Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has issued a public apology over the Black Cats' dismal display in their 5-1 derby defeat at Newcastle United.
Steve Bruce's side had only a stoppage time Darren Bent consolation to show for a wretched performance at St James' Park and Quinn felt it only right that he should say sorry.
He told the club's official website:"It is entirely appropriate that we apologise to our fans.
"While acknowledging the hurt that this defeat has caused, I would like to emphasise that everyone at this club will face the music together.
"The owner and myself sat and reflected on the day's events and we are as defiant as ever that this club is going to make progress.
"While everybody here is suffering, the players' hurt must be galvanised into a big performance on Saturday.
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"I'm not asking anyone to have sympathy for us, but we are confident that the solution will be found within the walls of our dressing room.
"We may have to spend a long time apologising, but this entire football club knows that it owes its people right now and for me, that is the priority."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
After the events of the last week, is the feeling that Arsenal are a side with a great deal of style but lack substance. What we have seen this week is Arsenal control games, and simple lapses in concentration are costing them. Against Tottenham, they had the game won. The team were playing well and three bad decisions and Tottenham have won the game. In the Champions League against Braga. They were in complete control of the game. Again simple mistakes, being broken on so easily and Arsenal are defeated again. For all of Arsenal’s stylish play, it is being ruined by basic mistakes.
Were Arsenal fans envious of Tottenham on Saturday. William Gallas was immense at the heart of the defence, playing with passion, grit and a determination that maybe Arsenal didn’t see on a consistent basis. He is the type of player that Arsenal need at the moment. You can’t put a price on experience and it is evident that Tottenham and especially Younes Kaboul are benefiting from it. Altthough Gallas was not the most popular man in the dressing room, to loose a player of his experience will be damaging. Maybe William Gallas personally was not right for Arsenal but have they replaced him with a better player? Arsenal have brought in Sebastien Squillaci to add experience to the defense – he has never played in England and is still adapting.
Arsenal are a great side but they have no won a trophy since 2005 – it has to be highlighted. Arsene Wenger needs to go out in January and strengthen his back line. Going forward Arsenal have so many great options and with the returning Robin Van Persie, they will look an even greater danger. However, they need to buy a quality centre half. There can be no doubt about this. Thomas Vermaelen, when fully fit is a terrific defender but they need quality next to him. Arsenal will continue to struggle against good strikers if this doesn’t change. They time for style at the back is over. They need to go back to the old days of defending well first. The days of, David Seaman, Martin Keown and Tony Adams. Their success was built on defending well and building on a base. Arsenal seem a very reactionary team this season. They are responding to circumstances, rather than dictating them.
In 2008, Chelsea’s Michael Essien gave his views to the Daily Mail on the way Arsenal play.
‘Arsenal is one of those teams that just plays beautiful football, but at the end of the day they don’t get the points that they want to.’
That interview was taken in 2008, and what has changed at Arsenal? They are still play great football but are still trophy less. Do Arsenal fans truly believe with the defence performing the way it has this season, that Arsenal are going to be serious challengers for the Premier League. Will they simply collapse, come the business end of the season.
To be fair to Arsenal’s defence they have been exposed this season. The lack of a quality, experienced defensive midfielder is causing the team problems. For example, if we look at the first break away goal for Braga on Tuesday night. Arsenal were committing too many men forward, an experienced player such as Gilberto Silva would never have let that happened. Arsenal are a far better team going forward but they need to get the basics right and cut out the lack of concentration that is plaguing their season.
With youngsters you have to accept they will make mistajes, but they will learn from them. The worry is that some of the Arsenal players are not learning from them. With Cesc Fabregas out for a couple of weeks, somebody has to assume leadership on the pitch. Not just wear the arm band but be a captain. These defensive lapses are costing Arsenal and will continue to until a quality centre half is brought to the club.
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Theo Walcott has pleaded with Arsene Wenger to start him in more games this season, as the 21-year-old forward fears he is turning into an impact super-sub for the club.
The Arsenal winger had been a regular starter in the early stages of the season and was in fine form, but unfortunately due to an ankle injury sustained in September he has found himself amongst the substitutes.
Walcott came off the bench against Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday, and within six minutes made a huge impact on the game by scoring Arsenal’s second. Without a doubt, his introduction changed the game and as a result, the Gunners booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Remarkably, the game on Wednesday marked Theo Walcott’s 150th appearance for the North London outfit after joining from lower league side Southampton five years ago. Of course the figure should have been a lot higher after five years with Arsenal, but a plague of injuries have not done the winger any favours.
