Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes striker partners Darren Bent and Christian Benteke will turn things around for the club once they have had time to click.
Villa have made a shaky start to the season under new manager Lambert, winning just one of their first five games. Bent fired the Midlanders ahead in the first half at Southampton on Saturday but Villa then collapsed as the top-flight newcomers stormed to a 4-1 win.
Belgium youngster Benteke has also scored just one Premier League goal this season, in Villa’s sole success over Swansea, after arriving from Genk in the summer. Despite his side’s slow start, manager Lambert is counting on his strike duo to ignite the club’s campaign once they have gelled up front. He told The Sun:
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“I am sure we’ll be fine. Christian was a handful and Darren is a goalscorer but it will take time for them to gel.” On Bent’s goal, he added: “”That’s Darren to a tee. That’s how he has made a living out of the game with the way he can score.”
West Ham United defender Jordan Spence says that the youngsters who played a part in the 4-1 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night will become better players as a result, according to the club’s official website.
Despite being part of a defence that conceded four, the 22-year-old, who has enjoyed loan spells with Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe United and Bristol City in the past, was the stand-out performer in the Hammers’ Capital One Cup elimination and was announced as man-of-the-match by the club’s match day sponsor.
The West Ham academy graduate says that he was delighted to get some first-team football, “To be honest I am just happy to play. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and everybody knows that whenever I pull on the claret and blue shirt I will give my all.”
Despite this, Spence admits that he is still hurting from Tuesday’s display, “When I get a chance in the first team I just want to show everybody what I can do, it was nice to do that in a winning side against Crewe but to lose this game leaves an extremely bitter taste in my mouth.”
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Spence also fears that the younger players at the club have now spurned their opportunity to play more regularly in the first-team, “It was a good opportunity for us younger lads to come in and gain experience and show that we are still pushing for a place in the first team, unfortunately we didn’t do that.”
In wake of news that Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John is on his back to England from Orlando City, we have complied a list of some of the less famous brothers to have attempting to make their way in football
The quality or lack of, in the MLS has been the subject of much debate for a long time on these shores, but Wayne’s bros has been languishing in the American third division, prior to agreeing a deal to sign for Barnsley.
While some players have gone on to have decent careers in the shadow of much more famous counterparts, others have simply languished in obscurity with inferior genetics or mentality.
This blog looks closer at those younger less famous footballers who haven’t lifted the Champions League, made the grade at international level or commanded obscene transfer fees. Players here are more concerned with semi-professional football and lower league competition, than the global stage their brothers reached.
From now to January 1st, Liverpool fans can expect to have almost every player in world football to be linked with their club. It’s the way it always has been and always will be with Liverpool, the rumour mill goes into overdrive as every player ‘who supported the club as a boy’ is linked with a multi million pound deal.
Especially this time around, as Liverpool will be desperately searching for a striker come January, and perhaps some more attacking talent to add to Brendan Rodgers threadbare squad. But with so many names being linked with a move to Anfield, what should be Rodgers top priority at value for money?
According to talkSport The latest names to be linked with the Reds, are Atletico Madrid winger Arda Turan and Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez.
Rodgers has apparently sent scouts to watch ‘self confessed Liverpool fan’ Turan in action for Turkey, whilst Sanchez is linked due to the fact he has only started three of Barcelona’s seven league matches this season.
Last week, another winger Dries Mertens was linked with the Anfield club, as well as young Argentine Luciano Vietto, who has reportedly been attracting attention from PSG, Juventus and Real Madrid.
A host of exciting names i’m sure you’ll agree, all of which would fit the Brendan Rodgers ‘philosophy’. But whilst all these skillful players remain linked, there’s no mention of where that 20-goal-a-season man is coming from. The basic thing Liverpool have been lacking, is someone to put the ball in the back of the net. And whilst all these players linked would prove exciting additions, the first thing Rodgers goes searching for should be a goalscorer.
He may not have to look very far. Darren Bent and Daniel Sturridge have both been touted as possible Anfield targets. Bent is reportedly unhappy at Villa Park since the summer arrival of Paul Lambert, and could be available for as little as £12million – half of the transfer fee Villa paid for him in January 2011. With Liverpool’s owners reportedly looking to cut costs, Bent could be a good piece of business.
A proven Premier League goal scorer with the likes of Charlton and Sunderland, it has always been somewhat surprising for me Liverpool have not bid for the former Ipswich man sooner. With the amount of chances created at Anfield over the past couple of seasons, you wonder how different things could have been had a fit Darren Bent been on the end of Stewart Downing’s countless deliveries.
