Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has spoken highly of new recruit Emmanuel Adebayor ahead of their La Liga clash with Osasuna on Sunday.
The retired Togo international has been included in Mourinho’s squad for the match at the Bernabeu, and the Portuguese boss is hopeful Adebayor can have an immediate impact as the Mallorcans aim to recover from their shock 1-1 draw with strugglers Almeria last weekend.
Mourinho bought Adebayor to shore up his quality goal-scoring stocks, given the layoff of Gonzalo Higuain to injury.
“Obviously I am very happy. I always wanted it and I consider it important for the team to have three strikers, so that when we lose one like (Gonzalo) Higuain we have cover in two great forwards,” he said.
“The situation is calm for the team now that we have two attackers like Adebayor and Karim (Benzema). It is often difficult for a striker to come into a new team, but he has a lot of quality and experience. He has played in big clubs and knows what it is like to play under pressure to win.”
Questioned whether or not the 26-year-old would fit in at Madrid, both on and off the pitch, Mourinho said he had no doubt Adebayor would settle in without a fuss.
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“He is an option here, he is loved and has responsibility, but also pride in playing for Real Madrid. He is going through a change of team, team-mates and manager, league and country, culture and opponents,” he said.
“I think that he will not have problems with the squad, I like him and he has a lot of experience – despite being young. He will do well for us.”
Idealism appeared to play little part in West Ham’s appointment of Sam Allardyce as manager last summer. A club whose history is a monument to the ‘right’ way to play football seems almost diametrically opposed to the ‘win-at-all-costs’ approach of the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn manager.
The 57-year-old may have attained promotion at his first attempt for West Ham but few supporters were enamoured with the way in which it was achieved. Considering the quality of the squad and the money available to Allardyce, to win promotion through the playoffs was hardly ideal, especially considering they relied on an 87th minute goal to achieve the feat.
The West Ham manager’s penchant for players over six foot, and football to match, had Hammers fans grumbling and groaning for large periods of the season whilst much of their football between Christmas and March was some of the ugliest on offer in the top two tiers of the English game. The five draws of March, in particular, inspired the voicing of concern from fans. Although The Hammers ended the season with a run of eight wins from their last nine matches, scoring twenty-five goals along the way, criticism of the manager’s style has remained.
Upon achieving promotion, Allardyce has now split opinion amongst the club’s supporters. There are those who appear to have detracted previous statements about only playing attractive football, who are merely grateful for their swift return to the top flight, especially considering how close they came to not realising that goal.
Some, however, are not swayed by such a view. They would sooner believe that if a manager had, as Allardyce did last year, the best squad in the league and still refused to play attacking football then he doesn’t belong at West Ham.
However, considering they are a newly-promoted team, and considering that, comparatively, West Ham have gone from the strongest squad in the league to one of the weakest, is it too much for fans of the club to expect both style and substance from Allardyce?
The first thing to remember is that, although their fans might feel as though there is a ‘West Ham way of doing things’ in reality that means little. Admittedly, some teams, like Barcelona, do have a continuous ethos at the club in terms of how the game should be played. Yet even the big clubs can turn on such inherent beliefs. Real Madrid and others have been known to sacrifice style for substance in order to achieve their goals. They proved that with the appointment of Fabio Capello and then Jose Mourinho.
Or if you’re looking for an example a little closer to home then you could take Arsenal. Their reputation as a free-flowing, attacking team belies the fact that for nine years under George Graham they were perpetrators of a defensive, direct style of football that was not totally at odds with the philosophy of Sam Allardyce.
Generations of fans become accustomed to witnessing a style of football that they enjoy or appreciate and when a manager tries to change that they object.
But that doesn’t mean said style is entwined with the club’s identity.
Ultimately, Allardyce is utilising his squad in a way that he feels is most effective. I’m not defending his style of play, or his personality, but it does seem that those West Ham fans that criticise Allardyce should realise that he is not really to blame.
Allardyce’s teams have always prioritised winning over stylish football; that is his managerial identity. Anybody who expects him to change this is dreaming. The fans may be unhappy with his style, but don’t use the excuse that it is unbecoming for West Ham to play as such because it is incredibly ignorant of any team to claim they are too good for a certain style of football when they have been relegated.
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The second point to be made is that, if the fans are looking for somebody to blame, why not vent anger at the owners who chose Allardyce as manager in the first place. In appointing him, they were the individuals responsible for choosing to abandon the attacking principles of West Ham. I don’t like his style of play, and I wouldn’t want him managing my club but to criticise Allardyce’s managerial style seems a little unfair considering it was that style that earned him the job in the first place. It might be possible to expect both style and substance from some managers, but Allardyce isn’t that man.
