..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

England must 'come out firing' against Poland, says Lampard

Frank Lampard says that England must start well against Poland on Tuesday as they attempt to secure automatic qualification for World Cup 2014.

The Three Lions go into the game top of Group H, following Friday's victory over Montenegro, and know that a win would guarantee them a spot in Brazil next summer.

Poland's defeat to Ukraine on Tuesday means that Waldemar Fornalik's side can no longer qualify for the tournament but Lampard feels that they will still provide a tough test.

"Possibly Poland will relax more and they could be more dangerous," he told reporters. "For starters, everyone loves playing at Wembley and they have some big-name players in their team.

"We have to make sure we have the extra edge. We need to come out firing on Tuesday."

With second-placed Ukraine facing San Marino, England could still miss out on an automatic qualification should they fail to beat Poland but Lampard says that the squad are highly motivated for the Wembley clash.

"For us, the World Cup is very exciting. It will be fantastic in Brazil and an England team not being there would be a bad thing," he added. "I think it is pushing all of us on.

"The Poland game is huge, not just for me but for for everyone. Not just for the fact it may be my last World Cup - it is the fact there is an England team wanting to get there.

"Brazil is one of the homes of football ... just look at the history, the flamboyance. We played there in the summer and you could feel the magic around the place. If you are playing for your country, you want to be there next year."

The Chelsea midfielder has also tipped Wayne Rooney to make an impact again after the Manchester United striker opened the scoring against Montenegro.

"Wayne Rooney is fit and fresh at the minute," Lampard added. "He has a very clear head. Like that, he is such a world-class talent and he makes a difference."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Leave Madrid? I don't think so, mate' - Casillas opens up to Reina

Iker Casillas has told Pepe Reina that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid despite his lack of playing time at the club.

Los Merengues' shot-stopper has found himself a peripheral figure at the club so far this season, featuring only in his side's two Champions League matches to date, with Diego Lopez still the preferred choice between the posts.

However, the 32-year-old remains committed to the capital club for the time being, as he divulged to Spain team-mate Reina while preparing for the World Cup qualifier with Belarus on Friday.

"I guess it's not so bad," Reina began in a conversation transcribed by Cuatro.

"How many games could you play? 10, 12 [in reference to the number of games Casillas could play this season for Madrid in cup competitions]?

"But at the end of the day, it's a pretty s****y season."

Casillas replied: "Yes, but leave now? I don't think so, mate. At least I get to play in the Copa del Rey."

Casillas has enjoyed a glittering career with Madrid, winning five La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues since making his senior debut in 1999, but has struggled to regain his first-team place after being relegated to the bench by former boss Jose Mourinho last season.

He was also left out of the starting line-up for the 2-1 win over Belarus, with Barcelona's Victor Valdes preferred by Vicente del Bosque.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque urges Spain to seal top spot

Vicente del Bosque has urged his Spain troops to seal top spot in Group I of World Cup qualification for Europe on Tuesday.

The world and European champions face Georgia in Albacete in their final clash of the campaign, needing just one point to confirm their automatic place in next summer's tournament.

And Del Bosque has ackowledged that his side's campaign has been tough, singling out their home ties with France and Finland, in which they only managed draws.

"We are hoping to finish first and we have it in our hands," he told reporters.

"We've been through two really bad moments, the game against France at the Vicente Calderon and the one against Finland in Gijon.

"We've had moments of great difficulty for those two results. And yet, people are talking about the World Cup as something we've achieved when we're in a moment of trouble.

"Georgia are not England or Italy, but we have to finish the job. I'm not calm, even though it's true we only have one step left."

Spain's forwards have come under scrutiny over the course of the last year, with la Roja having found the net just 12 times in their seven games, but Del Bosque is convinced of the quality at his disposal.

"It's not right to blame the forwards. [Roberto] Soldado is at Tottenham, Alvaro Negredo is at City, who paid a lot of money for him, [Fernando] Torres has had a great career."

Spain and Georgia kick off at 21:00CET on Tuesday. Second-placed France, who sit three points behind la Roja, host Finland.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United need 'three top-class' signings to compete - Gullit

Manchester United need to sign "three top-class footballers" if they are to compete for trophies, says former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit.

