Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has admitted Lee Cattermole was fortunate to escape a red card, after he handled Kenwyne Jones' header on the line in Saturday's 2-0 win over Stoke City.
The former Black Cats forward's nodded effort was set for the back of the net until Cattermole's intervention, but referee Martin Atkinson missed the incident at the Stadium of Light.
Asamoah Gyan's brace secured the victory for the hosts, but Bruce has conceded his team were let off the hook.
Bruce also praised his players for their spirit after their 5-1 humbling at north east rivals Newcastle United last weekend.
"I think it clips the bar, that takes it away from Cattermole, there is no disputing it is handball," he said.
"We got away with one, but we might have won 2-1 anyway, they at the time were shouting for a goal and I think the referee got that right, but there is no hiding it was handball.
"We have plenty of occasions this year where it hasn't gone for us. Whether it is pivotal who knows, after the week we have had, we are due a bit of luck."
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 has been a tough week, you have all been in the North East long enough, I am pleased with all the players, the young players they will all learn from it and they were determined to try and make amends and we have repaired some damage, thankfully it showed some bottle after a really difficult week.
"The players have worked extremely hard all week."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
According to a high placed source at the London club, Ray Wilkins lost his job after some first-team players raised concern over the ability of their coach. In light of Chelsea’s successive league defeat the press seem to have gone wild in search of reasons for the team’s instant loss of form.
There is no secret that Chelsea have a long list of injuries, but it seems the main catalyst for their recent poor results is the furor that surrounds the sacking of former coach Ray Wilkins.
There has been little news as to why Wilkins contract was terminated with immediate effect, and rumours are now beginning to circulate. One such rumour would have us believe that player power has once again come to the fore, much like it did with Scolari, and Wilkins has become its latest victim.
The Guardian reports “that Ancelotti was aware of some of his players’ concerns about Wilkins, and did not stand in the way of the dismissal.” If this is true, it seems that the players have once again proved they have sufficient influence and clout to call the shots within the club.
The plot thickens, as today “Carlo Ancelotti has made the startling admission that he does not consider himself to be in control at Chelsea after effectively seeing his position at the Premier League champions undermined by the surprise dismissal of his assistant first-team coach Ray Wilkins.”
If Ancelotti feels that he is not in control, then the question lies, who is in control? Well, Ancelotti’s remarks would certainly add weight behind the premise that player power is still causing trouble at Chelsea.
However, “It was Avram Grant’s imposed appointment as director of football in 2007 which clearly heralded the beginning of the end for José Mourinho.” Whether the players or the powers that be are at fault for Ray Wilkins departure, it would certainly seem as if lightning is about to strike twice at Stamford Bridge. What do you think? Comment and shed some light on this complex situation.
If you like what I’ve written why not follow me on twitter, where you can also keep up to date with the latest Chelsea news!
*
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.
Click on image below to see a gallery of Christian’s lady wife
Everton anchorman Marouane Fellaini admits his team-mates are angry following last week’s shocking 4-1 Premier League home loss to West Bromwich Albion and they want to put the record straight at Chelsea this Saturday.
The giant Belgian makes a return to the squad after missing the previous three games after seeing red in last month’s 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers and he now wants to play his part in the capital after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
“All the players are still angry after losing that game at home,” he said.
“We are hoping for a good performance now to bounce back. Chelsea are a big team and a dangerous team. But we have a good record against them and tend to play better against good teams.
“Hopefully it’s the same again. We are motivated to do well against the big players. I have had a frustrating time.
“I was injured then I got back training again, the manager gave me confidence, I played again and then was sent off.
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 is positive in a way because I have thought a lot about it and I know it is my mistake, my error and I will not do it again. I have trained hard while I have been suspended and am ready to play. The manager will decide whether I play or not but I am ready.”
Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
David Beckham will be a surprise addition to the Tottenham ranks this January as Harry Redknapp remains confident a loan move will be concluded shortly. It is the kind of signing that has split the Spurs faithful right through the centre, with many questioning the actual motives behind this short term deal.
