Sunderland deny reports that manager Martin O’Neill offered his resignation following their 4-2 home defeat at the hands of high flying West Brom on Saturday.
In a pulsating Premier League encounter at the Stadium of Light, defeat for Sunderland meant that they have won just two of their last 20 league games.
“I was very pleased with the second-half performance, delighted with it.” O’Neill told BBC Sport.
While O’Neill will take take heart from the fact that his side showed grit and determination against a West Brom team in excellent form, the fact of the matter is that the Black Cats were outclassed throughout the game and lacked the creative spark that players such as Zoltan Gera showed for the Baggies.
The Sunderland boss will be hoping that the likes of Stephane Sessegnon, Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher can have a similar impact for his team in the coming weeks as they look to fire themselves up the table.
Sunderland can expect to face a revitalised QPR team in their next outing, following the appointment of Harry Redknapp as their new manager.
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For those younger football fans among us, the art of tackling is something we have never been able to appreciate in all its full-throttle glory. Any slightest hint of contact can often leave a player with a booking, forced to walk on a tightrope for the rest of the match.
After the crunching challenges of yesteryear, tackling is now viewed as a last resort by many players; with interceptions now the preferred method to win the ball back.
A player like Michael Carrick is often criticised for his reluctance to tackle, but he can still be effective in winning the ball back; with his number of interceptions reportedly being the highest in the Champions League in 2010-11, with 48, according to FourFourTwo.
Interceptions appear to be cleaner and run a much lower risk of a booking or sending off if mistimed. This is one of the reasons why tackling is gradually being phased out of the game; another being the factor of inconsistency among referees as to what constitutes as a fair challenge and what is deemed as reckless.
The most recent high-profile example comes from the clash between Liverpool and Manchester United, where Jonjo Shelvey and Jonny Evans launched into a 50-50 challenge for the ball.
Referee Mark Halsey judged Shelvey as the guilty party and assumingly assessed that the Liverpool midfielder had endangered Evans’ safety with the challenge, but those of us who saw the tackle would find it difficult to find one party guiltier than the other. It would be hard to imagine such a challenge being deemed worthy of sending off 10 years ago, especially not before the 1990s.
It seems that as football becomes more continental, fewer challenges of a more physical nature are allowed on the pitch, something which definitely favours the country’s more skilful players, but hinders those whose jobs it is to stop goalscoring opportunities.
Some say that play-acting and diving has also contributed to the downfall of tackling; with forward players now seeking to con officials by going down too easily.
Therefore, professionals of yesteryear would not last a minute in the modern day game – can you imagine how many red cards legendary 70s Leeds hardman, Billy Bremner or former Wimbledon defender Vinnie Jones would receive in a season?
It all seems to mean that the days of tackling are now gradually coming to an end, but perhaps we should not become too downbeat about the situation, with many defenders now viewing staying on their feet as a particular skill. Players like Rio Ferdinand now see making tackles as a last-ditch option, something which would only arise if he had not of read the game well enough.
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So in future, defensive players may strive to make the perfect interception rather than the perfect tackle as football evolves into more of a non-contact sport.
Bolton Wanderers have made major strides in the battle to land Crystal Palace Manager Dougie Freedman and are now set to offer a three year deal worth £1.5 million to the 38 year old.
Despite previously rejecting an approach by the North Lancashire side, Crystal Palace have now accepted a compensation offer for manager Freedman who looks set to be appointed the Trotters new manager after making it clear to Palace he was prepared to walk away from the club with less than a year left on his contract.
Rumours of unrest between manager and board at the London club have been longstanding and with Freedman “desperate” to manage a Premier League club the interest from Bolton has proved too strong for Palace to ward off with the official club website stating “Following further discussions throughout the day, Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that permission has been granted for Dougie Freedman to speak to Bolton Wanderers regarding their vacant managerial position.”
With Freedman keen to succeed Owen Coyle personal terms are not expected to prove an issue and negotiations are expected to progress quickly. Palace meanwhile are considering a range of options with former boss Steve Coppell likely to be offered a fifth spell at the club with the Daily Mail claiming that owner Parish is keen for Coppell to have a role in a “new look set up, although not necessarily as boss,” with the ball now in Coppell’s court as things look set to change at Crystal Palace once again.
