League leaders Lille lost just their third match of the season after going down 1-0 to Montpellier in Ligue 1 on Sunday.Younes Balhanda netted the winner for the hosts at Stade de la Mosson in the 84th minute to hand Rudi Garcia’s side their first league defeat since October.Despite the result, Lille remain in first place, but are now just two points clear of second-placed Stade Rennes after they won 2-1 on their trip to Toulouse.Yann M’Vila put Rennes ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Toulouse were level at the Stadium Municipal when defender Kevin Theophile Catherine had the final touch into his own net in the 61st minute.There was late drama, however, when Toulouse goalkeeper Marc Vidal gave away a penalty, but was injured in the foul and was stretchered off the ground for the resultant spot-kick.Ali Ahamada came on to stand in-between the posts, but he could not keep out Victor Montano’s penaty as Rennes secured a thrilling victory.Paris Saint-Germain moved level on points with fourth-placed Lyon courtesy of a 3-0 away win over Nice.Ludovic Giuly, Guillaume Hoarau and Sylvain Armand all netted for the victors at Stade Municipal du Ray in what was PSG’s first win in three matches.
Fulham have confirmed that defender Philippe Senderos has joined the club from Arsenal after he penned a three-year deal on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a seven-year spell at the Gunners after he made his way to England from Servette in June 2003.
Senderos has made 38 appearances for Switzerland and he is expected to play a leading role for his nation at this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa and, after recent spells with AC Milan and Everton, the towering defender is delighted to have tied up his immediate future.
Speaking to the club's website, he said:"I'm delighted to have finalised my transfer to Fulham earlier today and happy that I am joining the Club during the most successful period in its history.
"I will be looking forward to meeting up with my new teammates and of course, Roy Hodgson, a manager I respect very much, shortly after the World Cup.
"I very much hope that I can contribute over the next few seasons and that the Club goes on to achieve more success."
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Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson added:"He is a strong defender who has great aerial presence at both ends of the field and has a superb work ethic which is a vital component for any team's success.
"I am very much looking forward to working with Philippe next season."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
So with silly season in full swing, rumours are flying out left, right and centre at the moment, with no club escaping the ludicrousness of the rumour mill. One cheeky little rumour that did catch my well trained eye – well when a bottle of wine is around that is – was that of a £12 million bid from Real Madrid for Manchester City and England international Micah Richards.
This got me to pondering for a number of reasons, and exactly what Mourinho was thinking was a prominent one, but that aside, it has got to be just about the only English player who has been linked with a move abroad this summer, whilst a huge number of foreign players arrive transfer window after transfer window.
Think about the international teams at the Euros, or even a World Cup. Most have players who play in all the major leagues across Europe – most except for England that is.
Of course there are the occasional whispers of Lampard to Inter Milan, or Rooney to Madrid, but these are most likely created by an anonymous tip off to a tabloid paper from the player’s agent themselves around contract negotiation time.
It is so rare that a genuine move materialises for an English player to go abroad – you can count them on your hands for the past few years –Owen, McManaman, Woodgate, Gazza, Beckham, Lineker, Keegan and Ince. Even the younger players do not seem interested or required for a move – Elliot Kebbie is the only one who has made the move to La Liga in recent times, but why is this?
Is it simply because other clubs view English players as not tactically or technically gifted enough? Or is it the players themselves unwilling to have a dramatic change in life or culture for even just a couple of years? Everyone knows footballers are not exactly renowned for their IQ scores, but if Joe Cole (who Lampard claimed isn’t the sharpest tool in the box) can spend time on loan at Lille in France, anyone can do it – yes, Wayne, even you!
It seems a shame that English players do not take advantage of such moves that could be open to them, where they can improve their game by playing in a new league – perhaps the Premier League is so good that players do not need to move abroad – yet the lack of players abroad arguably has an effect on the national team, and not a positive one.
Nearly all other national teams, even the German one, have players who have spent time playing in a variety of other leagues, and it is this experience that they bring to the table and use to improve their team further during international tournaments.
In times gone by, it could be put down to club loyalty, with players like Giggs or Scholes having the chance to move if they so wished, but preferring to stay at the club they loved, yet in the mercenary modern game, there are very few who feel like this – see Nasri, Cashley and now RVP for further referencing material on this point – but it is safe to say, club loyalty is not paramount anymore.
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Of course, players are now more keen than ever to end their playing days in the MLS or Asia for a big pay check, but this is not comparable to a move to a Real Madrid or AC Milan at the peak of their powers, and from the looks of things, sadly for the players and the English National team, this does not look set to change any time soon and more worryingly the only reason for a lack of change is that the majority of English players simply are not rated by top European clubs.