At FFC we have seen a mixed bag of articles which includes the best move for Walker and Tottenham; a deal where Spurs have nothing to lose, while Harry should snap up Mrs van der Vaart
We also look at the best Tottenham articles around the web this week.
* VIDEO: The GREATEST Premier League goal ever…you decide! *
Despite struggles at Tottenham, he surely deserves a better transfer than that?
The best move for Tottenham and the player?
A deal where Spurs have nothing to lose and everything to gain?
VIDEO: Harry should snap up the other Van der Vaart on this showing
Forget Becks, this should be Tottenham’s transfer priority this month
The Top TEN January transfer window disasters
A DEAL that offers Tottenham anything?
TEN things we have learned about Tottenham in 2010
Spurs prepared to offer player exchange to land striker
Top TEN Transfer Window guarantees this January
*
Best of WEB
*
The snarling elegant beast in need of Carroll…or a ballerina – Dear Mr Levy
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 we lost a battle but the war’s still on. – Spurs Musings From JimmyG2
Some F.A Cup Magic And a Moan About Alan Hansen – Who Framed Ruel Fox?
A Striker, Not Becks Please. Ta. – Tottenham On My Mind
Beck to the Future – Dear Mr Levy
[divider]
Holy Crap – it’s live fantasy football! Become part of Man United v Liverpool and play Picklive for FREE Watch and bet live – spices up any game!
Japan manger Alberto Zaccheroni praised midfielder Shinji Kagawa for his match-winning performance in their Asian Cup win over Qatar.
Kagawa scored a brace to help book his side a spot in the final four of Asia’s premier soccer tournament on Friday, as they came from behind with 10 men to beat the host nation 3-2 in Doha.
The Qataris had the game in their own hands when they went 2-1 up in the second half following the dismissal of Japan’s Maya Yoshida, but Zaccheroni’s side were inspired by the 21-year-old Kagawa’s equaliser and found a winner late on through Masahiko Inoha.
Zaccheroni said Kagawa’s second-half performance inspired Japan to victory.
“I know what he can do on the pitch and what he can do for the team. The way he performed today I am very satisfied,” Zaccheroni said.
“In the first half he did not really show what he can do on the pitch but in the second half he did.”
The Italian boss said the way Japan toughed out victory was a credit to the spirit of the side.
“It was a great comeback and I could see the good mentality from our players. Eventually Inoha grabbed the winner and that shows what Japanese football is all about,” he said.
“Even though we were a man down, normally teams think about defence but we didn’t, we had the bravery to keep attacking and eventually we won the match.”
Qatar manager Bruno Metsu was proud of the performance his squad put up on Asian football’s biggest stage.
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.
“We played very well against Japan. We frightened them and we were very skilful in the match,” Metsu said.
“Not many teams could play so well against a good team like Japan and I think we should applaud the Qatari team for a very good technical performance.”
“We have shown the whole world that Qatar is a strong team. We showed that we can play good football, although we still made mistakes and we conceded goals because of these mistakes.”
Tottenham can leave the memory of their 4-0 drubbing at Fulham behind them as they travel to Blackburn in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Spurs were humiliated at Craven Cottage on Sunday as Fulham cruised into the fifth round of the FA Cup, but Harry Redknapp’s men cannot afford to dwell on the loss for too long as they face another challenging road trip in the league.
A rejuvenated Blackburn are up to eighth in the Premier League after turning their season around under new manager Steve Kean.
Tottenham sit three places higher on the table and are in the middle of a battle for a top-four spot with Chelsea, making Wednesday’s game a pivotal one for both sides.
Spurs’ confidence might have been dented by their abysmal performance against Fulham, but defender Sebastien Bassong said they needed to move on quickly and refocus on the Blackburn game.
“It was a bad day for us and we have to forget it and move on,” Bassong said.
“We now have to go up to Blackburn and try to win that game. We have no choice.”