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The message delivered by Ivan Gazidis at the clubs annual general meeting was simple. The Gunners will strive to maintain their position amongst the European football elite and ‘win’ trophies. Whatever that constitutes at the Emirates Stadium nowadays. It s widely considered that a lack of silverware since their FA Cup win in 2005 is the main reason for discontent in the stands, and Arsene Wenger’s assertion that qualifying for the Champions League ranks above lifting the FA Cup won’t quell the unrest. Gazidis did say that the North London club’s prospects will be much brighter in 2014 when the Financial Fair Play rulings become strictly enforced. But will supporters accept two more years of putting a top four finish ahead of laying down a concerted effort to end their seven year run without a cup win? It was noted that Wenger has money in the bank to spend on new players and it may be worth waiting to see how he goes about moulding a squad capable of competing with the European elite.
This week on FFC do the Gunners and England miss Jack Wilshere and could Theo Walcott be set for a surprise move to Merseyside in January?
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Best of FFC
Is this actually part of the problem for Arsene Wenger?
Does Arsenal ace really deserve the call?
A reaction to the Arsenal AGM
Do England or Arsenal miss him most?
Arsenal need to become ruthless says Wenger
Juventus line up a January raid on Arsenal
The FIVE transfers that would greatly improve Arsenal
A Walcott transfer to Liverpool FC would be a strange one
Arsenal transfer news: Striker back on Wenger’s radar
Rodgers plotting January raid on Arsenal and Chelsea
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Best of WEB
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What Do We Want? When Do We Want It? Now! – A Cultured Left Foot
Can we really bank on this man? – Gunnersphere
Revolt in the ranks – Online Gooner
Have we become too reliant on this man? – Gunnersphere
Shottus Quietus AGMus Maximus – Arseblog
A black footballers union? Are you mad? Surely that’s racist? Tonight’s the night Arsenal. – Le Grove
Thinking the Unthinkable…. – Highbury House
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Arsenal Really Ready to swoop for £20million Spaniard? – Transfer Tavern
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Quote of the Week
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“In the next two years, we will have the financial resources to sit and compete among the leading clubs in the world, which is an extraordinary achievement. Financial success is relevant because it supports our football vision… the money we make is made available to our manager and he decides how to invest those funds. Arsene has done a magnificent job against the spending of our major competitors.” Chief executive Ivan Gazidis outlines Arsenal’s ambitions
Arsene Wenger has admitted that Napoli striker Edinson Cavani and Wilfred Zaha of Crystal Palace are high on his list of transfer priorities this season at Arsenal, according to Sky Sports.
Wenger has concentrated on signing Theo Walcott to a new long-term deal and now feels that as the player moves closer to resigning, he can begin to focus his attention on strengthening elsewhere.
“Cavani is a player that I like. Will he cost a lot of money? That’s for sure. Nobody would deny that. Our banker lives just next to me at the moment and he is ready if we find the right player,” quipped Wenger.
Commenting on his interest in Zaha – who is also the object of Sir Alex Ferguson’s attention – he said, “We are looking at him, but at the moment we have not made any bid for him.
“I don’t know if Manchester United are in for him. Anyway, if you call any club for any player, they will tell you Man United, Milan, Real Madrid are as well in for him, but it is always difficult to know if it is true or not.”
The Gunners boss is well-known for his frugal attitude toward player recruitment, however he might be forced to bring in an expensive new face to strengthen the midfield.
Speaking of the best way to manoeuvre in the transfer window, he said, “The prices always go up at the start of the transfer market and go down in the last week.
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“Sometimes as well they go up in the last week, but it depends. Most of the time they go down in the last week and you know as well that 90 per cent of transfer activity happens in the last week, if not in the last 48 hours.”
In an era when football matches are a constant part of life, cup fixtures still bring that little extra sparkle to the minds of players and fans alike. In the Capital One Cup this season, that sparkle has often translated into goal-scoring frenzies, and on the odd, special occasions, it produces a memorable solo performance from a player who may not always be the centre of attention. In this series, FFC takes a look at some stellar one-man displays…
The peak of Matt Elliott`s career came in the 2000 League Cup Final when his two goals in the 2-1 victory over Tranmere Rovers not only earned him his place in Leicester City folklore but also in Wembley history.
It was the first time since the final became a one-off game that a centre half scored twice. It remains a record and because it was the last League Cup Final before Wembley was bulldozed, it is one that will always belong to Matt Elliott.
