All posts by h79snht.top

David Moyes was appointed Everton manager in 2002 with the club in a relegation dogfight. Over the course of David Moyes’ tenure he has redefined what the Toffees view as success. Moyes has guided Everton to a top-four finish, an FA Cup final appearance and to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. Moyes is currently the third longest serving manager in the Premier League, nearing the end of his ninth year in charge at Goodison Park. Are the brave voices calling for the hardworking, straight talking Scotsman to go, correct?

Moyes’ reign has been nothing short of a ‘rollercoaster’ with his Everton side alternating between top of the table and bottom of the table finishes. In more recent times, however, Everton looked to have broken this cycle with a couple of consecutive finishes in and around a European qualification place. This prompted many to tip them, along with Aston Villa, to break the formidable dominance of the ‘Big Four.’ However, in this current season Everton, until very recently, found themselves surprisingly flirting with relegation after many had believed they had secured their top six status for many years to come.

Everton’s steady, if not dramatic, decline has had the manager, board, players and fans baffled, but what has happened at Goodison Park to create such a change in fortunes?

David Moyes is without doubt a very skilled manager and has been touted by Sir Alex Ferguson himself, as his possible successor to the hot seat at Old Trafford; very high praise indeed. David Moyes has commanded and earnt a lot of respect for what he has achieved at Everton from players, peers and fans alike, but has this growing reputation allowed the Scotsman to outgrow the club? Moyes regularly refers to his tight budget at Everton and it is quite clear in recent months that the former Preston manager has become frustrated with the restrictions that come with a club that isn’t being bankrolled by a Russian or Middle Eastern Billionaire.

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The reported £45 million debt at Everton leaves owner Bill Kenwright with a dilemma. Does Kenwright do as David Moyes has reportedly called for, that is to sell the club to generate funds to secure the best players around or alternatively, does he dismantle Moyes’ nine years of hardwork on a shoe-string budget by selling the likes of Jack Rodwell, for a reported £20 million, to Manchester United?

It would be too easy to take a leaf out of Manchester United’s fans book and blame the boardroom for problems in relation to on the field matters. It is the board that ‘coughs up the cash’, however, it is the manager that spends it. David Moyes has usually had to find players from places like the Championship and Scotland due to his tight budget and has purchased some real ‘gems’ in the likes of Tim Cahill, Mikel Arteta and Seamus Coleman. The Championship clubs have cottoned on to the Premier League clubs raiding the lower leagues, they have of course raised their asking prices (just look at Connor Wickham, a reported £15 million asking price.) Moyes’ days of picking up bargains from the ‘lesser’ leagues may well be over and he now wants to be able to spend big money on a top striker. Moyes’ record though, when he has splashed the cash, is less than impressive. Louis Saha, James Beattie and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov all arrived at Goodison for colossal amounts compared to Seamus Coleman’s £60,000 move to Merseyside and flattered to deceive and sometimes even failed to deceive.

Change can be an unsettling and have repercussions, good and bad. In the case of David Moyes and Everton change, I believe will be good.

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David Moyes has worked wonders but outgrown a small club. The cliché ‘he has taken the club as far as he can’ in the case of Moyes is spot on. Moyes deserves his chance at a ‘bigger’ club’, or at least a club with more money, if the opportunity does arise. There is great irony in Moyes’ situation when you consider what Moyes said when appointed Everton Manager “I said ‘yes’ right away as it is such a big club.” A lot changes in nine years.

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Fulham threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with OB Odense in the Europa League, in a result that sees The Cottagers eliminated from the competition.

Martin Jol’s men needed to win the match to stand a chance of making it through their group, and looked to be on course as first half goals from Clint Dempsey and Kerim Frei gave the home team a 2-0 lead at the interval.

However the Scandinavians fought back, and a Henrik Andreasen strike made the Craven Cottage crowd nervous.

When it looked that the Londoners would hold on to get the three points, a late Baye Fall goal in injury time broke the hosts’ hearts and forced an exit from Europe.

Jol was disappointed with the nature of his side’s collapse, and feels they should not have conceded two goals at home.

“It was the last cross of the match, so I’m very, very disappointed,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports.

