Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the "kamikaze" spending which has occurred in the Premier League in recent years.
Ferguson has revealed his amazement at the transfer market following a summer where neighbours Manchester City are poised to take their spending past the £125million mark.
England midfielder James Milner is poised to join from Aston Villa for a fee of around £30million.
City have already landed Mario Balotelli, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov and Jerome Boateng during a record-breaking summer.
"It's amazing the amount of money that is being bandied about," said Ferguson, who declined to mention the clubs in question by name.
"Over the last two or three years we have seen very wealthy owners become part of football clubs and therefore go on this kamikaze effort to spend their money.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"Some people may think it could be dangerous and I don't see it abating. The kind of spending we are seeing at the moment will be here for two or three years, until such time as they understand you can't necessarily achieve all the time by spending."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has refused to rule out a return to the Premier League with Aston Villa.
Houllier, who left Anfield in 2004 following six seasons in England, has been linked with a director of football role at Villa Park.
The Frenchman would reportedly oversee a new-look coaching system at the Midlands club which would include current caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald remaining in charge of first-team affairs.
MacDonald has been in interim control since Martin O'Neill resigned on the eve of the new season.
Houllier was back in England on Saturday after helping manage the Reds during Jamie Carragher's testimonial game against an Everton XI at Anfield.
Speaking afterwards, the current technical director for the French Football Federation refused to rule out a possible move to Villa Park.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"Never and always are two words you can't use in football," he said.
During Houllier's six-year reign on Merseyside, Liverpool won a UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble in 2001.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has heaped special praise on striker Johan Elmander after his stirring performance in Sunday's 2-2 home draw with Manchester United.
The Swede played a pivotal role in the Trotters' stalemate at the Reebok Stadium and, although he missed a great chance, Coyle was delighted that he created the opportunity out of nothing.
Bolton led twice as Nani cancelled out Zat Knight's opener and Michael Owen levelled after Martin Petrov restored the hosts' advantage and it was a scenario that upset the boss, but he refused to be overly critical by paying tribute to the Red Devils' quality.
"That chance would never have happened if Johan hadn't taken the ball, driven 40 yards and beat three or four men," said Coyle.
"He was magnificent today. He is a player playing at the top of his confidence.
"On another day that ball would have rolled into the top corner.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"I am certainly not going to criticise a player who's given me everything and shown unbelievable quality as well.
"Having led twice, we were disappointed to give up those leads, but you have to give balance to the unbelievable individual quality they have."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin falls into the bracket of flair players who have a tendency to entertain. These delicate, skilful ball players can produce the unexpected, from conducting mazy runs culminating in a clever finish to awe-inspiring long range efforts. Such feats cannot be repeated every week and these players do not rely on a sliding tackle or a burst of aggressive energy to ignite the crowd. The Gunners’ outspoken Russian has delivered moments of excellence but can drift out of matches and display a seemingly indifferent attitude. Is getting the best out of the No23 set to be an uphill struggle this season?
Arshavin arrived at Arsenal in the 2009 January transfer window, having completed one of the most protracted transfers in recent memory. A plethora of documents and work permit issues delayed the Premier League’s ratification of this deal until 3rd February. Nonetheless at £16.9 million, the former Zenit St Petersburg became the club’s record signing. Arsene Wenger had acted decisively, targeting him as an exciting player who could bring experience and quality to a youthful team. The boyish Russian international certainly made an impact, scoring his first goal against Blackburn from an impossibly acute angle. Arshavin was cup-tied for Champions League matches but compensated for this league by smashing an incredible four at Anfield. That game ended in a draw but it was an exemplary lesson in the art of finishing. He scored 12 goals in all competitions in his first full season in England but his influence was not omnipresent. Often deployed on the left of an offensive midfield three, Arshavin has stated his desire to play through the middle.
