Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has stated that speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland is untrue.
The sprightly attacker had an inconsistent campaign in 2011-12 and suffered from frustrating injuries in a poor season for Villa.
As such an exit from Villa Park has been rumoured, with Sunderland a potential destination.
The Black Cats are in the market for a new forward after sending loan striker Nicklas Bendtner back to Arsenal, and with Martin O’Neill coaching Agbonlahor previously an interest was accredited.
However, Agbonlahor has dismissed a move to Wearside, stating that he is happy to stay at the Midlands club.
“When you’ve played with a manager before, especially one as good as Martin O’Neill, then you are going to be linked with him,” he told The Sun.
“But it’s just pure speculation. I can assure Villa fans I haven’t heard anything about it and I’m happy here.”
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A solitary Ashley Young strike has given England an all-important 1-0 victory over rivals Wales at Wembley, and moved them within a point of qualifying for Euro 2012.
The Manchester United winger struck on the 35 minute mark after good work down the opposite flank by former Aston Villa team-mate Stewart Downing, relieving some of the pressure on the home side.
Despite creating chances The Three Lions could not convert to further their advantage, and were luck not to be pegged back late on, as Wales substitute striker Robert Earnshaw wasted a glorious chance to equalise, missing the target with an open net gaping.
Fabio Capello’s men now just need a point in their away fixture to Montenegro next month to secure their place in Ukraine and Poland next year.
England boss Fabio Capello was relieved to get the victory, but feels his side need to improve if they are to challenge next summer.
“We need to improve, we are playing better away than at Wembley. Also, we need to recover some players that are out at the moment,” the Italian told reporters after the game.
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“We suffered a lot the last 15 mins, the first half we started not well and after we played not so bad. We scored a goal. The second half for 20-25 minutes we played well but we suffered and they got plenty of chances to score a goal,” Capello conceded.
The all important clash in Podgorica will be played on October 7th, with England looking odds on to qualify for the European Championships.
Another day and another Athletics chief has had their say about the Olympic Stadium and what its legacy should be after the games. Lamine Diack believes that England’s sporting reputation will be ‘dead’ if Tottenham are allowed to rip up the running track, given the assurances the British Olympic bid made when they were originally canvassing to host the Olympics back in 2005.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes Balotelli heading to the US for treatment; Steve Bruce slams Houllier, while Steven Pienaar reveals why he snubbed Chelsea.
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Athletics chief rages at ‘big lie’ if Spurs win Olympic Stadium – Guardian
Mario Balotelli heads to America for treatment – Daily Telegraph
Nic is sticking to his Gunns – Sun
Bruce slams Houllier over Bent’s move – Guardian
Robertson: football is worst-governed sport – Daily Telegraph
Michel is such a stupid Plat – Sun
Pienaar: Why I snubbed Chelsea – Mirror
Welbeck blow for Black Cats – Sky Sports
Hammers’ poor track record – Sun
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Dalglish eyes big signing to lift Liverpool – Guardian
To have a voice in a governing body as influential as the Premier League, is to have unbeatable control over the state of English football, whether it be financially or culturally. Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League has gained praise for his work in the globalisation of the competition. Agreeing a deal with broadcast companies that allows the English domestic league to be viewed in over 200 countries, Scudamore has contributed to the leagues rapid growth over the past 10 years.However, with recognised praise also comes unwanted criticism. With the Premier League now awash with owners from every corner of the globe, the Chief Executive looking for new ways to further enhance the leagues status on foreign shores, has been met with criticism. Considering the disastrous ownership of clubs from some foreign investors (Man United, Liverpool and Blackburn to name a few) it seems as if Scudamore’s desire to make the Premier League a global phenomenon has impacted clubs and their fans negatively. By holding such a powerful position, surely the Bristol-born executive can speak out and challenge the way that non-British owners run clubs as a business, rather than an institution that has impassioned historical roots entrenched in towns and cities across the country.Richard Scudamore is ready for any argument of this nature to come his way. When Portsmouth suffered the disaster of administration in 2010, the CEO and his “team” created a safeguard to prevent another situation occurring that rivals the financial disasters that befell the south coast club. A strict set of financial guarantees have to be displayed to the PL to show that the respective club is economically healthy. Granted, the idea has proved relatively fruitful considering that no administration worries have fractured a Premier League club since, but some concerning problems still slip through the net, as was uncovered when Man United figures were released this year. A