UK Football

Rafa Benitez just cannot stop raging at everyone these days. The latest target of the Spaniard’s fury was Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who made an innocent comment to the effect that Redknapp wishes Keane still played for the club. And of course Benitez took that as being an underhanded attempt at getting Keane to think about re-signing for Spurs, and threatened to take action with the FA for Redknapp’s unruly conduct.

But I think the real issue here is just that Benitez is feeling the pressure of his job, and he’s not surpassing expectations at all. Liverpool have fallen all the way to third in the Premier League after their horrid form of late, after a Premiership start that had everyone predicting yet another title for the League championship record holders. Just to show you how crazy and unfounded Benitez’s latest rage actually is, here were Redknapp’s exact quotes in response to Rafa’s ranting, “I only answered the question: do you wish Robbie Keane was still at the club and I said yes,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I wish Michael Carrick was still at the club, but he is not - it is hypothetical and it’s not going to happen unfortunately.

“I wish Dave Mackay was 22 and is still playing here and Glenn Hoddle was 18 and still here. That’s all I said.”

Arsene Wenger refuses to comment, but according to Sky Sports Andrei Arshavin has secured a UK work release, and likely Arsenal are the sponsor’s of said document, meaning a deal is either almost complete, or likely to complete before the transfer window shuts Monday. Arsenal could use a creative midfielder like Arshavin, especially with the underperformances they’ve suffered this year. At a time when everyone at the top, besides Aston Villa, seem to be playing well below their potential, Arsenal should be higher than fifth.

photo: Mark Freeman

Salomon Kalou’s goal celebrations from Wednesday’s match are being investigated by the FA, for what the Football Association calls a ‘handcuff’ gesture by Kalou.  Supposedly this is a shout out to recently freed activist Antoine Tiemoko, and the FA apparently disagrees with such a thing.  My point, who cares?  If Salomon Kalou want’s to call attention to some political issue he thinks is relevant, in a goal celebration, let him, I can’t be bothered to be offended by such a trivial thing.

Worthy of note is Kalou’s dismissal of the accusations, stating that the ‘handcuff’ gesture was in actuality a reference to his own strength for having scored both goals in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

Manchester City have failed once again in their attempt to sign Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn, despite tabling a very respectable £18million+ offer, Blackburn are apparently smart enough to not throw away their greatest talent.  That or they believe Santa Cruz to be in the £30million transfer level, and Allardyce has them holding out for more cash.  Either way, looks like Santa Cruz is stuck at Blackburn at least until the end of this season.

Speaking of Blackburn Rovers, El-Hadji Diouf is reportedly close to signing for the club.  Which is a move again that I don’t understand, for Blackburn it’s brilliant, they get a good player who failed to peak at Sunderland and who will be a worthy attacking replacement for when Santa Cruz does inevitably leave.  But why are Sunderland again in the habit of selling their big names.  I understand they had a few disciplinary issues with Chimbonda, but that doesn’t seem like enough reason to have sold him.

And I think the same thing of Diouf, yes he’s failed to score at Sunderland, but that doesn’t mean he won’t.  Sometimes it takes a player a long time to get settled at a new club, but that’s no reason for Sunderland to sell one of their best talents.  But I guess Ricky Sbragia has a plan, and he’s carrying it out to the fullest.

Finally, Bolton sold Kevin Nolan to Newcastle, a good pick up for Kinnear, but Newcastle shouldn’t be spending too much money at the moment, especially considering Shay Given has just officially handed in a written transfer request to depart from the club.  It’s not going to be cheap buying another keeper of Given’s quality.

photo: thetelf

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is very upset over Manchester City’s bid for keeper Shay Given.  Manchester City offered £5million for Newcastle’s 12 year veteran keeper, which seems like a small amount when compared with a bid like £100million for Kaka, but how much does Newcastle really expect for a goalkeeper?  I understand Shay Given has been a vital part of the club for 12 years, but goalkeepers just don’t fetch a lot of money unless they’ve achieved practically legendary status.

Shay Given is a good solid keeper, but I think Newcastle will be lucky to get £10million at the most for him.  Kinnear of course couldn’t waste an opportunity to run his mouth, and was quoted as saying about the event, “Irrespective of all the money I keep hearing, they’ve only offered £5m, not a penny more.

“We think it’s personally insulting to probably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.”

