Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has reopened his rift with Arsene Wenger by accusing the Arsenal manager of trying to influence referees.
Wenger has often criticised the robust style of play Allardyce's teams employ although the Gunners did manage to beat Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park last month.
However, Allardyce has been incensed by the Frenchman's recent comments when he criticised the heavy challenges that are being made on his players following an injury to Abou Diaby.
Allardyce said:"Arsene has most of the media in his pocket now and is almost – almost – affecting the officials so that you can't tackle an Arsenal player. That's something he's very clever at working on and it's almost working in his favour, you can see that.
"Read his interview before the Stoke City v Aston Villa match, what he said and how he said it – he's a very, very clever man in terms of influencing referees, officials and everybody in football.
"He can't be brought up for it because it's about another match – rather just before he plays us. There's a perception that we kick everybody and Arsenal's motivation is that you can't tackle us as you aren't supposed to.
"In terms of saying people are trying to injure players he's trying to influence, through the media, the referees and that's something they shouldn't get sucked in to.
"He's deflecting attention from the situation which says the game of football is a contact sport. You have to try to win the ball at all costs and if someone doesn't get it quite right people get injured.
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.
"It was much more apparent in my day when people used to go out to try to hurt an opponent every week, but today it very rarely happens.
"I completely deny that my team deliberately injures players, certainly not. In the Premier League the commitment and speed unfortunately brings players together at such pace that it's almost impossible to avoid injuries."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has stated that his side’s 1-0 over West Brom on Tuesday night was a ‘big win’, especially after the taxing festive fixture list.
A solitary Jermain Defoe strike in the second half decided the game, with The Baggies making it difficult for the North London hosts.
Redknapp admitted that his team did not play as well as they have been in recent weeks, but feels the three points is the most important thing.
“It was a hard game,” the Spurs coach admitted to Sky Sports.
“It was a tough game tonight. They came – they had lots of injuries as well – but Roy set them up and they were difficult to break down.
“There were lots of bodies in there and there was nowhere to go. We had the ball for a lot of the game but we were struggling for the breakthrough because they defended well and looked to hit us on the break when they could. They made it very hard for us.
“We created less chances than in any other game this season tonight and the lads were tired, they were leggy.
“They’re not used to playing that many games in such a short space of time – people like Luka Modric said he’s never felt so tired in there.
“It was hard, if you look at the results over the holiday period you get some funny results, lots of people getting injured, tired legs and it gets more and more difficult to play with the energy and type of pace we normally play with. We were a slower version tonight.
“We were getting wide and crossing balls which suited them because the centre halves were dealing with most things and they got bodies back.
“We picked up a few injuries; I lost Sandro with a torn calf, I lost Wiliam Gallas with a torn calf, Jake Livermore split his lip open and suddenly we had a very open looking team late on. That’s when they started to push and look for an equaliser.
“In the end it was a great win for us, you’re not always going to smash teams that come here and play flying football and look fantastic. It was a tough game tonight and we picked up three big points,” he concluded.
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.
Spurs have Cheltenham in the FA Cup on Saturday, before entertaining Everton at White Hart Lane next Wednesday.
The Reds could make giant strides in closing the gap with the top four at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Kenny Dalglish will certainly be looking for a repeat of last Monday’s comprehensive performance that saw them move within 5pts of 5th place.
At FFC this week we have seen a mixed bag of Liverpool blogs that includes Rafa’s real legacy; the reality of Enrique deal, while the Reds are in very safe hands.
We also look at the best Liverpool articles around the web this week.
The Greatest Ever Premier League XI
The way forward for Liverpool is clear for all to see
Just what is Rafa’s Liverpool Legacy?
One attribute Dalglish can always rely on
Why Liverpool Football Club is in safe hands
The reality of this Jose Enrique DEAL
Leaving Anfield becoming something of a regrettable mistake?
Should they really be influencing Liverpool’s transfer policy?
Liverpool eye up French alternative to Cahill
One area where Liverpool are streets ahead of Arsenal?
*Best of Web*
Liverpool’s Player of the Season: The Nominations – Live4Liverpool
Johnson, Kelly or Flanagan? – Our Kop
Inside a disaster – Keith Salmon’s moving chapter on Hillsborough – This Is Anfield
Media Muppet of the Month, April 2011 – Tomkins Times
The Exciting Diamond Quartet in Liverpool’s Midst – Live4Liverpool
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.
So England have started their qualification campaign for Euro 2012 positively, with solid wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland, but what exactly did we learn from these victories?