“They scored a goal from a free-kick and the wall was probably not in the right position. We couldn’t get forward, we didn’t do what we did in the first half. It was totally different.

“We dropped deep and tried to protect the lead, but you have to score a goal and try and get in their half.

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“We didn’t do that enough. To give two goals away is very disappointing,” he concluded.

The European exit does mean that Fulham can focus on domestic matters, and they take on Bolton in an important league clash on Saturday.

By Gareth McKnight

Let’s face it, Wales face an uphill task against England at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and without Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, Gary Speed will need Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey and co to play to their full potential if they’re to stand any chance against Fabio Capello’s men. However, they have got a secret weapon up their sleeve in the form of Miss Wales.

Courtenay Hamilton, Miss Wales 2010, is helping the Wales squad with the national anthem ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ – ‘Land of my Fathers’ to get the 70,000 plus crowd revved up on Saturday afternoon. Priced at 7/1 with bet365, Wales need all the help they can get and at least the England players might be distracted prior to kick off. Take a look at the gallery below to see why…

Click on Courtenay below to see Wales’ secret weapon

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It’s been an interesting start to the Premier League season, rounded off by Manchester United thrashing Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford last weekend. The excitement was definitely ramped up over the course of the three weekends, but now top flight domestic football takes a break as international action takes centre stage.

England face Bulgaria and Wales in qualification for Euro 2012, and Fabio Capello will be looking for six points from those two games. While he has plenty of youngsters to choose from, the England manager will still be looking for his more experienced players including Man United’s Wayne Rooney and Chelsea duo John Terry and Ashley Cole to lead by example for the Three Lions.

Here are Rooney and Terry sharing a joke, but is it at Cole’s expense?

Leave your suggestions below…

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This week you can win a copy of Squeaky Bum Time!

He is simultaneously the most admired and feared manager in British football.

During almost forty years in the dugout, and over half a century in the professional game, he’s torn up the record books, amassed a treasure trove of silverware, and unleashed the hairdryer – as well as the odd football boot – on countless players, rival managers, referees and journalists.

But amid the sound, the fury and the mind-games lurks one of sport’s greatest wits.

So here we present Sir Alex Ferguson: uncompromising, unrivalled and uncut.

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Check out our Caption Competition Gallery for some inspiration and to see the winners so far.

Last week’s winner: David Regan – click here to see all entries

Since Sir Alex Ferguson took charge of Manchester United, there have been some memorable players who have come out of Old Trafford. Admittedly, Fergie has made some dodgy signings over the years – you’ll be pleased to hear that William Prunier and Eric Djemba-Djemba won’t be making my list, but seeing as this week we are concentrating on football’s cult heroes, I’ve decided to put together 10 of Manchester United’s finest.

It was a tough decision to leave out players we would all consider a hero of football, and players who Manchester United fans would consider a legend for their contributions to the cause; Diego Forlan has unfortunately missed out despite his brace at Anfield even though it did confirm his slot in United folk-law. Some of the players included were also winning over the hearts of United fans before Sir Alex’s time.

So here are my Manchester United top 10 cult heroes. You may feel some players have been hard done by, as they miss out. But free feel to argue their case below in the comments section!

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Click on the image below to see the Top TEN

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The past 18-months have brought to light what a magnificent footballer Robin van Persie is, as he rightfully repaid the faith shown in him by Arsene Wenger through his most troubled years on the treatment table at Arsenal. By surpassing the 30 goal mark in 2011, van Persie laid to the rest the suggestion that he was a striker best deployed in a supporting role – similar to that of Dennis Bergkamp. His creative abilities are undeniable and his comfort in the ‘No.10’ role is well documented, but he is also a huge asset in an advanced strikers role, able play as the lone striker with relative ease and utilise his vast array of attacking talents.

What we’ve seen from Robin van Persie in recent seasons is a consistency to remain at the top of his game on all fronts. It would be difficult to imagine a game where van Persie is unlikely to get himself on the score sheet—something which has been extremely rewarding for the club due to failure to replace the goals of departed players.

