Thursday, 28 February 2013

Chelsea supporters' groups turn on 'isolated' Rafael Benítez - The Guardian

A leading figure in the Chelsea Supporters Trust says he was "astonished" by Rafael Benítez's condemnation of dissenting supporters and can see shades of Brian Clough's ill-fated reign at Leeds United in the Spaniard's interim stewardship at Stamford Bridge.

Tim Rolls had just left a suddenly fog-bound Riverside Stadium on Wednesday following Chelsea's 2-0 FA Cup win against Middlesbrough and was preparing for the long journey back to London when his radio began reporting Benítez's outburst. "A lot of people were pretty unhappy about his implosion," he says. "His appointment has been likened to Brian Clough going to Leeds; it seems to be one of those pairings which just don't fit.

"Benítez has isolated himself from the majority of the supporters. After Middlesbrough, I wouldn't have thought he'll get a very good reaction at the West Brom game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday."

Rolls disputes Benítez's assertion that the abuse from the stands is jeopardising Chelsea's chance of success. "People are astonished by what he said," he says. "The fans get behind the team and they will be behind the team against West Brom."

He suspects the outburst was carefully planned. "Otherwise it seems strange to come out with it at Middlesbrough where he got far less stick than usual. The criticism he got a few weeks ago when they lost at Newcastle was far worse. People didn't protest after the final whistle at Middlesbrough, the team had won, they weren't angry, they just left the ground."

While Rolls sees Benítez's assertion that prefixing his title with "interim" was a massive mistake as "totally bizarre – he must have agreed to it when he took the job"– he is more concerned with the manager's claim that it is only a minority of fans who are against him. "To say it's a minority is wrong," he says. "Most fans don't want him at Chelsea, it's just that some protest, others don't. He tends to get much less stick at away games."

Dave Dunbar, the chairman of the Swindon Blues supporters club, is far from an apologist for Benítez but he believes the opposition to Chelsea's interim manager has, on occasion, been carried too far. Dunbar listened to Benítez's suggestion that those who constantly sing abusive songs and wave "Rafa Out" banners are jeopardising Chelsea's chances of success' with interest.

"I agree that a lot of the stuff that has happened at Stamford Bridge has possibly put the players off and can be distracting," Dunbar says. "Some of it is not on but some of it is justified. I don't think too much of Benítez's tactical ability or his substitutions. He's very predictable. Or his policy of resting players when he should be fielding his strongest team and getting into winning positions before taking them off. Rafael Benítez is not a liked man at Chelsea."

Much of the dislike stems from the Champions League rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea during the days when Benítez was in charge at Anfield and made certain comments which irritated followers of the London club.

"It was almost certainly a wind-up, all managers get involved in mind games," Dunbar says. "But his Liverpool past is a big reason why people have been digging into him since day one. He would not have been the fans' choice."

The man who chose to replace Roberto Di Matteo with Benítez seems immune from any flak. "The fans will not criticise Roman Abramovich, at the end of the day it's his money," says Dunbar, who is adamant that backing for Chelsea's owner remains staunch although there may not be a flood of season ticket renewal applications. "It's Roman Abramovich's club, he can do what he wants. Some people are saying they will review renewing their season tickets if he doesn't sort things out." Rolls agrees. "There's no criticism of Roman Abramovich but there is a disillusionment with the club's hierarchy," he says. "Season tickets are an issue. Renewals usually go out in April so Chelsea could do with knowing who next season's manager will be by then."

It is safe to assume that, even at Stamford Bridge's high prices, there will be a stampede for seats should José Mourinho be recalled. "We'd love the Special One back," Dunbar says.

It appears that, despite Wednesday's diatribe, Benítez could well stay until the summer. Should he depart earlier, Dunbar is cool on the prospect of Avram Grant again keeping the seat warm. "I'm not sure," he says. "Maybe John Terry could take a senior role."

Rolls does not necessarily see imminent change as the answer. "We've already sacked one manager this season in Roberto Di Matteo which fans are still unhappy about and there's a shallow pool out there at the moment," he says. "We don't need yet more uncertainty."

He too would like Mourinho back. "He's got that element of surprise. He can spot weaknesses early and make quick tactical changes and substitutions. He's one of those charismatic people who transform clubs."

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez's BBC Radio 5 live interview in full - BBC Sport

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez gave a passionate and revealing interview on BBC Radio 5 live following Wednesday's FA Cup victory at Middlesbrough.

The former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss criticised the Chelsea fans for their lack of support and says it was a "massive mistake" to name him as an interim manager.

The 52-year-old Spaniard also confirmed he would leave the Premier League club at the end of the season.

It has been a difficult few months for Benitez, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November, and he suddenly chose to voice his frustration to 5 live Sport in an interview following his side's 2-0 win at the Riverside.

Read a transcript of Benitez's interview with BBC Radio 5 live reporter Alastair Yeomans in full below.

Rafael Benitez on BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live reporter Alastair Yeomans: "What was a difficult first half for you in the end turned out OK?"

Rafael Benitez: "Yes, it was difficult, normally in the FA Cup it's always difficult but I thought our team was doing well, it was a professional performance, a lot of players doing well. I was really pleased with Nathan Ake [who made his full debut] and really pleased with Paulo Ferreira because they showed they are good players and fantastic professionals. So for me, a great performance of the team and I am really pleased with the result."

AY: "What was your thinking about making eight changes for this game, because we saw the other week when Arsenal maybe didn't play their full team against Blackburn they lost. What was your thinking about that?"

RB: "I had a lot of confidence in the players because I can see them training every day and they were doing really well, so I was really pleased, I could see in the training sessions and was really pleased, so to play them, no problem."

AY: "And first half, the tempo, was that quick enough for you, was that good enough for you?"

RB: "I think that they were pushing so they were working hard so it was not easy but they were doing their job."

AY: "How important is this FA Cup to you now? You go to Manchester United next so there are no givens."

RB: "I think for us every game, every trophy is really important. I have been manager for 26 years, I have won the Fifa Club World Cup, the Champions League, FA Cup, a lot of trophies and I'm really a little bit disappointed with some fans, a group of fans singing and I think they are not making any favour to the team.

"They have to support the team instead of wasting time doing banners or singing songs. What they have to do is support the team and create a good atmosphere in Stamford Bridge. If we cannot achieve the target that we are looking for, to be in the Champions League... If they continue singing and talking and talking then I think they are not making any favours. They have to support the players, they have to support the team, I have experience as a manager, I will do my best until the last day.

Rafa's rants

Benitez's 'fact' statement in 2009, responding to Sir Alex Ferguson's comments about the fixture list: "I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start."

On Marco Materazzi questioning his management style: "He's lying. Marco Materazzi is lying. He's lying, just lying. Everything that he said is a lie. Simple."

On Roy Hodgson succeeding him as Liverpool boss in November 2010: "Every single press conference is even worse than the last one. He is talking about things he doesn't know… some people cannot see a priest in a mountain of sugar."

On Everton in 2007: "When you play against the smaller teams at Anfield, you know the game will be narrow and compact. You could see one team that wanted to win."

"They gave me the title of interim manager, it's a massive mistake. I am the manager and I will manage the team until the end, every single minute.

"If they want to carry on wasting time with these things because they have an agenda, they have to take responsibility if something is wrong. It's not just 'I will blame this one, I will blame the other one', what they have to do is to support the team and then everyone has to stick together and we can achieve what we want to achieve - that is the Champions League. Simple.

"If not then next year they can carry on singing but we will be in the Europa League so they have to realise that they are not making any favour - to the rest of the fans and also to the players."

AY: "When you made the comments that they are talking about, some of them, you were fighting for Liverpool. There was a big rivalry with Liverpool and Chelsea, you'd expect you to say those things, is that what you're saying?"

RB: "I am a professional, I am doing my job and I will do my job. What I want to do is, I want to win every single game for Chelsea Football Club. But, if they don't understand this, at the end of the season, because I am interim, I will leave. They don't need to worry about me.

"What they have to do is to support the team, to support the players. And it's a group of people and they have an agenda. They have to realise that the rest of the fans, they want to see the team the next year in the Champions League. It's not 'I am right or I am wrong', you have to see the team in the Champions League and they have to support the team, that is the main thing.

"At the end of the season, I will leave. They don't need to be worrying about me."