The £27.5 million purchase of Marouane Fellaini from Everton on deadline day was David Moyes's only major piece of business over the summer and the Netherlands icon believes that the lack of fresh blood in the squad has contributed to a slow start.

It is a situation which he expects to be rectified in January, however.

"I can fully understand that Moyes has now asked the board to sanction the purchase of three top-class footballers in the winter to keep the team competing at the highest level in England and Europe," Gullit told the press.

"I have reason to believe that funds are being made available at United and they should because it is a necessity.

"And when they do buy those three stars, it will be easier to let Wayne Rooney follow his heart if he wants to leave.

"They kept basically the same team and squad in the summer, which is why they are inconsistent in the Premier League. The club is also struggling to get going without Sir Alex Ferguson. They are missing his presence and his personality.

"There is no longer the man who shakes the place up internally and who has the guts to dish things out to the FA, to referees or other authorities. Ferguson always got away with his strong voice. In fact, he always came out stronger, as they would all take notice of what he said.

"David Moyes does not have that status yet and you can’t expect him to take on that role overnight."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenna one hodama de oka thamai.But Moyes ta meka terenne nathi 1kane karume kiyanne​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benzema moral eken gahuwoth goda. Ehema unoth Suarez one na. Xabi nati eka loku aulak. Schweinstiger nati una wage tama. danatath hub of the mid eka pissu kelinawa. Illiaramendita tawama experience na. Khedirath e position ekata aul. So Gundoganwa Modric ekka gassuwanan goda. Khedira shape habai Xabi gattanan moyes mare maru. Trust talent

Xabi or Khedira ganna puluwan una kiyanne ithin pattama pattaBut Moyes danatama kiyala thiyanawane Marquee signing 1kak expect karanna epa kiyalaanemanda Moyes mona karanna hithagena innawada kiyala

Kohomath January walawath sqaud 1ka strong karagatthe nathnam hopes nam thiyaganna baha Titles gana
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Don't expect a marquee signing in January, warns Manchester United boss Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes has warned that the club are unlikely to make a high-profile signing in the January transfer window.

The Scot bolstered his options in the summer with the acquisition of Uruguayan right-back Guillermo Varela, who is yet to make a first-team appearance, and Marouane Fellaini, who arrived at Old Trafford from Everton in a £27.5 million deal.

United have suffered an inconsistent start to their Premier League campaign and sit 12th in the table after securing seven points from six games and Moyes admits that he may not have another opportunity to strengthen his side this season.

"I'll look at January but I wouldn't want people to have big expectations about what you would sign or do in January because I don't think January has, in the main, been a really good month to sign, really, at the top," the Scot told reporters.

"If you're in trouble near the bottom of the league you might if you're desperate for something but I think, where we'll be with Manchester United, we'll be looking for the top.

"I've got really, really top-end players, great players to work with but undoubtedly we will in time try to make that better, that's the part of the job. The job is to progress, to make progress at Man United. We'll look to add to the squad if the right players become available."

 

[unicornx]

'Monaco attracts me a lot' - Valdes


Victor Valdes has admitted that he would like to play in Ligue 1 when he leaves Barcelona, highlighting Monaco as a possible destination.

The Blaugrana goalkeeper affirmed last week that he will leave the club at the end of the season after choosing not to renew his contract, citing the need for a fresh challenge away from La Liga.

Former team-mate Eric Abidal admitted he would relish the chance to see the Spaniard join him at Stade Louis II next season, and Valdes has hinted that a move to Claudio Ranieri's side would be tempting.

"Ligue 1 attracts me a lot - Monaco or elsewhere in France," the 31-year-old told Telefoot.

"This is one of my options. [My future] is in the hands of my representatives. But Monaco is a good option.

"I know that Abidal is very happy at Monaco and I am good friends with him. I consider him a brother. He is an example as a human being. To go back and play at his side again could be very special."

Valdes has made more than 500 appearances for Barcelona to date, winning six league titles and three Champions Leagues in the process, but stressed that the time was right to move on.

"I have a contract until the end of the season," the Spanish shot-stopper said.

