Todays News

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:22 am Post subject:

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has revealed that the only way his Rovers side can continue to compete is if he is given improved funding for new signings.

But Hughes is confident that the Ewood Park board will back him significantly in the transfer market this summer.

"We need a bit more investment this year than we have done in recent years," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"There are a group of clubs in that middle tier that can be top of that pile and it's important we stay there."

_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:23 am Post subject:

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos expects Ledley King to be at White Hart Lane at the start of next season.

Friday's newspapers had suggested that the club captain, who has been hampered by a long-standing knee injury, had an uncertain future at the club.

But Ramos, who could still name a new captain, told the Spurs website: "So there is no misunderstanding, Ledley is handling his recovery well.

"We fully expect him to be here at the start of next season."

However Ramos insists that a new captain, expected to be either Jonathan Woodgate or Robbie Keane, is not related to the 27-year-old's future at Spurs.

King has made 10 appearances for Tottenham during the current campaign, the last of them during the 4-4 draw against Chelsea on 19 March.
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:23 am Post subject:

Reading FC's strictly controlled wage bill could prove a financial disaster if the club do not avoid relegation, according to a top business scholar.

Professor Tom Cannon, football finance expert at the University of Buckingham, believes chairman John Madejski has "set the club up solidly".

But he cautions that running "a very tight ship" may relegate the Royals and see Madejski suffer financially.

"He would lose money on his investment, no doubt," Cannon told BBC Berkshire.

"Unless some fairy grandfather from Iceland came in and paid what would be perceived as over the odds, the truth is - if Reading were relegated - their finances would be a lot tougher than they are now," he added.
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:23 am Post subject:

Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes his side are still in contention for the Premier League title after their 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Chelsea go two points behind Manchester United and he said: "It was a good win.

"We were behind Manchester United from the beginning of the season so it never was in our hands. It is in our hands to do our job and that is what we did."

Afterwards, Grant held a bizarre press conference with the written media where he gave mainly yes-no answers.

Grant has come under severe pressure from the press after Chelsea were held 1-1 at home by Wigan on Monday, a result that dented their title aspirations.

His press conference lasted just five minutes but Grant was reluctant to give anything in the way of expanded responses.

When asked if the win put Chelsea back in the hunt, he answered: "Maybe not", and a question on what pleased him most was greeted with a simple "I don't know".
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has backed striker Michael Chopra to forget any old loyalties against his former club Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Tyne-Wear derby has extra spice for Chopra, returning to St James' Park for the first time as a Sunderland player.

"Michael Chopra has had no stick from the players," Gordon told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Michael is one of us now.

"I'm sure he'll be giving everything that he has to try and score and make it his derby for his reasons."
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan is confident Michael Owen will sign a new contract that will see him remain at the club beyond next season.

The 28-year-old's current deal expires next summer and Keegan has left all negotiations in the hands of chairman Chris Mort.

"It's for Chris Mort to do that now," he said.

"I have made it absolutely clear what I think should be done, and I have passed that on to him."

Keegan added: "He will handle that now so any questions about that will be between Chris Mort and Michael's advisors.

"But my feeling is, genuinely, that he wants to be here, he wants to help lead this club for the next few years.

"I don't want to tempt providence, but I think that is a deal that will be done as soon as they get together, really. I don't think it will take long."
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill says he is "desperate" to keep captain Gareth Barry at the club.

The 27-year-old England midfielder has been linked with a move to Chelsea or Liverpool this summer.

O'Neill told BBC WM: "We're going to do everything possible to keep him at the football club.

"We're desperate for him to stay because he's a major part of it but I'm not surprised that loads of people are chasing him."

Barry still has two years of his contract left to run and is due a testimonial, having signed professional forms for Villa in February 1998.

Barry, who has been capped 17 times by England, told BBC WM: "It's certainly flattering to be linked with them [Chelsea and Liverpool], but I'm enjoying my football here.

"There's still so much to play for at Villa and there's no reason to be sidetracked by anything else."
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:25 am Post subject:

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown have agreed new contracts with Manchester United.

Ferguson was informed of the news by chief executive David Gill this morning but the length of the deals has not been revealed.

"They have agreed new deals," said Ferguson ahead of his side's game against Blackburn.

"It continues our policy of lengthening contracts at the right time."

As well as tying three key members of his squad, Ferguson added that there could be some new arrivals at Old Trafford next season.

"We have a strong squad already and this just keeps it going," said Ferguson.

"And I would imagine there is a good possibility of stocking up again in the summer.
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:25 am Post subject:

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has spoken of his desire to stay at Anfield despite the boardroom battle between co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Benitez's position has been thrown into doubt over revelations the American duo and chief executive Rick Parry held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann last year.

But on Friday the 48-year-old Spaniard reiterated his determination to honour his contract, which runs until 2010.

"I'm really pleased and happy here and want to stay," he said.

It was originally thought only Hicks talked with the former Germany coach, who is due to take over at Bayern Munich at the end of this season.
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS

john the tinca · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:26 am Post subject:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed their attacking style will bring them silverware as he conceded the Premier League title was now out of reach.

The club are set to be trophyless for a third season after their 2-1 defeat by Manchester United on Sunday, but Wenger was unequivocal.

"We will continue to play the way we do but better," Wenger said. "The trophies will come.

"The main target is to keep the team together. They are absolutely amazing."

And striker Emmanuel Adebayor has backed Wenger's "vision" for Arsenal - and declared the Gunners will come out fighting next season.
_________________

BRAINSTORMING FORUM

FOOTBALLPOSTS