Bent is a striker that splits opinion after a disappointing spell at Tottenham, but having watched him closely from his Ipswich days, I am of the opinion Bent is a top class finisher who would flourish at Anfield. He has scored goals everywhere he has been, and the lack of goals is what needs to be addressed quickly for Liverpool. At £12 million he could prove a steal.
Daniel Sturridge is another name linked, with the Daily Mail yesterday reporting Chelsea are willing to sell the former Manchester City man for £15million. Arsenal are also thought to be interested, although Liverpool would be willing to play Sturridge in his preferred position of central striker.
Rodgers was thought to have tried to bring him in as a loan replacement for Andy Carroll on deadline day, but Sturridge backed out of the deal as he wanted something permanent. This suggests Rodgers puts Sturridge above Bent in the pecking order, although I am not convinced he is the better alternative.
His goal scoring record is not a patch on Bent’s, and he has often displayed a lack of maturity at Chelsea. Often playing for himself rather than the team, constantly showboating and attempting the spectacular, and moaning at not being played in his favourite position. Bent’s link up play and work ethic is stronger in my opinion, and would be a good focal point in Rodgers preferred 4-3-3 system, as he is adept to holding the ball up as well as running in behind.
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The thing Sturridge has going for him is his age. At 23, he fits into the Liverpool owners ‘moneyball philosophy’ and Rodgers you feel would relish the chance to mould his undeniable talent, that has gone somewhat missing at Stamford Bridge. He does have more pace then Bent, and has the ability to play wide in a 4-3-3, and possibly interchange with the likes of Suarez, Sterling, Suso and Borini when fit.
Needless to say, from now until January countless more names will be added to Liverpool’s transfer shortlist. But for now, a goal scorer must remains top priority, as it always seems to do heading into a transfer window with Liverpool. You just hope this time they do manage to recruit one in a more straightforward fashion.
Who do you want to see Liverpool buy in January? Follow me on Twitter @LukeGreenwood89 and let me know your thoughts.
Newcastle United didn’t seem to have a Europa League hangover as they snatched a late win against West Brom in a scrappy game at St James Park.
Demba Ba was partnered by Shola Ameobi for the second league game in a row as Papiss Cisse was once again confined to the bench and it was that partnership that gave the hosts the lead as Ba made the most of an Ameobi flick on to slam home the opener.
Tim Krul was impressive in the Toon goal and he had to regularly be at his best to keep out Steve Clarke’s side as West Brom regularly threatened to level the game with Romelu Lukaku a constant thorn in Newcastle’s side.
It was Lukaku who grabbed the Baggies equaliser after Zoltan Gera lofted a ball into the six yard box for the on loan Chelsea striker to powerfully head home the deserved equaliser.
West Brom have been impressive so far this season under Clarke and had their own late chances, however substitute Papiss Cisse came off the bench to score a last minute winner after Sammy Ameobi’s shot struck him on the back and went in.
Newcastle were without midfield maestro Cheick Tiote after his red card against Sunderland last week and the five in midfield for West Brom regularly dominate the centre of the pitch in an impressive away performance despite losing.
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West Brom are still sitting pretty in 8th with Newcastle jumping into the top half of the table and are now just one point behind the Baggies thanks to the late winner.
Sir Alex Ferguson insisted that he was not too disheartened by Manchester United’s Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.
The Red Devils fielded a youthful XI, featuring such names as Nick Powell, and slipped to a 1-0 defeat away in Turkey.
Despite the result, Fergie was pleased with his side’s showing:
“Their temperament was good, the crowd never affected us and I thought they put up a reasonable show.” He told SkySports.
“Some of the possession was good, some of the attacking play at times was good without finishing the game off with one or two opportunities in both halves.
“But when you lose a goal from a set-piece you are always going to be saying it’s a bad way to lose a goal.
“They had a few strikes from outside the box which our goalkeeper dealt with well, other than that I thought we handled it OK.
“I think if there was one part of it we were going to worry about was set-pieces because they are a more experienced, stronger, bigger side and you expect them to cause you some problems at set-pieces.
He also believed his team handled the pressure created by the home crowd admirably:
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“We handled it quite well throughout the match,
“But we have lost a goal from (a corner). It is not surprising because of the strength they have there, but nonetheless to lose a goal from a corner kick is never easy to take.”