No goals at Craven Cottage, but it was certainly a lively encounter in West London.
Both Martin Jol and Alex McLeish were in charge of their first games at their new clubs and both will be satisfied to get off the mark with a point in a game that neither side really deserved to win on the balance of play.
Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora both went close on occasions for the hosts, while Emile Heskey and Stilian Petrov wasted good chances for the visitors.
Shay Given showed why Alex McLeish was so keen to bring him to Villa Park with excellent saves from Zamora early in the second half to complement his brilliant stop from Johnson towards the end of the first half.
Schwarzer was equally accomplished at the other end and two fine stops from Emile Heskey, who looked a handful on his return to the Villa line-up, ensured that it remained goalless
The game ebbed and flowed with neither side getting themselves across the finishing line; however both managers would have been satisfied with the result.
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The transformation of Nani at Old Trafford has been quite unbelievable. No longer is he the frustrating winger who fans wanted to love but couldn’t trust him to be consistent. How things have changed, changed so dramatically in fact, to the point where he is fast becoming Manchester United’s most important player. Nani is now the man to be relied on to score important goals. His superb strike against Stoke is another example of how far the winger has come.
If we cast our minds back a year, it seemed his days at Old Trafford were numbered. He had a very public falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson, and his performances were at best inconsistent. Something changed in 2010, and Nani has got better and better. He announced himself as the player for Manchester United’s future with his superb performance against Arsenal. That game was the turning point and Nani has not looked back. It shows the immense faith that Sir Alex Ferguson has in the winger that he was not sold, and Nani has not let his manager down.
It was clear that Nani needed Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the club. The departure of Carlos Queiroz as well did not help Nani, in his struggle to settle into Old Trafford. Queiroz was a father figure to Ronaldo, helping him in his first years at the club. For Nani not to have that father figure must have delayed his development, but his ability was never in any doubt. Nani will always be judged against Cristiano Ronaldo. For two players who are so different, it is unfair on the winger. Ronaldo played his best years at Manchester United through the middle but I can’t envisage Nani having that ability. He is an out and out winger, Ronaldo wasn’t.
Manchester United fans must be very excited to have two out and out wide men when Antonio Valencia returns. It is the way Sir Alex Ferguson prefers to set his team out, and it is an exciting brand of football. Nani can carry United over the finishing line this season without a doubt. Imagine if this Manchester United team really fired in the second half of the season. If Wayne Rooney finds his goal scoring touch and Antonio Valencia returns the same player, United could stroll to the Premier League title. If that was to happen, the importance of Nani can’t go unmentioned. Nani is fast becoming the most important man at Manchester United.
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Rio Ferdinand fears that his England career could now be over, following his omission from the Euro 2012 squad and the subsequent furore it has since caused.
The Manchester United defender believes that the fact he isn’t getting picked, even with players out injured, therefore suggesting that he is no longer fancied for selection.
“If I’m not getting picked now, especially when people are out injured, then it is unlikely I will be picked again.
“I really hoped I would get 100 caps, but for various reasons it hasn’t happened. It is a disappointment.
“I won’t discuss what Mr Hodgson has said to me but he knows I wanted to be in the squad.”
Ferdinand refuses to quit the International scene and revealed that he is fully behind the national team and will be among the crowds cheering them on to success.
“But just because I am not there, don’t think I want them to fail. I am not bitter. I know how much the boys want to succeed.” Daily Mail
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Andre Villas-Boas must have had some reservations in becoming the seventh Chelsea manager in eight years. It is fair to say that the Abramovich era, though a successful one for the club, has consisted of few successful managers. Only Jose Mourhino and Carlo Ancelotti were able to win the league at Chelsea, whilst the likes of Avram Grant and Luiz Felipe Scolari both ended their reigns in charge without any silverware to boast. High expectations are part of the package at Stamford Bridge, and this is something Villas-Boas will have been fully aware of. Whilst some of the names mentioned above looked to enforce distinctive playing styles on the players at the club, others often seemed too cautious in their management, perhaps concerned that should any drastic changes or tactics backfire, it would ultimately be them that would have to face the consequences.
