Midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed the prospect of becoming the most successful club in English football history is driving Manchester United on to reclaim the Premier League title.
The Red Devils currently stand level on 18 top-flight titles with bitter rivals Liverpool following their last success in 2009.
Last season Chelsea took their Premier League crown and Fletcher believes the prospect of becoming the undisputed kings of English football can push United past the finishing post this season.
"This club is all about breaking records and achieving a new status," said the Scotland captain.
"To be the most successful team in the English game would mean everything to the club and to the fans especially.
"They loved it when we equalled Liverpool's record, so to beat it would mean an awful lot to them.
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"As players, we want to put right the disappointment of not winning the league last year."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Why the newspapers are dominated with claims and counter claims with regards to the recent transfer bid for Scott Parker, I for one are left scratching my head over our club’s pursuit for a player. I don’t doubt that the boy has abilities; but is he really any better than what we have already got?
Parker aside I have been extremely confused at the nature of some of our transfer interests and what value to add to the team. We seem to be attempting to buy players because we feel we need to, rather than being more calculated with our choices.
So what does Parker bring to the Tottenham midfield that the likes of Jamie O’Hara couldn’t, other than a bit of experience? O’Hara showed on numerous occasions last season for Portsmouth that not only has he got the creative flair with the ball at his feet, but more significantly he has that steel about him in midfield and is certainly not afraid to put the boot in when need be. O’Hara is also 6yrs younger than Parker, therefore it surely makes greater sense to retain O’Hara and save ourselves a few million in the process.
It is clear listening to press conferences and media reports that a sense of frustration is starting to creep into Harry’s voice at the failure to secure deals, but it is a dead market out there and the current set-up with Levy doing the negotiations is the right one. I ask the question as to whether there is really the need to strengthen, what is already a strong squad? Maybe there is a case to bring in a top class striker, but looking at the squad that is the only area that really needs improvement in my opinion; although most clubs would be delighted to possess our attacking quartet. We must not buy players for the sake of buying them, especially in the cases of Bellamy and Parker, who in truth are no better than what we have already got.
Written By Matt Wright
With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
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Billy Clarke is pleased with the way the operation on his serious knee ligaments injury went but admits he is finding it very difficult to watch his Blackpool team-mates playing in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old was told his season was over after he suffered the injury just two minutes into the Seasiders' opening pre-season fixture against Tiverton.
"The lads have done brilliantly but I'm not too good at watching," Clarke admitted."Winning 4-0 at Wigan was great but in my head I just wanted to be out there.
"The operation went well, according to the surgeon, and I'm just on a slow rehab at the moment.
"I need to get my leg working and bending and to make sure I don't lose much muscle in my thigh area. That's probably the plan for the next six to eight weeks.
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"I need to get a full range of movement back in my knee and then I can hopefully start cycling. I'll probably be able to start light jogging a month after that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney insists he is 'only a human being', following a recent dip in form and damaging off-field allegations about his private life.
The 24-year-old England international is currently being troubled by an ankle injury, but insists that he will be back to his best in the near future.
He told reporters:"I'm only a human being. I hurt as well, but I need to get through this and get back to playing football the way I can do.
"I know I can play better, so I'm hoping to get a consistent run of games in the team. If I do that, I'm sure my form will be back to its best.
"When you're not playing at your best, you need to just continue playing and doing the simple things, then your form will come good.
"You always want to play well and give the manager no excuses to leave you out, but there are top players here, so you have to be at your best to keep your place.
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"If you're not, the manager has the players to leave you out. All footballers get left out at some stage, but I want to play every game.
"My performances could be better. I obviously missed pre-season and I've only played four or five games this season, but the more games that you play, the better your form will become, so I'm hoping to get a run of games."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Aston Villa and England winger Ashley Young’s optimum playing position has been debated fervently in recent weeks. Former manager Martin O’Neill used the right-footed winger on the left flank and even once described him as, “world class.” At 25-years old it may seem peculiar to have your regular playing position scrutinised. Yet both caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald and now permanent boss Gerard Houllier have experimented with the speedy Young. Given licence to roam can Young become an enduring fixture in the England squad and “make his name,” as Houllier has suggested?
