Todays News.

john the tinca · Todays News.

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood says his team do not deserve to make the top six after their fifth straight defeat away to Kilmarnock.
"It was another very, very poor away performance. The goals we're losing are ludicrous," lamented Calderwood.

"We're making life difficult to get third or fourth spot, but it would be annoying not to get into the top six."

"But we don't deserve it at the moment, as we're not playing anywhere near well enough

john the tinca

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies praised midfielder Craig Bryson whose double against Aberdeen helped Killie to their first win since Boxing Day.
"I thought the performance as well as the win was outstanding today," said the Ayrshire club's boss.

"Craig's whole game was terrific and if he keeps playing like that we've got a real player on our hands."

"It was a top perfromance by him and for me he was the best player on the pitch by a mile."

john the tinca

Tommy Burns said Celtic are indebted to Shunsuke Nakamura after the Japanese midfielder scored an 87th-minute winner against St Mirren at Love Street.
Nakamura netted a late free-kick to give Celtic a 1-0 victory against the buddies and Burns said the club is lucky to have such a talent.

"It's what Nakamura has that makes him different from everyone else," Burns told BBC Scotland.

Burns played down the controversy surrounding the foul by St Mirren's Gary Mason on Nakamura, although admitted that St Mirren will feel as though they deserved a point from the match.

"I never got a right good look at it but at the time it seemed to me to be a foul," said Burns.

"Nakamura cleverly cut across him and doing that you will always get the benefit of the doubt, as a forward.

"If I was at St Mirren I would probably be aggrieved as well but these things sometimes go for you or against you.

"We were very pleased with the result and at this stage it is all about winning points.

"It wasn't easy on the eye but it won't be anything that will concern anyone if we manage to win the league."

john the tinca

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson said referee Eddie Smith should explain his decision to award a late free-kick to Celtic at Love Street in the SPL.
Shunsuke Nakamura appeared to be felled by St Mirren's Gary Mason on the edge of the penalty area, and then netted the resulting free-kick.

"Frustration is an understatement," said MacPherson to BBC Scotland.

"I have to be careful what I say, but in certain situations, we really need an explanation to what we see."

john the tinca

Gretna caretaker manager Mick Wadsworth praised the efforts of his players in the 4-2 defeat to Rangers at the end of a turbulent week for the Borders club.
Owner Brooks Mileson was hospitalised and manager Davie Irons quit amidst rumours of administration as players and staff were unpaid.

"We came here to compete and it was a credit to everyone," Wadsworth said.

A brain infection had left owner Mileson too ill in hospital to pay players and staff, prompting talk of the club being plunged into administration.

Irons then quit for Morton leaving director of football Wadsworth to take charge of team affairs for the Scottish Premier League match at Ibrox.

john the tinca

Steven Naismith says he hopes Fifa blocks Daniel Cousin's proposed £3m move to Fulham, so that the striker can help Rangers win the league title.
Fifa is assessing Cousin's case as he has already played for two clubs this season, but a spokesman admitted no deadline has been set for any decision.

"We would all prefer him to be here until the end of the campaign," said Naismith after the 4-2 win over Gretna.

"He showed he still loves the club and his reaction when he scored was great."

Rangers manager Walter Smith drafted the Gabon international into his starting eleven for the first time in over a month against Gretna.

And within 13 minutes the decision paid off when Cousin rounded the Gretna keeper Greg Fleming to put Rangers a goal up.

And former Kilmarnock striker Naismith underlined the importance of Cousin's contrinbution.

"He popped up with the opening goal and got us on our way.

john the tinca

Hearts captain Christophe Berra says caretaker manager Stephen Frail must take take credit for the upturn in the club's fortunes.
Frail has guided the team from 10th place in the league at the start of the year up to 7th.

"Since Stephen took over the players enjoy coming to training, whereas before they didn't," said Berra.

Frail took control of first team affairs at the start of 2008 as the club announced it had begun a search for a new manager.

Prior to that, director of football Anatoly Korobochka was in charge of team selection and tactics.

john the tinca

John Boyle has returned as Motherwell chairman after almost six years out of the front line.
The club's owner stepped down from the role when the Fir Park outfit went into administration in April 2002 and was replaced by Bill Dickie.

Motherwell came out of administration two years later and announced a profit for the fourth successive season at Monday's annual general meeting.

Boyle paid tribute to Dickie, who will stay on as vice-chairman.

He said: "Bill Dickie has done a magnificent job as chairman, and his service to the club is held in the highest regard from everyone associated with Motherwell - from the management and players to the supporters.

"He is a a Motherwell man through and through, and it is a privilege to be working alongside him."

Boyle then told the agm that Mothwerwell finished the financial year ending 31 May 2007 with a surplus of £7372.

"We are pleased to report a small profit for the fourth year in succession," he continued.

"This demonstrates that the club is on sound financial footing and is being run well.

"These figures do not include any of the transfer revenue due to the club from the sale of Scott McDonald (to Celtic) or from the resent transfer of (former Motherwell player) James McFadden from Everton to Birmingham.

"That will begin to filter through this year."

Boyle also told the meeting his club's directors were examining future stadium options.

john the tinca

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood is ready to make major changes over the summer after dropping to ninth in the SPL.
"We've set high standards but they have slipped drastically," he told the Aberdeen Evening Express.

"Maybe a few players have been punching above their weight but are now being found out and when that happens it's time for surgery.

"I'm preparing for a massive turnaround and it's looking like I'll be into double figures in terms of departures."

The Dons finished third in the table last season to secure a Uefa Cup spot but have not won a league match since 2 January.

And Calderwood, who is almost four years into his spell at Pittodrie, has seen his side concede 22 goals in their last six games.

"Playing at a great club like Aberdeen comes with extra expectation levels," added the former Dunfermline manager.

"It takes a certain person to handle that and sometimes some individuals can only go so far as a player."

john the tinca

Rangers' hopes of a switch of date for their Uefa Cup away leg at Werder Bremen have been dashed.
Rangers meet Dundee United in the CIS Insurance Cup final on Sunday 16 March and had wanted to play the last-16 tie against the Germans on the Wednesday.

However, Bremen have arranged the match for the Thursday to suit their television coverage deal.

Therefore, the evening game will kick off less than 72 hours before Rangers line up at Hampden Park.

john the tinca

Hinckley United have signed striker Adam Webster from Blue Square North rivals Worcester City.
Webster joined Worcester in December 2001 for around £7,000, the second highest fee paid by City at the time.

The former Notts County and Bedworth United forward scored 95 goals in 256 appearances for Worcester.

City chairman Dave Boddy said: "We would like to wish Webby all the best for the future, he has been a great servant to the club."

john the tinca

Striker Gareth Grant has rejoined Blue Square North side Harrogate Town following a spell at Farsley Celtic.
The 27-year-old started his career with Bradford City and has also played for Lincoln City and Gainsborough Trinity.

He scored 15 goals in 43 games in his first spell at Wetherby Road before joining Farsley in the summer of 2006.

Town manager Neil Aspin said: "There's no question that he's got ability, he's got pace, if he can show the desire then he'll be an asset for us."

Grant signed in time to sit on the bench for Harrogate at his former club Gainsborough on Saturday, coming on after 64 minutes.

Five minutes later he saw new team-mate Nathan Peat score the only goal from a free-kick to take all three points.

That win kept Town in third place in Blue Square North, but the gap on the leaders is down to six points after Kettering's surprise home defeat to Burscough.

Harrogate can close that gap to three points on Tuesday if they beat Blyth Spartans at home.

Aspin was concerned with Grant's desire during his previous spell at the club, but added: "He showed in his touches when he came on that there's no doubting his ability."

Grant was one of two signings Aspin made on Friday, but it's unlikely the former Leeds United and Port Vale defender will select the other one for the Blyth game - himself.

"There's plenty of doubting my ability and there's no way I'll be making an appearance," he said after naming himself as an emergency sub at Gainsborough because of a player shortage.

john the tinca

Salisbury manager Nick Holmes praised goalscorer Liam Feeney after the 2-1 win over Kidderminster, which was the Whites' 11th game without defeat.
The winger, who can also play in defence, played up front on Saturday.

Holmes told BBC Radio Wiltshire: "He always wants to play, he's got a terrific attitude.

"He always wants the ball, it doesn't matter what sort of game he's having. He's 20 and still learning the game. Everyone sees the talent he has got."

