Everton welcome Premier League leaders Manchester City to Goodison Park on late Saturday afternoon, hoping to bounce back from their very disappointing 2-0 defeat to Southampton last time out.
Frank Lampard’s side have picked up just the one win in their past eight top-flight games, and it’s a run of form that has dragged them into the midst of a relegation battle for the second-half of this season.
The Toffees have been dogged by injuries and illnesses, but one of those returnees, Vitaliy Mykolenko, must surely be in line for a comeback against City this weekend.
The Ukraine international only arrived in the January transfer window, but has been unable to make much of an impact thus far, making just one sole appearance in the Premier League against Norwich.
In his absence, Jonjoe Kenny has recently stepped up for Lampard to play as a right-footed left-back, but with City’s devastating attack, Mykolenko must come into the line-up.
Speaking after his arrival, he said: “I like to play on the front foot and get forward when I can. Modern football demands that full-backs are able to attack as well as defend. I think I am a versatile defender who can get up and down the pitch.
“But I believe desire and commitment are the most important attributes and I will aim to bring those qualities. I hope it won’t take me too long to settle in and get used to the style of football.”
As per Whoscored, Mykolenko has been a particularly impressive performer in recent years in European competitions, both in the Champions League and Europa League for former club Dynamo Kyiv.
He has a career average of 1.8 interceptions and 2.2 tackles per game, with the latter number actually good enough to rank him top among the entire Everton squad this season in the Premier League.
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.
If Lampard is looking to breathe some fresh air into his team, then finally bringing Mykolenko into the fold after his recent absence would surely give the club and the fans a welcome shot in the arm.
The £12.5m-rated star would add some much-needed quality to this struggling Everton side.
Meanwhile, this Everton starlet is impressing behind-the-scenes at Finch Farm…
Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that his Manchester United team are aware of the physical challenge posed by Stoke, and are ready to combat Tony Pulis’ men on Tuesday at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils suffered a setback at the weekend by being eliminated from the FA Cup by Liverpool, and are currently three points behind Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.
Although the Scottish coach knows his team are in for a tough game against The Potters, he is looking forward to it.
“You know what Tony Pulis’ team will be like, they are the same all the time,” Ferguson told The Guardian.
“They will be 100% committed and they always get stuck in. You have to cope with that. To be honest, I always enjoy it to.
“It was like when we used to play Wimbledon. No one used to look forward to playing against them but my team started to because it was a physical challenge and in terms of taking the ball and playing football.
“Stoke are a different team altogether but they still have the same qualities of never giving in, so it is always a good challenge for us,” he stated.
United have a critical month, in which they take on Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, and Ferguson knows that his team must be at their best to retain their Premier League crown.
“It is a big programme. From the middle of January until we go to Tottenham, it looked quite a daunting programme.
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.
“But when you go back years ago in our title campaigns, we have always had periods of must win-games in a row and that is what we have here. It is important to keep on City’s coat-tails and hopefully come the important part of the season, we still are,” he concluded.
It’s a tense time of the season as teams battle for promotion, European qualification, trophies and leagues and, of course, against relegation. Some teams might be losing their cool at this most crucial stage, Arsenal notwithstanding, and others might maintain the resolve required to succeed, an attitude most recently expressed at Old Trafford and the Nou Camp.
But while managers and fans gnaw their fingernails down to the skin, I thought it a good idea to put these pressures in to perspective. A growing number of footballers have shown remarkable social responsibility over the past few years by giving back to the society which developed their young talents. Most African stars, who came from humble and difficult beginnings, seek to reward their hometown communities, and often countries, from the vast earnings they have received playing in Europe and here is a list of the top ten African footballing philanthropists…
Didier Drogba:
The Ivorian striker has perhaps given more back to his country than any other footballer and is the personification of peace in his west African country. Drogba donates almost all of his earnings from endorsement to charity and recently gave away over £4 million he received from Pepsi. The money will be used to build a hospital and an orphanage in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan and has used his influence to stop five years of continuous conflict in the Ivory Coast
Michael Essien:
The midfielder is renowned for his uncompromising style on the pitch but he has a soft spot for the less fortunate than him. He set up the Michael Essien Foundation to raise funds to give the underprivileged of his home town in Ghana access to basic amenities like healthcare equipment, libraries, public toilets and clean drinking water and is also involved in the work of several other charities.
John Utaka:
The Super Eagles and former Portsmouth forward launched the John Utaka Foundation to develop Nigerian youths at grassroots level. He provides scholarships with the help of the Central Bank of Nigeria and stated at the opening of his foundation: “I believe that giving back to the society is very essential because I was in the system before I travelled abroad where I started playing my professional football.”