“We have to look forward and the good thing is that the next game comes around very quickly and that will help us move on.”
“We’ve showed already that we have character in this team and now we have to do it again.”
Both sides could be fielding several new faces after a flurry of transfer activity on Monday.
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.
Kean added Mauro Formica and Ruben Rochina to his squad on the final day of the transfer window, having already secured Roque Santa Cruz and Jermaine Jones on loan.
El Hadji Diouf has gone to Rangers on a six-month loan deal, while defender Pascal Chimbonda was released on a free transfer.
Redknapp has personnel issues of his own, with injuries keeping Ledley King, Tom Huddlestone, Gareth Bale, Jonathan Woodgate and Younes Kaboul out of the side, while defender Michael Dawson will miss through suspension after being sent off in the loss to Fulham.
The news that Jack Wilshere will escape FA censure for his latest Twitter outburst will have come as a great relief to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but with the prodigious young midfielder currently occupying column inches (this one included, I understand the irony, believe me) for all the wrong reasons, Wenger should look to stamp down on Wilshere’s behaviour at the club before the young player gets in any more hot water over anything.
Wilshere is currently the country’s brightest young talent. While Andy Carroll may have hogged the headlines with a barely believable £35m transfer deadline day move to Liverpool from his boyhood club Newcastle, it’s in Wilshere where England’s future predominantly lies.
Capable of dictating play from the middle and with a level of maturity that belies his tender years, Wilshere is a phenomenal talent. Capable of playing on the wing too, he’s been earmarked to play the holding midfield role in England’s upcoming friendly against Denmark on February 9th by current manager Fabio Capello.
His rise to fame has coincided with an extended run in the first-team at Arsenal, dispelling any myths that manager Arsene Wenger may have once had a preference for foreign born talent as opposed to English talent along the way.
Wenger always strongly maintained a principle that I happen to agree with him on, that if you’re good enough, you will play, no matter what your nationality. The ones guilty of xenophobia in this instance were the ones that lambasted the Arsenal manager for his failure to bring through English talent, not Wenger himself.
Wilshere heads a bright young generation of English talent for both club and country at the moment, but it’s in his penchant for getting into trouble both on and off the pitch that the 19 year-old needs to completely cut out of his career.
His latest misdemeanour was a rant aimed at referee Phil Dowd after Saturday’s unbelievable 4-4 draw against Newcastle. Wilshere stated on his Twitter feed that: “Inconsistent refereeing needs to stop. It’s killing the game. If Diaby goes, what’s the difference between that and Nolan on our keeper?.” The comments were subsequently deleted a short time later.
The difference between this and Ryan Babel’s fine from the FA for bringing the game into disrepute after he posted a picture of referee Howard Webb in a mocked up Manchester United shirt in jest on Twitter are hard to differentiate between. It would appear that in this instance then, it pays to be English. Inconsistent refereeing may have irked Wilshere initially, but it’s the inconsistent disciplinary procedures at the FA that have saved him from any further action being taken against him. Wilshere’s other scrapes with the authorities, both on and off the pitch, have seen him sent off for a terrible lunge on Nikola Zigic in Arsenal’s 2-1 against Birmingham back in October and arrested twice after being caught up in a fracas at a nightclub in August and after an incident involving a cab driver in January. Of course, with being such a young and high profile footballer, Wilshere is obviously going to attract some unwanted attention on nights out. He’s most certainly not the first Premier League footballer to have been caught out so often when so young, but it’s the fact that he keeps putting himself in these situations at all that’s most troubling. I’m not advocating that he live like a monk. He’s 19 years of age and we should allow a degree of leeway for what is essentially a teenager finding his way, but Wenger needs to seriously get hold of him, sit him down and cut out this unsavoury side of his character before it starts affecting his performances on the pitch. Wilshere has formed a key part of an impressive triumvirate in midfield this season with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. The fact that he doesn’t look out of place in this company speaks volumes about his potential. He has the ability to be a world-class footballer, especially if he cuts out any trouble off the pitch. Wilshere would be best served displaying some of the maturity he shows regularly around the Emirates on such on a Saturday afternoon and displaying it more in his life choices away from the pitch on a Saturday evening. His decision-making with the ball is fantastic, but in life, so far it’s been more than questionable and he needs to put a stop to these ‘incidents’ before it gets too far out of hand.
