All posts by h79snht.top

Every season we see footballers making the move from established Premier League clubs to one of the bigger clubs and regularly these players soon find that life is not always as good as they hope it will be at their new club. They go from star players to squad players in the space of a few months. I believe that more players should realise that is better to play for a good side than sit on the bench at a great side despite the huge amounts of money the transfer may give them.

When Robbie Keane secured a £20 million transfer to his ‘boyhood club’ Liverpool in 2008, he probably hoped that is was a chance to win major trophies however it turned into a nightmare as he was played in the wrong position and only scored 5 times. The Irish international returned to White Hart Lane in January 2009 but since then his career has gone downhill with spells out on loan at Celtic and West Ham United. The 31-year-old must now regret leaving White Hart Lane after a season where he won the player of the year award as since then his career has been on a downward spiral which he doesn’t look like recovering from anytime soon.

Look at the probable transfer of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and it obvious to see he will face formidable obstacles at the Nou Camp in the form of Iniesta and Xavi for a starting berth. Will he really want to settle for a place on the bench after being the first name on the team sheet at the Emirates. He only needs to look at other big money moves to see that the grass is not always greener.

The perfect example of a player that has found that life is not always better after a move is £50 million man Fernando Torres as his mistimed switch to Stamford Bridge has none nothing for his career. Torres left Anfield in search of more silverware and the chance to win major trophies, something he did not achieve last year and thus far it appears that he would have been better off remaining at Anfield.

However Wayne Rooney has found that life can be greener on the other side as since his move to Man United from Everton, he has won a Champions League trophy and four Premier League titles while becoming one of the biggest names in world football. Rooney is the example of a player who was right to move on and leave the smaller club when he did, however this is quite unusual in the football world.

Another former Everton player Steven Pienaar has not has as much success at his new club. He has has only played 12 games in six months since his transfer to Spurs and has failed to really make an impression in North London. The South African captain has gone from being an important first team player at Everton to a squad player at Spurs, was the move for increased wages really worth it?

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I do wonder if Keane Or Pienaar were given the chance to turn back time and not leave their former clubs when they did would they do this or have the financial benefits been enough to make them think it was worthwhile, even though their career has been hampered.

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The desire to move to a bigger club is not just driven by the player’s greed for trophies and money but also by agents who know they get a cut of the transfer and they have little interest about their clients career development. However more often than not, careers can stagnate after a big money move and although the grass may look greener on the other side recent transfers have proven that is not always the case.

Follow me on twitter @aidanmccartney for more football debate and chat.

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley is taking his career progression in his stride and has maintained that he is the same player that played for Wigan last season.

The 22-year-old has started all of the Premier League champions’ first three matches this term, and has been called up to Fabio Capello’s England squad for the Euro 2012 qualifying fixtures against Bulgaria and Wales.

Despite this, the Basingstoke born man is not getting carried away, and keeping his feet on the ground.

“Although I feel I improved in pre-season, I am still the same player and the same guy. Just because I am playing in United’s first team, that doesn’t all of a sudden make me a great footballer,” he told The Guardian.

“It is a bit strange when people are talking about you but in my head I am still the same footballer who was sent out on loan to Wigan last year. The only difference is that I am turning out for Manchester United now.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has added a number of younger players to his squad over the summer, and Cleverley has confirmed that the more inexperienced men in the team are keen to follow in the footsteps of United sides of the past.

“Nobody wants to get too carried away, but this is a youthful squad and it is exciting to be part of it.

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“Some of us younger lads don’t know what it is like to win the Premier League yet but that is where the experience of others comes into it. A few older players left the club in the summer but we have still got experience in abundance,” he concluded.

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You could see it coming. Soon after the story broke, there was a certain inevitability about the whole thing, and last Friday Garry Cook finally succumbed to the media pressure over his email gaffe and resigned, to the delight of millions.

Cook has never been a popular man in the press, or with other clubs’ fans. Seen as prone to gaffe after gaffe, keen on CEO-speak and too business-oriented, his departure will gain little sympathy. And on over a million pounds a year that’s fair enough. The press had had it in for Cook for a while as he had lied to them about finding a successor to Mark Hughes – they obviously expected him to openly tell them they were looking for a new manager.