MacDonald gave Young the freedom to oscillate between both wings in the early stages of the season and Houllier has stated that the player can excel as a second striker. O’Neill had argued that Young could compete with some of the best wingers in Europe. When quizzed on that assertion the new manager said, “As a left winger? No. He can play on the wing. Whether he can be one of the best in the world in that position … I think he can be one of the best in another position.” Evidently for the Frenchman that new role is behind a main striker where he can create chances and score more regularly for Villa. His view is not merely based on instinct as he witnessed the impact made by Young after switching positions in their Carling Cup victory over Blackburn. Trailing to Gael Givet’s first half strike, a change of tactics ensued as the England international was moved inside to support Emile Heskey. The two combined well, Young scoring two after the former international forward grabbed the equaliser.
Aston Villa’s No7 was granted an identical role just behind the resurgent Heskey in their weekend away win at Molineaux. But as an experienced winger, those wide man traits may be hard to desert as he invariably drifted to either wing which is where he attempted the bulk of his passes. Could the club miss his quick, direct approach on the wing? Accolades such as the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2008/09 season were received after impressing in that berth. He has been at his best when tormenting lackadaisical full backs such as, Arsenal’s Gael Clichy last season, managing to wriggle free and deliver numerous crosses. However earlier this year Young said of his markers, “At times this season teams have doubled up or even tripled up.”
Houllier believes the midfielder has a natural intelligence and awareness on the pitch and is composed in front of goal. This may point to a central role which would give him and the team a much needed air of unpredictability. Having placed a huge emphasis on pace, crossing and strong forwards, this is a trait the club have lacked, occasionally struggling to destabilise defences. Following James Milner’s departure there is arguably a dearth of creative talent in the centre and the team were outscored by their rivals for fourth place last season. Villa’s total goal tally was 52 whilst Manchester City registered 73, Tottenham 67 and Liverpool 61. Promising youngsters such as Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan can take the place vacated by Young.
Since taking charge, however, Houllier has not had Stephen Ireland available who will be expected to compete for a central creative position. Young may have the attributes to succeed in that role but his redeployment is arguably about team rather than individual improvement. The former Liverpool manager said, “He can be a star as a team player. It’s his work rate and attitude that can improve the rest of the team.”
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As a youngster at West Ham, recently recalled England international Joe Cole was renowned for his natural attacking ability, creative flair and artistic vision.
Yet by the time Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho inherited the attacking midfielder at Chelsea in 2004, The Special One was keen to mould the midfielder into a different type of player and attempt to control his famed offensive nature. Mourinho argued that Cole would become a better player by adding defensive steel to his forward-thinking mentality.
Mourinho is clearly a coach who prefers caution over creativity and one who believed there was no space in his Chelsea title-winning side for a traditional No.10 in the shape of Cole, a player who would roam the field with a lack of boundaries and restrictions. Shortly after his arrival, the Special One commented:
“He has a lot to learn,” said Mourinho. “I think he has two faces – one beautiful and one I don’t like. He must keep one and change the other one.”
“When he scored the game finished for him. After that I needed 11 players for my defensive organisation and I had just 10.
“Joe can be a regular but he has to improve when the team needs him to be part of a defensive organisation.”
Mourinho wanted Cole to track back and defend, something with the former Hammer obliged in doing. Cole developed as an all-round player, winning a place in the PFA’s team of the season in 2005 and becoming a key member of the club’s 2004-05 & 05-06 title winning side. Yet his natural attacking game suffered as a result and one of England’s most technically gifted, creative players of his generation was turned into a stereotypical wide player.
Cole first broke into the West Ham side at the age of 17 and flourished playing in a behind the striker role. Cole quickly endeared himself to the Upton Park faithful with his inventiveness, trickery and unpredictability, while his early performances seen him linked with a £10m move to Old Trafford.
This progress was under the guidance of current Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp who attempted to lure the 28-year-old to White Hart Lane this summer. Yet I’m sure Redknapp will be more than delighted with the services of Dutch maestro Rafael van der Vaart instead, a player who is currently demonstrating the advantages of having such an attack-minded, free-roaming player on the pitch with some early eye-catching performances for Spurs.