Rafael Benitez speaking to the written press

After talking to BBC Radio 5 live, Benitez continued on the same theme in his post-match news conference. Here are the selected highlights:

Speaking about Chelsea supporters, he said:

"If we cannot achieve what we expect to achieve, that is to be in the top four and be in the Champions League for next year, I will leave; they will stay in the Europa League."

"Again I will say, a group of fans, they don't realise - the rest of the fans, they want to see the team in the Champions League.

"This group of fans, they have an agenda, they say 'We are right'. They can be right at the end of the season, it's simple."

Analysis

"The pressure he has been under since the first day he set foot in Stamford Bridge has come to a boiling point and he let it out last night.

"I think the protests have been very venomous against him - over the top in some place - but Rafa knew what was going to happen when he took the job in the first place.

"I think the interim manager bit was a massive mistake from him.

"He shouldn't have signed the contract or said "I'm not happy with this," because that is added pressure on him and the players obviously don't see him being there long term, so if you have that problem, it will fester in the club.

"Where do Chelsea go from here? That's the bigger question. If they get rid of Rafa, what will happen?

Who will take the job when so many managers have come and gone in the last ten years?

The only one would be either John Terry taking over until the end of the season or Avram Grant coming back in until the end of the season, because who else is going to take that job until the summer?"

"They are damaging the image of the club and the rest of the fans because people think all the fans are the same.

"The Chelsea fans are really good, they support the team, but if they continue with their agenda, I don't think they do any favours to the team."

"I am the manager, I am professional and I want to clarify: I will do my best until the last minute, but if they carry on with this agenda, they are damaging the club, they are damaging the team and next year, if we cannot achieve the top four, they have to take a little bit of responsibility."

On whether he was hurt or surprised by the fans protests, he said:

"No. I am surprised, I have won nine titles, all the titles you can win at club level in three different countries so I have enough experience and have quality as a manager - but hear a group of people with an agenda carry on...

"They don't realise I will leave at the end of the season, they don't need to worry about me, they need to support the team. If they don't and we are not in the Champions league they can blame whatever they want but next year they will see the Europa league at Chelsea."

On being given the title "interim manager", he said:

"It was a surprise for me. Someone decided. I think it was a mistake, it's very clear. I don't know who decided that, but it was a mistake.

"I am the manager and I will be the manager until the last minute until someone decides, 'No, you are not'."

"Everybody is interim because after you, there is another one. But in this case, they didn't have anyone, so why put 'interim'?

"It's just to say to everyone, 'Because he was in Liverpool and just in case, we will put interim and then we will wash our hands'."

"Was the title a mistake from the start? Yes, 100%.

"I didn't know about the title. Obviously, you have an agent, they have to talk in Spanish-English translation, and I was surprised.

"But I couldn't change things because it was done. I thought it was a mistake, but still I couldn't change anything."

On how the Chelsea hierarchy will respond to his outburst, he said:

"I think they will know that I am trying to do my best, that's it."

Middlesbrough 0-2 Chelsea: Match report, pictures and video highlights - The Sun

RAFA BENITEZ effectively signed his own Chelsea death warrant after declaring war on the fans who hate him and the board who appointed him.

The Spaniard's patience finally snapped as he suffered another bucketload of abuse from the travelling supporters who have made his life a misery.

But it was his astonishing broadside at the decision-makers who named him 'interim' manager which has finished him off.

For no other boss during owner Roman Abramovich's 10-year reign at Stamford Bridge has ever dared to deliver such criticism of the way the club is run.

RAFA rants at agenda of some Blues fans and his 'interim' boss title after successful cup victory at Boro

Benitez insisted he will be off at the end of the season no matter what.

But it will be a miracle if he is still in charge for Saturday's game against West Brom after his outburst.

And even taking the club through to the last eight of the FA Cup will not be enough to save his bacon now.

Benitez has been in charge for just over three months but it must already feel like a lifetime.

And all that pent-up frustration exploded last night.

The final straw came as the 1,895 Blues fans hailed the win with yet another burst of that old classic 'F*** off Benitez, you're not wanted here'.

And it seems the message has finally permeated the thickest skin in football.

At least it looks like he is going out on a win after Fernando Torres deflected Ramires' goalbound 51st-minute strike into the net off his back, before a Victor Moses tap-in from Eden Hazard's pass across goal sealed a trip to Manchester United a week on Sunday.

But those goals were soon rendered immaterial as Benitez made his way to the Riverside Press room.

Many at the club suspected the seething Spaniard had gone loco before this match even started when they saw his teamsheet.

Because among the eight changes to the side beaten at Manchester City on Sunday were Nathan Ake, Yossi Benayoun and Paulo Ferreira, all making their first Chelsea starts of the season.

For Ake, 18, it was his first senior start after one minute as a stoppage-time substitute on Boxing Day.

But his selection was trumped by Benayoun, whose last start in May 2011 was THREE managers ago.

BEATEN Boro chief: We had the better chances in game before a fortunate Blues opener

At least they had John Terry back to lead them out after Monday's training-ground row with Benitez — and this was just the sort of test the frustrated skipper needed to prove his fitness.

They also had Torres back up front, although that did not appear to be such a popular decision with the disgruntled Chelsea fans.

With only one goal in his previous 15 appearances — against League One Brentford — this was the ideal chance for the £50million Spaniard to improve his strike-rate.

But nothing is straightforward for Torres, whose body language told the tale of a man who wanted to be anywhere but Teesside last night.

Chelsea's malaise even spread to the normally dependable Petr Cech, who spilled a routine low shot from Mustapha Carayol in the 38th minute and was fortunate that Terry was on hand to hoof the loose ball clear.

Whatever Benitez said during the interval clearly had an effect and, within six minutes of the restart, his team were finally ahead.

Oscar's cross from the right was only partially cleared and though Benayoun was unable to bring the ball down for a shot, he managed to tee it up for the incoming Ramires.

The Brazilian's rising drive was probably heading for the top corner without Torres' deflection.

Seven minutes later, Torres could have got on the scoresheet himself when he got behind a square Boro back four — but his rising shot flew over with the help of a touch off keeper Jason Steele.

Moses' tap-in made that one immaterial as Chelsea secured a trouble-free passage through.

Yet even if they go on to lift the old trophy at Wembley in May, Benitez will not be there to join the Blues party.

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

STAR MAN - VICTOR MOSES (Chelsea)

Chelsea: Cech 6, Ferreira 6, Ivanovic 6, Terry 7, Bertrand 6, Moses 7, Ramires 6, Oscar 6, Ake 7, Benayoun 5, Torres 5. Subs: Hazard (Benayoun 58) 7, Luiz (Moses 76) 5 Marin (Oscar 79) 5. Not used: Turnbull, Cole, Lampard, Ba.

Middlesbrough: Steele 6, Bailey 6, McManus 6, Bikey 6, Friend 6, Carayol 6, Leadbitter 6, Williams 7, Haroun 6, Main 6, McDonald 6. Subs: Hines (Bikey 36) 5, Miller (Main 62) 5, Zemmama (Carayol 73) 5. Not used: Leutwiler, Emnes, Ledesma, Smallwood.

Rafael Benitez: Chelsea interim manager angrily confirms exit - BBC News

Rafael Benitez has said he will leave Chelsea in May and described the decision to give him the title "interim manager" as a "massive mistake".

After beating Middlesbrough 2-0 in the FA Cup fifth round, the Spaniard also criticised some of the club's fans.

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "Chelsea gave me the title of interim manager, which is a massive mistake. I'm the manager.

"The fans are not helping us. At the end of the season I will leave. They don't have to worry about me."

Benitez's defiant post-match interview came after the former Liverpool manager was once again targeted by a section of his club's own supporters.

The 52-year-old has always been unpopular with some Blues fans since he took over from Champions League-winning manager Roberto Di Matteo in November.

A section of the club's supporters was unable to forgive or forget Benitez for his association with Liverpool, and the acrimonious rivalry formed with then Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

Benitez outwitted 'The Special One' in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League semi-finals and the 2006 FA Cup semi-finals, and directed some barbs towards the club.

"I have been in charge in football for 26 years, I won the Champions League, I won the Fifa Club World Cup, the FA Cup, the Italian Super Cup, the Spanish league twice, nine trophies - all the trophies you can win at club level," said Benitez after a comfortable victory at the Riverside.