Within a month of moving to London the frank Arshavin described how much harder he was forced to work and therefore adapt his showmanship manner. “As for football I can say that my style has also altered – it is more effective but less sparkling. I don’t remember when was the last time I score a really beautiful goal.” When interviewed the player is candid, open and opinionated, having called himself “lazy” and castigating everything from women drivers to the tax man. These exclamations have attracted brutally stark comments in return. Former Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis said, “In my opinion, Arshavin is overrated. He has been praised too much. He hasn’t shown brilliance for a very long time. The main thing is consistency, which Arshavin doesn’t have.”
However consistency is an attribute that his club lacks too. The nonchalant star has received criticism for a supposedly lackadaisical approach and a reluctance to offer defensive assistance. Moreover when Gael Clichy gets forward to provide the option of an over-lapping run, Arshavin seldom uses him as he prefers to cut inside to search for that elusive long range goal. He is far from a conventional wide player though as his best from arises from when he is used as a supplementary striker. He was clinical when used as a lone forward during the club’s striking crisis hit last season. The 5ft 7in player can find that unexpected pass, glide past opponents with excellent close control and discover space in the area.
He has exhibited those qualities this year, scoring twice in both the league and in Europe. He additionally made a crucial cameo in their Carling Cup victory at White Hart Lane. Fabregas later commented, “I believe he won us the game when he came on. He played the two passes that led to the two penalties, then he scored the last goal himself. He can win a game.” The fans recognise this too but would like to see his undoubted quality decide games more regularly. But the nature of this unpredictable yet explosive player conveys the need for patience.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is confident that star striker Fernando Torres is beginning to find form after a difficult start to the new season.
The 26-year-old Spain international has scored just twice in 11 outings for the Reds this season, but Hodgson was enthused by Torres' goalscoring display in the 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers last weekend.
He told the club's official website:"I think his desire and his wanting to do a good job have been there from the very first day.
"It is just a combination of things – maybe the team is playing a bit better and their extra confidence is giving him extra confidence.
"Football is always a big amalgam of a lot of factors.
"You do need, if you are going to have a good team, your good players in good form producing what they are capable of producing.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"With Fernando on Sunday we definitely saw that. I see it in training every day and I just hope he keeps going and we have a good few months of it."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
As we enter the 19th year of the Premier League, it is safe to say there hasn’t been a plethora of winners of the prestigious trophy. Only Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Blackburn have ever lifted the Premier League trophy, and with Manchester United claiming over half of those triumphs, there hasn’t exactly been an even distribution of glory across the land.
For much of the past two decades both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have lain dormant, with City even descending into the third tier of English football for the 1998-99 season. In the past there have been many false dawns, but with both clubs now pushing for Champions League berths, the spotlight of not only the English game, but also the world game, is now illuminating both Eastlands and White Hart Lane. With Chelsea winning the title whilst losing 6 games last season, and many of the teams challenging for the title this season having already dropped a substantial number of points after only 11 games, is the only thing in the way of a title push an absence of a mentality and culture of success?
Both clubs have decorated histories, but with Manchester City infamously having not won anything of note since the League Cup in 1976, and winning the League Cup in 1999 and 2008 being Tottenham’s only noteworthy achievements since the formation of the Premier League in the 1992-93 season, neither can lay claim to being silverware heavyweights in the modern game.
Harry Redknapp has famously claimed that Spurs are a couple of world-class players away from the title;
‘I think Tottenham may be one or two big signings away from being a team that could win the championship… One or two players in the right positions – and I’m talking about two top, top players in the right positions.’
With the way Spurs have been playing in Europe who can argue with him. In Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, Tottenham already have at least two world-class players, but this scintillating form in Europe has often failed to translate to the domestic scene with disappointing results against West Ham, Wigan and Bolton, Spurs find themselves 10 points off the lead prior to the midweek fixtures.
Manchester City on the other hand has, arguably, one of the best squads in England. What the Eastlands outfit do however seem to lack, is stability and consistency both on and off the pitch. A run of three straight losses prior to the victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns meant Roberto Mancini’s job has become under threat, in spite of the fact they currently lie in fourth position, 5 points off the pace and 3 points behind their city rivals who they play on Wednesday evening.