Nwankwo Kanu:
As one of the most decorated African footballers, the Nigerian icon is arguably almost as famous for his philanthropic work in his home continent as he is for his goal-scoring in Europe. The Kanu Heart Foundation was established following the former Arsenal striker’s near-death experience due to a heart defect. He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and has arranged for over one thousand children to travel abroad for life-saving surgery.
Aaron Mokoena:
The South African captain is known for his humanitarian qualities above his football skills, and has done a great deal for various charities and foundations, as well as setting up his own foundation in his home country, South Africa. He is also one of the major personalities involved with the ‘1Goal’ initiative, and is often seen giving his time to those less fortunate.
Continued on Page TWO
Samuel Eto’o:
The Cameroonian is involved with a number of causes. The Inter striker set up several scholarship programs, donated ambulances and has been involved with the building of hospitals and setting up football academies. Eto’o is regularly involved in charity games to aid the poor in Africa.
Mohamed Aboutrika:
The Egyptian striker has participated in several charities and humanitarian work. He joined UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors plus 40 international football stars in 2005 for a ‘Match Against Poverty’ in Germany to raise funds. He volunteered to appear in a public service announcement for the World Food Program in which he drew attention to the tragic fact that 25,000 people die from hunger every day, 18,000 of them children and is also a WFP Ambassador Against Hunger.
John Paintsil:
The Fulham full-back recently set up the Paintsil Peace Kids Project with the intention of encouraging children to better themselves. The Foundation promotes respectful values and guides young children towards the path of success. It holds regular football clinics to teach underprivileged children these principles and the defender recently donated £20,000 to his hometown, Berekum.
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.
Stephen Appiah:
The Ghana midfielder set up StepApp, a clothing range designed by Appiah, a few years ago. All proceeds are channeled into his StepApp Foundation, a charity that works towards providing health insurance and medical facilities in deprived areas of Ghana. He is also active with the UN children’s fund to promote education in Africa.
Joseph Yobo:
The Everton defender has, through his Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, granted more than 300 educational scholarships to the poor, ranging from primary school right up to university. He also assisted the establishment of a football academy in the country’s Ogoni region.
Like this article? Follow me on Twitter
[divider]
Listen to the third episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. – Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, who performs a live version of his cult tribute to Mark Viduka, with Razor on backing vocals!
The Internet has helped to make a whole host of activities much simpler to complete. You don’t even have to leave your own house to do the weekly shop or buy yourself the latest England shirt and you don’t have to brave the miserable British weather to have a little flutter either. Thanks to online casinos you can enjoy having a flutter from the comfort of your own home and experience the joys of a real casino on your computer.
This is ideal for the Wayne Rooney’s and Didier Drogba’s of this world who don’t have much time to spare due to their intensive training regimes, and it means that you won’t have to miss the big match in order to enjoy what casinos have to offer.
Online casinos really are as close as you can get to the real thing. On the Sky Vegas website you’ll find all the games you’d expect to come across at your local casino including all of your favourites. This makes it the perfect place to boost your morale after your team has just suffered a disappointing defeat in the league, or if you’re on a high because your team has just stormed to victory then a visit to an online casino will help to keep you in good spirits.
On the Internet you can decide to play table games or slot games and provide entertainment for yourself long into the evening. If you’ve just got half an hour to spare before heading out to watch a game of footy, then you can keep yourself entertained and if luck is on your side you can take some confidence into the big match; something all die-hard football fans need. The problem you might find is that you cannot just limit yourself to just a couple of games, but make sure you don’t miss the big match; maybe you could watch it on TV instead?
The thrills of a casino are one of the few things that can come close to the excitement offered by football matches and seeing your club’s hero score the winning goal. Nothing can beat that winning feeling, and as fans of football teams that regularly find their club fighting off relegation, winning feels even better when you’ve been on a losing streak. So what casino games will you choose for your fix of excitement at the online casino?
One of the most popular online games is roulette. This French casino game has had a big influence on these shores, just like French football has had on the Premier League, which has much to do with long-term Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. French for ‘little wheel’, roulette is a very simple game and it’s this simplicity that helps to make it so popular.
Simply choose red or black, odd or even, or a specific number, and watch in anticipation as the wheel is spun and the ball travels around the wheel until it comes to rest in a numbered pocket. Where the ball will land up is as unpredictable as a Peter Crouch shot and this ensures that your eyes will be glued to the wheel until the winning number is called.
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.
There are plenty of card games you can play online as well, with blackjack being one of the easiest to pick up. All you have to do is beat the dealer, which is harder than it sounds, and hope that you hit 21 with your cards. If you’re not feeling overly confident you can even play low stakes blackjack so that if you’re not lucky you won’t be rueing that for too long.