It was City`s third final in four years and their second in a row and Matt`s goals were almost identical. Just short of the half hour, Leicester won a corner and when Steve Guppy swung the ball in Elliott rose, near the penalty spot and powered a header goalwards. The ball struck the bar, bounced down on the line and spun into the goal to give Martin O`Neill`s team the lead.
Tranmere equalised in the 77th minute through former Leicester player David Kelly. His near post shot not only gave the First Division underdogs hope but was Kelly`s eighth goal of that competition and saw him finish top scorer in the 1999-2000 League Cup.
Rovers` joy was short lived however, and it was almost a case of de ja vu four minutes later when Guppy swung another corner in and his skipper rose, on the six yard box, to head his second goal.
Matt led Leicester up the steps to become the last League Cup winners at the original Wembley. He also picked up the Man of the Match Award to cap the best day of his career.
Born in Wandsworth, London, Matt began his football career in non-league with Leatherhead and Epsom and Newell before joining Charlton Athletic in 1988.Unable to break through at the Valley, Matt dropped down the football pyramid to Torquay United. After three seasons at Plainmoor he joined Scunthorpe and spent just 18 months there before he made the move to Oxford United. Matt`s performances in Oxford`s run to promotion as runners-up in the Second Division in 1996 finally gave Matt his dream of Premier League football.
Leicester City manager Martin O`Neill paid £1.6 million for the defender early the following year and that remains the highest transfer fee received by Oxford. Matt helped Leicester to reach the 1999 League Cup Final but they were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham. But the following year City returned to win the competition against Tranmere.
That final proved to be Martin O`Neill`s swansong as he departed for Celtic and could have been Elliott`s too as O`Neill immediately tried to sign his former skipper for £3.5 million. Elliot however, agreed a new contract with Leicester where he remained until 2005.
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The end of his career was accelerated by a serious knee injury though he still managed a brief loan spell with Ipswich before quitting in January 2005.
Though born in England, Matt was eligible to play for Scotland and made his international debut against France in November 1997. In total he won 18 caps, 16 as a starter, and scored one goal, a header against San Marino on 7th October 2000 in a 2-0 win.
In 2008 Matt began a short career in non-league football and had several assistant manager jobs before opening the Matt Elliott Football Development Scheme in Leicestershire in 2011.
Stoke City travel to Upton Park looking for their 50th premier league win after their promotion in 2008.
Tony Pulis’ side will be trying to do something they haven’t achieved since the latter stages of last season in their search of the landmark; win away from the Britannia Stadium. Stoke haven’t managed a victory in their last 15 league fixtures away from home, scoring just eight goals in the process.
During this campaign their record stands at lost three, drawn three on the road and they will be hoping to put this right on Monday against this seasons surprise package West Ham who currently sit in sixth.
Both the Hammers and the Potters won their previous games 1-0 against Newcastle and QPR respectively and both will want to continue their winning ways.
West Ham’s fortunes at home are very different to Stoke’s away form, having only lost once this season, going down 3-1 against Arsenal in October. They will be pushing for all three points on Monday as their following four games give them the daunting prospect of Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Stoke’s problem hasn’t been the defending, having the joint best defence in the league with champions Manchester City, conceding just 10 goals, four of them coming at Old Trafford. The problem has been going forward only bagging nine, and with West Ham only shipping one more goal than the visitors this season, Monday’s affair could be a low scoring one.
But both strikers will want to prove a point after being left out of Roy Hodgson’s England squad. Many believe England need a Peter Crouch or an Andy Carroll but there is only room for one. In a fixture bringing two of the toughest defences up against each other, is there a better place to put your case forward?
Neither manager will have a full squad at their disposal; Sam Allardyce is still without Ricardo Vaz Te who dislocated his shoulder during the defeat to Arsenal back in October and Jack Collison is out with a knee problem.
There are fresh injury worries for Pulis; Glenn Whelan is waiting the results of a scan after he limped off for the Republic of Ireland against Greece in midweek, while Charlie Adam and Jon Walters should make the trip despite picking up niggles. Marc Wilson (broken leg) and Rory Delap (hernia) are definitely out and Michael Owen (hamstring) remains a doubt. Dean Whitehead is also going to miss the game at Upton Park with his second suspension of the season, after he picked up his fifth yellow card in the game against QPR.
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With both defences in their current good form and the lack of goals at the other end, the game has got a 1-1 draw written all over it.