The Premier League has developed since Cole’s days as a youngster in East London and has become a more tactically controlled environment. Managers such as Mourinho and Rafael Benitez placed an emphasis on defence, while the league has become so competitive that many sides line up to avoid defeat over risking it all for a win. Foreign coaches such as Ancelotti, Benitez and Mourinho began to alter the league’s mentality slightly and cannot all be wrong with nine league titles and five European Cups between them.
Such defensive tendencies however have seen players like Cole suffer, a trend continued by Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge. Cole was marginalised at Stamford Bridge under the Italian and was allowed to leave without much fuss on a free transfer this summer. Ancelotti later made disparaging comments towards Cole’s intelligence and his ability to follow tactical instructions. Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun was brought in as his replacement, which prompted the Italian to say:
“Joe Cole is quicker than Benayoun but Yossi is better tactically. He understands what I tell him.”
Cole has since moved to Liverpool where Hodgson will give him the freedom to attack and create opportunities for his team-mates in the final-third. Cole has however had a difficult start at Anfield and Ancelotti’s decision to release him seems a correct one with the Blues currently topping the table and Cole’s new club floundering in the relegation zone.
Despite this, you feel Mourinho’s and Ancelotti’s criticism of Cole’s defensive play says more about the pair’s meticulous planning and importance they place on defense. Other managers have different footballing philosophies and coaches such as Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger would certainly see Cole’s ingenuity as a bonus.
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Cole’s creativity should be celebrated and encouraged and not buried behind defensive strategies and protective mindsets. While Cole may find the freedom he wants at Anfield he is unlikely to add to his medal collection during his time on Merseyside.
And in that regard, it’s difficult to question Ancelotti’s opinion on Cole’s perceived lack of tactical discipline.
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Six years on since his move, the name Henri Camara still carries a sour taste around the walls of Molineux. Since demanding a move as Wolves suffered relegation after just one season in the top flight, many fans were outraged of Camara’s treatment of the club which gave him his chance in England.
Camara only really impressed during the latter part of the season, with the majority of his time at Wolves spent firing shots all over the place…maybe it was those orange boots? Anyhow, his form attracted the interest of sides such as Bolton and Middlesborough, with the previous bidding for him early on in the transfer window.
Camara insisted on leaving the club and even refused to return for pre-season training after the summer break. He was quoted as saying he wanted to become African Footballer of the Year and go on to become one of the greats like Roger Miller, EL-Hadji Diouf, Kanu and George Weah…something he didn’t feel he could accomplish in the lower regions of English football.
With Kenny Miller, Vio Ganea, Carl Cort and Dean Sturridge, manager Dave Jones already had four established strikers and eventually gave up in his attempt to keep the Senegal striker. Despite offers from the Premier League, Camara chose to go on loan to Scottish giants Celtic.
18 games later, Camara found himself back in the Premier League with Southampton…where he suffered the same fate as the previous season, ending up getting relegated to the Football League. A brief return to training in Compton was the closest Camara got to playing in a Wolves shirt again, and was eventually sold for around £3 million to Wigan.
Wigan was a happier time for Camara, where he scored 20 goals in over 50 appearances. However, he again fell out of favour and had loan spells at West Ham and Stoke (failing to score for either) before his contract at the JJB stadium ran out.
At the start of the 2009/10 season, Camara eventually gave in and joined Championship side Sheffield United…at the same time that Wolves had just begun their Premier League campaign (funny how things work out isn’t it). Again, Camara struggled to make an impact, despite dropping down the leagues, and was released at the end of the season after managing just four goals.
But what about now? Where has the “superstar” striker ended up? Well, after a bit of digging, we have unearthed him plying his trade in the Greek Superleague side Atromitos, who currently lie 12th in the league. With one goal to his name this season, Camara has hardly troubled the goalscoring charts in Greece.
32-years-old and reaching the end of a “glittering” career, it seems Camara has had to settle for a life in the sun, instead of holding out for a new chance in England. Isn’t it nice how things turn out sometime eh?
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Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has praised his battling players after they secured a creditable goalless Premier League draw at West Ham United on Saturday.
The Seasiders excellent start to their top-flight debut continued in the capital as they ground out another point, but things could and, perhas, should have been much better at Upton Park.