[divider]
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
With rumours resurfacing that Michael Owen looks all but set to depart from Old Trafford in the summer after his latest injury setback, it begs the question, has the former Liverpool player’s move to bitter rivals Man Utd been one of the most short-sighted, worst thought-out transfers in recent memory?
Now this article isn’t concerned with the expectations that Man Utd fans may have had upon signing Owen. For his 96th minute winner in the Manchester Derby alone, he’s ensured that he’s been worth all the bother. No, it’s simply more to do with the expectation, or relative lack thereof, that Owen has for himself nowadays as the extent that his own personal drive and ambition can be called into question.
Since crossing the bitter divide, Owen has featured in 42 games for Man Utd across all competitions spread over two seasons, but just 15 of these have come as a starter, with just 6 of those starts coming in the league. Surely at just 31 years of age, it’s too early for Owen to be content with a life of semi-retirement on the Man Utd bench?
He was signed by Man Utd to add both experience and strength in depth to the forward line. Form the clubs point of view, they have more than got their worth out of the Owen deal, especially considering that he arrived on a free transfer. But with just 15 starts across all competitions in nearly two seasons, it’s clear that Owen is on the end of a raw deal and he is now quite comfortably the club’s fourth-choice striker behind Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez – a situation that shows no signs of changing any time soon.
If you analyse the club’s results when Owen has been in the side and where his starts have come from and it becomes abundantly clear that he was never destined to figure too dominantly in Ferguson’s plans. Starts last season came against the likes of Burnley, Bolton, Wolves, Hull and Fulham and only serve to highlight the calibre of side that he was brought in to play against. His four starts this season have come against Chelsea in the Community Shield, Scunthorpe in the Carling Cup, Southampton in the FA Cup and Sunderland in the Premier League, a game in which he was withdrawn at half-time – hardly big fixtures for the club and they show Owen’s lack of importance to the first-team.
[ad_pod id=’fox-mpu’ align=’right’]
Owen arrived at the club full of vigour, seemingly certain that as he entered the autumn seasons of his career, that he would be able to rekindle any international ambitions that he may still have harboured, while at the same time becoming a pivotal member in Man Utd’s assault on the league, sadly though, this has not turned out to be the case and he has been reduced to a role on the periphery.
You’d certainly think that for a player, who was undoubtedly the best British striker of his generation, that with opportunities severely limited at Old Trafford, that he‘d at least consider a move to a club slightly further down the league in an attempt to secure more first-team football. Well you would be wrong.
Back in October, Owen seemingly ruled out moving to any perceived ‘smaller club’ when questioned on what he’d do if he wasn’t offered a new deal at Man Utd stating that “I don’t feel my game is ideally suited to a team that is struggling. Whether I want to be dropping down to a poorer Premier League team, I don’t know. But I won’t be dropping down leagues.” Whether this is either arrogant or simply just an acknowledgment of his own limitations I‘ll leave that for you decide, but to narrow your options so severely seems a tad rash in my view.
Talk has been rife that Owen may even retire from football at the end of this campaign, perhaps with a Premier League winner’s medal in tow, such is his disillusionment with the situation he currently finds himself in – which if it turned out to be the case, would be a monumental waste of his predatory talents. He genuinely still has something to offer. The intelligence that he showed in his short stinit as a withdrawn forward in Kevin Keegan’s three-pronged attack at Newcastle only shows that Owen has a lot more to his game these days than people give him credit for.
Injuries have played their part during his time at Man Utd, as they have done throughout his career, but his choice to join Utd, while entirely understandable at the time, may come back to haunt him. You could even go as far as to question the wisdom of Owen’s respective moves throughout his club career.
