According to reports in The Telegraph on February 5, former Watford manager Marco Silva is reportedly a target for West Ham United if they don’t keep David Moyes on at the end of the season, but Irons fans are not convinced that he would be a good appointment for them.
The Telegraph reported that the east London outfit had already decided that their Scottish boss wouldn’t be kept beyond his current contract even if they stay up – a story which has since been denied by the club – highlighting the currently unemployed Silva as a potential target.
The 40-year-old was sacked by Watford last month following a breakdown in the relationship between the Portuguese boss and the board – as well as with his players – after he was denied the opportunity to speak to Everton about their vacant managerial job back in November.
West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on Silva via social media, and while one said “I’d much rather have Eddie Howe”, another said “never understood the obsession people have with Marco Silva”.
Manchester City chief Manuel Pellegrini believes that his side have earned the Premier League title for the way in which they have coped with set-backs and performed this season.
The Sky Blues effectively need to avoid defeat at home to West Ham tomorrow to finish ahead of Liverpool and lift the trophy on the back of an excellent campaign, which has also yielded the Capital One Cup.
Although the Reds have been hailed for their attacking prowess and Chelsea – in third spot – have impressed with their defensive solidarity, City have powered on despite injuries to key men such as Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.
Pellegrini feels that their resolute displays could not have been produced by their rivals had they had the same problems, and that his side deserve to be champions:
“Yes, I think so.” He is quoted as saying by The Mirror when asked if his side have played the best football this season. “As When I arrived here, my target was always to play well and try to win the title. The moment I accepted the job it was because I had a lot of trust that I could win the league.
“The first thing I can say is we chose the right squad we needed for this year,” said Pellegrini. “I don’t want to compare other teams but I think maybe we were without Aguero, he missed 14 or 15 games in the Premier League.
“Maybe some other teams, if you take Luis Suarez out of 15 games for Liverpool, Eden Hazard from Chelsea or Santi Cazorla from Arsenal…
“All the teams have injured players through the year.
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 the reality in the way we did it is one of my best achievements. I’m happy with the whole squad.”
Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley has hit back at criticism of the organisation and blamed the FA for the continuation of racism in the English game.
A number of Premier League footballers including Rio Ferdinand refused to wear the company’s t-shirts as a front against racism in the weekend’s fixtures, with the players disenchanted with the organisation’s efforts.
Ouseley has stated that the FA are the governing body of the game and as such the players’ disillusionment should be aimed elsewhere.
“We don’t make the decisions, we don’t run football. We are a small charity trying to help football come to terms with the reality of the 21st century,” he is quoted as saying in The Guardian.
“We can shout from the rooftops and I can understand what the black players are saying: you are too involved in the game in the way you operate to be independent and say the things that have to be said.
“The power and decision-making is with the Football Association and the Premier League. We all would have liked the John Terry case to have been wrapped up within days last October, alas it’s lasted a whole year and it has caused a lot of pain and grief.
” They know what has to be done. We’ve been knocking on their door for a long, long, long time so they know what their responsibilities are. The absence of their voices during all this has been noticeable,” he concluded.
The English game has been blighted by acts of racism over the last two years.
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.
Porto have said they are open to offers for Newcastle target Yacine Brahimi, according to Portuguese website A Bola.
What’s the story?
Newcastle have been interested in the Algerian wide-man for a number of months following his impressive performances in the Primeira Liga.
Having scored nine goals and made nine assists from the left wing this season, the 28-year-old has attracted interest from a host of clubs, including West Ham.
A Bola report that the tricky winger has a release clause of £53million but it is believed a fee of £26million will be enough to secure the player.
Is he worth it?
Newcastle fans love a player who runs directly at defenders with pace and that is exactly what Brahimi is all about.
Averaging over five dribbles per game this season, he is an exciting player that gets fans off their seats and normally provides a good end product.
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 may not come cheap but this player is in the prime of his career and Newcastle will do very well to see off their rivals to his signature.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]
On Tuesday morning, Marca claimed that Newcastle United were prepared to listen to offers for Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino.
However, Magpies boss Rafael Benitez denied the rumours during his press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Benitez insisted that the 21-year-old would not be leaving on deadline day despite what had been widely reported by the Spanish media.
