Glen Johnson has made his peace with Roy Hodgson following the Liverpool manager's recent outburst when he criticised the England international's club form so far this season.
Johnson returned to the Reds first team on Saturday, scoring his team's first goal in the 3-0 victory against West Ham United.
Johnson admitted:"Believe me, no-one wants me to find my best form more than me, and I was aware of what I had to do. It was a little reminder from the boss, he told me that was what he meant by it.
"We spoke and he explained he wanted it to help me, to push me and I said to him, I don't need people to tell me, I know where I'm at in terms of form, and I knew it all already.
"The gaffer told me he has faith in my ability, we spoke and we cleared things up. Sometimes comments like that can be made to look more negative than they are meant.
"The boss explained that he didn't mean it in a negative way, just that he knew I had more to offer than I was showing and wanted to get that from me.
"No player wants to be injured and it's been frustrating to me, to be out for so long. But that was more like it for me on Saturday. I think it's been a difficult season for me, but it's been a difficult season for a lot of teams and a lot of players.
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"You just have to keep doing what you've done in the past and try to reignite some of that form. The last seven games I haven't played and it's impossible to improve your form if you aren't out there, so it's been extra frustrating for me.
"I had some niggling injuries at the start of the season, and when you don't have that consistency it can affect your form. I'm not making excuses, but sometimes it is difficult."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Saturday wasn’t the best of days for Rangers, defeated 1-0 by Kilmarnock at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.
After losing to Celtic last weekend, the pressure was on Graeme Murty’s team to bounce back with a victory, but they played well below their best and were ultimately punished by former striker Kris Boyd.
Aberdeen are now within touching distance of the Light Blues and their bid to finish in second place this season is very much at risk.
Fans couldn’t pick out many good performers in their team after the defeat, but did have praise for one or two Kilmarnock players, in particular midfield powerhouse Youssouf Mulumbu.
The Killie man ran the show in the middle of the park and has been an inspired Steve Clarke signing, integral to their incredible form over the last couple of months.
Rangers fans are so convinced by his ability that they’re now eager to sign him this summer, feeling he has a lot to offer the Ibrox side.
Is he a player the Light Blues should be pursuing?
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Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
Two routine wins, two clean sheets, and top of their qualifying group, yet England have still managed to find something to stir up some controversy in what was expected to be an unremarkable international break.
Raheem Sterling made headlines following the Three Lions’ 1-0 victory over Estonia on Sunday when it was revealed that the Liverpool youngster had asked Roy Hodgson to be placed on the bench instead of starting the game due to tiredness. Uproar predictably ensued as the footballing world and his wife felt compelled to shed their opinion on the matter, with some expressing utter disgust at the young whippersnapper’s temerity to make such a claim, only for others to leap to Sterling’s defence.
Alan Shearer’s criticism was particularly comical, with the former Newcastle man engaging in some populist demagogy in his column for The Sun newspaper by self-righteously asserting that “the working man who is up at 6am and home at 8pm does not want to hear how tired a 19-year-old professional footballer is”, while Gary Lineker took up the role of the over-protective mother hen, sheltering the vulnerable chick with his proverbial feathers from the media storm by taking to Twitter to say that “Raheem Sterling is a teenager”, that “teenagers do get tired and even moody”, that “he’s young, still developing”, and therefore “we should cut him some slack”. Sterling himself also proceeded to meekly poke his adorable head into the fray, heart-meltingly tweeting: “Excuse me for being human”.
Of course, the row has expanded to become a case of club versus country, as England boss Roy Hodgson questioned the medical benefits of the ‘two-day recovery system’ implemented by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, which Hodgson believes to be the reason behind Sterling’s fatigue. According to the England manager, adhering to such a system means that Sterling is not used to preparing for a rapid turnaround in between two games as England had to do last week, and with the relationship between the two men already fraught following Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge’s injury during the previous international break – not to mention the fact that the Reds have a strong core of England internationals – there is a danger of things escalating between the pair.
