Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has called on the squad to unite as they battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League.Villa are 14th in a congested bottom-half of the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone.
Reports of indiscipline and unrest have dogged the club this season, with players allegedly rebelling against the reign of French manager Gerard Houllier.
But American shot-stopper Friedel insists the players have the talent to secure their survival, if they can overcome their internal divisions.
“We have got a tremendous squad of talented players,” Friedel said.
“We have obviously had ups and downs this season, but we have eight games now to get as many points on the board as possible.”
“We need to all be one. All the stories that have been going about, a lot of them are untrue, it’s people just trying to stir things up because things haven’t been going well on the pitch.”
“But we need to put all that to one side, starting on Saturday (at Everton).”
A veteran of 14 English Premier League campaigns, 39-year-old Friedel has been able to witness first-hand where Villa have gone wrong this season.
“Yes, I have been there every day and I have watched it unfold in front of me,” he said.
“In today’s game players have to take a lot more responsibility than perhaps they do on a daily basis.”
“Once you cross the white line there is no-one there to hold your hand. You have to be out there and you have to win the games.”
“It’s up to us to get enough points to keep us in this division. There is nothing more that needs to be said. Everything that has transpired this season needs to be pushed to one side. There’s no hiding place.”
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.
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.”
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!
Juventus’ Claudio Marchisio said his side are aiming for nine points in the last three Serie A games to ensure they claim a Champions League place.The Bianconeri are seventh in the Italian top flight and four points from fourth-placed Lazio, who have lost their past two league encounters, including a 1-0 defeat to Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on Monday.
Juve midfielder Marchisio said nothing short of perfection in their final 270 minutes on the pitch this season was to be expected if the club wanted to participate in European football’s premier competition – starting with Monday’s clash with 12th-placed Chievo in Turin.
“As regards to our position in the league, if we manage to achieve the same number of points as the teams ahead of us (Lazio, Udinese and Roma), we will finish ahead of them thanks to the head-to-head results,” Marchisio said.
“In any case, the most important thing is that (on Monday) the team put in a good performance until the end of the match and achieved an important win (against Lazio). We worked very hard but managed to gain three important points.”
“We should work in these last three weeks for these last three matches in order to gain nine points and see what will happen to the other teams in the championship.”
Simone Pepe scored an 88th-minute winner at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday to keep alive Juventus’ hopes of Champions League football next term, and Marchisio – who missed the clash – said his replacement handled the pressure well.
“Well I’m happy for him, since he works very hard. We both play in that role and know what it means to defend and counter-attack. It isn’t simple. He has made sacrifices during the match and he was ready for the most important phase of the match,” Marchisio said.
Embattled Celtic manager Neil Lennon has put personal turmoil behind him to claim the Scottish Cup, his first trophy in charge of the Glasgow giants.In recent months Lennon has endured death threats, has had parcel bombs and bullets posted to him and was attacked by a spectator during his side’s recent Scottish Premier League win at Hearts.
But the 39-year-old Northern Irishman was celebrating on Saturday, when Celtic claimed their first Scottish Cup since 2007 with a 3-0 win over Motherwell at Hampden Park.
The Glasgow side took the lead after 32 minutes through a brilliant long-range strike from South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, whose unstoppable left-foot effort flew past Darren Randolph in the Motherwell goal.
Motherwell began the second half full of zest, but when their defender Stephen Craigan put the ball into his own net after 76 minutes the match was as good as over.
There was still time for one more piece of magic, however, when Charlie Mulgrew struck a spectacular left-foot free-kick past the wall and Randolph to make it 3-0 two minutes from time.
Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak looks set to leave Old Trafford after 5 years at the club, according to Sky Sports.
The Polish goalkeeper made 7 appearances for the club last season but has failed to prove himself a worthy successor to Edwin van der Sar following the Dutchman’s retirement. With the imminent arrival of young Spaniard David de Gea from Atletico Madrid in an £18 million deal, Kuszczak looks likely to move on from the Premiership Champions as he chases first team football.
The 29-year old moved to Old Trafford from West Bromwich Albion and it seems his former club could move for the goalkeeper, who has won 10 caps for Poland. Current West Brom Number 1 Scott Carson is entering the final year of his contract at the Hawthorns and, with an extension yet to be agreed, could be on his way to Turkey in a surprise move to Bursaspor.
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.
Kuszczak first moved to Old Trafford on loan in 2006 before making the deal permanent the following summer. He has played for the club 61 times but has been understudy to van der Sar for most of his Old Trafford career. His last appearance came in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn which clinched United their record 19th League title but his performance was littered with errors.
We all remember the classic film, where the dream team of Pele and Bobby Moore, team up with Rambo, Michael Caine and Ipswich Town’s John Wark to outwit the Gestapo and escape their prisoner of war camp through the power of beautiful game. Few people know however, that the plot of this football classic is in fact based, on a true story. This is the story of F.C Start and ‘The Death Match’.
Football, in the 1930’s had become extremely popular in Eastern Europe, and one of the more successful teams in Ukraine were Dynamo Kiev . After the German invasion in 1941 however, the national league was cut short, and the players, who joined the army, were captured and sent to prisoner of war camps. In the Spring of 1942, the former Dynamo goalkeeper, Mykola Trusevych was released, and with the support of his boss at Bakery Number 3, set out to find his old team members. Trusevych found eight former Dynamo players, and, accompanied by three from rivals Lokomotiv Kiev began playing local military teams under the name F.C Start.