I am not sure when football club CEOs and board members became big news in football. The likes of David Dein and Peter Kenyon led the way by having a high profile, linked to the fact that many like them and David Gill at Manchester United sat/sit within the FA and various European club committees.

And Cook was certainly high-profile, sometimes unwittingly. Overseeing one of the most talked about football stories of our time, he brought unprecedented growth in the club and its global profile, sometimes talking in the style of the marketing man that he is, a style that grated with many, who still see football clubs as some close-knit local community-type operation. Welcome to the 21st century. You might recoil at the thought that football is all about money and global profiles and marketing, but it has been that way for decades – that’s not Cook’s fault, and with the dawn of the Financial Fair Play regulations, Cook and the owners knew that City had to expand their profile and increase marketing in order to compete. He did his job, and he did it well, also helping to bring the best set of footballers to the club for a generation (possibly ever).

So like the game around him, Cook was about the money – some of his football ideas are to be dismissed, but he wasn’t there at City for that. Every top club (and many others) has someone like Cook now – just because they don’t say as much as Cook did publicly doesn’t mean they’re not doing the same things and thinking alike.

But Cook offered something else too that you won’t see mentioned. Most people know only half the story.

As Oliver Kay of The Times astutely tweeted: What I found endearing about Cook was that he cared about the fans. Very few do. And it’s not just a £ thing. Do other rich clubs care?

And he did care. There are endless stories of how Cook has helped City fans – sorting out complimentary tickets for games, spending endless hours chatting to fans and listening to their opinions, doing impromptu ground tours for visitors, and generally putting himself out when he didn’t have to. Most CEOs wouldn’t. He was the only guy that realised that an indoor ticket office in Manchester might be quite a good idea.Those that call him a buffoon tend not to have met him.

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Introducing Uwe Rosler into the Manchester United Hall of Fame was a simple slip of the tongue. Unfortunate, and badly timed, but still just a slip of the tongue, and the pathetic overreaction by a minority of City fans was saddening. Defending Thaksin Shinawatra and saying he was a great guy to play golf with wasn’t the best idea, but he could hardly not defend his owner when questioned. Let’s be honest, most City fans defended Shinawatra until we realised he was doing more harm than good and that his excuses no longer stood up to analysis.

And for the record, Kaka did bottle it. So there. When the press are taking the side of Silvio Berlusconi, then you know there are agendas at play. Cook’s comment was borne from frustration at the underhand methods Berlusconi used to scupper the deal, but he probably learnt that day to bite his lip a bit more in future.

As for the email saga, the whole thing stunk. Its sudden release 11 months after the event should set the alarm bells ringing. Onuoha’s mother’s assertion that seeing the email was worse than getting cancer is possibly the most ridiculous comment of all. Week-long media coverage sealed his fate, but he sealed it too by not coming clean at the time. The email itself was not a sackable offence – we have all made similar mistakes and said some nasty things in our time. It should also be seen in the wider context of the ongoing difficult contract negotiations and we do not know what else was said between the three parties – I am not excusing the mail, though I fail to see how it mocks cancer, but don’t think he lost his job because of it. After all, this was a private email, where things are said that you wouldn’t say in public – and that applies to everyone. His fatal error was trying to cover the whole thing up – once he did that he was doomed, and can have few complaints. If he had owned up at the time and apologised, it could have blown over. There were rumours that Cook was going anyway- that he would be moving back to America to be with his family who were already there. Manchester’s two restaurants eventually wore them down too.

You see, throughout all the claims of the club’s brashness, a lack of class and new levels of arrogance, the fans have never been looked after better. With a world-class team, world-class media production, fan interaction and low ticket prices (and even the best football kits ever) City fans have been spoilt, and Cook helped make it all happen. The club will hire someone else and move on (Inter Milan technical director Marco Branca is rumoured to be Mancini’s choice), but be sure of one thing – he will be missed, and has left a wonderful legacy for the club. And if fans of other clubs didn’t like him, well to be honest, who cares?

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Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has praised Mario Balotelli, and stated that the rest of the players at the club support the attacker, regardless of his off-field antics.

The Italy international has brought controversy with him to England since his move from Inter Milan back in August 2010, with the latest incident being the use of fireworks in his bathroom on the eve of Sunday’s Manchester derby.