Out of his 150 appearances for Arsenal, Walcott has started just 68 of them (12 being in the Carling Cup). It now appears that the Englishman is ready to cement a place in the starting IX, as it seems he has spent enough time on the bench. He told Sky Sports today:
‘As a substitute you want to come off the bench and make an impact, but I want to play now. I want to be starting games, being 21. It is always frustrating being on the bench. It comes to the point when you do not want to dwell on it all the time.’
The winger is hopeful of starting against Manchester United this following Monday after his cameo appearance at the Emirates on Wednesday, and believes Wenger will have a tough time selecting his starting IX because of his performance:
‘I wanted to show the boss what I could do and he probably has a headache now for Monday’s game against Manchester United. So fingers crossed, I look forward to it.’
Walcott has managed to score four goals in his three Premier League starts so far this season, whilst in five substitute appearances, he has failed to find the back of the net. Statistics show that in terms of goal-scoring for Arsenal, Walcott produces his best work when starting as appose to coming off the bench.
For me, Walcott still has a lot of improving to do in terms of controlling and using his abilities to full effect. He done brilliantly at the start of the season and unfortunately yet another injury halted his progress as a player. The problem for Walcott now is trying to prove to Wenger and the fans that he actually deserves a place in the starting IX. However, whilst Walcott was out, the team have managed to top the table and look to be in great form, so why change a winning team right? The winger himself expressed his concerns over the matter:
‘This season I have come back and the team has been playing well and winning, so it is difficult to get back in as there is no reason to change it.’
Personally, I can’t see the Englishman as a starter for Arsenal, not yet anyway. I believe there are better options available at the club, but this is not to say Walcott hasn’t got a chance of getting back in the team, because the fact is he always does.
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The forward is still very young and has a lot of developing still to do, but for now he needs to remain patient and take his chances when given them like he did in the Champions League this week.
In my opinion, Walcott is more effective when coming on as a sub, because his pace can cause havoc to tiring defenders. Although he may not score goals this way, he certainly takes advantage of the oppositions defence. However, is Walcott’s fear of turning into a super-sub a little premature? Well if he continues to come off from the bench and make immediate impacts like he did against Partizan, then maybe, but it’s too early to call. It’s great to see the player’s desire for wanting to start more games for the club, but Walcott needs to trust in Wenger a little bit more, as the Frenchman knows how to bring out the best in his players.
Read more excellent Arsenal blogs at the NEW Gunnersphere website here
South African midfielder Steven Pienaar is officially a Tottenham player after completing his switch from Everton on Wednesday.Spurs were reported to have paid the Merseyside club a fee of three million pounds for the 28-year-old’s services and Pienaar, who was in his last year under contract at Everton, has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Londoners
“We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Everton and Steven Pienaar for the player’s transfer to the club,” a statement on Spurs’ official website read.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News he was glad Pienaar had chosen to ply his trade at White Hart Lane instead of Chelsea, who were also keen to land the South African international.
“He’s a good signing. He’s a good footballer, I think he’ll fit into the way we play great and I’ve always liked him,” Redknapp said.
“He has a good attitude, a good trainer, a good player. I know David Moyes loved him at Everton and it was unfortunate he decided not to stay.”
“But in the end I think it is a fair deal – Everton got a decent fee in the end for him, Chelsea were in for him, and I think he spoke to Chelsea and he came and spoke to us and he’s decided to come here.”
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Pienaar is expected to line up for his new club against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Plymouth striker Bradley Wright-Phillips is the latest name on Ian Holloway’s radar as his Blackpool team once again look towards the lower leagues to bolster their squad.
The 25 year-old has hit an impressive 13 goals so far in League 1, and while Plymouth will be desperate to hold on to their in-form striker their dire financial situation may leave them with little choice but to accept Blackpool’s £500,000 offer.
Holloway will be hoping that Wright-Phillips can repeat the success of other players that he plucked from lower league obscurity such as Luke Varney and Matt Phillips.
Wright-Phillips burst on to the Premier League scene when he scored a goal against Middlesbrough on his Manchester City debut in 2004, but failed to impress consistently and was sold to Southampton in 2006. After three unspectacular years with the Saints he joined Plymouth in 2009 but two serious injuries meant that it took him eight months to score his first goal for the Pilgrims.
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It is believed that Holloway also made enquiries regarding Barnsley’s Adam Hammill, but was priced out of a move by the player’s wage demands.