If I’m completely honest, I’ve enjoyed something of a rollercoaster relationship with Michael Owen , over the past few years. When I first heard he could be heading to Old Trafford, I was adamant we shouldn’t sign him, “it’ll make us a laughing stock” were my exact words, following the whole brochure affair and his struggles on Tyneside.
Then I allowed myself to become convinced that he’d be a great signing, once the deal had been done, even going as far as to put a cheeky fiver on him finishing Premier League top scorer- not my most savvy wager admittedly- and telling anyone who’d listen “if he stays fit, he’ll score more than Tevez this season, trust me” – I won’t bring up the stats to show you how wrong I was.
Then came THAT derby goal, where even the most critical Owen detractor had to warm to him and seemingly accept him into the bosom of the United family. Since then however, there’s been times when I’ve doubted the wisdom in keeping Owen at the club, there was the Jamie Carragher testimonial, where his decision to wear a Liverpool shirt again, made me positive he should never be allowed to don the Red of United again.
Once I’d “calmed down” I realised Owen’s worth, but was left disappointed when he got injured in the Carling Cup final of 2010 – when towards the end of the season we would really need him.
Since then, I’ve questioned Owen’s value to the United squad not based just on his fitness and performances but more because of my unadulterated love for Danny Welbeck and my worries that his progress at Old Trafford may be scuppered somewhat by Owen. I felt we needed to move forward and Welbeck was the future, while Owen represented the past, however I’ve been proven grossly wrong, mainly due to the former Liverpool hit-man’s attitude.
Owen is willing to play his part for United, however big or small and unlike some modern footballers, won’t kick up a fuss or make silly comments if he doesn’t figure in the more important games.
I’ve always thought Owen one of the worst interviewees of all modern footballers, full of obvious, boring answers that lack passion or even the slightest hint of subjectivity. That view has been changed of late, when I’ve come to realise that just because a footballer is a quiet family man with little enthusiasm for the trappings of fame, or for needless comment, shouldn’t make him the subject of my anger. Paul Scholes didn’t give interviews at all and I don’t recall feeling anything but adulation towards the Ginger Prince.
Recently Owen has risen in my estimation with some honest and refreshing points, both on twitter and via press interviews. Today he’s been quoted as praising the United dieting staff.
The Manchester Evening News notes:
Michael Owen has paid tribute to United’s backroom staff for keeping him tuned up to take advantage of his rare chances.
“Physically, you have to prepare for any opportunity you get as well as mentally,” said Owen.
“That is hard because you are in match-day squads all the time, so you prepare with the team, eat the same, do the same things they do but when you don’t play you don’t use the energy. You are probably getting more days off but putting more energy food in your system and it is a bit of a vicious circle.
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“After doing that five or six times you don’t exactly put on weight but you have to be careful. Your body hasn’t played 90 minutes though you are preparing it all the time to do that.
“There is more to it than people thinking ‘well he is fresh and should score a hat-trick’.
“It is tough and it is also a challenge for the staff at United. It is a test for the medical people and the sports science people to get the balance right. They have to manage it to ensure when your chance does come along your body is ready for it.”
“I still feel I have to prove myself every time I play,” he said. “If I was playing every week, you could afford a bad game here or there because you can always score one in the next game and nobody will remember your bad games.
“The Leeds game was my first match of the season and if I didn’t play well I would have a long time to stew on it and people would have a long time to criticise me. It puts the pressure on me.
“I have had some massive games in my career but you almost feel yourself getting nervous more these days because, as I say, it has been a while since I started.
I was recently touched by Owen’s comments regarding the criticism he’s received from some ‘pundits’ claiming he’s at United for money:
“I am not ‘content’ if I am not playing – I don’t want anybody to think that. I get criticised a lot by people who say I don’t play but I pick my money up. I am not proud of that fact. I want to play all the time.
“I am doing a lot of training and putting in a lot of hard work people don’t see. I don’t feel my touch will go or anything like that. But anybody can have a bad game – even the best players in the world.”
Even Owen’s tweets following the Leeds game left me with a lot of respect for the United striker:
“Our fans in the stadium 45 mins after the game singing their hearts out. When I emerged from the dressing room they sang you scouse b******! #magic”
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In response to accusations of greed: “For success maybe but if I wanted money the last place I would have signed for is United.”
Sir Alex Ferguson proved yet again why he’s the master, as keeping someone with Owen’s experience and attitude around at Old Trafford, is a win-win situation, even if he doesn’t play, he’s a positive influence on the younger players.