Signed from Feyenoord for a fee close to £3million, Arsenal’s club captain has quickly regained his composure from a number of injury hit seasons to equal and surpass fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp’s scoring record for the Gunners. His extremely low transfer fee represents a player who was at a crossroads with his career; one who had the potential to succeed but could have been significantly held back by a poor attitude. His role as club captain is testament to the way he has matured and the guidance he has received since arriving at Arsenal.

Perhaps the most natural leader during the club’s time at the Emirates, he has complemented his newly-acquired role with a number of outstanding strikes this season, as well as the many accrued in previous years. Undoubtedly, one of the red half of London’s favourite sons.

Inter Milan

Blackburn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_YYFmuFdSI

Sunderland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnA-GwnsDuI

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Liverpool

Fulham

Wigan

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Everton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okltbBh2JR4

Charlton

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4TzzKu2UGw&feature=related

Southampton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BLkgdDBQwg

Barcelona

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Avram Grant may have rubbished suggestions that he had only three fixtures over Christmas to save his job at Upton Park, however his West Ham side have certainly begun to put in some improved performances, setting them up for a titanic New Year tussle with relegation rivals Wolves.

It may be a little over the top to suggest that the vanquished side here will be doomed to relegation, however it certainly is fair to suggest that this is a game that West Ham simply cannot afford to lose, regardless of their recent run of form.

Mick McCarthy could not have been happier to see his side grind out a 1-0 win over Liverpool this week, regardless of the ever decreasing strength of the Merseyside club. After weeks of platitudes about the quality of Wolves’ performances in defeat, it would have given the former Republic of Ireland manager immense pleasure to see his side keep a clean sheet whilst defending the Kop in the second half.

Do not expect a game of excellence here- if Wolves have developed the battling qualities required to slug out important results, then West Ham could be in trouble. However, I fancy home advantage to absolutely key in a game everyone at Upton Park dare not lose.

Prediction: 2-1

Click to see the match odds at Paddy Power below

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It has certainly been one of the happier fortnights in Arsenal’s campaign thus far, and the delight reached another peak yesterday with the news that the club have agreed a £10 million deal for FC Koln’s Lukas Podolski at the end of the current season yesterday. The capture of the 26-year-old Germany international turned heads not only in North London but the world over with Wenger swooping for one of the higher calibre names in the international game. A policy not always adopted by the Frenchman.

Gunners fans have been purring at the thought of a potential pairing with the formidable Robin Van Persie in the teams striking ranks next term, and a wave of new found optimism has swirled around the camp, following the impressive showing against AC Milan. For all connected to Arsenal, they will just hope the 95 cap German will not be a direct replacement for the Dutchman.

With the Gunners transfer dealings’ already in action before the 2011/12 season is out, this directly contrasts the policy of Wenger’s ideologies last term whereby he left many signatures until deadline day through the hope that he was going to be able to keep at least one of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Wenger’s judgement upon this issue has been questioned since and it seems he has realised and taken on board this error in time for the next campaign.

So let us examine whether Wenger has finally woken up to a new transfer policy, whereby players can be bedded in much earlier and the names brought to the club are much more worthy in the eyes of the Emirates Stadium faithful.

The new man; Podolski is a head turning signing in the fact he is vastly experienced despite being only 26, an age recognised as a players ‘prime’ in modern day football. Furthermore, his goal scoring exploits speak for themselves with the Polish-born frontman striking 16 league goals this term, and in a struggling Cologne team. The player who will be able to play off the left hand side in the Gunners 4-3-3 formation, is likely to be presented even more chances to score, based upon Arsenal’s impressive assist tallies.

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What’s more is that the striker is reported to be signing a deal worth some £100,000 a week. Whilst the £10 million capture of Podolski represents an ‘Arsenal’ signing in terms of its last year of contract affordability, the wages have certainly been anything but Arsenal-like.

With the clubs current top earner; Van Persie on £80,000 a week but set to be boosted to £100,000 in the summer, Podolski’s arrival on the highest wages reflects Wenger’s change of stance in that he is indeed willing to break the bank in some cases.