"I spent over 20 years at the club. I had the chance to win everything, but now my adventure at the club ends. It is time for me to find new goals and find a new destination."

lol....Valdesge nama ahaddith mata hina

 

[unicornx]

'Leave Madrid? I don't think so, mate' - Casillas opens up to Reina

Iker Casillas has told Pepe Reina that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid despite his lack of playing time at the club.

Los Merengues' shot-stopper has found himself a peripheral figure at the club so far this season, featuring only in his side's two Champions League matches to date, with Diego Lopez still the preferred choice between the posts.

However, the 32-year-old remains committed to the capital club for the time being, as he divulged to Spain team-mate Reina while preparing for the World Cup qualifier with Belarus on Friday.

"I guess it's not so bad," Reina began in a conversation transcribed by Cuatro.

"How many games could you play? 10, 12 [in reference to the number of games Casillas could play this season for Madrid in cup competitions]?

"But at the end of the day, it's a pretty s****y season."

Casillas replied: "Yes, but leave now? I don't think so, mate. At least I get to play in the Copa del Rey."

Casillas has enjoyed a glittering career with Madrid, winning five La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues since making his senior debut in 1999, but has struggled to regain his first-team place after being relegated to the bench by former boss Jose Mourinho last season.

He was also left out of the starting line-up for the 2-1 win over Belarus, with Barcelona's Victor Valdes preferred by Vicente del Bosque.

That is My God of Soccer....Oliver Khan And Iker Casillas

 

[unicornx]

Xabi or Khedira ganna puluwan una kiyanne ithin pattama pattaBut Moyes danatama kiyala thiyanawane Marquee signing 1kak expect karanna epa kiyalaanemanda Moyes mona karanna hithagena innawada kiyala

Kohomath January walawath sqaud 1ka strong karagatthe nathnam hopes nam thiyaganna baha Titles gana
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#MOYESTAPISSU

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi resumes Barcelona training

Lionel Messi handed Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino a boost on Monday when he returned to training after overcoming a thigh injury.

The 26-year-old has missed his side's last two games – a 1-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League and a 4-1 success over Valladolid – as a result of the muscle strain he sustained against Almeria last month.

The 26-year-old, who has eight league goals to his name this season from six appearances, has made a swift recovery and trained for the first time on Monday, although it remains to be seen whether he will feature in Saturday's trip to Osasuna.
That game at Estadio El Sadar is followed by fixtures against AC Milan in Europe and the first Clasico of 2013-14.

Barca captain Carles Puyol also trained alongside Messi as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury that has sidelined him since March.

Like Messi, Puyol is waiting to discover what part – if any – he will play at the weekend.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool defender Agger wants European football back at Anfield

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is eager to ensure the Anfield outfit qualify for European football again, and is targeting a return to the Champions League.

The Reds have not participated in the tournament since the 2009-10 season, though Agger believes Liverpool's lack of European involvement this year could help them to a top-four finish in the Premier League.

"We would like to play in Europe, that is the most attractive, particularly the Champions League," Agger told Danish paper Politiken.

"But, of course, fewer matches lets us recover better and we get more focused on the [Premier League] matches and that might be an advantage.

"We set a goal before every match and that is to win. It's almost impossible to win [every time], but we enter the pitch determined to win."

Liverpool have not finished above sixth place in the last four seasons, but Agger believes that slump could end if the club maintain their excellent start to the new campaign.

"We have been longing for a good start. We have got that now and we have to continue like that. There are still a lot of matches, but it looks positive,” Agger added.

"If you have seen many matches in the Premier League, you notice that everyone can beat each other.

"There is nothing that is certain and, as long as things are like that, we have got to gather points and see how far it will take us."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal expects hostile World Cup atmosphere

Louis van Gaal believes the atmosphere at the World Cup will just be as hostile as the one his Netherlands side are likely to experience against Turkey on Tuesday.

Oranje travel to Istanbul knowing they are already assured a place at Brazil 2014 but the hosts still have everything to play for as they look to secure a play-off spot at the expense of Romania and Hungary in Group D.

Van Gaal is curious to find out how his side will cope with the pressure of a frenzied home support urging Fatih Terim's men to victory as the atmosphere will be the same in Brazil next year.