Owen may not be the most exciting man when it comes to being interviewed and if I’m honest I still consider him United’s fourth choice striker, but seeing a player, who’s nearing 32, willing to take his limited chances and defend himself to all the ‘haters’ has made me warm to him. Let’s hope there are a few more big moments in the career of Michael Owen.
Read more of Justin’s articles at Red Flag Flying High
A Lionel Messi hat-trick guided Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday, moving them 10 points clear on top of La Liga.
In the process, Barca notched up their 16th consecutive league win, breaking Real Madrid’s record of 15 – a mark that had stood for 50 years.
After being rested from Barca’s 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Almeria in midweek, Messi was simply unstoppable at the Nou Camp and the 23-year-old opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a low shot from the edge of the box before firing home a second from close range 11 minutes later.
He completed his hat-trick 10 minutes from full-time as Barca continued their march towards a third successive title.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Villarreal failed to make up any ground on second-placed Real Madrid when they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to relegation battlers Levante, with midfielder Valdo scoring the only goal of the game three minutes after half-time.
Villarreal remain third despite the defeat, three points behind Real Madrid who take on Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Almeria caused another surprise when they enjoyed a 3-2 home win over Espanyol, who fell to sixth.
The hosts raced to a 3-0 lead after just 18 minutes thanks to goals from Silva Marcelo Henrique, Kala Uche and Hernan Bernardello, but a 34th-minute goal from Verdu and another from Alvaro Vasquez four minutes after half-time put some spice back in the contest.
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Athletic Bilbao climbed to fifth with a 3-0 home win over Sporting Gijon thanks to goals from David Lopez, Gaizka Toquero and Fernando Llorente, while Getafe moved to eighth after an Adrian Colunga brace helped them to a 4-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna.
Osasuna and Mallorca played out a 1-1 draw, as did Real Zaragoza and Racing Santander.
Another week and the Robin Van Persie saga continues to rumble on with no discernible end in sight. Just what is it with the Gunners and the transfer window? Each year, without fail, they become embroiled in a summer long hullabaloo concluding with Arsene Wenger losing a star player and cutting a forlorn figure for the first half of the season. And whilst he continues to hope for a Van Persie U-turn the Frenchman appears to have learned from his past mistakes. In Oliver Giroud and Lukas Podolski he has two strikers highly-regarded around Europe acquired at a rock-bottom combined price of £22 million. It’s also emerged in the last seven days that Spain international Santi Cazorla is primed for a move to the Emirates Stadium further strengthening Wenger’s attacking options and proving that he see’s life after Van Persie, who’s exit continues to look inevitable as three of the continents leading clubs battle for his signature. It could be said that in this period of transition letting the Holland forward leave is a necessary step that the club must take in order to remain on the evolutionary path.
This week on FFC should Thomas Vermaelen be named the new Gunners captain and which Arsenal old boy fancies a return to the Emirates.
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Best of FFC
Forget RVP, Paulinho Could Bring The Best Out Of Arsenal
Should suitors think twice before bidding for Robin van Persie?
Now or never for Arsenal ace
The next Arsenal captain?
What Future Do Arsenal Fans Envisage For him?
Are these really necessary for Premier League clubs?
A potential transfer coup for Arsenal?
Will his return prove a Shrewd Move for Arsenal?
Arsenal closing in on £16m deal for Santi Cazorla
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Best of WEB
Ambitions – The Life And Death Of A Football Club – A Cultured Left Foot
Are we ever going to get rid of him? – Gunnersphere
Am I a fan or a Muppet? – Online Gooner
An obvious observation? – Gunnersphere
Dan! Dan! Dan! Dan! Daaaaan! Dan! Dan! – Arseblog
Cazorla deal nearing a close | Robin training with a good attitude | Would you relegate Spurs given the chance? – Le Grove
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Defender signs! Midfielder Next? Wenger to sign Malaysian player & New Coach set to join…. – Highbury House
Will Arsene Really Replace With Fernando & Trigger £28M Release Clause? – Transfer Tavern
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Quote of the Week
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He is a world class player and we do not want to give him away. If he is determined to leave then that is up to him, but giving him away is not on our agenda.
“To be honest I do not understand him at all. I understood Cesc Fabregas wanting to go home to Barcelona last summer. I had sympathy with that. But I thought Robin was happy at Arsenal. Especially after the season that he had with us.” Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood wants Robin Van Persie’s suitors that he won’t be sold below his valuation
I have been a follower of FFC for a year or two now and often get involved in some of the competitions, up until now I had not won anything so when I saw the opportunity to win Premiership tickets I jumped at the chance.
I found out on Saturday morning (via email) that I had not only won tickets to Man City v Bolton at the Reebok, but I had won corporate hospitality tickets for me and a friend.