In truth, the whole fallout is slightly pathetic. Raheem Sterling is a phenomenally gifted footballer who is enjoying the best 12 months of his still fledgling career. The teenager’s confidence and his youthful exuberance means that he probably approaches every match – be it in the red of Liverpool or the white of England – with a desire to play as many minutes as he possibly can. Given that he is playing wonderful football on a consistent basis, is receiving numerous plaudits for his performances and is rightfully regarded as an integral part of the national team, it is highly unlikely that he would feign fatigue just to spend 45 minutes on the bench. Such behaviour would be expected more from a player who is out of form, whose morale is low or who lacks the motivation and desire to play, none of which apply to Sterling.
The only thing Sterling is guilty of is honesty, which certainly does not warrant the ridiculously overblown reaction of the past few days. The youngster probably was expressing genuine concern at being fatigued – is it not better for fans of both England and Liverpool that he does not increase any further risk to his fitness by taking such a cautious approach?
Lineker’s claim that Sterling is a young man who is still developing rings true. There have been ample cases in football of promising young players – Michael Owen, for instance – whose early potential has sadly led to drastic decline due to burn out caused by an over-dependence on their talents during youth. It would be a great pity if the hugely gifted teenager’s career followed the same trajectory as Owen’s due to recklessness during his formative playing years.
Ultimately, nobody is in the wrong in the whole affair. Sterling was right to be so honest about his concerns, Rodgers is right to be protective over his players given previous injury problems his team has suffered during international breaks, and Hodgson is right in championing the importance of the national side and having the best players at his disposal in order for him to carry out his job. All that needs to be done to avoid a repeat of such an embarrassing episode is for Hodgson and Rodgers to have a transparent and productive discussion on what is to be expected of the players during the break, and for a compromise to be reached.
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When it comes to England, such a straightforward proposal is easier said than done. However, for the sake of the national team, of sensible football fans and most importantly of Raheem Sterling himself, it is time to put this tiresome matter to bed.
Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is hoping to keep on loan left back Danny Rose at the club for the rest of the season after his fine form continues.
Rose is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and the North London side are struggling for a first choice left back with Benoit Assou-Ekotto still out injured and players filling in out of position.
Rose has been solid for the Black Cat’s this season but is ineligible for Spurs’ visit to the North East in today’s lunchtime kick off.
The England under-21 is enjoying his football and has hinted at the possibility of making his stay permanent at the Stadium of Light at the end of the season.
Like any loan between two Premier League sides the parent club can recall the player in January and that is something that Martin O’Neill will be discussing with Spurs today when the two teams meet.
“Spurs are up here this weekend and there might be a chance for some talks or at least a conversation,” O’Neill told the Sunderland Echo.
“But at this moment, we just have to play it by ear and enjoy it having him here at Sunderland while it lasts.
“We have an agreement in place that we would be given some notice if Spurs wanted to recall him.
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“And it’s decent enough notice – something like a couple of weeks – so we would have a chance to find a replacement.
“If Tottenham do recall him, there is really nothing we can do about that – but hopefully that won’t happen.”
Ever since his rabona goal back in 2014, Erik Lamela has been a bit of a fan favourite in the white half of North London. The tricky winger enjoyed some of the best form of his career last season but has been in and out of the team this season for various reasons.
The Argentine has missed several games for personal reasons, but also picked up a hip injury, which meant his season only really got going in February. There were no signs of rust on Wednesday though, as Lamela played the full 90 minutes for Pochettino’s men and looked back to his old self.
Having found the net recently against Newport, Lamela started the match against Juventus last month, but hasn’t really forced himself back in as a consistent starter.
His performance at a snowy Wembley should go some way to fixing that, as the 25-year-old grabbed two assists in his side’s 6-1 demolition job of League One Rochdale.
Valued at £22.5 million on Transfermarkt, Lamela caused trouble for the visitors all night as he completed five dribbles, registered five shots and created plenty of chances for the likes of Fernando Llorente and Heung-min Son. Lamela offers different qualities to the likes of Son and Dele Alli, and could be a key figure for Spurs as they try to gather momentum towards the end of the season.