growing debt issue that has seen the clubs coffers diminish thanks to the Glazer family, must have warranted some concern from Scudamore and co. However, the Premier League’s most dominant figure still professes his support for foreign owners stating that they “bring a new level of professionalism to the league”. Professionalism as businessmen maybe but it is just not as simple as that with football in this country. A burning passion for your club whilst gauging fan opinion is an absolute essential way to gain credibility with a club, something that too many foreign owners have failed to achieve.It is probably in Scudamore’s contract that he must continue the growth of our game abroad and it can’t be argued that fans will want the Premier League to continue its marketability around the world. It is when foreign investment disrupts the game on our shores that has to be dealt with. One would expect that being such an advocate of the quality of the Premier League, Scudamore would not turn a blind eye to the failings of some foreign owners.With an absolute rejection of support of foreign investors from the older and more patriotic generation like the unflappable Dave Whelan, it seems that the remaining minority of British owners arguments are falling on deaf ears and that the future of ownership in the Premier League will not only be run as businesses by a cultural smorgasbord of owner but be positively condoned by the governing body of English footballs most prominent league – who seem to overlook the hard-working loyal fan in favour of globalising the Premiership and raking enormous financial profit in the process.[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]
Harry Redknapp has announced that so long as other clubs are willing to pay the “crazy” wages that players are demanding, Tottenham Hotspur will be unable to compete in the transfer market for the top or ‘in-demand’ players that are available.
Spurs have been relatively quiet in the market so far with only Brad Friedel being brought in on a free transfer, however speculation over the future of playmaker Luka Modric has dominated the back pages recently, and again, Redknapp has claimed that the wage packet on offer at Stamford Bridge will inevitably cause players heads to turn. The Spurs boss admitted that “it’s not easy when people come along and offer you double or triple your wages”, and he seems somewhat resigned to thinking that any approaches that the club makes for top players will almost certainly be blown out of the water by Tottenham’s competitors.
Redknapp has insisted that whilst funds are available for transfer fees, when it comes to player salaries, Spurs are unable to offer anything close to the likes of Chelsea or Manchester City. In an attempt to lighten the mood Redknapp joked, “we were interested in Sergio Aguero but he wanted £250,000 a week in wages. We were only £220,000 short.” Upon hearing this some Spurs fans will be wanting to laugh, however there seems to be a harsh reality behind Redknapp’s humour; that failure to compete in the transfer market is ultimately likely to entail failure to compete on the pitch with these clubs as well.
Spurs have often been praised for the reportedly low wage system in place at White Hart Lane, and rightly so. However, in order to attract the likes of Sergio Aguero, and in order to compete at the top end of the league, it seems Spurs must find a way to generate the kind of money these players are looking for. Both Levy and Redknapp know that shipping out the youth or ‘fringe’ players of the squad will not reduce their wage bill sufficiently enough, whereas the money they would receive for the likes of Modric or Bale, combined with their wages coming off the books, would almost certainly provide them with some financial strength in the market.
With Chelsea expected to return with an increased offer for Luka Modric, Redknapp remains adamant the midfielder will still be at Spurs come the start of the season. Should Modric be allowed to leave, the Spurs boss will be wary that others may seek their football elsewhere, and bringing in players on higher salaries may well cause others to seek higher salaries, if not at Tottenham then, again, elsewhere.
Spurs face a rather unenviable task of finding a balance between the players that they want and the salaries that they have to offer. Having missed out on the Olympic Stadium, Tottenham cannot generate the same kind of incomes at Manchester United or Arsenal, and without the kind of backing at Chelsea and Manchester City, Levy will be fully aware his club must aim to live within their means, especially with the financial fair play system set to come in 2014.
Redknapp remains optimistic that the club will bring in one or two players before the window closes at the end of the month. Spurs are believed to have submitted a £22m bid for Juan Mata on Friday, and the Valencia winger is said to have attracted the likes of both Arsenal and Liverpool as well. Spurs may well be drawn in to a bidding war and as things stand, will almost certainly be unable to match the salaries that their rivals will be prepared to offer.
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The fact remains that so long as the clubs around Tottenham are willing to offer these “crazy” wages, Tottenham’s comparably ‘low’ wage system, though highly commendable, ultimately counts for nothing. If Spurs are wanting to sign the top-players, then they must offer something that other clubs cannot, and without Champions League football to boast, it is hardly surprising that they are struggling to do so.