And Holmes thinks Feeney will develop into a striker: "I think he's got a future up there."

john the tinca

York City have insisted they have no fears about playing Torquay United in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.
York will travel to Plainmoor for the first leg on 8 March, with the return at KitKat Crescent the following week.

"Any opponents in the semi-final are acceptable. You've got to be in it to win it," said secretary Nick Bassett.

York manager Colin Walker described his team's victory at Rushden to stay on course for a place at Wembley as "a fantastic team effort".

Centre-back Danny Parslow was the York hero at Rushden by following up his appearance for Wales C in the Four Nations tournament in midweek with the only goal of the game, a 15th minute header from Nicky Wroe's corner.

Walker told BBC Radio York: "They tell me he was probably Wales' best player against England.

"I thought that in the last couple of weeks he hasn't been at his best, but him, TY (Dave McGurk), Darren Craddock, Stuart Elliott, some of the defending was out of this world."

john the tinca

Former Football League rivals Torquay United and York City will meet in next month's semi-finals of the FA Trophy.
Blue Square Premier leaders Aldershot Town will play either Burton Albion or Ebbsfleet in the other last-four clash as they bid for a place at Wembley.

Torquay will face York at Plainmoor in the first leg on 8 March with the return at KitKat Crescent a week later.

Aldershot will travel to the winners of the Burton-Ebbsfleet replay before the return at the Recreation Ground.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FA Trophy semi-final draw:

Burton Albion/Ebbsfleet v Aldershot
Torquay v York

Ties to be played on the weekends of 8/9 and 15/16 March

john the tinca

Crawley manager Steve Evans was furious with the match referee following the 4-1 defeat to Torquay in the FA Trophy quarter-final on Saturday.
The 45-year-old was upset that Torquay defender Lee Mansell was not sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half.

Evans told BBC Southern Counties Radio: "Mansell was already on a yellow card when he scythed down Josh Dutton-Black.

"Both benches were expecting him to be sent off but the referee did nothing."

He added: "If you ask me if the score was a fair refection of the game, then the answer is no."

john the tinca

Lincoln City striker Mark Stallard will miss the Imps' next three games after being sent off against Rotherham.
The forward was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident at Millmoor on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Imps have cancelled the contract of 20-year-old defender Phil Watt by mutual consent.

Watt, a product of the club's youth set-up, has only made two first team appearances since agreeing a new contract at Sincil Bank last summer.

john the tinca

Drewe Broughton could play three games in four days if MK Dons allow the striker to return on loan to Wrexham.
The 29-year-old skippered Wrexham in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Grimsby but has gone back to MK Dons after his month's loan at The Racecourse expired.

Injuries at MK Dons could see Broughton play in their Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie against Swansea on Monday.

If Dons boss Paul Ince OKs Wrexham's request, Broughton could play in their game with Peterborough on Tuesday.

Broughton impressed Brian Little during his month at The Racecourse.

Now the Wrexham boss wants the striker to aid the League Two strugglers fight to avoid relegation to the Conference.

A Wrexham spokesman confirmed: "We have asked MK Dons to extend Drewe's loan spell and we are awaiting a decision from Paul Ince.

"An injury crisis, though, mean Drewe could play for MK Dons against Swansea on Monday.

john the tinca

Notts County keeper Kevin Pilkington is expected to find out more about the extent of his ankle injury on Monday.
Pilkington broke a bone in his ankle during training on Friday, forcing the Magpies to delve into the transfer market and sign Russell Hoult on loan.

Manager Ian McParland told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It was a freak accident and I feel sick for Kevin. He's been fantastic in the last two months."

Stoke City keeper Hoult, 35, has joined on loan until the end of the season.

County's second-choice Tim Sandercombe is also sidelined with a finger injury.

That meant Hoult made an immediate debut in Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Bradford City, being beaten by three goals in the space of just 13 second-half minutes.

It was only Hoult's second league game in over a year, since his abrupt departure from West Bromwich Albion for Stoke last January.

And, in his only league appearance for Stoke, at Home Park in a 2-2 draw against Plymouth Argyle over Christmas, he was sent off.

john the tinca

Darlington boss Dave Penney has spoken of his desire to extend the loan of striker Kevin Gall from League One challengers Carlisle United.
Gall has been a useful asset for the Quakers, figuring in five games and Penney is keen to retain the Welshman.

He told BBC Tees: "We'll chat with him see if he wants to stay and John Ward and find out the situation.

"That [Saturday's 2-1 win at Bury] was his best game. That's the Kevin Gall I know, chasing back and going forward."

Penney has refused to rule out dipping into the transfer market with the club's injury list continuing to loom large.

"The players have been in there [the physio room] a bit longer than I need them to. I thought Richie Foran would be back by now, and Kelts [Clark Keltie] is missing as well," he said.

"If we need to get bodies back out then I'll have to go into the loan market, simple as that."

john the tinca

Lincoln City manager Peter Jackson has said next Saturday's game against Wycombe Wanderers will be his last before starting treatment for cancer.
Earlier this month the Imps boss confirmed he was to undergo treatment for throat cancer.

Former Huddersfield boss Jackson told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "It's been an emotional couple of weeks for me but I just want to start my treatment."

Iffy Onuora will take charge of the Imps while Jackson is away.

Jackson is hoping to mark his final game before treatment by picking up the manager of the month award for League Two.

Of the six games the Imps played in February they won five and lost one, moving up to 16th in the table in the process.

john the tinca

Accrington Stanley have signed Charlton's Portuguese central defender Paulo Monteiro on a month's loan.
Stanley manager John Coleman felt he needed to boost his defensive options after three straight defeats.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "He has come in on a month's loan, will slot in and hopefully do a good job for us."

Monteiro, 23, only joined the Addicks as a free agent at the start of this month after being released by Romanian outfit Farul Constanta.

Monteiro could make his Stanley debut against Brentford in League Two on Tuesday, subject to international clearance.

Accrington currently have the poorest goal difference in the division and have kept only five clean sheets this season.

john the tinca

Brentford manager Andy Scott has made a second loan raid on Fulham to sign midfielder Wayne Brown.
The 19-year-old has joined the Bees for a three-month spell and joins Fulham team-mate Rob Milsom at Griffin Park.

"In view of the injuries we sustained at Chesterfield on Saturday he will be a good addition to the squad," Scott told Brentford's website.

Brown, who recently signed a new contract at Craven Cottage, made his first-team debut for Fulham in January.

john the tinca

Shrewsbury Town boss Gary Peters is optimistic about the club's future despite Saturday's 2-1 home derby defeat to high-riding Hereford United.
"I thought we passed the ball better," he said. "We were on top second half.

"But it was a bit of magic from Sherjill MacDonald that opened it up. He's the best player in the league.

"They've got seven players on loan. None of them are going to stay. That's not building anything for your football club, but they're getting success."

Shrewsbury's own on-loan man, Birmingham City's Asa Hall, put the home side ahead from 18 yards after just six minutes. But Simon Johnson levelled before the half hour.

And the Bulls' winner was the work of two of their loan players.

It was created by MacDonald (in only his fourth game since his arrival from West Bromwich Albion) and converted by Gary Hooper, who has now scored in five successive games in February, following his arrival less than a month ago from Southend.

john the tinca

Millwall have signed striker Bas Savage until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old, who has also played for Reading, Bristol City and Gillingham, recently left Brighton after failing to agree a new deal.

"Bas will give us a more physical presence in both boxes and take some weight off Gary Alexander's shoulders," Lions boss Kenny Jackett explained.

"We've got some good players but we've lacked a bit of strength coming off the bench since Adebayo Akinfenwa left."

john the tinca

Southend striker James Walker has been compared to former Blue star Freddy Eastwood and tipped to shine while he is on loan at Roots Hall from Charlton.
Blues winger Mark Gower told the club's website: "James reminds me a lot of Freddy. He comes alive when he gets the ball and ha done ever so well.

"He has the skills Freddy has, but he works a bit harder and I think he's going to be a real success for us.

"Long may it continue because we're going well at the moment."

john the tinca

Northampton's Ryan Gilligan insists he is focused only on helping the club reach the play-offs, rather than agreeing a new contract.
Gilligan told Northampton's website: "I've been given a run of games and hopefully I'm proving my worth.

"My contract is up here in the summer but I think this club is going places and I want to be part of that.

"I don't think contracts have been mentioned but that shows how focused we are on trying to reach the play-offs."

john the tinca

Crewe coach Steve Holland hopes to have captain Neil Cox available again before the end of the season.
The 36-year-old, who is set to have surgery on a shoulder injury, has made 21 league starts this season and has one season remaining on his contract.