However, on the pitch the striker cannot be faulted; Balotelli bagged a brace in the Etihad Stadium outfit’s 6-1 demolition of United at the weekend, making it six goals in five games for the youngster.

Despite the forward’s unpredictable nature, the England international goalkeeper has revealed that Roberto Mancini’s men are 100 per cent behind him.

“I think we were all a bit unsure last season, outside and inside, what he was about,” Hart stated to City TV.

“I think he has grown as a person and accepted who and what he is in this team. He is someone we look to. All the hype that comes with Mario is standard procedure. That is the beauty of football, that is what he is.

“You get these characters and sometimes it is frustrating to be with him, but not so much this season.

“His head is really screwed on and we are all 100 per cent behind him. I think everyone is delighted he is getting the right kind of love he deserves,” he concluded.

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City sit top of the Premier League after their impressive victory on Sunday, and take on Wolves at home next Saturday.

By Gareth McKnight

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Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has backed new signing Charles N’Zogbia to find his form, despite a slow start to his time at the Birmingham based club.

Villa signed the France international from Wigan in a £9.5 million deal over the summer, but the winger has not shown the performances that made him such a hit at the Latics, and was substituted after an hour of the side’s 2-1 defeat to West Brom on Saturday.

Despite this, the Bulgarian midfielder has confidence in his team-mate’s abilities.

“A lot of people are on his back but we believe in him. We have seen it in training. Sometimes people need a longer time to settle in,” he told Mirror Football.

“We won’t give up on this boy because he is an important player for us. He will become good. He has been working hard and is looking sharper.

“It didn’t go well for him against West Brom but he will get back. We have a talent here and it will come a point where he starts playing well and scoring goals.

“We are patient with him and convinced he will come good,” the skipper concluded.

Alex McLeish’s men will look to bounce back from the defeat next weekend, as they travel to Wearside to take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Manchester United striker Michael Owen has stated that current Premier League leaders Manchester City will have a dip in form at some point during the season, and it is too early to consider them as title favourites.

Roberto Mancini’s men have stormed to the top of the English top flight in an unbeaten run over 11 games, and announced themselves as challengers by beating United 6-1 at Old Trafford.

Despite the Etihad Stadium team’s undoubted quality, Owen feels there is a long way to go in the race for the title.

“They are top of the league, playing great – as well as they’ve performed in years,” he told Mirror Football.

“They obviously beat us quite well in the league and deserved to win that game. But it was only a few weeks earlier that we played really well and beat them in the Community Shield.

“Everyone then was taking a step back then and saying, ‘It might be a year too soon for City’ and it just shows how quickly things can change.

“They’re on a crest of a wave at the minute, but every team will go through a sticky patch at some point and we’re still early on in the season.

“We’ll see what happens after Christmas and start forming opinions then, but there’s no doubt about it, they’re a force to be reckoned with.

“Man United over the years have always gone on great runs towards the end of the season and have pulled it out of the fire many times,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, United have announced a 16.5 per cent increase in revenue for the first quarter of the financial year, making profit of £73.8 million for the period.

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The result means that the Premier League champions’ debt is reduced by £83.5 million to £433.2 million.

By Gareth McKnight

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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has stated that he won’t quit his post, despite being lambasted by his own fans in the side’s 2-1 home defeat to Wigan on Saturday.

The loss sees The Black Cats in 16th place and only two points above the relegation zone, in what has been a poor start to the season for the Wearside club.

Despite being singled out for abuse by the Stadium of Light faithful, Bruce will not walk away from the club.

“If I thought that by me going, it would help everybody, then I would consider it. But I don’t think that right now. I just want to get it right,” he told Mirror Football.

“Whatever abuse is thrown at me, I would never walk away – never. It’s not in my nature at all.

“But if I thought it would help, then I would certainly have a think about that,” he stated.

Part of the Sunderland fans’ grievances were the fact that Bruce was born in the Newcastle area, and the coach admits that the chants were the worst they have been in his time in management.

“I cannot help where I was born unfortunately.

“Can I turn the ­relationship around? I don’t know. It’s going to be very, very difficult. Hopefully, it’s bottomed out now. I don’t think it’s ever been as bad as that.

“If the players went out there and I thought they weren’t trying or I’d lost them, then you do start to take a look at the bigger picture. But every one of them did their best in ­difficult circumstances.