Former Hammers striker Marlon Harewood scored what looked to be a legitimate goal for the visitors only for referee Kevin Friend to disallow his effort.
But Holloway was more than happy to look at his side's efforts rather than to focus on the official's aberration.
"I'm just amazed at the quality of the game. Yet again we're involved in another fantastic game of football," he said.
"Did I come here and try to get a point? No. I thought it was the best 0-0 draw I have ever seen in my entire life.
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"Irrespective of who I put out, they seem to keep going and keep learning and I thought we were terrific.
"It was always going to be tough against a team with the quality they have but what a fantastic advert for our game."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Arsenal’s inability to top an easy Champions League group has well and truly come back to bite them where it hurts. The Gunners were drawn with Barcelona and the first leg will take place in London on February 15th. Arsenal will enter the fray with some degree of trepidation. When they visited the Nou Camp last season, they left with a 4-1 spanking. Their previous meeting, in the 2006 Champions League final also led to tragedy for the Gunners. Whilst Barcelona still seem to be on top of the world, the Gunners have blown hot and cold this season. Arsenal have an unwelcome reputation for faultering against the bigger teams and who is bigger than Barcelona?
So Arsenal head into the knockout stages as an underdog, but let’s not rule them out completely. This Barcelona team is not infallible. As Arsenal’s captain Cesc Fabregas recently noted, “Barcelona are not unbeatable. If they were invincible, they would win the Champions League every year.” If Arsenal are to have a chance they will have to cross their fingers and do the following five things.
First things first: stop Messi. It was Messi who took Arsenal apart last season. He scored all four goals in Barca’s 4-1 victory over the Gunners at the Nou Camp. Barcelona are by no means a one man team, but he is certainly their best player and arguably the best player in the world. Of course, it’s wrong to wish injury upon another player, yet, surely the only way Arsenal can neutralise Messi completely is by his never being fit to turn up.
More important still – the Gunners must not try to out-football Barcelona. Arsenal are a great passing side, but Barcelona are the world’s best. With this in mind, Arsenal must show that there are two sides to their game. When Barcelona are in possession, Arsenal have to stay close to their man, apply constant pressure and try to break up the flow of Barca’s game. Snap into tackles, get in their players faces, wind them up and do whatever it takes to break up play. Arsenal could really use a Viera figure, but given that Wenger is likely to be frugal in the January transfer window, will have to make do with what they’ve got.
An obvious, but important point – Arsenal have to be clinical. In Chamakh they have a striker who always looks likely to score when given a chance, but the Gunners will probably be hoping that Robin Van Persie is fully match fit when the two teams meet and that he is firing on all cylinders.
A lot may depend on Cesc Fabregas. He is Arsenal’s best player and has a history with Barcelona that is sure to mean he will give it his everything in the hope of impressing. Hopefully he will have fully recovered from his niggling hamstring problem by February and be able to show Barcelona stalwarts Iniesta and Xavi that he can compete against the best team in Europe. Arsenal must try to give Fabregas as much time and space on the ball as possible, as he can make things happen.
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Finally, Arsenal should make good use of their underdog status. A number of times over the last couple of years Arsenal have travelled across the country to face a team languishing towards the bottom of the Premier League table expecting to walk all over them, but in found instead a tough, competitive team who refuses to let the Gunners control the flow of the game. Barcelona will waltz into the first leg of the game at the Emirates expecting a victory, can Arsenal catch them unawares?
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After five and a half years without a major trophy, Arsenal took two major steps towards two pieces of silverware this week. With Manchester United’s shock exit from the Carling Cup, Arsene Wenger’s men have become the clear favourites to taste glory at Wembley in February.
The Gunners’ win at Villa Park last weekend also put them firmly in the race for the title, although their tendency to fail to put teams away, regardless of pressure, will be a concern with some big tests on the horizon.
Fulham are scrapping and scrimping points at the moment- lacking a real cutting edge in the continued absence of Bobby Zamora. Mark Hughes will hope that Mark Schwarzer, fresh from signing a new deal at Craven Cottage, puts in a strong showing against the side he nearly joined in the summer.
Prediction: 3-1
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