"We haven't seen the back of Neil this season, and its quite possible he will be back before the end," Holland said.

Crewe have compensated for the loss of their skipper by bringing in Kenny Lunt and Gary Roberts on month-long loans.

john the tinca

Swindon boss Maurice Malpas has admitted he was horrified with his side's lack of fight after their 3-0 home defeat by Walsall on Saturday.
He told BBC Radio Swindon: "We never got going at all. I can accept getting beat, I can accept a poor performance.

"The Swindon Town I've seen, the Swindon I want will go down fighting. But we went down far too easily.

"We didn't put two passes together, we never had any possession or prolonged pressure. We never had the ball."

Malpas was also disappointed with his side's lack of running in Swindon's "worst defeat of the season".

"We never had players prepared to run back. The Swindon I know are the complete opposite. If I had a criticism of them before, it's sometimes they run too much.

"Today that wasn't apparent. We've got to make sure we get to the bottom of it."

And Malpas hopes the Robins can bounce back against Oldham on Tuesday to boost their play-off push.

"Football is about reactions between games. If you play poorly, it's how you handle it. And we played poorly. It's important we handle it and produce a performance on Tuesday."

john the tinca

Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott says he will need to make changes to his squad even if they manage to avoid relegation to League Two.
Sinnott told BBC Radio Stoke: "The squad will change and I will get the players in that I want.

"I will bring in players that I think can do the job, not just for a couple of games but who are able to be successful over a whole season."

Vale have won just three games since Sinnott took charge in November.

The Valiants' latest defeat came against Millwall on Saturday as goals from Lewis Grabban, David Martin and Marc Laird condemned them to a 3-0 defeat at the New Den.

However, Sinnott says that he does not expect his players to throw in the towel in their fight against relegation

"The reaction of the players after a defeat is always very good and it has to be the same again," he added.

"It is still not mathematically impossible for us to get out of the position that we're in, but we cannot afford any off days

john the tinca

Millwall striker Neil Harris has been told he will not be offered a new contract and does not feature in boss Kenny Jackett's first-team plans.
Harris approached Jackett in a bid to resolve his long-term future as his current deal expires in the summer.

"I told him I could not offer him a contract and that also, at the moment, he is not going to feature in my first XI," Jackett told Millwall's website.

"If he wants to go out on loan I am happy for him to do that."

But the door has not been completely closed on Harris, who is in his second spell at the club.

Jackett added: "If he wants to stay here and fight for a place in the team, I would be equally pleased.

"There is still a long way to go this season, and our experience with injuries and suspensions suggests there will be opportunities for players who are not currently in the team."

john the tinca

Leeds United manager Gary McAllister has called for more clinical finishing after his side's winless run stretched to seven games at Elland Road.
In the absence of top scorer Jermaine Beckford, Leeds had to rely on a late equaliser from Tresor Kandol to rescue a point from the 1-1 draw with Crewe.

"I think in the final third we can improve, there's no doubt about that," said McAllister.

"The beauty is there's another game next week and we go again."

After failing to secure a win for more than a month, McAllister wants to see a better effort from his strikers.

"Ultimately it doesn't matter what happens up at the training ground or what we see during the week, it's what people can produce on match day.

"Is that lack of technique or lack of belief that they're going to score? These are things the forward guys have got to ask themselves. We did create a few chances but, worryingly, Crewe created quite a few chances as well."

john the tinca

Former Aston Villa striker Stefan Moore has been training with Walsall after having his contract ended by QPR.
The 24-year old, who has scored once in his 11 league appearances this season, will play for the Saddlers reserves against Leicester on Tuesday.

Walsall manager Richard Money is keen to bolster his strike options as his side push for a play-off place.

"He's got a good pedigree, he's got quality and he's trained impressively," Money said.

Currently Tommy Mooney is the only experienced forward the Saddlers have at their disposal, with youngsters Troy Deeney and Alex Nicholls battling for places alongside him.

"The period when Nicholls and Deeney started was very tough on them at times," said Money. "But they are more than useful substitutes, especially when the game starts to get stretched."

john the tinca

Cheltenham Town defender Gavin Caines will miss the rest of the season as he prepares for an operation on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old former Walsall player requires surgery on a slight tear in the cartilage.

He has been playing with the injury since the turn of the year because of the absence of Shane Duff and Michael Townsend due to injury and illness.

Meanwhile, Cheltenham have decided not to appeal against Scott Brown's sending off in the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

The 21-year-old saw red for his tackle on Marvin Bartley who appeared to go into the challenge two-footed.

Brown will now miss the games against Southend, Yeovil and Leeds as video of the incident would not help his case.

"It's not clear and we have to be clear for an appeal to be accepted," Robins boss Keith Downing told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Downing has also defended Brown, who spent a long time out injured after breaking his leg in January 2007.

"He's probably had a bit of a flashback at the fact he's had to protect himself," said Downing.

"Bartley's jumped in there and Browny's gone and protected himself, he's probably gone over the top.

"My reaction was if you're going to send one off, both have got to go."

john the tinca

QPR have appointed David Rouse as their new goalkeeping coach.
Rouse, who is just 31, spent eight years coaching young keepers at Manchester United and also worked with the reserves at Old Trafford.

More recently, Rouse worked at Rochdale and Macclesfield and has also had a spell coaching youth players at Wigan.

Rouse was on the books at Stockport as a teenager and at 30, he made his one and only League appearance when Macclesfield had a goalkeeping crisis.

john the tinca

Crystal Palace have transfer-listed and fined striker Shefki Kuqi, 31, two weeks' wages for gesturing to fans after being substituted against Wolves.
"He has apologised to me and the fans - after the horse has bolted," boss Neil Warnock said after the 2-0 home defeat.

"I will be transfer-listing him immediately. I don't accept things like that, so that is the end of the matter.

"I have told him that I realise he was disappointed, it is not nice at times, but you cannot go off like that."

john the tinca

Leicester City boss Ian Holloway has urged his players to keep the faith in the wake of the 2-0 loss at Coventry.
"I felt for the boys," Holloway told BBC Radio Leicester. "We did everything but score but these boys have to believe in themselves more.

"If they weren't trying I'd have a go at them but we are where we are and the table doesn't lie.

"I think we're better than it's going for us at the minute and the boys have to realise that."

john the tinca

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray is looking for a strong reaction from his side after their winless run in the league stretched to six Championship matches.
Saturday's home defeat to Hull has left the Baggies six points adrift of the automatic promotion positions.

"Results haven't been what we hoped for," said Mowbray. "You've got to win matches to stay in contention.

"It'll be interesting to see how the team react to not being at the top. We've got to do a bit of chasing now."

Mowbray also reassured fans that the club's FA Cup exploits are not to blame for the drop-off in league form.

"It was just another game last weekend," he said. "And when the game against Bristol Rovers comes along that'll be just another game.

"In between we've got to try and win league matches, which we're more than capable of, starting this weekend."

On-loan striker Luke Moore made his debut for Albion against Hull, coming off the bench to replace Kevin Phillips.

john the tinca

Wolves will have Wayne Hennessey assessed to see whether he is fit to face Colchester on Saturday.
The goalkeeper was taken off at Crystal Palace with mild concussion late on and may not make the weekend.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy told BBC WM: "We'll have to go very carefully with him. If he's been knocked out it might be impossible for him to be involved.

"If you're concussed you can't do anything for two weeks but we'll see. We'll get the opinion of the doctors."

Hennessey's injury (he was replaced for the final few minutes by the on-loan Graham Stack) slightly overshadowed Wolves' excellent 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.

It was a timely first win in five games but, although his team are only five points off the play-off places (with a game in hand), McCarthy is reluctant to think about his team's promotion chances.

"I don't want to think about going on a run," he told BBC WM. "Everyone thinks it's like a new dawn and we're all cock-a-hoop but let's just try and keep winning games.

"I'm not bothered where we are in the league and how many points behind we are.

"Let's not talk things up after winning one game because we were rubbish last week."

john the tinca

Leicester City coach Gerry Taggart believes the side will have to win nearly half of their remaining games to avoid relegation from the Championship.
The former Foxes defender told BBC Radio Leicester: "With 12 games to go, we need five or six wins really."

Leicester have 37 points from their 34 games, and are three points above the relegation zone.

"It's not rocket science, it's pretty easy to work out. We need to start getting results," he added.