This season’s Premier League campaign is hotting up for some and cooling down for others. At the weekend Tottenham were frankly lucky to snatch a point at St James’ Park against Newcastle, Manchester City turned in yet another ‘not quite good enough’ performance against a spirited Aston Villa. West Ham saw three points turn into one as Everton refused to give up the ghost. Manchester United’s reputation for being late starters came back to bite Birmingham in the butt as Dimitar Berbatov scored another hat-trick. Arsenal unsurprisingly walloped Wigan and Liverpool didn’t let Wolves in the game as they put three good goals past them.
There are four more Premier League fixtures for us to enjoy this week and if you’ve got fed up of Mark Lawrenson’s frankly shocking predictions, take a look at these…
Bolton v Chelsea: This has to be a Chelsea win. Bolton blazed a trail for a while there, but their form has dropped off as the Londoners has improved, if only ever so slightly.
Prediction: 0-2 (7/1 on bet365)
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Blackpool v Man United: Tomorrow sees Manchester United eventually getting to play the game that was postponed due to Blackpool not bothering to have under-soil heating installed. Blackpool’s home form is dreadful and Ian Holloway’s end of the pier show may just be losing it’s charm with some.
Prediction: 0-4 (16/1 on bet365)
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Wigan v Aston Villa: The win over Manchester City wasn’t all about the Darren Bent goal, it was all about what a great team performance Aston Villa put on.
Prediction: 0-2 (9/1 on bet365)
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Liverpool v Fulham: Liverpool host Fulham on Wednesday night. Fulham’s form is patchy to say the least and although it was only Wolves, Liverpool will be devastated if they can’t take all three points here.
Prediction 3-0 (10/1 on bet365)
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This article was originally published on FootballTransferTavern.com.
Napoli’s Serie A title hopes took a blow after they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Chievo Verona on Wednesday.
Walter Mazzarri’s side had the chance to cut AC Milan’s lead atop the Serie A to just two points with a win, but goals to Davide Moscardelli and Gennaro Santo powered Chievo to an important three points at the Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi.
The result lifted Chievo into 10th place in the league, while Napoli remain five points behind Milan in second spot.
Roma climbed into fourth despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Brescia.
Marco Borriello handed the hosts the lead just before the hour mark, but Brazilian striker Citadin Eder levelled proceedings after 69 minutes to ensure a share of the spoils.
Juventus slumped to eighth place with their second loss in a row, Luigi Delneri’s side going down 2-1 at Palermo.
Fabrizio Miccoli and Giulio Migliaccio gave the hosts a two-goal lead after just 20 minutes, and although Claudio Marchisio pulled one back for Juve nine minutes before the break, they could not find an equaliser. Palermo climb to sixth with the win.
Sampdoria fell to their third loss from four league matches after a 1-0 home defeat to Cagliari.
Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan scored the only goal of the game nine minutes before half-time meaning Cagliari have now won four of their last five.
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Fiorentina climbed to 11th place with a 1-0 win over Genoa at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with Argentine winger Mario Santana scoring the winner five minutes before half-time.
Lecce moved three points clear of the drop zone with a crucial 1-0 away win over Parma, while fellow relegation battlers Cesena and Catania played out a 1-1 draw.
Udinese and Bologna also drew 1-1, after Maurizio Domizzi cancelled out Marco Di Vaio’s opener for Bologna.
When the time comes for Premier League clubs to break away from their main focus and allow the big guns to join up for international duty, we are all treated to a few age-old arguments about whether or not the games are actually worth anything, or how players are wrong (or right, depending on your opinion) to drop out of the squads due to ‘injuries’. But after last week’s delightful show of mid-week friendly internationals, something else dawned on me. The influence of an international manager seems to be eclipsing that of a club’s, with players doing all they can to stay alive in the international scene. But how disruptive is it to the domestic games and especially club managers?
Just ask Steve Bruce. Darren Bent left Sunderland in a spot of bother last month after his self-imposed transfer to Aston Villa, and for those of us cynical to believe it, we are told the reason he moved was because England manager Fabio Capello, told Bent, that should he want to progress with his country, then he is better off plying his trade away from the Stadium of Light.
Part of me wonders why Bent needed to jump ship, though. Sunderland were getting the best out of him, in a system that worked and showed just how clinical he could be. What are Villa going to do with him differently which will make Capello sit up and think, “yes, actually, Signor Bent must be good enough, he’s still scoring for Villa!” In all probability, what really happened is that Bent firstly had his head turned by money, and then twisted even further by Capello’s wise words. The end result? Bent played and scored for his country, yes. But wouldn’t he have done if he was still at Sunderland? My guess is yes. So really the end result is the Black Cats are a player short, half way into the season, through no fault of their own.