"So this group of fans are not making any favourites with the team and they are singing and wasting time preparing banners.

"They have to concentrate on supporting the team, that's what they have to do.

"Every game they continue singing and preparing banners, they are wasting time. What they have to do is support the team.

"I am a professional and I am doing my job. What I want to do is win every single game for Chelsea."

Reports emerged from Stamford Bridge earlier in the week that Benitez was involved in a heated exchange with members of his squad  after their 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday.

Rafa's rants

Benitez's 'fact' statement in 2009, responding to Sir Alex Ferguson's comments about the fixture list: "I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start."

On Marco Materazzi questioning his management style: "He's lying. Marco Materazzi is lying. He's lying, just lying. Everything that he said is a lie. Simple."

On Roy Hodgson succeeding him as Liverpool boss in November 2010: "Every single press conference is even worse than the last one. He is talking about things he doesn't know… some people cannot see a priest in a mountain of sugar."

On Everton, February 2007: "When you play against the smaller teams at Anfield you know the game will be narrow."

Before the FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough, Benitez insisted he had a "fantastic" relationship with the players.

He reiterated his satisfaction with his squad after they set up an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

"I have a top side and a good group of players who work hard and it is a top club, it is not a problem," he said.

"The problem is a group of people who can say what they want."

Chelsea have won 14 of 27 matches since Benitez took charge and are fourth in the Premier League, 19 points behind leaders Manchester United.

The former Inter Milan boss said he would be "the happiest man in the world" were the club to qualify for the Champions League, but questioned the decision to call him 'interim manager'.

"I have a title. Someone decided the title would be interim. Why? Just in case?" said Benitez.

"Fine, that is your decision. I don't agree, but that is your decision and now everybody has to take responsibility.

"Everybody is interim because after you there is another one. In this case they didn't have anyone so why did they put interim?

"I can't change the titles and the perception so it doesn't matter now. What I have to do is be sure that I give 100% every single day. They will know I am trying to do my best.

"The manager is the manager. One month, three months, seven months - it doesn't matter.

"I think the reason why the group of fans is not happy is because I was Liverpool manager, we played in the Champions League, massive games, that's it."

Fergie: My whole squad has a part to play in fight for the Treble - Daily Mail

By Simon Stone, Press Association

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Sir Alex Ferguson has assured his squad they all have a part to play in what could be a 'big year' for Manchester United.

With another meeting against Real Madrid looming next Tuesday, Ferguson knows he must get his team selection right at Old Trafford if United are to stand any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

That is bound to mean disappointment for some, as it did in the Bernabeu a fortnight ago.

Play your part: Sir Alex has urged all his players to pull their weight

Play your part: All United players have as role to play, says Fergie

On that occasion, skipper Nemanja Vidic headed a list of high-profile omissions, with neither Ashley Young nor Nani included either.

After watching Real hammer Barcelona in the Nou Camp last night in the first of back-to-back 'El Clasicos' prior to Jose Mourinho's men heading to Manchester, Ferguson knows how important it is that he makes the correct calls.

Yet, even for those who miss out, the United boss can point to a very real example to prove it does not necessarily mean they can never have an impact with the Red Devils.

'In 1999 I left Paul Scholes out of the quarter-final against Inter Milan yet he was the one who scored the goal that got us through,' Ferguson told MUTV.

'I left him out of the semi-final because I couldn't risk him and Roy Keane together as they were both on yellow cards. He accepted it graciously, came on, got booked and missed the final anyway.

'What did he do? He didn't let it affect him. He went on to become one of the greatest players this club has ever had.

'The players sense it could be a big year for them. But at this club, in this situation, anything can happen on the run-in. Players can all of a sudden find themselves playing in a final or an important league game because that is the kind of squad I have.'

Sidelined: Vidic and Nani were both dropped for the first leg with Real Madrid

The first guide to Ferguson's thinking will come with his team selection for Saturday's Barclays Premier League encounter with Norwich.

Neither Vidic nor Rio Ferdinand are being trusted to play more than a game a week just now, so selection for either man, or omission for that matter, may be telling.

The same is true of Ryan Giggs, whilst Javier Hernandez, whilst much younger, may view getting picked as a signal he will not be against a side so famous in his native Mexico, particularly if Robin van Persie overcomes his hip complaint as expected.

Yet, tempting as it might seem, Ferguson has warned his players not to treat selection for a more mundane domestic fixture as second best.

'It is very difficult to rotate the squad at the moment,' he said. 'They all wanted to play against Real Madrid and there were a lot of disappointed players.

Rocket Ron: Cristiano scored two against Barcelona on Tuesday night

Rocket Ron: Cristiano scored two against Barcelona on Tuesday night

'That was fantastic. It is a measure of their own confidence in themselves.

'But we had a chat. I said 'look, don't think for a minute losing a game for Manchester United is a trivial matter'. It is a serious matter.'

And with a run of four successive home games, United can heighten their chances of repeating their epic 1999 Treble, especially as the Old Trafford pitch, which Ferguson said had 'collapsed' post-Christmas, has been brought back to life.

'The pitch has improved a tremendous amount,' he said. 'By the time we play Norwich I expect it will be back to normal so hopefully we can take advantage.'


Wednesday, 27 February 2013

He's the next Kieran Gibbs! Arsenal fans get news they've been longing to hear - Mirror.co.uk

Arsene Wenger's deadline day move for Spain international Nacho Monreal has given the Gunners gaffer reason to smile during a tricky period.

The 27-year-old Malaga star arrived last month to shore up the hole left in Arsenal's defence by injured England left-back Kieran Gibbs – and the added bonus, says Wenger, is Monreal's obviously potent threat going forward.

"The first thing you want from your defenders is to defend well, so we cannot reproach him for that. You will see the other aspects of his game more when his confidence has settled," Wenger said in the March edition of the official Arsenal magazine, according to the Press Association.

"He is good in the air for a guy of his size, has a quick leap and has looked good. Monreal is very strong in other areas too, his crosses for example, and his forward play you will see a bit later.

"It happened with Kieran Gibbs too, the more confident he became the more efficient he was going forward.

"It can take a bit if time to express that side."

Toe in: Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa is challenged by Nacho Monreal of Arsenal
Toe in: Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa is challenged by Nacho Monreal of Arsenal

Wenger continued: "There is no better culture shock than to play against Stoke and Sunderland.

"He has not said a word to me about it, but he has spoken with the other players and he has seen all about the passion and commitment of the English game. You can say Nacho Monreal passed that test."

The PA report: Gibbs has been sidelined with a thigh injury picked up in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool on January 30 - which gave Arsenal little time to hasten a move for Monreal.

Wenger had been on the Spaniard's case "for a long time", and was happy to have landed "one of our big targets".

January was tough admits Wenger

The Arsenal manager admits the January window was a testing period for the club, who came under criticism for not spending big despite obvious shortcomings on the pitch.

"We had a difficult first six months of the season, because we were trying to extend the contracts of all the British players. That demanded a lot of work and then we had to deal with the (Theo) Walcott situation as well during January," Wenger said.

"So personally I am relieved because we dealt with the situation and we extended all of our players (contracts), kept Walcott and bought Monreal, of course you can always do better but overall I feel the club has dealt with the situation we faced in a satisfactory way."

Failing to add more options, however, means Wenger's faith in the current group is again on the line heading into the defining period of what has been another frustrating campaign.

Intense: Kieran Gibbs injured himself, possibly during this celebration
Intense: Kieran Gibbs injured himself, possibly during this celebration

 

Yet despite their trophy ambitions seemingly over once again after being handed a European masterclass by Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash at the Emirates Stadium which followed crashing out of the FA Cup at home to npower Championship side Blackburn, there could yet be a positive end to the season.

Arsenal head to north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday just two points off fourth-placed Chelsea, with Andre Villas-Boas' men moving four ahead after Gareth Bale's injury-time winner at West Ham on Monday night.

Wenger's men at least have some momentum in the Premier League, with three successive victories in a five-match unbeaten run.

Right-back Bacary Sagna missed the win over Villa with a knee problem, but could be fit to face Spurs - and so the man tasked with shackling Bale.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have moved their Premier League game against sixth-placed Everton which was set for March 9 after the Toffees progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with last night's victory over Oldham.