Should he leave Man Utd in the summer, an increasingly likely possibility now, Owen’s time at Old Trafford will not be regarded as a bad piece of business from anyone involved at the club, but for Owen, from a personal perspective, it has gone poorly. The move intended to revitalise his England career all but ended it.
Owen’s performance in the Carling Cup final last season was a microcosm of his career to date thus far and with it, his time at Utd too. Practically anonymous until the 12th minute, whereupon racing onto a through ball, Owen finished with aplomb. He left the field injured just half an hour after scoring with a hamstring injury – a defect that has plagued him throughout his entire career. He cut a frustrated figure, and one does feel a degree of sympathy for a player unable to play to the best of his ability for the majority of his career.
The fact remains, when all sentiment is put aside and feelings of betrayal begin to subside on the part of Liverpool fans, Owen will be regarded as a great international player, but rather oddly, a player that never fully realised his true potential at club level.
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.
His move to Man Utd may have paid off for the club, albeit in a stop-gap capacity, where his tally of 9 goals across all competitions last season more than justified his acquisition. However, from the player’s perspective, the move has prompted little more than the onset of premature retirement and his decision to join Man Utd can be said to have been most unwise and short-term in it’s vision on Owen’s part.
The likes of Everton and Aston Villa are said to be interested in pursuing Owen in the summer, but such is the unpredictability of Owen’s club career to date, that any such rumours should be treated with a degree of suspicion. Owen has previous form when it comes to surprisingly ill-thought out transfers, and as the former England striker enters a fork in the road; a crossroads in his career, he will have to ask himself just how much desire and personal ambition that he still retains – if he continues to play fourth-fiddle at Old Trafford for a further season, therein lies your answer.
This piece has obviously been prompted by the Carling Cup debacle that was Obafemi Martins’ shock winner for Birmingham on Sunday, that much is clear, but I may profess to having been in possession of some lingering doubts over Laurent Koscielny’s long-term suitability to a club challenging for the Premier League title for quite some time now. I may, of course, come to eat these words in the future, but will Koscielny prove an astute buy for the club? Or is he destined to never fulfil his potential?
Arsenal threw away the Carling Cup in a way it seems only Arsenal are capable of these days. Many have blamed the young Polish goalkeeper with the unpronounceable name, Wocjiech Szczesny for the error that gifted Birmingham their winner, yet the French centre-half, the subject of this piece, is equally as culpable in my opinion.
Szczesny may be responsible for a rudimentary failure to communicate his presence to Koscielny and also of an element of poor handling ability, yet few goalkeepers would expect an established defender to botch a clearance as poorly as Koscielny unquestionably did.
Koscielny is most definitely a talented defender. His exemplary performance against Barcelona in this season’s Champions League first leg tie alone should be seen as proof of this. Yet his calamitous and highly-publicised error against Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final only serves to highlight the soft underbelly that currently resides within this supremely talented Arsenal squad.
Man Utd have stumbled through the season barely breaking out of second gear. The fact that they haven’t needed to so far is as much a testament to their know-how in the art of winning as it is to their rivals deficiencies. This Arsenal side, for all its qualities, just doesn’t know how to win when it matters most yet and it’s a skill you have to acquire over years of success; something Man Utd seem to rely upon more than anything these days, their ability to grind out results.
[ad_pod id=’fox-mpu’ align=’right’]
Koscielny looks to be a vulnerable target in the air for me. He’s fairly quick on the deck and good with the ball at his feet, as you might expect from an Arsene Wenger signing. However, the club’s finest player at centre-half this season, in the absence of the deeply missed Thomas Vermaelen, has been Johan Djourou. Sebastien Squillaci has looked a weak link in the side when he’s played and he’s been usurped recently by the Swiss centre-half Djourou. The chopping and changing nature of his partner probably hasn’t helped Koscielny adjust as quickly as he had hoped it has to be said.