The Newcastle fans are unconvinced, however, with many believing that the midfielder could still be sold before the winter transfer window slams shut on Wednesday night.
Merino only made his loan move from Borussia Dortmund permanent in October – signing a five-year contract with the Premier League club.
Merino, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has made 18 Premier League appearances this season, but just 12 of those have been starts.
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 is no question that the Spaniard is a popular figure with the Newcastle fans, and many are extremely fearful that he will be sold on transfer deadline day.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers launched a scathing attack on referee Lee Mason and his fellow officials after his side slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.
Prior to kick off the clash was billed as one of the most important games of the season so far, and it certainly delivered in terms of excitement.
Philippe Coutinho combined well with Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling to give the visitors the lead, before Vincent Kompany’s header and an Alvaro Negredo strike on the stroke of half-time sealed the three points for the Sky Blues.
Before the Reds’ opener, Sterling was adjudged to have been offside after being played through on goal, only for replays to reveal that the English starlet was indeed two yards from being in such a position.
Liverpool also has a late penalty call turned down after Suarez appeared to have his shirt pulled by Joleon Lescott.
After the final whistle Rodgers questioned the display and selection of Mason – who hails from the Greater Manchester area:
“Where do you want me to start?” he told Sky Sports.
“I thought we never got any decision. The linesman on the offside one – he wasn’t even on the same cut of grass.
“If you’re working at this level you have to get it right. It’s not even a difficult one.
“It is a perfectly-timed run and he is given offside when he is through one on one on goal. These are big moments in big games.
“There is another incident when Luis (Suarez) doesn’t get a free-kick when Joleon Lescott went right through him.
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 arguable it is a penalty at the end. Luis Suarez can’t jump because he is tugging at his shirt.
“I thought it was throughout the evening. Hopefully we don’t have another Greater Manchester referee again on a Liverpool-Manchester game.”
Stuart Peace is confident that his side will show how much it means to play for England when they take on Serbia.
The U21 team are due to play a two-legged playoff against Serbia with a place in the European Championships at stake, the first leg commencing at Carrow Road.
If they succeed, it will be the first time any nation has qualified 4 times consecutively for this particular tournament. And the need to show passion and determination in order to create this history is certainly not lost upon the manager.
However, a lot of the build-up has been dominated by claims from Manchester City’s football development executive, Patrick Vieira, that young English Premier League players simply do not love playing for their national team.
These assertions have been rebuked by the former City boss who believes he has created a good atmosphere and camaraderie within the camp.
“I can’t give the staff around me enough credit for creating an environment that the players enjoy coming to and representing their country,” Pearce told the Daily Mail.
The England players themselves have certainly illustrated a desire to succeed winning 15 out of their last 23 competitive matches dating back to June 2009.
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 is an acute awareness that the home game will be crucial in overcoming a physical Serbian outfit, and players such as Liverpool’s young prospect Raheem Sterling will be expected to shine.
England U21s play Serbia tonight in an 18.00 BST kick off.
West Ham fans are completely split on a shock summer swoop for Santi Cazorla, after the Arsenal midfielder announced he will leave North London this summer.
Arsenal fans were devastated when Cazorla announced he would leave the Gunners this summer, opting not to renew his contract when it expires at the end of June.
The 33 year-old’s career has been devastated by injuries in recent seasons, only just returning to training earlier this year.
However, there aren’t many players with the technique and ability of the little Spaniard, and any Arsenal fan will tell you exactly how gifted he is.
[ad_pod ]
Cazorla, who has 25 goals and 35 assists in his Premier League career, can dictate the tempo of a match all by himself, something Manuel Pellegrini could love in East London next season.
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.
Of course, his injury troubles and age mean he couldn’t be relied upon as the first option, but is there really anything to lose when he’s available on a free transfer?
Just over half of the fans obviously think so, as 52 per cent said they would avoid the classy but injury-prone playmaker, and you can find the full poll results down below…
As reported by The Daily Mail, midfielder Callum McGregor believes the Celtic squad will be hoping that Moussa Dembele stays on in Glasgow beyond the January transfer window.
What’s the story?
The paper say that the Frenchman is a £20m target for English Premier League trio Everton, West Ham and Brighton, meaning that Dembele’s days at Celtic Park could be numbered.