1. Jermain Defoe still suffers from inconsistency
Jermain Defoe was arguably England’s best player against Bulgaria, netting a very clinical hat trick. His movement was good and his finishing was excellent, and he posed a threat to the Bulgarian defence the entire time he was on the pitch. However, his peformance against Switzerland was less impressive. Defoe had a number of chances in the game which went to waste and he did not look like a threat to the Swiss defence, a fact which was emphasised when Darren Bent came on and put away a nice finish. Defoe suffers from similar form at Tottenham, where he will often go through barren patches followed by spells when he looks lethal. Inconsistency is the one thing holding Jermain Defoe back from being a top class striker, but at the age of 27 it seems unlikely that this is going to change.
2. Adam Johnson can offer a potent threat
Adam Johnson came on as a sub for Theo Walcott against Bulgaria and Switzerland, and he was very impressive in both of these games. Against Bulgaria Johnson only came on in the 74th minute, but he showed some superb glimpses and buried a good finish for England’s third goal. Against Switzerland he came on in the 13th minute as Walcott came off injured, and was England’s most threatening player. Johnson looks to be a real talent, with pace, excellent dribbling skills and perhaps most importantly, an end product. If he can maintain and improve upon this promising start to his international career, he could be a very big player for England for years to come.
3. Glen Johnson is an asset for the team
Everyone is aware of Glen Johnson’s defensive frailties, which in my view are overstated at times. He does need to improve in this area, but Johnson offers a real threat going forward and gives an added dimension to the England attack. He is a powerful runner, a good dribbler and can provide the final balls that create goal-scoring chances, as he did for Wayne Rooney for the first goal against Switzerland. There are very little alternatives at right-back for England and Johnson has really made this position his own in recent years.
4. Steven Gerrard excels in a central position
Steven Gerrard is still one of England’s key players and he played well in both qualification games, as well as putting in a match winning performance in the friendly against Hungary. Capello has often fielded Gerrard on the left, as he did during the World Cup, and in this position the Liverpool captain did not look at his best. As he is for his club, Gerrard is at his most effective when driving his team forward from the centre of the park, providing great passing ability and a goal-scoring threat from midfield. Against Switzerland he was the creator of the second goal, providing an incisive pass which Adam Johnson finished with aplomb. Gerrard must play centrally for England, and you get the impression Capello has realised this.
5. Personal problems should not affect selection
Over the weekend Wayne Rooney became the latest England player to be embroiled in tabloid stories about his alleged infidelity. Capello was unmoved however, and he made the correct call in picking Rooney to start against Switzerland, a decision that was rewarded with Rooney’s first international goal in year. A players personal problems should not affect whether the manager chooses to play him or not, and in fairness to Capello this is something he stands by. In my view, a players private life is their own and it should not generally have a bearing on their career.
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.
Got any other suggestions? Let me know on Twitter. Subscribe to my RSS feed.
Watch the video below to see why England should host the 2018 World Cup!
Blackburn’s mini-revival was brought to a stuttering halt at Ewood Park as Peter Crouch scored twice in the first half to give Stoke their first win of the New Year and enhance their European prospects.
After their shock win against Manchester United 48 hours prior relieved most of the pressure on manager Steve Kean’s shoulders Rovers returned to their old ways succumbing to an eight home defeat in 10 games. Whilst the victory at Old Trafford appeared to be a turning point in their season they fell back into old habits as the Potters left the North West with maximum points and moved to within inches of a Europa League place. Tony Pulis’ side will be grateful to emerge victorious from this one with Crouch wrapping the game up before the half time whistle with two expertly taken goals before David Goodwillie set up a tense finish scoring with 20 minutes remaining.
Supporters offered Kean and his players a rare warm reception before kick off with their New Years Eve win over United doing much to repair the relationship between the two. That seemed to rub off on the Rovers starting eleven who begun the gum with a vim and vigour that has been absent from their play for much of the campaign thus far. Christopher Samba rattled the bar with a powerful header before seeing a goal ruled out for a foul by Yakubu on Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen. The Dane than had his palms stung after David Dunn decided to try his luck with vicious strike from distance. However the Potters soon eased themselves into the contest and took the lead just after the quarter hour with Crouch expertly controlling the ball on his chest before firing past Mark Bunn for his 100th Premier League goal. Still the home side attacked with purpose and Samba was denied again seeing Sorensen tipping away another header before denying Yakubu as the missed chanced began to pile up. They were made to pay just before half time as Crouch again found the net smashing a left footed effort into the roof of the net after brilliantly taking Matthew Etherington’s centre down on his thigh.
He could have completed his hat trick just after the break but could only volley over the bar after Jonathan Woodgate’s had picked him out at the back post. Stoke continued to control the game stifling the home side in the final third and it was the introduction of Goodwillie that gave Rovers a chance of rescuing the game. The Scottish striker came on just before the hour and ten minutes after his introduction he was on hand to prod home after the Potters failed to clear Morten Gamst Pedersen’s corner. They than came within inches of equalising after Samba flicked a long throw onto Yakubu who’s strike was saved superbly on the line by Woodgate. It was the best Rovers could muster as they missed the chance to lift themselves closer to safety.