For now, Spurs must hope to replicate their achievements of the 2009/10 campaign in which they did qualify for the Champions League, and without any real ‘big names’ or ‘top signings’ in the transfer windows. However, with Manchester City having improved significantly since then, and the signings that Dalglish has made this summer at Liverpool, Spurs will almost certainly be favourites to miss out on a top four finish again this year. Should they do so, the club risk losing more than just Luka Modric, but their brief reputation as a ‘top four’ side as well.
Sir Alex Ferguson has produced many great teams over the years. But the one that everyone remembers is the Manchester United side who swept all before them in the Treble winning year of 1999. But where are those stars now?
Peter Schmeichel: The Great Dane can usually be found these days hosting the European edition of the show ‘Dirty Jobs’. Quite different from goalkeeping but after appearing as a pundit on Match of the Day, Schmeichel looked destined for life as a TV star!
Gary Neville: The United legend is, as we know, still a part of Alex Ferguson’s side. At 35, his first-team opportunities are now limited and this could well be his last season. Who’d bet against the right-back becoming an honorary representative such is his status at Old Trafford?
Denis Irwin: Another former player to go into the media, Irwin is a regular presenter for Manchester United’s television network, MUTV. He also worked at the 2010 World Cup for RTE Sport, the Irish public service broadcaster.
Ronny Johnsen: The former Norwegian international now deals in real estate in his home-land. He can be found now and again representing United’s Masters side.
Jaap Stam: The big Dutchman did return to Old Trafford as a scout back in 2008 and has been credited for bringing the Da Silva twins to United. He is now on the coaching staff at Dutch second division side FC Zwolle.
David Beckham: I’m not really sure you need me to tell you that Becks is currently training with Tottenham, although the chances of him appearing for Spurs are looking thin. Still going strong at LA Galaxy when he’s not trying to prove his worth to England manager, Fabio Capello.
Nicky Butt: The 35-year old midfielder has recently signed for South China FC who play in the Hong Kong First Division. He signed after appearing in a guest match in which he scored and missed a penalty. Butt has been quoted as saying once his three-month contract is up, he shall be starting his coaching badges on his return to England.
Ryan Giggs: Another one still playing who seems to be defying the ageing process. At 37, Giggs is still a regular in United’s first-team and his performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup two weeks ago would suggest he doesn’t feel like giving up any time soon!
Jesper Blomqvist: The Swede has only just left his post as a player-coach at Hammarby IF. He was assistant manager but made six appearances before leaving in November of 2010 by mutual consent.
Andy Cole: The former striker is now working with ex Newcastle team-mate Lee Clark at Huddersfield Town as a forwards coach.
Dwight Yorke: The ‘smiling assassin’ has recently completed his UEFA B coaching badge and is looking to get into coaching.
Subs:
Raimond Van Der Gouw: United’s stand-in keeper worked as a coach under Roy Keane at Sunderland before moving back to the Netherlands where he coaches at Vitesse.
David May: Once voted in the 50 top players to grace the Premier League, the former defender has been importing wine into the country!
Teddy Sheringham: Can now be found cleaning up in the professional poker tournaments around the world.
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Phil Neville: Not only a United legend any more. Neville is Everton’s current captain and has recently been linked with a move to Tottenham despite coming to the end of his career.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: The Old Trafford legend has recently left his post as United’s reserve team manager to take over at Norwegian club Molde.
Wes Brown: Still on the books at United and could have featured a lot more had it not been for injuries and the form of others in front of him. He recently played in a reserve team semi final which United won 8-0.
Jonathan Greening: Moved from United to Middlesbrough and after a spell at West Brom, the midfielder now plays his football at Fulham.
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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has admitted that he feels Juventus are a great team, and that his long-term ambition is to win the Champions League.
The Netherlands international is set to star for his nation in Euro 2012 this summer, which has taken attention away from his fragile contract situation in north London.
With only 12 months left on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium the Dutch hitman’s future is unclear, with Italian champions Juventus one of a number of teams thought to be interested in signing him.
Van Persie has admitted that Antonio Conte’s men are a great team, but that his focus at the moment is playing for Netherlands in Ukraine and Poland.
“Juve? They are a great team, of course. I agreed not to discuss my future with Arsenal,” he is quoted as saying my The Sun.
“I can only say that my intention is to play in the Euros and then go on to win the Champions League.”
Arsenal are thought to have offered Van Persie a new contract that will make him the highest earner in the club’s history, but it is believed that nothing will occur until the end of Euro 2012.