With the January transfer window approaching, a number of Premier League clubs will be looking to take advantage and move on the deadwood in their squads.
It should perhaps be a given that clubs such as Arsenal might feature heavily, but Arsene Wenger doesn’t have the biggest of squads at the Emirates, nor can he rely on a fully healthy side for the majority of the season. In contrast, Roberto Mancini will very much be looking to make way for others, while Alex Ferguson may want to reassess his options and strengthen other areas of his team.
For the most part, clubs will struggle to get a decent return from the transfer market, with the majority of players having little to show in the way of eye-catching performances in recent months. But the issue of the financial state of the game will also weigh heavily on those looking to fund other purchases. Regardless, these players have either become passengers or simply headaches for a manager looking to move his club forward. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see many of them feature in the transfer stories come the new year.
The glamour of the Cup. The drama of the Cup. The romance of the Cup. Why are these phrases usually reserved for the FA Cup?
This season’s Capital One Cup has produced some of the most outstanding games of the season, as well as some of the most outrageous results. We’ve seen games this year with more goals scored in extra time than seen in most Premier League matches; games between giants and minnows with the two sides going goal-for-goal; and more than a couple of last-gasp winners to seal some shock results.
The limelight in March may be reserved for the Premier League’s elite as usual, but it’s time for the likes of Chris O’Grady, James Collins, Jake Buxton and Bobby Grant to take centre stage…
Click on Theo Walcott to see this season’s top 10 Capital One Cup goal fests
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Off of the back of two emphatic victories Coventry fans could be forgiven for getting a little carried away. I was definitely one of them but this weekend showed we are not yet the finished article.
Whilst it wasn’t another win that we all craved it was a hard fought point against a good Preston side. We didn’t ever reach the level that we had in the previous games and it showed as Preston took control of the game in the second half. By no means though were we being over run as we dug deep to keep them at bay whilst still creating a couple of decent chances for ourselves.
We have to be happy in the end with the point which leaves us sitting 13th in the table. The progress in the last few weeks has been there for everyone to see and the point stretches our unbeaten run to 7 games. Considering how we started the season this is a real achievement and is another indicator of how far we have come under Mark Robins. He was the first to admit that we weren’t at the same level we had been in the past few weeks and I think all of the players would agree
We cannot expect it every week though as that is being completely unrealistic. Every team even the United’s and Madrid’s of this world have bad days but we all know the sign of a good team is to grind out a result even when it doesn’t look like its going to be your day. We didn’t quite manage that completely against Preston but they thoroughly deserved their equaliser and a point in the end was a fair result. We are undoubtedly on the up still though and this result is barely a hiccup in what has been a fantastic few weeks for the club on the field.
However off the field it is a different story and the club is still surrounded by uncertainty. The recent rent dispute between the club and the owners of the Ricoh has gone very quiet over the past week or so. The club has however reiterated its stance through Joy Seppala directly in which she reiterated the fact that we are paying extortionate rent compared to any other league one club.
The one example that stood out for me in her statement was that of Doncaster Rovers. According to her they were paying £1million in rent not too much less than we agreed to pay when we began renting the Ricoh. They have now agreed a deal which sees them paying dramatically less money which is stated to be £10,000 a year on Coventry’s website but I have a feeling this is a typo with it actually being £100,000 a year. £10,000 can’t be true as there are people out there who pay close to that rent a year to live in a house. £100,000 averages out with other league one clubs as well so I am taking it as that figure.
Even with the increased figure it is a dramatic drop in the rent. It is clear that Sisu are looking for something similar and this can only be good for the club itself if an agreement can be reached. I still feel that if we could get them to drop it to £300,000 or around that figure along with access to matchday revenue then we as a club are onto a winner. Yes we will still be paying more than other league one clubs but we do have an incredible stadium at our disposal and no disrespect to other clubs but grounds like Portsmouth’s Fratton Park and Swindon’s County Ground are fields with stands compared to the Ricoh Arena.
It is an incredible arena and no one can deny that and for that reason we should be paying more than others for the privilege of using it. A stadium is an important part of any football club and I do feel that the Ricoh has played a positive part for Coventry as well as the obvious negative
I have no doubt that the Ricoh will have been a big factor for many players agreeing to come to play for us. The facilities are second to none and that has to be attractive to players looking for new clubs. I know if I personally was a player a teams ground would have a massive bearing on my decision on which club to play for.