The game will now take place on Tuesday, April 16 or 24 hours later, should Everton go on to reach the semi-finals at Wembley.

Dennis Bergkamp statue

Arsenal appear to be planning to add a statue of former striker Dennis Bergkamp outside the Emirates Stadium after images were leaked online.

Holland international Bergkamp scored 120 goals for the Gunners, before retiring in 2006, and has been touted as a possible successor to Liam Brady when he leaves his role at the Arsenal academy.

Good old days: Arsenal's captain Patrick Vieira celebrates his goal against Tottenham with teammates Ashley Cole, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires at White Hart Lane, April 2004
Good old days: Arsenal's captain Patrick Vieira celebrates his goal against Tottenham with teammates Ashley Cole, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires at White Hart Lane, April 2004

 

Bronze statues of former manager Herbert Chapman, double-winning captain Tony Adams and record goalscorer Thierry Henry are already in place around the ground at Ashburton Grove.

A club spokesman said: "We are pleased that speculation surrounding a future possible statue is generating interest and will obviously communicate details if and when there is confirmation of any new developments."

Why Manchester City ought to stand by their manager Roberto Mancini - The Guardian (blog)

You take over at a club desperate for a trophy. You win the FA Cup, then the Premier League. The next season you're second in the league and in the quarter-finals of the Cup. Probably entirely reasonable, then, to wonder why most of the questions at your press conferences are about you losing your job – and also why you're the one to be answering them.

I personally find it hard to believe that Roberto Mancini has had to defend his track record before the media for the best part of 18 months, and to justify his position as manager of Manchester City. As far as I know the club has a chairman, board members, a chief executive officer and a sporting director. Where are their voices in all this? After all, it's ultimately their decision. Perhaps the dreaded "vote of confidence" has become such a cliche that they think it's better to say nothing.

However, I disagree. It's exactly in these times of pressure that the upper echelons of the club should gather around their manager. In the days of Premier League clubs collectively turning over billions and attracting intense worldwide media and supporter interest, football has outgrown the ancient idea that the success and failure of a club rests on the shoulders of one man. Chairmen, chief executive officers and sporting directors are there to support the manager and help relieve the pressure so that he can focus on what matters most: his staff, players, tactics, training and preparation. A modern club should be a collective effort in which the contribution of everyone involved matters, and everyone is working towards the same aims – not running their own agendas and going missing when on a losing streak, which seems to be the case with many top brass.

We don't need to look further than some select Champions League giants to witness a different culture. If Milan go through a rough patch of results, Adriano Galliani, the club's charismatic vice-president, quickly jumps to the head coach's defence. Giuseppe Marotta, the Juventus general director, answers questions almost daily relevant to the sporting performance of the club. When Paris Saint-Germain struggled to find form early in the season, their general manager, Leonardo, stood up for the club in the media, defending Carlo Ancelotti and his players. In Germany, whoever criticises Bayern Munich's manager criticises Bayern Munich. For some European top clubs, criticism seems to have a unifying effect. One day you may part company, but while the manager is there, back him – and back him 100%.

But to me, it seems that here in England the culture of "The Manager" is too ingrained in football. One man takes the glory, and the flak. However, when things take a downturn, instead of opting for the gamble of a mid-season sacking or ending up at the mercy of a predictable end-of-term managerial merry-go-round, maybe a bit of increased effort in support from the club's side wouldn't go amiss?

Much like a marriage, the intention of every managerial appointment is to form a union based on respect, success and longevity. Albeit knowing that it might be a bumpy ride, both parties set out on the relationship with an idealistic idea of harnessing it into a love affair. Thus it is sometimes hard to understand why, at the first real test, the two parties head for the divorce lawyers and not the counsellor's office.

Admittedly, the majority of breakups are triggered by the clubs. A string of bad results, breakdown of communication between manager and board, disagreement on the way forward (ie, the manager wants more transfer funds whereas the chairman says no) and the romance comes to an abrupt end. Sure, there are cases where a manager's position has become untenable and a change has to be made, but from my experience and understanding, with a bit more effort from the club very few struggling relationships are irreparable.

In the extreme pressure environment of the Premier League the keywords are support and shared responsibility. Time is surely ripe for more members of a club's management structure to be partly held accountable for the highs and lows.

A well-respected journalist recently tweeted something to the extent that the most capable and successful chief executives in football are those that you hardly notice. While I agree that nobody wants to see men in suits basking in glory when trophies are won, the public presence in testing times of a chief executive or a sporting director – typically the owner's (or the board's) eyes, ears and right-hand men at the club – would make life a lot easier for the manager.

Having a chairman or a club executive endlessly commenting on footballing matters is obviously not healthy. Yet their presence at press conferences, positive media comments about the general sporting situation, and encouragement around the team and the training ground cannot be a bad thing.

Managers will continue to come and go; however, I'm a firm believer that a publicly and privately supported manager is a better performing manager. Recently, over lunch with two managers, each (still) in charge of top league European clubs, I half-jokingly inquired on their rapport with their respective club owners. The first – probably representing the majority of his colleagues – confided that he heard from the chairman only after a defeat, when his hour-plus ordeal felt like a cross-examination. The other smiled and laughed: "My chairman also only calls me when we lose. Then he invites me over for dinner to cheer me up." Guess which one was the happiest – and the most successful?

Tor-Kristian Karlsen is a Norwegian football scout and executive, formerly the chief executive and sporting director at Monaco. He has previously worked as a scout for Grasshopper, Watford, Bayer Leverkusen, Hannover and Zenit St Petersburg and as sporting director for Fredrikstad.

Jose Mourinho is better than Sir Alex Ferguson, Patrick Barclay told Sunday ... - SkySports

Ferguson knows when he's beat. He knows Mourinho's a better manager than he is, one on one.

Patrick Barclay
Quotes of the week

Jose Mourinho has long been touted as successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United but Patrick Barclay told The Sunday Supplement the current Real Madrid boss is in fact more talented than the Old Trafford supremo.

Ferguson has won 37 titles during his tenure at United, including 12 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns and five FA Cups.

However, sports journalist Barclay believes Jose Mourinho's achievements of winning Champions Leagues with Porto and Inter Milan and league titles with Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid in a shorter period of time, outstrips the Scotsman.

"In terms of achievements per year, Mourinho's done what Ferguson's done in about a third of the time," he said.

"Mourinho hasn't really had much more investment, if you adjust it for inflation. Remember, when Ferguson came to Manchester United he broke the British transfer record four times in his first six years. He would buy the obvious players from Roy Keane to Wayne Rooney, whoever was the best player in Britain.

"I doubt whether Mourinho would win as many trophies [in his career] as Ferguson but in terms of raw managerial talent I think Ferguson is behind Brian Clough and Mourinho, who is exceptional."

Mind games

Barclay believes Ferguson first realised he couldn't win any mind games with Mourinho when his United side fell 3-2 on aggregate to Porto in the Champions League in 2004.

"After the first time in 2004 when Ferguson tried to play a mind game on Porto and lost, since then there really weren't any mind game stuff between [Mourinho's] Chelsea and Manchester United," he said.

"Ferguson knows when he's beat. He knows Mourinho's a better manager than he is, one on one."

Check out the video above to hear more discussion on Ferguson and his relationship with Man City boss Roberto Mourinho.

Premier League - Team of the Week: Super Swans - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

GK: Kelvin Davis (Southampton)

Sunderland might have beaten Southampton at St Mary's but the home keeper was in fine form nonetheless.

RB: Dwight Tiendalli (Swansea City)

The Dutchman was making only his second league start for Swansea against Manchester United but played a key role in a 1-1 draw.

CB: Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)

It was a toss-up between Shawcross and his defensive partner Robert Huth, who were both immense in keeping Tottenham at bay all day long. The captain edged it for his influential leadership.

CB: Ashley Williams (Swansea City)

It was an outstanding display by the Wales international against Manchester United. He seemed to be in the right place at the right time in making a series of superb challenges.

LB: John O'Shea (Sunderland)

Proved a real class act at the back alongside Carlos Cuellar as they came away from a trip to Southampton with a 1-0 win.

CM: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Impressed in an 8-0 win over Aston Villa with his distribution and goal from the midfield area. Showed he is worth a new deal before being replaced by Ramires on 61 minutes.