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.
Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed a spat with striker Didier Drogba was behind his early exit from Stamford Bridge.Scolari was sacked by Chelsea in February 2009, merely seven months into a three-year contract with the Blues.
A player revolt against the Brazilian manager was rumoured to have led to his departure, something Scolari was quick to dispel at the time.
But the 62-year-old has confessed in an interview to a troubled relationship with Ivory Coast international Drogba, who was hampered by a knee injury in the 2008-09 season.
”Drogba had a bad knee, and the previous year he had played 12 to 15 games with the help of cortisone injections,” Scolari said.
“I wouldn’t accept that, I did not want it. He had to go through physiotherapy, and he thought he had to get it done in a big clinic in Cannes, in the summer.”
“So the dummy here said ‘no’, and the problems began.”
”To this day I do not believe in this sabotage conspiracy, but I did not know how to handle certain things, or handle it like I do in Brazil.”
Scolari landed at Uzbek club Bunyodkor after leaving Chelsea, and took over at Brazilian side Palmeiras in June last year.
His tenure at Palmeiras is beginning to bear fruit, with the club one point clear on the Campeonato Paulista table and assured of reaching the play-offs.
Asked if he would consider a move back to Europe, Scolari was reticent but would not rule it out altogether.
”I won’t say I won’t go back to Europe, but I think to myself, I am 62, almost 63 years old,” he said.
“Will I have to go back there to a medium sized team to make my name?”
“No, I think I have to stay here in Brazil and find a solution for Palmeiras, which is a team I like.”
”The basis of this group is that the players want an opportunity. They are giving me the chance to show them that opportunities in life are few and far between.”
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has no plans to retire following his impressive start to the new season.
The soon to be 36-year-old midfielder took the plaudits after man-of-the-match displays in both the Community Shield victory over Chelsea and Monday night's opening 3-0 Premier League win against Newcastle United.
Scholes has made almost 650 appearances for the Red Devils during 17 seasons in the first team and insists he will carry on playing as long as he continues to enjoy his football.
"I haven't set any limits," said the midfield playmaker."I'll just keep going, hopefully keep playing well and getting in the team and just see where it goes from there.
"It depends on performances and how you play. I did go through last season thinking this might be the last time I played against this team or stuff like that. But I just don't know. My performances will decide when I finish.
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.
"At 35 I thought that would be it. From being young and first getting into the squad, you just presume everyone will finish at 35 and that's it. Whatever you do after that is a bonus. At the end of last season I felt okay and hopefully this season I will do as well."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
There was so much hope within the red half of Merseyside that Liverpool would come home from Kiev with their sixth European crown.
However, it was not to be as Real Madrid nabbed their third in a row with a 3-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s side on Saturday evening.
The Reds suffered the worst luck of all when their star man Mohamed Salah was substituted just after the half-hour mark with a dislocated shoulder.
It was a huge blow that the team failed to recover from, and it was made worse when goalkeeper Loris Karius gifted Madrid the opening goal by attempting to roll the ball out.
It was a poor decision as Karim Benzema latched on to simply knock it home, but Liverpool will given some hope when Sadio Mane equalised.
[ad_pod ]
Substitute Gareth Bale ruined the Merseyside outfit’s dream with a stunning overhead kick, and Karius was at fault again towards the end of the game as he fumbled the Welshman’s shot.
The German keeper made two costly howlers, and he tried to redeem himself by apologising to the fans after the final whistle with tears streaming down his face.
Even though the majority of the Reds’ support have managed to forgive him, plenty are desperate for a new goalkeeper to be bought this summer.
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.
Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak has done the rounds in the rumour mill a few times, and fans believe that he should certainly be under consideration by the club.
The 25-year-old – valued at £63m by Transfermarkt – made 49 appearances in all competitions this season, conceding 28 goals and keeping out 29.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez would have viewed the home clash against the Premier League’s bottom side Swansea City on Saturday as a must-win – at least in private – game, but once again the Magpies came up short.
The Tyneside outfit had the chance to move five points clear of the relegation zone and increase their advantage over the Swans in the standings to nine points, but instead they lie three points above 18th-placed Stoke City and six above the Welsh club.
Benitez and the St James’ Park faithful would have been fearing the worst when Jordan Ayew finally made the breakthrough for the visitors in a nervy constest on the hour-mark – especially given some of the Toon’s recent results on their own patch – but Joselu hit back just eight minutes later to give the hosts a much-needed share of the spoils.
While it wasn’t a disastrous result, it could be two points dropped that they live to regret come what May.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Newcastle United vs Swansea City – St James’ Park, Newcastle, Britain – January 13, 2018 Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account
Newcastle would have hoped that they could make St James’ a fortress this season in order to help them in their bid to survive, but it hasn’t proven to be the case thus far.