Queens Park Rangers will look into bringing Michael Dawson to Loftus Road in January after failing to secure him in the summer according to boss Mark Hughes.
Rangers have made a poor start to the season after lots of changes to their squad over the past few months, but it seems Hughes is already planning more deals for the club in the new year and the out of favour Tottenham defender is top of his wish list.
“Maybe Michael’s situation had happened too quickly for him to understand what his future is at Spurs,” Hughes told the Daily Mirror.
“We took it as far as we were able to and he would have been a good acquisition but it wasn’t to be.”
“In January that might be different if he is still out of the team, but we may have moved on by then.”
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“There’s been a big turnover in players but he has replaced those who have left with players of the same level.”
Saturdays 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield effectively put the final nail in the coffin for our season, with a seven point gap that would prove difficult for most in form teams, never mind one that lacks a severe cutting edge.
With any defeat comes negativity, but it’s when the defeat is also met with an air of expectancy that there becomes a serious problem.
When Neil Warnock took over as manager he was the first choice for many, and the fact that it hasn’t worked out for him doesn’t mean that any of us were wrong to get our hopes up over him coming in. Warnock is a good manager, his record proves that and it cannot be argued against, but there is only so much a good manager can do with a club that has spent years limiting the resources on offer. That being said, Warnock cannot argue that he hasn’t received backing of sorts, it was only a few games ago that he told us all that he wished he’d had this squad from the start of the season, before deciding that we were still one or two short.
Truth be told, we’re probably about seven or eight short. That team is an average Championship side, thankfully the players all seem committed to the cause, and you can’t help but think that the season could have been drastically worse had they not been.
With all this in mind, it looks as though Warnock’s time at Elland Road is coming to an end. Personally, I’ll look back at his tenure with a hint of regret, there was no doubt that he came here wanting promotion as much as we all did, but unfortunately the ambition we shared was not matched by Bates at the start of the season by GFH after they took over, who perhaps understandably seemed to be focusing on next season. Right man, wrong time.
Whether Warnock leaves before our game with Ipswich is anyone’s guess, but what we need to do now is let GFH handle this how they see fit. For the first time in a long time it would appear that we have very level headed owners who wont rush or panic into making decisions. They’ve already proved to be listening to the fans, the recent drop in season ticket prices reflects this, and that isn’t the first time they’ve tried to re-engage the fans.
Appointing the wrong man now would undo all that hard work, right now we need a dream to buy in to and the first piece of the jigsaw has to be a quality manager. Ambition breeds confidence in fans, bringing the right man in now could seriously galvanise the fans and club as a whole for next season.
Trust between the club and fans has been shattered in the past, but GFH have called a lot of the shots right since they arrived, and they deserve huge credit for restoring some of that lost trust.
Bring in the right manager, and they might be in danger of becoming popular.
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Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal will continue to challenge at the top for many years to come, despite struggling to compete with the financial resources of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, The Daily Mail reports.
Gunners fans have often been left frustrated with the lack of activity in the transfer market in recent years, especially as key players seem to leave every year with the promise of greater wages and better prospects of winning trophies.
But Wenger believes they will be rewarded for their careful spending, insisting that the big-spending of their rivals could come back to haunt them.
The Financial Fair Play rules are coming into force, meaning clubs are now restricted on how much of a loss they can make each season.
“We are run in a very responsible way. We make a profit every year and I think that’s where nearly everybody is struggling in Europe. We find ourselves in the situation of Germany in Europe.
“They ignored it until now, but finally we see that they are getting concerned,” Wenger said.
Arsenal fans may take some comfort from being in a stable financial situation, but they will not be happy to see their former star players succeeding elsewhere, especially now that Robin van Persie has made a cracking start to his time at Manchester United.
Wenger admits it was difficult to watch van Persie scoring for their bitter rivals and noted how disappointed he was to lose a player of such quality.
“It felt a bit strange. I was thinking, ‘He has the wrong shirt on. Why does he jump around like that in that shirt?’ Deep down I knew but I didn’t like it too much.”
Arsenal have invested in the likes of Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to help fill the goal-scoring berth left by Van Persie.
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After two goalless matches, the North Londoners finally broke their duck to beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield, with Cazorla and Podolski scoring their first goals for the club.
Wenger however, still believes he has enough firepower to challenge for the title: “The aim is to win the title. I’m the first to be disappointed if it doesn’t happen. But we have a fantastic squad with fantastic quality and I think it’ll work out.”