CM: Leon Osman (Everton)

Was the creative heart of everything the away side did going forward in a 2-1 win at West Ham, and showed some lovely touches in tight spaces.

AMR: Stewart Downing (Liverpool)

A goal, an assist and an all-round display of excellence against Fulham from a player who has not been universally admired since joining the club.

AMC: David Silva (Manchester City)

The Spaniard produced some sumptuous touches and was full of invention in a 1-0 win against Reading. He supplied the crucial cross for Gareth Barry to head home.

AML: Kemy Agustien (Swansea City)

Another somewhat unlikely hero, Agustien was a constant menace for Swansea as they secured an unexpected point at home to United.

ST: Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

Continued his fine run of form under Rafa Benitez with the opening goal in the rout of Villa.

Fulham 0 Tottenham Hotspur 3 : match report - Telegraph.co.uk

Bale has been booked more times for simulation this season than any other Premier League player - and he was again shown a yellow for that offence, for the second successive game, when he dived over Steve Sidwell's attempted challenge. The winger's sarcastic applause afterwards was not the most appropriate response.

Tottenham had been in the ascendancy during an open first half, but Fulham were unlucky not to snatch the lead when John Arne Riise crossed for Mladen Petric, whose effort was blocked by Hugo Lloris. The visitors finished the half strongly though, as Dempsey dragged a shot wide from 20 yards and Bale later flicked over a chance from close range from Aaron Lennon's cross.

Sandro rewarded them for their persistence early in the second half, as he was given time and space - with Fulham not expecting him to shoot and Sidwell standing back - before he unleashed his low 35-yard shot. The ball zipped beyond Mark Schwarzer, diving to his right, and nestled in the bottom corner. It was only his second goal in the Premier League.

Bale had a chance to make it 2-0 soon aftewards, firing an angled shot at Schwarzer, and he injured his left hamstring in the process, requiring treatment before limping off. That bad news for Tottenham was almost compounded when Fulham came close to scoring after more Berbatov magic. He deftly lofted the ball over to Damien Duff on the right wing and the Irishman dashed forward and delivered a cross that Dejagah headed over.

Tottenham were cruising though when Bale's replacement Gylfi Sigurdsson made a piercing run that confused Senderos and crossed for Defoe to guide the ball in with a typical poacher's finish. Dempsey then helped Defoe to another by threading the ball through accurately - with Senderos again failing to cut it out - allowing the striker to stroke the ball beyond Schwarzer.

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Riether (Kelly 29), Hughes, Senderos, Riise; Dejagah, Sidwell, Diarra, Frei (Duff 62); Petric (Rodallega 79), Berbatov.

Substitutes: Etheridge (gk), Baird, Karagounis, Richardson.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Naughton, Dawson (Gallas 17), Caulker, Vertonghen; Sandro, Dembele (Carroll 84); Lennon, Dempsey, Bale (Sigurdsson 62); Defoe.

Substitutes: Friedel (gk), Falque, Walker, Livermore.

Booked: Bale, Gallas.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

Attendance: 25,426

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic insists stop-start return from injury ... - The Independent

Vidic suffered cruciate ligament damage in his right knee in United's Champions League group game against Basle in December 2011 which sidelined him for the remainder of that season.

Then, after playing in the Red Devils' opening five matches of the current campaign, the Serbian centre-back underwent surgery on the same knee in September.

He returned to action in December and has featured in 10 of United's last 16 fixtures in all competitions, starting nine of those.

And after sitting out the 1-1 Champions League last-16 first leg draw at Real Madrid on February 13, over the last few days Vidic has completed back-to-back starts - in victories over Reading in the FA Cup and QPR in the Barclays Premier League - for the second time since his September operation.

Regarding his fitness, the 31-year-old said: "I had problems with my knee and I was so long without football.

"It is difficult now we are playing Wednesday-Saturday-Wednesday.

"I have had to think whether it is good for me to play or not. Sometimes I will get a reaction and sometimes I won't. This is normal.

"Since I came back I have had to say if I can get through the two or three months. Then I will be fine.

"It is not a long-term thing. It is the normal procedure after the kind of op I had.

"After I'd had surgery I knew we'd then have to manage the knee and then after that it would be normal again.

"It is all dependent on the individual. But it should be soon. After every game I am feeling better and that is a good sign.

"It was just swelling sometimes after matches. There was no pain, it was just a reaction as the knee got used to the work again. It is a normal thing.

"I have played twice in five days now and it has been good."

United's 2-0 win at QPR on Saturday ensured they remain firmly on course for the league title, with the gap between them and second-placed Manchester City currently standing at 12 points with 11 top-flight games left to play each.

Someone who has been a part of all the Red Devils' previous 12 triumphant Premier League campaigns is Ryan Giggs, who netted the team's second goal at Loftus Road.

Even at 39, the midfielder remains a key player for United and Vidic has paid tribute to Giggs.

"Ryan is very professional and is such an example for the young players," Vidic said.

"They see how you have to treat yourself and educate yourself in football to be a great player. Of course he has the quality and ability as well.

"He is a great example of how to be professional and to play at the top for so long.

"We have quite a few players like that. Rio (Ferdinand) is the same. He is a committed professional the same as Paul Scholes."

PA

12 things Arsenal could do with their £123m - Yahoo! Eurosport UK (blog)

The good news for Arsenal fans is that the latest accounts confirmed £123m is sitting in the bank.

The bad news, however, is that most Arsenal fans don't trust their manager Arsene Wenger to go out and spend it right.

So we've begun compiling a list for powers that be at the Emirates to help them loosen the pursestrings.

And if you think we've missed any possibilities, then please just add them below in the comments section...

- Sign Cesc Fabregas (sold for £30m), Robin Van Persie (£24m), Samir Nasri (24m), Alex Song (£19.5m) and Gael Clichy (£13m), leaving a bit of change to go on their wages

Or, you know, just don't sell them in the first place

- Spend it all on Gareth Bale

- Spend it on 123 Carl Jenkinsons

- Divide it amongst 60,000 fans, giving them £2,050 each to take a summer holiday and get over another trophyless season

- Fund a secret programme which attempts to clone Jack Wilshere

The research continues

- Build chairman Peter Hill-Wood an ivory tower

- Develop a Gunnersaurus-themed amusement park on a remote Pacific Island

Gunnersaurus, pictured with Arsenal's 2016 club captain

- Purchase a two-bedroom apartment in Highbury

- Splash out on 123 million lottery tickets - at least that way the club is bound to win something

This campagin was designed, ostensibly, to make you want a lottery ticket

- Live up to their nicknames, assembling a genuine Arsenal before taking a trophy using military force

- Hire Hollywood's leading names to divert attention to misfortunes on the pitch for a year. Tom Cruise earned just shy of £50m last year, Leonardo Di Caprio and Adam Sandler around £25m each. Alternatively, play them in defence

Adam Sandler - will he be funnier than Per Mertesacker?

- Buy a season ticket for the next campaign

And now, over to you...

Football transfer rumours: Manchester United to sign Burak Yilmaz? - The Guardian

With most of today's back pages full of talk about Gareth Bale's imminent appointment as successor to Pope Benedict XVI and the apparently frank exchange of views involving Chelsea managers Rafael Benítez and John Terry at the club's training ground, the number of column inches left for idle transfer tittle-tattle are few and far between.

Arguments involving Benítez will soon be a thing of the past at Cobham, if reports in the German sport magazine Kicker that Roman Abramovich is planning to appoint the Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes as Chelsea's manager turn out to have any substance. With Pep Guardiola on his way to Bayern come season's end, Heynckes seems as good a candidate as any to become Chelsea's next big-name former manager.

In other Chelsea news, the Daily Mail "exclusively" reveals that the fractious club are planning to offer Southampton over £10m for their 17-year-old left-back Luke Shaw. Having already had offers for the defender rejected last summer and in the January transfer window, Chelsea will up their bid, loan Shaw back to Southampton for a season and then bring him back to Stamford Bridge as an experienced, ready-made replacement for Ashley Cole.