The French defender has also had to deal with two suspensions for sending offs against Liverpool and Newcastle this term and a few niggling injuries along the way, something which may have contributed in some way to affecting his adjustment to the English game and his heretofore inconsistent performances.
The return of Thomas Vermaelen to the side may be exactly what Koscielny needs; a stewarding presence beside him. But if we went on the merits of this season’s performances alone, then in my opinion, it would be Djourou that deserved to play alongside the Belgian at the heart of defence and not Koscielny, as his performance against Barcelona has proved to be the exception rather than the rule throughout the course of his debut season so far. The similar styles of Vermaelen and Koscielny may also put Wenger off playing them together in the immediate future.
He arrived somewhat under the radar this summer for a fee in the region of £8m from French second division side FC Lorient. It’s worth noting though that some players simply take more time to adjust to the rigours of the English game than others and at just 25 years of age, he does admittedly have time on his side. May I reiterate that this article hasn’t been written solely with the intention of putting down a player after a high-profile error, merely that it was the catalyst for some long-held views on the player.
The one area that Arsenal still look weak is at the back. The goalkeeping debate shows no signs of abating in the near future, and Koscielny’s gaffe, the one which all but ended Arsenal’s hopes of ending their six-year wait without a trophy, in the immediate future at least, mean that the debate about the need to strengthen at centre half is sure to rumble on well into the 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.
It was a bad mistake, there’s no getting away from the fact that it was; but players at the back are always likely to be thrust into the limelight for making them due to the nature of the position and we can‘t judge him on that alone. But I do doubt and have done for some time now, the longevity to the Koscielny signing. He simply doesn’t look like the solution to Arsenal’s propensity to capitulate at the back.
He looks very much like a player still finding his feet in the English game, and while I wouldn’t go as far as to claim that the jury is still out on Koscielny‘s ability, I’d argue that when Vermaelen returns, Wenger may have a very different partner in mind for the Belgian than Koscielny.
Arsenal legends don’t come much bigger than Tony Adams. The defender played for the Gunners for two decades and won four First Division / Premier League titles during his time at the club. Here’s Adams talking about playing under Arsene Wenger, the move to bring Jens Lehmann back to the club and Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League title this season…
What is your view of the work Arsene Wenger has done at Arsenal in the last 15 years?
He’s been phenomenal, he’s a great man, and he’s a lovely man. Very honest, honest with his players. Physiology is his strength and he’s just been a revolution for Arsenal. You’re talking to a big fan of Arsene Wenger, he was brilliant for me.
Has he been a big influence on your coaching style?
[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]
Well there are many influences. In life, you are what you learn and he’s certainly taught me a great deal. The answer to whether I have actually used it yet at the clubs that I have worked at is, probably not to be completely honest with you. He’s a fantastic physiologist in my opinion, that’s his strength. I’ve been at clubs where that side of the game is not really used. I had technically gifted young players at Feyenoord but I wasn’t really in control of their diets and their physiology. But yes of course he has been an influence.
Do you think this current Arsenal squad can win major silverware?
During the winter break I went back there for the game against Manchester City and I did a couple of interviews and I honestly thought the League Cup was the one for them this season to start the ball rolling. Unfortunately they missed out on that one; I’d like to see them win a trophy soon.
What do you make of the re-signing of Jens Lehmann?
Well I’m thinking of getting the boots back on! I think Jens is a fantastic goalkeeper. I know they’ve got some injuries there including to young Wojciech Szczesny who I like. Arsene needs cover in the goal keeping position and I see the logic in bringing Jens Lehman back.
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.
Who do you think will win this season’s Barclays Premier League title?
My heart says the Arsenal of course but my head says United, they’ve just got too many players who’ve won it before. When you have done it and you’ve crossed the line, you know when to peak and when not to peak and when to win games. Once you’ve done it once, you know when to step up to the plate.
Visit the Dugout www.yahoo.co.uk/dugout for new interviews every week with England’s top football managers