Leicester have not won two games in a row all season, and fell to a 2-0 defeat to their local rivals Coventry City at the weekend.

Taggart added: "Things aren't going our way at the minute, but we're still very positive, and we have got to keep being that way because we are playing well, we are working hard, but at the minute the results are a bit iffy."

john the tinca

Former Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Allen has told BBC Radio Sheffield he is ready to sell his shares in the club, and bring a takeover closer.
Allen holds a stake of almost 11% and said he will sell on condition that fans group Wednesdayite, who own 10%, also sell their stake.

BBC Radio Sheffield understands a verbal deal has been agreed with businessman Geoff Sheard.

Sheard is the front man for a London-based international consortium.

Lawyers are believed to be putting the finishing touches to the deal before making a full written offer.

Sheard and Wednesday themselves have so far declined to comment but Wednesdayite have revealed that they have already entered discussions with the group and are awaiting a formal offer for their shares, which should arrive this week.

They will then have to ballot their members and vote on a change of rules to allow their stake to be sold.

Meanwhile, the mystery investors who attended Saturday's game against Cardiff are ready to pump millions of pounds into the playing staff, wipe out the club's debt and could even appoint a new manager.

Negotiations have been taking place for several months but it is thought that it could now be a matter of days before the club is under new ownership.

john the tinca

Boss Dave Jones admits next month's court case with Langston is hampering Cardiff City's progress.
The club's biggest creditor Langston wants a £24m debt repaid now, but City officials say it is not due until 2016.

And Jones blamed naming only four substitutes in Saturday's 1-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday on injuries and finances preventing bringing anyone in.

"Until we sort out the side issues and everything else with the situation we are in, we have to battle on," he said.

Michael Oakes, Steve Thompson, Trevor Sinclair and youngster Jonathan Brown were the four players on the bench on Saturday.

"We are that thin," said Jones. "Jonathan Brown is not ready to be fair. He was only there because we haven't got anybody else.

"Trevor shouldn't have been on the bench because he's not ready to go and play in a campaign.

"Basically we were looking at one fit (outfield) substitute for the first team and it's not acceptable, but because of the situation we are in there isn't anything we can do."

Jones said there was no scope to bring any players in on emergency loan and the situation is affecting their slim play-off hopes.

"It's a major thing for us and we're in with a shout (of the play-offs) and we can't help ourselves and that's the annoying thing," he said. "It's hard to swallow sometimes.

"I'm not complaining because it's part and parcel of being manager of Cardiff so we'll just get on with it."

No date has been confirmed yet for next month's court case.

john the tinca

Everton manager David Moyes says that comments he made about Nigerian players have been misunderstood.

He questioned the true age of his striker Yakubu Ayegbeni and of Nigerian players in general.

The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has written to the English FA asking for Moyes to be sanctioned.

"What I said has been taken totally out of context. I have never before been accused of being a racist, that idea is totally abhorrent to me," said Moyes.

After Yakubu scored a hat-trick in Everton's Uefa Cup win over SK Brann on Thursday, Moyes told the Guardian newspaper:

"He's only 25, albeit a Nigerian 25, and so if that is his age he's still got a good few years ahead of him."

The comments caused outrage in Nigeria, but Moyes says he had no malicious intent.

"What I said was a light-hearted quip after Yakubu had scored a memorable hat-trick against Bergen," he said.

"It was certainly a comment which neither upset nor offended the player himself.

john the tinca

Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno has offered his sympathy to Paul Gascoigne after his detention under the Mental Health Act.
Bruno was himself sectioned under the Act in 2003, seven years after his last professional fight against Mike Tyson.

"I feel very sorry for him. He'll be very frightened - it's a horrible place to be," Bruno told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"But if you're not well and the fuse has gone in your head, they'll put you on certain things to calm you down."

Interview: Former heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno

Bruno, 46, recounted his experience of being detained on 5 Live's Sportsweek programme.

"I did not understand what was happening. I thought it was a joke," he said.

"But it is not a funny thing. It is a very serious thing and a very sad thing so my heart goes out to him.

"I was going wild like an animal in a cage, so they tripped me up and injected something in my backside to calm me down."

Bruno warned Gascoigne not to expect any special treatment in hospital.

"He needs to be treated like everyone else and so must put scoring goals to one side. This happens to royals and to actors, to any Tom, Dick and Harry," he said.

"They will slow him down and bring him back to reality but when the head goes, it is very hard thing to bring you back.

"People take the mickey out of mental health, but it is very delicate."

The former WBC world champion expressed his absolute determination not to relapse.

"I'm looking after myself 24/7 because I don't want to go back," he said.

"I'd advise Gascoigne to stay clean, go to the gym and keep healthy because life is short. If you don't look after number one, no-one can look after you."

john the tinca

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has warned his side they must believe they can compete in the Premier League if they are to survive this season.
Keane felt his players afforded Portsmouth striker Kanu too much respect during Saturday's 1-0 defeat and contributed to their own downfall.

"When players come on you've got to defend and our players stood off him," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It's a concern because we earned the right to play in the Premier League."

john the tinca

Alan Shearer believes Kevin Keegan has the full backing of the Newcastle board and will steer the club to safety.
The Magpies are six points clear of the drop zone and have not won a league game since Keegan took over in January.

But Shearer said: "The run of results suggest they are going to get involved in a scrap, but they are a much better team than those around them."

And he felt Keegan would remain at the helm, adding: "I think they will give Kevin as much time as he needs."

Keegan returned for a second spell in charge at St James' Park last month following Sam Allardyce's dismissal after only eight months at the helm.

john the tinca

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier says English footballers are pushed into top management jobs too quickly.
He believes Bryan Robson, Stuart Pearce and Gareth Southgate all took on senior positions far too soon.

"In France, you cannot become a manager when you step out of your career as a player," Houllier told Inside Sport.

"Would a manager of a big company put somebody without experience into a key position in his company? No, he would not, but they do in football."

The 60-year-old Frenchman said being a player and being a manager were two very different roles.

"As a player, you think of yourself and your career," he said. "The manager has the vision of the club (to deal with) and has got to think of a strategy."

Houllier said any prospective managers of a big club should gain the necessary skills before assuming such a responsibility.

john the tinca

Middlesbrough have appealed against the red card shown to striker Jeremie Aliadiere during their game against Liverpool on Saturday.
The 24-year-old was sent off in the 85th minute of Boro's 3-2 defeat for an apparent slap to the face of Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.

A Football Association regulatory commission will consider the appeal on 26 February.

Aliadiere faces a three-game ban if his claim is unsuccessful.

A statement on the FA website read: "We have received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Aliadiere."

john the tinca

Arsenal hope Croatian striker Eduardo will make a full recovery from his horrific leg break in nine months.
The 25-year-old suffered a fractured left fibula and an open dislocation of his left ankle in a challenge with Birmingham's Martin Taylor on Saturday.

Eduardo will have his leg in plaster for the next six to eight weeks before beginning a rehabilitation programme.

Arsenal say the Croatia international, signed for £7.5m in 2007, should be running again in six months.

After sustaining the injury Eduardo was taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and underwent surgery on Saturday before being transferred to a London-based hospital on Sunday.

Taylor has been targeted by some angry fans - including from Croatia - who have posted threatening messages on various internet sites.

And security personnel had to restrain Croatian journalists who ran on to the road and tried to get into Taylor's car as he left the club's Wast Hills training complex on Monday.

But Croatia manager Slaven Bilic, who will now be without his prolific striker for the European Championship finals this summer, has been quick to defend the 28-year-old centre-half.

john the tinca

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says the idea of playing in the Champions League next term is still far fetched.
Villa's win at Reading kept them firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish but O'Neill remains cautiously guarded.

"The Champions League is almost a pipe dream," O'Neill told BBC WM. "There are 11 games to go and we're in contention.

"But, by the same token, we could lose a couple of games and might not qualify for Europe. I still think Liverpool are the strongest."

Following their 2-1 win at The Madejski Stadium, Villa have now lost just once in their last 11 Premier League games.

Supersub Marlon Harewood again made an impact from the bench, scoring Villa's second and O'Neill says he cannot ask more from him.

"He's been absolutely massive for us," said O'Neill. "That's three out of four in recent games that he's had a massive impact.

"He might be a little but frustrated with it but I couldn't be more pleased with him."

john the tinca

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish says the club are helping Martin Taylor overcome the mental anguish he has suffered following the injury to Eduardo.
"We've had to rally round him because he's been mentally shattered by it.