Having announced half-year profits of £17.8m on Monday, to go in a club kitty already containing the guts of £124m, Arsenal may spend £7.5m of their cash reserves on the Eintracht Frankfurt central midfielder Sebastian Rode, but will have to fight off interest from Bundesliga sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund if they are to succeed in their bid to bring the 22-year-old to the Emirates. Arsenal's need for a nails-hard centre-half has been well documented and the club seem to have decided that Athletic Bilbao's curly-haired Venezuela-born Basque Fernando Amorebieta fits the bill. The good news for the Gunners is that the 27-year-old is available on a free transfer at the end of the season, but the inevitable bad news is that the queue of suitors giving him the glad eye includes Serie A sides Juventus, Internazionale and Milan.

Manchester United have offered Nani's "people" a deal worth £90,000 per week but the Portuguese winger's "people" are apparently holding out for around 50% more, in a state of affairs that has prompted something of an impasse at Old Trafford. Should Nani move on, the Daily Star report that United might replace him with another Portuguese winger – a journeyman pro who plays for a little-known team in Madrid and goes by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo.

United are also interested in the Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz, scorer of 33 goals in 34 games in last season's Turkish Super Lig and the second player in history, after Sergen Yalcin, to play for the Turkish Big Four of Galatasaray, Fernerbahce, Besiktas and Trabzonspor.

With Aston Villa's Premier League future anything but assured, their 21-year-old Austrian striker Andreas Weimann is understandably reluctant to commit to the new, improved offer club blazers are waving under his nose, according to the Daily Mail.

And finally, no Rumour Mill worth its salt would be complete without some mention of Manchester City, who are prepared to take a £17m punt on the Sevilla defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, according to Spanish website Estadio Deportivo. A French youth international who chose the Spanish side over Reading last season, Kondogbia is of central African descent and can play at left-back or in the heart of defence.

FA Cup - Matchpack: Middlesbrough v Chelsea - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

TEAM NEWS

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray will be without a trio of ineligible players. Midfielder Josh McEachran has not played in the competition to date under the terms of his loan agreement with the Blues, while Kieron Dyer and Sammy Ameobi are cup-tied. Dyer played for former club QPR in a 1-1 third-round draw with West Brom, while Ameobi, who on Monday joined Boro on loan from neighbours Newcastle for the rest of the season, started the Magpies' 2-0 defeat at Championship Brighton at the same stage of the competition. Mowbray will also be without striker Lukas Jutkiewicz (ankle) and central defender Jonathan Woodgate (calf), although the latter has a chance of returning for the league clash with league leaders Cardiff at the weekend. In addition, Stuart Parnaby (hamstring tear), Justin Hoyte (hip) and Julio Arca (toe) remain on the sidelines.

Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta will both miss out. Centre-back Cahill has been struck down by a virus ahead of the trip to the Riverside, while right-back Azpilicueta is sidelined with discomfort in his leg. Interim manager Rafael Benitez plans to rotate his squad in a bid to deal with the busy fixture list, meaning captain John Terry may be rested. Long-term absentee Oriol Romeu continues to miss out with a knee injury.

MANAGER QUOTES

Tony Mowbray: "Believe me if I was on the terraces I would be moaning as well. The nature of the goals we lose are very frustrating for us all. We can't keep giving cheap goals away. And yet I'm sure the supporters saw a team that was striving and driving to get back into the game in the second half and we very, very nearly did. We are all aware of the situation but it's important that we try to stay positive."

Rafa Benitez: "We are training really well and the atmosphere is good inside. My relationship with the players is fantastic. I have a good group who are working hard and are keen to learn, they were disappointed like me after the defeat. The competition for the top four will go until the end of the season, that was my opinion before and it still is now. It's really important for us, but a top side has to try and win every competition and every game. We will pick the best players for every game in our consideration because we know how the players train and how they are."

MATCH FACTS

This will be the fourth meeting between Middlesbrough and Chelsea in the FA Cup proper; of the previous three ties, Chelsea have won two (including the 1997 final) and 'Boro have won one.

In all competitions, Chelsea have won their last five against Middlesbrough without conceding a single goal (13 goals scored).

The Teesiders have only lost three of their last 22 FA Cup games at the Riverside Stadium (W15 D4).

Since their most recent relegation from the Premier League, 'Boro have been eliminated from both of their FA Cup ties against top-flight sides, including a replay defeat to Sunderland last season.

Chelsea are unbeaten in 26 FA Cup games, though this run does include a penalty shootout defeat to Everton in February 2011.

The Londoners' record of 26 unbeaten FA Cup games is the longest ever run without defeat in the FA Cup (next best Blackburn Rovers on 23, ended in 1886).

Since their semi-final defeat to Liverpool in April 2006, the Blues have lost just one of 37 FA Cup games outright (W30 D6).

Chelsea have won seven and lost none of their last nine away games in the competition, scoring 22 and conceding just six.

The Blues have only lost one of their last 52 FA Cup games against lower ranked sides; losing 0-1 to Barnsley in March 2008.

MATCH ODDS

Middlesbrough 7/1, Chelsea 4/9, Draw 15/4.

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Gareth Bale has 'deflated' Arsenal, says his Tottenham team-mate Scott Parker - The Independent

Bale scored twice in last night's 3-2 victory over West Ham with the second a long range strike of the highest class.

Parker thinks it was a moment that damaged Arsenal's morale as the local rivals duel for a place among the Premier League's top four.

"It's deflating," the Spurs midfielder said. "I've been in that position when you're playing and you're watching the scores come in and you hear there's been a last-minute goal in a game that's important for your side.

"You're praying it's gone the way you wanted it to and then you hear it's a goal for the team you didn't want to score. So it is deflating for a player watching, and I'm sure the Arsenal players are like that."

Bale's performance last night was just the latest in a remarkable run which has taken his tally to nine in seven games for club and country.

His goals extended Tottenham's unbeaten run in the Premier League to 11 games and put them third in the table.

Spurs are now four points ahead of Arsenal and could extend that to seven when they meet the Gunners at the weekend. And few would bet against Bale making the difference in Sunday's match at White Hart Lane.

"Gareth is a world-class player and at the moment he is scoring last-minute goals that are winning games for us," added Parker. "He was fantastic at West Ham and he's stepped up again to get us the three points."

Five of Tottenham's next seven league fixtures are against Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City, all of whom are rivals for a top-four finish. Yet their form is so solid — they have not lost in the league since December 9 — that Villas-Boas has not ruled out finishing second, report The Evening Standard.

Manchester City currently have a five-point advantage but the head coach told Sky Sports: "We know the distance is not very big to second place and we have to continue to be confident. We face Arsenal on Sunday and it's a big opportunity to build a distance to them.

"Everton are nine points behind now, Arsenal four and maybe we're in grabbing distance of City. Our priority is to establish our position and, hopefully, get a more comfortable distance to Chelsea and Arsenal next week."

Tottenham were 10 points clear of Arsenal before they lost 5-2 at Emirates Stadium and Arsene Wenger's side ultimately overhauled them for third place, which cost Spurs a Champions League spot.

That experience is driving the current squad and Parker believes Arsenal would be desperate to have a number of Spurs players in their team.

"We've got players in our squad that Arsenal would want any day of the week," the 32-year-old said. "Arsenal are still a top club and a top team but we've narrowed the gap. You can never say anything for certain but a win in that game would put us in a good position.

"What happened last year is a focus and something we're aware of. We've worked really hard to get into this position and we can't afford to fall off now.

"Arsenal will be thinking that if they can beat us the gap will be only one point, so it is going to be tight. The race for fourth place isn't over but we fully deserved the win last night; their goalkeeper had a world-class game."

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Matt Smith: The brains behind Oldham's FA Cup cup shocks - The Independent

It should have been the last kick of Oldham's adventure in the FA Cup. It was the sort of corner they had been working on all week, though the training routines had not envisaged the goalkeeper, Dean Bouzanis, punching the ball into the net. However, it went beyond his outstretched gloves, on to the head of Oldham's centre-forward and into Everton's net.

The little, glass-fronted press box was suddenly full of expletives. Journalists are big on the romance of the FA Cup but not when it comes at nearly eight o'clock on a Saturday night when Sunday paper deadlines are disappearing and nobody was sure who had scored.

What was certain, was that Oldham, the club that had instructed its players not to swap shirts on the grounds of cost, had earned a third successive televised tie. The limelight would not fade yet as it has gone out for Mansfield, Luton and Macclesfield.