Now lots of people will say it shouldn’t matter it should all be about going to club where u will play and a club that has the chance for success. We all know however that being in nice surroundings is a huge thing for every person in every walk of life. We all dream of bigger and better houses just as player’s dream of playing in bigger and better stadiums. Do I think the like of McGoldrick, King, Dennis Wise etc would have played for this club if we were still at Highfield road, no I don’t.
Everyone is impressed who goes to the Ricoh and for me the stadium is the one thing that people see and think wow, Coventry are still a big club and deserve better things. Yes it has been a massive hindrance to the club financially but it could still turn out to be a blessing in the future. Once the rent row is sorted the club can begin to move forward on the field and then once again consider long term ownership of the Ricoh. A ground which would ultimately not look out of place if we were ever to return to the promised land that is the premier league.
Away from the Rent row and there has been more potential good news for the club with striker Leon Clarke joining on trial. An impressive 11 goals in 15 appearences for Scunthorpe in the first part of the season means he could be a real asset in league one. My only concern is that his arrival may signal the end of McGoldrick’s stint at the club. I hope we can have both but as a Coventry fan I know that scenario is very unlikely.
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Shaun Wright-Phillips came back to haunt former club Chelsea with a winning goal for QPR that could kickstart their survival bid. Liverpool started 2013 in the best possible fashion with victory over Sunderland while the two Manchester clubs are still at loggerheads at the Premier League summit after winning their first games of the New Year.
Chelsea 0-1 QPR: QPR’s bid to avoid the drop is well and truly up and running after Shaun Wright-Phillips earned an unlikely win at capital rivals Chelsea. The R’s gave themselves every chance of clambering to safety after Wright-Phillips struck 12 minutes from time, rifling home from the edge of the area to settle a fraught encounter at Stamford Bridge. Harry Redknapp’s men remain at the foot of the table but are now only five points from safety after inflicting Rafael Benitez’s first home defeat as Blues boss.
Newcastle United 1-2 Everton: Newcastle began life without Demba Ba with a defeat as Everton came from behind to move up to fifth in the table and strengthen their hopes of snatching a Champions League place. With Ba’s move to Chelsea all but complete the onus is now on Papiss Cisse to fill the goalscoring void left by his Senegal compatriot. And the 27-year-old did exactly that inside the first minute, looping a header over Tim Howard from close range after reading the flight of Tim Krul’s long punt upfield. The Toffees soon found their groove and equalised two minutes before half time when Leighton Baines smashed a free kick through the wall and into the top corner after Marouane Fellaini was fouled 25-yards from goal. The turnaround was complete on the hour mark as Victor Anichebe slid home Nikicia Jelavic’s left wing cross just 90 seconds after coming off the bench and made it nine defeats in 11 games for the hosts.
Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland: Luis Suarez scored twice for Liverpool as they eased to victory over Sunderland at Anfield. The Reds have been in impressive form of late and followed up Sunday’s victory at QPR with a display of real attacking vigour with new £12 million signing Daniel Sturridge watching from the stands. Despite a confident start from the visitors they were beind with 19 minutes on the clock as teenager Raheem Sterling showed composure beyond his years to delicately lob Simon Mignolet after meeting Suarez’s lofted pass. The Uruguayan striker would double that lead seven minutes later, brushing off Carlos Cuellar and striking the ball past Mignolet at the near post. And the scoring was complete just after the break when Suarez controlled an arrowed pass from Steven Gerrard and finished confidently in front of the Kop to register his 15th goal of the season.
Southampton 1-1 Arsenal: An own goal from Guly Do Prado rescued a point for Arsenal at St Mary’s as Southampton climbed out of the relegation zone. Returning former Saints stars Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott dominated the headlines before kick off but a sluggish performance from the Gunners made the headlines after the final whistle as they began 2013 on a low note. After a bright start the home side snatched the lead in the 34th minute when Gaston Ramirez seized upon a loose ball and drilled low past Wojciech Szczesny. But four minutes before the break the visitors found themselves level. Walcott whipped in a free kick from the left and Do Prado needlessly stuck out a leg to send the ball into his own net past Artur Boruc.