I think that’s a statement with two goals.  One of which for Kinnear to maybe anger City and force them to make a higher bid next time.  And the second, to perhaps convince Given to stay on at Newcastle, despite his desire to leave the club.  But Newcastle need to face the facts, you can’t keep a player at a club if they don’t want to stay, so Kinnear would be better off spending his time looking for an affordable replacement.

Newcastle suffered another blow to the club with the injury of Joey Barton.  The bad tempered midfielder broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, which will require surgery to repair.  Meaning Joe Kinnear will be without Barton’s services for at least 8 weeks.  A big loss to the club, as Barton is that battling midfielder every club needs.  It’s hard to replace a ball winner with as much tenacity as Barton.

Paul Robinson has had his red card rescinded for his horrid challenge on Manchester United’s Park, during Tuesday’s match.  And I call that a crap decision by the FA.  On the replay you clearly see Robinson dive at Park, both feet come off the ground, and Robinson leads with his knee straight into Park’s abdomen.  Robinson purposefully leapt into the challenge two footed to have more of an impact on the player, showing intent to injure.

If that isn’t a red card offence, I don’t rightly know what is.

photo: Austin Osuide

Not only did Manchester United completely dominate West Brom in the 5-0 victory for the defending champs, but United did two things no other Premiership club have done before.  Manchester United now hold the record for most consecutive clean sheets in the Premiership at 11, and Edwin Van Der Sar broke Petr Cech’s previous record of 1,025 minutes played without conceding a goal.  Manchester United appear to have finally found the form that has been missing most of this season.

Yesterday’s match also saw the returns of Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, and Park, all of which United had been missing greatly.  Park showed the difference he makes at the club with his brilliant wide right attacking runs, and tenacity to fight for the ball in front of goal.  While Ferdinand and Brown brought a level headedness that United had been desperately missing in the back four.

With Wayne Rooney set to return soon United are not only at the top of the table, but are also looking more ferocious than ever.

West Brom are a little angry over their treatment in yesterday’s match apparently, as they plan to challenge the straight red card given to club captain Paul Robinson in the first half.  But no doubt the FA will not only uphold the card, but maybe even add an additional match to Robinson’s ban, as there can be no question the challenge was extremely dangerous.  Ji-Sung Park had clearly won the ball, and Robinson lifted both feet off the ground as he dove straight into Park’s abdomen, knee first.

Dangerous play indeed, and ref Rob Styles had no other choice.  However, though I agree with the decision I think Styles brought the red card out a little fast.  I mean c’mon, he whipped the card out without even taking a few moments to think about his decision.  It was a straight red, but at least double check in your mind first, before sending a player off.

photo: thetelf

And, Joe Kinnear has accepted the probable future that Shay Given won’t be a part of the club for much longer, as the Newcastle keeper has been given permission to hold talks with Manchester City.  And City should buy him, as Given is a great keeper, and City desperately need someone to solidify their defence.  Newcastle are going to have to scramble to find a replacement though, before the transfer window closes February 2nd.

photo: Calebrw

AC Milan are going to try and make David Beckham’s loan deal at the club permanent, according to club vice president Adriano Galliani, who has said that the club is prepared to pay the LA Galaxy an appropriate fee for the acquisition of Beckham.  I would absolutely love if this is true, David Beckham is one of my favourite players to watch, and I was in disbelief when he announced his joining the LA Galaxy.

A player of Beckham’s quality shouldn’t be relegated to life in the MLS, Beckham deserves to play in a league with the best the world have to offer.  And seeing as he’ll never return to the Premier League, as Beckham has said that he’d only return to England to play for Man United and that’s not going to happen any time soon, Serie A is at least at the same competitive level as the Premiership.

I just hope MLS and the Galaxy will let it happen, they paid a lot for Beckham, but MLS just isn’t the right platform for him.  MLS made the mistake of trying to build a team around Beckham, but Becks needs to play in a squad that already has great players, then he makes them better with his precision passing a brilliant set pieces.  Beckham doesn’t belong in MLS.

Mark Hughes and Manchester City will fine Robinho for leaving training camp last week.  Despite citing family strife as his reason for departure, Mark Hughes says Manchester City will treat Robinho like any other player, meaning he must be fined.  Hughes said at a press conference, of the incident: “I have told Robby about the situation and our intention is to fine him.

“There is a disciplinary procedure and that is what we are doing.”