It was the kind of header Smith had practised with his father since he was a boy, the kind that had knocked Liverpool out in the fourth round, when Brendan Rodgers had complained that his centre-halves had "made Smith look like Didier Drogba".

What makes the 23-year-old unusual is not just that he can make Sebastian Coates and Martin Skrtel seem ordinary, but that he is one of the last of his kind; a professional footballer and university graduate.

The days when Denis Compton could play for Arsenal in the 1950 FA Cup final and then in the same summer face the West Indies at the Oval are dust-strewn ancient history. So, too, in an age when primary-school children are scouted for academies might graduate footballers be.

In February 1975, Steve Coppell was in his second year studying economics at Liverpool University when he was he was asked to sign for Manchester United. "Tommy Docherty said: 'You are not quitting university, we will work around you – a degree will be with you for life but football can chew you up and spit you out within a year,'" Coppell recalled. He reflected with considerable understatement that "it would not happen now".

Smith was spat out by Cheltenham Town when he was still a teenager and went to Manchester University to study international management with American studies, embarking on a double life as a student and non-League footballer at Redditch, Droylsden and Solihull Moors.

"The first three years were reasonably normal but, going into the last year, I felt I needed to give myself the best chance possible to make it as a professional footballer," he said.

"So, I would be in the library at ridiculous hours. I did an exam in the morning and then had to drive three hours to Lincolnshire to play Boston United. All I could think of in the exam was what time I had to get to the car. I was missing lectures, I was missing seminars and luckily I had one friend in particular, Joe Johnson, who is now an investment banker in China, he helped me catch up by covering material for me. Without him, I would have struggled."

Smith spent a year at Arizona State University, part of an American college system attuned to producing sporting graduates. "I am not sure the university comprehended the level of football I was playing," he said. "In America they work around you whereas in England I was travelling everywhere and having to catch up in the small hours of the morning. The M6 became my best friend."

Gareth Southgate confessed he never considered university and chose not to do A-levels when offered an apprenticeship by Crystal Palace. "This was the right decision," he wrote in his autobiography.

"We had two student footballers. Because they didn't have to do boot-cleaning, floor-cleaning and toilet-cleaning, they were not considered equals by the others and, if someone had to be dropped, it would be one of the lads still going to school. After all, they had something to fall back on. It gave the coaches an out and it gave the boys one too. If you give people an out in life, they will take it."

Curiously, Southgate's father had gone the other way, choosing a good job with IBM over a contract with Luton Town. And around Christmas 2010, Smith might have taken his "out" applying for "good entry-level jobs in management consultancy" but he wasn't enthused and in the spring his career took off with 12 goals in 14 games for Solihull. By August he was at Oldham.

None of this would have been possible without his family, and especially his father, Ian, who himself had been a professional with Birmingham and Hearts having studied medicine at Glasgow University. Ian's father, James, had played for St Mirren and Clyde.

"He wanted to give me the best chance to become a professional and get a degree," said Matt. "It meant we would do strange things like getting up at five in the morning and training, practising crossing and finishing.

"The one thing I have felt since becoming a professional footballer is that I am playing catch-up with the lads who have come through a true footballing background in the academies. There is a gap, especially when it comes to mental toughness. Mentally, the Football League is much, much harder because people don't tend to have anything to fall back on.

"With me, it has just been me and my dad, basically. He has passed on the advice he was given by his own father. I am more happy for dad and mum that this Cup run has happened because, whatever I've done at university, at the bottom of it was me and my dad."

Phil Jones doubtful for Manchester United's match with Real Madrid - The Guardian

Phil Jones has less than a week to recover for Manchester United's Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford next Tuesday, with the 20-year-old yet to resume training following his ankle injury. Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to have him available after his impressive performance during the sides' draw in the first leg.

Jones suffered strained ligaments in a clash with Reading's Jobi McAnuff during the 2-1 FA Cup win over Reading on 18 February. In United's 1-1 draw with Madrid at the Bernabéu the previous week Jones, who is more usually a defender, was detailed to play in midfield by Ferguson to help shackle Cristiano Ronaldo and was one of his side's best performers.

After the display, Ferguson said: "At 20 years of age, he is going to be a fantastic player, I am sure about that. Whether he plays midfield or centre-back it doesn't bother him and he gives me great options."

The club's medical department and Jones are hopeful that he could be fit to face Madrid but as there is still some soreness he has not yet been able to train. The injury is the latest blow to a player whose season had already been disrupted following serious knee and back injuries that meant he was unable to play until late November.

Nemanja Vidic, the United captain, is still feeling his way back into regular football following his two knee injuries during the past 12 months. But the central defender, who has made only 14 starts since last December, is hopeful he will soon be able to play every week.

Vidic, 31, is having to carefully select which matches to feature in and admits his knee can swell up after matches. He said: "With playing Wednesday and Saturday, some games I have to think if it's good for myself to play or not," the Serb told BBC Radio Manchester. "After every game I feel better and better, which is a good sign. Sometimes I will get reactions, sometimes not."

Vidic was not risked in the side that faced Madrid in Spain after he played against Everton the weekend before, with Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand chosen by Ferguson. "When I have got through two or three months without injuries, I will be fine," Vidic said. "It's not long term. It's normal procedure after this kind of operation. We have to manage the knee for the next two or three months and after that it's going to be normal."

Danny Welbeck, who scored United's goal against Madrid, believes the header was his the most important strike. "It was a great feeling to get a goal at the Bernabéu, especially because of the whole occasion with all our fans travelling over and with it being such a big game" he told MUTV. "It was a big goal – probably the biggest goal I've scored. "It's something you strive for since being a little kid. Playing for Manchester United in one of the biggest games made me feel proud and it gives you motivation to strive for more."

United lead City by 12 points in the Premier League and before the return match with Madrid they welcome Norwich City on Saturday. "The manager and coaching staff keep reiterating the fact that the next game is the most important," added Welbeck. "I think the whole squad has got that into their heads and we've all got the same mentality of going into the next game and needing to win to gain momentum. Once we come to the Real Madrid game, we'll see what happens. It will be good not to have to travel anywhere for the next four matches in a row and we can try to get wins in every single game."

After Norwich and Madrid, United also have home games against either Middlesbrough or Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals before the visit of Reading on 16 March.

Manchester City announce annual losses of £97.9m for 2011-12 | Football ... - The Guardian

Manchester City have announced annual losses of £97.9m. Although the sum is still enormous, it is less than half the £197.5m from 12 months' ago.

And with City reporting turnover in the 2011-12 season of £231.1m, the highest in the club's history, it underlines the rapid progress being made by the Premier League champions in establishing themselves as one of Europe's elite clubs.

Although failure to progress from the Champions League group stage has had an obvious impact on turnover, this year and last, the club are still delighted with the performance.

And they are confident even the huge losses confirmed on Friday will not have an impact on their ability to meet Uefa's strict Financial Fair Play guidelines as £15m comes from infrastructure and youth development costs. More importantly, approximately £80m comes from contracts that pre-date 2010, from which City expect to get some kind of relief.

City's annual statement for the year ending May 31 2012 also confirms the "capital base of the club has also been strengthened through the issuing of £169m in new equity during the year, avoiding debt-based funding and continuing to ensure that the club is virtually debt free".

Clearly, the largesse of owner Sheikh Mansour is still required to make the club viable in the short-term. However, with plans for the state-of-the-art academy and training facility across the road from the Etihad Stadium now well advanced, club officials believe within the medium term that the club, who ended a 35-year wait for a trophy when they won the FA Cup in 2011, will be self-sustaining.

The chief executive Ferran Soriano said: "What I have found is a club on the verge of a historic transformation, reinforced by a genuine commitment to doing things well. It is a club with a rich history and the potential for an even brighter future."

While the results show marginal increases in gate receipts and TV revenue, it is in the commercial sector where City are making huge gains. Revenue went up from £64.7m to £121.1m, underlining City's increased growing global exposure, which is being shown in all areas, from merchandise to club tours. City's overall wage bill rose from £151.6m to £178.1m.

Premier League steps closer to financial fair play - Telegraph.co.uk

Uefa's version of FFP requires that clubs break even, spending only what they earn from commercial sources, rather than relying on benefactors such as Roman Abramovich injecting huge sums to underwrite losses.