It certainly looked as though it could be a possibility when they took 10 points from their opening five Premier League matches at home – including wins against West Ham United, Stoke City, Crystal Palace and a draw against Liverpool – but things have gone downhill quickly since that point.
They have only taken two points from the next seven fixtures on Tyneside, and according to Soccerstats.com their record of 12 points from 12 home games is the second-weakest in the division – only bottom side Swansea’s is worse.
Things started to go wrong at the end of October when it was announced that owner Mike Ashley had put the club for sale, with a proposed takeover – which fell through on Tuesday – grabbing the headlines and perhaps providing a big distraction to the players on the pitch.
Newcastle looked set to get a point at home to a struggling Bournemouth side at the beginning of November as the game went into injury-time, but Steve Cook scored a 92nd-minute winner for the south coast outfit to give them a crucial three points.
Including that loss against the Cherries, the Magpies went on a run of only taking one point from eight Premier League matches, which included devastating reverses on their own patch against Watford, Leicester City and Everton – all games that Benitez would have believed his side could get points from even though he clearly is unhappy with the strength in depth he has in his squad.
A narrow 1-0 defeat against runaway leaders Manchester City then followed on December 27, before Newcastle were faced with back-to-back home matches against Brighton and Hove Albion and Swansea as they looked to hopefully get six – or at least four – points on the board to move them away from trouble.
If a goalless draw against the former was frustrating, the result in the latter would have been a devastating blow for Benitez, who may be unable to strengthen his squad as he would have liked in the remainder of the January window with no takeover on the cards as things stand.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Newcastle United vs Swansea City – St James’ Park, Newcastle, Britain – January 13, 2018 Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey reacts Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account
With three home wins from 12 games and just 21 goals in 23 Premier League matches in total, Newcastle are in big danger of an instant return to the Championship as things stand right now, and the supporters will be nervous when they look at their team’s remaining home fixtures.
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.
While they have potentially winnable and hugely important home fixtures against Burnley, Huddersfield Town, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion to come, they also welcome Manchester United, Arsenal and then Chelsea to St James’ Park on the final day.
The Tyneside outfit can’t afford to slip up against the former four like they have against Watford, Bournemouth, Brighton and Swansea previously and their players need to step up, because if they don’t the club will be in real danger of going down.
Benitez’s men still have time to turn things around and four wins from four in those upcoming winnable home games would probably save them, but if they fail to do so they will look back at their mid-season form on their own patch and realise that it cost them.
Touted by many as a future Tottenham club captain, the career of Younes Kaboul has taken a disappointing turn. The 27 year old has been plagued by injury in recent seasons and questions remain over whether the French centre half can ever recapture the kind of form that had made him such a force in the Premier League.
Knee injuries are bad at the best of times, but for Kaboul this couldn’t have really been any worse. Out for well over a year and yet to ever return to full fitness, the future looks bleak. Spurs themselves share this pessimism, with his contract up in the summer it is anyone’s guess where the Frenchman will be plying his trade come September. AC Milan have already been mooted as potential suitors according to the Mirror, and it is clear a number of clubs will be interested in the Frenchman when he becomes available in January.
[cat_link cat=”tottenham” type=”list”]
For Spurs it would represent a huge shame, on his day Kaboul is as good as anyone at the back. The perfect mix of defensive physicality and cultured ball-playing ability, Kaboul very much fits the Spurs mould. The City game embodied the fall from grace though, for me Kaboul is in a bracket above Dawson defensively, but on that infamous afternoon they both looked as inept as each other.
Kaboul seems unsure of himself and largely off the pace, a sad sight for those that revelled in his best days. His return has been intermittent and underwhelming, and many question whether the Frenchman can ever return. We saw it with Aaron Ramsey, serious issue breeds uncertainty and often leaves the individual bereft of the self belief that made them such a force in the first place.
It is a tough call; Spurs have outgrown Dawson and without another fit centre half they are woefully short. Vertonghen and Chiriches would appear the long-term centre half partnership, but aside from that there isn’t a lot of depth.
Persevere with Kaboul or look to change things in January?
For me this is another head over heart argument. There is always the belief that Kaboul can get back to the level he was at before, but for me it is a question of time. Spurs have ambitions in the short term and the shrewd move would be to cut their losses and change things up.
Who knows Kaboul could find some semblance of his former self on the continent, this is just a risk the club will have to bear. I think the pragmatists amongst you will see the need for depth during the busy festive period and in the ensuing months. The possibility for a number of cup runs and a tilt at the title, Spurs need to have four fit and firing centre halves and until they sort the Kaboul problem I see them falling behind.
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.
It will be with a heavy heart that Spurs and Kaboul part ways, but in my opinion it is a necessary one. Some may see this as ruthless and perhaps even heartless, but unfortunately this is the nature of our game.