Although both sides clearly believe the Premier League title is not too many steps away from them, there is an air of trepidation around even mentioning the prospect of housing the trophy in the respective silverware rooms of Eastlands and White Hart Lane. Mancini has even stated;
“Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League at the moment… They are probably going to win the Premier League title easily.”
Whether this is gamesmanship or a cheap shot at City’s Manchester rivals from the Italian is unclear, but after the derision Mancini endured having claimed he would get City fourth place last season, brash arrogance is clearly not the dish of the day.
With the past two decades having been so comprehensively dominated by Manchester United, and in sporadic doses, Arsenal and Chelsea, it is plain to see why an aura of dominance is difficult to procure at clubs beginning to emerge at the zenith of the Premier League. But as has been seen at Liverpool this season, when the veil slips and the boot is on the other foot, these big domestic games aren’t quite as scary as they used to be.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
With both Manchester City and Spurs inconsistently impressing this season, there are clearly other issues at hand in stopping them achieving the ultimate goal of Premier League glory. Namely, for Spurs, it is the purchasing of world class players, and at City, it is the prospect of stability and moulding a side which play together with regularity. But if and when these concerns are dealt with, both clubs must have the belief that they can go all the way before it can be achieved. After all, if they can’t believe in their own success, you can guarantee neither will Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United.
If you liked this and would like to read more, why not read my other blogs, or follow me on Twitter.
Stoke have pulled themselves out of their own run of poor results with arguably their hardest fixtures of the season to date. Whilst their draw at Tottenham was a little fortuitous, the home win against Liverpool had the confidence of a side thoroughly at home in the top flight. All this with Champions League winner Eidur Gudjohnsen sitting on the bench.
West Brom are now four games without a win- and will be anxious to get back to winning ways here. Disappointingly for Roberto Di Matteo, points dropped against sides expected to struggle have taken the polish over away performances against Arsenal and Manchester United. Goals have certainly not been in short supply, but a lack of clean sheets have beset the Baggie’s attempts to push on from their strong autumn.
This is the sort of fixture that West Brom will have earmarked as crucial for Premier League survival. That Di Matteo would probably accept a point here shows the strong start the Baggies have made to their season. Stoke, happily heading in the right direction are happy to stockpile points ahead of the Christmas period.
On the big Emirates pitch Fulham may find it tough to stay compact if Arsenal get in to their passing grove. Robin Van Persie will have benefitted from the run-out against Wigan and he showed enough to suggest that he could start against Fulham, as did Theo Walcott. Their pace will cause problems and open space and with the less wasteful Chamakh back in the side, this has the potential to be a big scoreline for Arsene Wenger’s side.
The Cottagers have yet to win away from home this season and though they’ve lost just four games home and away from fifteen played, all of those losses have come in their last eight games. A run which has seen them pick up just six points from a possible twenty-four.
This should be an open invitation for Arsenal to go all out in attack. Having started the season with sixteen goals in their first three home games in all competitions, things have been a little tighter since, especially in the league but if the manager sets them on the offensive from the start they could rack up a few against a struggling Fulham.
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The pace of Walcott could be very effective down the wings and if he does start, he’s well priced at 6/1 to score first. The England international has started just three games and has scored the opening goal in two of them. Samir Nasri is enjoying his best spell since joining the club and has been one of the stand-out performers this season. He has scored the first goal twice this season and has already equalled his best league total in an Arsenal shirt with six goals in eleven starts. At 5/1 to break the deadlock and 13/10 to score anytime, the French midfielder could continue to be a money-maker.
The form guides say this will be tight, if you agree then Arsenal 1-0 at 6/1 and 2-1 at 7/1 are the bets for you. However, something seemed to click in the second half against Aston Villa and if the home side go for the jugular we could be looking at 4-0 at 12/1 or maybe even 5-0 at 25/1.