Having never experienced hospitality I did not know what to expect, and to be honest, the experience was miles better than I could have imagined. First we went to the ground and picked up our tickets and were shown to our seats in the Platinum lounge, on the way up to the lounge I spotted Martin Tyler and realised the day was going to be fun. Once in our lounge we were offered a drink (free of charge up to £20 per person) and asked if we would like our starters. We then had a wonderful three course meal.
On each placemat was a programme, team sheet, betting sheet and a quiz. Whilst we ate and chatted, the lounge compare kept us amused with jokes and stories whilst a magician worked the room. All in all the pre match entertainment couldn’t be faulted.
On my way down to my seats I bumped into Harry Redknapp and Joe Jordan and had a bit of banter with them on the way to my seats. Being a lifelong Tottenham fan and season ticket holder this really was the highlight of my day. The stars continued to appear including Patrick Viera and Nigel De Jong who were only a few yards behind us. The seats we had were situated just behind the Man City dug out and gave a real insight into Mancini’s tantrums and touch line demeanour. The game itself was a really entertaining one, topped off by a David Silva 1st goalscorer – coming in at 7/1 for me. Happy Days!!!
After the game we heard from Brian Gunn the ex Norwich keeper who told stories of old and we also had the chance to meet the man of the match Gary Cahill, who I managed to pull aside for a photo and autograph.
All in all a fantastic experience and something I will remember for a long time. I am very grateful to the sponsors for the fantastic day out.
Written By Robert Humphries
This week we have Bolton tickets to give away for their trip to Liverpool – click on the banner below
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Tottenham managed to snatch a point at the death against Newcastle at St James’ Park today thanks to an injury time equaliser from Aaron Lennon. Harry Redknapp will feel that Spurs deserved something from the match due to the amount of play they had and will be relieved to have got just that.
In a tight first half, in which Gareth Bale went off early with a back injury, Jermain Defoe had Tottenham’s best chance. Spurs fell behind 15 minutes into the second half to a Fabricio Coloccini shot that goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who started in place of the injured Heurelho Gomes, could have done better with. The Italian later redeemed himself with a couple of fine saves as Spurs pressed and left themselves exposed at the back, with Luka Modric hitting the bar before Lennon netted the late equaliser.
So what were the FIVE things we learnt about Tottenham today?
Controversial midfielder Joey Barton may well be heading out of the Premier League, as QPR look to loan him out to Blackburn according to The Daily Mail.
The temperamental midfielder has had a career full of ill-discipline and scandal, with the latest incident his sending off for the R’s against Manchester City on the last day of the 2011-12 season.
Barton was dismissed for elbowing Carlos Tevez, but also tried to head-butt Vincent Kompany and kick Sergio Aguero, resulting the FA handing down a 12-match ban.
With Mark Hughes stripping Barton of the club captaincy already, the ambitious London side are thought to be ready to offload Barton as he is thought to be more trouble than he is worth.
QPR owner Tony Fernandes has admitted that Barton is on his last warning, but the midfielder could well be on his way to Blackburn for a season-long loan deal.
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Rovers were relegated from the Premier League last term, and Steve Kean is eager to bolster his squad this summer, with Danny Murphy and Leon Best already joining the Ewood Park club.
It’s that time of the year where the season is quickly approaching and with only two weeks to go, football supporters up and down the land are considering whether or not they should include Wayne Rooney or take a risk on a less profile name like Darren Bent.
Yes it’s that time to pick eleven players and maybe some subs (depending on the site) for your fantasy football team again. If you had a few players that let you down last year like the normally consistent Frank Lampard or perhaps you even thought that Joe Cole was going to be the next big thing at Liverpool, it is time to make amends for these errors of judgement and get it right this time round.
It is really important to find out what you gain points in the fantasy game you are playing as the different ones give points out for various things and these could help sway your selections. If you have to select a captain as you have to in some games look for that player who will contribute the most to your team.
You should try to select an all-round team and players who take set pieces must be included as should goal scoring defenders. Then you look at maybe one or two players who you think will have a big season and can surprise people.
Before you start, it is vital to make sure you understand the scoring system of your chosen game. You should make a short-list of players you want wish to include and check their performance from last year as it is not always the obvious players who score highly and aslo be prepared to take some risks.
This is a list of 10 players who you should try to include as they are all likely to score highly and may make or break how successful your fantasy team is. Remember if you realise you have made a mistake you can always make a transfer so it is not the end of the world but getting it right from the start gives you a better chance.
Click on Luis Suarez to see the selections you would be mad to miss out in your team.
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