"He's had some phenomenal e-mails of support and that's helped him psychologically," said McLeish.

Taylor was sent off for Saturday's second-minute tackle that left the Arsenal striker with a double compound fracture of his leg.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger called for Taylor to be banned from football in the immediate aftermath of the match but later retracted the comments.

And McLeish has echoed the statements of others - including former Blues boss Steve Bruce who brought Taylor to St Andrew's - that there was no malice in the challenge.

"He's a giant of a man but he's not an aggressive centre-half," said McLeish. "He's more of a footballing one.

"The fact that Arsene has retracted his comments says enough. We've got to let that lie now and move forward.

"We're right behind Martin but we're gutted for Eduardo."

john the tinca

McCarthy has failed to score from open play since the end of October
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes insists he feels under no pressure to sort out a contract extension for South African striker Benni McCarthy.
Rovers have opened talks with the striker, who scored two penalties in the 4-1 win over Bolton on Sunday, about extending his current deal.

McCarthy is contracted to Blackburn until the summer of 2010.

The 30-year-old forward has endured a difficult campaign at Ewood Park this year after being dropped several times.

McCarthy has also been in the shadow of Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Despite the two spot-kicks against Bolton, McCarthy is still without a goal from open play since the end of October.

But Hughes has revealed Rovers are making headway on a new agreement to keep him at Blackburn.

Hughes said: "The talks are still ongoing. We spoke to his agent this week so hopefully something will be resolved. There isn't really a timescale on it."

john the tinca

Reading captain Graeme Murty said that he will support manager Steve Coppell even if it means losing his own place in the team.
The Royals remain in the bottom three of the Premier League after a 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa, their eighth loss in a row.

Steve Coppell hinted at changes to the team and Murty told BBC Radio Berkshire they will support the manager.

"He has carte blanche to do what he wants. We back him 100%," he said.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that if he makes changes that he's doing it for the good of the team and the good of the club."

"He has unbelievable faith in us. He tells us all the time that what he has in the changing room is the right mix and the right group and that gives you great confidence.

john the tinca

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos hopes to lead the club to more success after beating Chelsea to win the Carling Cup.
The club's 2-1 triumph at Wembley on Sunday was their first major trophy since winning the League Cup in 1999.

"It's been a unique experience and one I hope to repeat," said Spaniard Ramos, who joined from Sevilla in October.

Jonathan Woodgate hailed the influence of Ramos, saying: "He's a brilliant manager. He's won trophies in Spain and now he has won a trophy for Tottenham."

john the tinca

Derby defender Alan Stubbs says manager Paul Jewell was well within his rights to berate the players after the 2-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Wigan.
Jewell said his side were a "disgrace" and were "embarrassing" to watch.

Stubbs told BBC Radio Derby: "There were a few home truths spoken and whether players like it or not they have to take it on the chin.

"Sometimes the truth hurts but it's up to us to give the boss a response and he doesn't think he's getting it."

Jewell was furious following Saturday's defeat on his first return to the JJB Stadium since quitting last May.

"I'm embarrassed at the way we played," said Jewell. "I can accept losing but not like that, it was a disgrace.

"Some players are not worthy of being here and the sooner we can get them out the better

john the tinca

Arsenal's Eduardo says he is determined to make a swift return to football after undergoing surgery for a double compound fracture of his leg.
The striker was moved from Birmingham to a London hospital on Sunday.

"All I remember is that when I fell, I looked down at my foot and it had turned the other way. The rest is just a blank," he said.

"My concentration is on making as quick a recovery as possible. I am determined to overcome this injury."

The 24-year-old suffered the horrific injury on Saturday after a tackle from Birmingham captain Martin Taylor, who was sent off.

He will miss the rest of the season and Croatia's Euro 2008 campaign, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger fearing a "much longer" absence.

"It was an unfortunate situation but these things can happen in football," Eduardo added.

"I would like to say how touched I am by the many messages of support I have received and to be surrounded by my loved ones at this time."

john the tinca

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says his initial comments that Birmingham's Martin Taylor "should never play football again" were "excessive".
Wenger claimed the third-minute tackle which broke Eduardo's leg and earned Taylor a red card was "horrendous".

But later on Saturday Wenger said: "I feel that my comments about Martin Taylor were excessive. I said what I did in the heat of the moment.

"It was a highly emotional afternoon and we were all shocked by the injury."

john the tinca

Sir Alex Ferguson could offer Ryan Giggs a coaching role at Manchester United once the Welshman quits playing.
Man Utd boss Ferguson has hailed 34-year-old Giggs' decision to study for his Uefa 'A' licence with the FA of Wales in Aberystwyth in June.

Giggs could follow Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from dressing room to boot room.

Ferguson said: "A future with us in relation to a position at the club is something we will be looking at because he has been a fantastic example

john the tinca

MK Dons booked a trip to Wembley with a penalty shoot-out victory over Swansea, despite losing 1-0 on the night to the runaway League One leaders.

An entertaining Johnstone's Paint Southern final saw Jason Scotland emerge as the headline maker as his first half penalty levelled the tie, before he became the only player to miss in a penalty shoot-out that saw Paul Ince's side triumph 5-4.

john the tinca

Everton striker Yakubu took his tally for the season to 16 goals to keep the club's Champions League dream alive with an impressive 2-0 win at Manchester City.

Yakubu made the breakthrough in the 30th minute and Joleon Lescott added a second eight minutes later.

It meant Everton regained fourth spot from Liverpool after stretching their unbeaten run in the top flight to seven games.

City's misery was complete in stoppage time when Martin Petrov was sent off for kicking out at Leon Osman.

Steven Pienaar had already struck the post for the visitors before Yakubu opened the scoring when he slotted home a Tim Cahill cross.

Lescott added the second with a fine far post header from a Lee Carsley cross, and Everton were worthy winners on a disappointing night for City, which ended with the Bulgarian's red card for an off-the-ball kick at Osman.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka was delighted with his side's performance.

john the tinca

UEFA are hoping to see a swift resolution to the dispute which could result in the Spanish national team being banned from competing in major tournaments.

Last week FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed Spain could be thrown out of international competition if their government tries to intervene in the election process of the Spanish FA.

Blatter threatened the national side and Spanish clubs with expulsion from tournaments unless their government revoke a new ministerial order which forces the country's non-Olympic sporting federations to hold elections before the Beijing Games.

UEFA director of communications, William Gaillard, confirmed on Monday the dispute is still ongoing but he is hopeful it will be sorted amicably.

"I know the matter is serious but I don't want to speculate on the outcome of the current dispute," he told Sky Sports.

"We all hope that in the interests of football the conflict can be solved."

FIFA have always maintained a strong stance against government involvement in football's governing bodies, and have intervened in recent years in similar cases in Portugal and Greece.

john the tinca

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson insists his long-term future is at White Hart Lane after getting his place back in the side and winning the Carling Cup.

The 28-year-old was dropped for the semi-final against Arsenal and replaced by Radek Cerny for 10 games, only to be recalled in the week leading up to the Wembley showpiece final against Chelsea.

He may have been wrong-footed for Didier Drogba's opener but then kept Spurs in the hunt with a string of saves to help the club end their nine-year trophy drought.

Head coach Juande Ramos has shown he has no favourites by dropping Robinson, and Spurs have also been linked with goalkeepers - but Robinson is adamant he is not looking for a transfer.

"I've got four years left on my contract, I'm absolutely delighted to be here," he said. "I've never ever said anything other than that."

Robinson suggested his performance was inspired by his son Jack, who has been ill.

"My little boy has been poorly, he's four weeks old and has had bronchiolitis," said Robinson.

"He's been in hospital so it's been a tough week for me off the field but on the field it's put things in perspective and helped my performances."

After experiencing the first four months of Ramos' ruthlessness - Jamie O'Hara was in tears after he was left out of the cup final squad - Robinson is ready to adapt to a new mindset where no position is secure.

john the tinca

Tottenham captain Ledley King is confident he will fully overcome the knee problems that have limited him to six appearances and one day of glory at Wembley this season.

The 27-year-old centre-back underwent surgery in the summer and had to wait until Christmas to return, and even then he was not playing regularly as his knee would inflame after matches.

After six games in a month, King limited his training and did not play as he prepared for the Carling Cup final, which resulted in Spurs defeating Chelsea and ending their nine-year trophy drought.

