I don’t particularly understand why Amr Zaki is doing practically everything in his power to mess up his football career, and his standing with Wigan Athletic, who have given him the world stage necessary to become a star. As you likely know by now, Zaki still hasn’t reported back to Wigan after the international break, and is essentially missing in action, giving no reason to manager Steve Bruce for his absence. Considering Wigan pay the lad very well, and the fact that he’s become a major star for them, why would Zaki throw all that away, and ruin his standing with other clubs that could be interested in purchasing him?
There are two theories floating around, one as reported by Zaki’s agent, is that the striker picked up a hamstring knock playing for Egypt on March 29th. Although why he wouldn’t report to the team physio at Wigan to ensure his speedy recovery is beyond me, which just leads me to believe that it’s a completely false reason, likely to cover up his more likely real reasons for not returning.
Those reasons of course being Zaki’s feeling that he is too good for Wigan, given the attention he’s received from “bigger” clubs. A few of the top four have shown interest, as well as numerous other clubs around the League and Europe, and I think that’s gone to Zaki’s head. The Egyptian striker is considering himself too good for Steve Bruce’s organization, and doesn’t see why he should have to lower himself to playing for them. That’s the only conclusion I can come to.
I would hope that anybody considering buying Zaki would also factor in his behavior towards his club, because he really isn’t good enough to have such a diva attitude.
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.
Steve Bruce is angry, and I have to say that I completely understand and agree with his anger over the fact that the FA will not overturn yellow card offences that have been called incorrectly. Emmerson Boyce was sent off after two yellow card offences during Wigan’s match with Newcastle at the weekend. The second of which was called completely incorrectly, as every replay of the event showed Boyce’s tackle on Shola Ameobi to be completely fair.
Which referee Andre Mariner saw after the match, causing the official to do the right thing and apologize for having made the incorrect call.
So I don’t understand why Boyce is still suspended? The match official admits he’s made a mistake, Boyce and Wigan are backed by replays of the match which clearly show nothing to be wrong with Boyce’s challenge, and still because of a stupid FA rule Wigan are forced into Boyce serving a one match ban.
I guess, just like Steve Bruce, that makes me angry as well.
I understand the reasoning behind the FA rule, as if they allowed players to appeal yellow cards, then every player that was carded during a match weekend would appeal. But something needs to be amended so that if a match official admits they made a mistake for whatever reason, the FA will take that into consideration, and rescind a mistaken call.