Following several convincing victories over Hungarian, Romanian and German teams, including a Luftwaffe team known as Flakelf, F.C Start were noticed by the leaders of their German occupiers. It was seen that the team had become a beacon of hope for the population of the city and it was decided that a rematch would be played between Start and Flakelf and this would be used as a propaganda tool for the Germans, therefore a much stronger team would be put out by the Luftwaffe.
The match was held in the Zenit Stadium in Kiev and was refereed by an SS officer. The exact size of the crowd was unknown but it is said that the heavy police presence did not deter the people of Kiev coming out to support their team against the occupiers. Before the match the referee entered the Start dressing room and instructed the players to perform the Nazi salute before the match. The Start players, unlike the England team upon their visit to Berlin in 1937, refused, and instead gave their own slogan, which roughly translates as an appraisal of physical strength.
The Start players were certainly aware before the game that it was in their interest to lose the match. Despite this, by half time F.C Start had come from a goal down to lead 3-1, and the referee returned to ask the players “to think of the consequences” of winning the match. However by the end of the game Start led 5-3, and as the crowd went wild, one of the Start players, it is said, dribbled his way through the opposition defense, rounded the German keeper, and rather than slotting the ball home, turned and kicked the ball straight back towards the center circle. The referee did not even allow the match to reach 90 minutes, out of fear of further embarrassment for the Luftwaffe side.
There are numerous myths that surround the events that took place after the game, but it is thought that the team was broken up shortly after and the players were sent to various work camps, such was the regime.
The heroism of these eleven men was seen as a beacon of hope to the people of Kiev throughout the Nazi occupation, and their courage and bravery is commemorated today. In 1981 the Zenit Stadium, still home of Dynamo Kiev was renamed Start Stadium, and a monument was placed, with the inscription:
“For our beautiful presence
They fell in a fight…
For ages your glory won’t fade,
The fearless hero-athletes.”
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 playing record of F.C Start reads, played 9, won 9, scored 58 and conceded 10.
Article courtesy of Matthew Hines from This is Futbol
Newly promoted Norwich City have landed full back Kyle Naughton on loan reports Sky Sports.
The Tottenham defender, who can play operate at both right and left full back, joins the Canaries until the end of the season.
Naughton was being chased by a number of Premier League clubs with Aston Villa showing strong interest in him.
But the 22-year-old has decided a move to Carrow Road would provide more first-team opportunities and boss Paul Lambert was overjoyed to secure his services.
“We’re delighted to have secured Kyle’s services for the season,” Lambert told Sky Sports
“He’s a quality player who will come in and give the current group a hand as well as providing more healthy competition for places.
“He’s a pacy player and he’s also young and hungry to continue developing his career and we’re obviously pleased he’s got the chance now to do that with us here at Norwich City.”
Despite moving to Tottenham in 2009 he has failed to nail down a regular starting place at White Hart Lane with manager Harry Redknapp opting to loan him out.
The move will now give the full back a chance to establish a presence in the top flight after two seasons of playing in the Championship on loan at Leicester City and Middlesbrough.
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.
He’ll be hoping the loan can revitalise Naughton’s career in the same way it did for Kyle Walker who shone on loan at Aston Villa last season.
When the highly rated 16-year-old Theo Walcott made the switch to Arsenal from Southampton on a pre-contact deal for an initial £5m, it looked like he could be the next Thierry Henry and comparisons were made between the two.
However back in 2006, then Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, who had given Walcott his debut during his time at Southampton, warned against making any comparison with Henry. “He is a million miles away from Thierry Henry and if he ever gets anywhere near his standard he will be one of the best players we’ve ever seen in this country.” This warning has proved to be quite accurate but maybe now is the time to test Walcott in the striker position.
In the last five years there have been glimpses of Walcott’s potential including in 2008 when he single-handedly destroyed Croatia in Zagreb but these moments of quality have been quite rare and I feel his potential is being wasted on the wing where he lacks the ability to succeed.
Arsene Wenger made the decision to turn him into a right winger due to his young age and slight figure but with the 22-year-old declaring that he wants a move up-front to help his progress, it could be finally time to test the winger in the central attacking position.
Walcott said: “I hope I’ll move inside. It just depends on the players the boss brings in. I was signed as a striker, I want to play up front. I’ve done my trade out on the wing. A lot of people forget I’m not a winger.”
There has been evidence that Theo has worked on his all-round game this season, he has always looked like a natural goal-scorer but now his finishing is more composed and with his blistering pace he could cause problems to any defence.
However he still lacks consistency and common sense as a footballer, often taking the wrong option, and his passing is typically wayward. If he wants to succeed as a striker he will need to work on his distribution especially in holding the ball up as he would be required to do playing in a central attacking role. His on-field intelligence, although improved, is still holding him back from fulfilling his potential.
With the current formation that Wenger employs it is difficult to see where Walcott would fit in alongside Robin Van Persie especially if the Dutchman can continue his impressive end of season form in a one man attack. I think a move back to a 4-4-2 looks unlikely but after the acquisition of Gervinho this summer, there may be the possibility that Wenger could turn to a new 4-3-3 formation, with Gervinho on the right, Van Persie down the middle and Walcott on the left. This formation would be effective on the counter attack but could leave the team fallible in the midfield.
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.
[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]
Walcott scored goals as a youngster and although he has taken time to adapt to the top-level, with his useful attributes there is no reason why Walcott would not make it as a striker, something that Wenger has always believed would happen. Although for this season it looks to be ambition rather than a genuine reality as Wenger would need to change tactics to complement him in the team. He may never be as good as Henry was but one day he could well be a successful out and out striker and finally become the talent he looked six years ago.
Do you think Walcott deserves a chance to prove himself as a striker? Do you believe he is still a work in progress or is now the time to give up on his potential? Let me know your thoughts!