He’s not the only one, though. Darron Gibson had been put under some unnecessary pressure by the Republic of Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, after he played and scored for Ireland. But at this stage of the season, what has the Italian actually achieved by saying Gibson should move away from Old Trafford? The window’s closed, he can’t move until the summer. So every time Gibson isn’t included in a first team Manchester United squad, is his international place going to be under threat? In his own mind it will be, and I’m sure neither the player himself nor Alex Ferguson will want such an unnecessary weight on his shoulders. Realistically, whether he is playing first team football at Old Trafford or not, Gibson is going to be picked for his country because I can’t think of too many better options.
Players should want to play for their country. If the fact that they are not getting regular football at their clubs means that their starting berth internationally is under threat, then sure, they have every reason to think about moving clubs – but at the right time. Robbie Keane is an example of that, David Beckham is another. But in the case of Darren Bent, Capello has been nothing but a disruption. If he plays and scores in the Premier League, does it matter if it is at Aston Villa or Sunderland? Maybe if Man United or Chelsea came calling, he would have a point as Champions League football can only enhance a player’s ability, but I can’t see too much difference between the team from the North East to Bent’s latest employers.
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It’s a strange argument, I know. Players would have to be confident in their own ability to undermine the thoughts of an international manager, but there comes a time when Capello and co have to take a step back and leave players and clubs alone to their own devices. If players are good enough, they are good enough, it shouldn’t take ‘Capello the agent’ to prove that.
Mark Hughes will have a substitute’s bench with a point to prove on Saturday when his side take on Blackburn at Craven Cottage.Striker Bobby Zamora returned from his horrific broken leg in the FA Cup defeat to Bolton two weeks ago, only to suffer a minor setback in training afterwards that forced him out of the 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.Meanwhile, on-loan Gael Kakuta – the French prodigy that Chelsea worked so hard to sign – has featured for just 18 minutes since his arrival in the January window.Both will be on the bench for the game against Steve Kean’s side but Hughes believes they could hold the key to a victory and Fulham’s Premier League survival.”Bobby is training, it was only a setback, he went over on his ankle. He didn’t compromise the break that he had, it was just one of those things that happen time and time again on the training pitch,” Hughes said.”He is happy where he is now, after a long time out, there were obviously times in that period when it was difficult for him but he has come through them.””We’ve got Bobby back basically, we know that because he is loud and shouting so we know he is positive in his own mind.”Kakuta, on the other hand, has grown frustrated with the delayed start to his Fulham career after arriving from their local rivals with so much promise and expectation.”It’s no reflection on Gael, he is going to be involved from now until the end of the season because every day on the training ground we see quality from him that we will need to unlock defences,” Hughes said.”He is a little bit frustrated because he wasn’t able to play against Chelsea and he was cup-tied for the Bolton game, so he has kicked his heels for a number of weeks, but he is free and able to play and we hope to see a lot more of him.”Another player Hughes has already seen a lot of but will be hoping is anonymous at the weekend is Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz, now on-loan at Blackburn, whom the Welshman signed while manager of both Blackburn and Manchester City.”Roque is a good player,” Hughes added. “I think it is well documented how highly I think of him. I spent significant amounts of money on him. I spent probably all of Blackburn’s budget on him and a small part of Man City’s.””He is a good player and you just have to give him an opportunity and a run of games and then he will make an impact for you.”Midfielder Steve Sidwell is sidelined for up to three weeks with a knee injury and defender Philippe Senderos is not ready to return from Achilles tendon and hamstring injuries
Manchester United limped through to the quarter finals of the Champions League at Old Trafford last night. Marseille made it tough; however a brace from Javier Hernandez sealed the tie. Wayne Rooney has claimed he would be delighted to face Barcelona in the next stage, although I am sure United fans will beg to differ.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include Capello stalls on the England captaincy; mystery over agent in Liverpool deal, while Manchester City branded stupid by Feyenoord.
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Capello stalls on Terry captaincy call – Guardian
England need Barton and Nolan to build best team, urges Pardew – Independent
It’s Ash ’n grab time at Villa – Sun
Rooney: Bring on Barcelona! – Mirror
Mystery over role of Liverpool agent – Guardian
Feyenoord call City swoop for teenager ‘stupid’ – Daily Telegraph
Crocks have Spurs on rocks – Sun
Arsenal face fan fury over rise in ticket price – Mirror
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Privacy pays for Blatter and Fifa execs – Guardian
Feyenoord call City swoop for teenager ‘stupid’ – Daily Telegraph