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City: Manchester City started 2013 as they mean to proceed with victory over Stoke at the Etihad Stadium to remain seven points behind leaders United at the top-flight summit. Robert Mancini’s men were forced to remain patient against a resolute Potters side but found their way to a win they hope will pave the way to clawing back the advantage built up by their local rivals. City had to wait until two minutes before half time before opening the scoring with Pablo Zabaleta pouncing to score after Asmir Begovic spilled James Milner’s right wing cross. That lead was doubled in the 56th minute by Edin Dzeko, as he continued his recent hot streak in front of goal, showing excellent strikers instinct to slot home after another fumble from Begovic. And 16 minutes from time Sergio Aguero scored from the spot despite Steven Nzonzi’s foul on David Silva appearing to take place outside the box.
Swansea City 2-2 Aston Villa: Danny Graham smashed home an injury time equaliser to spare Swansea’s blushes and deny Aston Villa a morale boosting victory. Paul Lambert’s men had leaked 15 goals in their three games over Christmas and were determined to get back on track in south Wales, but found themselves behind after just nine minutes. Some fine buildup play from Leon Britton and Pablo Hernandez was finished off by Wayne Routledge to give the home side a deserved lead at the expense of his former club. That was usually where Villa would begin to crumble but on the stroke of half time they responded as Andreas Weimann stroke the ball home from the edge of the area after Christian Benteke was given time and space to find his strike partner. Then, with six minutes left to play, Nathan Dyer brought Weimann down in the penalty area and Benteke confidently converted from the spot to put Villa on the cusp of a morale boosting victory. But such has been their luck of late they were denied all three points when Graham beat Brad Guzan at the second attempt with a powerful right-footed effort.
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Reading: Tottenham cruised to third in the table after coming from behind to dispatch Reading with ease at White Hart Lane. The hosts were left stunned when Pavel Pogrebnyak reacted sharply to nod past Hugo Lloris after Ian Harte’s free kick rebounded back off the bar. Sadly that was as good as it got for the Royals and within five minutes Michael Dawson met Gylfi Sigurdsson’s corner with a diving header to restore parity. And soon after the break Emmanuel Adebayor put Spurs into the lead with powerful header from Aaron Lennon’s cross before Clint Dempsey’s sealed the win 11 minutes from time with a strike that deflected off Mikele Leigertwood and looped over Adam Federici into the net.
West Ham United 2-1 Norwich City: Norwich slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat after a controversial penalty from Mark Noble put West Ham on the road victory at Upton Park. The Canaries have gone way off the boil since their 10-game unbeaten run was ended just before Christmas and will need to improve swiftly if they’re to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle in the new year. The Hammers, on the other hand, have their eyes on challenging for Europe and got off to the best possible start when Noble scored from the spot after three minutes after referee Mark Clattenburg adjudged Ryan Bennett to have impeded Winston Reid. The home side were well on top and were two goals to the good in the 26th minute courtesy of Joey O’Brien’s cool 10-yard finish after good work from Noble. It wasn’t until the 90th minute that Norwich mustered a response when Russell Martin volleyed home from Elliott Bennett’s cross
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Wigan Athletic 0-4 Manchester United: A brace each for Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez ensured Manchester United preserved their seven point lead at the top of the table with an easy win at Wigan. The DW Stadium has proven somewhat of a bogey venue for United over the years but they turned in a performance of the highest professional standard to start 2013 off in style. They had to wait until the 35th minute before breaching the Latics rearguard with Hernandez side footing home after Ali Al-Habsi beat Patrice Evra’s shot into his patch. Van Persie then scored his first of the afternoon two minutes before the break, bending a delicious effort past Al-Habsi from distance. And just after the hour Hernandez wrapped up the points, driving the ball into the net after Van Persie’s free kick came back off the wall, before the Dutchman hit a fourth with two minutes remaining after capitalising on a defensive mix-up.
West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Fulham: Dimitar Berbatov produced a virtuoso display to inspire Fulham to only their second away win of the season with victory over West Brom at the Hawthorns. The Bulgarian striker has been a shining light in what has been a disappointing campaign for the Cottagers but turned on the style in the West Midlands to give supporters reason to be optimistic in the new year. It was Berbatov who gave Fulham the lead six minutes before half time, arrowing an effort through Ben Foster’s legs from Ashkan Dejagah’s cut back. The Baggies have been formidable on home turf this term and responded four minutes of the break when Romelu Lukaku turned in Billy Jones’ cross despite appearing to be in an offside position. Fulham regained the lead just before the hour when Bryan Ruiz clipped a ball into Alex Kacaniklic and the Swedish winger turned Jones and Gareth McAuley on the edge of the area before cooly finishing past Foster.