And good for Hughes, the last thing City need is a club at odds with each other because of speculative special treatment.  Despite the ‘family business’ Robinho had to attend to, there are proper channels for getting permission to leave under those circumstances.  You don’t just leave without telling the people who sign your million dollar pay cheques.

Hughes and City will fine Robinho upwards of £200,000 about two weeks salary.

Rafa Benitez has responded to Robbie Keane speculation by once again including the Irishman in his line-up for Liverpool’s match with Wigan on Wednesday.  Benitez drawing attention to Keane’s inclusion for me just draws more attention to the fact that Liverpool are probably seeking a deal to make back some of that £20million+ that was wasted on Keane’s transfer in the first place.

photo: John Dobson

Tottenham have picked up Carlo Cudicini on a free loan deal from Chelsea. The move means Tottenham finally have someone capable, instead of the unpredictable Gomes, as Gomes has played a big part in the horrid season Tottenham are having. And if nothing else Cudicini will bring capable hands as a back up for the next time Gomes is injured.

West Ham have found their replacement for Craig Bellamy in Savi Nsereko, although I don’t understand how signing an unproven 19 year old and letting another club buy Bellamy is in any way good club strategy. Bellamy was awesome, and understood how to play Premiership football, not to mention how to make perfect runs behind the opponents defence. Nsereko could end up being a dud, I know he was the UEFA U19 best player of the tournament, but that’s a big difference from trying to cut it in the Premier League.

photo: Vintagekits

Sunderland are on the verge of selling Pascal Chimbonda to Tottenham Hotspur, and I don’t really understand the move. Sunderland were really trying to achieve something with the signing of stars like Chimbonda, but in the aftermath of Roy Keane I just don’t understand the direction that the club is taking. Just over the halfway point of the season, and Sunderland are selling their best players? That club really needs to get itself straight, or else they‘ll drop another five places and find themselves back in the Championship.

Word is that Robbie Keane is heading for an Anfield exit, especially after Liverpool’s last match, in which the Irishman was left out of the squad completely, Rafa Benitez even resorted to putting David Ngog in place of Keane on the bench. But this is nothing new, Robbie Keane has never been right for Liverpool, and Liverpool never should have bought him.

photo: Jonnymccullagh

Keane needs to go somewhere else, maybe another mid-table club where the expectations will be lower, and Keane will once again flourish as he did at Tottenham.

Manchester United are in trouble again as 12 senior players will be unavailable for Tuesday’s fixture against West Brom. The problems are also mounting as United’s upcoming fixture against Everton that was supposed to take place next Monday has been moved to Saturday, because of Everton’s upcoming FA Cup replay with Liverpool. Meaning the almost fit Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown will probably still be unavailable after having lost an additional two days of recovery.

But United have been playing well with the youngsters, and as long as they still have Giggs, Neville and Scholes to keep the younger players in check, United will do fine.

photo: stella_gonzales2003

Liverpool have well and truly fallen flat in the Merseyside derby, first in the Premier League and now in the FA Cup. Liverpool had the golden opportunity of having two matches at Anfield, both of which should have seen them end up with favourable results. But Liverpool and Everton have now drawn twice. Which is beyond me, because Liverpool have a decent defence, and Everton don’t have a capable striker to speak of.

I’m still in the camp that thinks selling Andy Johnson was one of Everton’s biggest mistakes of the season, second only to their not finding a suitable replacement before the first transfer window expired. How David Moyes expected his side to compete for fifth place once again this season I have no idea, considering the talent he has on that team, the packed midfield, and the lack of anybody up front to receive that final ball and score.

But I would have to say, given the two results showed Everton dig deepest to repel the Liverpool attack twice at Anfield, Everton now have the advantage when the replay at Goodison Park takes place.

Sir Alex Ferguson, proving that he can reward loyalty, says that Ryan Giggs, British football’s most decorated player in history, will be offered an extended contract at the end of the season. And why not, Giggsy has proven time and time again that he’s still got what it takes to play at the Premiership level. He may not have those quick feet anymore, and he’s probably lost a yard or two of pace, but the coolness and intelligence Giggs still shows on the pitch is priceless.

No doubt the Welshman still has a few titles left in him before he hangs up his boots for good.

photo: Austin Osuide

Manchester United lose two more players to their mounting injury woes after today’s victory against Tottenham in the FA Cup. The quadruple may still be on for the champions, but now Fabio and Danny Welbeck join the injured ranks that will be unavailable for Tuesday’s Premier League match against Stoke City.