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Son certainly staked his claim to keep his starting spot with two goals on Wednesday, and Lucas Moura has impressed since arriving, but Lamela’s directness and ability to pick a cross may be necessary as more teams batten down the hatches and fight to avoid relegation.
So, Spurs fans, should Lamela start against Huddersfield this weekend? Let us know by voting below…
Footballers earning bags of money seem to attract pretty women… we can’t quite work out the link, can you? Even though Leeds have been away from the top tier for a while, but their players are still bagging themselves some beauties off of the pitch.Here are FIVE of the Whites’ more glamorous followers for your viewing pleasure…[ffc-gallery]
CLICK ON JADE & BILLY SHARP TO REVEAL THE FIVE
SPT_GCK_110712_Football feature, Southampton, Picture Graham Chadwick. Billy Sharp with his girlfriend Jade at their home in Southampton. (they are wearing the blue bands for the Luey Jacob Sharp Fondation, and the t-shirt.)
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Charlotte Pearce (James Pearce)
Leeds’ captain may not have had much silverware through his career, but he certainly has a trophy wife off of the pitch.
Eleonora Cellino (Massimo Cellino’s daughter)
Not strictly a WAG, the lovely Eleonora arrived alongside her father Massimo when he took over at Leeds. A racy pic at Elland Road caught some attention!
Jade Sharp (Billy Sharp)
Hot shot on the pitch, pretty decent at scoring off of it, too. Billy Sharp’s wife Jade is certainly the envy of many men.
SPT_GCK_110712_Football feature, Southampton, Picture Graham Chadwick. Billy Sharp with his girlfriend Jade at their home in Southampton. (they are wearing the blue bands for the Luey Jacob Sharp Fondation, and the t-shirt.)
Alana Hunt (Noel Hunt)
Noel Hunt has, arguably, the most attractive other half at Leeds. Well, that’s what we think.
Courtney St John (Ross McCormack)
Okay, Ross McCormack may not be at Leeds any more, but we can enjoy Courtney St John, right? After all, she was spotted at Elland Road a few times…
Manchester City club captain Vincent Kompany has ruled out the possibility of City feeling sorry for themselves after they were knocked out of the Champions League in midweek.
City were beaten in Dortmund on Tuesday night and failed to even qualify for the Europa League putting pressure on the players and boss Roberto Mancini.
Arch rivals Manchester United visit the Etihad today in the first Manchester derby of the season and last season’s champions will be looking to leapfrog their opponents and regain top spot in the Premier League.
Kompany is pleased that their first game after such disappointment is against their rivals as it gives them a chance to instantly pick themselves up and restore some faith from the fans.
The Belgian also believes that neither side will go into the game as favourites despite City holding home advantage and that he expects every player to be at the top of their game.
“The best way for us to react is to perform on the pitch, and we’ve done it time and time again in the past so I’m sure we’ll do it again,” Kompany exclusively told talkSPORT.
“It’s the kind of game where you expect yourself to perform well. You expect yourself to have a good game because you know that the challenge is huge.
“The passion that goes into that game is quite special so it’s probably a good game to pick yourself up but there is always a risk attached to a game like this.
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“It’s probably very difficult to call a favourite in these kind of games whether you play at home or away.”
Cenk Tosun was bought in the January transfer window with the hope of solving Everton’s problems up front.
Ever since Romelu Lukaku left Goodison Park to join Manchester United in the summer, the Merseyside outfit have missed a commanding presence up front.
Last season, the Belgian international scored 25 Premier League goals, which is just eight fewer than the entire team’s tally in the current campaign.
Tosun’s arrival from Besiktas was met with plenty of excitement, particularly as manager Sam Allardyce signed him alongside Theo Walcott from Arsenal.
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However, the Turkish international has struggled for game time on Merseyside having started just three league matches and making a further two appearances off the substitutes’ bench.
At the weekend, the forward played 68 minutes of the Toffees’ 2-1 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor, and even though the result was less than desirable, Tosun managed to score his first Everton goal.