Online casinos have helped to make it much more convenient to play your favourite games and you can now have a flutter from your own home with just a couple of clicks of your mouse. On the Sky Vegas website there is a wide selection of casino games to choose from and once you’ve registered online you’re ready to try your luck and have a flutter just like you would at your local casino.
West Brom have completed the signing of Dundee United midfielder Scott Allan, with the youngster moving to the Premier League side for an undisclosed fee.
The 20-year-old passed a medical and will now join The Baggies’ first team squad with immediate effect, and be eligible for his debut against Norwich on Saturday.
Allan’s contract at Tannadice was expiring, and with the starlet set to become a free agent in the summer, the Scottish side decided to cash in on their young talent.
Old Firm duo Rangers and Celtic were also thought to be interested in signing Allan, but the news of his departure to Roy Hodgson’s outfit was confirmed by United manager Peter Houston.
“I’d like to wish Scott all the best for his future career, it is a fantastic opportunity for him to go down to the English Premier League,” the coach told the side’s official website.
“The completion of the deal at this time was beneficial for both the player and the club.”
By Gareth McKnight
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.
Juan Carlos Cubeiro, author of the book ‘Mourinho versus Guardiola’, believes Wednesday’s ‘El Clasico’ Copa del Rey final is a dead heat.Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid meet for the second time in four days to contest the final of the cup, following their 1-1 stalemate in La Liga on Saturday.
That draw left Barcelona on the verge of winning the Spanish top-flight, but manager Pep Guardiola still has Wednesday’s clash at the Mestalla and Barca’s upcoming Champions League semi-final tie against Jose Mourinho’s Real to contend with.
Anticipation for the El Clasico duels is reaching fever pitch in Spain, and Cubeiro insists the battle between the two charismatic managers is as intriguing as whatever happens on the pitch.
“Both use a very scientific method,” Cubeiro said.
“Starting with Mourinho, he says that he combines university and sport. His mother is a university professor and his father was a famous Portuguese soccer player.”
“So what he creates in his training sessions is what will take place on the pitch during 90 minutes, with the same variations of the match.”
“In the case of Guardiola, he has been trying to dampen the euphoria. It’s more of a state of mind.”
“His players know perfectly how to play together, the famous ‘tiki taka’, the pass and possession of the ball, therefore what he is teaching is to maintain their style and their hunger for victory.”
Mourinho moved to the Bernabeu at the conclusion of last season, having led Italian club Inter Milan to a prestigious treble.
He may not win any silverware this year as his side come up against Barca in the league, the Copa del Rey final and in Europe, but Cubeiro expects Los Blancos to only get better as their continue their tutelage under the Portuguese manager.
“Mourinho will be more successful in his second season. Everyone recognises that,” he said.
“He is building a team and creating a playing style at Real Madrid that they did not have before, very much centred on Cristiano Ronaldo.”
“A Guardiola that may be a bit more tired in 2011/12 and a Mourinho who knows the club better suggests the best is yet to come.”
“This season has already been spectacular but next we will see perhaps the two best teams in history.”
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Sean Davis is facing at least another two months out of action after suffering a major setback in his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
The 30-year-old former Spurs and Fulham schemer joined the Trotters from Portsmouth in the summer of 2009, but has been restricted to just four appearances for the club after undergoing cartilage surgery last September.
He had returned to action with the reserves in recent times, but suffering renewed problems with his knee.
Manager Owen Coyle told the Bolton News:"Sean played for the reserves the other week against Manchester City and he felt a little twinge in his knee.
"We've done a scan and he has been told to rest completely for six to eight weeks.
"It's disappointing for Sean and the football club because he has worked ever so hard to get himself in decent shape, but we have to make sure that we do the right thing.
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's the advice that we have been given and that's where we are with everything."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
The issue of third party ownership is threatening to rear its ugly head again – insert sigh here- with clubs in England and France making increasing noise about the fact they are not allowed to undertake in such shared ownership of players (think back to the Tevez / Mascherano debacle and you can see why) and feel this hampers them in comparison to other European clubs who use such deals when ‘complying’ with the FFP regulations.
The sad thing is, the FA actually have a point, with multiple clubs in Spain and South America to name but a couple using third party deals in order to keep their costs when buying players down, and attempt to come under the £38 million target from 2013-2014.
It seems baffling that the FFPR allows such ownership yet will point blank refuse to entertain the notion of “transparent owner equity investment” ie Abramovich at Chelsea or the Sheik at City, and the Premier League, along with the French FA feel that not only is this contradictory, but places them at a huge disadvantage and are determined to get UEFA to look more closely at this issue.
