fee.

This competition for places should serve the side well, while Henderson’s versatility means he could also play a key part in a number of different roles and while he may not perhaps be as integral as before, with the inevitable injuries you’ll suffer from competing on four fronts over the course of a long season, his style means he has the potential to be Liverpool’s answer to Ramires should he find his feet in the new-look side and system.

You can follow me on Twitter @JamesMcManus1

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The Midlands club have appointed former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund assistant coach Michael Henke as their new head of European scouting.

The German, 55, coached Villa manager Paul Lambert while he was a player at Dortmund in the 1990s. He was assistant to Ottmar Hitzveld at Dortmund and Munich when they won Bundesliga and Champions League titles. Henke also had a spell in charge of analysis and scouting at Bayern Munich, first under Hitzveld and then Jurgen Klinsmann, before another assistant role at FC Koln.

“It’s great to have a man with Michael’s experience and track record to come in to this role”, Lambert told BBC Sport, “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring him here. In the European game he has an unbelievable wealth of experience and an enviable network of contacts. It’s a great thing for Villa that we have been able to attract a man of his calibre.”

Villa are currently in talks to loan out midfielder Jean II Makoun to French  Ligue 1 side Rennes for the approaching season, and have also been linked with a move for Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe.

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Liverpool have recorded a 1-0 win over Hearts in the Europa League play-offs in Scotland.

The Anfield club struggled to break down the stubborn SPL club, but an Andy Webster own goal on 78 minutes separated the sides and gives Brendan Rodgers’ men the advantage to bring back to Merseyside.

Reds defender Jamie Carragher feels that his side are starting to take to their new manager’s tactics and mentality, and that they will be up to speed soon.

“It doesn’t have to be a slow process,” he told ITV Sport.

“Pre-season’s gone really well, obviously we’ve got a bit of a bump at West Brom.

“It was nice to come here, it was a difficult game, we’ve got the result now and now we look forward to Man City. It’s a massive game, and as I said, a new manager coming in, finding his feet if you like and we’re all getting used to each other.

“But it doesn’t have to be slow, we want it to be as quick as possible,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Reading striker Jason Roberts is determined to make a quick recovery from a calf injury.

The 34-year-old has been out of action for the past month and insists that he is doing all he can to resume playing. He told the Reading Post:

“I’m doing all sorts of stuff. Pilates, core work, everything. I’ve been doing loads. My recovery from the injury has been slower than I would have liked, but when you’re injured it can give you the opportunity to improve on other things too.”

However, Roberts is not willing to risk suffering the same problem again by rushing his comeback and is refusing to pin a date on a Royals comeback, but he has assured fans that he is doing everything he can to make his Premier League return. He continued:

“I need to make sure when I come back that I’m not coming off with the same issue again. I haven’t had a calf problem before, but luckily I haven’t missed many games. I’m a really bad injured player because I just have no patience.”

Roberts joined Reading from Blackburn Rovers in January 2012, and manager Brian McDermott will be desperate for the striker return to action as his team face tough fixtures against Tottenham, West Brom, QPR and Newcastle before the month is out.