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After the match, the 26-year-old opened up about his initial difficulties following the January transfer.
Fans have since been tweeting their reaction to Tosun’s comments, with many taking aim at Allardyce, who has come under fire lately.
Earlier this week, Celtic fans said goodbye to goalkeeper Fraser Forster, as the England international moved to Southampton following a plethora of interest from the Premier League and yonder in his services.The England international will undoubtedly leave a gap behind in the Bhoys starting line up but his departure has seen the Scottish champions collect a cool £10million.That’s big money for the Parkhead club, and the best way to spend it would be on a talismanic entity who could bring Celtic’s performances to a whole new level – especially in the Champions League.Thus, here’s FIVE signings, all relatively expensive but all high quality, that Celtic should consider spending the Forster fund on.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON THE FORMER CELTIC NO.1 TO REVEAL
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DAVID MARSHALL
Football – Cardiff City v Crystal Palace – Barclays Premier League – Cardiff City Stadium – 13/14 – 5/4/14David Marshall – Cardiff CityMandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee MillsEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
In regards to a direct replacement for Fraser Forster who can match the now-Southampton goalkeeper’s immense quality, I suggest Celtic turn their attentions to Cardiff City’s David Marshall.
The 29 year-old former Bhoy, who rose through the Parkhead youth ranks and made 35 league appearances before leaving for Norwich in 2007, made more saves than any Premier League keeper last season, as detailed below:
Talismanic performances from the Scotland international, such as the one below, became common practice last term as the Bluebirds failed to stave off relegation:
Resultantly, Marshall was expected be snapped up by one of his many top flight suitors this summer, namely Arsenal, Tottenham and Southampton.
But all have sought alternatives to the Scot, making him potentially available to the SPL champions, and Champions League football is certainly a challenge that would appeal to the eleven-cap international.
Price-tag could still be an issue however despite the robust Forster fund. Rumour has it that Cardiff have struck their No.1 with an outrageous valuation to warn off suitors:
CALLUM MCMANAMAN
Football – Wigan Athletic v Milton Keynes Dons – FA Cup Third Round – DW Stadium – 4/1/14Callum McManaman celebrates after scoring the third goal for WiganMandatory Credit: Action Images / John CliftonLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account represe
Celtic have already been eying Callum McManaman this summer and the Wigan winger would certainly be a strong addition to Ronny Deila’s starting XI.
The 23 year-old burst onto the scene at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, netting three times in the FA Cup as the Latics went on to beat Manchester City in the Wembley final.
Last season saw the former Everton youngster struggle for fitness and form, but he’s bounced back this year with a goal and a strong performance against Reading at the weekend:
McManaman is best known for his mixture of industrious and eye for goal, which should put him in good stead in the Scottish top flight. Here’s a look at the Englishman’s career highlights:
//www.youtube.com/embed/PePGi9nGxr8?rel=0
But it appears the Parkhead outfit will have to make a huge offer, with Wigan boss Uwe Rosler claiming “There’s no chance that Callum will go anywhere”.
TOM CAIRNEY
Another Championship star Celtic should be looking at, especially whilst Kris Commons’ contract situation remains unresolved, is Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tom Cairney.
The 23 year-old’s stock is rising all the time, in no small part due to an impressive return of five goals and six assists in 37 appearances last season, earning him the Player of the Year award at Ewood Park. Here’s a look at some of his highlights from last term:
//www.youtube.com/embed/fAgcMqnLufY?rel=0
He also recorded the second-best pass success rate in the Championship:
And the midfielder will have done his profile no harm with a Man of the Match performance against Cardiff City last friday, typified by this sensational strike:
Rovers only signed the former Hull City star permanently last January after an impressive loan spell and will be understandably reluctant to sell – Cairney plays a big part in their promotion hopes.
But he’s a former Scotland U21 who has desires to play for the senior team – Celtic could certainly help him achieve that aim whilst offering the added incentive of Champions League football.