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Paraguay won their second straight penalty shootout to defeat Venezuela and book their spot in the Copa America final.As they did in their quarter-final against Brazil, Paraguay defended grimly for 120 minutes in their semi against Venezuela, holding on for a 0-0 draw before claiming a 5-3 victory in the shootout.
They were reduced to 10 men 13 minutes into extra time when Jonathan Santana received his second yellow card, and Venezuela will be devastated to not have capitalised on the numerical advantage.
Goalkeeper Justo Villar was the hero for Paraguay in the shootout, making the all-important save from Franklin Lucena before Dario Veron smashed home the final spot kick.
The win gives Paraguay the unique achievement of reaching the final without winning a match in regular time, having had three draws in the group stage and two shootout victories in the knockout stages.
Playing in their first ever semi-final at a major competition, Cesar Farias’ Venezuela side took some time to settle as Paraguay enjoyed the better of the early exchanges at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza.
Martin Caceres put in a dangerous cross which only just missed the waiting Lucas Barrios, before Veron powered a pinpoint header towards goal which Venezuelan goalkeeper Renny Vega did well to save low to his left.
Neither side was providing much going forward, but the match came to life 10 minutes before half time when Venezuela had a goal disallowed for offside.
Oswaldo Vizcarrondo thought he had put his side in front when his bullet header found the back of the net, but the ball took the tiniest of deflections of Salomon Rondon, who was standing in an offside position.
The near miss only spurred Venezuela on though, with Alejandro Moreno hitting the crossbar with a header only minutes later.
There was little action after the break though, with both sides seemingly happy for the match to go to extra time and penalties.
Venezuela were inches from taking the lead in the fourth minute of extra time when Miku deflected Rondon’s long-range effort past Villar, only for it to come back off the inside of the upright.
Paraguay received another blow when Santana received his second booking for a robust challenge on Rondon, but they held on to send the match to penalties.
Venezuela had never taken part in a competitive penalty shootout before and it showed, with Villar saving Lucena’s tame penalty to send Paraguay into the final.
They will meet Uruguay in Sunday’s final in Buenos Aires.
There are three FA Cup third round replays to look forward to tonight, giving you some excellent betting opportunities. All three ties see Premier League teams up against Championship opposition, as Stoke City travel to Cardiff, Manchester City host Leicester City and Wolves are home to Doncaster. If you’re a new bet365 customer then you can claim your £200 FREE BET right now, but what are the hot tips for this evening’s FA Cup matches?
The tie at the Cardiff City Stadium is a tough one to call, after the original fixture ended 1-1. These are the sort of matches in which Craig Bellamy likes to make a name for himself, and odds of 2/1 for him to score anytime during the match aren’t too bad. As for the result itself, Cardiff are well priced at 7/4 to win.
The Manchester City v Leicester tie looks like a foregone conclusion, and odds of 1/3 on for City to win aren’t exactly great value. If you’re looking for a decent bet then the correct score market may well be the route to go down, and with City likely to score goals, it may be worth plumping for Roberto Mancini’s men to win 3-1 at 9/1.
Completing the line-up tonight is Wolves v Doncaster. This is a fixture that’s hard to call. The original tie ended 2-2 and you can get odds of 14/1 for that to happen again tonight. With all of Doncaster’s last six containing at least three goals, it looks like a sure thing that there will be more than 2.5 goals at Molineux, for which you can get odds of 8/11.
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Tonight’s Tip: With Wolves in the Premier League relegation zone and Mick McCarthy focused on survival, why not back a Doncaster win at 9/2?
The best myths in football are born on the terraces as large groups of fans engage in a fascinating game of ‘Chinese Whispers’. It all begins with a simple and perhaps mildly interesting fact that quickly snowballs and makes every effort to distance itself from all truth and reason. You can’t help but accept the ramblings of your fellow man as genuine facets of knowledge, that is until the day you decide to share this information, when it suddenly dawns upon you that there is very little evidence to back up such a wild claim.
Commentators are the main culprits nowadays, each dipping into their book of folklore at every available opportunity. My personal favourite is the phrase ‘you’re always most vulnerable after you’ve scored’, which seems to be based purely on the fact that on occasion teams have scored directly after one another. It’s a flimsy argument but because it rings true once in a while, people will purposely try to convince you that it’s an unwritten rule in the game.
Click on the January window below to reveal my Top 12 Myths in Football
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