***Click HERE for a FREE £20 Bet for New Customers***
Whilst most of the conjecture currently surrounding Liverpool concerns the future of beleaguered boss Roy Hodgson, speculation has increased over anticipated arrivals and departures at Anfield this month. The October ousting of Hicks and Gillett means that for the first time since the summer of 2008, the club will (theoretically) be able to enter a transfer window without having to balance the books.
The opening of the January transfer window has unsurprisingly sent the rumour mill into overdrive; the combination of Liverpool’s poor form and recent change of ownership has meant that the Merseyside club have been linked with more players than most. Of these players, Ajax captain Luis Suarez is the one most likely to excite Liverpool fans, and the individual most likely to improve the side’s fortunes this season.
‘El Pistolero’ is one of Europe’s most sought after players after racking up a sensational 110 goals in just 154 outings for the Amsterdam club. The £17m-rated Uruguayan, who is also a reported target for Tottenham Hotspur, is thought to be unsettled in Amsterdam after the December exit of manager Martin Jol.
Although the failed Premier League tenures of Mateja Kezman and Afonso Alves indicate that Premier League clubs should approach prolific Eredivisie forwards with caution, Suarez has demonstrated his pedigree by transferring his form and goalscoring ability to the international stage. He has scored 16 times in 38 appearances for Uruguay, including three at last summer’s World Cup as La Celeste Olímpica reached the semi-finals.
Encouragingly for Liverpool, Suarez is also versatile enough to play in a range of attacking positions; the reigning Dutch Footballer of the Year would be equally adept at playing alongside Torres in a conventional 4-4-2 system, or in a wider or more withdrawn berth in 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations. In addition to his three goals in South Africa last summer, Suarez also proved himself to be an exemplary auxiliary goalkeeper.
With Liverpool languishing in 12th position, just four points away from the relegation zone, it is clear that improvements need to be made. Although there are clear problems with the side’s defence, it is arguable that their toothlessness up front is a more pressing concern.
A below-par Fernando Torres has scored just six goals in 18 league starts this season, with strike partner David Ngog managing a meagre two goals in the Premier League. A move for Luis Suarez could prove to be the ideal antidote for Roy’s wretched Reds this January.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/zarifrasul
[divider]
Love fantasy football? Love live footy? You’ll love live fantasy football! Take part in the Man United v Liverpool match and play Picklive for FREE Go on, give it a go!
Blackpool have confirmed the signing of midfielder Andy Reid from Sunderland for an undisclosed amount.
The English Premier League club have been one of the big movers on Monday’s transfer deadline day, swooping on Reid and reportedly fielding offers from Liverpool and Manchester United for captain Charlie Adam.
The Lancashire club are also believed to be close to a deal for James Beattie, with the former England and now Rangers striker reportedly undergoing a medical at Bloomfield Road.
Republic of Ireland international Reid has signed a contract for the remainder of the season, having made 78 appearances for the Black Cats following a move from Charlton Athletic in January 2008.
The 28-year-old could make a valuable contribution as a creative playmaker in Ian Holloway’s side – especially if Blackpool lose Adam – and the Tangerines boss was thrilled to have snared his man.
“I’ve just met him and had a chat with him,” Holloway said of Reid.
“I think he will be perfect for us, a little dinky-do football player and we’ll have him and it won’t take me long to get him going.”
“I think he has gone for about 12 million pounds in the past, so that is not a bad take for us, I don’t believe.”
Holloway also hinted Blackpool could be making further moves before the transfer window slams shut at 2300GMT.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“The wheels are on the go but I can’t really disclose that yet,” Holloway said.
“They can change direction very quickly and end up going somewhere else on this crazy day because everybody wants a bag of carrots and they might be a bag of carrots, if you know what I mean.”
“We have managed to grab one, thanks Andy, that’ll do. As far as I’m concerned there are two more definitely travelling down, definitely, but that could end up horribly.”