Despite winning the double in his first season at Chelsea, Ancelotti often appeared to be very relaxed on the touchline, perhaps a little too relaxed at times, and this kind of attitude could be seen in the Chelsea players on a number of occasions throughout last season. Chelsea lacked the ability to grind out results, or to get that crucial goal, and never seemed to really get out of second gear for much of the campaign. Whilst Ancelotti’s capabilities as a coach should not be questioned too heavily – his CV speaks for itself – it seems that this style of play did ultimately cost him his job at Chelsea.
Earlier this week Villas-Boas claimed that his players must believe in his playing methods if they are to be successful this season, however he insisted that it was possible to be successful in football in various different ways. The important thing for Villas-Boas, is that the players are able to commit themselves to his ideas and strategies, regardless of what they are. Writing in the club magazine, Villas-Boas claims that his players must be willing to “commit and die for you and for the cause”. For some this may seem to be somewhat extreme, but perhaps should not be taken so literally. Chelsea seemed to lack the passion and desire of champions last season, and appeared to be frustrated and even disinterested at times. It seems almost essential that Villas-Boas is able to instill a sense of belief and a winning mentality back in to the players at Chelsea, and players ‘commitment to the cause’ is fundamental if he is to do so.
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The Chelsea boss insists that he is happy with the current Chelsea crop and that there is no need for ‘big’ or ‘radical’ changes, particularly with regards to personnel. On the field, he believes it is important that his players are ‘freed of decision making’. In order to “exploit the potential of every player to the full”, Villas-Boas maintains that players must be given a certain amount of freedom, “or else they will never test it.” We can rest assure then, that Villas-Boas will seek to bring the best out of what has often been referred to as an ‘ageing’ Chelsea side. Whilst many may consider this a risk, particularly due to the Abramovich’s limited patience, it is a risk he clearly feels is calculated and worth taking.
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One thing we can certainly hope to expect from Chelsea this season is goals. The tactics employed by Villas-Boas at Porto helped his side to 145 goals in just 58 games, and he will certainly be hoping to get these kinds of numbers out of the likes of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba next term. Having spent almost 4 years at the club with Jose Mourhino, Villas-Boas believes his time at Chelsea before will certainly make things a little easier for him, and it seems fair to assume that if he can relay the confidence and belief that he has in his own abilities as a manager on to the players as well, then this Chelsea side may be a force to be reckoned with. Only time will tell us exactly how much has changed at Stamford Bridge since the appointment of Villas-Boas, but after a comparably poor season last time out, changes certainly do seem necessary. This are certainly exciting times for everyone involved with Chelsea, and this could well be the start of something special, should Villas-Boas be given the time to prove himself. As we all know, ‘time’ is not something that Abramovich is particularly fond of.
It is no secret that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is looking to bolster Spurs’ attacking options and the Daily Mirror is reporting that he is considering a move for Serie A striker Edinson Cavani. A £24 million move is being touted for the Napoli striker who has been in top form this season.
The 23-year-old, who is on loan from Palermo, has hit 10 goals in 18 Serie A appearances for Napoli this season, in addition to 7 goals in Europe, and has a buy out clause of 30 million Euros.
Cavani is a player with international experience, having played in the 2010 World Cup for Uruguay and netted in the 3rd place playoff match against Germany. Interest from Inter Milan and Cavani’s desire to stay in Italy may rebuff Redknapp’s attempts to sign the striker and in turn force him to turn his attentions towards Cavani’s Uruguay teammate Luis Suarez.
A new striker will be at the top of the list for Harry Redknapp in January, despite Jermain Defoe netting twice in the FA Cup match against Charlton at White Hart Lane yesterday. With Robbie Keane looking set to leave, neither Peter Crouch nor Roman Pavlyuchenko performing consistently and Redknapp getting nowhere in attempts to sign Newcastle’s Andy Carroll, Cavani could solve Tottenham’s striking worries as they look to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League in the coming months.
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Atmosphere at football is often seen as a defining aspect of a club’s identity; the rapturous nature of the Kop at Anfield, Old Trafford’s Stretford End and the Holte End at Villa Park are all enshrined in club folklore, exemplifying their character, unity and originality. However, with the introduction of all-seater stadia, the squeezing out of fans of a low income and the notable sanitation of British football grounds, atmosphere has markedly suffered as a result.
Subsequently, there has in recent years been a up-swell of enthusiasm for the recapturing of what is a quintessential part of being a football fan. The seductive bluster of a feverish crowd in full voice is what first attracts many to the game in the first place – without atmosphere, we risk being pulled into an American-style form of spectatorship, devoid of passion but bristling with superficial theatrics.