Uefa are willing to ban clubs who do not comply with the FFPR, and exclude them from their competitions, with Chelsea and City being especially vulnerable here, with third party ownership being outlawed in the EPL due to it compromising the ‘integrity of the competition’ with this placing EPL clubs at a significant disadvantage in comparison to their counterparts in Europe who enjoy this benefit with Hertha Berlin raising €44m from selling the economic rights of players to a third‑party ownership fund since 2009 – something Premier League clubs are simply not allowed to do.
Whether Uefa would actually take action over these concerns remains to be seen, as although they have ‘promised’ to look into it – a Uefa promise is worth about as much as one from Carlos Tevez – and even now they will have you believe that the issue is much less prominent than the Premier League would claim it to be.
The idea of allowing third party ownership rights in the Premier League is not what is being pushed for here, and the main issue of both the French and English is that they feel at a significant disadvantage when compared to Spanish, Portuguese and German clubs who can use the FFP rules and third party ownership to keep losses down and essentially be in a better position in the transfer market.
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.
If any kind of resolution can be reached the Premier League would be open to this, with even the idea of where revenue is raised from directly selling a stake in a player, this is then exempt from FFP calculations. Whether Uefa would be willing to entertain this notion however remains to be seen.
Blackburn and Birmingham shared the points 1-1 at Ewood Park in a result that helped neither side’s relegation predicaments.The two sides went into the game level on 34 points, and just two above relegation-placed West Ham and Wolves.
The home side began the brighter and Jermaine Jones had an excellent chance on goal but slipped at the vital moment, before Chris Samba also headed wide.
Rovers were the more comfortable of the two sides in the first half as the Blues struggled in possession, so it came as a surprise when the visitors scored with their first meaningful attack in the 32nd minute.
Sebastian Larsson found Cameron Jerome in the box, and the striker chipped over Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson and Lee Bowyer headed in the easiest of openers from just a yard out.
Birmingham were unlucky not to have doubled their lead when Larsson’s free kick struck the post minutes before the break, but were then guilty of complacency as they gifted the hosts an equaliser.
In stoppage time at the end of the half, Junior Hoilett caught Liam Ridgewell off guard and stole the ball off him before rounding goalkeeper Ben Foster and firing home.
In the second half, another Larsson free kick forced a great save out of Robinson, and at the other end, Roque Santa Cruz’s header struck the crossbar.
Morten Gamst Pedersen also tested Foster on two occasions with an in-swinging free kick, and from the corner post.
Despite finishing the better side, Blackburn could not find a second goal and the draw leaves both clubs poised perilously three points above the relegation zone.
Xabi Alonso was undoubtedly an integral part of Liverpool’s most recent successes and he is still fondly remembered by the Anfield faithful for his defence splitting passes and long range shooting aptitude.
However, his advice for Dani Pacheco concerning a potential move to the club Alonso departed for Liverpool in 2004, Real Sociedad, will not be welcomed.
Alonso received a huge amount of support at Real Sociedad under manager John Toshack who acknowledged the enormous amount potential he possessed, devising a training method specifically for the Spanish midfielder which focused on his touch and control.
Whilst it is hard to criticise a player who plays the game with such elegance and class, his advice is undermined by the fact leaving Real Sociedad was arguably the best decision he ever made.
Alonso won the Champions League, FA Cup and the European Super Cup on Merseyside, earning him a dream 30 million pound move to Real Madrid perhaps his advice should centre on Pacheco fighting for a place in the first-team at a club which gave Alonso his big-break.
Pacheco was in iridescent form for Spain against England at the U19 Euro Championships getting himself on the score sheet but it is unlikely Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will give him the chance to shine in the Premier League and this is the reason Pacheco is understandably considering a move back to his homeland.
For any young footballer who just wants to play, it is naturally frustrating to find your opportunities limited but Xabi Alonso seemingly trying to aid Pacheco’s departure is the last thing Liverpool need as they gear up for the new season under Hodgson’s leadership.
This will no doubt be looked upon by Hodgson as another unhelpful story to add to the list since he began his tenure at Anfield and Liverpool fans may be slightly aggravated if one of their most promising talents heeds the advice of a player who was worshipped by the Kop with good reason.
Before advising anybody, perhaps Alonso needs to carefully consider that it was at Liverpool he made a name for himself and the reverse move to the one he suggests for Pacheco acted as the catalyst for him moving on to greater things and becoming renowned for his eloquent midfield style.
Pacheco is clearly a talented footballer, who wants to press on with his career, but at 19 years of age he needs to keep working hard and most of all be patient as regards first-team opportunity.
A move to Real Sociedad would only be beneficial in a loan capacity in order for him to gain valuable first team experience in a highly competitive league where he may also benefit from Joseba Llorente’s experience.
Dani Pacheco Goals
With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
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.