DARREN FLETCHER
Now 30 years of age and having missed the peak of his career after being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, Darren Fletcher’s Manchester United tenure is undoubtedly coming to a close.
The Scotland international hasn’t been included in Louis van Gaal’s expected cull, but he looked disturbingly out of his depth at times last season and is hardly integral to the club’s immediate future.
A well known Celtic fan and a 62-cap Scot, Parkhead would be an ideal location for the industrious midfielder to see out his twilight years whilst still enjoying competitive football.
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Fletcher may not be the player he once was but there’s no doubting his pedigree. Just take a look at the five-time Premier League winner’s career highlights:
//www.youtube.com/embed/geBA0Pg1XUU?rel=0
How much United would want for the midfielder remains to be seen, but £5million would be a sensible estimate.
NICK POWELL
Another Manchester United star known to have caught Celtic’s transfer attention before is youngster Nick Powell.
The highly-rated Crewe product impressed in the Championship last year during a term-long stay with Wigan, as viewable below:
He also netted three times in six Europa League outings. Here’s a collection of the 20 year-old’s career highlights thus far:
//www.youtube.com/embed/ZfclynD35gY?rel=0
And the 20 year-old, who can feature in attacking and central midfield or as a striker, doesn’t appear to be in Louis van Gaal’s plans, having been left out of the Red Devils’ pre-season tour squad.
No doubt, the England U21 would be a major coup for the Bhoys, but Wigan are keen on his services permanently and Premier League side Leicester City have also been linked:
Sometimes the media bandwagon gets a little too much to stomach, and lets pull no punches, the reaction to Joe Hart’s poor performance against Sweden is about as strong a shout for ‘over reaction of the year’ as Ibra’s sublime fourth goal will be for ‘best goal ever.’ A shoo in.
All day long whilst perusing the papers and internet forums I have come across varying opinions, and some have been very valid. Howard Hockin wrote for this very site about how the lack of competition for the number one shirt is a problem for Hart and keeping him on his toes. I doubt anyone would argue with that. Look at Ronaldo and Messi – each competing with the other to be the best in the world (although I think ego-himavich may have something to say now after the zlat-trick and fourth goal) push each other to new levels. This is seen in clubs too and can only be a good thing. Hart does not profit from this and yet somehow the lack of competition is his fault? Bizarre but then again this is the British public and media.
The allegation Roy Keane made however of Hart being now too ‘cocky’ is something Hart has refuted on yes you’ve guessed it the fountain of all that is pure in the world – twitter – and even took the time to do a Q and A session with fans perhaps to prove his head is not too big to fit through the door after all.
That was bad enough but of course the Daily Mail had to weigh in, with Neil Ashton going one further from calling the keeper cocky and went as far as to conclude his ‘article’ by stating that England should look to other options for the game against Brazil in February. One wonders who exactly he is referring to – yes Celtic keeper Forster had a sublime couple of games against Barcelona but to replace Hart? Really? I can only assume Ashton fancies a flutter on a Neymar rout.
Hart himself will testify to the fact that his last few games have not been up to the standard he set for himself – in fact since the game against Spanish Champions Real Madrid he has looked a little off the pace, but all players go through dips in form and as a goalie it is more noticeable than any other position on the field.
Wonder striker Ramadel Falcao has now gone two games without scoring – very poor by his standards, but he gets away with the mistakes and misses by being a forward. Imagine if an England keeper suddenly exhibited the form Torres shows week in week out – there would be a national enquiry.
Whilst we can all agree on the fact that Hart better return to form and quickly, the fact that we are one step away from mocking up his face on wanted posters shows just how quickly England fans do jump on the bandwagon and seem to live to criticise sometimes.
Hart may need to develop a very thick layer of skin if he wants to be our number one for the next 10 years although it could be worse. He could be team mate Scot Sinclair who must be looking for a transfer to any country that ‘I’m A Celeb’ isn’t screened given the stick he has been taking since his Wag Helen entered the jungle. Chin up Joe, there’s always someone worse off than you!
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