"It will be interesting to see how the guys will deal with it [the expected hostile environment]," he told reporters. "That's why this game is also important for us. The environment in Brazil will be the same.

"The football fans in Turkey are incredible. As a player I loved that. I had no problems with that. I think the players also. But we will actually know that tomorrow."

The 62-year-old has also started the mind games by telling Turkish journalists that Romania are now favourites to land a play-off place for the World Cup, with crucial ranking points still up for grabs for his side.

"[Romania are favourites]. You know why? Because we will defeat Turkey. We will do our very best to beat them," he added.

"I said that already after our first game against Turkey, they are the best after Holland in our group.

"It's funny that they are actually second at the moment. On the other hand, I could be wrong in the end. Because we really want to defeat Turkey to get points for the Fifa ranking."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton boss Martinez rues early season dropped points

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes his side would be top of the Premier League had they been able to convert early season draws into wins.

The Toffees opened their campaign with a trio of frustrating draws against West Brom, Norwich and Cardiff, though have since moved to seventh in the table.

Despite being the last team to lose their unbeaten tag, and sitting just four points shy of league leaders Arsenal, Martinez was disappointed to drop points which could have seen them top the table.

"The first three games were in the transfer window and the transfer window really affected those results,” the Spanish boss told evertontv.

"I thought the performances in the three draws were as dominant and as good as you're going to get, and probably we dropped six points when we should have got the full nine points from those three games.

"We all admired the display we had in the first 45 minutes against Newcastle and probably that's the picture that we want of our 90 minute performances, and that's what we need to work towards.

"But, overall, we've had to play difficult games, different opposition and we've adapted really, really well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar pays homage to Messi

Barcelona forward Neymar says that playing alongside Lionel Messi is the realisation of a personal dream.

The Brazil star made a big-money move to Camp Nou over the summer from hometown club Santos, scoring two goals in seven Liga games since his arrival.

And he is thoroughly enjoying life in Spain and has been struck by his new team-mate's ability on the pitch and personality off it.

"It's the realisation of a dream and a source of inexplicable pride," he is quoted as saying by AS.

"And Messi is a spectacular player, a genius. Off the pitch he is like that. Hopefully I can help him a lot on the pitch and it's an honour to play alongside him."

The 21-year-old also revealed that the club had made every effort to help him settle down when he first made the move to Spain.

He added: "Thankfully, I was well received by the club, the players, the coaching staff. I feel at home already. I also had the support of Dani Alves, who helps in and out of the club."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger wary of spending big regularly

Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal fans not to expect a spate of big-money deals, despite Mesut Ozil's record-breaking transfer.

Wenger insists he will be as prudent as ever in the wake of splashing the cash to lure midfielder Ozil from Real Madrid on deadline day in September, in a deal that more than doubled the previous record amount that Arsenal had paid for a player.
The decision by the club's board to sanction the outlay a transfer fee of in excess of £40 million for the Germany international was applauded by Arsenal supporters who have grown restless at a reluctance to follow in the footsteps of rival Premier League sides by spending big.

Wenger, though, is keen to quash any suggestions that Arsenal will now flex their financial muscles regularly in future transfer windows.

"The [transfer] policy is exactly the same - I always want to bring the best players in here, world-class players, at the best possible price," Wenger told the club's official website. "And I want to continue to educate 60 to 80 per cent of the squad ourselves. The culture of the club, the way we want to play football and the way we want to behave, comes from within.

"The [Jack] Wilsheres, the [Aaron] Ramseys, the [Kieran] Gibbs - these kind of players have to be the culture of the club."Then on top of that we want to bring world-class players who will help us to be even stronger."

Signing a player of the quality of Ozil – who has made an instant impact with a string of eye-catching performances – sent out a statement of intent by Arsenal.
Wenger added: "It’s a big responsibility to spend that amount of money."But I feel comfortable with it because we had the money to do it. Before we couldn’t have done it because we didn’t have the money available.

"It's as simple as that."I had a huge sense of responsibility when we built the stadium to get the club through it without going bankrupt.