Receiving a figure like that would smash the outgoing transfer record at the Hoops, potentially money unable to be refused if offered this month.
However, like supporters, Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor is hoping that Dembele isn’t coming to the end of his career in Scottish football.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, the Scotland international said:
It’s just about him wanting to be here to kick on, work hard and be part of this group. Obviously all the boys love him and want him to stay and to be part of it. I don’t think he’ll be thinking of going anywhere. In the main, everyone is focused on being here and I don’t think they are thinking about getting away. They just want to keep being successful and staying part of this group.
Should the Hoops sell their star striker or is it time to cash in on his transfer value?
Stick or twist?
There are massive benefits to selling Dembele this month. Not only is the player likely at the peak of his value at Celtic right now, the cash rich clubs of the English Premier League notoriously enjoy a January spend during a period of mid-season panic, further driving up the potential fee.
The striker has had his fair share of injury problems this season and he has failed to replicate the consistent scoring of his first term in Celtic colours, perhaps tempting the club into taking the money.
However, keeping him at Celtic Park for another six months has its own upsides, not least helping the Hoops secure a second domestic treble in a row and progressing in Europe past FC Zenit. Dembele is undoubtedly still the best striker at the club and has the quality to make an impact in the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa 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.
While selling him right now makes sense from a financial point of view, selling him is a risk in playing terms, especially without a replacement lined up.
The words comfortable and win are not 2 words that have been associated with Wolves over the last 5 or so years, and so when it happens it makes it all the more sweeter.
With the Backary Sako fiasco of the week just past, there was always a chance that the side would be unsettled, despite Colchester being without 11 first team players for the match up.
However, with new signing from Millwall James Henry starting on the right of midfield, the team looked much more balanced than they had since the arrival of Golbourne, and the subsequent shuffling around of the defence.
Since Richard Stearman was dropped, we have not had anyone who can bring the ball out of defence comfortably, which has had a knock on effect in midfield.
Indeed the names of Stearman and Henry on a team sheet for Wolves would not have been greeted with such pleasure at the start of August in a break from what has been the norm of the last few weeks, Wolves didnt start the game looking like they would sit on the edge of the box and invite pressure onto themselves, letting the opposition have the ball.
Here there was a clear eagerness to get the ball down and actually pass it around. Not just out left to Sako and hope something happens, but to both wings and through the middle.
As early as the 7th minute James Henry was tormenting the Colchester full back and his pass to Price and then Griffiths could have led to an early lead if the striker hadnt fluffed his lines.
However the breakthrough came on 20 minutes when Taylor gave away a penalty when Matt Doherty was scythed down in the area.
And, in the absence of the aforementioned Sako, Griffiths stepped up to slot home.
This is not to say it had been all wolves at this point with Colchester having a few pops at Ikeme’s goal, but none that troubled the Wolves number 13.
Within a minute of the restart the score was 2-0 after Doherty cut the ball back for Griffiths who stroked the ball into the net
The 3rd came when Henry delivered a delightful chip from right hand side but this time the impressive Kevin Doyle was on hand to control and slot the ball into the ColU net.
For all intents and puropese the game was dead and buried, with the remaining 35 minutes being played out as more of a friendly than a Skybet League 1 encounter.
The final piece of action however came 6 minutes from time when a penalty was awarded.
Without seeing a replay I have absolutely no idea what for. And neither did the 300 or so people around me in the stand on the side, or the 1,800 behind the goal.
Ikeme with a double save and a clearance with his fist, the ball had been cleared.
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 made as much sense as the pint of Gladness lager beer I had consumed earlier that day in Braintree.
Regardless, when Freddy Sears stepped up to take the spot kick, no-one in the Weston Homes Community stadium would have foreseen what was to come.
A brilliant 2 handed diving save to his right which has to be up there with one of the saves off the season in any division.
Both Kevin Doyle and James Henry were replaced late in the game with David Davis and Anthony Forde respectively with both receiving standing ovations, not just from the Wolves travelling contingent, but the majority of the Colchester fans who had witnessed their team being well and truly outplayed.
Not since the demoliton of Gillingham in the fledgling weeks opf the season had Wolves looked so dominant and comfortable,and all this without our supposed best player and matchwinner, Backary Sako.