Under the Uefa rules, club owners can underwrite losses of up to €45 milliion (£36.3 million) over the first three seasons of FFP. Any Premier League version of the rule will have to allow for greater losses, if it is to gain the support of 14 clubs required for a change in the regulations.

While 16 clubs support a break-even rule, their definition of what it should be in detail, and crucially how much clubs should be able to lose, varies widely.

At one end of the spectrum are those with most to gain from a strict break-even rule, Arsenal and Manchester United, whose large grounds and well-developed commercial programmes deliver profits, as well as Liverpool. They would like to see the league stick to the Uefa system, with clubs allowed a period of adjustment to the rules before adhering to a strict break-even rule.

At the other end are Chelsea, who say they support break-even but want to reserve the right for Abramovich to inject unlimited funds, as long as it is in the form of equity rather than loans. Last week the club declared a profit of £1.4 million, the first of the Abramovich era, but also announced that the owner had converted £166 million of loans into equity.

In the middle is a rump of clubs who want the security that FFP might provide, as well as the competitive benefits, but do not want to tie their hands should they be the target of the next super-rich investor who eyes a Premier League club.

City and Fulham object because they rely so transparently on rich owners, and Everton do not want to do anything that might harm Bill Kenwright's chances of selling the club. West Bromwich Albion, who adhere to a break-even model, are understood to believe it is up to each club to set their own course.

Premier League: Newcastle v QPR match preview - The Independent

QPR have not won away from Loftus Road in the Premier League since last November and after at last securing their first victory in the league this season last weekend, must maintain the momentum.

'Be careful what you wish for' appears to be the mantra at St James' Park this term; the Europa League has been cruel on Alan Pardew's side this season, resulting in a severe drop off in domestic form.

Nevertheless for the next couple of months they are freed from Thursday night action, and victory against the Rs may help recapture their sparkling 2011/12 form.

 

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

 

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Newcastle 1 (Best) QPR 0, Premier League, January 2012

QPR 0 Newcastle 0, Premier League, September 2011

QPR 0 Newcastle 1 (Lovenkrands), Championship, May 2010

 

STATS…

Djibril Cisse has scored in three of his four Premier League appearances against Newcastle.

Newcastle have lost 11 of their last 15 Premier League games in the month of December (W3 D1 L11).

Newcastle have won four and drawn two of the last six league matches against QPR, with Rangers failing to score in their previous three meetings.

Demba Ba has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances at St James' Park.

 

ODDS…

Newcastle to win: 2.14

Reading to win: 3.8

Draw: 3.6

 

CLASSIC MATCH

QPR 5-5 Newcastle.

Nobody could have left this game demanding their money back… apart from maybe a few disgruntled Newcastle fans who had seen their side lose a 4-0 half time lead at Loftus Road.

Chris Waddle scored a first half hat trick after Neil MacDonald had opened the scoring but the Rs fought back with Gary Bannister, an own goal from Kenny Wharton and John Gregory get the scores back to 3-4

After enormous pressure from the hosts, Newcastle remarkably get a fifth when Wharton atones for his earlier own goal but QPR hit back immediately through Steve Hicks' header.

And astonishingly the comeback is complete through Gary Mickelwhite.

 

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm on MOTD

Premier League - Survival would be Redknapp's 'greatest feat' - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

The 65-year-old was appointed at the Loftus Road helm a week and a half ago with the remit of keeping the Hoops in the Premier League.

The west Londoners languishing bottom of the table, while their winless start to the season extended to 15 matches with Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa.

On whether keeping QPR in the Premier League would be his biggest achievement, he said: "Of course, absolutely from where we are. We will try. It is going to be hard. I've taken a big task on here. I know what I've taken on, I'm not a fool. It's going to be difficult but you can only give it your best."

Redknapp is not new to such a situation and has masterminded several previous relegation escapes, although he failed to do so with Southampton seven years ago. "It always creates anxiety when you're bottom of the league and can't get a win," the QPR boss said.

"Football is like life - it is about confidence. When things are going well, you win games and you don't know how you won. You come off thinking 'we were rubbish today but we won again'.

"Sometimes h, like we are at the moment, you play well but you can't get the win and that's how it goes. They have shown a good attitude. They've trained hard, worked hard.

"They've all been good, they're good lads. We just need a win, don't we? We could have got that win on Saturday with a bit of luck. Clint Hill's header I thought was dropping in and if that goes in it's a different game.

"We would be back in there, chasing the pack, but we couldn't quite get those three points."

Shaun Wright-Phillips was recalled to the starting line-up against Villa and produced a far better display than many previously seen in a QPR shirt. "I think confidence is the key for him," Redknapp said. "He has to play with confidence.

"He made some good runs and great ones in the first half, where he should have scored and then hit the post. But he bent his runs in off the line and looked lively. He has done well in training and I gave him a chance."

Arsenal announce $27 million pretax profit - Reuters UK

LONDON | Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:47pm GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - English Premier League club Arsenal announced on Monday a pretax profit for the six months ending November 30 of 17.8 million pounds compared to 49.5 million pounds a year earlier.

In a statement, the north London club said 40.9 million pounds had been spent on signing Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud and extending the contracts of players including England internationals Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.

Player sales netted 42.5 million while turnover dropped from 113.5 million pounds to 106 million as a result of four fewer home fixtures compared to the same period in the previous year.

The profit for the six months to November 2011 included the sale of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.

Arsenal, which is majority-owned by American Stan Kroenke, said it had no short-term debt and possessed cash reserves of 123.4 million pounds compared to 115.2 million a year earlier.

"Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe is underpinned by our financial performance which gives the club strength and independence," chairman Peter Hill-Wood said.

Arsenal fans have become increasing frustrated by their team's failure to win a trophy since the 2005 FA Cup and have urged manager Arsene Wenger to spend freely on buying top-quality players to replace Fabregas and Robin van Persie, who was sold to Manchester United last year.

The club were knocked out of the League and FA Cups this season and they lost their Champions League last-16 first leg 3-1 at home to a clearly superior Bayern Munich side.

Wenger, whose contract expires at the end of next season, gained some relief at the weekend when his side defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in the Premier League after losing to Bayern Munich and being knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers.

Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League behind London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, one place off a Champions League spot. They play Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday,

(Reporting by John Mehaffey, editing by Ed Osmond)

Arsenal announce £17.8m profit as pressure to spend on transfers mounts - The Guardian

Arsenal have announced a profit of £17.8m in the club's latest half-yearly results – figures that will increase pressure to provide more money for Arsène Wenger to spend on transfers.

The profit, achieved effectively by the sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United, also accompanies an increased figure of £123.3m in cash reserves, up £7m. The figures are for the half year to the end of November 2012.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said: "Our ability to compete at the top of the game here and in Europe is underpinned by our financial performance which gives the club strength and independence.

"Our desire is to make everyone connected with Arsenal proud of the club. We know that comes through winning trophies but also through the way we do things and that will remain our constant guide."

The financial report states the that "profit on sale of player registrations amounted to £42.5m" – down from £63m in 2011 but still a cause of concern to those fans who believe Arsenal have not replaced players such as Van Persie and before him Cesc Fábregas by those of similar quality.

Hill-Wood insisted however that was not the case. "Let me be quite clear that our intention is to keep our best players and recruit new talent to make us stronger," he said.

"Although we were disappointed to see Robin van Persie leave the club, we have taken steps to secure our best players going forward and have recently signed Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson to new long-term contracts.

"During this financial period we also invested £40.9m in the acquisition of new players, Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud, and the extension of other player contracts. More recently we added Nacho Monreal to our ranks from Malaga."

Hill-Wood said that the Premier League club's agreement to bring in financial fair play-style spending controls would help Arsenal. "These new rules will be good for us, good for the Premier League and good for the game as a whole.

"It is important that we maintain the quality and level of competition if the game is to continue being a compelling spectacle and we believe the introduction of tighter financial regulation will assist all clubs to compete while remaining financially responsible."

Arsenal's football turnover dropped from £113.5m to £106m as a result of four fewer home fixtures compared to the same period last year. The report also confirmed an extended partnership with Emirates which will be worth up to £150m.

Hill-Wood added: "The Emirates partnership is one of the biggest sponsorship deals in the game and is an endorsement of the commercial approach we are taking."