His thoughts have already turned to next season, when he hopes the club can build on the success head coach Juande Ramos has inspired - and the skipper is hopeful of being able to play at full tilt.

john the tinca

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan hopes the experience of coach Chris Hughton will help to shore up his ailing defence.

Former Tottenham assistant boss Hughton started work at St James' Park on Monday and the 49-year-old has been handed the task of plugging the gaps in one of the leakiest back lines in the top flight.

The 5-1 humbling against Manchester United on Saturday was the latest in a long line of defensive horror shows this term.

But Keegan believes the former Republic of Ireland full-back has the right pedigree to turn things around alongside fellow coach Steve Round.

Keegan told The Chronicle: "Defensively, we need some work on shape and I think Steve and him will be a really good force together on the training pitch.

"That's where we've got to work on things to get it right here.

"He's good with players and good around players. He's got a good way with them. He's an experienced player himself, so they know when he's saying it, he's been there and done it himself."

john the tinca

Middlesbrough have appealed to the Football Association against the red card awarded to Jeremie Aliadiere against Liverpool at the weekend.

The French forward was sent off at Anfield for slapping Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano just as Boro had got back into the game at 3-2.

A statement on the FA website read: "The FA has received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Middlesbrough striker Jeremie Aliadiere.

"Aliadiere was shown a red card for violent conduct following an incident during the second half of Middlesbrough's match against Liverpool on 23 February.

"A Regulatory Commission will consider the claim on 26 February."

Manager Gareth Southgate bemoaned the timing of the 24-year-old's sending off but refused to criticise Aliadiere.

The former England defender told the club's official website: "I only want to talk about my player, and if you raise your hands away from home with a young referee there is not much alternative.

john the tinca

Roma travel to Serie A leaders Internazionale on Wednesday knowing defeat will all but hand the Scudetto to their opponents.

A win for Inter at the San Siro would leave the second-placed Giallorossi trailing by 12 points with 13 matches to go.

But a 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Sunday, coupled with Inter's draw at Sampdoria, narrowed the gap slightly and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti knows that victory on Wednesday could blow the title race wide open again.

"It seems to me that up to now Roma have done brilliantly," he told Sky Italia.

"And if Inter have created this gap it means they have been impeccable.

"I thought we would have arrived at this point in the championship without such a huge gap.

"However, it won't be easy for them to get back to the form they need to do well again.

"They are very strong in the physical sense, and in dead-ball situations.

"We have to find our path and that is to play the ball, and to control the game."

Inter's slip at the weekend capped a bad week for the Nerazzurri who fell to a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash midweek.

And coach Roberto Mancini knows his side need to get back to winning ways.

"You can't always win," he said after the 1-1 draw at Samp. "Every once in a while you can also lose points.

john the tinca

Scotland boss George Burley revealed he has already been fielding phone calls from club managers touting their players for caps.

The former Hearts, Ipswich and Southampton manager was appointed as Alex McLeish's successor in January but his first game does not arrive until March 26 when Croatia come to Hampden for a friendly.

Scotland's first competitive match under Burley will be in September when they take on Macedonia in the first step to hopefully qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Hearts' stand-in Stephen Frail boss highlighted the form of his Scotland Under-21 centre-half Christophe Berra after the win at Motherwell on Saturday.

But Burley revealed Frail is not the only manager offering him advice.

He said: "It's a natural thing to want to see your players picked for their country and a few managers have phoned me up and told me about their players.

"Christophe is a player I knew at Hearts but it will take time to assess things.

"However, it's great that these young players are pushing to get into the squad.

"I'm trying to get to as many games as possible in Scotland and England to try to assess things.

john the tinca

Birmingham defender Martin Taylor has been the subject of death threats after his challenge on Eduardo left the Arsenal striker with a broken leg.

Croatian fans, angry at Eduardo being ruled out of the Euro 2008 finals, are among supporters who have posted threatening messages on various internet sites.

One website specifically set up after the incident during Saturday's 2-2 draw at St Andrews has already received 27,000 messages directed at the former Blackburn player.

And security personnel had to restrain Croatian journalists who ran onto the road and tried to get into Taylor's car as he left the club's Wast Hills training complex on Monday.

But Taylor has received many messages of support from people inside the game of football which Blues manager Alex McLeish claimed had helped to limit the psychological damage he could have suffered.

"There has been a furore over the incident which has probably gone too far and we would like to draw a line under it now and let Martin get on with his career and hope Eduardo gets back as soon as possible," McLeish told Sky Sports.

"I've heard about the death threats and you are going to ridiculous proportions if that is the case. You've just got to get on with it and dismiss those things. There are some crazy people in the world.

john the tinca

Arsenal are predicting that Eduardo da Silva will make a full recovery by the end of the year, after confirming he has fractured his left fibula and dislocated his ankle.

The Gunners striker sustained the injury after just three minutes of the 2-2 Premier League draw with Birmingham at St Andrews on Saturday, following a challenge by Martin Taylor which saw the Blues defender sent off.

Eduardo was taken to Selly Oak Hospital and underwent surgery on Saturday evening before being transferred to a London hospital on Sunday.

Arsenal released a statement on their official website on Monday, which read: "The club can confirm that following the incident during Saturday's match at Birmingham City, Eduardo has fractured his left fibula and sustained an open dislocation of his ankle joint in the same leg.

"He was immediately taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham where he underwent surgery on Saturday evening. The operation was successful, and Eduardo was transferred to a London-based hospital on Sunday afternoon.

"Earlier today, the orthopaedic surgeon and Arsenal medical staff assessed the extent of the damage and possible timescale for a full recovery.

"All being well, Eduardo will have his leg in plaster and using crutches for the next six to eight weeks.

john the tinca

Dean Whitehead insists Sunderland will not be taking victory for granted when they travel to bottom side Derby at the weekend.

The Black Cats slumped to their 10th successive away defeat at Portsmouth at the weekend and they will visit the rock-bottom Rams on Saturday looking to claim a vital victory in their battle to stay in the Premier League.

Derby are certainties to return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight, standing 14 points and a huge goal difference from safety after 21 league games without a win.

However, Sunderland skipper Whitehead insists they must not underestimate the Rams and told the Sunderland Echo: "Everyone knows how badly Derby are doing this season, but there really are no easy games in the Premier League.

"We'll go there with the right attitude and knowing that we'll have to work very hard to get anything. They'll be as desperate and keen as we are to get a result and you know that any side at this level is capable of getting a result.

"But we know we need to do a lot better away from home and we'll go to Derby looking to put things right."

john the tinca

Chelsea captain John Terry insists coach Avram Grant was right to keep his team selection to himself until hours before the kick-off as the Blues begin to dust themselves down from their Carling Cup final defeat by Tottenham.

Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Jonathan Woodgate earned Tottenham their first trophy since they claimed the Worthington Cup against Leicester in 1999.

Juande Ramos' side fought back to deny Chelsea a second successive Carling Cup triumph, after Didier Drogba had given the Blues the lead in the first half.

Terry's place in the starting line-up, along with that of his England team-mate Frank Lampard, had been under scrutiny ever since the pair were omitted from Grant's side for the Champions League clash with Olympiacos five days earlier.

But Terry insists their preparations for the final were not hampered by the speculation surrounding their places in the team.

john the tinca

Gordon Smith has called for more respect to be shown towards referees in Scotland after another weekend of controversy involving officials.

The Scottish Football Association chief executive was reacting to more criticism of referees in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

In Motherwell's 1-0 defeat by Hearts at Fir Park on Saturday, referee Craig Thomson refused to stop the game for a head knock to home striker David Clarkson as the visitors sped up the park to score the winner.

Motherwell were incensed, with captain Paul Quinn insisting the game should have been immediately halted.

Shunsuke Nakamura's late winner for Celtic at Love Street on Sunday from a free-kick had the St Mirren management and fans unhappy at Eddie Smith's decision to penalise Gary Mason for his challenge on the Japan international.

john the tinca

Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has explained how he took out his frustration at missing out on his first England cap on hapless Reading.

The 21-year-old had been named in Fabio Capello's first squad earlier in the month but had to miss the friendly with Switzerland after damaging a hamstring in an unexpected reverse at Fulham.

He also missed his side's demolition of Newcastle but returned in style at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday as Villa moved closer to European qualification with a 2-1 win.

He said: "It was a massive disappointment having to miss out on England. I couldn't believe it had to happen that week of all weeks.