This news will be refreshing for Gunners fans everywhere with the arrival of a big name on big money, as opposed to a lesser name, on lesser wages with more time needed to develop in the English game. Whilst it remains to be seen how quick Podolski will adapt to the Premier League, it must be conceded that the Bundes Liga is much stronger than Ligue 1 and the flop signings of Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu Young have certainly been trumped by the new arrival.

The mark of any squad is indeed the strength and depth of it, and on Tuesday night, Chamakh and Park offered little when they were expected to give Arsenal more impetus in the search for that fourth equalising goal. Beyond Arsenal’s first eleven, the replacements haven’t always been up to scratch, but if we surmise that Van Persie will stay, the Gunners forward ranks will appear impressive next term with Podolski, Gervinho, Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain forging the choices available to Wenger.

There might be another attacking arrival too if either Chamakh, Park or Arshavin depart and Arsenal fans have mooted moves for the much coveted Eden Hazard and Mario Gotze. Moves for such players of high calibre will not only impress fans but also might have the ability to keep the captain; Van Persie in North London.

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It will certainly be an interesting summer yet again at the Emirates, and Lukas Podolski’s arrival maybe the first sign that an alarm clock has gone off in Arsene Wenger’s head in that he realises the club need to kick on and have a transition free campaign next time round.

What do you think of the Podolski signing? Will the club be able to keep hold of Van Persie with similar high calibre arrivals? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989

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Arsenal’s injury list is growing, and the North London outfit will have to do without Theo Walcott, Gervinho and Laurent Koscielny for their Champions League clash against Olympiakos on Wednesday night.

The news was confirmed by club boss Arsene Wenger, who admitted that he hoped the players would be fit in time to take on Spurs in the Premier League on Sunday.

“Koscielny, Gervinho and Walcott are not fit,” he told reporters at a press conference.

“All three have a chance for the weekend. Walcott could make the derby. He has more than a 50-50 chance,” he continued.

England winger Walcott pulled up whilst sprinting for the ball against Bolton at the weekend, and it was initially feared that he had pulled his hamstring.

It has been revealed that he actually has a knee injury, but a scan on Tuesday showed that the injury was not as bad as initially feared.

Gervinho has a muscle strain that will keep him out of the clash with the Greek side, and Koscielny picked up an ankle injury in a tackle with Nigel Reo-Coker against the Trotters.

Arsenal drew their opening Champions League fixture 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund, and will look to get their first win of the campaign at the Emirates.

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Arsene Wenger claims Saturday’s Premier League game against Wolves is far more important than the Champions League tie against Barcelona next week.

And the Arsenal boss is determined to see his side get back on the winning trail.

Arsenal supporters cannot wait for the mouthwatering tie against the Spanish giants next week in the last 16 of the competition.

But Wenger is adamant that the Premier League is more of a priority and his side are determined to make amends for their nightmare performance against Newcastle last week and close the gap on leaders Manchester United.

Arsenal were 4-0 up at half-time but somehow managed to throw away all three points and had to settle for a draw. Wenger is convinced his players will bounce back from that setback and will not have the Barcelona game on their minds.

“There is no Barcelona in mind. There is Wolverhampton in mind. That’s what is important to us, the championship. We fought so hard to be in this position now that the most important thing is that we focus on the Premiership,” Wenger said.

“I cannot even imagine playing against Barcelona next week because it is out of my mind completely.”

Wenger is convinced Arsenal’s home form will prove crucial if they are to overtake Manchester United and win the title this season.

Although Wolves are facing a major relegation struggle, they showed their potential with a victory over United last weekend and the Arsenal manager is expecting another tough game.

“Our home form will be the key for us to have a good chance to win the Premier League. We have responded very well at home but every game is a real challenge for any top team,” he said.

“We can win everywhere; we have shown that again at Newcastle that our potential to score goals away from home is massive. Let’s just be consistent at home.”

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“Wolves play in a very positive way. They have changed their approach a little bit – they take care of the quality of their passes. They have a good technical midfield. With Henry, Milijas and O’Hara they are very strong in midfield and so it is very important to take care of our midfield play.”

Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has been ruled out of the Wolves game with a groin injury while Abou Diaby is missing through suspension.

Denilson returns to the squad and Johan Djourou has recovered from a knee injury.