With this prospect all too apparent, the emergence of various ‘Ultra’ groups have become a prominent feature of many British clubs, emulating the Italian model of groups established with the intention of improving atmosphere at grounds. Often misconceived to be associated with racism and violence, whereas in reality only a small percentage of groups or members are politically motivated or harbour extremist views. This association, however, is hard to shake off; as a result, many are unwilling to embrace the idea of Ultras in UK grounds. If they were able to extend their perspective beyond narrow fallacy, they would see a group of like-minded people who are bringing colour, noise, passion and intensity back into football.
Perhaps the first group to emerge were Aberdeen’s Red Army in 1999, and since then many supporters have followed suit in establishing Ultras sections at their club. Following some years later, Celtic’s Green Brigade have established themselves as one of the most visible entities of the Celtic matchday experience. Declaring themselves as ‘anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian’, the group were recently heralded my manager Neil Lennon and despite occasionally courting controversy, remain a gratifying example of the Ultra model.
In the lower leagues of English football particularly, we have seen an exceptional increase in Ultra activity: supporters of Aldershot, York, Accrington, Oxford and Crystal Palace in particular have made great effort to improve matchday atmosphere, often partaking in mass sychronised displays of banners, giant flags and smoke bombs alike as well as generating noise seldom seen in many English grounds, both at home and away.
Taking increasing influence from the South American model of exhibitionist ‘tifos’, British ultras are bringing much needed vibrancy to our stadiums, often injecting new life into the soulless, duplicate arenas that many grounds have now become. Regulations, however, have made the functioning of Ultras groups progressively more difficult: many clubs now forbid flags or banners on draconian Health and Safety grounds, whilst the stigma attached to the term means many clubs are reluctant to engage with groups in fear of being tarnished. As thus, the co-ordination of displays is made discernibly more troublesome and groups are unable to develop positive relationships with their club, at the detriment of both parties.
Interestingly, there is a growing verve for Ultra activity higher up the ladder, as supporters grow weary of the commercialised, desolate demeanour which characterises many top flight grounds. At times, nowhere was as desolate than Villa Park this season – yet Brigada 1874, of permanent residence in the corner of the Holte End, have made resolute efforts infuse a greater sense of positivity and partisanship to Aston Villa. Likewise, supporters of cross-city rivals Birmingham City are using the recently established Forza Blues group as a means of reigniting passions at St Andrews.
Though making significant progress in the moulding of negative perceptions, Ultras groups still remain on the fringes of the football world in the UK, something which must be altered if the decline of atmosphere at British grounds is to be halted. Too often tarred with the hooligan brush, the limited vision of authorities, clubs and commanding figures is prohibiting the rightful spread Ultra culture, as archaic assumptions prevail before reasoned judgement.
Increased co-operation between clubs and groups does mark notable improvements, yet more needs to be done to promote assimilation of Ultras into mainstream British footballing culture in order to prevent our grounds falling further into the stagnant, stale and passive quagmire.
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Charlie Adam has stated that he cannot wait to start life at new club Liverpool and that it is an honour to play for the Anfield club. The Scotland international moved to Merseyside this week from relegated Blackpool in a £8.5 million deal, and he has stated his admiration for his new employers.
“Since I’ve known about Liverpool’s interest I’ve been looking at the website,” the former Rangers playmaker is reported to have said in The Daily Telegraph.
“It has been a long process but now I can’t wait to get started and hopefully this will be a successful period in my career and in the club’s history.”
The 25-year-old also mentioned his respect for new boss and countryman Kenny Dalglish.
“Liverpool is a massive club with terrific players and a terrific manager. You have seen since the new manager came in the forward strides that have been made. Kenny has a terrific respect from players and people in the game. He is a wonderful manager and it’s an honour to be able to say I’m going to be able to play for Liverpool.
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“I see this as the perfect development for me to come here, play with such wonderful players and hopefully help the team to win trophies,” the Dundee born player concluded.
After all the good work West Ham had done over the last few matches, defeat at Sunderland on Sunday set alarm bells going again around Upton Park. Whilst a defeat away from home against one of the league’s form sides should not be a major shock, it will be the lack of creativity in front of goal that will have concerned Avram Grant the most.
If there is to be some good news, ahead of a clash with Champions League chasing Manchester City, it is that old fan’s favourite, Carlos Tevez will not be making an appearance against his former club.
Without him, City have been unpredictable at best so far this year, however with the Hammers struggling to string performances together, the ‘lesser’ lights should have more than enough in the tank to see off Tevez’s past employers.
Prediction: 1-2
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