"Going up to the Fulham game I thought to myself 'don't get injured' because going to meet up with the England squad was going to be the best moment of my life. Then it happened. At least it wasn't a long term injury, it was only a couple of weeks, so hopefully I can get that chance again.

john the tinca

Rangers manager Walter Smith insists his players are not suffering from mid-season burnout after conceding two goals to Clydesdale Bank Premier League bottom side Gretna.

Four goals for the Ibrox club - courtesy of Daniel Cousin, Steven Naismith, Chris Burke and Kris Boyd - ensured the win which kept rivals Celtic trailing by four points in the title race.

But Smith was disappointed to see Gretna's Kenny Deuchar help himself to a double.

Deuchar had been the last player to score against Rangers in domestic competition, back on January 16, and was allowed to breach the defence on two further occasions to take the gloss off another victory for the SPL leaders.

But Smith refuted suggestions that a hectic fixture schedule, which shows no signs of easing now that Rangers have booked a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, is beginning to take its toll.

john the tinca

Derby defender Alan Stubbs insists he made the right decision in quitting Everton to join the relegation-bound Rams.

Despite Everton pushing for a top four place in the Premier League and UEFA Cup glory this season, Stubbs opted to walk away due to a lack of first-team opportunities at Goodison Park.

But the veteran centre-back perhaps never expected to find the turmoil he has encountered at Pride Park these past few weeks.

Following Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Wigan, boss Paul Jewell ripped into his players, describing their performance as "disgraceful" and not fit for League Two, never mind the Premier League.

But despite that Stubbs, who was arguably Derby's best player at the JJB Stadium, said: "I have made the right decision.

"I'm not enjoying the results, but I am enjoying playing, and as long as I am playing and enjoying my football, then I will go as long as I can.

"That enjoyment increases when you win, and I want to experience that winning feeling in a Derby shirt, and the sooner the better.

john the tinca

Fernando Torres has echoed Pepe Reina in claiming that Rafa Benitez has improved him as a player.

Torres scored a hat-trick against Middlesbrough on Saturday to earn a vital victory for Liverpool in the Premier League and immediately paid tribute to under-fire Benitez.

"You cannot score three goals in a game without the help of your manager and your team-mates so I would like to thank them," said Torres.

"The manager signed me for Liverpool so I am really grateful for that, and he also works with me all the time trying to improve me and make me a better player.

"I think my game has already improved and will continue to improve under Rafa Benitez."

That echoes the sentiments of Reina, who denied last week that there was a rift in the Liverpool dressing room.

john the tinca

Marlon Harewood has vowed to win a regular first team spot at Aston Villa and propel them into Europe as he insisted: "I'd rather not be known as a super-sub."

The former West Ham player has made a massive impact when coming off the substitutes' bench in recent weeks.

He scored at Liverpool to inspire a comeback, tormented the Newcastle defence during the second half and on Sunday netted the decisive second goal in a 2-1 triumph at Reading to keep Villa on course for Europe.

It was another boost to his chances of persuading Villa manager Martin O'Neill to include him in his starting line-up.

Harewood said: "I want to play my part and I'd rather not be known as super-sub.

"I want to start the games, but I don't make the choices. Martin O'Neill picks the team and, wherever he puts me, I'll be happy to be part of it.

john the tinca

lackburn boss Mark Hughes has backed in-form midfielder David Dunn to play a crucial role in his side's belated push to claim another UEFA Cup qualifying spot this season.

Dunn played a part in three of Rovers' goals in their 4-1 thumping of local rivals Bolton at Ewood Park on Sunday and Hughes believes the player's catalogue of injury problems are a thing of the past.

Hughes said: "David is always trying to get involved in a positive way. He is having an influence in the centre of the park which is really important for him.

"He keeps getting stronger and he is training every day now. He has that base of fitness he needs. He possibly hasn't had that for a number of years and that's why he can put in the performances."

john the tinca

Michael Carrick admits it is difficult getting a run of games for Manchester United because of the competition for places in midfield.

However it is something he is taking on the chin as the club go for glory on three fronts - Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Along with Darren Fletcher, Carrick returned to midfield and helped United thrash Newcastle 5-1 at the weekend.

But whether they will retain their places against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday remains to be seen.

Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Ji-Sung Park are all pushing to return to the starting line-up.

Anderson can also sit in midfield, although he is comfortable on the wing and that is where United have top quality as well in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Nani.

The wealth of riches must surely give manager Sir Alex Ferguson a constant selection headache and Carrick explained: "We have good variety in midfield.

john the tinca

Nicklas Bendtner is convinced former team-mate Martin Taylor's tackle on Eduardo was not malicious and has urged Arsenal to move on from a costly weekend.

The Danish striker played alongside Taylor during a season-long loan spell at St Andrews and supports Birmingham's claims the challenge was clumsy rather than spiteful.

Eduardo is recovering in a London hospital after the reckless lunge in the third minute of Saturday's 2-2 draw left him with a broken leg.

It was a heartbreaking way for the Croatia striker to mark his 25th birthday on Monday and he faces a substantial spell on the sidelines that will exclude him from Euro 2008.

Visibly shaken by the severity of the injury, Taylor is reported to have visited Eduardo in hospital to explain the sickening incident was accidental.

Bendtner accepts that version of events and takes comfort from the knowledge the Brazilian-born striker has the determination to make a full recovery.

"Eduardo showed good skills to go around one defender and used quick feet when he saw the other defender, but was taken out," he told Arsenal TV online

"The referee had no decision but to send Martin off. Due to being at Birmingham I know Martin is not a player like this.

"But given what happened you can't say it was anything other than a red card.

john the tinca

Gareth Southgate is urging Middlesbrough to take heart from their performance at Anfield - rather than dwelling on the mistakes which contributed to their 3-2 weekend defeat against Liverpool.

Boro took a 1-0 lead on Saturday and had Jeremie Aliadiere sent off for retaliating in an incident with Javier Mascherano.

Southgate believes, however, there saw plenty of encouragement for the future in that Premier League fixture - as long as the Teesside club can eradicate unforced errors.

The manager told his club's official website: "We made mistakes all across the field. A couple have been punished with goals - and another has been punished with a sending-off.

"But others have made mistakes and got away with it - and we win or lose as a team.

"Of course, the players who have made the mistakes will feel worse. But I don't operate a blame culture at my club; we encourage people to play and try things - and sometimes mistakes are going to happen.

john the tinca

FIFA insist they are no nearer to resolving the situation involving Daniel Cousin's projected move from Rangers to Fulham.

The Gabon striker had hoped to complete a move to the Barclays Premier League side last month, but the deal was put on hold due to the fact Cousin has already played for two clubs this season.

Appearing for a third club would contravene FIFA regulations, however Rangers and Fulham are hoping world football's governing body will consider the merits of Cousin's case.

The 31-year-old only briefly appeared for French club Lens at the start of the campaign before joining Rangers, however the £3million move to Fulham remains on hold.

Rangers boss Walter Smith called at the weekend for FIFA to deliver a final ruling and end the suspense, but a decision may not arrive this week.

"The matter is still pending," said a FIFA spokesman. "There is no time frame yet."

john the tinca

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has declared that Kanu remains an integral part of his plans.

The striker's current deal expires in the summer and reports have suggested that Australian side Gold Coast Galaxy are keen to snap him up.

Kanu needs to make 25 appearances this season to earn a contract extension and he has so far played 20 times.

The Nigerian has struggled with a knee problem at times this term but Redknapp is hopeful that he will be able to feature in at least five more games.

"If he takes part in 25 games he'll get another year," Redknapp told The News.

"I love having him around and all the other lads love him, too.

"His knee is a bit of problem - it's a bit iffy at times - but he's unique. Some of those things he can do are fantastic to watch."

Kanu impressed as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday but Redknapp admits he may leave him out of the side to face Everton at the weekend.

The Pompey boss is looking ahead to the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United a week later and is desperate to have Kanu available.

He said: "When Kanu came on he was superb. Imagine what he must have been like when he was a kid at Ajax. What a player he must have been.

"He has fantastic ability. His skill is frightening. He holds people off and they can't get near him.

"I think I have a couple of strikers for next weekend. I could wrap him up and save him for Manchester United.

"I need him really. If we lose him we are in trouble."

john the tinca

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that Everton have opened talks about making Steven Pienaar's loan move to the club a permanent one.

The 25-year-old signed for The Toffees on a season-long deal from Borussia.

The South African has impressed hugely during his stay on Merseyside and manager David Moyes is now looking to finalise a deal.