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“For me, we absolutely battered Wigan, but it doesn’t make any ­difference, we got beat. We are judged on results and unfortunately they have not been good enough. It ended up being a horror show,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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Everton have confirmed that Landon Donovan will return to Goodison Park on a short-term loan in January.

The United States international played ten times, scoring twice, in a similar deal from LA Galaxy back early 2010, and the Merseyside club have detailed that a two-month loan has been agreed once more.

Toffees manager David Moyes admitted that he was glad to welcome the veteran forward back to England.

“I am delighted that we have managed to get Landon back. He will give us some good experience over January and February,” the Scottish coach told the club’s official website.

“He did well for us when he was over two years ago and hopefully will return with those same qualities.

“His season has just finished and like last time we need him to hit the ground running because the games come thick and fast at this time of year,” he stated.

Donovan meanwhile is also pleased with the deal, and is looking forward to competing in the Premier League again.

“The opportunity to return to Everton and play for such a well-respected club and a manager that I hold in such high regard was something that was simply too good to pass up.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Everton in 2010 and I’m hopeful that we can experience similar success this time around.

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“I want to thank David Moyes and Bruce Arena, as well as executives from both clubs and Major League Soccer for allowing me this unique and special opportunity,” the 29-year-old concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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It has been a phenomenal week for Kenny Dalglish as his Liverpool side literally have gone from a low to quite an incredible high in the space of seven days. A shocking defeat at the Reebok has been followed by a cup double on the Manchester sides, with victory against City giving them the Reds their first Wembley appearance since 1996. Dirk Kuyt was the hero this afternoon and scoring against the old enemy and securing the club’s passage to the 5th Rd of the FA Cup was the perfect way for the football club to end his barren spell.

This week at Football FanCast we have witnessed a mix bag of blogs that include the ideal way to fast-track Liverpool’s development; Kenny looks to tempt Madrid into a loan move, while Lucas provides the missing ingredient that is costing the Reds dear.

Best of FFC

The ideal way to fast-track Liverpool’s development?

Caption Competition – Liverpool welcome back a friendly face

Can the likes of Spurs and Liverpool strike the financial balance?

Liverpool look to tempt Madrid into loan move

The worst Liverpool XI of Premier League times?

The missing ingredient that is costing Liverpool dear

Liverpool’s Top TEN Footballing Villains…well in my view!

How can football clubs bridge the academy gap?

Is Liverpool’s recent transfer approach a cause for concern?

Why are Premier League clubs ‘missing the boat’ in the transfer market?

Kenny has money to spend on the right signing

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Best of WEB

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So Where Exactly Are We Going Wrong? – Live4Liverpool

A Review of the Dalglish/Comolli Signings – Tomkins Times

Skrtel, Agger, Carragher | The Battle for the Centre – Anfield Index

Reds must address striking dilemma before season slips away – This is Anfield

Rangers’ Demand For Bids Over £6M Attracts Liverpool – Transfer Tavern

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Quote of the Week

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“It’s been a great week for us in the end, even though it started so badly at Bolton. We are in the Carling Cup final and the next round of the FA Cup, and though I was critical of the players a week ago, full credit to them for getting back on track with two really big wins.” Dalglish was talking to the BBC

The Week That Was

 

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

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Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

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Mark Hughes has confirmed that he is in talks with QPR in regards to their vacant managerial position.

The Loftus Road club parted company with Neil Warnock at the weekend, and the former Fulham boss has become the favourite to take over at the London club.

Hughes has confirmed that talks are ongoing, and will continue on Tuesday.

“Talks are still progressing. I’m obviously interested in what everyone here has had to say,” he told Sky Sports.

“It is an interesting project they are talking about, but there is a lot more to discuss yet and we will wait until the morning and have further discussions.

“It went really well today (Monday). We still have to discuss a number of things.

“There are a number of factors. I’ve got to be clear in my mind that this is the right decision for me and QPR have to be comfortable in their own mind as well.

“I’m an ambitious manager and I hope that the next job I have the club can match those ambitions,” he continued.

Hughes also stated that it was not important whether a decision was made before this weekend’s fixture against Newcastle, and that it was an important time in his career.

“We are not at that point at this moment.

“We are still discussing the ideas the club have and I have obviously got to think very carefully about what has been said overnight,” he finalised.

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By Gareth McKnight

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