Sundayleague game news

Henry's Not A Cheat

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:42:52 +0000

David Beckham has contradicted my last article by saying that Thierry Henry is not a cheat despite him cheating his face off against Ireland on Wednesday night.

The Frenchman's confusion between the games of football and basketball helped his team qualify for the World Cup at the Irish team's expense, but Beckham has leapt to his defence.

He said: "I honestly didn't think that Thierry meant it.

"I know Thierry as a player and a person. He is a great person and a great player. I really don't think that he meant it.

"It is a shame to see Ireland go out because they have such great fans and are so passionate.

"But these things happen in football. Whether it is right or wrong, I really don't think that he meant it.

"I don't think Thierry is a cheat. There are good headlines out there and there are bad headlines."

Henry the Cheat

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:47:53 +0000

Thierry Henry has admitted that the goal that beat Ireland in the World Cup playoffs was following a handball.

The French captain handled the ball before crossing to William Gallas who scored the winner in extra time, after Ireland had evened the aggregate scores in normal time.

He is not, however, feeling apologetic.

"Yes, there is a handball but I am not the referee", said Henry.

"I'm in the box, there are two defenders in front of me. The ball bounced off my hand, the referee did not see it and I played on.

"It doesn't change anything to the fact that I'm happy we have qualified."

Cool it!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:33:46 +0000

Ireland head coach Giovanni Trapattoni has called for cool heads ahead of his team's return leg against France in the World Cup qualifier playoffs.

The nations play tonight in France and the Irish have a 1-0 defecit to overcome, but their Italian manager hasn't given up hope.

He said: "I played football too and I know what happens.

"Players in games are always under pressure and sometimes, they don't know what happens in these moments.

"I am sure we and also the French players have forgotten all about it.

"I have said to the players, these games are for warm hearts and cool heads. We must play with cool heads, but warm hearts.

"With feet, we can score goals. If we keep cool heads, we can use our feet to score goals."

Jeffries Not Interested?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:28:51 +0000

Jim Jeffries has admitted that he's flattered to be linked to the now vacant Scotland job, but he has not said if he is interested in taking over.

The post of head coach became free when George Burley was given the boot yesterday following some poor results north of the border and Jeffries has been heavily tipped to take over. However the Kilmarnock manager is keeping his cards close to his chest.

"I've been linked before with the position.

"What I've said many a time when I get linked with a job, whether it's the Scotland job or any other job, I never comment on that.

"The day I'll comment on anything like that is the day I get asked, and then I'll be able to say yes or no.

"I have been linked and (it is) very flattering."

Upson Happy Hammer

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:57:19 +0000

Matthew Upson insists he has no plans to leave West Ham United for a more successful club.

The England international is battling at the bottom of the league table in a defence that has leaked goals but the player is still confident about his ability.

"Losing at West Ham is not affecting my performance," explained Upson. "You take pride in that no matter where the team is.

"It is not easy and it probably is better to be somewhere where you are winning matches, but West Ham is where I am at. I have a job to do for them.

"I don't think I have made that many mistakes individually this season but we have conceded a lot of goals. That is a problem and something we need to get better at.

"I won't let that affect my international aspirations. I am at West Ham. That is my club."

And talking of his future: "If something is put in front of me, and I have to make a decision about my future, then I will.

"At the moment it is not something I am thinking about. I am a West Ham player. Unless something happens, I am fully concentrated on them."

No Old Firm Darn Sarf

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:20:16 +0000

Bolton top man Phil Gartside's proposal to allow Celtic and Rangers play in a new two tier English Premier League has been rejected by the PL head honchos.

Some managers such as David Moyes and Harry Redknapp had been in favour but yesterday the English Premier League released a statement categorically rejecting this.

"Bolton Wanderers submitted a discussion paper detailing ideas concerning the restructuring of the Premier League into two tiers with the inclusion of Celtic and Rangers.

"The clubs welcomed the additional input into an ongoing process, however, they were of the opinion that bringing Celtic and Rangers into any form of Premier League set-up was not desirable or viable.

"The other relevant ideas contained within Bolton's paper will now be taken forward as part of the wider strategic review being undertaken by the Premier League since November 2008 with the aim of providing recommendations before December 2010."

Campbell The Magpie?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:20:01 +0000

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton is not ruling out the chance of his club signing Sol Campbell.

The defender was linked with the Mapies during the summer but finally singed a five year contract with Notts County, before running away, horrified, a few weeks later.

Now Hughton may have his sights on the former England player again.

"It's one that I wouldn't rule out," he said.

"He's a player who will go somewhere at some stage, and he will get a lot of offers. But we won't rule him out of coming here.

"I don't expect him to go anywhere at the moment, but he will be playing somewhere. I don't expect that to be until after Christmas.

"He has still got a lot to offer the game. He's already been at Notts County, but he only played one game so he hasn't played a lot of football.

"Wherever he goes, it will be on the back of that one game, but he has stated a desire to carry on playing, so it is one that possibly might happen."

Rafa The Realist

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:52:11 +0000

Rafa Benitez has looked at his team, their status in cups and the players at his disposal and, after a little cry, decided to be realistic about the future for Liverpool. To an extent.

The Red's 2-2 draw with Birmingham leaves them 11 points below league leaders Chelsea and the less said about the Champions League the better, but the Spaniard aims to end the bad spell.

"We have to be realistic and think what our target is now. For me it is just the next game, the next point to see whether we can climb a little higher in the table.

"Then you never know what can happen. We did win six games in a row, if we did that again everything would be different.

"The main thing now is to get players fit, and see who we have available for the next game after the international break.

"We will then wait for some months to pass and see whether we can win some games in succession. That is all I am looking at now."

McLeish Furious

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:43:32 +0000

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is an angry man after Liverpool managed to snatch a draw at the end of the game last night at Anfield thanks to a very dodgy penalty.

Birmingham were on course for a 2-1 win until Liverpool player Ngog dived over the feet of Lee Carsley. Steven Gerrard buried the penalty and the home team took an unworthy point from the game. McLeish was not in the best of moods after the game.

"It is a shame for the game, he has conned the referee," McLeish said.

"Lee has gone in but he has not made contact with the player, Mr Walton is a great referee but he has got that wrong.

"I thought they huffed and puffed but I don't think they were going to score, if we hadn't had that I think we would have won.

"He could have hurdled him, he didn't have to go to ground.

"It is ludicrous, part of the game is evading the challenges - but he has got his team a penalty and they got a point, but unfortunately it cost us possibly two points."

Sralex Upbeat

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:25:55 +0000

Sralex Ferguson has had a right whinge about the ref yesterday but remains defiant about Manchester United's title challenge after his team's defeat to Chelsea (1-0) at Stamford Bridge (soon to be called the Cokepizzahutmacdonaldsvolkswagen Stadium).

The Scot was furious with referee Martin Atkinson for giving a dubious free kick which led to the London team's only goal but he wasn't dwelling on that, saying that United are strongest when they are under pressure.

"Thatt was Manchester United we saw today," Ferguson told journalists.

"We've got a great squad and today was a reminder that we're a very good team.

"We've been criticised recently by a lot of people, but that won't deter us.

"We've got a cause now, a great cause - we want to win this league. And the lead isn't unassailable, that's for sure."