Pienaar would cost Everton just over £2million and it now looks as if a deal is very much in the pipeline.

"Steven Pienaar wants to stay at Everton," said Borussia chief Michael Zorc.

"There are clear signals that the club will take up their option to buy him."

Everton have made their move for Pienaar after his form attracted interest from elsewhere with clubs in Spain and France said to be keen.

But Everton have first option on the former Ajax man and look set to take advantage by securing his signature.

john the tinca

AC Milan striker Ronaldo admits he must be prepared for the worst after suffering a serious knee injury two weeks ago.

The 31-year-old ruptured tendons in his left knee against Livorno and knows he must face up to the fact he may never play competitive football again.

"I have to be prepared for the possibility of retiring," Ronaldo told Brazilian television show Fantastico.

"I know it won't be easy. It will be a very tough recovery and something might happen during the recovery period which means I cannot play again.

"But I will leave that possibility aside until the end of the rehabilitation. If then my knee still hurts every day, even after it has mended, maybe it would be time to say goodbye to football.

"I have to make a good recovery so I can ride a bike with my son and run with him without pain."

The World Cup winner sustained a similar injury in his other knee in 1999 and was out for more than a year.

john the tinca

AC Milan striker Ronaldo admits he must be prepared for the worst after suffering a serious knee injury two weeks ago.

The 31-year-old ruptured tendons in his left knee against Livorno and knows he must face up to the fact he may never play competitive football again.

"I have to be prepared for the possibility of retiring," Ronaldo told Brazilian television show Fantastico.

"I know it won't be easy. It will be a very tough recovery and something might happen during the recovery period which means I cannot play again.

"But I will leave that possibility aside until the end of the rehabilitation. If then my knee still hurts every day, even after it has mended, maybe it would be time to say goodbye to football.

"I have to make a good recovery so I can ride a bike with my son and run with him without pain."

The World Cup winner sustained a similar injury in his other knee in 1999 and was out for more than a year.

john the tinca

Ledley King insists he has a long future ahead of him at Tottenham.

The defender turned in an impressive performance on his return to the side as Tottenham defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.

He was risked at Wembley despite having a serious knee problem that has plagued him all season.

Reports have suggested that King may actually have to retire, but he has played down the speculation and vowed to come back stronger than ever.

"I have a lot of football to come and will stay with the team. I'm confident there are more trophies to follow," King told the Evening Standard.

"I have had some problems with the knee. I have played games and then afterwards it's been a bit of a problem.

"But I am not worried about it one bit. I'm confident.

"At the moment it's a tricky situation, but hopefully I will get it right - even if it's not this season it will be next season.

john the tinca

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic believes Eduardo will be irreplaceable for this summer's Euro 2008.

The Arsenal striker was almost certain to be included in Croatia's squad for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

However, the Brazilian-born forward is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg early on in Arsenal's draw with Birmingham on Saturday.

Bilic believes he will have cover for Eduardo this summer, although he is trying not to contemplate how things will pan out without the 25-year-old at Euro 2008.

"We have a solid choice of strikers, but he is irreplaceable," Bilic told the Vecernji List.

"However, I don't want to think now about our Euro 2008 performance without Eduardo.

"I just want him to be well and fully recover."

john the tinca

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has called for more respect to be shown towards referees.
"I feel that there has been a little bit of momentum built up against referees," said Smith.

"Referees have a very difficult job to do and we want to try to encourage people to become referees because without them we don't have a game.

"So I think they deserve a lot more respect than they have been given, all through the different levels."

john the tinca

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has been banned from the dugout for two SPL matches after the Scottish FA upheld a charge of unacceptable conduct.
The SFA's disciplinary body charged Strachan following an exchange with a steward against Aberdeen in August.

Strachan had appealed his original four-match ban and the SFA's Appeals Board has reduced that to two matches.

The Celtic manager will miss the home game against Inverness on Wednesday and away to Hibs on Saturday.

Strachan became involved after the steward accused his assistant Garry Pendrey of gesturing to Pittodrie fans.

The Celtic manager was sent from the dugout by referee Charlie Richmond during the Glasgow club's 3-1 victory.

A spokesperson for the SFA said: "At a meeting of the Appeals Board held today, the decision of the SFA Disciplinary Committee to find Celtic manager Gordon Strachan guilty of unacceptable conduct was upheld.

"However, in regard to the penalty, the Appeals Board decided to substitute the four-match ban which Mr Strachan had appealed with a two-match suspension.

"This takes effect immediately. Consequently, Mr Strachan will be banned from the technical area for the matches against Inverness and against Hibernian."

john the tinca

Motherwell have signed former Rangers and Derby County defender Bob Malcolm until the end of the season.
Malcolm, 27, has been searching for a club since being released by the English Premier League side last month.

The Scot, who can also play in midfield, failed to settle at Derby and spent a loan spell at Queen's Park Rangers last November.

Malcolm left Ibrox in September 2006 after falling out of favour under the then Rangers manager Paul Le Guen.

He made 14 appearances for Derby after moving to Pride Park, including one in the Barclays Premier League in this season's 6-0 defeat at Liverpool.

But he was then loaned to QPR in November and played 11 times for the Coca-Cola Championship side.

Motherwell said the club was delighted to sign Malcolm after he showed a willingness to return to Scotland.

Malcolm has been added to Mark McGhee's squad for Wednesday's SPL match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

john the tinca

Motherwell chairman John Boyle has urged the authorities to lift the 28-year-old alcohol ban at football grounds in Scotland.
A ban was introduced after violent clashes during the 1980 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

"We need an upgrade. The situation is absolutely ludicrous and football fans are discriminated against," he said.

Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith said it was for the authorities and police to decide on the ban.

Rugby fans attending matches at Murrayfield in Edinburgh and at Firhill in Glasgow are able to buy alcohol.

Boyle said it was time to allow football fans to enjoy alcohol at the game.

john the tinca

Hearts forward Andrius Velicka has signed for Norwegian side Viking Stavanger on a three-and-a-half-year deal for a fee in the region of £1m.
The 28-year-old, who had been on loan at Hearts from FBK Kaunas, completed his move on Tuesday.

"I like what Viking have come forward with, plus the facilities and stadium are very good," said Velicka.

"I enjoyed being at Hearts, but going to another team is now just part of a footballer's life."

The striker has been popular with Hearts fans since arriving at Tynecastle in 2006 and has scored 14 goals this season.

Viking were able to complete the deal as the Norwegian Tippeligaen season is currently in its winter break.

Following Velicka's departure, Hearts are left with three recognised forwards - Christain Nade, Calum Elliot and Ricardas Beniusis.

Hearts caretaker manager Stephen Frail said the loss of the club's top goalscorer was a blow.

"I am not going to sit and dwell on it, we need to look forward," said Frail.

"Andrius has been great for us but I believe we have a striker in Christian Nade who has shown, at times, what a good young player he can be.

"We also have one of the top young prospects in Scotland with Calum Elliot."

john the tinca

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood is ready to make major changes over the summer after dropping to ninth in the SPL.
"We've set high standards but they have slipped drastically," he told the Aberdeen Evening Express.

"Maybe a few players have been punching above their weight but are now being found out and when that happens it's time for surgery.

"I'm preparing for a massive turnaround and it's looking like I'll be into double figures in terms of departures."

The Dons finished third in the table last season to secure a Uefa Cup spot but have not won a league match since 2 January.

And Calderwood, who is almost four years into his spell at Pittodrie, has seen his side concede 22 goals in their last six games.

"Playing at a great club like Aberdeen comes with extra expectation levels," added the former Dunfermline manager.

"It takes a certain person to handle that and sometimes some individuals can only go so far as a player."

john the tinca

Rangers' hopes of a switch of date for their Uefa Cup away leg at Werder Bremen have been dashed.
Rangers meet Dundee United in the CIS Insurance Cup final on Sunday 16 March and had wanted to play the last-16 tie against the Germans on the Wednesday.

However, Bremen have arranged the match for the Thursday to suit their television coverage deal.

Therefore, the evening game will kick off less than 72 hours before Rangers line up at Hampden Park.

john the tinca

Falkirk defender Thomas Scobbie has signed a new five-year deal with the Premier League club.
The 19-year-old has already played 50 first team games for the Bairns and is a member of the Scotland U21 squad.

"I like nothing better than to see some of the young academy lads progress through the system," manager John Hughes told the club website.

"I have high hopes for Thomas and I know he is wel