Wayne Rooney is set to return soon, as well as Patrice Evra, but not soon enough for Tuesday, meaning United will once again have to bolster their defence by calling up more of their promising youngsters and asking them to go up against a determined Stoke side. My question ahead of Tuesday is how will a make shift defence handle a few Rory Delap long throws?

Tottenham are going after Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones, and Redknapp desperately needs him what with most of his team giving disappointing performances lately. Nobody for Tottenham looked as impressive as they should have against United today. Especially David Bentley, who should have been able to slice through a make shift defence like United’s with his precision passing and long range shooting. But Bentley just hasn’t been the same since his departure from Blackburn.

Tottenham’s lack of confidence in front of goal makes me wonder why in the world Redknapp waited until the 72^nd minute to bring on Jermaine Defoe, especially with how well Defoe has been playing as of late. Wouldn’t you want a confident striker out there on the pitch, especially when you’re down a goal at Old Trafford? Which just leaves me to believe that while Redknapp complains about his lack of good players, I just think he can’t get a grip on Tottenham, and he might find himself jobless before too long, the way he’s now running the club.

Aston Villa have just made themselves an even more formidable challenger for the ranks of the Premiership elite, as they complete the £3.5million signing of Emile Heskey.  To me this spells out Villa’s desire to knock either Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea out of the top four, for good, come the end of this season.  And they couldn’t have picked a better compliment to one of the most talented strikers in the Premiership, Gabby Agbonlahor.

Heskey will be a perfect fit because of his ability to make his strike partner better, which will allow Agbonlahor to achieve that potential we all know the England man to be capable of.  The Villan’s have just put one major foot forward in their bid to join England’s elite, and Martin O’Neill is just the man to guide them into the promised land, especially after a huge move like this.

The Villans aren’t the only club to make a big transfer today, Hull City have acquired the services of Jimmy Bullard on a £5million transfer from Fulham.  And Hull could not have done better, because Bullard is a midfielder with infinite potential, he just lacks the confidence.  If Phil Brown can implant the confidence Bullard needs he will become an invaluable threat as a deadly long passer, and a constant long range goalscoring threat.

Congrats Hull and may you continue to challenge for the League’s top spots.

Harry Redknapp is complaining over his lack of quality players for the upcoming FA Cup fourth round clash with Manchester United, and has uttered such moral boosting phrases as: “Some key players have got injured and I will go there on Saturday with the weakest team I can possibly find.”

Redknapp was further frustrated about his lack of a quality goalkeeper, as first-choice Gomes will still be unavailable this weekend, forcing the horrid Alnwick to take his place. Redknapp even uttered another little moral booster about having been faced with this: “He’s the only goalkeeper I’ve got and this is a football club that has been put together by I don’t know who and I don’t know how.

“It’s a mish-mash of players with people playing where they want to play. It’s scary. I have to go to Old Trafford with that group of players that we had tonight.”

Although I think Redknapp has been at the club long enough to where he’s to blame for how his players handle themselves on the pitch. So while you may not have picked the majority, you’re still to blame Harry, when your players don’t carry out your orders well.

photo: Mark Freeman

And apparently Jose Mourinho has taken a page out of Redknapp’s book, as he resorted to calling his Inter Milan players “sh*t” also referring to their achievement of three successive Scudettos. But Jose is a much better manager than Redknapp, and I imagine the ‘special one’ had a much better reason for resorting to insult tactics.

And finally, Mark Hughes is set to hold talks with Robinho about his abrupt exit from the club’s training camp. Hughes said of the incident “Robby left without permission, he felt he had personal things to address.“He’ll be back at the weekend ready to train, I’ll explain my feelings and decisions will be made after that.”

I’ve never appreciated the way Robinho plays in the Premiership, mostly because I hate players that don’t accept defensive responsibility. I also think that Robinho’s way of playing the game and City’s place in the table is a commentary on Mark Hughes management abilities, he needs to get his players in check.

Sir Alex Ferguson got Ronaldo in check to where the Portuguese will actually track back during the course of a match. I understand Hughes isn’t the quality of Ferguson, but if you want to manage a Premiership club, you have to control your players, and Robinho’s actions to me, say that Hughes isn’t in command of his players.