"The first years were difficult, and also explained why we lost some players."Now we are in a more comfortable financial position, I - more than anyone - want the great players to play for Arsenal. If we have to spend the money to do that, I will spend the money."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Khedira: Ozil departure weakened Madrid

Sami Khedira says Real Madrid are weaker following Mesut Ozil's departure to Arsenal.

The Germany star completed a €50 million deadline-day move to the Premier League giants in August, and his national team colleague has now admitted los Blancos are suffering from the playmaker's switch.

"Many players lament the departure of Mesut Ozil, including me," the 26-year-old told Kicker.

"Losing a player with the qualities of Mesut means a weakening. But we have many players in our ranks with great qualities."

Khedira also took the time to criticise the Spanish media for not giving him the credit he feels he deserves for his performances during his time at the club.

"I'll never be a media favourite in Spain. Even before the season, they saw me on the bench or in the stands, and now I'm the scapegoat yet again.

"Even if I put up good performances, they get rated badly.

"I'm not a Spaniard, didn't cost a lot of money and I'm a scholar of Mourinho. It's a shame to get treated like that, but it doesn't make me unhappy.

"I don't care about being loved by the media, I just demand their respect, which is non-existent at the moment."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ferguson remains confident over Manchester United future

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson feels the club are poised for further success, despite their poor start to the season.The Premier League champions sit ninth in the table after their first seven games, from which they have taken just 10 points.

Defeats to rivals Manchester City and Liverpool have underlined the club's early struggles, with David Moyes - who took over from Ferguson following his retirement in May - coming in for criticism. Ferguson won 38 trophies with United after experiencing three barren years following his appointment in 1986.

And - speaking outside Old Trafford at an event to mark the renaming of nearby Water's Reach road to 'Sir Alex Ferguson Way' - the Scot stressed his view that the club will remain at the top of English football."It's a great, great football club. And I still think that a lot of our young fans don't remember that there were bad days," he said.

"Dealing with bad days is what we're good at. This club will always go on."We've got a fantastic set-up, great staff, wonderful people and there's only one way and that's up for Manchester United."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

SAF ayeth Manchester United maneger wenawanam

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sir Alex Ferguson honoured with street naming

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been awarded the Honourary Freedom of the Borough of Trafford, and has had a street renamed in his honour.

It was announced in September that Ferguson would be awarded with the accolade following his retirement in the summer after 26 years as manager of United, and a formal ceremony took place on Monday.

The 71-year-old has also had Waters Reach, a street adjacent to Old Trafford and overlooking a new statue of Scottish manager, renamed Sir Alex Ferguson Way.

Legendary predecessor Sir Matt Busby has a street named in his honour on the opposite side of the stadium.

"It's a great honour," Sir Alex said of the award.

"I would like to thank the Borough of Trafford for this wonderful gesture. It is greatly appreciated by me and my family."

The Honourary Freedom is awarded to ‘persons of distinction and persons who have, in the opinion of the Council, rendered eminent services to the Borough’.

Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles and triumphed twice in the Champions League during an extraordinary spell at United that saw him lead the club to 28 trophies over two decades.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pepe helped me improve my game - Varane

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane says Pepe has been an invaluable mentor since he joined the club two years ago.

Varane arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Lens in 2011 and since has made 25 appearances for the capital club in La Liga.

And the France centre-back says the Portugal star acted as his mentor while trying to break into the first team - even though his own emergence resulted in Pepe dropping to the bench last term.

"One player who gives me a lot of advice at Real is Pepe," the 20-year-old told Fifa.com.

"He’s taught me never to give up. He always gives 100 per cent on the pitch and he tries to instil that winning mentality in me.

The youngster then went on to name France legend Lillian Thuram as an example to follow.

"I watch a lot of players in my position, but if I had to name a role model, I’d say Lillian Thuram because of the way he carried himself on the pitch and everything he did in his career.

Varane feels Paris Saint-German's Thiago Silva is currently the best centre-back in the world, and he is honoured by recent comparisons with the Brazil star.

"He's the number one in my position right now so it’s very flattering.

"I don’t like comparisons much but I am a similar kind of player to him in the way that I bring the ball out and defend, though we don’t have quite the same style."

Varane is currently preparing for his country's last World Cup qualifier against Finland on Tuesday after returning to fitness following a knee injury.